Jeff Dorman
Best Family Vacations On The East Coast – Long before Instagram emerged as a vacation inspiration tool, movies and television introduced us to family vacations on the East Coast. Think cabin resort on the lake
We’ve spent years exploring East Coast vacation spots from our base in Rhode Island. So, if you’re wondering what the best places to visit on the East Coast are, check out our 26 favorites. (See also my tips for the best vacations for kids and the best vacations for teens.)
Best Family Vacations On The East Coast
If you prefer to explore the East Coast by car, we also have 20 week-long East Coast road trip ideas.
Georgia Beach House Vacation Ideas
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.
These 26 East Coast Vacations Are Perfect For A Classic Family Trip. Get inspired and then start planning. Pack several into one big trip or take your time to enjoy each destination.
Maine has nearly 3,500 miles of coastline, and it can take more than six hours to drive from Kittery, on the New Hampshire border, to Bar Harbor, just outside Acadia National Park.
Along the South Shore, the Maine Coast is a popular beach vacation destination for Bostonians. Charming seaside towns like Kennebunkport offer charming cottages and inns. Others, like Old Orchard Beach, offer old-fashioned family vacation tours and historic piers.
Best East Coast Beaches For Families To Discover
In Portland and around Casco Bay, you’ll find lighthouses and restaurants, breweries, and L.L. you will find beautiful rocky beaches lined with shops. That sounds good. Beans in Freeport.
But if you’re willing to head north, you’ll reach the unique MidCoast, home to the very cool and trendy Camden, Rockland, and one of my favorites, Boothbay Harbor.
If you want to make it a road trip instead of just staying in one city, check out my Coastal Maine Road Itinerary for suggestions. You can also combine the Maine coast with a trip to the Maine mountains or a trip to Moosehead Lake.
Some families prefer to relax at one of New Hampshire’s popular lakes, such as Lake Winnipesaukee, but the White Mountains are for those who want to be active. Families can go hiking, climbing or swimming in the waterfall at Bagni di Diana.
Best East Coast Family Vacations
Or you can get one of the ubiquitous “This car climbs Mt. Washington” stickers, or take the easy way out via the Mt. Washington Railroad.
Other popular attractions include Flume Gorge, Lost River Gorge, roller coaster rides at Attitash or Cranmore, Alpine Adventures, and ziplining at Storyland or Santa’s Village amusement parks. A scenic drive on the famous Kankamaugus Highway in the fall is a must!
Ever since I spent the summer visiting family in Vermont, the Green Mountains have held a special place in my heart as a favorite family vacation spot on the East Coast. I truly believe that Vermont offers the best of New England.
You can spend a week on the shores of Lake Champlain at a resort like Basin Harbor, or settle in for a summer vacation at one of Vermont’s many mountain resorts like Smuggler’s Notch.
Best Family Beach Vacation
If you want, you can spend your days swimming, hiking, and exploring New England’s beautiful towns like Woodstock, Manchester, and Burlington, or enjoying Vermont’s local food scene; visit a craft brewery, try Vermont cheddar cheese, or take a day trip to the Ben & Jerry’s factory.
Vermont is small enough to explore on a long weekend or week-long Vermont trip. If you’re planning a trip to New England in the fall, the best time to view fall foliage is usually early October.
Boston is the perfect destination for history-loving families and a fun city to explore in the summer. After exploring the historic sites along the Freedom Trail and visiting the Boston Tea Party Museum and ships, you can head out on the water to go whale watching or cruise the islands of Boston Harbor.
Make sure you have time to see the Boston Red Sox if they are in town or visit historic Fenway Stadium. Spend free time in Boston’s public and public parks visiting the swan boat and the Make Way for Ducklings statue.
Best East Coast Beaches For Families
Enjoy the view from the Skywalk observatory atop the Prudential Center and shop along Newbury Street. Check out more things to do in Boston and hidden spots in Boston.
