Uncle - Chester Us Beaches 20 Top

Uncle Chester says: “The most beautiful freshwater beach in the world.”

Yes, a landlocked state can have a top-10 US beach. Sleeping Bear Dunes has tall, climbable dunes that tumble straight into the crystal-clear waters of Lake Michigan. The beach at Glen Haven is pristine, and because it’s fresh water, there’s no salt, no sharks, and no jellyfish. Uncle Chester’s challenge: try climbing the 450-foot dune. Your legs will hate you. Your eyes will thank you. uncle chester us beaches 20 top

Uncle Chester insists: “You haven’t done beaches until you’ve done a Great Lakes beach.” Lake Michigan’s water is shockingly clear, and the dunes tower 450 feet above the shore. Climb the Dune Climb, then collapse onto the pebbled shores of Glen Haven. It feels like an ocean without salt or sharks. Uncle Chester says: “The most beautiful freshwater beach

Powerful waves and shifting sands. Uncle Chester warns this is not for casual swimmers, but for surfers and shell hunters, it’s paradise. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (black-and-white spiral) is iconic. Climb the 257 steps for a view that will steal your breath. Uncle Chester’s challenge: try climbing the 450-foot dune

Uncle Chester says: “Postcard perfect, and they know it.”

Clearwater’s sand is white, the water is bathwater-warm, and Pier 60 hosts a nightly sunset festival with street performers and artisans. It’s busy – really busy – but Uncle Chester admits that the facilities are top-notch: showers, lifeguards, ramps for wheelchairs, and plenty of food options. Go on a weekday in September for the best experience.

Forget the “Jersey Shore” stereotypes. Cape May is Uncle Chester’s favorite for a genteel getaway. The beaches are wide and clean, but the real magic is the Cape May Point State Park, where migratory birds flood the trails. Follow it up with saltwater taffy from a 19th-century boardwalk.