18 Of The Best East Coast Family Vacations and Destinations

I’ve spent 95% of my time living on the East Coast of the United States, and for the most part, I’ve loved it. We are lucky because there are so many great places for East Coast family vacations – many of which we can easily drive to. The East Coast offers many of the top family vacations in the US.

Looking for some vacation inspiration for your next family vacation? Here are some of our favorite East Coast family vacations. Leave us a comment if we left one of your favorite East Coast vacation spots for families off the list.

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In addition, we visited a few of these locations as part of press trips (at no, or limited cost to us). All opinions are my own.

East Coast Family Vacations

Before planning your vacation, check out this vacation calculator that can help you figure out costs. Keep in mind that some of these best East Coast vacations for families can be combined, especially if you can take a longer road trip.

New York City

I firmly believe that every family from the US should try to have at least one New York City family vacation. It’s one of the best East Coast vacations and one of the top family vacation spots in the world. Living in the Boston area, we are just a few hours away and can visit every few years, especially because there are so many easy transportation options from Boston to NYC. 

In addition to iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Plaza, there are also countless museums with interactive exhibits, fun NYC family restaurants, and of course, Broadway. Don’t forget to visit Central Park and Times Square.

I generally enjoy visiting in the fall or spring, when the temperatures are great for walking around, although Christmastime is always so beautiful. Keep in mind that it’s especially busy in New York City between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so be prepared for crowds and higher hotel prices. It can also be tougher to get restaurant reservations.

See hotel reviews in NYC here.

Cape Cod, MA

If you are looking for the perfect New England beach vacation, you’ll want to visit Cape Cod. This area of Massachusetts offers over 400 miles of shoreline (the Cape Cod National Seashore National Park), making it a popular East Coast vacation destination in the summer. The Cape has some of the best East Coast beaches for families and is among the best vacation spots on the East Coast.

Families can enjoy traditional summer activities like mini-golf, traditional golf courses, and drive-in movies, as well as fun water sports, outdoor activities, and relaxing time on the beach. There are several great towns and resorts to visit, so you’ll find the perfect spot among all of these beach towns. Cape Cod is also a great place to visit with young children, and there’s so much natural beauty to explore.

If you prefer there are also many vacation rentals offered. On the way to the Cape, make sure that you stop at Plymouth, MA for a visit to the historic Plimoth Patuxet Museums.

There are lots of great family resorts on Cape Cod, including Ocean Edge Resort (book here) and the Sea Crest Beach Hotel (book here).

See hotel reviews here. 

Cape Ann, MA

Less than an hour north of Boston is Cape Ann, MA, where you’ll find the waterfront towns of Rockport and Gloucester, MA. I love visiting Cape Ann, because it’s less crowded than Cape Cod, but still has some great restaurants, waterfront activities, and shops.

You could combine a trip to Cape Ann with a Boston family vacation because it’s so close. It’s one of my favorite vacation and day trip spots.

Our favorite beaches in Gloucester are Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach. They are some of the best beaches in Massachusetts.

Both get very busy on hot summer days, so I recommend arriving early to make sure that you get parking. There are several hotels in the area, and some people prefer to book a vacation home.

See hotels here.

Boston, MA

I love my home city of Boston. Even after living right in the city and in the nearby suburbs for twenty years, I still find so many things to do in the area. From the numerous museums, shows, parks, shops, restaurants, and more, you could easily spend at least a week in Boston.

While the snow is beautiful, I do recommend visiting in the late spring, summer, or early fall when the temperatures are best for exploring the city. See our recommendations for neighborhoods in Boston and hotels in Boston to stay in.

See hotel reviews here.

Martha’s Vineyard, MA

One of the most popular presidential vacation destinations over the last few decades, Martha’s Vineyard is one of the best East Coast family vacations. There are a few different towns, all offering quaint shops, delicious restaurants, and beautiful beaches.

You can easily catch a ferry over to the island, and can even choose to bring your car with you if you’d like. When we visited, we did bring our car because we drove all over the island. Many families decide to rent a beach house for their vacation, or there are hotels and resorts on the island (see reviews here).

Raleigh, NC

My son and I visited Raleigh, North Carolina on a press trip last spring, and we were so pleasantly surprised by all of the great things to do in Raleigh. From watersports and ziplining to museums and restaurants, there’s so much to keep kids occupied.

Not only are there lots of activities, but several of the museums offer free admission, making it an affordable spot for a family vacation. The weather is also generally nice, with fairly mild winters. Our hotel right in the center of town was the perfect spot to stay because we were able to walk to several museums and restaurants.

See hotel reviews here.

National Harbor, MD

After visiting the other three Gaylord Hotels (in Dallas, Orlando, and Nashville), I knew that I wanted to take my family to the Gaylord National, located in National Harbor, MD. National Harbor is a whole destination in itself, but it’s also a great spot for anyone visiting the attractions in Washington DC and Alexandria, Virginia.

The centerpiece is a gigantic Ferris wheel right on the waterfront, but there are also lots of restaurants and shops right in the area. Guests can drive to DC and Alexandria, or there’s also a boat that can take you there right from the Harbor.

We enjoyed our stay there and would recommend it to anyone who is visiting DC but would like to stay a little outside the city.

See hotel reviews here.

Washington DC

Washington DC is another destination that is perfect for families to visit – it’s one of the must-see places on the East Coast. I’d generally recommend a visit when your kids are teens or tweens because that’s when your children will truly understand what they are seeing.

A few years ago, we went on our first trip with our kids. We drove from our home in Massachusetts and visited several museums, including the International Spy Museum (which has since relocated to a larger building).

