There’s nothing that America can’t offer you. From mountains, to beaches, to deserts, to urban oases, whatever setting is calling your name, you can find it here in America.
But, are you an East Coast fan, a West Coast fan, or a Heartland devotee? Wherever you stake your claim, there’s plenty for you to explore on any given day.
For a full tour of the East Coast, let’s pretend you’re landing in the Tampa Bay area. We’ll start our journey in Florida and make our way north up the alluring Atlantic coastline.
St. Petersburg, FL
While not on the East Coast, it’s safe to say St. Pete’s is worth the temporary detour to the Gulf Coast where the waters are crystal blue and the sands kiss your toes.
St. Petersburg has charm written all over it. From its downtown cafes to its upscale restaurants, there’s something on the menu for everyone in this sweet city.
Best of all, after you’ve had a belly full of delight, you can head on over to Sunset Beach on Treasure Island to capture the most radiant sunset you’ve ever seen.
Ormond Beach, FL
Heading over to the east coast, you have a lesser-known beach, Ormond Beach, just north of the ever-popular Daytona Beach.
While Daytona is where all the thrill-seekers go, Ormond offers a lot more peace and quiet. There’s a lovely dog-friendly Hilton full of oceanfront rooms that you can easily use as your launch pad for a most relaxing getaway.
St. Augustine, FL
Did you know St. Augustine, FL calls itself the oldest city in America? It’s not the first thing that comes to mind. Typically, we tend to think of Colonial America up in Philly or Boston.
But, it may be able to lay claim to that title, since it was founded in 1565. As the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the US, it was settled 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
There’s a lovely dose of Spanish architecture everywhere you turn. Its walkable downtown streets feature a bevy of delicious restaurants, quality shops, and, of course, it doesn’t hurt a thing that the ocean is well within reach.
Tybee Island, GA
Next up, we have a beach town with some of the best Airbnbs on the East Coast. You can score a lovely little oceanfront villa right on the Atlantic and take in sunrise after sunrise.
The best way to tackle Tybee is to load up the fridge in your Airbnb with treats and just settle in for a while. You won’t even have to leave the property to make this a memorable getaway.
For more on that, check out these 15 tips for choosing the best Airbnb.
Savannah, GA
That said, when you want to adventure-seek a little, head about 20 minutes inland to statuesque Savannah. She’s easily one of the brightest lights in all the southern cities.
There’s so much to do here. You can simply walk the oak-lined streets. Or, you can sip your way through their gorgeous coffee shop culture. Gallery Espresso is one the best, with its views of Chippewa Square. None of the restaurants will let you down, either, especially Collins Quarter.
With art galleries, bookstores, and boutiques, Savannah will embrace your seakissed skin and provide plenty of excitement after your well-earned, oceanfront getaway in Tybee Island.
Helen, GA
Here’s a quirky town that’s often overlooked. Located in northern Georgia, Helen is festooned in all the fixin’s of a proper German city. You’ll definitely feel like you’re in a Bavarian village as you nibble on pretzels and sip from a stein.
This is a nice mountain escape if you’ve had your fill of seaside getaways and, boy, will it transport you to another place and time.
Charleston, SC
Charleston and Savannah are often pitted against each other. And, while they have a lot in common, including gorgeous architecture, rich history, and world-class restaurants, they’re really quite different.
Charleston is right on the water whereas, with Savannah, you have to head down to River Street or Tybee to soak up a good spray. Savannah also has an intuitive grid pattern to its streets whereas Charleston demands you to meander through its spiderweb layout.
Still, it packs just as much charm as its sister city down south and is well worth a stopover on your travels up the eastern coastline.
Wilmington Island, NC
As we make our way into North Carolina, it’s difficult to pick just one city. Let’s start on the eastern seaboard with Wilmington Island.
It gives Savannah a run for its money with its charming coffee shop culture and rich history. You won’t have difficulty landing a beautiful Airbnb here, either.
With plenty of entry points onto the beach, all you have to do is load up a cooler with your favorite treats for a most delightful getaway.
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte is another charmer, and one that’s becoming increasingly popular with families looking to escape the rigors of big city life.
You’ll find a little bit of everything here with its close proximity to the mountains, the sea, and downtown sophistication. Stay awhile in Charlotte before you head to the next stop on our list – Asheville.
Asheville, NC
Artists unite in this wondrous mountain town. The nearby Pisgah National Forest is also a particular stunner. But, you don’t even have to leave downtown to be enthralled.
