From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beaches of Cape Cod, America’s Northeast coast and Mid-Atlantic region are nothing short of spectacular. 

Hiking, biking, horseback riding, jet ski tours and sailing – you name it, you’ll find it in this scenic stretch. And with centuries of history on display, the adventures are even more thrilling. 

Get outdoors this season with Independent Collection’s summer guide, a curated mix of the best historic sites, city parks, outdoor events and more across the USA.

Table of Contents 1. Maryland 2. Pennsylvania 3. New York 4. Massachusetts 5. Washington, D.C.

Sail the Chesapeake Bay in America’s Sailing Capital 

To know Annapolis, Maryland, you have to get on the water. It’s the sailing capital of America, after all! 

Annapolis and its love affair with maritime adventures date back to the 1600s, when the waterfront served as a colonial port. These days, Chesapeake Bay is a hub for fishing and fun in the sun, swathed in thousands of bright white sailboats. Climb aboard a wooden Schooner and learn how to steer, cast your line for rockfish and Maryland mackerel, or level up the romance with a dreamy sunset cruise. 

Don’t miss Annapolis’ Wednesday Night Races, when dozens of sailboats race to the dock before sundown. Pro tip: Annapolis Waterfront Hotel has the ultimate vantage point for races and the best waterfront views of Chesapeake Bay! 

Beyond sailing, Annapolis is a paradise for water sports. Quiet Waters Park is a great place to start, with many launch pads and rental gear for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. It also has waterfront bike paths, summer concerts, and a dog-friendly beach that’s Fido-approved! 

Where Annapolis has turquoise blue water, nearby Frederick has lush green mountains. Hiking and camping are popular in this historic city, especially at Catoctin Mountain Park, a nature-filled haven in the Blue Ridge Mountains (and conveniently close to downtown Frederick).

The park is best known for Camp David, a favorite retreat for U.S. presidents, but anyone is welcome at Catoctin. Hikers have over 25 miles of wooded trails to choose from, each with scenic vistas and magnificent mountain views. Kids also love the Junior Ranger Program, where young ones learn about bugs, fish the creek, and play “I Spy” with nature’s clues. 

Stay a while and camp under starry night skies, or make yourself at home in Visitation Hotel, a brand-new guesthouse in downtown Frederick with over 200 years of history. By staying at the latter, you’re also in reach of Frederick’s historic sites, plus many art galleries and antique shops, 18th-century gardens, and cool-kid whiskey distilleries.

Discover Philly’s Artistic Side with a Guided Walking Tour

Did you know Philadelphia is nicknamed the “City of Murals”? What started as an anti-graffiti campaign in 1984 has since grown into the nation’s largest public art program – or as Mural Arts Philadelphia puts it, “the world’s largest outdoor gallery.” 

Over 4,000 murals decorate the streets, splashing color all over the city from Logan Square to Fishtown. The best way to see the murals is on foot. Take a self-guided tour with this handy map, or join a guided walking tour through Center City West, passing iconic landmarks like Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” sculpture. 

Surprisingly for its size, Philadelphia is incredibly walkable. It’s all by design of William Penn, the namesake founder of Pennsylvania, who set out to build a “greene countrie towne” among the trees. Fast forward 300 years, Philadelphia today has more than 200 parks and 10,000 acres of protected public land and waterways – all for your enjoyment. 

So, where to? Kids love Franklin Square for its carousel and mini-golf. Fairmount Park is a glorious place for picnics with skyline views. It’s also close to woodlands, famous museums, and the historic Philadelphia Zoo. Lounge in a hammock or pick up a game of bocce at Spruce Street Harbor Park, a popular hangout on the Delaware River waterfront, or hop on a bike and cruise the Schuylkill River Trail (advanced cyclists can even take the trail to Valley Forge.) 

Perhaps the most handsome of all is Rittenhouse Square, a relaxing, tree-filled oasis lined with sculptures and ornate fountains that date back to the 17th century. For the most scenic view, check into The Rittenhouse, an elegant luxury hotel that seemingly floats above the treetops, offering a bird’s-eye view of beautiful Philadelphia.

Take a Yoga Class in NYC Parks

Across the “concrete jungle,” New York City parks offer pockets of nature to escape the everyday noise. The most famous of all, of course, is Central Park, the very first landscaped park in America. Located near the Aliz Hotel Times Square, this massive public park has just about every activity you can think of: basketball and bike rides, barbeque pits, yoga classes, and even birdwatching! 

