If you’re looking to plan out a road trip to the Northeast or if you’ve already completed our New England road trip guide and are keeping your eyes peeled for your next adventure, then we’ve got you covered. With this guide to the Northeast, you’ll find yourself in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. If you find yourself looking for a place to stay, we’ve also laid out some great exchanges that you can book for your trip before embarking on your East Coast vacation.
Explore the NortheastThe Catskills in New York
What to do
Hudson River Art Trail
Art lovers will love visiting the sight of America’s first artistic movement, established in the 19th century: the Hudson River School. This movement placed a huge emphasis on the beauty of nature, and many artworks from this era feature beautiful landscapes. Visitors can step into the shoes of artists such as Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Sanford Gifford, and other innovative American landscape artists as they walk along the trail.
Windham Mountain Bike Park
Take a lift up with your Rossignol Enduro rental bike for a downhill experience like no other! Explore the beautiful Catskill Mountain terrain as you pedal down the trail at a pace and level that is right for you. The bike park has a 2.5 mile-long beginner trail from the summit, as well as instructors ready to help new and expert bikers onto the mountain safely. More experienced bikers can ride the longest jump trail in the east as well as a five-time UCI World Cup Course. For kids, the bike park offers a two-day mountain bike camp several times per season.
Where to eat
Ambrosia Diner
A road trip isn’t a road trip without a stop in an all-American diner. That’s where Ambrosia comes in! Whether you’re dining in or just grabbing something to go, you’ll love the selection of warm breakfast meals, cold lunch plates, and savory dinners. We recommend going to their Facebook page to see what their daily specials are going to be when you visit.
The Windham Local Public House
If you want to sit back and enjoy a great meal and even perhaps a little music, you’ll love the Windham! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner - They have it all! We recommend trying out their truffle grilled cheese on their dinner menu. For music lovers, make a reservation for a Friday or Saturday dinner to hear live performers!
Albergo at Home Breakfast Restaurant
"We don’t just make breakfast, We Make Mornings." If this quote speaks to you, then make sure to start your day at Albergo’s! Offering both breakfast selections and cooking videos on their YouTube channel, this Catskills staple is a must-visit! We recommend digging into their Italian western omelet.
Where to stay
Cape May, New Jersey
What to do
Visit one of the many beaches
A visit to Cape May isn’t complete without at least one beach trip! Cape May has no shortage of beaches, but we recommend spending a day by the ocean over at The Cove!
Visit the historic district
If you love tuning in to The History Channel, you’ll fall in love with Cape May’s historic district. This area is filled with beautiful homes that have been preserved since the 1800s. On your walk, you may stroll past some historically significant buildings, like The Southern Mansion, and The Emlen Physick Estate.
Take a kayak or paddleboard on an aqua tour
Sure, you may have been on a bus tour or a walking tour, but have you ever done one on a kayak or paddleboard? If you’re looking to check this activity off your bucket list, then take one of Aqua Trails’ nature tours and explore Cape May’s inland salt marshes.
Where to eat
Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille
Settle in for some dinner, drinks, and entertainment at Cape May’s only oceanfront rooftop bar! With seven days of live entertainment by the ocean, each meal is guaranteed to be unique and engaging. We recommend trying their Fisherman’s Stew.
SeaSalt Restaurant
If you’re in the mood for a fine dining experience, then don’t forget to make a reservation for this high-end beachfront restaurant. For dinner, we recommend ordering their stuffed pork chop.
Where to stay
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What to do
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia
Learn more about African American heritage and culture by visiting the first institution built by a major United States city dedicated to Black Americans. There, you’ll learn about Black art, protests, and history through their selection of both in-person and online exhibits.
Visit the President’s House
Philadelphia played an integral part in the American Revolution and is home to many historical sites and monuments. The President’s House was home to the first and second United States presidents, George Washington and John Adams in the 1790s.
Visit The Franklin Institute
Science nerds can have the chance to geek out during their trip to The Franklin Institute. Named in honor of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin’s passion for science and learning, you and your entire family can learn about the universe in the planetarium, discover how electricity works, or find out what makes machines tick.
