No matter the season, the East Coast of our country is chock full of interesting and exciting destinations. These places often get overlooked as people cast their gaze to the west and the large National Parks. But if you live in the eastern part of the USA, you can find adventure and wonder much closer to home. We took the liberty of researching some of the best places to visit on the East Coast USA by season.
The best places to visit the East Coast during the spring are
- Miami, Florida during the Calle Ocho Music Festival
- Washington DC, during the Cherry Blossom Festival
- Savannah, Georgia to experience the beautiful flowers and weather.
For some of the best spots along the East coast for the summer, consider visiting
- Acadia NP
- Boston, Massachusetts
- New York City
- Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Chincoteague, Virginia to run with the ponies
These must-see destinations in the Eastern US boast beautiful colors during the fall
- Smoky Mountains NP
- Vermont
- Catskills Mountains, New York
- Shenandoah NP, Virginia
Stay warm in the winter with these Southern spots on the East Coast
- Florida has so many places to visit, like Tampa and the Florida Keys.
- Tybee Island, Georgia hosts a huge Christmas Boat Parade
- Hilton Head, South Carolina
Best Places to Visit on the East Coast During Spring
Whether you’re looking for down home southern cooking or international culture, these are some of the best places to visit on the East coast USA. Dig your toes in the warm sand and feel the fresh ocean breeze on your face. Plan your next vacation with these great locations.
Miami, Florida
Miami is known as one of the best places to visit on the east coast of Florida. A spring break destination location where you can soak up the sun on their famous beaches. There is so much to see and do in this culturally rich haven. Enjoy Cuban Cuisine in Little Havana or explore their famous mangrove forests.
A must-see spring event is the Calle Ocho Music Festival in Miami, Florida. Nestled in the heart of Little Havana, this one-day event takes place in March and is the largest Latin music festival in the US.
You and your family can stroll Little Havana, sampling fine international food and enjoying live entertainment.
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your stay:
Miami Everglades Resort – Located 30 miles south of Miami and nestled in 34 acres of tropical paradise. This full-service resort offers convenient access to other premium attractions like Key Largo and Key West.
Paradise Island RV Resort – Located in Ft. Lauderdale, this full-service campground is about a ten-minute drive from all the entertainment and amenities south Florida has to offer, including beaches and shopping.
Washington DC
One of the best times to visit the capital of the United States in during the spring, when the cherry trees blossom. The Cherry Blossom Festival typically runs from Mid March to Mid April and coincides with the peak bloom time when 70 percent of the blossoms are open.
Live events are offered during this time, like the Blossom Kite Festival and the Cherry Blossom Parade.
While you are there, make time to visit the National Mall which hosts dozens of monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial. Schedule plenty of time to tour the Smithsonian Institute, the largest museum and education complex. It’s home to some amazing museums, such as
- The Smithsonian Natural History Museum
- The National Air and Space Museum
- The International Spy Museum
Here are some recommended campgrounds:
Cherry Hill Park Campground – It’s the closest campground to Washington DC at only six miles away and makes a perfect base camp for your adventures. Family owned and operated since 1921, it offers both RV and tent sites.
Ramblin Pines Campground – Perfectly centered between Washington DC and Baltimore, this is full-service campground nestled in a quiet wooded setting in Woodbine, Maryland. They have 200 campsites and welcome big rigs.
Savannah, Georgia
April showers bring blooming May flowers in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is one of the best places to visit in May on the east coast, when fresh air carries the scent of ocean breeze. Visit historic Forsyth Park or take a riverboat cruise for the best views of Savannah’s historic district.
Experience true southern hospitality at these recommended campgrounds:
- Creek Fire RV Resort-Located 20 miles south of downtown Savannah, you can choose to stay at an RV site or rent a cabin. Experience live entertainment. Offers amenities such as laundry, hot showers, and free wi fi.
- Savannah Oaks RV Resort– Located near Savannah Mall, this resort offers 24 acres of stunning scenery. A great place to make your base camp while exploring many of Georgia’s historic battle sites.
- Red Gate Campground– It’s only 6 miles from downtown Savannah and is the closest RV park to the historic district. Offers horseback riding, among other amenities.
Must Visit Vacation Spots for Summertime Fun on the East Coast, USA
Summertime means visiting some amazing vacation spots on the East Coast. Our family always loves exploring these amazing historical sites and learning about United States history. Add these must-see places to your travel itinerary and enjoy the sun and the adventure.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Feast your eyes on amazing vistas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on Acadia National Park’s rocky headlands. This historic park features over 158 miles of hiking trails or you can drive along 27 miles of historic roads.
Acadia NP is one of the top ten most visited parks in the United States.
While there, visit the quaint New England town of Bar Harbor and sample the freshest seafood cuisine on the market. Enjoy shopping and fine dining.
Mount Desert Island is the second largest island on the East Coast and is home to Bar Harbor and Acadia NP with a rich cultural heritage and lots of historical sites to visit.
