Check out these hidden East Coast gems before planning your next trip!
The East Coast has a wide range of attractions for a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The region has inviting freshwater lakes, gorgeous parks like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and impressive art galleries.
Travelers planning to visit the East Coast sometimes seek a unique attraction to escape the crowd or wind down in a calm place. So if you’re ready to enjoy the lesser-known magic of the region, here are 8 of my favorite East Coast hidden gems to visit this year!
East Coast hidden gem: Bristol, Rhode Island
This East Coast hidden gem is a charming coastal New England destination often off most tourists’ radar, making it the perfect East Coast hidden gem vacation spot to get away from all the crowds. While here, you can enjoy the local food, stroll around town, and take a boat tour to explore the stunning coast.
Considered one of our nation’s most patriotic towns, this place is home to the oldest continuously held 4th of July celebration, since way back in 1785! Start your trip by walking around town, window shopping, seeing the colonial architecture, and sampling the local treats.
You shouldn’t miss the Gardens and Arboretum from the 19th century, the Blithewold Mansion, Bristol Historical and Preservation Society and its exhibits about the town’s incredible history, and the Linden Place Mansion constructed in 1810.
The Coggeshall Farm Museum and the Herreshoff Marine Museum are also worth your time if you like museums. For something a bit more unique, book a guided tour at the Musee Patamecanique.
Nature lovers can spend a day hiking and enjoying the calm beach at the nearby Colt State Park, where you’ll find biking and hiking trails and pristine beaches. You can also take the ferry and make your way to Prudence Island, where you’ll get to enjoy nature and you can try to spot some wildlife.
And make sure to also visit the lighthouse and the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The William’s Grant Inn BandB is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
This historic inn is one of the most highly-rated lodging options in town, with gorgeous rooms and a tasty breakfast. You’ll also find lots of historic homes you can rent on VRBO.
East Coast hidden gem: Harpswell, Maine
A top East Coast hidden gem vacation spot, Harpswell is a picturesque town in Southern Maine known for its quaint shops, scenery, and beautiful beaches. Summer is the best time to visit, but the off-season is also just as great. It’s the ideal destination if you’re looking for a blend of historic sights and outdoor adventures.
One of the best things to do in this East Coast hidden gem is to go hiking. You’ll find lots of trails in the area, from strolls to strenuous long hikes. Popham Beach State Park and Reid State Park are renowned for their wild beaches, while Otter Brook Preserve is home to marshes, a lush forest, and beautiful streams.
You can also plan a road trip through the region’s many islets and islands, bridges connect most and feature wild beaches, rugged landscapes, and charming coastal towns. Be sure to drive through Cribstone Bridge, which happens to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered an architectural marvel for our time.
Several tour operators in the charming town offer cruises to truly explore the coast from the ocean and wildlife watching excursions. You can also take a day trip to Eagle Island to enjoy the beach, hike, and visit the late Admiral Robert Peary’s house, which is now a museum.
To get there, all you have to do is take a ferry from the Seaport. History fans can take a self-guided tour of the historic part of town, too.
And don’t miss the Old Town Meeting House, which is one of the state’s oldest buildings, and the Harpswell Historical Society, where you’ll learn more about what’s going on around town.
For a place to stay the night, you can rent an oceanfront cottage for some extra privacy. Otherwise, you can book a room at the charming Harpswell Inn, which is perfect for both families and couples.
East Coast hidden gem: Wilmington, Delaware
Conveniently situated near many major cities, this East Coast hidden gem is the perfect vacation spot if you’re looking for a city break.
The area offers plenty of history, entertainment, cultural activities, and outdoor recreational areas, and the good news is that you’ll only be a quick drive away from beautiful beaches and state parks. While here, be sure to take a tour of the stunning Nemours Mansion and Garden in town and check out the riverfront.
In the downtown area, you’ll find the DuPont Environmental Education Center, where you’ll learn more about the local ecosystem and where you can take a leisurely stroll through gardens and marshes.
Nearby, the Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge offers boardwalks through marshes and is an excellent spot to see local fauna. You’ll also find a few fascinating museums, including the Delaware Art Museum, the Delaware Museum of Natural History, and the Hagley Museum and Library.
