While travel has been on the limited side this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t take a road trip! In this ultimate USA east coast road trip guide, I’ll share my top destinations to visit. There are many great places you can visit right here in the United States, particularly on the East Coast. Growing up in the Northeast, I’ve had the chance to visit so many fun and beautiful spots. Below is my road trip guide list, perfect not only during COVID but all year round! You can click here for my road trip map!

If you plan to travel by car it’s a smart idea to either go with a relatively new car, or you should rent a car as you don’t want to get stuck with a junk car on your road trip.

Watch the video guide on YouTube!

The 10 Ultimate USA East Coast Road Trip Destinations List

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

New York is one of the top ten most visited destinations on almost all lists, which is why I had to include it in the Ultimate USA East Coast Road Trip Guide. Just last year, 67 million people visited NYC! That’s because there is always so many things to do and see – it truly is the city that never sleeps. Right now is a perfect time to visit because COVID is under control here, and most places are now open again (besides large venues such as Broadway, which will hopefully reopen in June 2021). Below are some of the best things to do while in NYC.

Classic Harbor Line Boat Ride

Classic Harbor Line offers countless NYC cruises, which give a unique way to see the city – from the water! Perfect for date nights and sightseeing, relax and take in beautiful city and skyline views while in style. Safety and health protocols are followed and adhere to New York State guidelines.

Book a Private tour through my company

Enjoy the city by booking a private tour with me, Luis, or Tom! Private tours are custom designed to fit your interests and are a wonderful way to have a memorable trip. Learn more here.

Sightseeing

There is always a lot to do and see in NYC, so naturally, sightseeing is always a must. You can visit quintessential New York spots such as Central Park, Top of the Rock, which is less crowded than usual, the Edge, and any of the many famous NYC museums, which are now open with timed entries and safety measures in place.

Some other great places to visit in New York are Lake George and Montauk. Lake George is nestled in New York’s Adirondacks and approximately 3 1/2 hours from NYC. It is a perfect road trip destination and offers plenty to do and see with lots of history, nature, and beauty! Montauk is on the east end of Long Island, located over 2 hours away from NYC. Montauk is a popular destination, with beaches, 6 state parks, and a lighthouse, plus great dining and shopping spots.

Watch my video guides on New York City

I have over 50 video guides to New York that cover everything you could ever need. Watch them and subscribe on YouTube.

NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK

A road trip to Niagara Falls is a must. Below are some highlights of the best things to do and see while in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls State Park

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in America. If you take the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour, you can get super close to the falls, which has 600,000 gallons of water.

Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride

Visit the Lockport Cave and experience the Industrial Revolution and travel through time on a 75-minute guided historic tour and view the Erie Canal Locks 34 & 35, the “Flight of Five,” and walk through a 2,100-foot water-power tunnel blasted out of the solid rock. View geological cave formations while riding in an underground boat.

Niagara Wine Trail

Visit award-winning wineries on the Niagara Wine Trail, home to over 22 wineries, breweries, and cideries. It is also one of the few regions in the world that produces ice wine, which is made from hardy, cold-weather grapes left to freeze on the vine, resulting in a sweet dessert wine that’s hard to find anywhere else.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK

Saratoga Springs is my hometown and is an amazing vacation spot, plus it is right in between NYC and Niagara falls which is why I am including it on the ultimate USA east coast road trip guide. It has an old fashioned charm and is known for the Race Course, horses, mineral springs, and great restaurants and shopping. You can watch my videos on Saratoga Springs here and here. Below are the things you can’t miss when visiting Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Race Course

The Saratoga Race Course is the oldest still running race track in America and is ranked as one of the best sporting venues in the US. Harness Racing takes place 11 months a year.

Congress Park

Congress Park is historic, and the perfect place to take a leisurely walk through the gardens and statues.

Shopping along Broadway

Visit the historic downtown shopping district which has boutiques and quaint shops, along with delicious dining options and cafes.

Spas

For some relaxation, you can check out one of the 15 spas that are all within a 2-mile radius. If you are a spa lover, you must visit The Roosevelt Baths & Spa, which offers mineral baths and other spa services such as massages and facials.

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

Conde Nast Traveler named Newport the Best Walking City in the US. If we had to guess, we’d say it’s because these parts are laden with eclectic shops and boutiques, plus a whole lot of historic charm and architectural treasures. You can meander cobblestone streets and bustling wharves for the most unique finds.

Newport Mansions

There are various mansions to visit in Newport. The Breakers is the grandest of the Newport summer cottages and a symbol of the Vanderbilt status. Within the mansion, a 70 room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo was created, inspired by the 16th-century palaces of Genoa and Turin. It is a national historic landmark.

Beaches

Newport is home to a beautiful coastline, with several public beaches. The largest beach is Easton Beach, also known as First Beach. Sachuest Beach, known as Second Beach, is a family-friendly beach with great sand and surf.

STOWE AND MANCHESTER, VERMONT

Both Stowe and Manchester Vermont have beautiful hiking trails and scenic drives and are known for vibrant autumn colors, making it the fall’s color capital. If you want to see fall foliage, these are the places to go! When in Stowe, it’s worth a visit to Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall. It is an Austrian-style brewery that produces 36,000 barrels of beer annually! There are also great hiking trails here. I recommend the Cady Hill Forest trail for a lovely stroll through the woods!

Manchester offers great shopping, with a mix of local boutiques and great designer outlets. You can shop until you drop when in Manchester!

WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington D.C. is s place like no other. There are monuments and memorials, eclectic neighborhoods, and true local flavor. It is the capital of the USA and offers a lot to do. You can watch my D.C. video here. Below are some things you can do while visiting D.C.

World-class museums

Washington D.C. offers great museums, such as the National Museum of African American history, the Holocaust Museum, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Jumbo Pizza

Jumbo slice pizza is known for its jumbo-sized pizza slices! It’s great for late-night dining and for getting your pizza fix. It costs about $7 for one slice of pizza and can be shared between 2-3 people!

Walking Tours

A great way to see all of the sights of D.C. is through a historic walking tour. I recommend doing this with Free Tours by Foot. They are free but please tip your guide! On a tour, you’ll see the heart of downtown D.C, including the National Mall and the Memorial Parks that feature America’s most important and famous landmarks, while also getting some background on the amazing sites you are seeing!

THE BERKSHIRES AND PROVINCETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

The Berkshires offers culture, beauty, and cuisine. There are over 100 cultural attractions. The region is surrounded by picturesque mountains in a lush green valley and can enjoy numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, kayaking, horseback riding, skiing, and more.

PROVINCETOWN, CAPE COD

Provincetown is a great travel destination, offering fun in any season. It is known for its art scene, its cuisine, and its entertainment, plus it’s an LGBTQ+ capital. Provincetown has something for everyone! Watch my video guide below for more details.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE

“Acadia National Park is one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the US. It protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads.” – National Park Service

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Known as the city of brotherly and sisterly love, Philadelphia has so many things to do, no matter the season. Philadelphia has it all – museums, parks, historic sites, and famous and delicious food. See my Philadelphia guide here for more details on visiting this city.

If you’ve been wanting to travel, I hope this ultimate USA east coast road trip guide gets you ready for some road trip fun! If you are a US citizen who wants to travel outside the US, these are the locations you can currently visit (due to COVID restrictions). However, there are so many amazing places to see and exciting things to do on the East Coast so why not start there? Safe travels!