You can easily roam these streets and let the cool, mountain breeze whisk you away. When you want to put on your tourist cap, head over to the stunning Biltmore Estate to see the closest thing to a European castle in America.
Carova Beach, NC
Carova Beach is one of many little gemstones in the Outer Banks, NC. Like Tybee, this is the place to come when you want to tuck into an oceanside retreat for a few days and write the Great American Novel.
With wild horses, seagrass breezes, and sunrise after sunrise, you can’t go wrong with an Outer Banks getaway, especially along the pristine banks of Carova Beach.
Knoxville, TN
This one’s cheating the system a little bit because you have to head west from North Carolina. But, boy, are the Great Smoky Mountains worth the detour.
Knoxville, in particular, is a great place to base yourself. Dubbed the Scruffy City, it’s as welcoming and unassuming as any city on this list.
With a delightful square right in the heart of their downtown area, you can dip in and out of quaint little shops, enjoy a delicious meal or two, and then head over to the Smokies on any given day.
Roanoke, VA
If you don’t head west to Tennessee, you can follow the Blue Ridge Mountains out of North Carolina and into Roanoke, Virginia.
Noted for its hiking trails and museums, you can craft a nice blend of outdoor activities and urban meanderings while you’re here.
The Mill Mountain Star is world-famous as the world’s second-largest illuminated man-made star. It makes for a pretty picture after a long day exploring this unique city nestled into one of the most magnificent mountain ranges in America.
Boonsboro, MD
Everybody who loves the simplicity of a timeless romance novel knows Nora Roberts. In 2009, she opened the doors to one of the most majestic inns along the northeast corridor.
No expense was spared with its copper bathtubs and luscious bedding. The romance reader in your group will love a stay at their favorite author’s inn. And the history buff can tool around in the Civil War battlefields just a stone’s throw away.
Washington, D.C.
As you depart Boonsboro, you might as well head east to the nation’s capital. You can don your tourist’s cap again and take in all the major sites like the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian Museum.
There are plenty of beautiful hotels in this stately city. And, after a long day as a tourist, you can dine in any one of their Michelin-star restaurants.
Philadelphia, PA
Philly is another colorful and vibrant city you won’t want to miss. You can continue your American history tour with a stopover at the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall.
With plenty of cobblestone streets to stroll down as you reminisce about America’s history, you won’t be disappointed by all the restaurants on the menu, many of which claim to have the best cheesesteak in town.
Cape May, NJ
When you think of the tri-state area, it’s easy to think about skyscrapers and city streets. Cape May stands along the Atlantic as a proud Victorian lady with her historic homes, boardwalks, and seaside eateries.
Many of the old Victorian homes have been turned into glorious B&Bs, and that’s definitely the way to go when you’re here. With decadent breakfasts on offer, you can spend a day by the sea, stroll the boutiques, sip some tea, and then end your day at any one of their first-rate restaurants.
New York, NY
How can you sail through New York without dipping into the streets of Manhattan? Whether you stay in Midtown, Soho, Greenwich, or the Upper West Side, you’ll quickly discover why this is the greatest city on earth.
Dip in and out of the flagship stores of your favorite brands on Fifth Avenue. Savor a full-bodied red at any number of eclectic wine bars in the Lower East Side. Dine in delight on the Upper West.
And, when you want to slow it down a little, step into Central Park in wonder and awe that over 800 acres of greenery can exist in one of the world’s most robust cities.
For a list of unforgettable experiences in this great state, here’s everything you should do in New York City and beyond.
The Hamptons, NY
Although the Outer Banks are noted for their pristine beaches, so are the Hamptons. It’s easy to see why the who’s who of the world rent vacation homes on these shorelines.
Like the Outer Banks, you have your pick of cute little hamlets, including Southampton and Sag Harbor. No matter where you go, you’ll enjoy gorgeous accommodations, easy access to the beach, and the cutest little Tommy Hilfiger-esque hamlets to spend a buck or two.
To help you pinpoint your final destination, here’s a list of the best beaches in the Hamptons.
Cold Spring, NY
Northern New York State can’t be overlooked, either. And, although Cold Spring isn’t exactly “upstate,” it still should make the cut.
It’s a good stopping point on our way out of the city and up to Saratoga or any of the other Upstate NY destinations.
