Quite a few families choose to spend their family vacations down in Florida or up in New England. However, there are plenty of amazing family destinations along the southeastern coast to enjoy. If you are searching for a new family destination this year, I guarantee you will find exactly what you need on the southeast coast. Today, I am going to be sharing some of the best family destinations on the southeast coast with you. Hopefully, one of them will be exactly what you need to make a few memories with your family during your next vacation.  

Best Family Destinations on the Southeast Coast 

Savannah, Georgia 

If you have never been to Savannah before, you really don’t know what you are missing! There are plenty of historic inns to stay at in Savannah. Although, the best part is all the ghostly experiences you can have when visiting this city on the southeast coast.  

Head down to River Street to do a little shopping. Or grab a bite to eat before heading out on a river cruise. Head back inland to walk around all the public squares. Or relax for a while inside Forsyth Park.  

At some point during your visit, preferably at night, take one of the ghost tours. They are offered along the main city streets. However, the one inside Bonaventure Cemetery is usually considered the best. I can easily arrange for your family to take one of the ghost tours as I am personalizing your family vacation.  

Considering a Savannah family vacation? Check out my travel guide for Savannah! 

Charleston, South Carolina 

Not too far from Savannah is the city of Charleston in South Carolina. A two-hour drive is all you need to do to reach one of these cities from the other. It may be a perfect option if you don’t want to stay in only one family destination for the duration of your vacation.  

In Charleston, you can take one of the historic walking tours. These tours highlight the best of what this city offers. A tour of one of the southern plantations is also a must for many families. However, if that isn’t your thing, you can always check out the tours of historic homes and gardens.  

I recommend visiting Charleston in the spring if you can. That is when the Festival of Houses and Gardens takes place. It is one of the best times to see this city’s flowers in bloom.  

Annapolis, Maryland 

There is so much to see and do during a family vacation in Annapolis. Plus, you can easily venture into Washington DC for a day or two to see many of the sights there.  

You can still stay busy while staying primarily in Annapolis though. I recommend starting with a stroll on City Dock. This is where the boutiques, pubs, and art galleries are located. In between your shopping adventures, walk down “Ego Alley”. That is where you will see massive yachts sailing out in the water.  

Other interesting things to do in Annapolis include visiting the Banneker-Douglas Museum, the Maryland State House, and the Naval Academy. If you choose to spend time at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, head out via boat to see the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse.  

Ocean City, Maryland 

If you want to spend more time at the beach during your family vacation, Ocean City might be the best spot on the southeast coast. This beach town comes complete with a three-mile-long boardwalk. A visit to the boardwalk will have your entire family going on the rides, devouring candy for a sugar rush, or relaxing with a pint at the Backshore Brewing Company. (Well, the adults can enjoy a pint, while the kids drink something more age appropriate 😉) 

If you have extra time during your vacation, a visit to Assateague Island National Seashore can be exactly what you need. It’s fun to watch the wild horses run around.  

Outer Banks, North Carolina 

You can’t go wrong when you decide to take a family vacation in the Outer Banks. These barrier islands are one of the most popular family destinations on the southeast coast during the summer months.  

Spend your days exploring sights like the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Jennette’s Pier, and Roanoke Island Festival Park. Plenty of beach time is available at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Just make sure you take the time to check out the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  

One of the unique memory-making experiences in the Outer Banks is the guided bioluminescence kayak tours. They are worth staying up late for!  

Wilmington, North Carolina 

One of the easiest ways to learn your way around Wilmington is by taking a ride on the Port City Trolley. After your ride, you can wander around to check out the areas you want to see the most. I recommend walking along the Wilmington Riverwalk to check out the shops and restaurants. It is also where The Cotton Exchange is located.  

Other interesting things to do in Wilmington include strolling through Airlie Gardens and touring the USS North Carolina Battleship.  

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 

The last of the best family destinations on the southeast coast is Myrtle Beach. This is an excellent place to take a vacation if you love playing golf. There are more than one hundred golf courses to choose from. Many of them were designed by golf pros like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Robert Trent Jones.  

It’s all about the flowers at Brookgreen Gardens. This is a National Historic Landmark that is comprised of more than nine thousand acres. Inside the three galleries, you will also discover two thousand sculptures and statues.  

These are the best family destinations on the southeast coast. There are other cities and towns you can visit in this part of the country as well. It simply depends on what you want to experience as you make memories with your family. I can make all those memories become a reality as I am personalizing your family vacation.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for you somewhere on the southeast coast or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click on the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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