Best Places To Visit Along East Coast – Long before Instagram burst onto the scene as a tool for offering vacation inspiration, movies and television introduced us to the classic east coast family vacation. Imagine a cabin by the lake
We’ve spent years exploring East Coast vacation spots from our base in Rhode Island. If you’re wondering what the best places to visit on the East Coast are, check out our 26 favorites. (Also see my recommendations for the best holidays for kids and the best holidays for teens.)
Best Places To Visit Along East Coast
If you’d rather explore the East Coast by car, we also have 20 ideas for a week-long East Coast road trip for you to try.
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These 26 East Coast vacations are perfect for a classic family trip. Get inspired and plan. Combine some of these into one big road trip or take time to enjoy each destination.
Maine has nearly 3,500 miles of coastline, and it can take more than six hours to drive from Kittery on the New Hampshire border to Bar Harbor, just outside Acadia National Park.
Stretching along the south coast, the Maine coast is a popular beach vacation destination for Boston residents. Charming seaside towns like Kennebunkport offer charming cottages and inns. Others, like Old Orchard Beach, offer rides and a historic pier for old-time family fun.
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In Portland and around Casco Bay, there are lighthouses, restaurants, breweries and L.L. You’ll find beautiful rocky beaches full of shops. Freeport’s mainstay bean.
However, if you’re willing to head further north, you’ll hit the very special MidCoast, home of Camden, the swagger and swagger of Rockland, and one of my favorites, Boothbay Harbor.
If you want to be on the road rather than just staying in one city, be sure to check out our Coastal Maine road trip itinerary for suggestions. You can also pair coastal Maine with a road trip to the Maine Highlands or a trip to Moosehead Lake.
Some families like to spend a week relaxing at one of New Hampshire’s famous lakes, like Lake Winnipesaukee, but the White Mountains are for those who want to get active. Families can go hiking, rock climbing or hike to Diana’s Baths waterfall.
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Or you can pick up one of those ubiquitous “This car goes up Mount Washington” stickers or take the easy route by taking the Washington Cog Railroad.
Other popular attractions include Flume Gorge, Lost River Gorge, mountain attractions at Attitash or Cranmore, ziplining at Alpine Adventures and Storyland, or Santa’s Village amusement park. A great drive on the famous Kancamaugus Highway in the fall is a must!
Ever since I spent the summer holidays visiting family in Vermont, the Green Mountains hold a special place in my heart as a favorite vacation destination for East Coast families. I truly believe that Vermont offers the best of New England.
You can spend a week at a resort like Basin Harbor on the shores of Lake Champlain, or settle in for the summer at one of Vermont’s many mountain resorts, like Smugglers’ Notch.
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Or spend your days swimming, hiking and exploring charming New England cities like Woodstock, Manchester and Burlington, or enjoying Vermont’s local food scene; by visiting a craft brewery, trying Vermont cheddar cheese, or taking a day trip to Ben & Jerry’s Factory.
Vermont is small enough to make it easy to explore on a long weekend or week-long Vermont road trip. If you’re looking to plan a fall New England road trip, the best time for fall foliage is usually early October.
Boston is a perfect destination for history-loving families and a fun city to explore during the summer months. Once you’re done exploring the historic sites along the Freedom Trail and visiting the Boston Tea Party Museum and Ships, you can head out on the water for a whale-watching cruise or a tour of the Boston Harbor Islands.
While you’re in town, be sure to make time to see the Boston Red Sox or visit historic Fenway Stadium. Spend your free time enjoying Boston Common and the Public Gardens by taking a swan boat ride and visiting the Make Way for Ducklings statue.
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Enjoy the view from the Observatory Skywalk atop the Prudential Center and shop along Newbury Street. Check out more things to do in Boston and these secret spots in Boston.
Be aware that Boston can be expensive, but I have tips for visiting Boston on a budget. If you have a few extra days, you can plan a day trip to Salem, Gloucester and Rockport, or to Plymouth.
I can’t think of a better family beach vacation destination in the summer than Cape Cod and the Islands (Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket). Each town has a different personality, from quaint Provincetown to the quiet dunes of Eastham to charming downtown Chatham and some of the East Coast’s best beaches.
You can spend hours playing in the tide pool, collecting seashells, and watching the sunset over the water. Or take a bike ride and enjoy the Cape Cod Railroad.
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But a family holiday to the Cape isn’t just about activities; It’s about lazy days, sand between toes, afternoon trips to get ice cream, and splurging on lobster dinners, something found on the Cape.
The Adirondack Park in northern New York encompasses more than 6 million acres, including 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of streams and rivers, and 46 mountain peaks. This natural playground offers many activities throughout the year, but we especially love it during the summer months.
The Adirondacks are divided into several regions. There is the Adirondack Coast along Lake Champlain, the Lake George region to the south, and the Tri-Lakes region to the north. The Tri-Lakes are one of the most popular regions, especially Lake Placid, which has hosted two winter Olympics.
The Adirondacks are a perfect destination for families with older children who love being active and outdoors. You can ride, canoe, canoe and paddleboard as you wish. The whole family, including toddlers, will love climbing the treetops at the Wildlife Center at Tupper Lake.
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We enjoyed boating (especially tubing!) on Lake Placid, exploring small towns like Saranac Lake, and enjoying the beauty of nature. If you’re looking to plan a summer or fall trip, I have some Adirondack itinerary ideas!
There was a time when Niagara Falls was a honeymoon destination. Later it became a family travel destination. In recent years, Niagara Falls has grown well beyond autumn.
Although I recommend crossing the border to see the Canadian side of the falls, the Niagara region in the United States has a lot to offer. The Niagara Wine Trail features 22 wineries, breweries and cideries. Outdoor enthusiasts can visit New York State’s eleven parks, the beautiful Niagara Gorge, enjoy a high-speed jet boat ride on the Niagara River, or enjoy the bird sanctuary.
Families can also enjoy Old Fortress Niagara, the Niagara Aquarium, and of course, the not-to-be-missed Cave of the Winds. It’s easy to head to Niagara Falls on a weekend getaway, or you can spend more time in nearby Buffalo, enjoying unique cuisine and a revitalized waterfront.
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Have you ever seen the lights on Broadway? Taking a selfie in Times Square? Will you be passing by the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry? Walking in Central Park? Walking on Wall Street? Are you satisfied with the Met’s work?
There’s enough to do in New York to last a lifetime, and the trick to fitting as much as possible into a single visit is to pick a neighborhood and head there. Walk as much as you can and don’t be afraid to take the subway. And most importantly, do not eat at chain restaurants you can find at home! Check out my full guide to visiting New York with kids.
The best way to get a feel for the city is to take a sightseeing bus tour like The Ride or invest in a CityPASS and join a self-guided NYC sightseeing tour.
Philadelphia is one of the best cities on the East Coast, but it’s often overlooked because of its neighbors to the north. But every family should plan a trip to Philadelphia to enjoy the history, savor the food, and enjoy the architecture without the crowds and chaos of New York City.
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Begin your visit to historic Philadelphia with a visit to Independence Hall and then take a swing at the Liberty Bell. Take time to explore the New Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
When you’ve had your fill of history, head to the Art Museum and take a photo with the Rocky statue. Or go to the riverside or go outside
