Lengthy earlier than Instagram burst onto the scene because the medium that serves up trip inspiration, films and tv launched us to quintessential east coast household holidays. Take into consideration the lakeside cabin resort in Soiled Dancing, the seashore that was dwelling to the mermaid that captivated a younger Tom Hanks in Splash, or that scene on the prime of the Empire State Constructing in Sleepless in Seattle.
Now we have spent years exploring East Coast trip spots from our dwelling base in Rhode Island. So in case you are questioning what are finest locations to go to on the East Coast, check out our 26 favorites. (Additionally see my suggestions for finest holidays for teenagers and finest holidays for teenagers.)
When you choose to discover the East Coast by automotive, we even have 20 concepts for week-long East Coast highway journeys so that you can attempt.
Finest East Coast Household Holidays
Notice: This put up could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. When you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
These 26 East Coast holidays are excellent for traditional household journeys. Get impressed after which get planning. Tie a couple of of them collectively in a giant highway journey, or take your time to take pleasure in every vacation spot.
Maine Coast
Maine has almost 3,500 miles of shoreline and it may possibly take over six hours to drive from Kittery on the New Hampshire border all the best way as much as Bar Harbor, outdoors of Acadia Nationwide Park.
The Maine Seashores alongside the southern coast are fashionable seashore getaway locations for Bostonians. Charming seaside cities like Kennebunkport supply cute cottages and inns. Others like Previous Orchard Seashore supply rides and a historic pier for old school household enjoyable.
In Portland and round Casco Bay, you’ll discover the picturesque rocky shoreline dotted with lighthouses and sprinkled with superb eating places, breweries, and the flagship L.L. Bean retailer in Freeport.
Nevertheless, in case you are prepared to enterprise slightly additional north, you attain the very particular MidCoast, dwelling to Camden, artsy and funky Rockland, and considered one of my favorites, Boothbay Harbor.
If you wish to flip this right into a highway journey as a substitute of settling in only one city, make sure you see my Coastal Maine highway journey itinerary for ideas. You can too pair the Maine coast with a highway journey to the Maine Highlands or a while at Moosehead Lake.
The place to Keep
White Mountains, New Hampshire
Some households choose to spend per week enjoyable by considered one of New Hampshire’s well-known lakes, like Lake Winnipesaukee, however the White Mountains are for people who need to be lively. Households can go climbing, mountaineering, or simply splash round within the waterfalls of Diana’s Baths.
Or, you may earn a kind of ubiquitous “This automotive climbed Mount Washington” stickers or take the straightforward route by driving the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
Different fashionable points of interest embrace Flume Gorge, Misplaced River Gorge, mountain points of interest at Attitash or Cranmore, ziplining at Alpine Adventures, and Storyland or Santa’s Village amusement parks. Through the fall, a scenic drive on the well-known Kancamaugus Freeway is a should do!
The place to Keep
- Lumen Nature Retreat, N. Woodstock, NH
- Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH
- Alpine Backyard Glamping, Bartlett, NH
- Residence Inn, North Conway, NH
- Huttopia, North Conway, NH
- KOA Lincoln/White Mountains, Lincoln, NH
Inexperienced Mountains, Vermont
Since I spent my summer season holidays in Vermont visiting household, the Inexperienced Mountains maintain a particular place in my coronary heart as a favourite East Coast household trip vacation spot. I actually imagine that Vermont provides the easiest of New England.
You may spend per week on the shores of Lake Champlain at a resort like Basin Harbor, or calm down for summer season enjoyable at considered one of Vermont’s many mountain resorts like Smugglers’ Notch.
When you select, you may spend your days swimming, climbing, and exploring quaint New England cities like Woodstock, Manchester, Brattleboro, and Burlington. Or take pleasure in Vermont’s native meals scene by visiting craft breweries, sampling Vermont cheddar cheese, or taking a day journey to the Ben & Jerry’s Manufacturing unit.
Vermont is sufficiently small that it’s simple to discover over an extended weekend or week-long Vermont highway journey. The perfect time for fall foliage is normally the very starting of October in case you are trying to plan a New England highway journey within the fall.
The place to Keep
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the proper vacation spot for history-loving households and it’s such a enjoyable metropolis to discover in the summertime. When you’re completed exploring the historic websites alongside the Freedom Path, and visiting the Boston Tea Get together Museum and Ships, you may head out on the water for a whale-watching cruise or Boston Harbor Islands tour.
