This summer, we decided to skip the usual camp sign-ups and trade in packed schedules for something slower, more spontaneous. Instead of structured routines, we made a list—a dreamy lineup of East Coast destinations we’ve been wanting to experience as a family. No flights, just the open road, our girls in the backseat, and a summer of road trips ahead of us.
Our first stop was Mystic, Connecticut, where we visited the aquarium. Watching the girls light up as they got up close with beluga whales and stingrays was one of those gentle reminders of how much magic lives in the everyday. From there, we drove up to Cape Cod, our first time ever, and checked into the iconic Chatham Bars Inn.
So many of you had written to tell me about your own memories here, family traditions, beachside weddings, childhood summers—and now I understand why. The Inn is a piece of New England history, with over a century of stories behind it. Perched right on the coast, it’s a place that invites you to slow down. We spent our days between sun-soaked stretches on the beach, lunching barefoot at the Beach Club, and exploring the sweet little town of Chatham, which feels like something out of a storybook.
One of the moments that will stay with me forever was the weekly Farm Dinner hosted by the Inn. About 60 guests gather each summer week at their own eight-acre farm, just a few miles from the main property, for what can only be described as a true farm-to-table feast. Everything served is grown just feet away from where you’re sitting. The girls danced on the grass while we sipped wine under the setting sun and chatted with some of the kindest people we’ve met all summer. The food was incredible, the setting magical, it was the kind of night that reminds you why you take these trips in the first place.
Between the clam bakes, the beach walks, the fresh salt air, and the general feeling that time was stretching just a little slower than usual, this trip felt like the kind of summer memory you hope your kids carry with them forever.
On the drive home, we stopped in Newport, Rhode Island and instantly knew we’d only scratched the surface—already planning when we can get back.
If you’re dreaming of an East Coast summer, let this be your sign. There’s something timeless about this corner of the country, like a love letter to simpler days and sunshine-filled evenings.
