Jeff Dorman
Best Family Lake Vacations On The East Coast – Miles of sandy beaches, world-class museums, glacier-capped mountains and many famous landmarks. If you’re struggling to plan your next family vacation, don’t forget the US East Coast!
The East Coast of the United States not only has some of the best cities for kids in the world, but this vast area is also perfect for outdoor sports or beach vacations.
Best Family Lake Vacations On The East Coast
Add in some cheap flights and you’ve got yourself an East Coast vacation.
Best Family Destinations To Visit With Kids (part 1)
To keep things simple, we’ve divided this post into three sections: kid-friendly cities (big and small), outdoor travel destinations, and East Coast vacations.
We explored most of the beautiful places on the East Coast with our family (we go through more of the East Coast than we realize). The rest are on our family list!
Whether you’re looking for inspiration or already planning, here are the best family vacations on the East Coast, famous and less famous.
City breaks aren’t usually my cup of tea (I live in a small town for holidays!) but my two kids love city trips. Although it has caused some controversy over the years regarding vacation planning, I have come to appreciate the cultural attractions, amazing restaurants, and beautiful architecture that great East Coast cities have to offer.
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Living in Vermont, we are a day’s drive from major cities. Here are our favorite small and big cities for a fun (and less stressful) family vacation in the East.
I know I will regret not including two of my favorite cities, New York and Boston. As much as I love them, I think the cities on this list are great for kids.
When it comes to suitability and appeal to children, it’s hard to hold a candle to Washington, D.C. Home to the largest museum in the world (which is free for visitors only), DC is a vibrant city with enough attractions to keep the family busy. a week or more.
Many monuments in Washington are built in parks on or near the Washington Mall. Families can climb to the top of the Washington Monument, pay their respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and learn about America’s most famous presidents at the many monuments.
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What do kids like about Washington? Research at the International Spy Museum, the Lincoln assassination exhibit at Ford’s Theater, and a visit to the pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Where to Stay: Save yourself the headache by staying near the National Mall. I promise it’s worth the extra cost. With basic amenities and clean rooms, State Plaza Hotel is within walking distance of all attractions and is very affordable.
How to get around: If you don’t mind going outside, you can explore on foot. D.C. The metro system is an inexpensive way to visit the zoo or travel outside the metropolitan area.
Recommended Tour: The Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour lets you see the monuments and museums on your own. 15 seats are included and you can buy a one-day or two-day ticket.
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Philadelphia is another major city on the East Coast that proves an affordable city family vacation. With tons of free attractions and events, family-friendly museums, and some of the best restaurants we’ve tried anywhere, Philadelphia should be on every family’s bucket list.
History buffs will want to visit the Liberty Bell (free, but expect long lines), visit Independence Hall, where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed, and stroll through Old Town with its cobbled streets and 18th-century charm.
What do kids like about Philadelphia? Younger kids love exploring the Please Touch exhibits at Memorial Hall Museum, while older kids love the science activities at the Franklin Institute, one of the East Coast’s most beloved science museums.
Where to Stay: Philadelphia is made up of several small neighborhoods, each with their own character and atmosphere. We haven’t tried them all, but we love Fishtown for its walkability and great restaurants. This beautiful home is affordable and has five bedrooms with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. An outdoor terrace with a grill is also at guests’ disposal.
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Getting Around: Philadelphia is considered one of the most walkable cities in the country, and the diverse neighborhoods and beautiful nature are fun to explore on foot. You can also buy a SEPTA, subway/train day pass and be within blocks of many downtown attractions.
Recommended Tour: For kids 12 and up, this Segway tour is a fun way to see some of Philadelphia’s most popular sites. It is a small group tour that lasts about two hours.
Atlanta is one of the best family vacations on the East Coast because of its kid-friendly attractions that will delight both young and old. The city is home to the largest aquarium in the world, a college football hall of fame and the famous Coca-Cola factory. But there is more!
Atlanta is the city of your choice, and if you enjoy the outdoors, there are plenty of parks with playgrounds and walking trails. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in Piedmont Park and features 30 acres of beautiful year-round exhibits.
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No trip to Atlanta would be complete without a visit from Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Families can visit the zoo where King was born, see the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, and pay their respects at his grave.
What do kids like about Atlanta? Stroll through Centennial Park’s Ring Fountain, visit one of America’s oldest zoos, and catch a Broadway show at the historic Fox Theater.
Where to stay: The Courtland Grand Hotel has an indoor and outdoor pool and a great restaurant with a terrace. Centennial Park or the Georgia Aquarium are a short drive away.
Getting there: The MARTA system provides good access to the suburbs and downtown, but we’ve found driving, local or Uber, works best.
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Recommended Tour: CityPASS is great for Atlanta attractions. Includes admission to the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Zoo Atlanta, plus two other attractions of your choice. Use your card for up to nine consecutive days.
Roanoke isn’t a big city, so it might not be on your radar as one of the best family vacations on the East Coast, but it’s honestly one of the first cities I recommend to parents looking for something different. .
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains (right off the Blue Ridge Parkway!), Roanoke is a city that embraces nature wholeheartedly. There are 55 parks within the city limits, as well as eight recreation areas, five public parks, two public swimming pools and two dog parks.
Families can visit the daily outdoor market, visit Roanoke’s famous Star of Mill Mountain, and visit the excellent Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, which offers free admission every day of the week and includes eleven modern art galleries in America.
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What do kids like about Roanoke? Center in the Square, an arts and culture center that includes the Roanoke Pinball Museum, Kids Square Children’s Museum, and the Science Museum of West Virginia.
Where to stay: Try a scenic adventure at Explore Park, where you can rent a yurt, tent or cabin for a few nights.
Getting there: We recommend driving to Roanoke via the Blue Ridge Parkway. A car is the best way to get around the city.
Read next: The best things to do in Roanoke, Virginia, and a roundup of the city’s best attractions for kids and adults. The best parks in Roanoke will help you plan your outdoor adventures.
Best Family Lake Vacations
Burlington, Vermont is a very special place! It’s a great city for families – not too big, with a walking center and great views of Lake Champlain.
Burlington is home to the University of Vermont, the popular Church Street Marketplace, and a population of approximately 42,000. It’s a mecca for beer and coffee drinkers, foodies and shoppers, and has been voted the healthiest city in the US multiple times.
Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, one of the best ways to see this beautiful city is from or near the water.
The paved Burlington Greenway runs along the water for eight miles, connecting several impressive parks and recreation areas, including Burlington Waterfront, North Beach and Leddy Park. Donate your bike to a local movement and ride the beach all day, stopping to get off when it’s too hot.
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There’s no better way to enjoy summer than with a sunset cruise on Lake Champlain. The Spirit of Ethan Allen departs Burlington’s waterfront for sunset cruises on Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer, with tours offered daily.
What do kids love about Burlington? Hands-on fun at The Echo Leahy Center on Lake Champlain to follow