Keep in mind that you’ll need to work through your US Rep or Senator for several visits (including the White House), so it’s best to plan and do your research well in advance. While the actual lodging in the area can be expensive, as it is a city, many of the museums offer complimentary admission.

So it really can be an affordable vacation destination if you plan accordingly. During our visit, we stayed at National Harbor, which was a more affordable option than staying right in the city. Of course, you’ll want to head into the city to see things like the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Mall.

See hotel reviews here.

Portland, Maine

I love Portland Maine. After hearing so many great things about it for years, I only recently discovered it for myself. While it’s probably best visited in the summer when you can take advantage of the warm weather for water activities, it’s also a great place to visit in the winter.

I enjoy just walking around town (especially the Old Port section), checking out the various quaint shops and delicious restaurants. There are also museums and beautiful sites to explore. Be sure to check out the iconic Portland Head Lighthouse.

Other popular spots in Maine include Ogunquit, Acadia National Park, and Bar Harbor. Ogunquit is a quintessential beach town, and it isn’t too far from Boston and Portland.

See hotel reviews here.

Mystic, CT

Mystic is most famous for the movie and restaurant Mystic Pizza, although there’s so much there to explore. Located right over the Rhode Island border in Connecticut, Mystic offers a fabulous aquarium, seaport village, and shopping area.

We generally stay two nights and are able to see just about everything on our list. It’s best to visit when the weather is warm, because almost all of the seaport and village, and part of the aquarium are outdoors. You’ll do a lot of walking on your trip.

See hotel reviews here.

Amelia Island, FL

After visiting Amelia Island for the TMS family travel conference in 2016, it’s one of my favorite spots to recommend for a family vacation. Located just a short drive away from Jacksonville, Amelia Island is easily accessible from most US cities.

There’s Fernandina Beach, a gorgeous beach that is great for families, with numerous parks, delicious food, and fun water sports. During my trip to the conference, I enjoyed a complimentary stay at the Omni Amelia Island Resort (book here), a family resort that offers a number of activities for kids. It’s a great spot for a relaxing stay, but you’ll also be able to enjoy more than just the beach.

See hotel reviews here.

Virginia Beach, VA

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Virginia Beach during a press trip to Virginia. This beach town area offers a quintessential family beach experience, from biking down the beach boardwalk, to enjoying a splash in the ocean.

I especially love the Virginia Beach Aquarium and Marine Science Center, which is one of the best aquariums that I have been to. Of course, you’ll also get to enjoy some of the best seafood around, at the many delicious restaurants you’ll find around town.

From here, you can also road trip to the Eastern Shore, as well as to Colonial Williamsburg.

See hotel reviews here.

Savannah, Georgia

The coastal, historic town of Savannah, Georgia is located right on the South Carolina border. It’s a beautiful place to visit for a vacation and offers historic sites such as the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace and the Owens-Thomas House.

Savannah is such a quintessential southern town. There are great restaurants and shops throughout the town.

There’s also Tybee Island, a barrier island located off the coast of Savannah in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great spot for a family beach vacation.

See more things to do in Savannah here.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

This Atlantic barrier island in South Carolina is a popular beach destination. Located southwest of Charleston, Kiawah is known as a beach and golfing destination. Families will enjoy visiting Night Heron Park, which includes a nature center and pool area.

Kiawah boasts many vacation homes, as well as resorts. You can see reviews here.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head is known as a golf destination, but there are still plenty of things to do with kids. If you and your family love Disney, consider staying at the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort. This family-friendly resort includes all of the services and amenities that you’ve come to expect from Disney, including a large pool with waterslide and beach access.

While you are on Hilton Head, there are family-oriented activities to enjoy, including miniature golf, the Dolphin and Nature Tour, Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, and the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum.

See hotel reviews in Hilton Head here.

Orlando, FL

There are so many things to do in Orlando, including Walt Disney World, Universal Florida, Legoland, the Orlando ICON, Seaworld, and Discovery Cove. It’s almost impossible to do everything during one trip, so I’d recommend choosing your top options and just doing those.

Be sure to plan some relaxation time, because you won’t want to spend every day going, going, going. The theme parks can be tiring.

Asheville, NC

Asheville North Carolina offers delicious restaurants, a bustling arts scene, beautiful nature trails, and of course, the Biltmore Estate. It’s a great destination for a girlfriend getaway or family vacation, and you are sure to find plenty of things to enjoy on your vacation. It’s also an affordable destination and draws many of its visitors from the surrounding area.

While you are there, you can enjoy hiking to Catawba in the Pisgah National Forest. Don’t miss a tour of the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in America. Kids will especially love seeing the bowling lanes and indoor swimming pool that are in the home.

If you do decide to fly in, the small airport in Asheville is very convenient to downtown. Flights generally go through Charlotte or Atlanta, depending on the airline.

Newport, RI

Newport is one of my favorite places in New England, thanks to its beautiful landscapes, fun restaurants, and vibrant waterfront. Summer is the best time to visit so you can enjoy Fort Adams State Park as well as the gorgeous beaches in Newport and the nearby towns.

Also located in Rhode Island is Block Island, an island accessible via passenger ferry. It’s become a popular destination in recent years, with lots for the whole family to enjoy. As you’d expect, it’s best visited in the summer months.

See more things to do in Newport RI with kids here.

There are other beautiful East Coast vacation spots, including the Outer Banks of North Carolina (see things to do in the Outer Banks), Myrtle Beach in South Carolina (see things to do in Myrtle Beach), and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. In your opinion, what are the best places to vacation with kids on the East Coast?