Simply be sure you depart time to see the Boston Purple Sox if they’re on the town or tour the historic Fenway Stadium. Spend some free time having fun with the Boston Frequent and Public Gardens with a swan boat trip and a go to to the Make Manner for Ducklings statue.
Benefit from the views from the Skywalk Observatory on the highest of the Prudential Heart and buy groceries alongside Newbury Avenue. See extra issues to do in Boston, issues to do with teenagers, and these hidden Boston spots.
Simply take into account that Boston may be expensive. If in case you have a couple of further days, you too can plan day journeys to Salem, Gloucester and Rockport, or all the way down to Plymouth.
The place to Keep
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
I can’t consider a greater household seashore vacation spot in the summertime months than Cape Cod and the Islands (Martha’s Winery and Nantucket). Every city has a special character, from funky Provincetown to the quiet dunes of Eastham, to the lovable downtown in Chatham, and among the finest East Coast seashores.
You may spend hours taking part in in tide swimming pools, accumulating shells, and watching the sundown over the water. Or, hop on the bikes and benefit from the Cape Cod Rail Path.
However a household trip on the Cape isn’t solely about doing, it’s about lazy days, sand between the toes, late afternoon rides to get ice cream, and splurging on lobster dinners, issues that the Cape has loads of.
The place to Keep
Adirondack Mountains, New York
Adirondack Park in Northern New York covers over 6 million acres, encompassing 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 46 mountain peaks. This pure playground provides lots to do all year long, however we particularly adore it in the summertime.
The Adirondacks are cut up into a number of areas. There’s the Adirondack Coast alongside Lake Champlain, the Lake George area within the southern part, and the Tri-Lakes area within the northern part. the Tri-Lakes is likely one of the hottest areas, particularly Lake Placid, which was dwelling to 2 winter Olympic Video games.
The Adirondacks is an ideal place for households with older children who take pleasure in being lively and outdoor. You may hike, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard to your coronary heart’s content material. The entire household, together with these with youthful youngsters, will love climbing by the treetops on the Wild Heart in Tupper Lake.
We’ve loved boat rides on Lake Placid (particularly when tubing!), exploring small cities like Saranac Lake, and simply having fun with all of the pure magnificence. I’ve some concepts for an Adirondack itinerary if you wish to plan a summer season or fall journey!
The place to Keep
Niagara Falls, New York
There was a time when Niagara Falls was a vacation spot for honeymooners. Then it grew to become a household highway journey vacation spot. In recent times, Niagara Falls has developed far past the falls themselves.
Whereas I nonetheless suggest crossing the border to see the Canadian aspect of the Falls, the Niagara area within the USA has a lot to supply. The Niagara Wine Path provides 22 wineries, breweries, and ciders. Outside lovers can eleven New York State parks, the scenic Niagara Gorge, take pleasure in a high-speed jet boat trip throughout the Niagara River, or take pleasure in a birding paradise.
Households also can take pleasure in Previous Fort Niagara, the Aquarium of Niagara, and naturally, the Cave of the Winds is to not be missed. It’s simple to do Niagara Falls on a weekend getaway, or you may take extra time and luxuriate in among the distinctive meals and the revitalized waterfront in close by Buffalo.
The place to Keep
New York, New York
Have you ever seen the lights go up on Broadway? Taken selfies in Occasions Sq.? Sailed previous the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry? Strolled by Central Park? Walked alongside Wall Avenue? Loved the masterpieces of the Met?
There are sufficient issues to do in New York to final a lifetime and the trick to squeezing as a lot as you may into one go to is selecting a neighborhood and digging in. Stroll as a lot as you may and don’t be afraid to take the subway. And most of all, don’t eat at chain eating places that you will discover at dwelling! See my full information for visiting New York Metropolis with children.
An effective way to get a way of town is with a sightseeing bus tour like The Experience, or investing in a CityPASS and taking a self-guided highlights tour of NYC.
The place to Keep
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is likely one of the finest cities on the East Coast, however it’s so often ignored in favor of its neighbor to the north. Nevertheless, each household ought to plan a visit to Philadelphia to absorb the historical past, benefit from the meals, and take within the structure with out the crowds and chaos of New York Metropolis.
Begin off your go to to historic Philadelphia with a tour of Independence Corridor, adopted by a swing by the Liberty Bell. Depart time to discover the Structure Heart and the brand new Museum of the American Revolution.
