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The two-week summer holiday is a classic, but let’s be honest: it’s incredibly difficult to pull off. Between coordinating work schedules and the enormous costs of being away for a fortnight, it’s often more stressful than it’s worth.
When I was a 9-5’er I did that every year and I always came back to the real world more tired than when I left.
This is why I am a big believer in the ‘micro-cation’. Give me three or four days, a quick direct flight and a destination packed with culture, good food and easy logistics. (Bonus points if you have friends or family you can stay with for free!)
When it comes to this particular travel style, the east coast is completely undefeated. The concentration of historic towns, distinctive regional food and incredibly varied coastlines mean you can completely change your environment in less than a two-hour flight.
Here are 7 East Coast destinations perfectly optimized for a long weekend getaway.
1. Washington, DC
The cosmopolitan capital
Most people think of DC as just a giant museum for eighth grade field trips. That’s a huge mistake. The district is an incredibly vibrant, walkable city with a world-class food scene. It’s one of my favorite cities in the US, and I’m lucky to have family in the area too.
The strategy: Don’t spend the entire weekend on the National Mall. Divide the city into districts. Spend your morning Georgetownwalking the cobblestones and looking at the pristine Federal style architecture. Spend your evening Dupont circlewhere the influence of Embassy Row has created an electric, international dining scene.
The insider movement: If you visit the monuments, do so at night. The crowds disappear and it is unforgettable to see the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington Monument dramatically lit against the night sky. For dinner, reserve a table at the Old Ebbitt Grill; it is the oldest saloon in Washington and is located practically next to the White House.
Quick note: security is a mixed bag in Washington DC. While I have always personally felt safe, I have never really put myself in a place where I would have to worry much. Been recently? Help other travelers by voting below using our safety index.
2. Newport, Rhode Island
The gilded age playground
If you want to see what incredible Great Gatsby-level wealth looked like in the late 1800s, head to Newport. America’s industrial elite (the Vanderbilts, the Astors) built enormous ‘summer houses’ here that resemble Italian palaces.
The strategy: You have to walk Cliff walk. It’s a 5.6-mile trail that runs directly between the surf of the Atlantic Ocean and the expansive lawns of these historic mansions (such as The Breakers). It is one of the most unique coastal walks in the country.
The insider movement: Newport is the epicenter of New England seafood. Skip the fancy lunch reservations and head to Flo’s mussel hut. Order the clear-broth Rhode Island-style clam chowder and some “stuffies” (huge clam shells packed with clam meat and savory filling).
3. The Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Barrier Island Escape
The Outer Banks (OBX) is not a city; it is a fragile, 200-mile-long ribbon of barrier islands. It takes a little more effort to reach it, but the reward is miles of tranquil, unspoilt coastline and a total escape from the high-rise hotels.
The strategy: At the OBX it’s all about the huge holiday home with several families. Rent a house on stilts in a town like Duck (luxury, very walkable) or Flower crown (famous for the wild Spanish mustangs that roam the beaches).
The insider movement: Don’t waste your precious weekend hours in a busy supermarket. Use a local delivery service to have your enormous vacation home fully stocked with food and drinks before you even pull into the driveway. For dinner, go upstairs Sam & Omie’s in Nags Head – it was founded by fishermen in the 1930s and serves the freshest seafood in the islands.
4. Charleston, South Carolina
The Lowcountry heavyweight
Charleston is the absolute pinnacle of sophistication on the southern coast. The architecture is perfectly preserved, the streets are very walkable, and the food scene is consistently among the best in the United States.
The strategy: Stay on the peninsula. The historic downtown (particularly the French Quarter and South of Broad) is where you want to be. Walk the Battery Seawall, see the pastel houses of Rainbow Row and shop on King Street.
The insider movement: You are here to eat. Charleston is sublime Shrimp and grits into an art form. Try the classic, rich preparation Fleet landingor the highly seasonal, elevated version on Peel.
5. Savannah, Georgia
The eccentric southern sister
Located just a few hours south of Charleston, Savannah shares the same Lowcountry geography but has a completely different personality. Where Charleston is polished and aristocratic, Savannah is eccentric, bohemian and a bit creepy.
The strategy: The city is built on a beautiful grid system with 22 public squares shaded by massive oak trees draped in Spanish moss. It forces you to slow down and walk.
The insider movement: Savannah has a legal open container policy in the Historic District. Grab a ‘to-go’ cup from a bar and wander the squares. Since the city relies heavily on its reputation as one of America’s most haunted places, taking an adult ghost tour at night is basically mandatory.
6. St. Augustine, Florida
The old town
Forget Jamestown or Plymouth Rock; St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the US (founded by the Spanish in 1565).
The strategy: The anchor of the city is the Castillo de San Marcosa huge 17th century star-shaped fortress built from coquina (compressed shells). Walk along the pedestrian St. George Street and explore the stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture left behind by Gilded Age industrialist Henry Flagler.
The insider movement: The culinary secret of Saint Augustine is the datilla pepper. This fiery little pepper was brought over by Minorcan settlers in the 18th century and is the backbone of the local food culture. You must try a bowl of Menorcan clam chowder (which is red and spicy, unlike the New England version) with a local main course like O’Steen’s.
7. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Maine
The rugged northern frontier
At the very top of the east coast circuit is Mount Desert Island, home to the town of Bar Harbor and beautiful Acadia National Park. This is for the traveler who wants granite peaks, deep pine forests and cool ocean breezes.
The strategy: You have to get up early at least once. Cadillac Mountain in Acadia is one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise. Making a pre-dawn reservation to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean is a travel ritual.
The insider movement: You can’t leave Maine without eating at a traditional “lobster pound.” These are informal, often outdoor places where lobsters are boiled right on the quay in huge cauldrons of seawater. Go to the “quiet side” of the island and hit Thurston’s Lobster Pound for an authentic, tranquil experience.
Take the quiz now to find out which one is perfect for you!
