These low-cost spring destinations on the East Coast are perfect for exploring this season!
Spring is always an excellent time to be on the East Coast. With most of the snow melted and the weather getting warmer, what’s not to love?
The mud gives way to beautiful flowers, and one by one, locals emerge from their winter hibernation to bring new energy and excitement to their respective towns.
So whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway with the family or spring break destinations on the East Coast, these 4 low-cost spring destinations on the East Coast are a fabulous opportunity to visit a place in the US you’ve never explored before!
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a fantastic low-cost spring destination due to its beaches, colorful houses, lovely weather, historic vibes, and green plantations. There are many exciting things to do here, no matter your interests. The first thing to do is admire all the Wisteria blooming each way you look.
The streets are jam-packed with scents of jasmine during spring, and Charleston’s downtown area is full of historic houses loaded with lovely trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. This low-cost spring destination also hosts the Charleston Festival, a beautiful event to attend in the springtime.
But the most important thing to do is visit Pineapple Fountain, Rainbow Row, and The Battery for historic and vibrant vibes. For nature fanatics, visiting Folly Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head nearby would be great. The weather on beaches is ideal for water lovers this time of year.
And special music, art, and brewery concerts are held during this time, so it’s a great time to spend outdoors. Just make sure to check the city’s event calendar before planning your trip.
You can also take a day trip to visit some plantations like the Magnolia plantations, the Drayton House, and the Boone plantation and its spectacular gardens. And when you want to lay your head down for the night, the best area to stay in Charleston is its historic downtown.
The Hampton Inn Charleston-Historic District is a fantastic place to stay, with a lovely breakfast the next day. You’ll also find plenty of beautiful vacation rentals around town.
Williamsburg, Virginia
History lovers will love this low-cost spring destination to learn more about our nation’s past. Part of the Historic Triangle Area, Williamsburg is excellent for discovering early US history and its colonial past. You can even plan a road trip for spring and visit Yorktown and Jamestown.
The main draw here is Colonial Williamsburg, though, an open-air museum where you can learn all about what life was like in the 18th century and experience in daily activities from a different time, with crafts demonstrations and actors dressed in traditional attire.
It’s the US’s largest living history museum, and everyone stays in character 24/7. Historic Jamestown is where the original colony was. Don’t miss the museum on Native American and Virginian culture, the recreated Powhatan Indian Village, the fort, and the ships’ replicas.
While visiting this low-cost spring destination, you’ll also get a chance to visit the battlefield where the British yielded in Yorktown and the museum with its films, interactive exhibits, and outdoor living history.
If you’re visiting with the kiddos, spend some time with them at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a theme park with tons of fun activities for youngsters. And if outdoor activities are more your vibe, spring is the perfect time to visit because you’ll find many places for water activities and hiking and biking trails nearby.
You can bike the 52-mile path linking Jamestown to Richmond, spend some time in the sun at the beach at Jamestown or Yorktown, or take a leisurely hike at one of the many nearby parks.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks might not be your typical low-cost spring destination, but it may pleasantly surprise you nevertheless. With March highs in the 50s and April’s rising temps in the upper 60s, it’s the perfect weather for hiking, biking, and much more.
Begin your Outer Banks adventure up in Corolla, where you can go to the rugged beaches to get a glimpse of the wild horses hanging out by the water. Now, even though you can’t feed the horses, seeing as they’re wild, you can admire them from afar with the Atlantic as your beautiful backdrop.
Also, check out the South Virginia Dare Trail or or take the Bay Drive in Kill Devil Hills, where you can go hiking or biking. You can admire the Wright Brothers’ Memorial in Kitty Hawk, and Jockey’s Ridge State Park isn’t too far away either.
This North Carolina state park is home to the highest dune on the Eastern Coast, which is way too hot to visit in the summer months, making spring a dream! And since you’re already in the area, check out Roanoke Island and learn about the lost colony if you want to get in some history on your trip.
Alternatively, you can walk through the lovely trails, visit the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, or take a kayaking tour. This low-cost spring destination is the northernmost part of the nation to see alligators in their natural habitat!
And while there may not be large numbers there, this is the most significant concentration of black bears on the East Coast. So you have a good chance of getting a glimpse of one on your trip.
For those looking for a delicious cup of Joe, Roots and Leaves, the Food Truck is situated down in Avon and offers some of the most delicious oat milk lattes you can get in the area. And remember that Outer Banks is more famous for its housing rentals than its hotels. These rentals will be far more budget-friendly in spring than in summer.
… Do you know of any other low-cost spring destinations you think we should feature next time? Leave a comment to let us know!
Savannah, Georgia
In Savanah, you’ll find the perfect blend of cultural activities, entertainment, historical sights, and outdoor activities, making it one of the best low-cost spring destinations on the Eastern Coast. Whether you want to get away with your friends or spend quality time with family, you’ll find tons of things to do here.
First, you can take a walking tour of the historic district to see the top sights and learn more about the city’s history. If walking isn’t your thing, though, take a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour instead. You’ll also find all kinds of tours available, from foodie tours to spooky tours. So pack some comfortable shoes!
Some of the best places to visit in this city include the city market, Forsyth Park, the Telfair Museum, the Owens-Thomas House, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, among many others. Another delightful thing to do is take a riverboat cruise while here.
Many feature food and entertainment and are a great way to see the city’s sights along the river. And even though it’s not that hot out yet if you really wish to spend some time at the beach while visiting this low-cost spring destination, go over to Tybee Island for the day.
Water temperature averages about 66 degrees in April but can sometimes go as high as 73. Outdoor lovers will enjoy bird-watching and hiking at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.
For a blend of history and nature, go to Fort McAllister State Park, where you’ll walk around and visit one of the best-preserved confederacy forts in the US. Savannah is filled with lovely inns and B&Bs, comfortable chain hotels, and other vacation rentals.
So you’ll surely find the perfect place for you and your party. The Drayton Hotel and the Catherine Ward House Inn are two of the best-rated options in Savannah.
Have you ever been to any of these low-cost spring destinations? If so, be sure to leave a comment to share your experiences.
And if you liked this post, you might want to also check out: 7 Magical US Train Rides to Take in the Spring
