If you’re traveling to the United States for the first time, or if you’ve been living in the country your whole life and have yet to explore, you’re probably wondering where you should start, right? There’s constant debate over which coast is better. Is it the East Coast? Or what about the West Coast? Many people will argue that one coast is better than the other for many reasons. Of course, the West Coast will have its advantages, with its warmer weather, celeb-filled states, and a whole different culture and laid back state of mind compared to the East Coast.

On the other hand, the East Coast has its advantages, too. The United States of America literally started with the East Coast, so it’s loaded in rich history. The way of life on the East Coast is a complete 180 compared to the West Coast, there’s more of a hustle and bustle type atmosphere, and because there are more states on this coast, there’s so much more to do on your trip.

If you’re planning your next vacation on the East Coast, well, you’ve made the best choice. There are so many things to do, that you’ll never be bored. You’ll immerse yourself in history and in culture, and you’ll make the best trip of your lifetime.

These are 20 reasons why the East Coast United States is a better travel destination than the West Coast.

20 The History

The East Coast is so incredibly rich in history. For starters, the East Coast was what started the United States of America, with the thirteen colonies, and expanding from there. America had a lot of firsts on the East Coast. The first cities were developed, the Declaration of Independence was written and signed there, it is where America became well, America. Not to mention, there were many battles fought there, including the Revolutionary War, where we fought for our independence. With all of that happening over the years, there’s so much to learn about on the East Coast, so why not make your vacation fun and educational?

19 Portland, Maine

When visiting the East Coast there are so many states that you can choose from to visit. Starting at the top would be Maine. The state is absolutely gorgeous, and if you’re not sure exactly where to visit, then look no further than Portland, Maine. The city is home to the Portland Head Light, a historic lighthouse that has been working since the late 1700s. Historic and a perfect photo opportunity, it is definitely what makes Maine unique. The state is also known for its harbors and catching lobster, so you know you can have a great meal that’s fresh from the waters of Maine.

18 Washington D.C.

How could you possibly visit the Eastern Coast of the United States and not visit Washington D.C.? Not only is it the nation’s capital, but there’s so much to see and do, you can spend multiple days there. Of course, you can learn about the government, and visit the White House, (you can take a tour of it, too!) Not to mention, there are so many monuments to visit, like the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. There are also a number of museums you can explore such as the Air and Space Museum, the Holocaust Museum, as well as the Museum of Natural History. The list of things to do is endless!

17 More States, Less Time

One big difference between the East Coast and the West Coast is the amount of states on each coast. On the West Coast, there aren’t as many, since the states are much bigger. On the East Coast, there are so many states to choose from, since they’re so small. The fact that they’re so small and so close together, allows you to travel to a lot more states faster. As a result, if you decided to take a road trip down the East Coast, you can see so many more states than you would if you traveled down the West Coast. More bang for your buck, in a way!

16 Salem, Massachusetts

When you think of Salem, Massachusetts, you’ll most likely think of the Salem Witch trials, a period of time where people, mainly women, were constantly accused of being a witch, where they were put on trial and most of the time executed. If you’re interested in learning more about the trials, and what went on during that time period, make sure you stop in Salem. There’s the Salem Witch Museum where you can learn about the history of the trials, the Witch House that talks about life during that period, as well as the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, which honors the ones that died during that time in history.

15 All Four Seasons

It’s a well known fact that the weather on the West Coast is a lot hotter than it is on the East Coast. One beautiful and unique thing about vacationing on the East Coast is the fact that they have all four seasons. No matter what time of year you decided to take your trip, you’ll have different weather. If the heat isn’t your thing, you can wait to take your trip during the fall and winter months. However, if you’re trying to get your tan on or visit all of the beaches up the coast, you might want to wait until the heat of the summer, or even when it’s mild in during the springtime. There’s so many options!

14 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is another city on the East Coast that is full of rich history. It is one of the oldest cities, and is home to many historical landmarks that you can visit and learn about, such as the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell is located in Independence National Historical Park, which is also home to many museums and monuments dedicated to the American Revolution and the founding of America. You could also make the trip to Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. There’s so much history in one city, that you have to take the time to visit it.

13 The Culture

Looking at the culture on the West Coast compared to the East Coast, it is like looking at two completely different worlds. The West Coast is very laid back, not really in a rush, living a carefree life attitude. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, it’s the complete opposite. Everyone is on the go always. There’s a hustle and bustle when it comes to the big cities. No one has the time to sit back and relax. It’s an interesting thing to experience and be a part of, and you’ll never fully understand it unless you experience it first hand.

12 Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland is a really cool place to visit. Not only are they known for their delicious crab cakes, but the city is beautiful, and a nice one to spend time at. The inner harbor is a very popular tourist attraction, as there are so many things for you to do. You could get a bite to eat, learn about the history of the harbor, or even do some shopping. There’s also many museums, as well as an aquarium, or even hop on a water taxi and take a ride around the harbor. At night, it’s even more beautiful, so be sure not to miss it!

