Eastern Seaboard States

Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C.

Introduction & Brief History

The hub of the East Coast is New York City, and whatever you’ve heard about the Big Apple is true, and more as well. This gigantic city has long, deep roots and has been a focus of entry and activity for the U.S.A for quite a while. It’s surprising how many of the symbols of the United States are in this metropolis: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, U.N. Headquarters, the Metropolitan Museum, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Carnegie Hall, Yankee Stadium, Central Park, Harlem, and Broadway! And the list goes on….

New York City is an adventure—it can be gaudy and loud, intensely intellectual or artistic, politically exuberant or historically exciting. Perhaps this is where you will see your first Van Gogh, visit an 18-century African-American graveyard, watch Baryshnikov ballet, or stand where your grandparents entered at Ellis Island. Or, perhaps you will visit Wall Street, 5th Avenue, be a part of the Letterman audience—who knows?

Well, you should know. It is worth the effort to write ahead and confirm any plans. Most main libraries have phone books from all the major cities in the country, so do some browsing and confirm your plans so you can make the most out of your trip. Also, the major New York newspapers are usually available at large stands.

Family Fun in New York & New Jersey

Get ready for some excitement! The Big Apple is a trip! (Let’s see—Greenwich Village, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Staten Island, the New York Stock Exchange, Coney Island, the Bowery, Grand Central Station, and Chinatown…)

The Empire State seems to be large in every way—whether huge populations in New York City, endless waterways including the Hudson, Lake Ontario, Thousand Islands, canals, and several substantial lakes, an amazing array of cultures, and large holiday playgrounds interspersed with farmland and parks.

When exploring New York State, you might choose to stay in the eastern portion of the state and go to Adirondacks or Catsjukks either in summer to cool down or in winter to heat up the slopes. The central state is dominated by a series of large lakes for some serious, or not so serious, water sports. The western part of the state houses Buffalo and Niagara Falls and is a major thoroughfare to Canada. Up-state New York is justly known for its natural beauty and can be a wonderful place for a family gathering.

New Jersey often seems overshadowed by its bigger-than-life neighbor, New York, but the Garden State has much to offer visitors. New Yorker’s themselves may opt to take a short trip out of town to a completely different world in New Jersey. One favorite getaway area is Cape May on the southern tip of New Jersey on the northern peninsula leading to Delaware Bay. Another destination for fun is Atlantic City with its glitz, glamour, and gambling tables. There is also a great deal for history buffs to explore, especially relating to the Revolutionary War period.

Next Family Stop ... Delaware and Maryland

Next on your voyage south are Delaware and Maryland. These states share a peninsula and a visitor to either should make it a double-header. Bounded by the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, this land has a rich history and is known for its seagoing culture. Bays, inlets, peninsulas, and islands dot the coast. Again there are many opportunities to find historical spots. The way of 1812 is prominent in Maryland’s history, including providing the inspiration for the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner. The capital of Maryland, Annapolis, still houses the U.S. Naval Academy and produces the cream of the crop of our seagoing officers. From lighthouses to the Allegheny Mountains, Maryland touches many east coast cultures and traditions.

Family Must Sees in Washington DC

Our nations capital, Washington in the District of Columbia, is worth at least one visit. Whether your family’s greatest interests are political, historical scientific, artistic or social, D.C. can keep you interested and enlightened. Originally a swampy area some found a poor choice for the seat of the government; Washington now opens its doors to all its citizens. And those doors are remarkable. Consider you choices: the Houses of Congress, the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the Wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Library of Congress, the National Museums of—you name it. Plan your time very carefully. The Smithsonian alone can take weeks! While much history is evident in Washington, history is being made all around you. The chance to witness Congress in session is a memory that will stick.