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your stay:
The Bar Harbor Campground – This is the closest private campground to the town of Bar Harbor and Acadia NP. It is a full-service campground and makes a great base of operations for exploring the area.
Mt. Desert Narrows RV Resort – This full-service RV resort lets you park your RV right up to the water and is a short drive from Acadia NP and Harbor. If you want to stay at the campground, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy as well.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts is teeming with historical landmarks and is a must-see summer destination. Follow the Freedom Trail along cobblestone streets and find that tucked away brewery.
While you are in the area, visit Cape Cod. It is ranked as one of the top ten spots for beaches along the East Coast. Enjoy kayaking and windsurfing or take a cruise and go whale watching. Then shop til you drop and enjoy the fine dining in downtown Cape Cod.
Take a day or two and visit Martha’s Vineyard, an island just south of Cape Cod and is a longtime new England summer get away. This is only accessible by boat or air and hosts lighthouses and beautiful beaches.
Rhode Island is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Cape Cod. This tiny state is chock full of historical sites and amazing beaches, in addition to fantastic seafood and shopping.
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your stay:
Normandy Farms Campground –This full-service RV resort is conveniently located between Boston and Cape Cod and offers a luxury getaway. It’s a great base to launch your summer trip while you explore this rich area of American history.
Cape Cod Maple Park Campground and RV Park -Conveniently located near Cape Code, this full-service campground is centrally located on 600 acres of beautiful woods. There’s lots to do in this family friendly resort.
New York City, New York
The bustling metropolitan New York City is the place to be to experience culture and 24/7 nightlife. This magnificent city offers every type of experience you’re looking for, including historical sites from America’s gilded age and even dating back to the Revolutionary War. If you’re looking for culture, take in a Broadway show.
Make sure to tour through famous Central Park, which is the fifth largest park in the city and features over 843 acres of nature. Then visit Lady Liberty and learn about the America’s history of a land of opportunity.
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your stay:
Liberty Harbor RV Park – This is the closest RV park to New York City and offers an urban experience. If you are looking to stay in NYC, then this is full service RV campground is the place for you.
Black Bear Campground –this full service campground is about 60 miles from New York City and offers all the amenities you’d expect from a resort. Tucked away in Florida, NY, you can get away from it all and still enjoy the cultural experiences that draws you to NYC. IT’s also conveniently located for other historical landmarks and tourist sites.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Outer Banks is an interesting place to visit on the East Coast during your summer vacation. The Outer Banks are barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. It includes the historic site of Roanoke Island where Sir Walter Raleigh started the first settlement in the New World.
The Outer Banks are famous for their 100 miles of open-air sandy beaches and diving for treasure amidst their shipwrecks.
Stay at this recommended campground during your visit:
Camp Hatteras -This full-service campground is on located on the Outer Banks and offers waterfront RV sites. Enjoy luxury resort amenities and be close to all the shopping and exploring you can handle.
Chincoteague, Virginia
Chincoteague Island is Virginia’s only resort island. It’s also the gateway to Assateague island, home of the famous Chincoteague ponies. Their annual Run with the Ponies event takes place in late July and draws thousands of visitors. This is an awesome family experience.
Every year, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company auctions off some of the ponies. Saltwater cowboys herd these wild ponies from the island by making them swim across the channel. It is an event worth experiencing.
Stay at Chincoteague Island KOA campground during your visit. This full-service campground offers fun for the whole family and is nestled in the heart of Chincoteague, only a mile from the beach.
Fall into Fall with These Must-See Destinations in the Eastern US
Enjoy some of the most beautiful fall colors in these must-see places along the East Coast. Smell the crisp fall air and enjoy the changing leaves during your fall travels.
Smoky Mountains NP
Nestled between North Carolina and Tennessee, Smoky Mountains NP forest ridges mark the border between the two states. If you enjoy hiking, this is the place to do it.
It’s diverse plant and animal life is known around the world, as it gives off a vapor that leaves a smoky fog tucked in the valleys and lingers around the mountain peaks. These breathtaking mountains contain historic landmarks like crumbling log cabins and tucked away churches.
Enjoy breathtaking views and the changing leaves as you explore over 500,000 acres of this southern Appalachian Mountain range.
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your visit:
Smoky Bear Campground – Nestled in the northeast section of the Smoky Mountains NP, this full-service campground offers seasonal amenities. It’s conveniently located 18 miles from historic Pigeon Forge and 13 miles from Gatlinburg.
Great Smoky Mountain Campground – Located at the southern edge of the Smokey Mountains NP, this full-service RV park also lets you experience the Cherokee Indian culture, as well as explore the surrounding nature areas and other tourist destinations.
Vermont
Vermont has some of the best fall foliage on the East Coast and is one of the best places to visit along the East Coast in October.
Brownington is in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and has an observation platform on Prospect Hill to offer you the very best view of New England’s fall colors you could possibly imagine.
Early peak viewing times in northern Vermont start in late September and run through early October. Or you can head further south to Smuggler’s Notch during the middle peak season, which runs through the end of October. But no matter where you go, Vermont has amazing fall colors in every corner of the state.
