I’ve spent 95% of my time dwelling on the East Coast of the US, and for essentially the most half, I’ve beloved it. We’re fortunate as a result of there are such a lot of nice locations for East Coast household holidays – a lot of which we will simply drive to. The East Coast gives lots of the prime household holidays within the US.
On the lookout for some trip inspiration on your subsequent household trip? Listed here are a few of our favourite East Coast household holidays. Depart us a remark if we left considered one of your favourite East Coast trip spots for households off the listing.
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As well as, we visited a number of of those places as a part of press journeys (at no, or restricted price to us). All opinions are my very own.
East Coast Household Holidays
Earlier than planning your trip, try this trip calculator that may assist you determine prices. Remember that a few of these finest East Coast holidays for households could be mixed, particularly in case you can take an extended street journey.
New York Metropolis
I firmly imagine that each household from the US ought to attempt to have at the least one New York Metropolis household trip. It’s probably the greatest East Coast holidays and one of many prime household trip spots on the planet. Dwelling within the Boston space, we’re just some hours away and might go to each few years, particularly as a result of there are such a lot of simple transportation choices from Boston to NYC.
Along with iconic landmarks just like the Empire State Constructing, the Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Plaza, there are additionally numerous museums with interactive reveals, enjoyable NYC household eating places, and naturally, Broadway. Don’t neglect to go to Central Park and Occasions Sq..
I usually take pleasure in visiting within the fall or spring, when the temperatures are nice for strolling round, though Christmastime is all the time so lovely. Remember that it’s particularly busy in New York Metropolis between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so be ready for crowds and better resort costs. It may also be harder to get restaurant reservations.
See resort critiques in NYC right here.
Cape Cod, MA
If you’re in search of the right New England seaside trip, you’ll wish to go to Cape Cod. This space of Massachusetts gives over 400 miles of shoreline (the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore Nationwide Park), making it a preferred East Coast trip vacation spot in the summertime. The Cape has among the finest East Coast seashores for households and is among the many finest trip spots on the East Coast.
Households can take pleasure in conventional summer season actions like mini-golf, conventional golf programs, and drive-in motion pictures, in addition to enjoyable water sports activities, outside actions, and enjoyable time on the seaside. There are a number of nice cities and resorts to go to, so that you’ll discover the right spot amongst all of those seaside cities. Cape Cod can be an awesome place to go to with younger youngsters, and there’s a lot pure magnificence to discover.
Should you want there are additionally many trip leases provided. On the best way to the Cape, just remember to cease at Plymouth, MA for a go to to the historic Plimoth Patuxet Museums.
There are many nice household resorts on Cape Cod, together with Ocean Edge Resort (ebook right here) and the Sea Crest Seashore Resort (ebook right here).
See resort critiques right here.
Cape Ann, MA
Lower than an hour north of Boston is Cape Ann, MA, the place you’ll discover the waterfront cities of Rockport and Gloucester, MA. I like visiting Cape Ann, as a result of it’s much less crowded than Cape Cod, however nonetheless has some nice eating places, waterfront actions, and retailers.
You possibly can mix a visit to Cape Ann with a Boston household trip as a result of it’s so shut. It’s considered one of my favourite trip and day journey spots.
Our favourite seashores in Gloucester are Good Harbor Seashore and Wingaersheek Seashore. They’re among the finest seashores in Massachusetts.
Each get very busy on scorching summer season days, so I like to recommend arriving early to just remember to get parking. There are a number of accommodations within the space, and a few individuals want to ebook a trip residence.
See accommodations right here.
Boston, MA
I like my residence metropolis of Boston. Even after dwelling proper within the metropolis and within the close by suburbs for twenty years, I nonetheless discover so many issues to do within the space. From the quite a few museums, exhibits, parks, retailers, eating places, and extra, you may simply spend at the least every week in Boston.
Whereas the snow is gorgeous, I do advocate visiting within the late spring, summer season, or early fall when the temperatures are finest for exploring the town. See our suggestions for neighborhoods in Boston and accommodations in Boston to remain in.
See resort critiques right here.
Martha’s Winery, MA
One of the vital well-liked presidential trip locations over the previous few a long time, Martha’s Winery is likely one of the finest East Coast household holidays. There are a number of totally different cities, all providing quaint retailers, scrumptious eating places, and exquisite seashores.
