Photo by Natalia Bratslavsky at Shutterstock
If you’re searching for your next weekend getaway, consider the US’s east coast. You’ll have an endless bucket list of options to pick from. There are lots of possibilities for exciting cities, but you’ll also find plenty of beach escapes. From the immaculate landscapes of National Parks to the exciting wildlife, the East Coast offers options for everyone.
While time may not allow you to visit every single popular tourist destination along the Atlantic coast, there ARE several attractions that you won’t want to miss. The states that make up the East Coast of our country offer various climates, geographies, and cultures. You’ll find places as different as Cape Cod, the Outer Banks, and the Florida Keys.
The Atlantic seaboard is charming, historic, tropical, wild, and has it all. From Maine to Rhode Island, Connecticut to Delaware, and Virginia to Florida, here are our favorite destinations on the east coast!
…Click “Next” to find out what we mean!
Today this east coast island can be accessed by ferry from Cape Cod and offers something for all types of visitors with its beautiful beaches, a picturesque lighthouse, colorfully painted gingerbread cottages, and lovely hotels. Martha’s Vineyard has been the perfect summer playground for wealthy people each year.
While it may be known best for its natural attractions like South Beach State Park and Aquinnah Cliffs, you won’t want to miss taking a ride on the historic Flying Horses carousel. You can also enjoy fantastic farmer’s markets, sip cold pints at Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery or The Black Dog Tavern and perhaps catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two.
While you’re in the area, check out Oak Bluffs. Ferries deliver day-trippers to this little town each day, and the colorful gingerbread houses for which Oak Bluffs is known are straight out of a fairy tale.
Majestic roaring waterfalls amaze visitors at this geological wonder yearly, located on the US and Canada border. Niagara Falls is still one of the most popular east coast tourist attractions in New York. Made up of three falls: American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, these Falls’ water comes from the upper Great Lakes, and its river is assessed to be 12,000 years old.
The American and Canadian comparisons of visiting Niagara are like night and day. On its Canadian side, you’ll walk through Clifton Hills, an exciting spot that includes a towering Skywheel, bowling alley, and a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course. Most importantly, the view of the falls from the Canadian side is incredible. Your Niagara experience will be of a nature experience.
When visiting Niagara Falls, America’s oldest state park, you can go fishing, hiking, and biking. If you’re looking for a more laid-back getaway, visit nearby wineries and breweries. On the American side, you’re at the top of the falls. Whichever side you choose to go on, you won’t be disappointed!
Just 10 miles off Rhode Island’s southern east coast accessed by ferry, Block Island gives you the ideal island experience. Just imagine food and drinks overlooking the ocean, boutique-lined streets, spectacular natural sights, and some of the country’s most unspoiled white sand beaches. Hop on a bike or moped and explore the charming roads, dramatic cliffs, and immaculate nature trails.
You can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, and even try snorkeling. Fuel your active pursuits with fantastic clam chowder and lobster rolls, and then enjoy sights like historic lighthouses and beachfront estates. There are lots of shopping opportunities to satisfy your urge to splurge as well.
Set along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach makes for an incredibly family-friendly vacation. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family or that special someone, it offers something for everyone. You can enjoy the beautiful beachfront along with many other fantastic attractions, including multiple amusement parks and tours on the water like Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise.
The oceanfront boardwalk has live entertainment on those warm summer nights, including a weekly firework display along with stilt walkers, jugglers, bagpipers, and others of the sort. There are plenty of recreational activities, on the Atlantic and the Intercoastal Waterway, from diving and sailing to paddleboarding. This is an East Coast getaway that has it all!
Also, Pawleys Island is so small that its year-round population is about 100 people in the South Carolina area. This east coast island was first occupied some time in the 1500s, making it one of the oldest beach towns in our country. And as with most historical places, there is obviously a ghost story to go with it.
Sightings of the Gray Man, a ghost who appears to warn of hurricanes as he walks up and down along the beach, dating to a 19th-century storm. Pawleys Island is the perfect destination for fishing, golfing, and feasting on Lowcountry cuisine like She Crab soup in the summers. You also won’t want to miss strolling around the walking sculpture-filled gardens.
In Bar Harbor, you can find Acadia National Park, one of the US’s most beautiful parks and a quintessential family vacation destination. Still, on the island’s northeast corner, charming Bar Harbor is a destination in its own right. This lovely east coast seaside town offers everything from soaring mountains to the sea, with the winding drive up Cadillac Mountain offering scenic hikes and awe-inspiring views.
Bypassing Frenchmen Bay, Bar Harbor has been attracting visitors since the mid 19th century, attracting artists with Maine’s Down East landscapes. But today, this picturesque spot is now a full-fledged tourist town with its busy main street, whale watching tours, and easy access to the National Park.
Adventurers can take kayak or canoe tours along the Mount Desert shoreline or take a puffin, seal, and whale watching tour. On land, visit the Abbe Museum to learn about the native Wabanaki people and enjoy feasting on the area’s mouthwatering specialty, lobster.
The Lincoln Memorial is an educational stop for parents, children, and grandchildren alike. It’s an American national monument built to honor Abraham Lincoln. It’s part of the National Mall in Washington, DC, across from the Washington Monument. This particular monument stands at 190ft long, 119ft wide, and about 100ft high.
