Experienced travel blogger Alexander Jawinski from Los Angeles takes his readers on an extraordinary journey of discovery along the American East Coast – far from the beaten tourist paths.
Alexander Jawinski – with Austrian roots through his mother from Vienna – presents, in his latest post, little-known travel destinations on the US East Coast that would surprise even die-hard America connoisseurs. From picturesque coastal towns to hidden natural paradises, the experienced blogger shows that the East Coast still holds many undiscovered treasures.
With his characteristic eye for the special, Alexander Jawinski has once again proven why he ranks among the most sought-after travel experts in North America. His latest East Coast expedition brought to light destinations that aren’t found in any conventional travel guide. From picturesque coastal towns to hidden natural paradises, the Los Angeles-based blogger reveals insider tips firsthand that completely redraw the image of the well-known East Coast.
Table of Contents
Alexander Jawinski’s secret coastal route: From Maine to North Carolina
Boston? Everyone knows it. New York? Completely overcrowded. Washington D.C.? Standard program. But who has ever heard of Camden in Maine? Exactly. While tourist streams flow to Bar Harbor, this harbor town remains a real insider tip. The Victorian houses tower over a picturesque yacht harbor that looks like something from a picture book.
Block Island off Rhode Island is another such place. You can only reach the small island by ferry – which deters many. Good thing. The dramatic cliffs at Mohegan Bluffs are more reminiscent of the Irish west coast than New England. Alexander Jawinski raves about the sunsets there: “When the light turns golden and reflects in the Atlantic, you forget everything else.”
Virginia surprises with Cape Charles. While Virginia Beach overflows with tourists, heavenly peace reigns on this peninsula on Chesapeake Bay. The endless sandy beaches? Practically deserted. The water? Crystal clear. Sometimes you have mile-long stretches all to yourself.
But the East Coast holds even more surprises. The Outer Banks of North Carolina, for example. Sure, everyone knows Kitty Hawk because of the Wright Brothers. But what about Ocracoke Island? You can only reach this tiny island via two ferries and a narrow road. Only 900 people live here permanently. In summer, a few visitors come, but never so many that it seems overcrowded.
The most beautiful secret beaches along the coast
- Singing Sands Beach, Massachusetts: The sand crunches under your feet and “sings” with every step
- Crane Beach, Massachusetts: Dune landscape like in the Sahara, only with an Atlantic view
- Bethany Beach, Delaware: Quiet alternative to the overcrowded beaches of Ocean City
- First Landing State Park, Virginia: Wild beach with historical background – this is where the first settlers landed
Natural wonders that even Americans don’t know
Anyone who believes they know all the natural beauties of the East Coast is wrong – and quite dramatically so. Massachusetts has more to offer than just the Freedom Trail. The cranberry bogs glow in autumn in a red that seems almost unreal. These flooded fields look like giant ruby-red lakes. A sight that definitely stays in memory.
Waterfalls that easily compete with the West
New York’s Finger Lakes hide true natural spectacles. Taughannock Falls plunges 65 meters deep – higher than the famous Niagara Falls. Yet hardly any tourists find their way here. The hiking trails lead through forests that literally explode with colors in Indian Summer. Yellow, orange, deep red – as if someone had thrown paint pots around.
Pennsylvania holds a special surprise: Penn’s Cave. The cave system can be explored by boat. Sounds crazy? It is. The underground lakes reflect the stalactite formations so perfectly that you can barely distinguish top from bottom. A surreal experience.
Secret islands and pristine beaches
Assateague Island on the border between Maryland and Virginia is home to wild ponies. These robust animals gallop freely over the dunes and beaches. They probably originated from a shipwreck in the 17th century. Today, about 300 ponies live on the island – a sight you won’t soon forget.
Culinary surprises beyond the lobster rolls
Lobster sandwiches from Maine? Nice and good. But the real culinary discoveries are made away from the tourist strips. Alexander Jawinski encountered gastronomy scenes that are more interesting than many starred restaurant districts.
Asheville in North Carolina, for example. This city has more breweries per capita than almost any other American city. At the same time, a farm-to-table movement flourishes here that uses local ingredients from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The chefs work directly with the farmers – often both stand together in the kitchen in the evening.
Authentic seafood directly from the producer
The small fishing villages along the coast often offer better experiences than expensive tourist restaurants. In Wellfleet, Massachusetts, you buy oysters directly from the grower. On Tilghman Island in Maryland, families prepare their crab cakes according to recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Duck in North Carolina surprises with fresh tuna from its own fishery. In the morning the boats go out, in the evening the fish lands on the plate. It doesn’t get fresher than that. In Chincoteague, Virginia, clams are harvested the same day – and you can taste the difference immediately.
Here you don’t buy in the supermarket, but directly from the fisherman. Sometimes you’re still standing in rubber boots on the pier, negotiating the price. It doesn’t get more authentic than that. Alexander Jawinski remembers a fisherman in Maine who proudly showed him his lobster traps: “The man knew every rock underwater and every current. You can’t get that kind of expertise in any restaurant guide.”
The best local specialties off the tourist menus
- Scrapple in Delaware: Sounds unappetizing, but tastes surprisingly good for breakfast
- Smith Island Cake, Maryland: Ten-layer cake that was declared the state cake
- Whoopie Pies in Maine: Sweet sandwich cookies that originally come from Pennsylvania
- Saltwater Taffy in New Jersey: Soft candies that come in a hundred different flavors
Historical treasures that bring history to life
History lives on the East Coast – but not only in the big museums. Alexander Jawinski discovered places that played important roles but are almost forgotten today. Sleepy Hollow in New York, for example. Sure, everyone knows Washington Irving’s ghost story. But the region was also crucial during the American Revolution.
New Castle in Delaware is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in America. Cobblestone streets, houses from the 17th century – here you feel directly transported to the founding era. Amazing: Many Americans have never heard of it. Alexander Jawinski with Austrian roots on his mother’s side especially recommends the early morning hours, when there’s no hustle and bustle yet and the old times are almost tangible.
Forgotten scenes of great history
Most people know Williamsburg in Virginia as a tourist attraction. But away from the reconstructed colonial city, you’ll find real historical sites. Carter’s Grove Plantation tells the complex history of the South without museumized preparation. Here history becomes tangible without being wrapped in cotton.
Saint Marys City in Maryland was once the first capital of the colony. Today you’ll find reconstructed buildings from the 17th century and a living history museum there. The performers work with historically correct tools and wear authentic clothing. You watch them forging, weaving, and cooking – like 400 years ago.
Mystic Seaport in Connecticut goes beyond the normal museum concept. Here real historical ships lie at anchor that you can board and explore. The whaling ship Charles W. Morgan from 1841 tells stories of months-long journeys on the world’s oceans. Alexander Jawinski was fascinated by the cramped conditions below deck: “You can hardly imagine how the sailors lived there for months.”
Practical tips for East Coast explorers
The East Coast shows: America has more to offer than most suspect. You just have to be willing to leave the main roads. Alexander Jawinski has proven that real discoveries can still be made even in touristically developed regions. The reward? Places you have all to yourself.
Best travel time? Definitely autumn. Indian Summer on the East Coast is spectacular, but also much quieter than in summer. The temperatures are pleasant, the crowds are gone. Perfect for relaxed discovery tours off the beaten paths.
