Places to vacation with kids on the east coast
You’re in luck if you’re looking to take a vacation on the east coast! This part of the country is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and cities in the world, so it’s no wonder that millions of people visit it every year. If you want to make sure that you get the most out of your time off, it’s important that you pick the right spot.
The East Coast is a magical place, and it’s easy to forget that when you’re stuck in your own city.
When you’re on vacation, though, the sights and sounds of the East Coast are all around you—and the best part is that they’re totally free!
The East Coast is a beautiful place to visit! There are so many things to do and see, and you’re bound to find something that’s perfect for you.
We’ve compiled a list of places to go in the eastern United States, from New York City to Miami. If you’re looking for something more specific, we can help you with that too!
Asheville, NC
A popular mountain retreat, Asheville is home to The Biltmore Estate, the country’s largest private-owned house, at one point.
The estate is nestled amid the Blue Ridge Mountains and is open to the public for tours.
If you’re an adventurous family that thrives in the great outdoors, you’ll love the variety of outdoor fun on offer, from kayaking on Lake Lure to ziplining and hiking.
Downtown Asheville is where all the action is, with street performers aplenty, lovely restaurants serving even better food and kid-friendly breweries, too — the young ones will love downtown!
Delaware Beaches, DE
Delaware boasts many gorgeous beaches, with the Delaware Beaches running all the way from Lewes to the border of Maryland. Along this trail, families are presented with a ton of kid-friendly destinations on the East Coast, ranging from Cape Henlopen State Park to Bethany Beach to Fenwick Island.
Don’t forget to check out Rehoboth Beach for its fun boardwalk and rides — a great spot for kids of all ages (including mom, dad, grandpa and grandma!) — and Dewey Beach for its laid back vibes — a great spot for the tweens and teens.
Washington D.C
Washington D.C abounds in free monuments and museums, such as the world-famous Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art. One of the most historically significant spots in the country, you can mix up fun and learning here for the little ones and also refresh your knowledge of the nation’s history simultaneously!
Tourists also flock here to take in the beautiful cherry blossom season — come spring, the city is a riot of pink, peach and white. The city celebrates these blossoms, with the National Cherry Blossom Festival — a great reason for a D.C family trip in April.
Boston, MA
Another extremely budget-friendly spot to visit, Boston, like Washington D.C, abounds in both a plethora of free attractions and a rich history.
However, the fact that it’s smaller in scale makes it possible to cover more attractions in less time. Stroll along the Freedom Trail and catch glimpses of Paul Revere’s House. You can also take a free-of-cost Harvard campus tour with your teen to draw inspiration from this epicenter of quality learning.
Cape Cod, MA
Barely an hour away from lovely Massachusetts and an hour and a half away from bustling Boston, Cape Cod has been the quintessential summer vacation spot for many years. Cape Cod offers tourists the quiet charm of New England-styled coasts, such as Chatham, Provincetown and Hyannis, all dotted with quaint beach cottages; it’s all “relaxed, laid-back vibes only” at Cape Cod.
When you visit, don’t forget to stock up on the extremely popular Cape Cod Potato Chips and have ice cream at the iconic Four Seas, New England’s 3rd oldest ice cream parlor.
New York City, NY
Visiting New York during the holiday season is a great idea; the whole city seems to be right out of a fairytale, with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the gorgeous Christmas markets and the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, to name a few.
Broadway is a must check out, as are Times Square and Central Park.
The whole city is well connected by public transport; taking the subway, a taxi or even simply walking are all easy, budget-friendly ways to explore the city.
Jersey Shore, NJ
Jersey Shore is dotted with a ton of gorgeous coastal towns, from Sandy Hook in the north to Cape May in the south.With several budget-friendly large vacation rentals on offer, Jersey Shore is the spot for an affordable summer holiday for families.
At Jersey Shore, there are numerous family-friendly things to do, such as exploring the boardwalks with their games and rides and mouth-watering food, all of which are excellent things to do on a family vacation.With so much on offer, visiting the “Shore” has become something of a tradition for families!
Newport, RI
The home of the Vanderbilts’ summer cottages, Rhode Island’s Newport is “the” spot to be if touring fancy estates fascinates you and the fam.Once you’re done with your tour of the estates, take in the lovely views strolling along the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile walkway that hugs the shoreline.
For even better views, jump into a helicopter and take the Newport Helicopter Tour, surprisingly affordable! The helicopter tours are priced depending on their length; options range from 12 to 35 minutes. For a ton of fun restaurants, boat rides, shopping and year-round festivals, check out the thriving downtown area.
Annapolis, MD
Home to the U.S Naval Academy (which you’d know if you’ve ever drooled over James Franco and Tyrese Gibson in “Annapolis”!), this town sits on Chesapeake Bay’s Western Shore.
If you’re a family that loves boating, Annapolis is a must consider vacation spot; the Sailing Capital of the United States boasts lovely sunset cruises and more-than-enough mega yachts anchored in the marinas to please any boating aficionado.
Parts of the Naval Academy are also open for families to tour, making Annapolis one of the more unique places to visit with kids.
Ocean City, MD
Maryland’s Ocean City may only be a 10-mile barrier island but you wouldn’t believe how much family-friendly fun can be packed into these 10 miles. The whole of Ocean City is chock full of things to do from ocean to bay!
Head out for a spot of mini-golf or rip up the tracks at the go-kart courses; once you tire of that, check out the fun boardwalk amusements or simply head to the pristine beaches to soak in the delicious sun. Ocean City features many multi-bedroom condos, high-rise hotels, and some single-family homes (beachfront, too) — finding accommodation is relatively easy here.
Williamsburg, VA
One of the most historic spots in the United States, walking into Williamsburg is like walking through a time tunnel and landing in the colonial era!
One of the main draws of the area is Colonial Williamsburg, a 300-acre living history museum where you’ll find men and women dressed up in costumes and walking the streets; you can also grab a meal at the same spot George Washington once dined!
Once the tots tire of the history lesson, reward them with the thrilling roller coasters and water slides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