When you might have had your fill of historical past, run up the steps of the Artwork Museum and pose with the Rocky statue. Or head all the way down to the riverfront or out to the Philadelphia Zoo. Youngsters love the Franklin Institute and the Please Contact Museum. Or you may get creeped out with a go to to the Japanese State Penitentiary.
There are such a lot of aspect journeys you may add to your journey; together with visits to Valley Forge, Lancaster, or Hershey.
The place to Keep
Wildwood, New Jersey
Yearly my sister took her children to Wildwood for a Jersey Shore household trip and generally I’d meet her there. They spent the week having fun with the five-mile-long seashore, swimming within the Atlantic Ocean, taking bike rides on the boardwalk, and spending nights taking part in video games, driving the Ferris Wheel and different rides, and consuming boardwalk treats.
This barrier island sits south of Avalon, and simply north of historic Cape Might. When you do need to depart the seashore, you may benefit from the Cape Might Zoo, benefit from the Victorian homes in downtown Cape Might, and even head as much as Atlantic Metropolis.
The place to Keep
Washington, D.C.
Each household ought to plan a go to to the Nation’s capital. Whereas discovering an reasonably priced lodge room generally is a problem, at the very least you’ll save lots on points of interest as most of the museums are free.
It’s exhausting to suit every thing right into a lengthy weekend in DC with out getting museum fatigue, however it’s enjoyable to combine issues up with walks alongside the Nationwide Mall. Certainly one of our favourite reminiscences is exploring monuments, just like the Lincoln Memorial, at evening.
There are some things to remember when planning your journey.
- Visits to the Capitol Constructing and White Home would require advance planning. Request entry out of your state consultant and provides loads of time to clear a background test.
- Many museums such because the Library of Congress supply timed-entry tickets that let you skip the road.
- You should request timed-entry tickets to the Holocaust Museum and African American Museum on-line as entrance is proscribed.
- Be ready to undergo safety screening earlier than getting into all museums and most points of interest.
The place to Keep
Rehoboth Seashore, Delaware
For a few years I equated Rehoboth Seashore, Delaware with the extra touristy seashore cities like Ocean Metropolis, Maryland. However whereas Rehoboth has a boardwalk, that is absolutely a household vacation spot.
The seashores in Southern Delaware are lovely, vast, and flat, with excellent waves for physique browsing. The city has a mixture of motels and inns, however most guests lease a seashore home.
Downtown has a burgeoning meals scene, and loads of household enjoyable: from arcades to bike trails by Cape Henlopen State Park. In order for you one thing even quieter, head additional south to Bethany Seashore.
The place to Keep
Virginia Seashore, Virginia
If we’re speaking about family-friendly seashore locations, Virginia Seashore is a powerful contender. A 24-foot tall statue of King Neptune welcomes everybody to Virginia Seashore’s iconic three-mile-long boardwalk and vast sandy seashores.
With miles of shoreline alongside each the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, there are such a lot of issues to do in Virginia Seashore with children, making it excellent for water-loving households with adventures appropriate for all ages.
The calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay are excellent for households with younger youngsters with the waves of the Atlantic are appropriate for extra adventurous swimmers and surfers of all ranges. If water slides are extra your loved ones’s factor Ocean Breeze Water Park encompasses a wave pool, lazy river, and 10 slides at an reasonably priced value.
Virginia Seashore can be nice for households trying to take pleasure in nature. Discover a wide range of coastal ecosystems at First Touchdown State Park, positioned simply 10 minutes north of the resort space; or hike by Again Bay Nationwide Wildlife Refuge to succeed in False Cape State Park, this distant park is just not accessible by automotive however provides the chance to camp on the seashore and the potential of seeing wild horses. In case your children are loopy about marine life make sure you try the Virginia Aquarium or head out on the water for a dolphin or whale-watching cruise.
The place to Keep
Williamsburg, Virginia
Whereas Williamsburg is ideal for historical past buffs, there’s a lot extra to do within the space than simply Colonial Williamsburg. Plan to spend at the very least a day in Williamsburg, and in addition construct in time to go to Jamestown and Yorktown (Hamilton followers will love this!)
In case your teenagers don’t love the residing historical past interpretations at Colonial Williamsburg, maybe they are going to benefit from the thrills at Busch Gardens or Watercountry USA close by.