The whole city is a must-see when you’re looking for things to do on the east coast. Aside from the Lincoln Memorial, our country’s capital is home to over 160 monuments and memorials. Another plus is that there are plenty of free places to visit, making DC a tremendously budget-friendly destination.
While Florida is usually associated with its white sandy beaches and warm sunny skies, St. Augustine is especially rich in history because it is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America. Spanish colonists founded this east coast location in 1565, and you can still see many of its original buildings today.
When arriving, you can admire the historical city gate and head for the Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1672. Afterwhich, check out the Plaza de la Constitucion while experiencing its enticing Old World atmosphere as you walk the cobbled streets. But not to worry, just minutes away, you’ll find pristine stretches of sand and brilliant blue waters, with the city being home to more than 40 miles of beaches.
This east coast town is all about the wildlife, specifically the wild horses. Visitors rush to the island each year for the Pony Penning, held since 1925. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department hosts the event, and it consists of a pony swim, in which the animals cross the Assateague Channel, and a pony auction.
No one truly knows how this population of horses came to be, though there are a few theories. Some people say they are descendants of Spanish horses that were shipwrecked traveling to Peru in the 17th century. Others argue that they were left here long ago by pirates. And there are even those who say that they are runaways from farmers.
Besides this, the charming beauty of this east coast getaway has many trails for hiking, beaches, and even an adorable red and white lighthouse.
…And if you’re already in Virginia, check out the former home to President George Washington. Mount Vernon is a top-rated historic estate on our country’s east coast. Located in Alexandria, millions of people have been visiting the estate ever since the home was officially opened to the public.
Guests to Mount Vernon can view the mansion, Washington’s Tomb, and about 50 acres of his plantation. Best of all, you can visit anytime because it’s open 365 days a year. Just be sure to check the events calendar online before your visit. Besides the house tour, you’ll want to be there on time for other specialty tours and historical demonstrations.
Nags Head is considered a beach town on the Outer Banks of the East coast, and it’s a group of barrier islands that are tucked in between the mainland of North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s well known for the sand dunes in Jockey Ridge State Park, which include the tallest existing sand dune systems on the East Coast.
Hundreds of shipwrecks nearby, caused by the region’s shifting sands and heavily trafficked waters, have given the waters in the area the nickname: “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” The nearby USS Huron is also a popular scuba diving site if you’re the adventuring type.
Not far from Nags Head, take a stroll through Hanging Rock State Park. If you’re ready to hike up those mountains or take a dip under cascading waterfalls, you won’t want to pass this up. The Park’s visitors can enjoy over 20 miles of hiking trails…Just be sure to bring your camera to snap those incredible views and five incredible waterfalls!
Hanging Rock State Park is the perfect east coast trip because it has 73 campsites and even a few cabins that house up to 6 people. It’s just an hour from Winston-Salem and Greensboro and not far from the Virginia border.
Here you can visit one of the most impressive homes in the US. Frederick Law Olmsted designed the grounds of the 125,000-acre Biltmore Estate. You might have heard of Olmsted because he’s the creator of New York’s Central Park and the father of American landscape architecture.
Once home to George and Edith Vanderbilt, the 250-room estate is now open for exploring. Visitors can view the estate on a self-guided house tour and experience a fresh look at how people used to live and work in the US’s largest home. Asheville is a perfect stop to include in your east coast itinerary if you visit any of the other locations we’ve previously mentioned.
It’s within a quick drive of Charlotte and Knoxville. And as a bonus, if you want to get in touch with nature, you’re only an hour’s drive from the Great Smoky Mountains State Park.
This east coast location is the most extensive National Historic Landmark District in the US and features many museums, monuments, churches, mansions, and well-known forts of the Civil and Revolutionary War periods. The city’s Historic District is accented with enchanting cobblestone streets and pristine gardens.
This getaway is an inviting destination for couples and families alike. Some say it’s best to visit Savannah from March to July when the azaleas bloom and their festival season is in full force. However, this will lead to higher accommodation prices.
We suggest visiting in the slower months of November through February. If it’s a mild weather year, the trees and squares will still be luxuriant and green, even through the winter. You’ll also enjoy your stay if visiting in March when Savannah hosts the country’s second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Portsmouth offers you the perfect New England charm just an hour away from Portland and an hour north of Boston, close to the mouth of the Piscataqua River. It also happens to be one of the oldest cities in the US, and it was established in 1623. This east coast town is home to multiple historical sites and stunning waterfront views.
Some great museums like the USS Albacore housed in a 1953 US Navy submarine offer an exciting glimpse at life in this seaport town, and so does the Strawbery Banke Museum. This outdoor museum traces its early history through historic homes and exhibits.
Visitors can also walk the Portsmouth Harbor Trail that showcases 70 historic and scenic sites, enjoying countless restaurants, sidewalk shops, and artisan boutiques. If you love adventures on the water, there are boat charters and whale watching excursions as well.
Let us know in the comments section below what you thought of these amazing locations, and also check out: 50 Incredible Oldest Towns In The US
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Unfortunately, you skipped the Jersey Shore with both amazing beaches and the history of the State. Much of the Revolutionary War was fought in New Jersey. New Jersey farmers supply much seasonal vegetables. The beaches are pristine and there is history in Cape May County.