The East Coast stretches from Maine in the north to Florida in the south and is rich in natural attractions, beautiful views, and opportunities for various outdoor sports – from kayaking and swimming to skiing. However, the area also has a rich historical heritage, museums, shopping areas, and small local restaurants.
Visit the beautiful lakes of Acadia National Park, watch the alligators in the Florida Everglades or stroll the lively streets of New York City. Lovers of cultural events will certainly take the time to visit a Broadway show or take a walk in the White House.
We have selected 19 of the most visited sights on the East Coast, suitable for every taste and hobby.
Washington, D.C.
The capital Washington is rich in monuments and historic buildings. The most visited attractions here are the White House, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.
If you are interested in the political history of the United States, this is the right place for you. At the so-called National Mall, you’ll find memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.
Of course, not all you can see here is devoted only to politics. The city will also intrigue you with its art and scientific galleries – the National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Museum of Natural History.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is the first park you’ll see on the East Coast coming from New England. The park is among the top 10 most visited parks in the United States because of its beautiful hilly areas and natural views.
Lovers of long walks can enjoy part of the 158 km transit routes, and if you are traveling by car the park has over 70 km of roads. You also have a wide choice of campsites if you decide to stay overnight here.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
You can not help but be attracted by the beautiful flora, dramatic slopes, and impressive waterfalls of Shenandoah National Park. The park has two visitor centers – Dickey Ridge and Harry F. Byrd and over 400 miles of transit routes.
The lightest route is Traces, and the more advanced may prefer White Oak Canyon. If you are lucky, you will also enjoy a variety of wild animals to meet here.
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore is the perfect combination of historical attractions and modern entertainment (shops, restaurants, shopping malls, and properties). Gradert is often referred to as “Charm City” because of the entertainment he offers at any time of the year.
Some of the most preferred attractions here are Walters Art Gallery, the National Aquarium, and the American Visionary Art Museum. The inner part of the port city was reconstructed in the 1970s and today entertains its visitors with places to shop and have a delicious lunch or dinner. On many of the streets, you will meet dancers and street performances.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah will offer you one of the most peaceful experiences on the East Coast. Walkthrough the streets surrounded by oak trees that will take you to the main attractions and to beautiful parks. One of the historic places here is Bull Street (where scenes from the film Forrest Gump were shot).
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Forsyth Park, which is famous for its iron fountain, or visit the National Museum of the Mighty Eight Air Force and Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences.
A slightly different attraction is Bonaventure Cemetery with its obelisks and stone monuments.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is one of the best East Coast vacation spots. It has the charm of the South, the locals are extremely kind, and the paved streets will take you to top attractions such as Waterfront Park, Middleton Place Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
The ancient part of the city has over 1400 monuments, and the tour with a mudslide is extremely interesting.
Charlotte, North Carolina
The most visited area in Charlotte is Uptown. Famous restaurants, boutiques, and museums can be found here. Some famous attractions include the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Carolinas Aviation Museum.
If you are traveling with your children, you should certainly take them to paramount’s Carowinds amusement and water park.
Finally, for a more relaxed walk, stop by Freedom Park, which also offers a range of outdoor sports options.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the place to sign the Declaration of Independence, which is why it plays a particularly important role in the history of the United States. Today, historic buildings are surrounded by tall skyscrapers.
You can take a pleasant walk in Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, surrounded by mosaic walls and floors. The list of entertainment is quite long – from a horse or buggy ride to Independence National Historical Park, through shopping in shiny boutiques and small shops with local products to visit the iconic symbol of independence – Liberty Bell Pavilion.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
If you are looking for fun Myrtle Beach is the right place. Its neon lights are visible from afar, the view from the giant Ferris wheel is amazing, and there are boardwalk games on every corner. A beach holiday would be ideal on the 60-mile stretch of the Grand Strand.
Some of the favorite attractions here are Ripley’s Aquarium and the evening show the Priates Voyage. There are many souvenir shops and dining areas nearby.
Orlando, Florida
One of the main reasons to visit Orlando will be Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. But the city offers many other attractions. SeaWorld Orlando, for example, gives you the opportunity to play with dolphins or enjoy the manta ray show.
Those interested in science can visit the Orlando Science Center, which also has an area suitable for children. Learn more about space at the Kennedy Space Center or have an adventurous alligator experience at Gatorland.