If in case you have slightly extra time within the space, head over to Hampton and Newport Information to study slightly extra about early American historical past or the beginning of the area program on the Virginia Air and Area Heart. See my suggestions for planning a full historical past highway journey!
The place to Keep
Lake Lure, North Carolina
Lake Lure, North Carolina is a superb vacation spot for households. You can see loads of journey on and off the water surrounded by attractive mountain views in each path. Just a few must-visit stops are the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, Chimney Rock State Park, and Chimney Rock Village with numerous outlets, and eating choices, together with a scenic riverwalk subsequent to the creek that children will take pleasure in taking part in in on a heat sunny day.
The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is considered one of two flowering bridges in america. Each planter on this former car bridge is a special artistic theme and attracts round 8-10,000 guests from April- October every year.
There are 8 climbing trails for friends to discover at Chimney Rock. Two trails that you’ll positively need to try are the hike to the highest of Chimney Rock for unbelievable views of the world and Hickory Nut Falls Path to see the 2nd largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. For a soothing day on the water, take a scenic pontoon boat trip with Lake Lure Excursions or benefit from the water beachside positioned steps away from the Lake Lure Inn and Spa.
The place to Keep
Outer Banks, North Carolina
For a couple of years in my early twenties, my faculty buddies and I’d pack up and head all the way down to the Outer Banks for per week every summer season. A few of them continued this custom as soon as they began their households.
Whereas the world has gotten slightly extra constructed up prior to now twenty years, the Outer Banks continues to be an ideal vacation spot for a laid-back household seashore trip. You may chill out by day within the heat waters of the Atlantic, interrupted solely by the occasional dolphin pod swimming by.
If you tire of the seashore, you may attempt dangle gliding, go to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, take out a kayak or paddle board, or take an airplane trip from the place the place flight started. See the perfect issues to do within the Outer Banks.
The place to Keep
Hilton Head, South Carolina
A favourite household getaway on the east coast is Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. In contrast to Myrtle Seashore, Hilton Head Island has been deliberately developed because the Fifties, and nice effort has been made to protect the dwell oak timber draped in Spanish moss that give this island its lush really feel.
Beneath the timber, vacationers can trip alongside miles of motorcycle trails, kayak by the marshes and waterways or go horseback driving. In fact, there are seashores, golf programs — conventional and putt putt relying in your talent, and the Pinckney Nature Protect to fill sunny days with enjoyable.
Eating places on the island concentrate on seafood, low-country delicacies, and barbecue. Actually, no matter your style, you’ll discover it right here! For solar and relaxed, southern-style enjoyable, Hilton Head provides one thing for everybody.
The place to Keep
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is a superb metropolis to go to with tweens and teenagers. The town is a contemporary mixture of a bustling metropolis, open areas, and pockets of historical past. You may simply spend a full day having fun with the points of interest round Centennial Park together with the fabulous Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coca-Cola, CNN, and the extremely highly effective Heart for Civil and Human Rights.
You will get off the overwhelmed path with an Atlanta meals tour and a go to to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nationwide Historic Web site. You can too bike across the Atlanta BeltLine.
Additionally, take a while to move to Buckhead for purchasing and eating. Simply keep in mind that Atlanta is a giant metropolis so you have to your automotive (or an Uber account) and provides your self time to cope with visitors.
The place to Keep
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island is my favourite of Georgia’s Golden Isles, with miles of lovely seashores and bike trails, and a laid-back lifestyle. Since a lot of the island is a nature protect, you may’t anticipate finding high-rise resorts lining the seashore. However this quieter seashore life could also be simply what you’re in search of.
Whether or not you’re visiting for per week or only a day, you will need to cease by the Georgia Sea Turtle Heart. And a stroll alongside Driftwood Seashore (or higher but, at dawn) is an expertise like no different.
In case you are visiting in the course of the summer season, households can even benefit from the Summer time Waves water park. In order for you one thing slightly quieter and extra non-public to take pleasure in nature, plan an all-inclusive keep on Little St. Simons Island.
The place to Keep
Amelia Island, Florida
Amelia Island on the northeastern coast of Florida isn’t the identical because the palm-lined sands of South Seashore. Right here you’ll discover vast seashores, rolling sand dunes, and swaying seashore grasses.
Inland you’ll discover Spanish moss dripping from outdated oak timber and black water swamps excellent for kayaking and different outside actions. Downtown Fernandina Seashore provides historic trolley excursions, boutique purchasing, and a burgeoning meals scene.
