I’ve spent 95% of my time residing on the East Coast of the US, and for essentially the most half, I’ve cherished it. We’re fortunate as a result of there are such a lot of nice locations for East Coast household holidays – a lot of which we will simply drive to. The East Coast presents lots of the high household holidays within the US.
Searching for some trip inspiration to your subsequent household trip? Listed here are a few of our favourite East Coast household holidays. Depart us a remark if we left one in every of your favourite East Coast trip spots for households off the record.
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As well as, we visited just a few of those places as a part of press journeys (at no, or restricted value to us). All opinions are my very own.
East Coast Household Holidays
Earlier than planning your trip, take a look at this trip calculator that may assist you determine prices. Remember that a few of these greatest East Coast holidays for households may be mixed, particularly for those who can take an extended street journey.
New York Metropolis
I firmly imagine that each household from the US ought to attempt to have a minimum of one New York Metropolis household trip. It’s top-of-the-line East Coast holidays and one of many high household trip spots on the planet. Dwelling within the Boston space, we’re only a few hours away and may go to each few years, primarily as a result of there are such a lot of simple transportation choices from Boston to NYC.
Along with iconic landmarks just like the Empire State Constructing, the Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Plaza, there are numerous museums with interactive reveals, enjoyable NYC household eating places, and Broadway. Don’t overlook to go to Central Park and Instances Sq..
I typically take pleasure in visiting within the fall or spring, when the temperatures are nice for strolling round, though Christmastime is at all times so lovely. Do not forget that New York Metropolis is very busy between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so be ready for crowds and better lodge costs. It will also be tougher to get restaurant reservations.
See lodge opinions in NYC right here.
Cape Cod, MA
In case you are searching for the right New England seaside trip, you’ll need to go to Cape Cod. This space of Massachusetts presents over 400 miles of shoreline (the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore Nationwide Park), making it a preferred East Coast trip vacation spot in the summertime. The Cape has a few of the greatest East Coast seashores for households and is among the many greatest trip spots on the East Coast.
Households can take pleasure in conventional summer season actions like mini-golf, conventional golf programs, drive-in films, enjoyable water sports activities, out of doors actions, and stress-free time on the seaside. There are a number of nice cities and resorts to go to, so that you’ll discover the right spot amongst these seaside cities. Cape Cod can be an amazing place to go to with younger youngsters, with a lot pure magnificence to discover.
In the event you want there are additionally many trip leases provided. On the best way to the Cape, just be sure you cease at Plymouth, MA for a go to to the historic Plimoth Patuxet Museums.
There are many nice household resorts on Cape Cod, together with Ocean Edge Resort (ebook right here) and the Sea Crest Seaside Lodge (ebook right here).
See lodge opinions right here.
Cape Ann, MA
Lower than an hour north of Boston is Cape Ann, MA, the place you’ll discover the waterfront cities of Rockport and Gloucester, MA. I like visiting Cape Ann, as a result of it’s much less crowded than Cape Cod, however nonetheless has some nice eating places, waterfront actions, and outlets.
You can mix a visit to Cape Ann with a Boston household trip as a result of it’s so shut. It’s one in every of my favourite trip and day journey spots.
Our favourite seashores in Gloucester are Good Harbor Seaside and Wingaersheek Seaside. They’re a few of the greatest seashores in Massachusetts.
Each get very busy on scorching summer season days, so I like to recommend arriving early to just be sure you get parking. A number of motels are within the space, and a few folks want to ebook a trip residence.
See motels right here.
Boston, MA
I like my residence metropolis of Boston. Even after residing proper within the metropolis and within the close by suburbs for twenty years, I nonetheless discover so many issues to do within the space. You can simply spend a minimum of per week in Boston from the quite a few museums, exhibits, parks, outlets, eating places, and extra.
Whereas the snow is gorgeous, I do suggest visiting within the late spring, summer season, or early fall when the temperatures are greatest for exploring the town. See our suggestions for neighborhoods in Boston and motels in Boston to remain in.
See lodge opinions right here.
Martha’s Winery, MA
Some of the fashionable presidential trip locations over the previous few many years, Martha’s Winery is likely one of the greatest East Coast household holidays. There are just a few totally different cities, all providing quaint outlets, scrumptious eating places, and exquisite seashores.
