abednego

My family,including teenagers, would like to visit East Coast beaches and
Mountains in the same 4-6 day trip. We will be flying in.
What's the best place to get mountains and beaches with the least drive time in between?

emalloy

The least time in the New England area would probably be from the southern Maine beaches, York Beach to Old Orchard area to the White Mountains - Mount Washington area. This would be about a 3 hour drive.

In North Carolina area, probably from the Wilmington area beaches, Wrightsville, Carolina Beach, etc. to the Asheville area, about 5 or so hours.

If you are going in the summer, I would opt for the New England area.

starrs

Or the beaches near Charleston to Asheville = about 4 hours
Charleston to Boone area = about 5 hours

Even Savannah to the north GA mountains or Asheville = about the same

zootsi

You could fly into Manchester NH (MHT) which is centrally between the seacoast and the mountains. From here, the beaches of NH and Maine are 1-2 hours. The White Mountains of NH are about an hour or so north of Manchester, or about 2.5-3 hours from the Maine coast. Just realize that even though Maine's beaches are beautiful, the water temps can be too cool for some folks. If you want warmer temps, the beaches of Cape Cod are about 2.5-3 hours from Manchester and 4 hours from the White Mountains.

abednego

Thank you for your very thorough and quick responses. I will take all of your nicely detailed information into consideration and research.
We went to Maine 2 years ago, and my son enjoyed a surf lesson (in a wetsuit of course). He would love to have another surf experience.

Birdie

Or look at Virginia Beach and the mountains of Virginia. 3.5 hours.

abednego

Birdie, I've been looking seriously at your Virginia suggestion, maye flying into Richmond, then heading for the beach before going back west to Wintergreen Resort. My teenage daughter would like to visit Jamestown. Any advice? Is there a beginner level surf lesson near Jamestown, do you know anything about Wintergreen? We'd like the best options with as little drive time as possible. Thanks

Birdie

Look at flying into Norfolk (orf) and flying out of Richmond (ric) if you can. You can go from Norfolk to the beach front and stay there a few days. I can ask around for surf school suggestions. From there come up to Williamsburg. Look at Kingsmill. It's a great spot for families. You can do Jamestown and Busch Gardens. Then head up to Wintergreen.

If you like this plan, I can help with more details for Williamsburg and Wintergreen. I know them both well. I'd have to ask friends for help with Va Beach since I never go.

abednego

Birdie, That sounds like a plan definitely worth pursuing. I'll start looking at the flight options. I like the idea of not driving back and forth through Richmond. Thanks

abednego

emalloy, Thank you for the additional tips on my separate Viriginia question. My Texan parents have decided that they would like to drive and pick us up at the airport, so I'm considering your original North Carolina suggestion, since it will be less of a drive for them than Virginia.

Do you have tips on where to stay on either east or west end of the trip or in between? We appreciate any inside information you're willing to share.

Gretchen

Anyone else think 4-6 days to cover both mountains and beach is a tight schedule.
I think Starrs' idea is easiest--you could fly into Asheville and have them meet you there, and out of Charleston. If it is 6 days, 2 in Asheville and 4 in Charleston.
Where are you coming from?

abednego

Gretchen, you might be right. We're from East Texas.