By Expedia Team, on September 17, 2018

21 of the most scenic East Coast cities

Cities along the nation’s right coast get a lot of attention come autumn for leaf peeping and summer for vacationing. But the truth of the matter is, the East cCoast is breathtakingly beautiful regardless of whether it’s frosted in a winter blizzard or glistening after a spring shower.

Because there are so many East Coast cities that make you stand in awe of their scenic wonder, we decided it was time to round up the most picturesque of them all. Taking into account all elements of beauty, including cityscapes, ocean views, mountain retreats, open space, and even architecture, we narrowed down some of the finest East Coast destinations. No matter the season, the following are the best East Coast cities to visit when you’re looking for some eye candy. And when you’re ready to explore the left coast, don’t miss our list of the most scenic West Coast cities, too!

1. Roanoke, Virginia

Sun shining down on Roanoke with the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance.

Via Shutterstock.com/Dustin McCollum

This historic city in the mountains is the epitome of Virginia charm. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke is surrounded by the calm serenity of nature. In the summer, the lush landscape is as green as can be with more than 600 scenic hiking and biking trails. Perhaps most magnificent of all is when the seasons start to change—the birch leaves turn yellow as the oak foliage goes maroon.

2. Brunswick, Georgia

An oak tree coved in moss along the marshland in Brunswick, Georgia.

Via Flickr/Moultrie Creek

As the mainland entry point for the Golden Isles, Brunswick has its fair share of nature escapes. Kayak through the Marshes of Glynn and hike the local trails to see oak trees covered in moss and coastal birds flapping their wings over the salt water. The manmade wonders in Historic Downtown Brunswick are equally as appealing, including the1800s Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, where rice was once harvested, and the 1898 Historic Ritz Theater, which was originally the Grand Opera House.

3. Annapolis, Maryland

A view from above of the colorful buildings of Annapolis at sunset.

Via Shutterstock.com/Pavone

A nautical town to be sure, Annapolis sits on the sparkling shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Each May, the horizon becomes filled with sails flapping in the wind as part of the annual Spring Sailboat Show. When spring turns to summer, dine at a waterfront restaurant for spectacular views of the sun setting over the water, but once autumn strikes, tour the Naval Academy’s campus to see the leaves start to turn with a backdrop of the 1908 chapel. Of the beautiful places to visit on the East Coast, Annapolis is high on the list.

4. Block Island, Rhode Island

A lighthouse surrounded by lush green grass represents the nautical scenery on Block Island.

Via Shutterstock.com/Eric Full

Not many American cities protect their rural nature as proudly as Block Island. Free from overbearing commercialism, this island town’s dramatic sea cliffs will have you feeling like you stepped onto the coast of Ireland. In the warm months, hike along the glacial outwash plain at Rodman’s Hollow. Come fall and winter, the tourist crowds disperse, leaving peaceful, deserted beaches as far as the eye can see. It’s rare to find such unspoiled beauty, which makes Block Island one of the must-see places on the East Coast.

5. Killington, Vermont

Red and orange trees surround grass dusted with snow in Killington.

Via Shutterstock.com/Kelsey Neukum

Wind through the country roads of Killington, and you’ll fall for this rugged mountain town. Lush green grass and foliage frame Kent Pond in the warm months, while autumn brings a colorful collage of burgundy and auburn leaves into the picture. When winter arrives, the town sees an average of 250 inches of snow at Killington Resort, creating a frosty winter wonderland.

6. Fairhaven, Massachusetts

A beautiful view of the bay, lined with greenery, in Fairhaven.

Via Shutterstock.com/Dan Logan

Sitting where the Acushnet River meets Buzzards Bay, Fairhaven is a historic seaside town with a shipbuilding past. The downtown scene is steeped in history, where you’ll find colonial and Victorian architecture, along with sea captain homes and castle-like structures. Buzzards Bay beachfront is the ultimate spot for a scenic summer dip, and when the temperatures cool, crisp autumn leaves flutter around the gothic Town Hall.

