East Coast Cities to Visit

Planning a road trip along the east coast this summer?

When it comes to places to visit on the east coast there is no doubt that cities such as Boston, New York City, Virginia Beach, Jacksonville and Miami are some of the best east coast cities to visit if you want a ton of city attractions.

Cities with the best downtowns

Having said this, there are other nice cities to visit on the east coast with a lively vibe and good city attractions. In no particular order, they are as follows:

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is located on the western shore of Maryland and it's certainly one of the top east coast cities to visit if you’re a history buff. You’ll love spending time in Annapolis and visiting top attractions such as Maryland’s State Capitol and the US Navy Academy.

Places to visit in Annapolis

A few other great things about visiting Annapolis is that you’re only 30 minutes drive from Washington DC and Baltimore, and Chesapeake Bay where you’ll find some of the best beaches on the east coast.

Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is without a doubt, one of the most charming east coast cities to visit on a vacation as there is no other city in New England quite like Cape May, which boasts some of the most beautiful Victorian gingerbread homes on this side of the Atlantic.

Places to Visit in Cape May

Cape May boasts memorable views of the Atlantic Ocean and it’s a popular spot for nature enthusiast and bird watchers as it’s located nearby Cape May Bird Observatory where you can enjoy birding workshops and boat trips for close-up looks at nesting birds.

Cape May is also one of the best vacation spots in New Jersey for families with kids as the waters here are calm and shallow.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport boasts some of the best preserved colonial homes in Rhode Island and it’s definitely one of the top east coast cities to visit on a vacation.

Places to Visit in Newport RI

You can visit Newport’s grand mansions such as The Breakers and Marble House, as well as cultural attractions and festivals such as the Newport Jazz and Newport Art festivals in August.

Charleston, South Carolina

If you’re planning a family trip this summer, Charleston is without a doubt one of the best east coast cities to visit with kids.

Things to do on vacation in South Carolina

Beach Vacation Spots in South Carolina

Charleston boasts many cool family attractions such as the Patriots Point Naval Museum where you can tour a former aircraft carrier and real World War II fighter jets. You can also visit the South Carolina museum, tour Charleston’s Fort Sumter, and enjoy beach activities at Folly Beach.

New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven CT is one of the most popular weekend getaways in the US for a relaxing vacation as it offers a bit of everything to everyone. You can enjoy spas treatments and gambling at one of New Haven's casinos, as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

Things to do on a trip to Connecticut 

Attractions in Connecticut

There are also plenty of things to do indoors and outdoors in New Haven such as visiting the renowned Peabody Museum and Mystic Aquarium, as well as enjoying recreational activities in New Haven Green, and bird watching at the Coastal Center at Milford Point.


Barnstable, Massachusetts

Massachusetts boasts many great destinations such as the city of Barnstable which is home to some of the most beautiful and charming villages in Cape Cod such as Hyannis Port and Centerville.

Beautiful Places to Visit in New England

The city of Barnstable is also one of the top east coast cities to visit as it’s home to the stunning Sandy Neck Beach which is one of the top beaches in Massachusetts. Besides the beach, Barnstable is home to the JFK Museum and Zooquarium which two of the top 10 attractions in Cape Cod.

Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington is no doubt, one of the most popular places to visit in North Carolina as it is located a short drive from the stunning Kure Beach which is one of the most beautiful beaches in the US.

Places to Visit in Wilmington NC

Wilmington is definitely one of the most amazing east coast cities to visit on a family or romantic trip as the city is home to beautiful cobblestone streets where horse-drawn carriages still graze the roads.

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