Day trips and quick weekend getaways are sometimes the best way to explore a new area on vacation without the commitment of a full vacation. The East Coast offers many cities and beaches that are great to visit for a long weekend. Here are some of our favorites.
Portland, Maine
The small seaside city of Portland Maine is one of my favorite small cities on the East Coast. This beautiful, charming city includes a historic district along the waterfront.
North Conway, New Hampshire
Within North Conway, there are several fun things to do, including hiking, swimming, outlet shopping, and more. There’s also Story Land, a theme park for young children, located in the nearby town of Glen, NH.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a beautiful, waterfront town located on the tip of Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island. There’s so much to do there, including scenic cruises, beautiful beaches, sailboat rides, the Tennis Hall of Fame, the Newport Mansions, Fort Adams State Park, the Cliff Walk, and more.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
One of the best summer getaways on the East Coast is Cape Cod. This region of Massachusetts has lots of small towns offering shops, beaches, museums, restaurants, and so much more. Whether you are visiting Cape Cod for a day trip or a weekend, it’s best to choose just one or two towns to focus your visit.
Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket, Massachusetts
These two islands located off the coast of Cape Cod are extremely popular with seasonal guests. They are beautiful, with gorgeous beaches, fantastic summer restaurants, shops, and more. Because they are islands, you’ll either need to take a ferry or a flight to get there.
Boston, Massachusetts
The historic city of Boston should be visited at least once by families. I generally recommend spending more than a few days in Massachusett’s capital. Our favorite touristy areas are the waterfront area, the Back Bay, and the Faneuil Hall area.
Rockport/Gloucester, Massachusetts
Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester is one of my favorite beaches in New England, with lots of amenities for families. If you’d prefer to walk around town, shop at quaint stores, and see art galleries, head to Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Find parking along the street and walk around the pedestrian streets.
Mystic, CT
Mystic CT was popularized by Julia Robert’s movie Mystic Pizza. However, it also offers some fantastic activities for families. Our favorites are the Mystic Aquarium, Olde Mistick Village, and Mystic Seaport.
New York City
New York City certainly needs no introduction in this post. I recommend that every family visits at least once. Some attractions to consider are the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Circle Line boat tours, Times Square, the Museum of Natural History, MoMath, the Central Park Zoo, and the Ride NYC.
Washington DC
Like NYC, Washington DC is one of those places where you can spend weeks and still not see everything. The Smithsonian Museums, including the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History, offer free admission (but may require timed entry tickets). There are also many monuments and memorials, as well as the popular International Spy Museum.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach isn’t just a famous beach, it’s also the name of a coastal town. It’s located on the coast of Virginia, in the area where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet. While Virginia Beach, with its 3-mile boardwalk, is the most famous of beaches, there are other beaches in the town.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is a gorgeous southern city offering beautiful sites, great museums, shops, and wonderful restaurants. If you want to visit the beach, Tybee Island is a great option. It’s located not too far from Savannah on the coast of Georgia.
Clearwater Beach, Florida
This gorgeous beach has been named one of the best beaches in the United States. It’s a lively area, with lots of waterfront restaurants and resorts, as well as boat tours of the area. It’s also home to the popular spring Sugar Sand Festival.