Hey y'all! So today I wanted to share with you some of the coolest cities I have been to on the East Coast of the United States. If you are not from the US and you want to travel here, the East Coast is very much overlooked. And if you are from the US, you are probably still overlooking the East Coast. But the East Coast is full of unexpected gems, especially if you're a history buff. And some of the places are a lot more fun than you would expect.
1. We'll start at the top. Maine as a state is a really cool place, but there are some particularly neat towns and cities. My suggestion is probably the most widely known town in
Maine, but for good reason: Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor is literally one of the cutest places I have ever been. The food there is incredible (lobster rolls galore), there is a lot of craft beer, if that's your thing (and it is wonderful, especially the blueberry beers), and the views are one-of-a-kind. Not only is there the actual town of Bar Harbor but right next to it is Acadia National Park, a famous American national park for its unique views, flora, and fauna. Maine has a very different combination of trees and plants than anywhere else in the U.S., so this is really one of the only places to get the whole Maine package. There is seemingly infinite hiking of all levels, there are adorable little beaches, and there are a ton of boats if you don't wanna hike, which will give you a different view of the mountains but a just as neat experience.
Pictured above: The first photo was a random pull-off in Acadia; these views are everywhere. The second and third photos are also from Acadia, but specifically the loop trail around Jordan Pond, which also features a nice restaurant after the rather long trek. The fourth photo is overlooking the waters around Bar Harbor from the famous Cadillac Mountain, which is so famous not only for the lovely panoramic views but for being the very first place in the ENTIRE US to see the sunrise! The fifth and sixth photos are in "downtown" Bar Harbor (all of the town is basically downtown), and the pink restaurant in the last photo is absolutely charming (it's called Geddy's; the blueberry beer here has actual blueberries the bartenders add after pouring).
2. Moving south, you could pass through Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or any other number of states, depending on which route you choose to take. I would suggest making a stop in Salem, Massachusetts. If you have ever taken a US history class, I am sure you covered the Salem Witch Trials, a rather embarrassing time in our brief history. But it made for a really cool town now, because the people of Salem are not embarrassed, but really sell the whole witches thing. There are palm readings in almost every building you pass, you can buy all kinds of cool potion ingredients, or crystals balls. The Salem Witch Museum is probably one of the coolest museums I have ever been to, with informative but fun exhibits. And, bonus, it's located in this cool little old church building which adds major creepy vibes. Overall, it was a very different but wonderful stop that I would encourage you to experience if you have the guts!
3. And, next, of course, New York City, New York. I won't say much about this because if you have not already been, it's on your list already. But New York City is actually, mind-numbingly huge. To an extent that is hard to imagine. One thing I will suggest, to follow with our historical trend, is taking a boat to Ellis Island. On the island there is also an interesting museum, and on the ferry ride there you will get some up-close views of the Statue of Liberty and a beautiful view of the NYC skyline.
4. And next, for all the hipsters out there, Richmond, Virginia. Richmond has really turned it's downtown into the hipster hub of the East Coast. Every other building is a microbrewery, there are a fair number of fancy restaurants with specialty cocktails and raw bars, and there is a wild night life. It is more expensive, but for one night, worth the stop. Of course, being Virginia, there is also history everywhere you turn, so you can figure out a nice stop if you would like to incorporate a lesson into the mix. Or you could just enjoy the beer, which is my advice. Take a break from the history and enjoy the life flowing through downtown Richmond.
5. Back to the history: Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. There are massive, colorful, colonial mansions that you can view with awe from a horse and carriage. This city has a ridiculous amount of history that is literally impossible to avoid. Cobblestone streets, old lampposts, and and trolleys making a lovely stroll anywhere in the city a magical step back in time. There is also a river running through part of the downtown that is super charming. Basically you could stop in Savannah and just walk around for a week and never be bored with the scenery.
6. Last that I'll put on my list is St. Augustine, Florida. I didn't really have high expectations coming into this city, but it was literally adorable. St. Augustine was the first city founded in the United States, by the Spaniards in the 1500's. It is home to the famed Fountain of Youth, which Juan Ponce de Leon "discovered", and remains a tourist attraction to this day. There is a lovely downtown area, with a ton of restaurants and cute shops to explore. One of my favorite places that we went was the Castillo de San Marcos fort, which was right on the water and provided lovely views of the water and of the town. Overall, the town proved itself a perfect stop.
The East Coast really is a collection of hidden gems, each of which have a multitude of things to do for every person to enjoy. So next time you are looking to plan a vacation, consider one of these places, or even all of them! If you do go to any of these places, let me know which parts you loved or hated, and any other feedback you have!
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