America is an amazing country and the good news is more and more of it is becoming accessible once more. Once you have your visa or an ESTA you can travel to ‘the land of the free’ and experience this amazing country and her people.
The East Coast has always been that little bit special being home to fantastic cities, villages, towns, and gorgeous coastlines. For any kind of USA holiday, it has something fantastic to offer.
So before we look at options let’s just nail down the visa requirements for UK citizens going from the UK.
ESTA Visa Requirements for UK Citizens Going to the USA
If your USA trip is under 90 days you may want to consider applying for an ESTA Visa UK. This is the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) and has a variety of uses. Under the programme, you can:
- Visit the USA up to 90 days in one trip.
- Valid for two years or until your passport expires.
- Can be used for multiple visits to the USA.
- Can be used for tourism, business, medical or in transit.
To use an ESTA visa you need to have a biometric passport. Children also require an ESTA.
Once you have yours, you can hop on the plane and a few hours later you’re in America.
Now we have cleared up visa entry requirements into the USA, what to do on the glorious east coast.
The Glorious East Coast
The USA’s east coast stretches from Maine in the north right through to Florida in the south. It is also known as the Atlantic Coast, the Eastern Seaboard, the Atlantic Seaboard and indeed the East Coast.
It is a wonderful part of the country and it is diverse. It is also closer to the UK than other parts of America and so travel times are less.
USA’s East Coast: Where to Visit?
There are so many places to see in America, you may want to visit multiple times which you can do with an ESTA visa.
Here are some ideas.
New York
It goes without saying one of the most famous US cities and indeed one of the most famous in the world is New York. ‘The Big Apple’ is huge and home to 8.4 million people. Like other famous cities such as London, Paris, Rome, New York has it all.
World class gourmet restaurants, museums, shopping, Broadway shows are all here. Let’s not forget a visit to the Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History will want to be factored in on your itinerary too.
It is best to list the places you want to see before you arrive. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing one day to the next. With a city this big, you’ll be glad you had your plan rather than wander around in amazement. And even that is cool!
Florida
Head further south and you’ll soon be in the ‘sunshine state’. Here you are spoilt for choice as you can do nearly anything you ever wanted in this part of the USA. It is blessed with gorgeous beaches, think Miami, theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld Orlando. For something a little different, take a drive to the Kennedy Space Center and watch space rockets blast off!
Alternatively, you may want to take a boat through the Florida Keys.
Throw in some glorious national parks and vibrant cities, and it has to be said that as a destination, Florida is one of the best.
Maine
Head North on the Atlantic Coast and you’ll eventually reach Maine, the most northern point. Maine is a beautiful state with plenty for the visitor to see and do. It is easy to spend all 90 days of your ESTA right here.
Things you can do include:
- Visit the popular cities of Portland, Camden, Ogunquit, and Bar Harbor.
- Take a tall ship cruise.
- Visit some amazing national parks.
- Take a culinary walking tour.
- Take a guided bus tour.
- Visit Stephen King’s house. Just to be clear you’ll stand outside it and not pop in for a coffee with the great horror writer.
- Visit the Salem Witch Museum.
As well as all of this, the sheer beauty of places like Moxie Falls and Acadia National Park will take your breath away. It is home to several amazing lakes such as Sebago Lake and beautiufl islands. Both of which are experiences that will stay with you for as long as you live.
America is an amazing land for UK citizens. So get your ESTA visa requirements sorted and get out to ‘the land of the free’. It will dazzle and amaze you and you’ll want to see as much of it as you can. Try and visit this year.
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