North Carolina and Virginia Family Attractions

The last states we’re including in this section are North Carolina and Virginia. These states have a great deal in common. What can you say about Virginia? It can easily fall into a variety of categories—Colonial, Confederate, Old World, cosmopolitan, it is mountain, piedmont or seaside. The Alexandria area to the north is almost a working part of Washington D.C. To the east are the Allegheny, Shenandoah, Blue Ridge, and Appalachian Mountains with all the scenery, playgrounds, and culture they imply. The Piedmont area evoked images of the Old South with wide vistas and plantation lands, and here and there a find old residence sits patiently. The memories of such cities as Richmond, Greensboro, Fredericksburg, Raleigh, Petersburg, Williamsburg and Charlottesville carry the weight of battles, revolution and mighty tales.

The coastal area of Virginia, the Tidewater, is another experience again, and the area runs south through North Carolina. Ocean breezes broad expanses of sand and deltas, bays and sounds and peninsulas, long, private islands, and wide, slow rivers provide just the right ambiance for a relaxed vacation on the shore. Whatever the family is looking for just might be found on the coast of Virginia and North Carolina.

The hub of the East Coast is New York City, and whatever you've heard it is true, and a whole lot more! The Eastern Seaboard offers a wide variety of vacation opportunities: the fast pace of the Big Apple; the historic significance of the Colonial States (and Ellis Island); and the awesome beauty of the mountains and the Atlantic Coast. There is truly something for everyone within close proximity in this area of the country.

Eastern Seaboard Dining & Shopping

Dining in the Eastern Seaboard states is a collective experience, merging all these unique and wonderful states together to form a scrumptious mid-Atlantic dining experience. New York, famous for apple orchards and dairy farms, New Jersey, the Garden state, contains the richest farmlands and soil in the country, and Maryland, home to Chesapeake Bay, supplying the freshest seafood around, is an exquisite mix of fine, fine, food. The family can indulge on some braised short ribs, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Roasted potatoes & onions, Braised Greens Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese dressing, or phenomenal blue crab. These mouth-watering meals can be found at most every eatery up and down the Eastern Seaboard states. Save room for dessert, and treat the whole family to a Shoofly Pie, a sure crowd pleaser. Be sure to save some time for shopping, as these exciting states are great places to search for treasures to take back home. Take the family to any boutique, nearby museum, café, bookstore, and farmers market—you name it, and there will be a souvenir waiting for you to stuff in your suitcase.

LINKS

• Southeast USA
  Eastern Seaboard States
• Chesapeake Bay Boat Ecotours
  Mid Alantic
• Introduction with Resources & Contacts
  Mid Alantic
• Watermark Cruises
  Mid Alantic
• Adelphi Hotel, Saratoga Springs
  New York Elegant small hotel
• Beekman Arms, Rhinebeck
  New York Elegant small hotel
• Family Resorts in New York
  New York Brief listings with descriptions
• Introduction with Resources
  New York Text with addresses & phone numbers
• Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid
  New York Elegant hotel, ski lodge
• National Parks of New York State
  New York Historical & recreational
• New York State Parks with Cabins
  New York
• Rocking Horse Ranch, Highland, NY
  New York
• Spas in New York
  New York Brief listings
• Theme Parks in New York State
  New York
• Beekman Tower Suite Hotel
  New York City
• Brief intro & resources for NYC travel
  New York City
• Dumont Suite Place Hotel
  New York City
• Eastgate Tower Suite Hotel
  New York City
• Family City Directory
  New York City
• Lyden Gardens Suite Hotel
  New York City
• Lyden House Suite Hotel
  New York City
• National Parks in New York City
  New York City
• Plaza Fifty Hotel
  New York City
• Rihga Royal Hotel
  New York City
• Shelburne Murray Hill Hotel
  New York City
• Some Spas in New York City
  New York City
• Southgate Tower Suite Hotel
  New York City
• Surrey Suite Hotel
  New York City
• The Kimberly Hotel
  New York City
• The New York Peninsula Hotel
  New York City
• The Stanhope Hotel
  New York City
• Introduction with Resources & Contacts
  Washington DC