Family Bucket List for the Mid-Atlantic States (from a Local)

As a life-long Delawarean located right in the middle of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, I have explored our surrounding states for years. These are our family’s recommendations for bucket list items in each of the Mid-Atlantic states and Washington DC.

Bucket List Items in Virginia

Williamsburg, VA

Colonial Williamsburg is a Mid-Atlantic bucket list item because it is the largest living history museum in the USA. It is one of three points of the “historic triangle” located here. Check the website to see if you want to buy tickets, as there is still a lot to see there without purchasing them. You are sure to see Colonial carriages, shops, and living history actors. Depending on the time and season, you may enjoy a fife and drum show, a musket demonstration, a historical reenactment or any number of other enjoyable and informative performances.

The other two points of the triangle are Yorktown and Jamestown. The former is a national park with a museum that includes a driving trail with various points of interest, such as redoubts and areas that were strategic in the revolutionary war. This is separate from another point of interest – the American Museum of the Revolution. The later includes the Jamestown settlement with living history actors, an immersive Powhatan Indian village, and historic ships to explores.

Finally, this is also the home of Busch Gardens, known as America’s most beautiful theme park. Each section of the park represents a different European country, and all of them are beautiful.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah is one of my favorite National Parks and definitely a bucket list items for families visiting the Mid-Atlantic. It is an absolutely beautiful place and includes many great hikes for families. It is broken up into three sections, and each section has many beautiful viewpoints to choose from.

There are many places to stop for food and bathroom breaks. Some are closed in winter, so you may prefer to go during the other three seasons. That being said, it is certainly beautiful in winter too! Be sure to catch a sunset from an overlook before you leave.

The Northern District is closest to Washington DC and the easiest to get to from the Mid-Atlantic area. It is accessed through the Front Royal Entrance. We recommend the Fox Hollow trail for convenienceri – it is right across from the Dicky Ridge Visitor Center. We recommend Fort Windham Rocks for a short walk with a big payoff: a huge rock formation to climb and explore.

In the Central District, try Stony Man – a mile long loop that offers a spectacular view. Stop at Big Meadows across from the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center. Dark Hollow Falls is another short hike (though steep), with a gorgeous waterfall.

In the Southern District, try Blackrock Summit. There is a small parking area here and it’s just a short hike to an incredible view. Or, try Bearfence Viewpoint – with or without the rock scramble, depending on your preference.

Bucket List Items in Washington DC

Walk the Mall

At one end of the National Mall sits the Capitol Building, which can be toured for free. It is surrounded by other distinguished buildings, fountains, and monuments that are interesting to see. These include the National Archives, the Russel Senate Office Building, the Peace Monument and the Capitol Fountains. Just beyond the Capitol sits the United States Botanical Garden.

There are numerous monuments along the mall. The Lincoln memorial is beautiful and iconic, as well as the World War II Memorial and many others. On the other side of the mall, you will see the Washington Monument. If you want to tour the monument (in other words, ride the elevator to the top for an ariel view of DC), you will need to make a reservation in advance.

Visit the Smithsonian Museums

DC is the only place in the country where you can find so many high quality museums that don’t cost a dime. Plus, they are all in easy walking distance of one another. There are 17 Smithsonian Museums in DC in total, and many are located right on the mall.

We love the Natural History Museum that showcases a giant collection of dinosaur bones, gems, mounted animals and various other discoveries. The Air and Space Museum is very popular and should be reserved in advance. There are several art museums close to the Capitol, including the Asian and African Art Museums and sculpture garden and the National Gallery. The Museum of the American Indian is another of our favorites.

Whatever you do there, Washington DC itself should definitely be on your family’s bucket list for the Mid-Atlantic! Find more ideas for how to spend time there on this post.

Bucket List Items in Maryland

Assateaque and Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Although wildlife is unpredictable, the chances are pretty good that you will see some wild ponies if you visit Assateaque. This is true for either the State Park or the National Seashore of Assateague Island. If you go to the beach there in the summer, you may even see them enter the water or attempt to eat from your cooler. You’re likely to find them strolling along the side of the roadway in little groups with their foals.

The trails are short and pretty as well, and sometimes you can see the tiny deer that live in the park. You will certainly see plenty of birds. You will also be very close to Ocean City, which is a fun beach town with lots to do.

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor has many charming options for dining and is a pleasant place for a water-side stroll. You can spend several hours at the  National Aquarium and still not see all there is to see. Port Discovery is a highly acclaimed Children’s Museum, and the Maryland Science Center is yet another highly regarded museum all located in the Inner Harbor. If you have a ship or war history enthusiast in the family, they’ll probably want to check out the USS-Constellation, the last Civil War vessel still afloat, which sometimes offers tours.

Find more to do in Maryland here.

Bucket List Items in Delaware

Visit the Brandywine Valley

The Brandywine Valley is an affluent area running into Pennsylvania, full of rolling forested hill and beautiful homes. Heavily influenced by the DuPont family, there are many properties that were formerly DuPont properties and are now gorgeous attractions that can be visited, including Hagley Museum, Winterthur Museum, Gardens and Library, Nemours Estate, and Longwood Gardens (nearby in PA).

Visit the Delaware Beaches

If you are choosing one beach to visit, consider Cape Henlopen State Park, which includes about 6 miles of coastline at the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The park includes “The Point,” where the Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, barrier dunes, coastal beaches, and maritime forests. The Seaside Nature center highlights these ecosystems and also offers interactive educational programs.