7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

A sunny day on the shores of Myrtle Beach with hotels in the background.

Via Shutterstock.com/StacieStauffSmith Photos

In the summer, Myrtle Beach is the land of sunshine, sand, and sea, where the Atlantic Ocean shimmers under the cloudless sky. Discover the region’s maritime forest in the dunes along the shores of Myrtle Beach State Park and explore Cherry Grove Marsh at the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. When the temperatures cool, the crowds disappear, leaving only seagulls and shorebirds shuffling along the shoreline.

8. Duxbury, Massachusetts

Snow covering the sand on the shores of Duxbury on a winters day.

Via Flickr/Timothy Valentine

A picture of perfection, Duxbury is a charming New England town on Cape Cod Bay. Summertime invites you to stroll among the wildflowers at Bay Farm, search for seashells along Duxbury Beach, and watch the oystermen at work at Shipyard Lane Beach. When winter rolls through, snow blankets the sandy shores, creating a magical seascape—it’s no wonder Duxbury is one of the best places to visit on the East Coast for a strong dose of beauty.

9. Westport, New York

Snow-covered landscape, surrounded by brown trees and mountains in the distance, in Westport.

Via Flickr/Andy Arthur

On the shores of Lake Champlain, you’ll discover the Adirondack city of Westport. An illustration of the ultimate mountain escape, it’s teeming with meadows, forests, streams, and pastures. When the temperatures are pleasant, climb Coon Mountain for some lake vistas, but when the degrees drop, cast a line on frozen Lake Champlain or snowshoe the Split Rock Wild Forest Trails to cherish the snow-covered scenery.

10. East Haddam, Connecticut

Gillette Castle, covered by green and orange trees, in East Haddam.

Via Shutterstock.com/Cartier

This quaint countryside town is dotted with farmsteads, lakes, and historical structures. A summer picnic on the grounds of Gillette Castle State Park will afford you a marvelous view of the fieldstone medieval castle replica, while a romp through Devil’s Hopyard State Park brings you to the 60-foot Chapman Falls. When wintertime rolls around, downtown twinkles with lights and the lakes freeze over.

11. Frederick, Maryland

A row of quaint buildings reflected in the water in Frederick.

Via Shutterstock.com/Jon Bilous

Frederick sits on the Mason Dixon Line and is known for its wineries and Civil War battlegrounds. Take in the perfectly manicured rows of green vineyards on the Frederick Wine Trail, which winds along the foothills of the eastern Catoctin Mountains. When the weather is warm, bike the heritage tours, from the peaceful C&O Canal to rural country roads. You’ll be pressed to find a more charming East Coast city to visit!

12. Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Boats lined up along the dock in Portsmouth at sunset.

Via Shutterstock.com/Jon Bilous

Portsmouth is perhaps as Americana as it gets. A peaceful waterfront town with colonial roots, it shows off seacoast homes, dating back to the late 1600s, that tell stories of the nation’s past. In the winter, snow blankets the colonial buildings, while the summer months are the peak time for flowers blooming at Prescott Park.

13. Ocala, Florida

Peaceful swing hanging from a tree at sunset in Ocala.

Via Shutterstock.com/Michael Hotchkiss

Moving beyond New England destinations, you’ll find plenty of gems farther south, too. Ocala is one of them. Unlike the coastal Florida cities you might imagine in your head, Ocala is in a league of its own. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, its inland location (about an hour and 20 minutes from Orlando) is laden with farms and ranches. Horseback ride along the trails and swim in the pristine springs within the Ocala National Forest. When autumn arrives, hike the Marshall Swamp Trail and marvel at the maples, sweetgums, and oaks changing colors and shedding their leaves.

14. Rangeley, Maine

Clouds hover over the tree tops, with mountains in the distance, in Rangeley.

