Summer is coming up fairly quickly and most kids are looking forward to their summer vacation. All throughout my childhood, my family would go on a family vacation for a week in the summer. These vacations were a time to make memories, spend time as a family away from it all and to just get in some good old fashioned girl time with Mother Nature! Here are some of my favorite vacation spots on the United States' East Coast!

10. Rockland, Maine

Rockland, Maine is a beautiful little gem on the eastern coast of Maine. I enjoyed the gorgeous ocean views from the adorable little port city. Acadia National Park is not all that far from Rockland and makes for a great hike. If you are looking into rock climbing on the east coast, then this is the spot for you! (Be careful though! It can be slippery as you get closer to the ocean side of the cliffs! I know from experience!)

9. Providence, Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island is a picturesque city over the bridge! Not only is it the home of the Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design campuses, but it is also home to a beautiful main street. The main street is full of great shopping and restaurants. The Riverwalk overlooks the Providence River which runs right through the city, a lovely place to explore during your stay! (Check out the Brown University campus, the buildings are beautiful and are rich in history!)

8. Bushkill, Pennsylvania

Bushkill, Pennsylvania is a great place to find hiking spots. It is set in the Pocono Mountain region, making it an accessible area for many. Bushkill Falls State Park is an incredible sight for anyone and is an easy hike for those who do not appreciate hiking as much as others! There are many different hiking areas surrounding the Bushkill area. Bushkill is also a great place for spotting wildlife! (Watch out for bears! They are definitely as big as you would expect! I know from experience unfortunately.)

7. Shenandoah, Virginia

Shenandoah, Virginia is a beautiful vacation spot for nature lovers! The breathtaking views from Shenandoah National Park are sights that people of all ages should see. Skyline Drive is an easy drive with a panoramic view of the beauty that surrounds the park. There is easy access to the Appalachian Trail aside from the many trails for hiking that go all through the park. There are all kinds of caverns in the surrounding area. The caverns are pretty interesting to look at too! Shenandoah is a great place to take small children to see what nature has to offer. (There are a lot of animals! It's really cool, but still watch out for bears!)

6. Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis, Maryland is another great place to go on vacation! This is the home of the United States Naval Academy. It is a beautiful campus to visit and explore. The cathedral is a great site for all to see, even those without religious views! Annapolis, Maryland is also a great place for high-end shopping and dining. There are a lot of places to get some famous Maryland crabs! The riverwalk is beautiful all summer and the city is beautifully lit up at night. (I love Annapolis because there is such a variety of things to do! They even have duck boats for river tours!)

5. Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May, New Jersey is the best of both worlds! Not only is the beach a fantastic summer spot, but the city's downtown is also the heartbeat of the city. The beach is a great place to not only swim and sun, but also a great place to see whales and dolphins! Cape May's downtown is similar to Annapolis in its brick paved pathways. Cape May has a variety of shops and an indoor mall on Carpenter's Square. There is also an old fashioned soda counter at the five and dime! (I love to go to Cape May because its old fashioned vibe makes it easy for everyone to be happy!)

4. Sea Isle City, New Jersey

Sea Isle City, New Jersey is a great family vacation spot! I have spent many days on the beaches down there. The beaches are clean and there are guarded portions of the beach for swimming. A new addition to Sea Isle City, New Jersey is Gillian's Playland, which is a small amusement park for young children! There is a lot to do in the summer and there are often concerts at the amphitheater downtown. (I love Sea Isle City because everyone is super nice and the atmosphere is so friendly!)

3. Ocean City, New Jersey

Ocean City, New Jersey is the ideal family vacation spot! Famous to Ocean City is the Ocean City Boardwalk. There are a ton of surf shops and souvenir shops lining the Boardwalk in addition to the numerous eateries. There are two different amusement parks on the Boardwalk, both with rides for both children and adults! There is also always people playing music on the Boardwalk (hoping to be discovered) for you to listen to. The beaches are great for surfing, swimming and sunset walks! (I love to walk down the beach and collect shells!)

2. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a super fun place to go in the summer time! It is unconventional due to the lack of surf and sand, but there is still plenty of sun! There is always something to do. There are a ton of famous restaurants to try and obviously, a heap of history to discover! For younger kids, besides the Smithsonian museums, there is a carousel in the middle of the quad below the Washington Monument! (Washington, D.C. is a fantastic place to see! It could take you weeks to see everything!)

1. Ithaca, New York

Ithaca, New York is by far my favorite vacation spot on the East Coast of the United States! This is the home of the amazing campus of Cornell University. The main street in Ithaca is very eccentric and has a different vibe to it, a serene vibe that not too many people have experienced. The waterfalls in the Ithaca area are a fantastic sight that everyone should try and see at least once in his/her lifetime. My favorite place is Robert H. Treman Park, where you can swim in a waterfall and jump from a high dive springboard into the 20-foot pool underneath of the waterfall. (I love Ithaca and love hiking there!)

I hope this helps you to find a great summer spot on the East Coast! Enjoy your summer vacation!