10 Spring Travel Destinations on the East Coast
With spring right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your perfect trip. Here is a list of 10 spring travel destinations on the East Coast.
The East Coast has so much to explore. Most of our early trips were destinations along the East Coast, including several amazing places in our home state of Florida. We’ve compiled a list of 10 spring travel destinations on the East Coast, so you can start planning now.
Spring Travel Destinations on the East Coast
Savannah, Georgia
The city of Savannah, Georgia is full of historic charm. With over 14 million visitors each year, Savannah still feels like it moves at a slower pace. Some points of interest include:
Wormsloe Historic Site
Wormsloe Historic Site boasts an avenue lined with oak trees and hanging Spanish Moss making it one of the most photographed locations in the South. For $10, you can explore the ruins that are left from the estate of Noble Jones, one of the first settlers from England. It is the oldest standing structure in Savannah.
Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park is Savannah’s largest and oldest park. An expansive green space, Forsyth Fountain, and gardens makes this park worth the visit.
Jones Street
Jones Street has often been called “the prettiest street in America”, and it is something special. Historic homes lit with gas lanterns and cobblestone streets really bring the history of Savannah alive. The corner of Jones and Barnard is especially pretty with its greenery covered home creating the most picturesque scene/backdrop.
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
A popular Savannah attraction, this cathedral dates back to 1874 with its founding dating back to 1700. Visitors can enter Monday through Saturday from 9-11:45 am and from 12:45-5:00 pm.
Savannah is the perfect city for photos too. After visiting so many times, we made a list of some of our favorite spots here.
Charleston, South Carolina
With its coastal views, historic architecture, and southern charm, Charleston, South Carolina is the perfect place to spend a day or two. This colorful city has plenty to do and see from the famous “Rainbow Row” to the most beautiful flowers from Sweet Jessamine Flower Truck.
In addition to visiting the pineapple fountain, Sugar Bakeshop, and “Rainbow Row”, there is so much more to explore in and around Charleston.
The Battery
A defensive seawall with some history behind it. Along the Battery is Charleston Harbor making it a popular spot to visit. There is also a lot of parking along the Battery, and it is a perfect walking distance from other popular sights around the city.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
The oldest public gardens in the U.S. and listed as “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens”, the title speaks for itself.
The oldest working plantation in America, Boone Hall offers visitors several tour options that explain the plantation’s history. The natural oak tree corridor is one of the most iconic spots in Charleston and said to be an unforgettable thing to see.
South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston houses over ten thousand plants and animals. With over 10 exhibits, you could easily spend hours here.
Charleston Tea Garden
Charleston Tea Garden is the only tea garden in North America and has acres of tea fields and a tea factory for visitors to explore the tea making process.
For our full guide to Charleston, South Carolina, check out our blog post here.
Asheville, North Carolina
The city of Asheville is one of our favorite places! From hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains to touring America’s largest home, the Biltmore, Asheville has something for everyone.
Summit Coffee
Summit Coffee has several locations in North Carolina, but the location in the River Arts District is our favorite. Their cuban coffee and lavender latte are both amazing.
Max Patch
Max Patch is a bit of a treacherous drive, but if you’re up for an adventure and amazing views, you have to go here. A short hike will take you to the top of a bald mountain with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain range.
The Biltmore
The Biltmore Estate is America’s largest house. With various ticket and tour options available, you can explore the home or just the grounds and gardens. You could easily spend an entire day here; we’ve been more than once and would absolutely visit again.
Washington D.C.
From the historical monuments of the National Mall to the quaint streets of Georgetown, Washington D.C. is worth a visit.
The National Mall
Contrary to what you would expect, the monuments of the National Mall are not located close together. Between each monument is a bit of a walk. However, for only $1 per person, per trip, you can ride the DC Circulator which stops at all major points of interest along the National Mall. It runs from 7 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 8 pm on the weekends. More information about bus times and route stops can be found at dccirculator.com.
