Although the phrase “West Coast, best coast” sounds good, there is still much discussion about which side of the nation will prevail in the final fight. While the weather in California is great, and the Pacific Northwest offers breathtaking views of mountains and lush green woods, the Best Places To Vacation On The East Coast is a genuine four-season region with a variety of climates, ecosystems, and landscapes that are all equally stunning.
Have you ever seen an autumn on the East Coast? Nothing is as thrilling as seeing the Appalachian Mountains’ foliage change from seemingly black to brilliant orange and scarlet instantly. How about a summer in New England when Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island are blanketed in hydrangea blooms? There’s a reason so many people can’t get enough of the beaches in the South during the winter, while the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., bring crowds from all over the world in the spring.
This region of the country, which Maine and Florida border, has so many mountains, rivers, tiny villages, historic sites, national parks, and vibrant cities that you might spend a lifetime visiting it and still not be able to experience it fully. Still, it doesn’t hurt to try. Though many places on the East Coast are “beautiful,” only a select few made our list. These are 15 top East Coast destinations, ranging from the serene waters of New York’s Lake George to the unspoiled wilderness of Georgia’s Cumberland Island.
best vacation spots on the east coast
Bluffton, South Carolina
Charleston will probably be on this list, but Bluffton, a little seaside town, deserves the title “most beautiful” due to its location along the May River and its oak trees covered in moss. One of the prominent attractions in the area is the Montage Palmetto Bluff, which has been ranked among the best resort hotels in South Carolina. However, travellers should also explore Bluffton’s city and the Lowcountry around it.
Biscayne National Park, Florida
The seas of South Florida’s Biscayne National Park can be explored by kayak, paddle board and sailboat, among other means, but scuba diving is considered among the country’s best. More than 600 native fish species, a mangrove forest, coral reefs, sea turtles, manatees, and more than 90% of the park are submerged in water.
Lake George, New York
One of the country’s most exquisite lakes is in Upstate New York. Lake George’s waters are clear, clean, and safe to swim in because the watershed doesn’t produce a lot of pollutants. This hidden jewel in the Adirondack Mountains is the ideal place to escape for the vacation destinations east coast summer.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway is claimed by Virginia and North Carolina, however the entire Blue Ridge mountain range is located 550 miles from Pennsylvania to Georgia. Visitors can stop at more than 200 picturesque overlooks along the winding route to enjoy the expansive vistas highlighted by the blue haze that gives these mountains their name.
Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, North Carolina
Over 250 waterfalls may be found in Western North Carolina, with many of them located in the gorgeous Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, a hilly region 70 miles from Asheville. A hike to the neighbouring Dry Falls or Cullasaja Falls is highly recommended, regardless of the season you visit—the brilliant autumn or the luscious summer.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Seaside Acadia National Park in Maine is open all year round, but if you want to see Cadillac Mountain’s renowned “first” sunrise, you have to go between October and March. However, summer travels are equally magical, particularly at well-known locations like Bass Harbour Head Lighthouse, Jordan Pond, and Thunder Hole.
Siasconset, Nantucket
Siasconset Village, also referred to as “Sconset,” is best described by the terms “charming” and “photogenic.” The unique things to do on the east coast, village is well-known for its two-mile public footpath, the Sconset Bluff Walk, which winds between grey-shingled cottages and their surrounding flower beds with views of the ocean below. It is about a forty-minute bike ride from Nantucket’s downtown centre.
Cumberland Island, Georgia
Cumberland Island is one of Georgia’s best-kept secrets, only reachable by ferry or private boat, offering endless white-sand beaches, marshes, and maritime forests. The sixteen-mile barrier island is home to only one hotel, the Greyfield Inn, 9,800 acres of wildness declared by Congress, a population of wild horses, and a historic district featuring the remnants of a mansion built by Andrew Carnegie.
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, New York
After over a century, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is more than simply a spot to view flowers and more than 18,000 different types of plants inside the Concrete Jungle. It’s a 52-acre sanctuary that fosters creativity, dialogue, and learning. Even classes on floral design, pruning, propagation, and other topics are available to visitors. You’ll have a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature everywhere you go after touring the many sections, which include the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Desert Pavilion.
Yale University, Connecticut
Yale University’s grounds exude a blend of excitement, nostalgia, and overall wonder that makes it impossible not to want to explore, much like many other New England college campuses do. The Old Campus of the institution is easily identifiable due to its unique design of walkways, grass, and trees as well as its striking Gothic architecture.
Vermont’s Covered Bridges
Vermont is home to more than a hundred covered bridges that were built around the year 1820. Their picturesque qualities, particularly in the midst of autumn, are frequently what entice tourists to see the Green Mountain State.Depending on the kind of road trip you choose, you can see famous places like Pulp Factory and Windsor Cornish Covered Bridge, the world’s longest two-span covered bridge Mill Bridge in Middlebury.
Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania
Bushkill Falls, also known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” is a set of eight waterfalls located in the Pocono Mountains. Hikers up for a strenuous two-mile, two-hour climb can view them all, including Bridesmaids Falls, the Lower Gorge Falls, and Bushkill Falls, the major waterfall.
Middleburg, Virginia
Once you cross the border into Middleburg, you’ll see rolling hills bounded by stone walls, farms, and a charming old city with antique shops, galleries, and tack shops for riders. This Virginia town’s picturesque scenery and colonial architecture make it so lovely, as demonstrated by the historic Red Fox Inn & Tavern, an 18-room inn and pub founded in 1728.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Block Island, a seven-mile-long and three-mile-wide coastal destination renowned for its ancient lighthouses and breathtaking landscape, can be reached from the mainland with a quick ferry journey. Mohegan Bluffs, a group of sizable clay cliffs on the southernmost tip of the island, provide breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and 141 steps down to a rocky, remote beach.
National Mall, Washington, D.C.
The National Mall is arguably the most famous location in Washington, D.C. The area features pedestrian-friendly lawns, sidewalks, and landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and others. But in the spring, when the Japanese cherry blossom trees bloom, its full beauty comes to light.
