Long 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. Think in regards to the lakeside cabin resort in Dirty Dancing, the seashore that was dwelling to the mermaid that captivated a younger Tom Hanks in Splash, or that scene on the high of the Empire State Building in Sleepless in Seattle.
We have spent years exploring East Coast trip spots from our dwelling base in Rhode Island. So in case you are asking, what are the most effective locations to go to on the East Coast, check out our 26 favorites. (Also see my suggestions for greatest holidays for youths and greatest holidays for teenagers.)
If you favor to discover the East Coast by automobile, we even have 20 concepts for week-long East Coast highway journeys so that you can strive.
Best East Coast Family Vacations
Note: This submit could include affiliate hyperlinks. If 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 good 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 get pleasure from every vacation spot.
1. Maine Coast
Maine has almost 3,500 miles of shoreline and it might take over six hours to drive from Kittery on the New Hampshire border all the way in which as much as Bar Harbor, outdoors of Acadia National Park.
The Maine Beaches alongside the southern coast are well-liked seashore getaway locations for Bostonians. Charming seaside cities like Kennebunkport supply cute cottages and inns. Others like Old Orchard Beach supply rides and a historic pier for old style household enjoyable.
In Portland and round Casco Bay, you’ll find the picturesque rocky shoreline dotted with lighthouses and sprinkled with wonderful eating places, breweries, and the flagship L.L. Bean retailer in Freeport.
However, in case you are prepared to enterprise somewhat additional north, you attain the very particular MidCoast, dwelling to Camden, artsy and funky Rockland, and one among my favorites, Boothbay Harbor.
If you wish to flip this right into a highway journey as a substitute of settling in only one city, you should definitely see my Coastal Maine highway journey itinerary for solutions. You may pair the Maine coast with a highway journey to the Maine Highlands or a while at Moosehead Lake.
Where to remain
2. White Mountains, New Hampshire
Some households want to spend per week enjoyable by one among New Hampshire’s well-known lakes, like Lake Winnipesaukee, however the White Mountains are for those who wish to be energetic. Families can go climbing, mountaineering, or simply splash round within the waterfalls of Diana’s Baths.
Or, you possibly can earn a kind of ubiquitous “This car climbed Mount Washington” stickers or take the simple route by driving the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
Other well-liked points of interest embody Flume Gorge, Lost River Gorge, mountain points of interest at Attitash or Cranmore, ziplining at Alpine Adventures, and Storyland or Santa’s Village amusement parks. During the autumn, a scenic drive on the well-known Kancamaugus Highway is a should do!
Where to remain
3. Green Mountains, Vermont
Since I spent my summer time holidays in Vermont visiting household, the Green Mountains maintain a particular place in my coronary heart as a favourite East Coast household trip vacation spot. I actually imagine that Vermont gives the easiest of New England.
You can spend per week on the shores of Lake Champlain at a resort like Basin Harbor, or quiet down for summer time enjoyable at one among Vermont’s many mountain resorts like Smugglers’ Notch.
If you select, you possibly can spend your days swimming, climbing, and exploring quaint New England cities like Woodstock, Manchester, and Burlington, or get pleasure from Vermont’s native meals scene; by visiting craft breweries, sampling Vermont cheddar cheese, or taking a day journey to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory.
Vermont is sufficiently small that it’s simple to discover over a protracted weekend or week-long Vermont highway journey. The excellent time for fall foliage is often the very starting of October in case you are trying to plan a New England highway journey within the fall.
Where to remain
4. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the right vacation spot for history-loving households and it’s such a enjoyable metropolis to discover in the summertime. When you might be completed exploring the historic websites alongside the Freedom Trail, and visiting the Boston Tea Party Museum and Ships, you possibly can head out on the water for a whale-watching cruise or Boston Harbor Islands tour.
Just ensure you go away time to see the Boston Red Sox if they’re on the town or tour the historic Fenway Stadium. Spend some free time having fun with the Boston Common and Public Gardens with a swan boat trip and a go to to the Make Way for Ducklings statue.
Enjoy the views from the Skywalk Observatory on the highest of the Prudential Center and buy groceries alongside Newbury Street. See extra issues to do in Boston.
Just understand that Boston might be expensive, however I’ve suggestions for visiting Boston on a funds. If you will have a couple of additional days, you may as well plan day journeys to Salem, Gloucester and Rockport, or right down to Plymouth.
