I visited a Maryland town in the 'new Hamptons.' This laid-back hidden gem is my new favorite vacation spot.

I love visiting Maryland's Eastern Shore, which has been called the "new Hamptons." Leigh Scheps Even though I grew up in New Jersey, I rarely visited the Hamptons . Now, my family and I like to visit Maryland's Eastern Shore, nicknamed the "new Hamptons." Easton is our favorite town to visit because of its great restaurants and shopping. Growing up in New Jersey, I spent my summers on the Jersey Shore because the Hamptons felt like too much of a schlep. For the past two years, though, my family and I have traded our favorite boardwalks for long weekends on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The area, which has been nicknamed the "new Hamptons" by Forbes , is home to a town that's really stolen our hearts: Easton. To me, it has the polish of an upscale Hamptons town with a more laid-back feel.