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your visit:
Kingdom Campground – Located in the Northeast kingdom, this full-service RV park offers all the amenities you get at an RV resort. It’s also centrally located for exploring historic sites and finding fall foliage.
Dorset RV park – Located in the southern part of Vermont, this full-service campground offers full hook ups and other amenities. It’s a convenient base of operations while exploring Vermont’s fall colors.
Catskills Mountains, New York
The Catskill Mountains in upper New York has an adventure waiting around every corner. Take a break from busy city life and get away to the Catskill Mountains. Besides breathtaking vistas and historical sites, the Catskills offer fly-fishing opportunities and tucked away towns.
This is truly one of the most interesting places you can visit along the East Coast, the birthplace of the Rip Van Winkle legend and where Woodstock happened in 1969. If you are looking for a perfect destination for fall foliage, then look no further than this gorgeous landscape.
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your visit:
Rip Van Winkle campgrounds -This full-service RV campground is tucked away in 160 acres and lets you escape the hustle of the city. Conveniently located in Saugerties, NY,, the campgrounds offers fun activities for the whole family.
Catskill RV Resort – This full-service RV resort lets you become immersed in the beauty of the Catskills. Enjoy the breathtaking fall foliage and explore historical sites while you get away from it all.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shendandoah NP is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and has 75 miles along Skyline drive of breathtaking fall foliage. In addition to the numerous historical places, Shenandoah is rich in natural beauty. What makes this place unique is that it had been heavily forested and farmed until there was nothing left. The NP was carved out of privately owned land and is the first example of “recycled wilderness.”
Stay at these recommended campgrounds during your visit:
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Luray – As is to be expected of any Jellystone park, this full-service luxury RV resort has something to offer for the whole family. It’s nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Luray, Virginia, with 73 stunning acres and righty down the road from Shenandoah NP. You can take day trips to explore or stay right at home and have a great time.
Outlanders River Camp – This full-service resort is located right along the Shenandoah river with 100 acres of scenic back country. You can swim or fish in the river or use it as a base camp while you explore local attractions in Luray.
Wonder into Winter on the East Coast
When you think of winter travels along the East Coast, your gaze turns toward the warmer climates of the East Coast. No need to bundle up when you head south, but instead break out your sandals and shorts in these tropical destinations.
Florida
Florida is the bastion of RV travelers when the winter weather turns frosty. No matter what coastal city you choose in Florida, you can’t go wrong. If you’re looking for a tropical get-away, consider heading south to the Florida Keys, where sparkling blue water greets you.
Consider staying at the Keys Palm RV resort, just an hour from Miami and 2 hours from Key West. This full-service RV luxury resort will treat you right and drive all your winter blues away.
Or, if you’re in the mood for a little more city life, think about Tampa Bay, Florida. Located in the heart of the Gulf Coast, this happening city has warm waters and fine Cuban cuisine to boot. Stay at the Bay Bayou RV resort for convenience and comfort.
If you’re looking for a place to weather winter in Florida’s panhandle, consider either of Pensacola Beach RV Resort in Pensacola, Florida, and experience sugar beaches and beautiful sunsets.
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island is roughly 18 miles from Savannah, Georgia and chock full of personality. It has light houses and sandy beaches. It’s one of the most fun places you can get away to on the East Coast. Celebrate Christmas by experiencing Tybee Island’s huge annual Christmas Boat Parade.
Stay at River’s End Campground during your stay. This full-service RV resort is tucked right in the heart of Tybee Island and is just a few blocks from Savannah’s Beach.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Get away from it all on Hilton Head island, located in South Carolina, and is one of the best places to visit to experience the east coast beaches. It offers 12 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. If you are looking for a warm destination during the winter, consider Hilton Head.
Stay at the Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina while you visit. This is a luxury RV resort located on the north end of the island and offers waterfront RV sites. Not only will you experience premium amenities but enjoy the plethora of water activities to boot.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gleaming white sugar sand beaches and gorgeous sunsets greet you in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Consider this as a winter travel place on the East Coast. Fine dining and a variety of shopping can be found in Orange Beach.
Consider staying at the Sugar Sands RV resort conveniently located in the heart of the Gulf Shores. This luxury resort offers full services and plenty of family friendly amenities. You’ll be able to reach all the Gulf Shore attractions and events from this resort.
The East Coast is a Great Area of the United States to Visit All Year Long
No matter the season, the East Coast is a great place to visit all year long. Whenever and wherever you want to travel, there is something to experience and enjoy. Consider visiting one of these places when you plan out your next road trip along the East Coast.
Best Places To Visit On The East Coast USA
Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley grew up in Ireland and spent summers caravanning around Europe with her family. Now, as a wife and mother of 2, she spent 5 years traveling the USA as a full time RVing family. She is passionate about travel, and helping others who are considering the RV lifestyle. She has created dozens of helpful RVing checklists which are available throughout the website, and has curated hundreds of simple, flavorful meals for families on the go.