Outside of this charming town, the Alapocas Run State Park is perfect for biking, hiking, or rock climbing. It’s open year-round and features quite a few historic sites that are worth seeing.
You can also take a quick day trip in this East Coast hidden gem to the nearby town of New Castle, where you can check out the Read House and Gardens from the early 19th century.
The Winterthur Garden, Museum, and Library are also worth the drive. If you want to spend some time relaxing at the beach, head over to Rehoboth Beach for the day.
And try to book a room at the highly-rated Homewood Suites By Hilton Wilmington Downtown, or you can book a vacation rental in town or a cabin close by.
East Coast hidden gem: Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Outdoor enthusiasts looking for a lesser-known vacation spot to be alone and away from the crowds will love taking a trip to this East Coast hidden gem. In the middle of the White Mountain National Forest, Franconia Notch is a stunning mountain pass featuring a parkway extending from the Flume Gorge to Echo Lake.
The area can be visited year-round and has lots of outdoor activities for all tastes, from road trips and hikes to winter sports and water activities. Even though the park can be visited anytime, one of the most ideal times to visit is during September and October when the foliage turns different shades of yellow, red, and orange.
You’ll find many trails within the park, as well. But the most popular one is the trail to Flume Gorge, where you’ll be passing through several boulders, falls, covered bridges, streams, and caves.
You can also go for a hike on the Artist’s Bluff Lookout Trail to reach an incredible viewpoint over Echo Lake. In the summer time, you can enjoy the Echo Lake beach, swim, go boating, kayak, or canoeing, while you can snowboard, ski, or snowshoe during the winter.
For something a bit more relaxing, drive the 35-mile Kancamagus Highway, taking a break at scenic overlooks and going on easy and quick hikes. The park also offers several campgrounds and RV parks. The Lafayette Place Campground, for instance, is well located, near many attractions and trails.
But if you’d rather stay at a hotel while visiting this East Coast hidden gem, you’ll find lots of options in the charming towns of Lincoln to the south and Franconia to its north. The Franconia Inn is conveniently located and well-rated.
In Lincoln, the Woodwards White Mountain Resort is a great option. You can also book a lodge or cabin nearby for access to a kitchen and more privacy.
East Coast hidden gem: Frederick, Maryland
The adorable town of Frederick in Maryland is likely off most tourists’ radar and will make a perfect destination for your next getaway. You can enjoy the small-town vibe of this East Coast hidden gem by exploring historic sights, joining cultural activities, and going for a walk in the countryside.
You’ll love strolling around downtown, stopping by some of the city’s many art galleries, shops, and restaurants. I also highly advise taking a walking tour of the historic part of the town to learn more about the place’s past and the historic structures.
And be sure to stop by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. If you wish to tour historic buildings, don’t miss the Winchester Hall, Rose Hill Manor, Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, and Hessian Barracks. Another fun activity, wine lovers will enjoy testing the area’s finest wine along the Frederick Wine Trail.
If you are traveling with kiddos to this East Coast hidden gem, you’ll find plenty of entertainment for them, too. Many museums feature interactive and hands-on exhibits. You’ll also find VR rooms, arcades, and mini-golf around town.
For some outdoor adventures, you can go to the Catoctin Mountains located in Cunningham Falls State Park, where you’ll spot some wildlife, go on a hike, go on a road trip, camp, and swim. The nearby Crystal Grottoes Caverns feature some amazing formations and are the only public cave you can visit in this state.
Civil war buffs shouldn’t miss the Monocacy National Battlefield, where you’ll find roughly 1500 acres of many historic buildings, farm fields, and fantastic scenery.
You’ll also see all the usual chain hotels in town. But for something with a bit more charm, check out the landmark 10 Clarke Inn or the Hollerstown Hill Bed and Breakfast. Both feature gorgeous architecture and are highly rated.
East Coast hidden gem: Cooperstown, New York
As a quintessential year-round vacation spot in central NY, this quaint village of Cooperstown offers breathtaking views of Otsego Lake, small craft shops, delicious bites, fascinating museums, and plenty of baseball!
