List of summer colonies


The term summer colony is often used, particularly in the United States, to describe well-known resorts and upper-class enclaves, typically located near the ocean, lakes, or mountains of New England, the Northeast United States, or the Great Lakes.
While some have roots in the 18th Century, many began in the 19th Century with the development of railroads and steamships and expanded with the invention of the automobile.
Many of these historic communities are considered quiet bastions of old money, though some, such as The Hamptons, are now well known for their celebrity-driven social scenes. Additionally, their economies tend to be driven largely by this tourist trade, particularly those communities that are remote or on islands. Some summer colonies within sufficient proximity to an urban center, such as Lake Bluff, Illinois or Denville, New Jersey, may eventually become a year-round commuter town, while retaining the original character.
In Canada, the term cottage country is often preferred.

Well-known summer colonies in North America

United States

[California]

Listed from north to south:
  • Franklin Lakes
  • Denville
  • Rumson
  • Elberon
  • Deal
  • Allenhurst
  • Loch Arbour
  • Spring Lake
  • Sea Girt
  • Barnegat Peninsula, including:
  • *Point Pleasant Beach
  • *Bay Head
  • *Mantoloking
  • *Lavallette
  • *Island Heights
  • Long Beach Island, including:
  • *Barnegat Light
  • *Loveladies
  • *North Beach
  • *Harvey Cedars
  • *Beach Haven
  • Brigantine
  • Longport
  • Avalon
  • Stone Harbor
  • Cape May

    New York">New York (state)">New York

  • Adirondacks
  • Chautauqua
  • East Marion
  • Fire Island
  • *Cherry Grove
  • *Fire Island Pines
  • Fishers Island
  • The Hamptons, including :
  • *Southampton
  • *Water Mill
  • *Bridgehampton
  • *East Hampton
  • *Sagaponack
  • *Sag Harbor
  • *Amagansett
  • *Montauk
  • Lake George
  • Lake Placid
  • Putnam County, New York
  • *Brewster
  • *Putnam Lake
  • Thousand Islands

    [North Carolina]

Listed from north to south:
  • Roaring Gap
  • Little Switzerland
  • Bodie Island including:
  • *Carova
  • *Corolla
  • *Duck
  • *Southern Shores
  • *Kitty Hawk
  • *Kill Devil Hills
  • *Nags Head
  • Hatteras Island including:
  • *Rodanthe
  • *Waves
  • *Salvo
  • *Avon
  • *Buxton
  • *Frisco
  • *Hatteras
  • Ocracoke Island
  • Crystal Coast including:
  • *Atlantic Beach
  • *Pine Knoll Shores
  • *Indian Beach
  • *Salter Path
  • *Emerald Isle
  • Topsail Island including:
  • *North Topsail Beach
  • *Surf City
  • *Topsail Beach
  • Figure Eight Island
  • Wrightsville Beach
  • Pleasure Island including:
  • *Carolina Beach
  • *Kure Beach
  • Bald Head Island
  • Oak Island
  • Holden Beach
  • Ocean Isle Beach

    [Ohio]

  • Kelleys Island
  • Lakeside
  • Marblehead
  • Middle Bass Island
  • South Bass Island
  • Vermilion

    [Pennsylvania]

  • Pocono Mountains
  • Erie

    [Rhode Island]

  • Block Island
  • Little Compton
  • Narragansett
  • Newport
  • Watch Hill

    [Virginia]

  • Colonial Beach
  • Chincoteague
  • Deltaville
  • Gwynn's Island
  • Hot Springs
  • Sandbridge
  • Warm Springs

    Washington">Washington (state)">Washington

  • Seabrook*
Rosario Resort and Spa, Orcas Island, was a hangout for John Wayne. The Wayne family's summers were often spent in the waters off the Pacific Northwest coast, from Seattle to the San Juans.

[Wisconsin]

  • Door County
  • Eagle River
  • Elkhart Lake
  • Green Lake
  • Lake Geneva
  • Madeline Island
  • Manitowish Waters
  • Minocqua
  • Twin Lakes

    Canada

[Prince Edward Island]

The Philippines