When you’re thinking about an US East Coast vacation, your mind automatically goes to New York. Or maybe you think of the sun and beaches of Florida for inspiration. But there are so many other great holiday destinations up and down the US East Coast that deserve your attention. From beautiful state parks bursting with waterfalls, to cities brimming with history and your pick of piers and harbors.
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EAST COAST VACATION SPOTS
So, where do you want to go on the East Coast? This post covers a great big swathe of the East Coast and includes:
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Newport, Rhode Island
- Adirondack Mountains, Upstate New York
- Baltimore Inner Harbor, Maryland
- Alexandria, Virginia
- Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Miami, Florida
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Watkins Glen, New York state
- New York City
- Richmond, Virginia
- Mystic, Connecticut
- Boston, Massachusetts
St. Augustine, Florida
Written by Margie, who has travelled to St. Augustine with her family – you can read all about it here. You can also follow her on Facebook.
You can’t go past Florida for a beachside vacation. Picture: Lance Asper.
If you’re looking for an East Coast vacation for the family, St. Augustine is a great choice. Picture: DQ Travel.
Newport, Rhode Island
Written by Sarah, who travels with her family and blogs about their adventures at Cosmopoliclan. You can also follow her on Twitter.
The opulent Breakers Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Picture: Cosmopoliclan.
Those who would rather a stroll by the sea, can head to the Newport Cliff Walk. Picture: Rahul Anand.
Adirondack Mountains, Upstate New York
Written by Danielle, who adventures on her days off and loves the Adirondack Mountains – you can read her comprehensive post about the mountains here. You can also follow her on Instagram.
The few from along the Cascade Mountain Hike in the Adirondack Mountains. Picture: Wanderlust While Working.
Since I moved to Upstate New York two years ago, one of my favorite pastimes has been spending time in the Adirondack Mountains. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, the Adirondacks are your playground for all things hiking, boating, camping and even skiing in the winter!
If hiking isn’t your cup of tea, why not go for a little canoe ride instead? Picture: Dylan Sauerwein.
If you’re really aiming to get lost in nature, this is a great place to do it because half the time you aren’t likely to have cell service and the other half of the time you’ll be too busy taking in some of the views from a mountaintop or even just from the highway on your drive through.
Even if you aren’t a fan of the outdoors, there is outlet shopping, a small amusement park, and plenty of brewery and dining options to check out.
Baltimore Inner Harbor, Maryland
Written by Dorothy, who is such a big fan of the East Coast that she’s also written a great itinerary for Mt Washington, Baltimore. You can also follow her on Facebook.
What does Baltimore Inner Harbor have to offer? More than you can imagine! Picture: The Places She Goes
Millennials flock to the brick walkways lined with boutiques, art shops, bars, restaurants, and live music venues in Federal Hill. In Spring 2019, the renovated Cross Street Market will reopen drawing
locals to shop and schmooze. Previously frequented by pirates and prostitutes, take a ghost tour in one of Baltimore’s oldest neighborhoods, Fells Point and grab a drink at the historic “The Horse You Came in On” bar.
Look for trendy shops, restaurants, and bars on West 36th Street in Hampden. Stop in Cafe Hon for a Maryland crab cake and see real “Baltimore Hons.” For the artsy, grab some wine and join your friends at “The Painted Palette” in Mt. Washington, for a painting party, or build with clay at Baltimore Clayworks. Afterward, check out the hip shops and restaurants.
For upscale dining and shopping visit Harbor East. In summary, if you wander through some of these neighborhoods, you can experience Baltimore like a resident.
Alexandria, Virginia
Written by Mary Beth, who is a woman after my own heart – she like seeing new places, stuffing her face, and not acting her age. Read more from her at MB Sees. You can also follow her on Twitter.
There are plenty of reasons to put Alexandria, Virginia on your East Coast vacation list. Not least, the area’s Old Town. Picture: MB Sees.
Alexandria, Virginia is just a few miles outside of the nation’s capital, and a great add-on to any Washington, DC, visit. But it’s also a destination in its own right and perfect for an East Coast vacation. The Old Town area is filled with history and sits on a beautiful waterfront with views of DC across the Potomac River.
LOCAL TIP: if you visit Alexandria, be sure to check out the narrowest house in the country just a couple blocks off King Street, and visit America’s oldest farmers market in the courthouse square!
You can drink in a tavern where George Washington drank, walk down cobblestone streets from the 1700s, and view historic row houses with their original gas lamps still aglow… all while shopping at trendy boutiques and dining at upscale restaurants.
