The East coast of the USA has plenty of great travel stops and destinations, some more well known than others. Here are a few places that less people have heard about, and are often near larger destinations, but are great stops along a road trip for avid explorers.

1. Lewes, DE

Lewes prides itself as the "first town in the first state" of Delaware. This tiny historical town was originally founded as a colony in the 1600s, and is known for having defended itself singlehandedly against the British Navy during the American Revolution. A cannonball from a British ship is still embedded in the side of an old house.

2. Harpers Ferry, WV

Known for the civil war battles that took place in and around it, Harpers Ferry is a hillside European-style town embedded into a hilly peninsula in mountainous West Virginia. Much of the downtown is preserved to look like it did in the 1800s, though there are great restaurants along the way as well.

3. Cherry Springs, PA

Cherry Springs, PA is located in rural north central Pennsylvania, and has the "darkest skies in the northeast." This location is extremely remote, so light pollution is virtually nonexistent. Astronomers and amateur stargazers alike bring their telescopes to see the swirls in the milky way.

4. Bath, ME

Bath, aside from having a quaint historical downtown, is home to one of the U.S Navy's most important shipyards, and also has a substantial maritime museum along the bay.

5. Hendersonville, NC

Hendersonville is located between Asheville and Charlotte, NC, and receives an influx of travelers looking to explore the Western North Carolina Mountains.

6. Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville, Virginia is a college town, home to the University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson's old estate, Monticello. A place where college kids and history buffs meet, Charlottesville has a little bit for everybody.

7. Beaufort, SC

Located along the beautiful South Carolina coastline, Beaufort, SC is a historical plantation town close to great beach islands like Fripp and Hilton Head. This coastal town is a great representation of the old south.

8. Strasburg, PA

Strasburg is located between Lancaster and Philadelphia, in the heart of the rolling farmland of Pennsylvania amish country. Strasburg is famous for its functioning steam train railroad, corn mazes, and amish merchandise.

9. New Bern, NC

New Bern, located along the North Carolina coast, is a historical port town that has a lot to offer.

10. West Chester, PA

West Chester is a historic town west of Philadelphia. West Chester has a formidable University, great shops and restaurants downtown, and is near King of Prussia Mall, the second largest in the country.