These towns along the United States' national seashores and lakeshores have their own unique appeal. Ocracoke Village hugs the southern end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore on North Carolina's Ocracoke Island.
Outer Banks refuge —
These towns along the United States' national seashores and lakeshores have their own unique appeal. Ocracoke Village hugs the southern end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore on North Carolina's Ocracoke Island.
Thomas R. Fletcher/Alamy
Ocracoke Island's wild ponies are among its most sought-after residents. It's believed that ships ran aground centuries ago and unloaded Spanish mustangs on the island.
Wild pony population —
Ocracoke Island's wild ponies are among its most sought-after residents. It's believed that ships ran aground centuries ago and unloaded Spanish mustangs on the island.
Shutterstock
Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is home to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, which features work by hometown art heroes the Anderson brothers. Downtown streets are dotted with galleries and restaurants.
Creative community —
Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is home to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, which features work by hometown art heroes the Anderson brothers. Downtown streets are dotted with galleries and restaurants.
Jim West/Alamy
Ocean Springs is near the Mississippi areas of Gulf Islands National Seashore. A number of islands are accessibly by private boat, while the Davis Bayou Area is the only Mississippi portion of the shore accessible by car.
Wild islands —
Ocean Springs is near the Mississippi areas of Gulf Islands National Seashore. A number of islands are accessibly by private boat, while the Davis Bayou Area is the only Mississippi portion of the shore accessible by car.
Courtesy Jeff Wilkinson
New Smyrna Beach, Florida, is believed to have been founded about 200 years after Florida's oldest settlement of St. Augustine. Nearby Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse offers wide views of the area.<br /><br />
Historic Florida —
New Smyrna Beach, Florida, is believed to have been founded about 200 years after Florida's oldest settlement of St. Augustine. Nearby Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse offers wide views of the area.
Shutterstock
Cape Canaveral National Seashore is south of New Smyrna Beach. Sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the park's beaches, and National Park Service teams actively work to protect the nests.
Sea turtle protection —
Cape Canaveral National Seashore is south of New Smyrna Beach. Sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the park's beaches, and National Park Service teams actively work to protect the nests.
Shutterstock
Provincetown, Massachusetts, is home to nearly 300 LGBT-owned businesses. Located on the northern tip of Cape Cod, the town is surrounded by Cape Cod National Seashore.
Cape Cod's diversity hub —
Provincetown, Massachusetts, is home to nearly 300 LGBT-owned businesses. Located on the northern tip of Cape Cod, the town is surrounded by Cape Cod National Seashore.
Shutterstock
The national seashore is home to numerous lighthouses, including Highland Light in Truro.
Light stations —
The national seashore is home to numerous lighthouses, including Highland Light in Truro.
Shutterstock
Bordering the southern end of Cape Cod National Seashore, Chatham offers historic sites including the more than 200-year-old Chatham Lighthouse near the "elbow" of Cape Cod, plus eclectic shops and restaurants.
Historic charm —
Bordering the southern end of Cape Cod National Seashore, Chatham offers historic sites including the more than 200-year-old Chatham Lighthouse near the "elbow" of Cape Cod, plus eclectic shops and restaurants.
John Greim/LightRocket/Getty Images
Bayfield, Wisconsin, is the gateway to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. With a population hovering around 500, this cozy little town has more guest rooms than residents.
Lakeshore gateway —
Bayfield, Wisconsin, is the gateway to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. With a population hovering around 500, this cozy little town has more guest rooms than residents.
Courtesy Bayfield Chamberand Visitor Bureau
Kayaking is a great way to explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a protected area that encompasses 21 Lake Superior islands and 12 miles of mainland.
Natural playground —
Kayaking is a great way to explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a protected area that encompasses 21 Lake Superior islands and 12 miles of mainland.
Danita Delimont/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Tiny Marshall, California, sits on Tomales Bay in Marin County. The area is home to nearly half the state's shellfish growers, and oysters are what lure visitors to the bay front to shuck and slurp.
Oyster-lover's paradise —
Tiny Marshall, California, sits on Tomales Bay in Marin County. The area is home to nearly half the state's shellfish growers, and oysters are what lure visitors to the bay front to shuck and slurp.
Shutterstock
Nearby Point Reyes National Seashore boasts spectacular rocky headlands. The park is crisscrossed with 150 miles of hiking trails and populated by more than 1,500 species of plants and animals.
Pacific treasure —
Nearby Point Reyes National Seashore boasts spectacular rocky headlands. The park is crisscrossed with 150 miles of hiking trails and populated by more than 1,500 species of plants and animals.
Shutterstock