Keep in mind that Boston can be expensive, but I have some tips for visiting Boston on a budget. If you have a few extra days, you can plan day trips to Salem, Gloucester, and Rockport, or to Plymouth.
I can’t think of a better family beach during the summer months than Cape Cod and the islands (Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket). Each town has its own personality, from the beautiful Provincetown to the quiet sand dunes of Eastham, charming downtown Chatham and some of the best beaches on the East Coast.
You can spend hours playing in the wave pool, collecting shells and watching the sunset over the water. Or hop on a bike and enjoy the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Best Family Summer Vacations East Coast
But a family vacation in Cape Town is more than just a vacation, it’s lazy days, sand between your toes, afternoon ice cream tours, and spending lots of money on lobster dinners, all of which Cape Town has to offer.
Located in upstate New York, the Adirondack Park covers more than 6 million acres, including 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 46 mountain peaks. This natural playground hosts many events throughout the year, but we especially love it in the summer.
The Adirondacks are divided into several regions. Along Lake Champlain is the Adirondack Coast, the Lake George region to the south, and the Three Lakes region to the north. The Tri-Lakes are one of the most popular areas, especially Lake Placid, which has hosted two Winter Olympics.
The Adirondacks are a great place for families with older children who love to be active and outdoors. You can hike, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard to your heart’s content. The whole family, including the little ones, will love climbing the treetops at Tupper Lake Wildlife Center.
Best Affordable U.s. Family Vacations — Budget Friendly Vacations
We enjoyed the boat trips (especially the tubing!) on Lake Placid, exploring small towns like Saranac Lake, and enjoying the natural beauty. If you’re planning a summer or fall trip, I have some Adirondack itinerary ideas!
Niagara Falls was once a honeymoon destination. Then it became a family tourist destination. In recent years, Niagara Falls has outgrown the falls themselves.
While I still recommend crossing the border to see the Canadian side of the falls, the Niagara region of the United States has a lot to offer. There are 22 wineries, breweries and cideries on the Niagara Wine Trail. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy New York’s eleven state parks, the beautiful Niagara Gorge, take a speedboat ride down the Niagara River, or enjoy a birding paradise.
Families can also enjoy Old Fort Niagara, the Aquarium of Niagara and, of course, the must-see Wind Cave. It’s easy to visit Niagara Falls on a weekend, or you can spend longer and enjoy the unique cuisine and restored waterfront in nearby Buffalo.
Best Family Vacations In The South On A Budget
Have you seen the lights on Broadway? Selfie in Times Square? Have you passed the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry? Walking through Central Park? Walk to Wall Street? Love Met Masterpieces?
There are enough things to do in New York to last a lifetime, and the trick to squeezing as much as possible into one visit is to pick a neighborhood and dig in. Walk as much as possible and don’t be afraid to take the subway. And most importantly, don’t eat at chain restaurants found at home! Check out my complete guide to visiting New York with kids.
The best way to get to know the city is to take a sightseeing tour like The Ride or invest in a CityPASS and take a self-guided tour of New York’s most popular attractions.
Philadelphia is one of the best cities on the East Coast, but it’s often overlooked in favor of its neighbor to the north. However, every family should plan a trip to Philadelphia to enjoy the history, enjoy the food, and admire the architecture without the crowds and chaos of New York City.
Seeking Out The Best Summer Family Vacation Ideas
Start your visit to Historic Philadelphia with a visit to Independence Hall, followed by a swing at the Liberty Bell. Leave time to explore the new Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
After you’ve had your fill of history, take the stairs to the Art Museum and take a photo with the Rocky statue. Either go to the river or out
Cheap family vacations on the east coast, best beaches on the east coast for family vacations, best family beach vacations on east coast, affordable family vacations on the east coast, summer family vacations on the east coast, best mountain vacations on the east coast, family fun vacations on the east coast, best family vacations on east coast, best family lake vacations on the east coast, family friendly vacations on the east coast, best summer vacations on the east coast, best family east coast vacations