Begin your trip by visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame, probably this East Coast hidden gem’s number 1 attraction, where you can learn about the history of baseball and its pivotal players with the museum’s 40,000 artifacts.
The Farmers’ Museum is also a can’t-miss when you’re in town. It showcases ancient farming equipment and tools and and a 19th-century historic village with traditional structures.
Art enthusiasts can visit some of the exhibits at Fenimore Art Museum featuring folk art, Native American art, photography, and fine art, as well as an exhibit on the Coopers, the family who established the village.
For outdoor activities, go to Glimmerglass State Park to enjoy water sports and the beach, see the oldest covered bridge in the country, and tour Hyde Hall, which is a stunning 50-room mansion. You’ll also find a couple of easy-to-intermediate hiking trails for a panoramic view over the lake.
You can go tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, and winter hiking at the state park in winter. For entertainment in this East Coast hidden gem, you’ll find a couple of distilleries and breweries you can visit and have a drink at.
Another fun thing to do is to head to Brookwood Point, where you’ll find a charming garden and historic cottage. Its best feature is the view of the Kingfisher Tower, which you get from across the lake.
For a place to stay, the Landmark Inn is a traveler’s favorite. Set in a historic house, this restored B&B offers well-appointed rooms, complimentary breakfast, and a lovely garden, right in town. You’ll also find plenty of vacation rentals around town and near the lake.
East Coast hidden gem: Cumberland Island, Georgia
As a barrier island off Georgia’s southeast coast, with a maritime forest and protected beaches, this East Coast hidden gem has lots to offer, from history and cultural activities to nature and outdoor activities. The peaceful island is the perfect place to disconnect and enjoy leisure.
The island offers roughly 18 miles of unspoiled beachfront, crushed shell paths, centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and a wide variety of wildlife. Take note that there’s only one hotel on the island, the stunning and all-inclusive Greyfield Inn, constructed in 1890, decorated and furnished according to its history.
You’ll also find three wilderness campgrounds on the island and two with basic amenities. During your vacation, visit the Plum Orchard Mansion, the Dungeness Ruins from 1884, the First African Baptist Church, and the Ice House Museum.
You’ll also find lots of ranger-led activities and hiking and biking trails in this East Coast hidden gem. To get around the island, rent a bike near the dock, and you should know that you have to bring your food, as there are no shops or restaurants there.
East Coast hidden gem: Stockbridge, Massachusetts
This East Coast hidden gem is a charming village in the Western part of Massachusetts that’s very little known and will make a perfect getaway spot away from the crowds. Frequently described as a quintessential American small town, Stockbridge features plenty of art galleries, small shops, and restaurants.
While here, you can walk around to see perfect examples of Gilded Age gardens and architecture. But the main attraction here is the Norman Rockwell Museum, where you can even take a tour of his studio.
Art enthusiasts will also enjoy touring Chesterwood, which is the home of the sculptor, Daniel Chester French, with its rotating sculpture exhibition in the studio and gardens.
You can also take two picturesque train rides in this East Coast hidden gem. Either the Lenox Jitney train ride and the Hoosic Valley train ride, which offer incredible views. And if you venture outside the city, you’ll find nature trails for some biking or hiking.
The most popular ones include the Laura’s Tower Trail, which has panoramic views; the Mary V. Flynn Trail, which runs through the woods along the beautiful Housatonic River; and the Ice Glen Trail, which offers adventure.
The Red Lion Inn is a popular spot in town, well-known for its many rocking chairs on its front porch, and is a fantastic place to stay.
Constructed in 1773, the inn features a year-round outdoor pool and hot tub (don’t forget to pack your sunscreen), historic rooms, and a restaurant serving award-winning food. You’ll also find plenty of cabins and cottages, some with river views, around town.
So what do you think about these East Coast hidden gems? Have you ever been to any of these stunning places? If so, be sure to leave a comment to share your experiences with our readers.
And if you want to see more posts like this, I highly recommend also reading about 23 Magical Historic Covered Bridges in the US You MUST See