On the other end of Central Park, Hotel 48LEX is a stone’s throw away from Midtown’s famous sites and outdoor restaurants. Visit Rockefeller Center and rollerblade at the famous Summer Rink, learn about beekeeping in Bryant Park, or window shop designer stores along Fifth Avenue. 

The Brooklyn Bridge Park is a favorite for waterfront workouts like Zumba, Pilates, and heart-pumping bootcamps led by local instructors. Walking distance to the artsy NU Hotel, the 85-acre park is stacked with courts and activities. There are pickleball courts and soccer fields, volleyball nets, kayak rentals, and ping pong tables, just to name a few. 

Closer to The Tillary Hotel, Prospect Park is a lovely walk lined with lush meadow fields and Brooklyn’s only lake. Catch a summer concert, ride on horseback, or bring your appetite for Smorgasburg, a local food festival held every Sunday at Prospect Park, April through October.

Float Above the Boston Harbor at This Rooftop Lounge

Boston is the third-largest city in the Northeast, home to famous breweries, top-rated restaurants, champion sports teams, and world-class museums. But don’t be fooled by the hustle and bustle – Boston has loads of green space for sun-soaked adventure.

Take for example, Boston Common, the oldest public park in America and a local go-to for cycling, tennis, picnics, and more. Located near downtown and The Boxer, the park also boasts a seasonal skate rink, summer splash pad, swan boats, riverside paths, and a lovely botanical garden. 

Across town in Seaport, The Envoy Hotel takes nature escapes to new heights with The Rooftop, a sky-high lounge with dazzling views of the harbor and Boston’s cityscape. It’s also steps away from Seaport Common, a sleek-modern park with free workout classes led by Boston’s top instructors. 

Looking for that idyllic Boston scenery? Head to Beacon Hill, a charming old neighborhood famous for its cobblestone and red-brick buildings. Join a historic walking tour and visit the gilded State House, or soak up the sun across Beacon Hill’s outdoor cafes. Pro tip: Peregrine at The Whitney Hotel has a fabulous courtyard and antipasti selections paired with Italian wine! 

In the summer months, stretch your Boston vacation for a weekend on Cape Cod. Beach activities reign supreme on the Cape, like bogey boarding and beachside paddle, volleyball, and more. The Cape is famously popular with families, as is Sea Crest Beach Resort, newly renovated and stacked with amenities including two pools, five on-site eateries, and its very own private beachfront.

For the more adventurous travelers, Cape Cod offers thrills like parasailing, tubing, and jet skis. Or stick to the mainland and bike the Shining Sea Bikeway and Province Lands Trail, winding through majestic dunes toward vibrant Provincetown.

Paddle the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. 

From cherry blossom spring to sun-soaked summer, Washington, D.C. is a playground for epic sightseeing. Here, national monuments and picturesque parks are as plentiful as politicians, offering a unique mix of living history and gorgeous natural scenery. 

Start your adventures at the Capitol Hill Hotel, a classic D.C. hotel just steps from the U.S. Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and the iconic Capitol Building. Take a stroll to the National Mall and visit the Lincoln Memorial, or plan a picnic in the magnificent Constitution Gardens.

Near The St. Gregory Hotel, Rock Creek Park is a hub for paddling the Potomac River, as well as horseback riding and leisure bike rides. The C&O Canal is another fun cycling spot, home to the famous Billy Goat Trail in Great Falls Park, once a prominent gathering site for indigenous tribes. 

The Dumbarton Oaks Gardens is a floral-filled escape at the edge of Georgetown, close to Hotel Madera and the ever-charming Dupont Circle neighborhood. Take a self-guided tour of Embassy Row, people-watch at the Dupont fountain, or find some peace and quiet on the Spanish Steps.

For a taste of D.C.’s local food scene, head to The Morrow Hotel, a vibrant luxury hotel with one of the best rooftop bars in D.C., boasting panoramic city views, plus a brand-new restaurant by Marcus Samuelsson. Still hungry? Head over to Union Market, a hip indoor-outdoor space with local vendors slinging everything from bagels to dumplings, to Mexican tacos, to funky craft cocktails inspired by D.C.

After sightseeing, find some peace and quiet at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, where 500-year-old lotuses rise from the ponds, beavers build their dams, and slow-moving turtles bask in the sun.

From city parks to coastal strolls, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures waiting. Looking to roam a little farther? See what’s waiting in South Florida, and along the West Coast. And if you’re planning ahead, don’t miss our summer offer: between June 2–30, 2025, receive a $25 bonus gift card for every $100 gift card purchased.