Where to remain
5. 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 Vineyard and Nantucket). Each city has a distinct persona, from funky Provincetown to the quiet dunes of Eastham, to the lovable downtown in Chatham, and a number of the greatest East Coast seashores.
You can spend hours taking part in in tide swimming pools, amassing shells, and watching the sundown over the water. Or, hop on the bikes and benefit from the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
But 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.
Where to remain
6. 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 gives a lot to do all year long, however we particularly find it irresistible in the summertime.
The Adirondacks are break up into a number of areas. There is 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 among the hottest areas, particularly Lake Placid, which was dwelling to 2 winter Olympic Games.
The Adirondacks is an ideal place for households with older children who get pleasure from being energetic and outside. You can hike, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard to your coronary heart’s content material. The complete household, together with these with youthful kids, will love climbing via the treetops on the Wild Center 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 time or fall journey!
Where to remain
7. Niagara Falls, New York
There was a time when Niagara Falls was a vacation spot for honeymooners. Then it turned a household highway journey vacation spot. In latest years, Niagara Falls has advanced far past the falls themselves.
While 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 Trail gives 22 wineries, breweries, and ciders. Outdoor lovers can eleven New York State parks, the scenic Niagara Gorge, get pleasure from a high-speed jet boat trip throughout the Niagara River, or get pleasure from a birding paradise.
Families may get pleasure from Old Fort Niagara, the Aquarium of Niagara, and naturally, the Cave of the Winds is to not be missed. Nearby, you possibly can get pleasure from a number of the distinctive meals and the revitalized waterfront in Buffalo.
Where to remain
8. New York, New York
Have you seen the lights go up on Broadway? Taken selfies in Times Square? Sailed previous the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry? Strolled via Central Park? Walked alongside Wall Street? Enjoyed 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 possibly can into one go to is selecting a neighborhood and digging in. Walk as a lot as you possibly can and don’t be afraid to take the subway. And most of all, don’t eat at chain eating places that yow will discover at dwelling!
A good way to get a way of the town is with a sightseeing bus tour like The Ride, or investing in a CityPASS and taking a self-guided highlights tour of NYC.
Where to remain
9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is among the greatest cities on the East Coast, however it’s so continuously ignored in favor of its neighbor to the north. However, 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 City.
Start off your go to to historic Philadelphia with a tour of Independence Hall, adopted by a swing by the Liberty Bell. Leave time to discover the Constitution Center and the brand new Museum of the American Revolution.
When you will have had your fill of historical past, run up the steps of the Art Museum and pose with the Rocky statue. Or head right down to the riverfront or out to the Philadelphia Zoo. Kids love the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum. Or you may get creeped out with a go to to the Eastern State Penitentiary.
There are so many aspect journeys you possibly can add to your journey; together with visits to Valley Forge, Lancaster, or Hershey.
Where to remain
10. Wildwood, New Jersey
Every yr my sister took her children to Wildwood for a Jersey Shore household trip. 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 May. If you do wish to go away the seashore, you possibly can benefit from the Cape May Zoo, benefit from the Victorian homes in downtown Cape May, and even head as much as Atlantic City.
Where to remain
11. Washington, D.C.
Every household ought to plan a go to to the Nation’s capital. While discovering an inexpensive lodge room is usually a problem, at the very least you’ll save a lot on points of interest as most of the museums are free.
It is tough to suit all the pieces right into a lengthy weekend in DC with out getting museum fatigue, however it’s enjoyable to combine issues up with walks alongside the National Mall. One of our favourite recollections is exploring monuments, just like the Lincoln Memorial, at evening.
There are some things to remember when planning your journey.
- Visits to the Capitol Building and White House 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 will let you skip the road.
- You must request timed-entry tickets to the Holocaust Museum and African American Museum on-line as entrance is restricted.
- Be ready to undergo safety screening earlier than getting into all museums and most points of interest.
Where to remain
12. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
For a few years I equated Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with the extra touristy seashore cities like Ocean City, Maryland. But whereas Rehoboth has a boardwalk, that is absolutely a household vacation spot.
The seashores in Southern Delaware are stunning, huge, and flat, with good waves for physique browsing. The city has a mixture of motels and inns, however most guests hire a seashore home.
Downtown has a burgeoning meals scene, and loads of household enjoyable: from arcades to bike trails via Cape Henlopen State Park. If you need one thing even quieter, head additional south to Bethany Beach.