Via Shutterstock.com/Stacy Funderburke

This lakeside retreat in Maine’s western mountains is a testament to nature’s beauty. Come winter, Rangeley transforms into a majestic snowscape with epic snowmobile trails. With the onset of spring, picturesque purple lupine flowers blossom around Rangeley Lake State Park, signaling the warmer months ahead. Once summer makes an appearance, hike to Small Falls and wade in the pools below the rushing waterfalls.

15. Atlanta, Georgia

A beautiful garden at springtime with skyscrapers in the background in Atlanta.

Via Shutterstock.com/Michael Henry Zimmerman

Though Atlanta is one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, it has an impressive number of parks and historic areas scattered throughout. Old Fourth Ward alone is surrounded by Historic Oakland Cemetery and a number of green spaces, including Grant Park, Freedom Parkway, and Fourth Ward Park. Once spring has sprung, the flowers at the Atlanta Botanical Garden are absolutely breathtaking.

16. Navarre, Florida

An empty dock leading out into calm and peaceful waters at sunset in Navarre.

Via Flickr/Kim

In the northwest Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coastal Plain is where you’ll find the treasure that is Navarre. Tucked between the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Navarre Beach County Park, this beach town has 12 miles of clear water and white sand. Navarre is quieter and more secluded than other Florida beaches, making it the most perfect coastal retreat.

17. Milton, Delaware

A dock extends into the water on a quiet day in Milton.

Via Shutterstock.com/Liz Van Steenburgh

Milton is an impressive riverside town with a bounty of natural scenery and historical architecture. From the Historic District, where you’ll find around 200 registered historic buildings, take a canoe trip on the Broadkill River through the McCabe Nature Preserve. Here monarch butterflies flutter around the black cherry trees and white oaks. No scenic adventure is complete without a stop at the Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor, where you’ll be greeted by a sea of purple flowers.

18. Wilmington, North Carolina

The reflection of buildings on the water in Wilmington.

Via Flickr/James Willamor

A maritime city in southeastern North Carolina, Wilmington has coastal views beyond compare. The city’s historic river district and island beaches give off a calm aquatic allure, while downtown provides a glimpse into times long gone. Walk along Cape Fear River and then admire the moss-covered live oaks, antebellum homes, and cobblestone paths of downtown.

19. Ithaca, New York

A serene creek, covered in orange leaves, during an autumn day in Ithaca.

Via Flickr/Andy Arthur

Feast your eyes on the natural wonders of one of the must-see places on the East Coast. Situated in the southern Tier-Finger Lakes region, the city is perfection no matter when you visit. In the winter, the sublime waterfalls at Taughannock Falls State Park freeze around the icy gorges, but in autumn the changing leaves in Robert H. Treman State Park steal the spotlight. With the onset of spring and summer, the vineyards along scenic Cayuga Lake Wine Trail deserve your utmost admiration.

20. Beach Haven, New Jersey

A quite day at Beach Haven, where two people play in the surf along the shore.

Via Flickr/Patrick Stahl

The heart of Long Beach Island, Beach Haven is a charming seaside town that stirs up feelings of yesteryear. Its serene coastline is a summer oasis, and once winter shows up, snow sometimes dusts the shoreline. Stake out a swatch of sand and watch as the Atlantic waves lap the shore, and then venture to Bay Village, which is reminiscent of a 19th-century waterfront village.

21. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Pink and purple skies loom over snow-covered ground in Gettysburg at sunset.

Via Flickr/Rudi Riet

Of all the things to do on the East Coast, a trip to Gettysburg is a must. This southern Pennsylvania city deserves praise because it’s always easy on the eyes. When autumn swoops in, venture along the Gettysburg Wine and Fruit Trail to witness rolling hills with rows of grapevines and orchards in bloom. During the colder months, snow covers the grassy battlegrounds, and nearby Liberty Mountain Resort becomes a whimsical winter playground.

 

Did we miss other scenic places to visit along the East Coast of the USA? Comment below!