You’ll be able to simply catch a ferry over to the island, and might even select to convey your automobile with you in case you’d like. Once we visited, we did convey our automobile as a result of we drove all around the island. Many households determine to lease a seaside home for his or her trip, or there are accommodations and resorts on the island (see critiques right here).
Raleigh, NC
My son and I visited Raleigh, North Carolina on a press journey final spring, and we had been so pleasantly stunned by the entire nice issues to do in Raleigh. From watersports and ziplining to museums and eating places, there’s a lot to maintain youngsters occupied.
Not solely are there numerous actions, however a number of of the museums supply free admission, making it an reasonably priced spot for a household trip. The climate can be usually good, with pretty delicate winters. Our resort proper within the heart of city was the right spot to remain as a result of we had been capable of stroll to a number of museums and eating places.
See resort critiques right here.
Nationwide Harbor, MD
After visiting the opposite three Gaylord Accommodations (in Dallas, Orlando, and Nashville), I knew that I needed to take my household to the Gaylord Nationwide, situated in Nationwide Harbor, MD. Nationwide Harbor is a complete vacation spot in itself, nevertheless it’s additionally an awesome spot for anybody visiting the points of interest in Washington DC and Alexandria, Virginia.
The centerpiece is a big Ferris wheel proper on the waterfront, however there are additionally numerous eating places and retailers proper within the space. Friends can drive to DC and Alexandria, or there’s additionally a ship that may take you there proper from the Harbor.
We loved our keep there and would advocate it to anybody who’s visiting DC however want to keep just a little outdoors the town.
See resort critiques right here.
Washington DC
Washington DC is one other vacation spot that’s excellent for households to go to – it’s one of many must-see locations on the East Coast. I’d usually advocate a go to when your youngsters are teenagers or tweens as a result of that’s when your youngsters will actually perceive what they’re seeing.
A number of years in the past, we went on our first journey with our youngsters. We drove from our residence in Massachusetts and visited a number of museums, together with the Worldwide Spy Museum (which has since relocated to a bigger constructing).
Remember that you’ll have to work via your US Rep or Senator for a number of visits (together with the White Home), so it’s finest to plan and do your analysis properly prematurely. Whereas the precise lodging within the space could be costly, as it’s a metropolis, lots of the museums supply complimentary admission.
So it actually could be an reasonably priced trip vacation spot in case you plan accordingly. Throughout our go to, we stayed at Nationwide Harbor, which was a extra reasonably priced possibility than staying proper within the metropolis. After all, you’ll wish to head into the town to see issues just like the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums, and the Nationwide Mall.
See resort critiques right here.
Portland, Maine
I like Portland Maine. After listening to so many nice issues about it for years, I solely lately found it for myself. Whereas it’s in all probability finest visited in the summertime when you’ll be able to make the most of the nice and cozy climate for water actions, it’s additionally an awesome place to go to within the winter.
I take pleasure in simply strolling round city (particularly the Previous Port part), testing the assorted quaint retailers and scrumptious eating places. There are additionally museums and exquisite websites to discover. Make sure to try the enduring Portland Head Lighthouse.
Different well-liked spots in Maine embrace Ogunquit, Acadia Nationwide Park, and Bar Harbor. Ogunquit is a quintessential seaside city, and it isn’t too removed from Boston and Portland.
See resort critiques right here.
Mystic, CT
Mystic is most well-known for the film and restaurant Mystic Pizza, though there’s a lot there to discover. Positioned proper over the Rhode Island border in Connecticut, Mystic gives a wonderful aquarium, seaport village, and purchasing space.
We usually keep two nights and are capable of see nearly all the pieces on our listing. It’s finest to go to when the climate is heat, as a result of virtually the entire seaport and village, and a part of the aquarium are outdoor. You’ll do loads of strolling in your journey.
See resort critiques right here.
Amelia Island, FL
After visiting Amelia Island for the TMS household journey convention in 2016, it’s considered one of my favourite spots to advocate for a household trip. Positioned only a brief drive away from Jacksonville, Amelia Island is well accessible from most US cities.
There’s Fernandina Seashore, a stunning seaside that’s nice for households, with quite a few parks, scrumptious meals, and enjoyable water sports activities. Throughout my journey to the convention, I loved a complimentary keep on the Omni Amelia Island Resort (ebook right here), a household resort that provides quite a lot of actions for youths. It’s an awesome spot for a calming keep, however you’ll additionally have the ability to take pleasure in extra than simply the seaside.