The Upper Garden and Green House on George and Martha Washington’s estate. Picture: MountVernon.org
A ten-minute drive down the street will take you to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, where he lived when he wasn’t off fighting various wars or in the White House. The estate and grounds have been beautifully preserved and is a great stop for history-lovers.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Written by Mary Beth, who has a comprehensive post on the Outer Banks here.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse was built back in 1872 and is an iconic part of the Outer Banks. Picture MB Sees
North Carolina’s Outer banks are a must-see for folks wanting a laid back beach experience. These barrier islands are known for their historic lighthouses, natural dunes and abundant wildlife – including wild horses! The town of Kill Devil Hills is especially famous for being the “birthplace of flight,” and the National Park Service has erected a national monument at the site of the Wright Brother’s first successful flight.
Visit Outer Banks to relax on quiet beaches. Picture: Clay Banks.
If you’re looking for a beach party scene, this isn’t it. But if you want a quiet escape with uncrowded beaches, small family-owned eateries and salty local anglers, the Outer Banks is where it’s at. Our family loves playing in the sand, doing some surf fishing, visiting the historic sites and watching hang gliders soar over the dunes. If that’s your jam, you’ll love it, too!
Miami, Florida
Written by Katelyn, who writes at Stop, Drop, and Trek, presumably when she’s not out on a trek herself. You can also follow her on Instagram.
For some culture and a party, visit Miami’s South Beach. Picture: Luca Campioni.
Artist Eduardo Kobra turned Yoda into a peace activist at Wynward Walls. Picture: Stop, Drop, and Trek.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Written by Brittany, who inspires other travellers over at Transformed Thru Travel. You can also follow her on Facebook.
The sunset at Cape Cod Canal in Sandwich is glorious. Picture: Transformed Thru Travel.
Cape Cod is unlike any other place on the east coast. It’s everything you imagine – quaint villages, sandy beaches, and seafood – but there’s so much more. There’s this electricity in the air that I can feel but not explain. It’s kinda like magic.
It starts in the spring when seasonal restaurants and shops start opening. It gets stronger as visitors come to play on the beaches during long weekends. It reaches a high on the 4th of July when everyone is celebrating and barbecuing, everything decorated in red, white, and blue.
Take an afternoon stroll with that gorgeous sky above you and the boardwalk at your feet. Picture: Katherine Hanlon.
The feeling continues through August. The magic is in the smell of fresh waffle cones and music from a carousel drifting through the air. You can feel it while watching visitors take selfies in front of lighthouses. While watching the most beautiful sunset of your life, night after night.
The magic doesn’t stop on Labor Day, the official end of summer. I can still feel it as the leaves change color and on rides through cranberry bogs along the bike path. When I see a gang of wild turkeys saunter through my yard. I feel the magic in everything. Come to Cape Cod and feel the magic for yourself.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Written by Kathrine and Pam, who have a fantastic guide to Pittsburgh right here. You can also follow them on Instagram.
Once a city that was avoided, Pittsburgh now has some eco-credentials and is ready for visitors. Picture: Everywhere Forward.
Roberto Clement Bridge is just one of the beautiful bridges in the city. Picture: Jonathan Rivera.
10. Watkins Glen, New York state
There are no shortage of gorgeous waterfalls in Watkins Glen.
The Big Apple may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New York state, but that’ll change once you visit Watkins Glen! While the town itself is quaint and adorable, Watkins Glen State Park is the true gem of the area. Here you’ll find 19 beautiful waterfalls, carved out thousands of years ago by glaciers in the Seneca Valley. Tackling one of the three trails within this 778-acre park makes the perfect afternoon activity!
Cavern Cascade is just one of the 19 waterfalls within Watkins Glen State Park. Picture: I’ve Been Bit.
New York City, New York
Written by Heather, who blogs about her travel experiences over at Trimm Travels. You can also follow her on Instagram.
New York is beautiful at any time of year, but visit during spring for beautiful blooms. Picture: Juliana Malta.
New York City is arguably one of the best places to visit on the East Coast and quite possibly the most popular city foreigners want to see when visiting the United States. Having been to NYC many times, I totally understand why.
How could you pass up an East Coast vacation to New York? Picture: Trimm Travels.
Richmond, Virginia
Written by Kristin, who also has a great review of a historic hotel in Richmond. You can also follow her on Facebook.
Richmond is dripping in history and beautiful architecture like the Old Main Train Station.
I can firmly say that Richmond is one of the most underrated cities in America, let alone the East Coast. As a center for history, foodies, and nature lovers, there’s something for everyone.
