Stonington, CT
Westerly, RI (in a BIG way)
Westport Point, MA
Newburyport and Plum Island, MA
Portsmouth, NH (including New Castle)
NH 103 and US 1 Alt from Kittery Point to Ogunquit, ME
Brunswick, ME and South Harpswell, Bailey's Island, and Orr's Island, ME

Connie--

I have been to Stonington, Newburyport, Portsmouth, and Brunswick. While all are worth visiting, none of them has what you are looking for (if I understand you correctly). Westerly maybe - but I have just been through the "downtown" and not to the beach there.

I have not been to Plum Island, but I don't think it is what you want, either. Nearby Salisbury comes closer, but in my opinion Old Orchard Beach and York Beach in Maine are still your best bets.

Did I suggest Cape Cod towns? Falmouth, Sandwich, Harwich, Chahtam, Wellfleet and Provincetown are all inspiring.

I like the Camden, Maine suggestion.

If you go to Brunswick, Maine there's a great little Italian restaurant on the corner of Maine St. (yep, that's the correct spelling) and something else. If you're interested I'll get more information for you. There's also a dandy little Indian restaurant that does the trick. Brunswick is a nice little college town. Their summer stock theatre is a lot of fun. The Harpswell Inn is a little slice of heaven and it's right on the water. Ignore the abandoned boats and cars on the street leading you to the Harpswell Inn and enjoy yourself at the Inn. There's a place at the end of the road, on the water, that serves fabulous fried clams. It is a true hidden little clam shack. Try to visit Admiral Perry's summer home nearby. It's a marvelous place.

Old Orchard Beach and York Beach are much better off season or during the shoulder seasons. Otherwise, it's all a bit honky-tonk, imo.

If you're just pulling off the side of the road, why not just stop at Salem, Massachusetts? That'll tick all the boxes for a few hours.

Although it is quaint and fun to walk around, Salem is hardly an old-fashioned beach town!

But Salem Willows Park might fit the bill at least in part.

It's a charming destination spot that is typical New England, it's not out of the way and they only want to spend a few hours. Salem would probably 'do' just fine. It's certainly filled with atmosphere, just not beach atmosphere.

Plymouth and Onset would be great too. Plymouth would fit the bill for a few hours.

Bowsprit--

OP specifically said "We'd like to see one or two old fashion beach towns like we've seen in old movies."

Although it has much to commend it, Salem is NOT an old-fashioned beach town like OP wants to see.

Neither is Plymouth – although, again, it has a lot to offer otherwise. I am not familiar with Onset so I can't comment on it.

There are enough other towns that would provide what the OP wants (such as York Beach and Old Orchard Beach, ME; Lewes, DE; and many on Cape Code and the Jersey shore) that there is no need to "settle" for visiting Salem or Plymouth or any other place that is not really what they want to see.

Roadtrip plans change quickly. If the route becomes muddled I have offered other options for the OP to visit typical N.E. towns.

I will leave these last few as alternatives to my other prior recommendations. (which included Cape Cod towns. I think I was first to suggest the Cape as a destination, actually.)

Cranachin: I notice you seem to think you have the 'inside scoop' as to what Connie wants based on your responses to others' suggestions and have come up with the very 'untypical' N.E. beach town of York, Maine. Do you have any other suggestions?

Connie, one more from me: If you're planning to visit Boston you can take the passenger ferry from Boston (no cars on the ferry and you won't need one in Provincetown) to Macmillan Wharf in Provincetown on Cape Cod. Provincetown has a wharf, a fun and walkable main street (Commercial St.), great galleries, a diverse and vibrant community and some of the finest restaurants in Massachusetts. Provincetown sits on Cape Cod Bay and its Atlantic beaches are part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It's a gorgeous place.

bookmarking...great suggestions :)

Salisbury Beach, MA and Hampton Beach NH come to mind.
Mom and ppo motels, amusement rides and boardwalks.
Enjoy.

Bowsprit--

Maybe I did come across as having the "inside scoop" - if so, my apologies. I'm just interpreting what she has said through my particular lens (which is what all of us are doing).

All she really gave us to go on is "We'd like to see one or two old fashion beach towns like we've seen in old movies" and "I think I had in mind boardwalks, old timey shops and restaurants, quaint old homes, etc."

Maybe I am wrong in interpreting Connie's request for a "beach town" to mean "a town that is focused on the beach and related activities" - as opposed to simply a "a town that is on the water". I'm just trying to go on my understanding of the information she has given us.

At any rate, it might well be that what Connie wants exists more in the Mid-Atlantic area than in New England, and she has been given suggestions of places to visit in that region as well. If so, that's great, and there is no need to try to sell her on (stereo)typical New England coastal towns if that is not what she said she is looking for. And, of course, there is no need to sell her on honkey-tonk boardwalks if what she wants is stately old homes of sea captains. It sounds a little like she might want both!

Connie--You've been given a lot of suggestions. Do any of these seem to be what you are looking for?

<< sigh >>

Connie: Let us know what you decide. I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip. Happy trails.

Spring Lake, NJ

You can't get much more "old fashion" than Cape May (as Cicerone suggested).

Here's a good Cape May introduction: http://www.MyJerseyShore.com/?page_id=18

Wow, you all are really inspiring me. I think I need to add more time to this part of our itinerary!

Regardless of what I originally asked for, it sounds like there are lots of lovely places to visit. I am printing this to guide us along the way.

Thanks for the time you took to respond!

Nice segue, kid.

Bookmarking--great thread :)

jayne, do be aware that it is 6 years old, so some of the information might not still be valid.

Haha how funny! Good thing we are talking about "old" towns!