See resort critiques right here.
Virginia Seashore, VA
A number of years in the past, I had the chance to go to Virginia Seashore throughout a press journey to Virginia. This seaside city space gives a quintessential household seaside expertise, from biking down the seaside boardwalk, to having fun with a splash within the ocean.
I particularly love the Virginia Seashore Aquarium and Marine Science Heart, which is likely one of the finest aquariums that I’ve been to. After all, you’ll additionally get to take pleasure in among the finest seafood round, on the many scrumptious eating places you’ll discover round city.
From right here, you can too street journey to the Jap Shore, in addition to to Colonial Williamsburg.
See resort critiques right here.
Savannah, Georgia
The coastal, historic city of Savannah, Georgia is situated proper on the South Carolina border. It’s a fantastic place to go to for a trip and gives historic websites such because the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace and the Owens-Thomas Home.
Savannah is such a quintessential southern city. There are nice eating places and retailers all through the city.
There’s additionally Tybee Island, a barrier island situated off the coast of Savannah within the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an awesome spot for a household seaside trip.
See extra issues to do in Savannah right here.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
This Atlantic barrier island in South Carolina is a well-liked seaside vacation spot. Positioned southwest of Charleston, Kiawah is named a seaside and {golfing} vacation spot. Households will take pleasure in visiting Evening Heron Park, which features a nature heart and pool space.
Kiawah boasts many trip properties, in addition to resorts. You’ll be able to see critiques right here.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head is named a golf vacation spot, however there are nonetheless loads of issues to do with youngsters. Should you and your loved ones love Disney, take into account staying on the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort. This family-friendly resort contains the entire providers and facilities that you just’ve come to anticipate from Disney, together with a big pool with waterslide and seaside entry.
While you’re on Hilton Head, there are family-oriented actions to take pleasure in, together with miniature golf, the Dolphin and Nature Tour, Pirate’s Island Journey Golf, and the Sandbox Interactive Youngsters’s Museum.
See resort critiques in Hilton Head right here.
Orlando, FL
There are such a lot of issues to do in Orlando, together with Walt Disney World, Common Florida, Legoland, the Orlando ICON, Seaworld, and Discovery Cove. It’s virtually unimaginable to do all the pieces throughout one journey, so I’d advocate selecting your prime choices and simply doing these.
Make sure to plan some leisure time, since you gained’t wish to spend every single day going, going, going. The theme parks could be tiring.
Asheville, NC
Asheville North Carolina gives scrumptious eating places, a bustling arts scene, lovely nature trails, and naturally, the Biltmore Property. It’s an awesome vacation spot for a girlfriend getaway or household trip, and you’re certain to seek out loads of issues to take pleasure in in your trip. It’s additionally an reasonably priced vacation spot and attracts a lot of its guests from the encircling space.
While you’re there, you’ll be able to take pleasure in mountain climbing to Catawba within the Pisgah Nationwide Forest. Don’t miss a tour of the Biltmore Property, the biggest privately-owned residence in America. Children will particularly love seeing the bowling lanes and indoor swimming pool which are within the residence.
Should you do determine to fly in, the small airport in Asheville may be very handy to downtown. Flights usually undergo Charlotte or Atlanta, relying on the airline.
Newport, RI
Newport is considered one of my favourite locations in New England, because of its lovely landscapes, enjoyable eating places, and vibrant waterfront. Summer time is the perfect time to go to so you’ll be able to take pleasure in Fort Adams State Park in addition to the attractive seashores in Newport and the close by cities.
Additionally situated in Rhode Island is Block Island, an island accessible through passenger ferry. It’s change into a preferred vacation spot in recent times, with tons for the entire household to take pleasure in. As you’d anticipate, it’s finest visited in the summertime months.
See extra issues to do in Newport RI with youngsters right here.
There are different lovely East Coast trip spots, together with the Outer Banks of North Carolina (see issues to do within the Outer Banks), Myrtle Seashore in South Carolina (see issues to do in Myrtle Seashore), and Rehoboth Seashore in Delaware. In your opinion, what are the perfect locations to trip with youngsters on the East Coast?
See our East Coast trip story right here.
