Good Beach Destinations?!?

My boyfriend and I would like to travel on a mini vacation in early August to a destination that has a beach and a tourist area. Kind of like Virginia Beach, VA or Old Orchard Beach, ME. We do not want to spend a lot of money nor do we want to travel a long distance (max 5 hours). We are from Western, NY. We would like a beach right outside our hotel. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I have done tons of research and I have come up with nothing, so this is my last option.