8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For Beginners

The USA is the third largest country in the world in terms of land area (approximately 3.8 million square miles) after Russia and Canada. It is the world’s largest melting pot with its incredible 50 states encompassing six time zones with beautiful and geographically diverse landscapes. The country is massive and unlike European countries, its 50 states are no lesser than 50 countries itself!

If you’re traveling to the United States for the very first time, it is impossible to complete all the attractions that this country has to offer on your first visit. Even very few Americans have visited all the 50 states in a country and that is a huge milestone for them! 

If you’re planning your first visit to the United States soon, we have got you covered with the 8 must cities to visit on the East Coast of the USA for any first-time traveler. 

So relax, sit back tight and before making your itinerary, enjoy this post!

1) New York, NY

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For BeginnersThe Big Apple is not only the greatest city in the world but a concrete jungle of world-class architecture, a hub of entertainment, fashion, food, media and finance. From the home of the iconic Lady Liberty to the neon billboards of Times Square to the splendid Central Park, NYC has everything to charm its first-time traveler. But geographically it is vast, complex and consists of 5 islands. Therefore, for your first trip, you need to see all the touristy spots in Manhattan. 

Total number of Days to spend: 3 days are sufficient to skim the major touristy attractions. (However, even 2 weeks is not sufficient to explore everything that Manhattan has to offer itself, forget about other islands!

For more info on planning your trip to NYC, click here!

2) Washington D.C.

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For BeginnersNo trip to the US would be complete without visiting its capital! The Washington D.C. captures the true spirit of America. From the historic landmarks to its world-class museums and extraordinary sightseeing adventures, D.C. has the power to charm any soul. 

Total number of Days to spend: 3 days are sufficient to cover all its major attractions

For more info on planning your trip to Washington D.C., click here.

3) Orlando, FL

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For Beginners

Orlando is a dream destination for any traveler visiting the United States for the first time. It is the theme parks capital of the world. From the magic of Walt Disney World  to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal, from watching Shamu (killer whale) show at Sea World to the Legoland adventures, Orlando has plenty of attractions and activities to explore varying for all ages. Even there are splendid beaches and Kennedy Space Center (NASA) located in its vicinity.

Total number of Days to spend: Depends on which parks you want to cover but if you’re planning Disney and Universal, you should keep 4 days for exploring 4 theme parks of Walt Disney World and 2 days for the Universal Studios if you don’t want your trip to be hectic. If you want to cover all the major attractions of Orlando, 15 days are sufficient but it totally depends on your itinerary.

For more info on planning your trip to Orlando, click here.

4) Miami, FL

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For BeginnersMiami is a world-class destination for your perfect beach vacation. From its world renowned South Beach to its third largest skylines in the US (after New York City and Chicago), from its Cuban district of Little Havana to its amazing food, drinks, celebrities holiday homes and exotic nightlife, Miami has everything to entice its first-time traveler.

Total number of Days to spend: 3 days minimum to cover all the major attractions.

For more info on planning your trip to Miami, click here.

5) Atlanta, GA

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For BeginnersAtlanta is a sprawling capital of ‘Peach State’ Georgia and the landmark of Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. It is world-renowned for hosting the Summer Olympics of 1996. Atlanta has also the headquarters of Coca-Cola and CNN. Most of its attractions are in the heart of its downtown. The World of Coca-Cola is a must visit museum that celebrates the history and culture of the coke. If you want to experience behind the scenes of news making, don’t forget to visit CNN Center

Total number of Days to spend: 3 days are sufficient to cover all the major attractions.

For more info on planning your trip to Atlanta, click here.

6) St. Augustine, FL

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For BeginnersSt. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States, famous for its Spanish colonial architecture as well as white sand Atlantic beaches. The entire historic city has been transformed into a museum. If you love history, then St. Augustine has plenty to offer!

Total number of Days to spend: Minimum 3 days to complete all its attractions

For more info on planning your trip to St. Augustine, click here.

7) Key West, FL

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For BeginnersThis is the surreal island city famous for its pristine beaches, underwater sports and adventures, sunset celebrations, history and the Southernmost Point – one of the extreme points of the United States as well as the continent of the North America. If you love driving with a breathtaking splendid view, driving Miami to Key West is usually on the lists of most beautiful drives in the world. The 150-mile drive from Miami to Key West is one of the classic American road trips!

Total number of Days to spend: 2 days minimum to complete all the major attractions.

For more info on planning your trip to Key West, click here.

8) Niagara Falls, NY

8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For BeginnersIf you’ve time on your trip, do visit the majestic Niagara Falls State Park which is the oldest park in America! Niagara Falls straddle the International border between Canada and the United States of America. If you’ve valid permit to enter Canada, you can also see the breathtaking horseshoe point from the Canadian side. However, Niagara Falls looks breathtaking, surreal, splendid and divine from both the sides. There is also a ‘Maid of Mist’ boat ride tour that takes you very close to the Horseshoe Fall which is an experience in itself!

Total number of Days to spend: 1 day is sufficient for exploring Niagara Falls State Park.

For more info on planning your trip to Niagara Falls, click here.


If you’ve been or staying in the United States, which is your favorite city on its east coast? If you’re planning to visit the United States, which city would you love to visit the most? Do let me know in the comments below!

Happy Traveling!
Ana


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8 Must Cities To Visit On The East Coast of The USA | For Beginners


84 Comments

    1. These are all great places to visit! But as an American, I think maybe a first time visitor shouldn’t spend so much time in Florida. It’s a great state, but as you say there’s so much to see in our country that it would be nice to see some of the other regions too. I would take off some of the cities in Florida and add Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston instead.

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    1. I am actually planning on giong to NY later in the year, so your guide is going to be perfect for me, especially all the touristy spots to visit.

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    1. Wow! That’s a great list! Haven’t been to the USA yet and I hope to make it sometime in future! Niagara and Miami are so much in my wishlist! Ofcourse climbing the Statue of Liberty and viewing the city would be such an awesome thing to do.

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    1. We have never ventured beyond Europe till now, and the prospect of USA seems daunting for that reason 🙂 All these cities seem lively and modern and fun. Personally, I would love to explore the New England angle first..

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    1. never been to the USA but from your list here and what i have read, watched and listened to NEWYORK/DC/MIAMI makes the best three on this for me and they are among my dream destinations.

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    1. definitely going to add these places to my bucket list ! I’ve been to a few but I also want to take my boys too!

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    1. These are all amazing cities to visit. I’ve been to most in this list, but I do really want to visit Atlanta, GA. I have read about all the beautiful places there and the food is fantastic.

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    1. I’m due to go to Florida and New York in a few months. Having not gone to America for over 10 years I’m excited to see the grand scale of New York and enjoy the higher temperatures, even if the political landscape seems rather peculiar lately.

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