Cities along the nation’s right coast get a lot of attention come autumn for leaf peeping and summer for vacationing. But the east coast is breathtakingly beautiful regardless of whether it’s frosted in a winter blizzard or glistening after a spring shower. So many East Coast cities will make you stand in awe of their scenic wonder. With the coming of Labor Day weekend, we decide to pick a few of these cities, taking into account all elements of beauty, including cityscapes, ocean views, mountain retreats, and even architecture.
All of them are located along the bus routes listed through iLIKEBUS.com, which means they are all accessible by buses from New York City at very low costs. No matter the season, the following are the best East Coast cities to visit when you have limited budgets and look for a change.
Atlanta, Georgia
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.
Albany, New York
Immerse yourself in American history, art and culture at the gorgeous city of Albany starting with a 60 minute tour of the New York State Capitol, home of the New York State Legislature. Explore and walk around a complex of state government buildings like the Cultural Education Center, the Robert Adams Building for Law and Justice and the Swan Street Building at the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza. Visitors looking for a taste of Albany’s performing arts scene can catch world-class performances in the Kitty Carlisle Hart and Lewis A. Swyer Theaters of The Egg Performing Arts Center or visit the Austrian Baroque-style interiors of the historic Palace Theatre.
For museum buffs, wander through over 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and fantastic collections exploring the cultural and natural diversity of the state at the New York State Museum or venture into a destroyer escort ship on the Hudson River that served in the U.S. and Greek Navy at the USS Slater. For a unique and enjoyable heritage experience, visit the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, an old watering pump station that is now home to the Albany information center, a museum and a planetarium. Head to Washington Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the region with over 100 species of trees, or the Albany Pine Bush Reserve, a 3,200 acre natural preserve for a rare inland Pine Barrens eco system, for an afternoon of hiking, jogging or strolling.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Jam packed with activities for avid travelers, Virginia Beach home to several parks, great tours and lovely museums. On the top of the list of places to see is the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, which spans over 3 miles and is the heart and soul of the community. No visit to Virginia Beach is complete without a trip to one of a handful of its parks including the surf community’s favorite beach, the Little Island Park. The First Landing State Park is the most visited park in the region and boasts the best view of Chesapeake Bay while the False Cape State Park is one of the last remaining undeveloped locations of the Atlantic Coast and perfect for hiking, camping and kayaking trips. Don’t miss out on the Sandbridge Beach and Lake Lawson either.
Awesome tour options in the area are the stand up paddle board tours of Beach Eco Tours and the Rudee Flipper Dolphin Tours, the longest running dolphin cruise in the region. Museum aficionados can explore and learn about contemporary art in over 6,000 square feet of exhibition space at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art or wander the largest collection of military aircrafts from both World Wars in the world at the Military Aviation Museum. Swing by the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Center to meet and interact with over 12,000 animals from various habitats.
Miami, Florida
One of the top tourist destinations in the United States, Miami, is a fantastic city to visit for a quick weekend getaway. South Beach is arguably the hottest place to be in Miami and is home to the state’s rich and famous and stands out thanks to its long sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Experience the bohemian charm of the oldest community in Miami and pay a visit to dozens of sunny sidewalk cafes at the peaceful bayside village of Coconut Grove. An intimate wildlife experience and hands-on guided tour at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation will introduce animal lovers to rare and endangered animals in captivity and in the wild, while bird lovers will marvel at Jungle Island’s impressive array of birds and other animals from around the globe within a contemporary and interactive setting.
Head to the hub of Miami culture at the Wynwood Art District, which is home to over 70 art galleries and boasts the most vibrant and eclectic art scene in the city. Meanwhile, a more laid back approach to art is offered at Painting with a Twist, where visitors can sip on their choice of drinks while learning how to paint under the expert tutelage of entertaining instructors. Make sure to pay a visit to the home of the Miami Heat basketball team, the AmericanAirlines Arena, then head to Shallow Tails Fishing Trips for high energy sports fishing trips at Biscayne Bay, the Flamingo Everglades and more.
Charleston, South Carolina
Explore historical attractions, gorgeous views and entertainment hubs in Charleston, the oldest city in South Carolina. Immerse yourself in the history of African-Americans at one of the oldest restored plantations in the South, the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Other historical jewels in the city include the Edmondston-Alston House, a home built in 1825 that still retains many of its original family items, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum, circa 1808, and Drayton Hall, an 18th century plantation. The city is also home to the Charleston Museum, the first ever museum established in the United States which was founded in 1773 and to this day remains dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural history of Charleston. At the end of your trip through history, shop for great bargains and delicious treats at one of the oldest public markets in the country, the Charleston City Market.
Watch an enthralling performance at the Charleston Music Hall, a former passenger station for the South Carolina Railroad, or laugh out loud at original performances by upcoming comedians at Theatre 99. To get a taste of the best that South Carolina’s world-renowned cuisine has to offer in terms of food, heritage and culture, head to the Charleston Culinary Tours. Visit the top attractions of the South Carolina Aquarium like the Great Ocean Tank, the rare albino alligator and the Sea Turtle Hospital, for an interactive experience with the whole family, or people watch and enjoy the scenery at the Waterfront Park.