Washington D.C.
You know about the White House and the U.S. Capitol, but this also is a great east coast city for culture. The relatively new National Museum of African American History and Culture traces the history and trials and triumphs of Black Americans in a marvelous and sometimes troubling fashion, with gut-wrenching exhibits on the slave trade and uplifting displays on music, literature, sports and the arts. After your museum visit, get yourself over to Georgetown for awesome shopping or a kayak ride on the Potomac, where you can rent your gear and paddle past the Kennedy Center and quiet, natural islands. You also can try a food tour with DC Metro Food Tours. The Marriott Marquis is a beautiful hotel near all the major attractions.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a magnificent facility in Washington D.C. with a stunning courtyard fountain. Photo courtesy of Washington D.C. Tourism
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Miami
Year-round warm temperatures, great beaches and fabulous night-life make this one of the prime East Coast cities in the U.S. An Art Deco walking tour of South Beach is a real treat , as is a walk along the newly renovated Espanola Way, with its Spanish architecture and lively restaurants. The Wynwood Arts District is one of the top places in the U.S. to see street art, with wildly colorful renderings on dozens and dozens of buildings and an increasingly trendy food and cocktail scene. The Perez Art Museum has a lovely location on the Miami waterfront and wonderful, cutting-edge exhibits. Soho Beach House is a sleek beachfront hotel with a cool vibe and a funky rooftop bar.
Try an Art Deco walking tour of South Beach in Miami to learn about cool architecture and hot celebrities. Photo courtesy of Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Halifax
The capital of the province of Nova Scotia makes a sensational East Coast destination, with great seafood, a beautiful harbor and an excellent surfing spot not far from the city at Lawrencetown Beach. Segway Nova Scotia offers Segway rides along the gleaming waterfront, with some tours lasting as little as 30 minutes for folks short of time. There are several craft breweries in town, including Good Robot. This being part of Atlantic Canada, you’re never too far from a lively pub with great Irish or other types of music. Look for great seafood at Press Gang and elegant Italian dishes at Da Maurizio. Don’t miss a visit to the iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, a short drive from downtown. The Halliburton offers unique, boutique hotel rooms in an historic building downtown. Americans are getting about 20 cents on the dollar in Canada, so it’s a good time for U.S. travelers to venture north of the border.
Halifax is one of Canada’s best cities to visit, with a lovely waterfront and the historic Citadel, which is free this year as part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations. Photo courtesy of Nova Scotia Tourism
New York City
The granddaddy of all American destinations is one of the top places for an East Coast getaway. The Met Museum has a suggested entry fee of $25 but in reality it’s pay what you can afford. The Staten Island Ferry is always free and offers spectacular views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The City Reliquary is a funky museum/display space in Brooklyn that has kitschy memorabilia from the 1964 World’s Fair and only costs $5. Also worth checking out are the ethnic restaurants in Jackson Heights (Queens) and The Bronx’s Little Italy, which is centered around Arthur Avenue and is far more authentic than the one in Manhattan. The Library Collection has several lovely hotels in the city, including the Library Hotel and Hotel Giraffe.
The Little Italy you’ll find in The Bronx is much more authentic than the overly-touristy version in lower Manhattan. Photo courtesy of nycgo.com
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Myrtle Beach
This South Carolina city has always been a great family spot, with its broad beaches and inexpensive seafood places and old-time arcades. It’s also a world-class spot for golfers. Try a kayak ride on the Black River with Black River outfitters or try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding in Murrells Inlet, where you’ll find fun, waterfront restaurants in a setting that feels a bit like Key West. There are a ton of quirky miniature golf spots in the city, which hosts an annual mini-golf world championship. The Myrtle Beach Art Museum isn’t big, but it features intriguing works from local artists. Try a night at the Hilton Resort at Kingston Plantation, where you’ll find four properties in one setting, including an Embassy Suites and private villas and condos.
Myrtle Beach is a renowned family vacation spot that also features great food, fabulous golf and plenty of outdoor activities. Photo courtesy of Myrtle Beach Tourism