You possibly can simply catch a ferry over to the island, and may even select to convey your automobile with you for those who’d like. After we visited, we did convey our automobile as a result of we drove all around the island. Many households determine to hire a seaside home for his or her trip, or there are motels and resorts on the island (see opinions right here).
Raleigh, NC
My son and I visited Raleigh, North Carolina on a press journey final spring, and we had been so pleasantly shocked by all the nice issues to do in Raleigh. There’s a lot to maintain children occupied, from watersports and ziplining to museums and eating places.
Not solely are there many actions, however a number of museums supply free admission, making it an reasonably priced spot for a household trip. The climate can be typically good, with pretty delicate winters. Our lodge, proper within the heart of city, was the right spot to remain as a result of we had been capable of stroll to a number of museums and eating places.
See lodge opinions right here.
Nationwide Harbor, MD
After visiting the opposite three Gaylord Motels (in Dallas, Orlando, and Nashville), I knew that I needed to take my household to the Gaylord Nationwide, situated in Nationwide Harbor, MD. Nationwide Harbor is a complete vacation spot in itself, nevertheless it’s additionally an amazing spot for anybody visiting the points of interest in Washington DC and Alexandria, Virginia.
The centerpiece is a huge Ferris wheel proper on the waterfront, however there are additionally many eating places and outlets within the space. Friends can drive to DC and Alexandria, or a ship can take you there proper from the Harbor.
We loved our keep there and suggest it to anybody visiting DC however want to keep just a little exterior the town.
See lodge opinions right here.
Washington DC
Washington DC is one other vacation spot that’s excellent for households to go to – it’s one of many must-see locations on the East Coast. I’d typically suggest a go to when your children are teenagers or tweens as a result of that’s when your youngsters will actually perceive what they’re seeing.
After we traveled to DC with our children, we drove from our residence in Massachusetts and visited a number of museums, together with the Worldwide Spy Museum.
Do not forget that you’ll have to work by means of your US Rep or Senator for a number of visits (together with the White Home), so it’s greatest to plan and do your analysis nicely upfront. Whereas the precise lodging within the space may be costly, as it’s a metropolis, many museums supply complimentary admission.
So, it could actually be an reasonably priced trip vacation spot for those who plan accordingly. Throughout our go to, we stayed at Nationwide Harbor, which was a less expensive choice than staying proper within the metropolis. After all, you’ll need to head into the town to see issues just like the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums, and the Nationwide Mall.
See lodge opinions right here.
Portland, Maine
I like Portland Maine. After listening to so many nice issues about it for years, I solely just lately found it for myself. Whereas it’s in all probability greatest visited in the summertime when you’ll be able to benefit from the nice and cozy climate for water actions, it’s additionally an amazing place to see within the winter.
I take pleasure in simply strolling round city (particularly the Previous Port part), testing the varied quaint outlets and scrumptious eating places. There are additionally museums and exquisite websites to discover. Remember to take a look at the enduring Portland Head Lighthouse.
Different fashionable spots in Maine embody Ogunquit, Acadia Nationwide Park, and Bar Harbor. Ogunquit is a quintessential seaside city that isn’t too removed from Boston and Portland.
See lodge opinions right here.
Mystic, CT
Mystic is known for the film and restaurant Mystic Pizza, though there’s a lot to discover. Situated proper over the Rhode Island border in Connecticut, Mystic presents a wonderful aquarium, seaport village, and buying space.
We typically keep two nights and may see nearly all the pieces on our record. It’s greatest to go to when the climate is heat as a result of virtually all the seaport and village and a part of the aquarium are open air. You’ll do plenty of strolling in your journey.
See lodge opinions right here.
Bethany Seaside, Delaware
A number of years in the past, I had the chance to go to Bethany Seaside, Delaware as a part of a media journey. I instantly fell in love with this charming seaside neighborhood, providing a stupendous seaside, a enjoyable boardwalk, nice eating places, and enjoyable actions (like mini golf).
See motels in Bethany Seaside right here.
Amelia Island, FL
After visiting Amelia Island for the TMS household journey convention in 2016, it’s one in every of my favourite spots to suggest for a household trip. Situated only a brief drive away from Jacksonville, Amelia Island is definitely accessible from most US cities.