Where to eat
bāo • logy
Dig into this modern take on Taiwanese cuisine with dishes made from fresh high-quality ingredients. For a taste of modern Taiwanese street food, we recommend ordering their Tempura'd Fish Gwa Bao.
Booker’s Restaurant and Bar
If you’re in the mood for Southern food, then you should come on down to Booker’s Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant is named in honor of the famous Black waiter, Booker Wright, for his contributions to the restaurant industry. We recommend trying their Creole Vegan Jambalaya.
Charlie was a sinner
If you’re looking for someplace to go with “small plates and strong drinks,” then Charlie was a sinner is the place for you! This all-vegan restaurant has plenty of delicious tapas-style plates, but we recommend their Turkish “lamb” kofta.
Where to stay
Annapolis, Maryland
What to do
Mission Escape Rooms
Fans of brainteasers and mysteries will love spending a couple hours hear trying to solve one of Mission’s escape rooms. Their rooms range in difficulty and feature different mysteries including a fairy tale crime scene, a cryptid-filled hiking trip, and a cold case involving an incredibly suspicious dentist.
Watermark Walking Tours
Learn about the long and storied history of Annapolis by venturing out on a walking tour of the city with a guide outfitted in colonial attire. Visitors can go on tours dedicated to women who made history, a young Frederick Douglass, and (in October) the ghosts of Annapolis.
Sandy Point State Park
Soak up the sun and smell the sea air at Sandy Point State Park. It’s one mile of sandy beach is the perfect place to enjoy a day sunbathing and swimming in the ocean.
Where to eat
Cafe Normandie
For a delicious blend of French cuisine and Maryland seafood specialties, grab a table at Cafe Normandie and eat a dish prepared by the award-winning Chef Jean-Louis. We recommend trying the salmon and blueberries meal from the dinner menu.
Pirates Cove Restaurant and Dock Bar
Grab a meal at Pirates Cove and take in the restaurant’s scenic views of the West River. If you decide to visit on weekends, you can catch their live entertainment in the lounge. For visitors dining from late May through October, you can also watch performances out on the dock bar. Wondering what to order? We recommend their avocado shrimp toast.
Storm Bros Ice Cream Factory
After grabbing lunch or dinner at Cafe Normandie or Pirates Cove, you’ll probably crave something sweet. At Storm Bros Ice Cream Factory, you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth with their selection of flavors, sundaes, and soft serves. We recommend trying their bourbon truffle ice cream and their blueberry cheesecake frozen yogurt.
Where to stay
Washington, D.C.
What to do
National Postal Museum
Washington, D.C. has no shortage of museums, but we recommend carving out time to go to The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum to learn more about the history of the United States Post Office. Exhibits include the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, Moving the Mail, and Systems at Work.
National Portrait Gallery
Celebrate the art of portraiture and view portraits of significant people who shaped or are shaping the arts, politics, science, social justice, and more. Permanent exhibits include 20th Century Americans, America’s Presidents, and Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900.
Planet Word Museum
Have you ever wondered how languages are formed, how music uses words and rhymes to create meaning, or even how jokes are made? Then a trip to Planet Word Museum is in order! As the only museum in the country dedicated to the love of words and language, you’ll find a diverse array of exhibits featuring different aspects of language and how it is used. Exhibits include Unlock the Music, Joking Around, and The Spoken World.
Where to eat
Founding Farmers
Eat green at Founding Farmers by enjoying a delicious farm-to-table meal. Everything - from the food to the alcohol - is made from scratch, and it works! The entire menu is divine, but we recommend trying the ribeye steak.
Gatsby
Enjoy a trip to the past with Gatsby, a 1920s-style diner complete with art deco decor and American cuisine. We recommend ordering the chicken pot pie (Don’t worry, you’ll be able to enjoy it without the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckelberg watching you!).
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
Grab brunch at this uniquely-named restaurant that serves American comfort food. Don’t forget to check out their events page when booking your reservation to see if you can catch a book launch, drag queen story time, or live music. We recommend ordering the shrimp and grits - You won’t regret it!
Where to stay
With these tips, we hope you’ll be able to explore, have the best meals, and stay in some amazing homes. Get ready to hop in your car for your Northeastern adventure!