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
Outer Banks is one of the quietest places to visit on the East Coast. Over 100 miles of small villages, authentic restaurants, and coastal views are what you need for a relaxing holiday. Small islands are connected to the mainland by bridges, which offers tourists a lot of different places for a beach afternoon.
For fun, visit Jockey’s Ridge State Park and climb the sand dunes, arrange a boat trip or visit the local lighthouses. Kitty Hawk on Bodie Island offers a kayak tour and a range of accommodations.
Roanoke Island is dedicated to local history, and Hatteras Island gives you the opportunity to explore the wildlife around you.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers amazing views, merging with nature and the opportunity for an adventurous vacation. With dense forests, hidden waterfalls, and high peaks shrouded in mist, the mountain offers something for every taste in every season of the year.
Some of the most beautiful views are revealed by Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, and the misty Rainbow Falls.
Lake Placid, NY
We continue the list with another place for solitude in nature with amazing views and a relaxed atmosphere – Lake Placid. The place has twice hosted the Olympic Games, and winter remains the best season to visit (which does not mean that the rest of the year has nothing to offer).
Mirror Lake is becoming a winter slide and its frozen winter waters are a place for fun for young and old. Winter sports are the main entertainment here, but in the summer there is definitely something to do – swimming, canoeing, water skiing.
Everglades National Park, Florida
The Everglades is home to a number of species of wildlife – alligators, pythons, egrets, elusive panthers. The diverse ecosystems that coexist here create a real treasure to explore.
The easiest way to get here is by airboat passing through narrow canals, but many tourists choose the more adventurous way by kayak.
Niagara Falls, New York
To stand in front of one of the most magnificent wonders of the world, feeling the splashes of millions of tons of water pouring into the water basin, is one of the things you should do at least once in your life. The entire 400 acres of Niagara Falls State Park deserve your attention.
The most popular attractions here are the Observation Tower, which allows you to observe the view from a bird’s eye view, and the Maid of the Mist boat cruise, with which you can get as close as possible to the base of the waterfall.
If you have the opportunity to spend more time, visit the American and Canadian side of the waterfalls to see them from as many perspectives as possible.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is beautiful in all seasons – summer with its green mountains and hills, and autumn with a diverse palette of yellow, red, and orange.
However, winter remains the season when most tourists come here, attracted by the proverbial ski slopes of Mount Mansfield, luxury accommodation and spa resorts, and small local shops and restaurants.
No matter what season you come in and what your hobbies are, here you will find what you are looking for.
New York, New York
This list will not be complete without mentioning New York in it. Lively streets, shiny boutiques, gourmet restaurants and a number of attractions to visit are among the list of must-see stops for every tourist.
First on the list of attractions are the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge, and if you are interested in history and science, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA, Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History await you.
For a calmer afternoon, visit the alleys of Central Park, enjoy a variety of outdoor sports opportunities or indulge in a shopping trip on the High Line and SOHO.
Things to do in New York
Things to do in Central Park
One day is unlikely to be enough to tour all the sights, so plan your time in advance and buy tickets for attractions online if possible.
Miami, Florida
Most people come here to visit the famous Miami Beach and indulge in a beach holiday, but they are certainly surprised by the art-decorated buildings and beautiful boutiques around. You will find a lot of fun and entertainment venues along the boardwalk behind South Beach.
To go shopping and visit the top restaurants in the area, visit the nearby Art Deco Historic District.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the most beautiful places to visit on the East Coast. Its cobbled streets, historic buildings, and beautiful harbor create an extraordinary atmosphere, and the Quincy Market is the place to try delicious food and shop for products from local producers.
The main attraction here is the Freedom Trail, which passes through 16 historically significant buildings.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a place for shopping and you will often meet street performers, and Beacon Hill is the most interesting neighborhood in the city to explore.
Conclusion
The East Coast offers an incredible mix of historical, cultural, and natural attractions, places of entertainment, beach vacations, hiking, or just shopping therapy.
In many places you will find the imprint of past centuries, you will get acquainted with the diverse flora and fauna or you will simply have the opportunity to enjoy the view of some of the most famous landmarks in the world.
Оne thing is for sure – you can’t be bored here. No matter how much time you have planned for your vacation, it will hardly be enough to visit all the places, so plan in advance the attractions you want to visit depending on your preferences and hobbies.
