2022 US East Coast, where to go?

[Lovetodaydream]

Hello,
If restrictions allow, we would like to book a holiday to the US next year, in August. We have to DC who will be 10 and 5, almost 6.
I was considering into Boston, out of New York and driving down via Cape Cod to get some beach action in but I have also heard the Carolina beaches are stunning. We will have 2 weeks, possibly 2.5. Does anyone have any recommendations, or done this trip and let me know what is and isn't worth a visit? I have been to NY a couple of times so not overly fussed about going again. We really want a lovely memorable holiday that the kids enjoy.
Thank you!

Yes, Carolinas are gorgeous, as are the islands off sc and Georgia. Assateague island has wild horses and is beautiful, as is Hilton head which is close to both Charleston and Savannah. Washington is also a fantastic place for kids with free museums and lots of history. The only issue
Is it’s pretty hot in august. I have been twice in august though with younger kids and we’ve managed it! How long do you have?

Sorry I see you have 2 weeks! Where are you flying from?

Thank you! We will be flying from London. My husband hates the heat. I'm wondering whether the Cape cod option is better though its pretty hot there too.

Is there enough for the kids to do? I have always wanted to visit Charleston but the kids will roll their eyes haha.

In the South? There is tons to do, plantation houses are interesting, they have gorgeous beaches and there is tons to do in terms of activities on Hilton Head. But if your husband hates the heat a visit in August would put him over the edge.
What about flying into Boston, 2-3 days there, then head north, up to the White Mountains, ( about 2 hours) there are lots of Museums and nature centres, lakes to canoe and swim in, Ben and Jerry's factory too. Then from there you could go to Montreal (about 3 hrs) there is plenty to do there, then drive back the other side of the Lake through the Catskills back to Boston finishing up in Cape Cod? My kids loved Great Wolf Lodge but it's expensive, there is one outside Boston, and I have always wanted to take them to the Von Trapps Lodge (yes, those Von Trapps!) which is in Stowe VT. Again very expensive but lots of activities like tennis, scavenger hunts for the kids etc.

That sounds like a great trip. Just looked up the lodge, that will definitely be on the list. Thank you, this is a great start.

I hope you have a fabulous time!

If you're going in August, the east coast will be humid as well as hot. Obviously that won't be a problem on the beach, but it's something to bear in mind for anything else you plan to do.

We did it 2 years ago but for 6 weeks. We did NYC, CapeCod,Rhode Island, Boston, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Best bits were NYC, Cape Cod, Maine and Vermont. Wasn’t fussed with Boston. We had a lovely cottage in Brewster on Cape Cod near Nickerson State Park. Cheaper than Chatham and good to have the Nickerson ponds all the beaches on CC are quite sharky. Brewster or Chatham location means you can easily get to everywhere on CC. We loved Brewster general store and ice cream parlour, book shop and a fab used book sale under the ladies library. On CC we loved whale watching snd Province Town, cycling the Shining Sea railway to Pie in the Sky cafe( gorgeous route and a huge highlight)Martha’s Vineyard...

We adored Maine even more than CC but may be too far in 2 weeks. Acadia was stunning. We stayed in Bar harbour and went sea kayaking. Loved Sebasco Harbour resort, Lobster Shack at two lights, Kennebunk...

Wasn’t fussed with New Hampshire but loved Vermont. Stayed at Stowe in Snowdrift motel which was fab. Free bikes and had an apartment. Not many places to eat in Stowe. Very pricey and was very wet in August when we went. We loved driving the Spine Route( just gorgeous loads of places to stop). Ben snd Jerrys was good.

Wasn’t that humid at all in July / Aug outside of NYC.

Plimoth Plantstion is worth a visit.

I like savannah Georgia and Stuart, FL but that’s probably too far south

Lovetodaydream

As gorgeous as Vermont is I think there is more for kids to do on Cape Cod and you’d have a more relaxing holiday. We barely scratched the surface in a week. Ben and Jerry’s is over in a flash and Vermont felt like an Autumn winter destination iykwim.

Forgot to say Boston Tea Party ship was good.

Many years ago we took DC to Boston. I think they were 8 snd 6 at the time. We liked it a lot. We went out whale watching on a huge catamaran from the harbour and went to various museums. Followed the Paul Revere trail and certainly found enough to do.

We stayed on Cape Cod for 8 days. 4 nights in two centres. I think one was Chatham and the other Sandwich. We stayed in historic inns. The beaches were fantastic and so was the seafood! I’d highly recommend it. Driving from Boston can be slow due to lots of traffic.

My DC also loved Plimoth Plantation. It’s full of people dressed up as settlers. One said he came from DHs home town. This was accurate as people from there were early settlers in that area. We had a bit of fun at the “any questions” bit!

We then went back to Boston and got the train to NY. For your holiday, I would go further up the coast into Maine but you could do a more interior route back to Boston. We decided, when DC were young, to travel less and stay put more!

Another vote for Boston and Cape Cod. We had 5 days in Boston and a week in CC when our kids were that age. Stayed in Chatham and had an awesome holiday. The next year, we had a fantastic Easter in New York, Washington and beautiful Shenandoah National park in VA.

We did an amazing holiday in Virginia. For very young children, I’m not sure it’s the best choice in August. It was supberb though.

We did New York, Boston and Cape Cod. Loved Boston and Cape Cod. Not too hot, just like UK really, sea was freezing! Cape Cod had lovely beaches and lots to do, we went whale watching which was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Thank you everyone. Thefemalejoshlyman, can I ask what time of year you went?
I'm wondering whether the autumn school holiday would be better and just do 1 city.

@Lovetodaydream Sorry about the delay in replying, We went at the end of July and beginning of August, I’m a teacher so we had to go in school hols. The weather in New York was wet, but Boston and Cape Cod were drier.