Where to remain
13. Virginia Beach, Virginia
If we’re speaking about family-friendly seashore locations, Virginia Beach is a robust contender. A 24-foot tall statue of King Neptune welcomes everybody to Virginia Beach’s iconic three-mile-long boardwalk and huge 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 Beach with children, making it good for water-loving households with adventures appropriate for all ages.
The calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay are good for households with younger kids 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 includes a wave pool, lazy river, and 10 slides at an inexpensive value.
Virginia Beach can also be nice for households trying to get pleasure from nature. Explore a wide range of coastal ecosystems at First Landing State Park, positioned simply 10 minutes north of the resort space; or hike via Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to succeed in False Cape State Park, this distant park will not be accessible by automobile however gives the chance to camp on the seashore and the opportunity of seeing wild horses. If your children are loopy about marine life you should definitely take a look at the Virginia Aquarium or head out on the water for a dolphin or whale-watching cruise.
By Brianna Simmons, The Casual Travelist
Where to remain
14. Williamsburg, Virginia
While 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!)
If your teenagers don’t love the residing historical past interpretations at Colonial Williamsburg, maybe they may benefit from the thrills at Busch Gardens or Watercountry USA close by.
If you will have somewhat extra time within the space, head over to Hampton and Newport News to study somewhat extra about early American historical past or the beginning of the area program on the Virginia Air and Space Center. See my suggestions for planning a full historical past highway journey!
Where to remain
15. Lake Lure, North Carolina
Lake Lure, North Carolina is a good vacation spot for households. You will discover loads of journey on and off the water surrounded by beautiful mountain views in each route. A number of must-visit stops are the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, Chimney Rock State Park, and Chimney Rock Village with a number of outlets, and eating choices, together with a scenic riverwalk subsequent to the creek that children will get pleasure from taking part in in on a heat sunny day.
The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is one among two flowering bridges within the United States. Every planter on this former automobile bridge is a distinct artistic theme and attracts round 8-10,000 guests from April- October every year.
There are 8 climbing trails for company to discover at Chimney Rock. Two trails that you’ll undoubtedly wish to take a look at are the hike to the highest of Chimney Rock for unbelievable views of the world and Hickory Nut Falls Trail 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 Tours or benefit from the water beachside positioned steps away from the Lake Lure Inn and Spa.
By Nedra McDaniel, Adventure Mom
Where to remain
16. Outer Banks, North Carolina
For a couple of years in my early twenties, my school buddies and I’d pack up and head right down to the Outer Banks for per week every summer time. Some of them continued this custom as soon as they began their households.
While the world has gotten somewhat extra constructed up prior to now 20 years, the Outer Banks remains to be an ideal vacation spot for a laid-back household seashore trip. You can chill out by day within the heat waters of the Atlantic, interrupted solely by the occasional dolphin pod swimming by.
When you tire of the seashore, you possibly can strive grasp 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 most effective issues to do within the Outer Banks.
Where to remain
17. Hilton Head, South Carolina
Our favourite getaway on the east coast is Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Unlike Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island has been deliberately developed because the Nineteen Fifties, and nice effort has been made to protect the reside oak bushes draped in Spanish moss that give this island its lush really feel.
Beneath the bushes, vacationers can trip alongside miles of motorbike trails, kayak via the marshes and waterways or go horseback driving. Of course, there are seashores, golf programs — conventional and putt putt relying in your talent, and the Pinckney Nature Preserve to fill sunny days with enjoyable.
Restaurants on the island concentrate on seafood, low-country delicacies, and barbecue. Truly, no matter your style, you’ll discover it right here! For solar and relaxed, southern-style enjoyable, Hilton Head gives one thing for everybody.
by Karen Dawkins, Family Travels on a Budget
Where to remain
18. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is a good metropolis to go to with tweens and teenagers. The metropolis is a contemporary mixture of a bustling metropolis, open areas, and pockets of historical past. You can 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 Center for Civil and Human Rights.
You can get off the overwhelmed path with an Atlanta meals tour and a go to to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. You may bike across the Atlanta BeltLine.
Also, take a while to go to Buckhead for purchasing and eating. Just keep in mind that Atlanta is a giant metropolis so you’ll need your automobile (or an Uber account) and provides your self time to take care of visitors.
Where to remain
19. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island is my favourite of Georgia’s Golden Isles, with miles of beautiful seashores and bike trails, and a laid-back lifestyle. Since a lot of the island is a nature protect, you possibly can’t look forward to finding high-rise inns lining the seashore. But this quieter seashore life could also be simply what you might be on the lookout for.
