I would like to visit The East Coast and need some help.

[Tek_Freek]

I second Asheville, the Biltmore and Blue Ridge Parkway. We did a two week driving trip in 1999 and these were the highlight of the trip. Beautiful country and the Biltmore is amazing!

One note of caution. When we drove the Parkway we learned to watch the side of the road ahead of us for places to pull over and let others pass. The locals and the logging trucks drive much faster than sightseers and it's nice to be able to get out of their way. There are also a number of places that are overlooks where you can park and enjoy the scenery.

We saw a mother bear and her cub running across the parkway, which was really nice.

There is a lot (a lot!) to see in D.C. You can spend a week there and just scratch the surface. If you spend time there try to find a hotel close to the Metro and use it to travel around the city.

[Newdaawn]

We did the Shennandoah Parkway in VA in June of 07. The speed limit there was 35 so viewing wasn't a problem. We drove it from Front Royal down to about Charlottesville. DC is my favorite city of those that I have visited with NYC being a close second. They are very different from each other. I found DC to be a bit more relaxing and the Metro clean and easy to use. Just don't try to pack too much in and enjoy the things you do get to see. If you stay in NYC go to the TKTS in Times Square and get tickets for "Phantom of the Opera" it was FANTASTIC!

[NY Annie]

If you want to experience a US beach, Myrtle Beach, SC is great - especially for the kids. It'd be a nice place to stop overnight and give everyone a cooling off dip in the ocean. Prices in the main part of Myrtle Beach are going to be pretty high, but there is a really nice place in the north end - I can't remember the name right now, but it'll come to me and I'll post it. We stayed for nearly a week and had a full kitchen - which is nice for relaxing, have meals when you want, swim when you want. The water was a great temperature - I think it was mid-sept when we went.

[PeachyMJ]

You definitely need to drive thru the Everglades. Can't remember the name of it, but there was a great museum type place that had plenty of critters but was safe. We also saw lots just driving. Also, there is a monument for the people who were killed on the Air Tran crash (Valu Jet) many years ago. That was interesting. I second the Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, etc.

[findinghope]

how about Kitty Hawk, NC beautiful beaches, the First Flight museum, Dunes, etc. also lighthouses down the coast a bit

[Frank from Belgium]

Thanks for all this information. I'm putting everything on the map of the east coast and it is getting full with all your advise.

[NY Annie]

The place we stopped at was Grande Shores - check it out on TripAdvisor.com - there are the hotel rooms which aren't rated so well. We had an ocean front room with a full kitchen - and it was great. It's not the most luxurious, but it was clean, comfortable, and we loved it. This from someone who is used to staying in 4-5 star hotels.

[Frank from Belgium]

Ok, I'm getting an idea of what to see and where to stay but most of al to take time and enjoy.

[Kansaichick]

This may be an old post but I'm coming across it now...

If you are in to history, culture, nature, monuments, etc:

Biltmore Estates

Blue Ridge Mountains and/or Appalachian Trail

IF you are passing through Atlanta for some reason, check out the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for it's civil rights movement

Savannah, GA and/or Charleston, SC

Williamsburg, VA

Charlottesburg, VA (Thomas Jefferson's Monticello)

There are plenty of other things you can see but these are the first things that come to mind when you mention history, culture, etc.

For the kids, you might want to check out a Six Flags or other comparable amusement park and catch a baseball game somewhere.

I recommend taking a week to explore D.C. And when in Philadelphia, don't forget to check out Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin's stomping grounds, Independence Hall, etc.