The Lincoln Memorial
We started our first day with a visit to the Lincoln Memorial. We arrived around 9 am and it was not crowded at all. We were able to take a few pictures and enjoy the morning light on the Reflecting Pool.
The Jefferson Memorial
Located 1.9 miles from the Lincoln Memorial is the Jefferson Memorial. You have the option of walking along Tidal Basin to get there which is so beautiful, especially in the spring.
The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument can easily be seen from all over the National Mall, but you can also visit inside the obelisk structure!
The Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian has 11 museums in Washington D.C., all of which are free to visit! We really enjoyed the Museum of Natural History and spent hours walking through each exhibit. Right across the street from the museum is the Smithsonian Institution Offices, otherwise known as the Smithsonian castle. This beautiful building is a perfect photo opportunity and surrounds the Enid A. Haupt Gardens offering a quiet escape from the city. Visit si.edu for hours and admission info.
Our full Washington D.C. post with other points of interest can be found here.
West Palm Beach, Florida
A city with luxury homes and high-end retailers, it’s a city for shopping and fine dining. We enjoyed walking up and down Worth Avenue and visiting nearby Juno Beach during our visit.
Grandview Public Market
Great food options and an amazing outdoor atmosphere.
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
We loved our self-guided tour here! They have an app for an audio tour as well.
Ichetucknee Springs, Florida
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is one of the best places to experience the real Florida. Located in Fort White, this state park is a year round destination with plenty of activities for visitors of all ages. We love visiting Ichetucknee Springs State Park every spring. The peaceful float down Florida’s natural lazy river and the mesmerizing turquoise water have us coming back again and again. For a list of activities and everything you need to know before visiting Ichetucknee Springs, check out our earlier blog post here.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Located in the Tampa Bay Area, St. Petersburg is known for its close to perfect weather and its artistic vibe. The Dali Museum is a great place to see artwork by the renowned artist, Salvador Dali as well as other rotating art installations. We visited back in the summer and spent hours just staring at his creative work. There are also several murals around the city, one of the most popular being the “You are my Sunshine” mural located at the corner of 7th and Central Avenue. Check out Paradeco Coffee, an art deco themed coffee shop with the best lavender lattes. For a full list of all the cute Instagram photo spots in St. Petersburg, check out our post here.
Key West, Florida
Key West holds a special place in our hearts, as we spent our honeymoon here in the spring of 2019. Some of our favorite things to do here include:
Bahia Honda State Park.
It’s a great place for snorkeling, and the Old Bahia Honda Bridge Trail overlooks the bright blue water below.
The Southernmost Point
It’s actually not the southernmost point of the U.S., but its a fun place for a touristy photo.
Cuban Coffee Queen
The best coffee…it was so good we ended up with three cups for the two of us. It also has a cute little Key West postcard mural for photos.
Danger Charters Sailboat Ride
There are several excursion options in the Keys, and we booked a sail, snorkel, and sailing day trip with Danger Charters. It was about a four hour experience and one we would highly recommend.
Fort Zachary Taylor
A historic fort with a beautiful beach, Fort Zachary Taylor is a must visit.
Dry Tortugas National Park
We would have loved to visit Dry Tortugas National Park, however it can only be accessed by boat or sea plane, both of which require advance reservations and fill up quickly. We would recommend booking at least 6 months in advance.
Rosemary Beach, Florida
Located between Panama City and Destin, Rosemary Beach is a community like no other. Founded in 1995, Rosemary Beach is a paradise that keeps visitors coming back time and time again. We love Rosemary Beach so much that we have a full travel guide too!
Alys Beach, Florida
Known as Florida’s luxury beach community, Alys Beach seems like another world. It’s elegant white architecture and stunning homes are a perfect contrast to the beautiful blue hues of the Gulf of Mexico. We loved walking up and down every street taking it all in.
We hope this list of 10 spring travel destinations on the East Coast was helpful! Enjoy your trip!