If it’s chilly for swimming, explore one of many lovely hiking trails. Fort Miles was built in the park during World War II, and the towers can be viewed on the drive, along with some interesting WWII history if you are exploring on foot. You can climb the tower located near the first parking lot at the bathhouse. Nearby charming beach towns include Lewes and Rehoboth.

If Delaware is on your family’s bucket list for the Mid-Atlantic, find more to do there on this post.

Bucket List Items in West Virginia

Harper’s Ferry

Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park is rich in history and located in a beautiful natural setting. It includes preserved buildings such as John Brown’s Fort. In an event that helped start the Civil War, Brown and his small army of 21 men invaded the town and took over the federal armory, arsenal, and rifle factory, in an attempt to disrupt slavery.

The park is also a part of the Appalachian Trail, and sits along the confluence of two might rivers, nestled amongst mountains with sweeping views and vigorous hikes available inside and beyond the park.

Blackwater Falls

A few hours west of Harper’s Ferry, you will find Tucker County and Blackwater Falls. The towns of Thomas and Davies are charming small towns nearby, where you can stop for a meal or stay for a vacation with easy access to all kinds of beautiful spaces. The falls are impressive and the hike there easily doable with small children. In the winter, you can sign up for a sledding adventure offered by the park.

There are plenty of parks, natural areas and ski resorts in the general area around Blackwater Falls, such as Canaan Valley, and staying in a cabin with a hot tub can be a heavenly retreat. 

Bucket List Items in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Art Museum and Independence Hall

The Philadelphia Art Museum is a world class museum with a huge collection from a variety of cultures including Asian, European, and American collections. The museum includes the Rodin Museum, a separate building a few blocks away, with admission. Possibly the most well-known part of the museum are the steps with their famous Rocky statue.

Independence Hall was originally the Pennsylvania State House, and was the site where the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. You can see it through a tour, which is free but does require a timed ticket. Tours are about 20 minutes long and tickets can be reserved here. The Liberty Bell, originally cast in 1752, is located in a museum just down the street. No reservation or ticket is required.

Find a post with more to do in this iconic city here.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a unique place due to its large population of Amish people. Drive through the rolling hills of picturesque farmland, and you are likely to see horses pulling Amish buggies or plows. You can tour an Amish farm and house or take a buggy ride, or just enjoy their well-made Amish wares and delicious Amish foods at local markets. There are also some lovely parks nearby, such as Susquehannock State Park where you can view the river from the Pinnacle Overlook, or several other lovely overlooks.

Bucket List Items in New Jersey

The Southern New Jersey Shore

The Southern New Jersey shore is a mix of quiet, picturesque beaches and peaceful little towns to bustling boardwalks and vibrant nightlife. A few of our favorite destinations are Cape May, full of Victorian charm, and Avalon, a tiny town with a bird sanctuary and Wetland Institute.

For a little more action and fun boardwalks with amusement parks, visit Ocean City (still quite family friendly) or Wildwood. For an exciting night out, see a show or visit the casinos in Atlantic City.

Find more to do at the Southern Jersey Shore here.

The Skylands

The Skyland region of New Jersey is an absolutely beautiful collection of mountains and parks that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves the great outdoors. The Appalachian trail runs for 72 miles through the region and there is ample room to hike, fish, or ski.

Allamuchy Mountain State Park has beautiful trails such as the Highlands Trail, which offers a gorgeous overlook. Along the border with Pennsylvania runs the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, with many popular waterfalls and trails such as the Tammany Red Dot trail. Not far from the trail is the Lakota Wolf Reserve, where you can see wolves in their natural habitat.

Find more to do in New Jersey here.

Bucket List Items in New York

NYC – Ellis Island and Central Park

Although we are not huge fans of big cities, New York City is so iconic that we had to include it in our bucket list. And there is something magical about Central Park. If you’re driving, park at the American Museum of Natural History (and visit if you are so inclined.) From there, you simply make a right to enter Central Park.

Here you’ll see the Swedish Cottage and if you head down the trail that passes the cottage you will come to Belvedere Castle, which is free and enchanting. Climb to the top for a beautiful view of the park and city, visit the little gift shop, and traverse the perimeter of the lake below the castle. Head about a mile south and you’ll find the Carousel. Roughly the same distance Southeast brings you to the Zoo, and there are several playgrounds throughout the park.

Drive or walk nearby to Times Square or St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and you can see a lot of famous buildings in a few short blocks. This includes the Empire State Building’s iconic spire rising into the sky.

And of course, you can’t mention NYC without mentioning the Statue of Liberty. We have always seen it from the New Jersey side at Liberty park, but however you get there, Ellis Island and the Statue itself are worth seeing at least once.

NYC is probably on your family’s Mid-Atlantic bucket list. On this post you can find things to do there and in three other iconic city in this region of the USA.

Niagara Falls

This is another one we have only seen from the Canadian side, but it is an iconic sight that should be on every family’s bucket list (from either side!) It is said to be more natural and immersive on the New York side, and is America’s oldest state park. You can see the American and Bridal Veil Falls up close, take a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist, and visit the Cave of the Winds.

I hope this post has given you lots of ideas for what to put on your family’s Mid-Atlantic bucket list! This region of the USA has many iconic, beautiful and fun attractions to enjoy.