Nestled along the Hudson River, it’s as if Hallmark plucked a town right out of its playbook and dropped it in New York State. Although it only has one real Main Street, it’s a spectacle of delights from mom-and-pop shops, to coffee shops, to uniquely fantastic eateries.
Mystic Seaport, CT
Here, too, you’ll be dazzled by beautiful and historic homes. The restaurant scene is unparalleled and, when you leave, your wallet may be just a little bit lighter.
The reason to come to Mystic, however, is if you have a penchant for maritime life. Mystic is known for its vast collection of sailboats and ships, as well as its stellar recreations of 19th-century life, including crafts and fabrics from a bygone age.
Newport, RI
Newport is situated on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island. It’s a yacht-filled harbor town that will dazzle you with its salty air and well-kept streets.
Strolling down Bellevue Avenue will take you back in time to the Gilded Age. Nowadays, many of the gorgeous mansions are museums, offering everything you need to know about this enticing little port town.
Watch Hill, RI
This part of Westerly, Rhode Island, is pretty as a picture. Watch Hill Inn is probably its most notable property, pristinely overlooking the Atlantic.
This is quite a seasonal town, so if you’re headed here for shopfronts and ice cream parlors, you have to come during peak season. Even still, if you make this an off-season getaway, you’ll be pleased by the quiet tranquility this gentle little neighborhood has on offer.
Boston, MA
Up there with Philly and D.C., Boston is well worth every ounce of planning it takes to get this trip in order.
The Freedom Trail might be your best bet to soak it all in. There, you’ll pass by a collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burial grounds, and more.
Faneuil Hall should certainly be one of your stopping points for a nice hodgepodge of culinary delights to tantalize your senses.
Here’s more on the best ways to explore Boston’s charm.
Cape Cod, MA
Back to the healing waves of the sea. If you hop over here to relax from the buzz of Boston, you might want to take aim at Woods Hole.
This precious corner of the cape has a gorgeous inn, much like Watch Hill Inn, that will invite you in from the cold, serve you a warm meal, and leave you well-rested for an adventurous day on the sea.
Salem, MA
You may leave here feeling as though you’ve lived through a ghost sighting or two. And you may be right because, although the Salem Witch Trials seem like folklore, they were very real, indeed.
Aside from the steeping history in this town, it also happens to be postcard pretty. Every bookstore, boutique, and coffee shop is brimming with character. Pick a haunted inn, stay a night or two, and indulge in the rich history this tragic, yet appealing, town has to offer.
White Mountains, NH
If you enjoyed the Smokies in Tennessee or the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Carolinas, you’ll simply adore the White Mountains. These peaks cover about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire, dipping into Maine, as well.
When nature beckons you, stay at any number of the accommodations along the way, whether you have a mind to cozy into an inn for the night or pitch a tent amidst the grandeur of the rolling hills.
Montpelier, VT
This, too, is a little bit of a dip off the east coast. But, like the Smokies, nearly all of VT is well worth a visit – especially in the fall when the leaves are changing.
Tuck into this gorgeous mountain town in late October and you won’t be disappointed by the colors on displays, the pancakes doused in maple syrup, or the easy, breezy strolls down its dainty Main Street.
Portland, ME
Like the Carolinas, Maine has so much on offer. Portland is lovely, mainly due to its Old Port waterfront. With working fishing wharves and converted warehouses chock full of savory restaurants and shops, there’s a lot to take in here.
Whether you stay in a well-reviewed Airbnb or check into any one of their historic hotels, Maine is a stately state with a lot of class, seaside breezes, and storybook villages to stroll.
Bar Harbor, ME
Speaking of storybooks, it doesn’t get any better than Bar Harbor. The downtown, itself, has picturesque little bookshops to give Cold Spring a run for its money as a Hallmark movie setting. Like Watch Hill, it’s mainly a town that bustles in the peak season and goes to sleep in the off-season.
Still, whenever you come here, you have to put on your hiking boots and make your way over to Acadia National Park to breathe in those sea breezes and stare up at the wondrous Bass Harbor Head Light Station.
Let the East Coast Sweep You Away
Wherever you’re headed, from Florida to Maine, there’s a seaside escape just waiting to embrace you. Let the sea salt air wash away your cares while the sea breezes wrap you in a warm embrace.
Stay at an Airbnb on the ocean or take a more urban approach with a luxurious hotel stay in Charleston.
Whether you’re remaining stateside or heading abroad, we have a destination guide to take your itinerary to new heights. We hope to see you out on the cobbled streets of Boston someday!