Did you know that Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech in Richmond? Or that Edgar Allen Poe grew up here? That it was ranked on National Geographic’s list of 10 places in the world to travel for food in 2016? Or how about the James River Park System, which runs through Richmond, has the only urban class III and IV rapids in the US for rafting and kayaking? Yeah, that’s all pretty impressive.
If you’re looking for a small town feel in a big city, you need to visit Richmond, Virginia. Picture: Countdown to Friday.
Richmond is big city with a small town feel and a lot of culture. Walking through the various neighborhoods you’ll see funky murals, local shops, and a bustling craft brewery and cidery scene. It’s the kind of place where you can find world class museums, like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and the hole in the wall restaurants with authentic Japanese noodles.
So visit RVA (the affectionate abbreviation for Richmond, Virginia) and enjoy all it has to offer.
Mystic, Connecticut
Written by Kelly, who seems to always be travelling to somewhere amazing and documenting it at Girl With The Passport. You can also follow her on Twitter.
While you’re in Mystic, why not sneak over to nearby Norwalk, to see the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Picture: Girl With The Passport.
Hidden away along the rustic Connecticut coast lies the quintessential seaside town of Mystic. It’s not a big town, but a sleepy, seaside village that feels as though it has been untouched by modern day life. Founded in the 17th century, the colonial village is steeped in a charming, rich, and quaint history of ship building that is reflected in the historic Mystic Seaport Museum.
A former shipyard, this major attraction is now an educational center that helps visitors understand the origins and development of the ship building industry in this coastal town. Explore this museum, learn about the history of the whaling industry, and how this business transformed this town into one of the biggest shipyards on the East Coast.
Boston, Massachusetts
Written by Ivana, who has a fantastic 3 day itinerary to Boston here. You can also follow her on Instagram.
Finally, we’re at the end of our East Coast vacation tour, in Boston! Picture: Postcards From Ivi.
Take a stroll down historic Acorn Street in Boston. Picture: Tiffany Chan.
architecture: cobbled streets, lanterns, Victorian buildings, the British vibes are everywhere. Acorn Street is one of the most famous and photographed streets that makes you travel back in time.
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Alexandria is one of my favorite cities in the US. I love Boston, as well. Both cities are definitely places worth multiple visits. And though I haven’t been to the Adirondacks, I have been to upstate New York and it is gorgeous. #wanderfulwednesday
The Adirondacks are on my list and now so is Alexandria! I’m a sucker for a historical city!
I’ve only been to New York and Miami, I really need to broaden my east coast horizons! I have always wanted to go to Boston though, it’s way up there on my travel bucket list!
You’re better than me, I’ve only been to New York for a couple of days. I want to explore the East Coast so much!
I’ve only been to Miami and New York (repeatedly). My list has just expanded. Thanks for the inspiration!
Well if you’re going to pick two places, you’re almost guaranteed to have an excellent time in New York and Miami.
These are all great suggestions! I’m looking to hit up some of these spots next fall when I’m embarking on an East Coast road trip. I’m especially excited to explore the Outer Banks!
Wow, you really plan ahead, good on you! Have a great road trip and I hope this post has helped a little.
A pleasure to read, I learned about so many less known places! As a European I am not very educated on the geography of smaller towns in the States, but I’m always interested to learn more. On my first trip to the States I was actually lucky to stay in and explore Cape Town, and I really got to love the area. It was totally new to me, and such a pearl to discover!
As an Australian, I’m in the same boat as you Eva. People talk to me about places and I have to secretly Google them later so I know where they’re talking about.
So many wonderful destinations on this list! I’d love to see that lighthouse, and I’m headed to Miami in just a few days. I’ll be checking Wynwood out, and am heading directly to see about the restaurant recommendations as soon as I hit send on this comment… Thanks for sharing this lovely and timely post on#farawayfiles
Have a fantastic time in Miami and I hope the restaurant recommendations are on par.
I have been to many of the mentioned destinations but never to Mystic. As I have ultimately discovered that I love exploring sleepy destinations, this seaside village in Connecticut seems to be a peaceful place to travel to.
I guess that means you’re going to have to tick Mystic off the list then!
Such a diversity of places to explore. I don’t know this region at all, and never visited, but I love the vast openness of your Adirondack Mountains photo – that would be my first choice.
Isn’t it just gorgeous? I’ve wanted to visit the Adirondacks for years!
This is such a fun post! And I’ve actually been to quite a few of them 🙂 I am particularly partial to Cape Cod though as I spent a year living there growing up!
I’ve heard so much about it, it’s a shame that the east coast is such a long flight from the west, it’s hardly worth flying over for the weekend.