There’s Fernandina Seaside, a beautiful seaside that’s nice for households, with quite a few parks, scrumptious meals, and enjoyable water sports activities. Throughout my journey to the convention, I loved a complimentary keep on the Omni Amelia Island Resort (ebook right here), a household resort providing a number of children’ actions. It’s a great place for a calming keep, however you’ll additionally be capable to take pleasure in extra than simply the seaside.
See lodge opinions right here.
Virginia Seaside, VA
A number of years in the past, I had the chance to go to Virginia Seaside throughout a press journey to Virginia. This seaside city space presents a quintessential household seaside expertise, from biking down the seaside boardwalk to having fun with a splash within the ocean.
I particularly love the Virginia Seaside Aquarium and Marine Science Heart, top-of-the-line aquariums I’ve been to. After all, you’ll additionally get to take pleasure in a few of the greatest seafood on the many scrumptious eating places you’ll discover round city.
From right here, you too can street journey to the Jap Shore and Colonial Williamsburg.
See lodge opinions right here.
Savannah, Georgia
The coastal, historic city of Savannah, Georgia, is on the South Carolina border. It’s a stupendous place to go to for a trip and presents historic websites such because the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace and the Owens-Thomas Home.
Savannah is such a quintessential southern city. There are nice eating places and outlets all through the town.
There’s additionally Tybee Island, a barrier island situated off the coast of Savannah within the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great place for a household seaside trip.
See extra issues to do in Savannah right here.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
This Atlantic barrier island in South Carolina is a well-liked seaside vacation spot. Situated southwest of Charleston, Kiawah is named a seaside and {golfing} vacation spot. Households will take pleasure in visiting Evening Heron Park, which features a nature heart and pool space.
Kiawah boasts many trip properties and resorts. You possibly can see opinions right here.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head is named a golf vacation spot, however there are nonetheless loads of issues to do with children. In the event you and your loved ones love Disney, take into account staying on the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort. This family-friendly resort consists of all the companies and facilities you’ve anticipated from Disney, together with a big pool with a waterslide and seaside entry.
While you’re on Hilton Head, family-oriented actions embody miniature golf, the Dolphin and Nature Tour, Pirate’s Island Journey Golf, and the Sandbox Interactive Youngsters’s Museum.
See lodge opinions in Hilton Head right here.
Orlando, FL
There are such a lot of issues to do in Orlando, together with Walt Disney World, Common Florida, Legoland, the Orlando ICON, Seaworld, and Discovery Cove. It’s virtually unattainable to do all the pieces throughout one journey, so I’d suggest selecting your high choices and simply doing these.
Remember to plan some rest time, since you received’t need to spend daily going, going, going. The theme parks may be tiring.
Asheville, NC
Asheville North Carolina presents scrumptious eating places, a bustling arts scene, lovely nature trails, and naturally, the Biltmore Property. It’s an amazing vacation spot for a girlfriend getaway or household trip, and you might be positive to seek out loads of issues to take pleasure in in your trip. It’s additionally an reasonably priced vacation spot and attracts a lot of its guests from the encircling space.
While you’re there, you’ll be able to take pleasure in mountain climbing to Catawba within the Pisgah Nationwide Forest. Don’t miss a tour of the Biltmore Property, the biggest privately-owned residence in America. Children will particularly love seeing the bowling lanes and indoor swimming pool which can be within the residence.
In the event you do determine to fly in, the small airport in Asheville could be very handy to downtown. Flights typically undergo Charlotte or Atlanta, relying on the airline.
Newport, RI
Newport is one in every of my favourite locations in New England, due to its lovely landscapes, enjoyable eating places, and vibrant waterfront. Summer time is the perfect time to go to so you’ll be able to take pleasure in Fort Adams State Park in addition to the attractive seashores in Newport and the close by cities.
Additionally situated in Rhode Island is Block Island, an island accessible through passenger ferry. It’s develop into a preferred vacation spot in recent times, with tons for the entire household to take pleasure in. As you’d count on, it’s greatest visited in the summertime months.
See extra issues to do in Newport RI with children right here.
There are different lovely East Coast trip spots, together with the Outer Banks of North Carolina (see issues to do within the Outer Banks), Myrtle Seaside in South Carolina (see issues to do in Myrtle Seaside), and Rehoboth Seaside in Delaware. In your opinion, what are the perfect locations to trip with children on the East Coast?