Whether you might be visiting for per week or only a day, you should cease by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. And a stroll alongside Driftwood Beach (or higher but, at dawn) is an expertise like no different.
If you might be visiting through the summer time, households will even benefit from the Summer Waves water park. If you need one thing somewhat quieter and extra personal to get pleasure from nature, plan an all-inclusive keep on Little St. Simons Island.
Where to remain
20. Amelia Island, Florida
Amelia Island on the northeastern coast of Florida isn’t the identical because the palm-lined sands of South Beach. Here you’ll find huge seashores, rolling sand dunes, and swaying seashore grasses.
Inland you’ll find Spanish moss dripping from outdated oak bushes and black water swamps good for kayaking and different out of doors actions. Downtown Fernandina Beach gives historic trolley excursions, boutique purchasing, and a burgeoning meals scene.
You can simply take day journeys over to see the wild horses on Cumberland Island, Georgia, or head as much as the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for an eco-tour.
Where to remain
21. Orlando, Florida
Of course, Orlando is the most effective household trip spots, with one thing for everybody from toddlers to teenagers (okay, and even grown-ups.) The theme parks are all the time introducing new points of interest, just like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, Pandora at Animal Kingdom, and, for Star Wars followers, Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios.
But 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 can take airboat rides, zip line over alligators, go indoor skydiving, and even get pleasure from a scorching air balloon trip.
Nearby you possibly can go to Legoland, Safari Wilderness Ranch, or go tubing via scorching springs.
Where to remain
22. Florida’s Space Coast
Kennedy Space Center is an absolute should go to for households, particularly if you are interested within the area program (and in case you 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.
While many individuals go to Kennedy Space Center on a day journey from Orlando, you need to actually take the time to benefit from the Space Coast. Cocoa Beach is a surf capital and is a good place to strive browsing classes. Nearby, you possibly can go to the Brevard Zoo and kayak previous the giraffes. The Space Coast is filled with household enjoyable.
Where to remain
23. Florida Keys
Driving via the Florida Keys is a basic American highway journeys, surrounded beautiful blue water and inexperienced mangroves, you hop from bridge to bridge as you cross via the Keys.
To get the complete expertise, it is smart to start out off with an evening or two in Key Largo, then an evening mid-way via the Keys in Marathon or Duck Key. Finish up your stick with a few nights in Key West.
This is the right alternative to get pleasure from water sports activities like fishing, boating, kite browsing, paddle boarding, or kayaking. You may take to the sky for parasailing or take a extra tame glass-bottom boat over the coral reef.
When in Key West, you should definitely expertise the sundown pageant and revel in a frozen, chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick. Kids will even get pleasure from a cease on the Key West Aquarium.
Where to remain
24. 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. If you might be on the lookout for a relaxed island trip with no passport, Sanibel and Captiva match the invoice.
Sanibel is the bigger of the 2 islands, with 25 miles of motorbike paths and mixed-use trails. Lending to that quieter way of life, half of the island is preserved towards improvement. Sanibel can also be dwelling to a 6,400-acre wildlife protect.
Captiva is even quieter and each islands are recognized for fabulous shelling. Inland you’ll find 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.
Families will get pleasure from kayaking, parasailing, crusing, biking, and naturally, shell amassing. Nearby, I additionally love visiting Naples or Marco Island in Southwest Florida.
25. Clearwater Beach, Florida
The white sand seashores of Clearwater make it probably the greatest seashores on the Gulf Coast. Combined with the calm gulf waters, Clearwater Beach makes a household trip paradise. Hotels and resorts line the principle 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, out of doors films and sundown festivals, and, after all, the well-known Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
You may simply take day journeys to Tampa and St. Petersburg for visits to Busch Gardens Tampa and the Florida Aquarium.
Where to remain
26. Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida is the right household trip vacation spot! You can spend sooner or later simply hanging out on the seashore or by the pool. Then the following day spend all day visiting points of interest in Destin and out 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 take a look at the Gulfarium to see the dolphin present and all types of sea creatures or head over to an arcade for video games, lazer tag and ropes programs.
When it involves consuming, there are tons of eating places to choose from and virtually all of them are family-friendly. Some even serve the children meals on a frisbee and are proper on the seashore!
By Bryanna Royal, Crazy Family Adventure
Where to remain
PIN THIS FOR LATER