SO many amazing places to see in this list, Katherine! I’ve only been to New York and Boston but I would absolutely love to explore the New England coast – it looks so dreamy yet rugged too. I will definitely make it happen one day! Thanks for inspiring me on #farawayfiles
I know Clare! It’s a shame they’re all so far away from me, I’d love to be able to just head over for a weekend at a time. I’ve only been to New York out of all of these cool places!
My family’s favorite East Coast spots are New York City and Charleston, South Carolina. I have extended family in both places. But I’d love to explore more of the East Coast, in the northern parts like Massachusetts and Maryland.
Oooh I’ve never been to Charleston. Just the name makes me think of old world charm and southern hospitality. Can’t wait to visit one day!
Thanks for the lovely suggestions. I’m from the Pacific Northwest and haven’t had much of an opportunity to explore the east coast. I’ve always wanted to travel east and now I have some great ideas to inspire me.
I know what you mean, I’m in the pacific northwest as well, and my East Coast travel list is not getting any shorter!
So many wonderful suggestions! I’m from a more Eastern part of Canada, and I find the East Coast doesn’t get as much interest as the West for travel destinations! I’m going to add some of these to an East Coast road trip!
Really? That’s interesting. Maybe because it’s sometimes warmer on the west coast? Having said that, I went to Toronto in February this year and loved it!
Squeee! You have so many good ideas for future holidays! To be honest, all the places I have planned to explore in the US are natural spots, like natural parks. This post has made me want to visit some of the East Coast cities too.
Watkins Glen looks soooo lovely! Out of these, I fancy vising that most!
Yeah I grew up on a farm in the suburbs, so I do like wide open spaces, but then I also love cities so my travel is usually a mixture of the two.
Some fab tips, Katherine. As a Sweet Briar alumnae, I always loved my jaunts to Richmond. Still haven’t made it to New England, and must do trail with my girls one day. #FarawayFlies
I think that New England would be a perfect girls trip Scarlett!
Thank you for this, I wanted some new options and some other opinions before I book to head that way. This was so helpful.
Glad to help you out then Farah 🙂
Cape Cod and Newport are on my list!! I love, love, love Boston and NYC. It’s funny because I used to believe that you were either a Boston person or an NYC person… but I found ways to be both! 😉 I was in Pittsburgh in September and I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would – I love your photo of the skyline and the photo of Mystic is gorgeous!
Hey, I live in Alexandria, Virginia 🙂 Recently moved two years ago and have been eager to explore more of the East Coast. I have only been able to go to New York City and Pittsburg from your list. Looks like I have plenty of options of places to visit.
I was pleasantly surprised that I have been to 6 of the 14, although I don’t even live in the US! My favorite one is Boston, where my uncle lives. I can now always and forever say – I went to Harvard! Even if for a day 🙂
So many awesome suggestions for places I haven’t been to! Can’t wait to get back to the USA and see some of these next time.
Great list. Seems I have plenty of choices for my next time in the US. Cape Cod is pretty high on my bucket.
Wow – tonnes of travel inspiration for the Eastern States! I’ve visited Miami, NYC and Watkins Glen out of all of these and would love to add Boston, Newport and Pittsburgh to my ever increasing list of places to visit sooner rather than later! Have bookmarked to return to at a later date!
#FarawayFiles
Such a great list! A few of these hold very special places in my heart. Alexandria was a surprise, and I love what I read about it so it’s going on my to-do-soon list!
Awesome Cris, I’m glad! I love exploring places that aren’t always the most popular 🙂
My family and I love the east coast – There’s just so much to see and do. Admittedly, we often visit the same places so we need to explore some of these other vacation spots!
I need more vacation time so that we can get to the East Coast and spend more time there!
I love that you included a place in New York that wasn’t the city! Everyone seems to act like Manhattan is the entirety of the state!
And New York state has some absolutely gorgeous places to see, outside of Manhattan as well!
Ooo the Adirondack Mountains has been on my list for a while of wanting to visit! It looks like such a gorgeous place. I was supposed to go to Miami this summer so hopefully, I can make it there at some point as well.
So sorry that you couldn’t get to Miami this summer, maybe it’ll be safer next summer Francesca!
Oh, these are some really amazing places. I have never been there.
Well if some of them sound good, you’ll have to add them to your bucket list Suvarna!
This was fun to read! I haven’t been anywhere on this list, so thanks for the inspiration!
There’s always space on the bucket list for a few more spots, right? 😉
Awesome guide! Cape Cod has my heart.
We were thinking of visiting the Cape on our honeymoon, but it’s so popular during the summer that we decided against it.
I have been to two (almost three) of these places; I visited Pittsburgh last year as a stop off on the way to Cleveland. We didn’t expect much to be honest but we’re pleasantly surprised! It’s so true about the bridges – there is a tonne!
