Looking for a great place for cheap family vacations? There is something about vacationing on the east coast that is so different from the rest of the country. The east is rich in history, as it should be, being the first part of the country to be settled. Many areas still have their cobblestone streets! Of course there is always the Appalachian Trail to enjoy if you are an outdoors person. It starts in Maine and ends in Northern Georgia. If you are looking for some cheap family vacations, here are a few to enjoy!
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Best Cheap Family Vacations on the East Coast
Camping:
There is something about pitching a tent in the woods of the northeast that is like nothing else. It is so inexpensive too! There are 2 ways you can camp:
1. State parks without designated campsites.
2. Campgrounds with designated campsites.
These can also be state parks. For example, all along the White Mountain region in New Hampshire, there are places you can camp in the woods. Some require a deposit into a box on the honor system. These do not have designated campsites, you do not need a reservation. Just leave it as you found it. Campgrounds have designated sites, and require a reservation. They typically have ponds or lakes to swim in, bike trails and hiking trails as well. Some are more rustic than others. Some are more family and child oriented with games and various pools and different activities to keep the kids entertained.
Related: Camping Three Ways: A City Girl Learns to Camp!
Beach:
This may sound expensive to you, but it doesn’t have to be. When choosing a beach location for a family vacation, you can lower your expenses by choosing one that is closer to you, so you don’t have extra traveling expenses. There are a few beaches to keep in mind when planning your vacation. Crandon Park in Miami, Florida is located on a lagoon, so the waters are calm which is best for kids (or the parents rather!) Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is a great place to vacation with family. Home to Broadway at the Beach, there are plenty of shopping and entertainment to be had. Not to mention just simply relaxing by the water.
New England:
This northern region of the east coast has so many great things to offer for family vacations, regardless of what time of year you choose. Whether you decide to visit Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut or Rhode Island, each one offers something different for you to enjoy. Choose a little B&B and enjoy some of New England’s rich history.
Related: Massachusetts: Your One-Stop Family Travel Destination
Be sure to have some lobster (or ‘lobstah’ if you want to sound more like a local) before heading back home. You might want to avoid The Hamptons, since we are going for cheap here, but there are plenty of other beaches to enjoy if you travel in the summer. Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts is beautiful beach. When the tide is out, the water is shallow, far into the ocean, making it easy and fun for kids to enjoy the water.
The east is full of various things everyone in the family can enjoy. Be sure to travel back for all four seasons as you won’t have the same experience twice!
Have you ever vacationed on the east coast? Where have you stayed? What did you do? Post your cheap family vacation stories below!
Love vacationing on the east coast
Id love to vacation bere
I live on the east coast and it has never occurred to me to go camping at the beach! I haven’t been either to the beach or camping in years so it would be quite the adventure. I hope that I’m still up to it. I’ve gotten quite spoiled and lazy in my old age.
I wish I were closer to that side of the country, but I’ll get over to the east coast again someday! I’d love to travel down into the eastern states.
I would love to vacation there in MA. The ocean view is calling my name
I live on the East Coast and the beach for me is always the way to go, but I’m not sure if that’s the cheap way, unless it’s the off-season. I do love the East Coast in the fall though, that’s my favorite.
My family is back east, I loved vacationing along the coast. Hopefully we make it back there to see some sights
Beach vacations are always great because most beaches are free however the lodging is what can get pricey. Maybe staying a bit away from the ocean can be more affordable.
Nice vacation ideas. Thanks for sharing such amazing tips.
These are great tips. We lived in Boston for a while and this post definitely makes me want to go back and visit.
My family is thinking about a trip to the east coast, either this summer or next. We haven’t decided yet. Cheap is good for us!
I have been in the mood to camp. A weekend visit to a campground sounds like fun!
Would love to go to Massachusetts. So much history there.
I would love to take a trip somewhere on the east coast. Would be much easier for us, but I never know where or what to do so this is great!
I would love to spend some time over there. The family would be happy to try camping.
In New Jersey, beach vacations are quite expensive. It is nice not to have to travel far though.
These sound like great ideas for frugal family vacations. I haven’t had a vacation on the East Coast but I would love to!
We live on the east coast, so most of our vacations are there. We like visiting the Golden Isles in South Georgia.
I’ve never been to the East Coast. It looks amazingly beautiful.
We’ve vacationed at the beach (we’re only a 4 hour drive.) We tend to rent condos when we go, or stay with my parents or in-laws.
I’ve never been to the East Coast. I’d love to vacation there one day.
I live in MA and camping is the way to go if you are looking for cheap – not the beach. Unless you go in the winter.