A road trip down the Atlantic Coast will take you past the historic towns of Plymouth, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island, through the hustle and bustle of New York City, along Maryland's Chesapeake Bay coast to Virginia Beach and North Carolina's Outer Banks. From there, you'll pass through the gorgeous, sleepy hamlet of Savannah, Georgia and down to the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine, Florida. Then it's an oceanside cruise along the Space Coast to vibrant Miami Beach and finally, colorful Key West. Sure, you could take I-95 all the way from Boston to Miami, but with several detours and scenic byways this trip is more than 2,400 miles full of beaches, woodlands, two-lane country roads, vintage diners, charming small towns, and urban adventures.
13001 Thorpe Park Court, Bristow, VA, United States
The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia showcases medical oddities including wax models, a wall of human skulls, slices of Albert Einstein's brain, and the world's largest colon.
If Lombardi's pizza wasn't filling enough—or if you're ready for dinner—The Trolley Car Diner & Deli in Philadelphia serves breakfast and beer next to a trolley car that serves ice cream.
After the hustle and bustle of NYC, head over to New Brunswick, New Jersey's serene and lush Bamboo Forest, which is open year round. A walk through the garden is the perfect way to relax after driving, or to stretch your legs.
Lombardi's has been serving perfect thin-crust New York-style pizza since 1905.
When you reach New York City, see a different side of the city with a mile and a half walk along the High Line, an elevated park built atop an abandoned section of the New York Central Railroad.
Once you reach New Haven, Connecticut, visit the New Haven Lighthouse, a gorgeous historic lighthouse from the mid-1800s, featuring a beautiful, antique carousel built in 1916.
2000 Montauk Highway (On The Point By Montauk Liighthouse), Montauk, NY, US
The entire East Coast is dotted with beautiful lighthouses, and one of the best is the Montauk Lighthouse Museum in East Hampton.
As you leave Massachusetts, take a detour to Fall River and see Battleship Cove, which features the world's largest collection of WWII naval vessels.
From Boston, head south to historic Plymouth and experience the harsh reality of 17th-century life at Plimoth Plantation. The plantation is "a living history museum," showcasing the original 1627 English settlement complete with costumed colonists.
You'll want to plan at least half a day to accomplish the 2.5-mile Revolutionary Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts. Afterwards, the best place to grab a bite to eat is historic Faneuil Hall, which features dozens of food stands. If you have time (or you're traveling with kids) visit the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science.