I love to travel but hate crowds. These 5 East Coast towns are excellent alternatives to the usual hotspots.

• I love popular cities, but there are gems on the East Coast I like to visit to avoid big crowds.
• Ocracoke is more secluded but as beachy as more popular towns in Outer Banks, North Carolina.
• Instead of Miami, try exploring more laid-back beach towns in South Walton, Florida.

As a DC-area native who’s been traveling up and down the coast all my life, I’ve experienced all the big hitters.

I’ve spent hours in line waiting to grab a beer in Asheville and get ice cream in Nags Head. I’ve pushed my way through Times Square and crowded Miami bars.

I still appreciate the allure of these ultra-popular cities and towns, but I’m over the chaos and crowds that come with them.

Luckily, I’ve found plenty of lesser-known-yet-equally-worthwhile spots dotting the East Coast that I think offer similar vibes as big-name places but with far fewer tourists.