I have also been to NYC – It has been up there with my favourite weekends in North America. There is always so much going on and I just loved it!
My almost trip is Miami. I had one scheduled for this April but had to cancel due to world events. Wynwood District sounds like something I would love. There is so much cool street art in Toronto where I currently live, so I think I would love Wynwood!
Well you’ve done a lot better than me, and I’ve lived in the US for almost 5 years now! I’ve only been to NYC in the middle of winter.
So sorry that your trip to Miami was cancelled, hopefully you can make it up another time.
That is quite a list of destinations! I am ashamed to admit the only place I’ve been to on this list is New York city. I’d love to check out Boston and Cambridge and the Adirondack Mountains sound amazing.
Don’t be ashamed, I’m in the same boat! I have a friend who lives just outside of Boston though, so I’m definitely going to be visiting her. And I would love to head to the Adirondacks as well!
Great list. As a New York City native I love this list and see so many great spots, with Mystic CT being one of my fave places. Thanks for sharing. Love the Outter Banks too!
There are just too many places to visit, and not enough time for me (a west coaster) to get to them all!
I am so unfamiliar with the East Coast. My sister lives in New York and that is pretty much the city I know the best. Ironically, I always visit her in winter. So, I haven’t seen the city when the weather is nice. But, one day I want to do a long road trip covering several states.
I’m in the same boat over here, except a lot of friends and family will go to NY when they come to the US, so I’ve met a friend there before, but haven’t really done any of the east coast other than New York. And I also did New York in winter…I wonder what it’s like in the summer!
This is a great list! I’ve been to 4 places . I lived in Buffalo NY for a summer, and didn’t make it to NYC, Watkins Glen or the Adirondack mountains… ALL are on my bucket list haha your photos are so beautiful, I hope to make it to each of these places one day.
Hahaha, the problem with living somewhere for a short time is that there is always way too many things to see! I really want to get to Watkins Glen and the Adirondacks as well!
Great list! I used to live in Miami and was able to travel a bit around the east coast, but have since moved out west. Now I’m itching to plan another (longer!) trip on the east coast, particularly the northeast during autumn! This will come in handy for sure!
Living on the west coast makes it a little trickier to get out to the east coast, which is why I’ve only been to New York. But I’m biding my time to get out to more spots on the east coast as well.
So many great ideas! Can’t wait to start exploring once this pandemic is over ? I’ve been to Orlando, Philly and NYC.
Me too! I was re-reading this post the other day and it made me want to visit so many places! I’ve only been to NYC.
I’ll admit I usually fall into the NYC trap when I’m out that way, but I’ve been thinking about a trip to the Finger Lakes at some point in the next year or so. I like the idea of Watkins Glen now, too! Saving this one for later!
I keep thinking about NYC whenever my birthday is on the horizon. But maybe it’s time to branch out a little more as well!
I love this post, There are so so many places i would love to explore pin the east coast, I have been to new york and florida but would love got visit boston one day! Watkins glen looks amazing! That is now on the list too!
Boston is also on my Bucket List!
So many awesome cities on this list and some that I haven’t made it to yet. I’ve been living on the East Coast for the last 5 years and I’m trying to get to all of them. LOL. Thanks for all these great ideas.
I’ve been on the west coast for five years and haven’t gotten to all the places that I want to visit either! There’s just too much to see and do 🙂
I’m always looking for more drivable trips – especially during COVID. Some of these are getting added to my list! Thanks!
At least we still have road trips! We’ve pretty much only been on one road trip in the last year, but just knowing that we can still travel safely if we want to, is nice.
I just got back from Newport, RI and I can totally see why it’s on this list! It was amazing! Boston is also one of my faves 🙂
That’s great to hear Kate! I’m sure the East Coast vibe is completely different to the West Coast.
Thanks this is a great reminder that there are places to explore domestically, while international travel is restricted.
There’s lots to keep us busy at home while we wait for things to settle down 🙂
So many great places on the East Coast! We’ve been to most of them. What I especially love is that many of these places are very close to each other, so you get to see different places without so much driving time!
That is such a great drawcard Daphna! I am not a fan of huge driving times on road trips so this is perfect for me.
All these places look just great! I think it would be very hard to choose where to go!
That is definitely the problem. But I guess you could just choose to do them all at some point.
I really want to explore more of the East Coast. Boston is the only one of these places I’ve been to so I guess I have work to do. Would love to see more of the New England area, especially in the fall
We were planning our honeymoon in Boston but decided to go for a cheaper option on the west coast instead. But it’s still firmly on my bucket list, as is the New England area!