You may simply take day journeys over to see the wild horses on Cumberland Island, Georgia, or head as much as the Okefenokee Nationwide Wildlife Refuge for an eco-tour.
The place to Keep
Orlando, Florida
In fact, Orlando is the perfect household trip spots, with one thing for everybody from toddlers to teenagers (okay, and even grown-ups.) The theme parks are at all times introducing new points of interest, just like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common Orlando, Pandora at Animal Kingdom, and, for Star Wars followers, Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios.
However past the theme parks are so many extra adventures and points of interest that it takes a lifetime of visits to get to all of them. You may take airboat rides, zip line over alligators, go indoor skydiving, and even take pleasure in a scorching air balloon trip.
Close by you may go to Legoland, Safari Wilderness Ranch, or go tubing by scorching springs.
The place to Keep
Florida’s Area Coast
Kennedy Area Heart is an absolute should go to for households, particularly if you are interested within the area program (and if you happen to don’t, you continue to gained’t be bored!) Plan on spending a complete day exploring the advanced, beginning with the Atlantis Shuttle exhibit, and ending with a go to to the Apollo / Saturn V show.
There are additionally particular occasions to make the most of like lunch with an astronaut or visiting on launch day.
Whereas many individuals go to Kennedy Area Heart on a day journey from Orlando, it’s best to actually take the time to benefit from the Area Coast. Cocoa Seashore is a surf capital and is a superb place to attempt browsing classes. Close by, you may go to the Brevard Zoo and kayak previous the giraffes. The Area Coast is stuffed with household enjoyable.
The place to Keep
Florida Keys
Driving by the Florida Keys is a traditional American highway journeys, surrounded attractive blue water and inexperienced mangroves, you hop from bridge to bridge as you go by the Keys.
To get the total expertise, it is sensible to begin off with an evening or two in Key Largo, then an evening mid-way by the Keys in Marathon or Duck Key. End up your stick with a few nights in Key West.
That is the proper alternative to take pleasure in water sports activities like fishing, boating, kite browsing, paddle boarding, or kayaking. You can too take to the sky for parasailing or take a extra tame glass-bottom boat over the coral reef.
When in Key West, make sure you expertise the sundown pageant and luxuriate in a frozen, chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick. Youngsters can even take pleasure in a cease on the Key West Aquarium.
The place to Keep
Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida
Sanibel and Captiva Islands off the southwest coast of Florida have a little bit of the texture of the Florida Keys, however are a lot simpler to get to with a simple flight into Fort Myers. In case you are in search of a relaxed island trip and not using a passport, Sanibel and Captiva match the invoice.
Sanibel is the bigger of the 2 islands, with 25 miles of motorcycle paths and mixed-use trails. Lending to that quieter way of life, half of the island is preserved in opposition to improvement. Sanibel can be dwelling to a 6,400-acre wildlife protect.
Captiva is even quieter and each islands are identified for fabulous shelling. Inland you’ll discover loggerhead turtles, river otters, and even bald eagles. Off-shore, it isn’t uncommon to identify manatees and dolphins off the waters of the islands.
Households will take pleasure in kayaking, parasailing, crusing, biking, and naturally, shell accumulating. Close by, I additionally love visiting Naples or Marco Island in Southwest Florida.
Clearwater Seashore, Florida
The white sand seashores of Clearwater make it among the best seashores on the Gulf Coast. Mixed with the calm gulf waters, Clearwater Seashore makes a household trip paradise. Motels and resorts line the primary drag, giving loads of lodging choices for households.
When not having fun with the water, there are many kid-friendly actions from pirate ship adventures, dolphin cruises, outside films and sundown festivals, and, after all, the well-known Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
You can too simply take day journeys to Tampa and St. Petersburg for visits to Busch Gardens Tampa and the Florida Aquarium.
The place to Keep
Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida is the proper household trip vacation spot! You may spend sooner or later simply hanging out on the seashore or by the pool. Then the subsequent day spend all day visiting points of interest in Destin and on the water.
We extremely suggest the Pirate cruise or renting a Pontoon boat to go to Crab Island. If you wish to keep on land try the Gulfarium to see the dolphin present and all kinds of sea creatures or head over to an arcade for video games, lazer tag and ropes programs.
On the subject of consuming, there are tons of eating places to choose from and virtually all of them are family-friendly. Some even serve the youngsters meals on a frisbee and are proper on the seashore!
The place to Keep
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Professionals journey podcast.