11 Many Beaches To Choose From

The East Coast is full of beaches, and depending on what state you’re in, you can have a completely different experience at the beach. Obviously, the farther up north you go, it’s not as warm or crystal clear blue waters. The further you move down the coast, the warmer it gets, and the clearer the water gets. Every beach has something else to offer — whether there’s an exclusive beach, or really cool boardwalk, or any other attractions, each beach has something else to offer so you’ll never be bored! See if you can visit them all on your trip.

10 Orlando, Florida

When we think of Orlando, one of the first things that come to mind would be none other than Walt Disney World. It’s very easy to spend a few days exploring all of the Disney Parks, such as Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Of course, there’s also Universal Studios, and Harry Potter World, the parks are endless, and you’ll never be bored while you’re in Orlando. If it’s a hot day you can always hang out at one of the many water parks, such as Disney’s Blizzard Beach. There’s so much to do in Orlando alone, nevermind the entire state of Florida, so make sure you don’t miss that.

9 Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts is yet another historical town found on the East Coast that you should not pass up on your trip. While in Boston if you want to learn more about the history of America, as well as Boston, you should check out the Freedom Trail, in which you walk in downtown Boston, making stops at several significant locations that played an important role in American history. If sports is more your thing, definitely don’t miss visiting Fenway Park, home of the Red Socks, but also an extremely historical and old baseball park. Boston is full of so much history, so you should definitely add it to your list of places to visit.

8 The Jersey Shore

The Jersey Shore isn’t just a TV show on MTV, and it’s more than what was shown on TV, too. The Jersey Shore is a great place to vacation, both with friends and family. There are a number of beaches and shore towns to choose from, not just Seaside Heights that’s shown on TV. There’s Atlantic City, where there’s gambling and endless nightlife, Point Pleasant and Wildwood, for the boardwalk and rides for the kids. There’s so much to do and see when visiting the Jersey Shore, who knows, you’ll might even be able to catch Snooki in action.

7 Beaches and Skiing

When you’re on the East Coast, you can have the best of both worlds. Not only do you have a number of beaches to choose from, but there are also plenty of options for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. One of the best states to visit for skiing on the East Coast is Vermont. The state has a number of different ski resorts to choose from. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or a beginner just starting out, there’s something for everyone. The East Coast might be known for its beaches, but you can’t forget the mountains, too. There’s definitely something for everyone.

6 Waterbury, Vermont

If you’re a fan of ice cream, you should look no further than taking a trip to Waterbury, Vermont where the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory is located. You’re allowed to take a tour of the factory and find out just how all of your favorite flavors are made, and how they go about creating new ones. They even take you to the graves of retired flavors, where you can pay your last respects to your favorite ones that no longer exist. The best part? There’s a full ice cream shop where you can have your favorite ice cream or try a new one. That’s up to you!

5 The Diversity

On the East Coast, there’s no doubt that there is so much diversity. You can find so many people from a number of different cultures, backgrounds, and religions when you’re visiting. There are certain places that are a melting pot of different people, so much so that you never know who you’ll meet. The perfect place for this would have to be New York, where they have places like Chinatown and Little Italy, just to name few. When people immigrated to the United States many years ago, a lot of them stayed in New York, making it one huge place for so much diversity.

4 Miami, Florida

Florida has a lot to offer tourists. When deciding to visit the state, don’t just stop in Orlando. Make sure you give yourself some time to stay in Miami, too. The city is full of life, with the diverse cultures, you never know who you’ll meet. The nightlife is amazing, with so many bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from, you can party and dance the night away any night of the week. Not to mention, the beaches are gorgeous, and you’ll never want to leave. With so much to do and see in Miami, you’ll definitely want to make sure to stop there, even if it’s just to have a drink!

3 The Carolinas

If you love the beach, North and South Carolina are perfect states for you to visit on your trip to the East Coast. When in North Carolina, make sure you stop at the Outer Banks, which is a barrier island that is perfect for surfing, swimming and even shipwreck diving, making for a really awesome experience. As for South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is the place to go. Not only is there a pretty amazing beach to spend the day at, but there’s also a boardwalk where you can walk around and ride rides. A perfect day at the beach!

2 Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey, is the East Coast equivalent of Las Vegas on the West Coast. One of the biggest differences between the two would be the beach and boardwalk that it sits on. The boardwalk is huge, lined with hotels, restaurants, shops, even amusement rides. It’s also legal to gamble in Atlantic City, and. There are so many casinos that you could choose from, and so much nightlife, so you’ll never be bored. The city is also home to the Miss America pageant, so you should make sure that you learn about the history of the pageant!

1 New York City

When planning your trip to the East Coast, you definitely can’t miss out on visiting New York City. It is the city that never sleeps, and there’s so much you could possibly do and see when visiting. Whether it’s walking through find Times Square, checking out a museum, dining at a new restaurant, or even doing some serious shopping, there’s so much to do and see that it’s a little. overwhelming, so be sure to allot enough time to do everything that you want to do. The city is just as amazing at TV and movies make it out to be, you just have to see for yourself.