Before planning your next getaway, check out this curated list of the best family-friendly places to travel on the East Coast. Whether you’re looking for southern charm or a tour around the nation’s capital, the East Coast has a lot to offer.
Savannah, GA
This place has 24 green-space parks (also known as squares), hence why it’s known as the “City of Squares,” If you’re looking to take your family on a historic adventure, then this is a place to go. From Washington Square to Colonial Park, you’ll love the spaces filled with moss-covered oaks. There’s a nine-block River Street with cobblestone passageways that screams of an Old World charm. The nearby coastline is also filled with dunes, rivers, and marshes along its barrier of islands.
Here are the best family-friendly places to put on your itinerary: Roundhouse Railroad Museum, Neptune Park Fun Zone, Oatland Island Educational Museum, and the National Children’s Museum.
Below are a few places to consider lodging:
- Comfort Inn Midtown
- The DeSoto
- Countryard Savannah Downtown/Historic District
Related: Planning a Road Trip? You’ll Want this Road Trip Activities Printable to Keep Your Kids Entertained
Asheville, NC
The Biltmore Estate, rafting, zip-lining, and the nearby Bat Cave are all hot travel places for families visiting Asheville, NC. Sharing part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this area has its fair share of activities and natural beauty for the entire family. Not to mention, it’s also a short drive from the infamous Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. The top-rated attractions to consider are:
- Asheville Art Museum
- Urban Trail
- Asheville Outdoor Center
- Colburn Earth Science Center
There are also several great hotels for lodging, such as Haywood Park Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton, and the Country Inn & Suites Asheville West.
Related: 50 States Bucket List of Must-See Landmarks and Attractions
📷 @palmbeachesfl
The Palm Beaches, FL
This area of Florida is actually made up of several different towns including the tiny neighborhood (Palm Beach) that’s known for housing the Kennedy and Trump homes. Many families flock to one of the Palm Beach towns to get away from the popular parks in Orlando and settle for something a bit more laid back. You and your family may enjoy the miles of beaches, the zoo, a waterpark, or even a trip to the Lion Country Safari. Consider lodging at one of these places throughout the duration of your stay:
- Marriott’s Ocean Pointe
- Palm Beach Shores Resort
- Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
Washington D.C.
As the nation’s capital, this area has no shortage of museums, monuments, and historic sites for the entire family to enjoy. And, it’s the perfect way to combine fun and education. Kids (and adults alike) find it interesting that this isn’t actually a state, and is instead reserved as the home for our federal government. You’ll also spend a lot less money because most of the attractions are free, including the 20+ free Smithsonian Museums. The following are some of the most top-rated places to stay for families:
- Sheraton Tysons Hotel
- Loews Madison Hotel
- Melrose Georgetown
- AC Hotel National Harbor Washington, D.C. Area
📸 Discover Newport
Newport, RI
The oldest synagogue in America (Touro), the tall white steeple of Trinity Church (erected in 1726), and the long stretch of beach are just a few reasons to add this location to your East Coast family travel bucket list. Find your own stretch of sand and break out all the beach toys for your kids to enjoy. There’s also a three-and-a-half-mile Cliff Walk behind the Bellevue Avenue Newport Mansions and the Fort Adams State Park which has Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals every summer. These are just a few reasons why this is considered one of the best family-friendly places to travel.
When planning your trip to Newport, check out these hotels for your stay:
- Wyndham Inn on Long Wharf
- Newport Marriott
- Hotel Viking
Related: Best Family Road Trip Destinations
More to See on the East Coast
I would need at least 50 more blog posts to go into more depth about the beautiful family-friendly places to visit on the East Coast. But to save time, I’d like to leave you with a quick list of places to consider adding to your family travel list:
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- New York City
- Bar Harbor, ME
- Jersey Shore, NJ
- Delaware Beaches, DE
- Boston
- Cape Cod, MA
- Annapolis, MD
- Ocean City, MD
- Williamsburg, VA
There are many family-friendly places to travel to on the East Coast. Before you decide to go, be sure to research as much as you can about the area. Set a budget, secure lodging, and create an itinerary of things to do. And remember to take lots of pictures and make tons of memories!
Where are some places you’ve visited on the East Coast? Let me know in the comments below!
