Deep South Road Trip
Apr 15th, 2016, 12:25 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Deep South Road Trip
We are looking for some advice to help plan a road trip between NYC and Tampa. Will be travelling with my wife and 2 kids (15 and 12) in early July. We are from Scotland and have spent many Summers in various parts of Florida, but would like to drive this year and experience something new. We will have 3 weeks and would like to include some theme parks, scenic drives off the highway, sporting events, good food. Planning a few days in Washington DC and hopefully a few days in New Orleans if we have time.
Apr 15th, 2016, 03:33 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might like to take the Garden State Parkway from New York city to Cape May, NJ. Then take the ferry to Lewes, Delaware. Head west to Washington or
Drive down the DELMAVA to Assiteague and Chincoteague National Parks, then over to Washington.
Drive down the DELMAVA to Assiteague and Chincoteague National Parks, then over to Washington.
Apr 15th, 2016, 05:03 PM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I second the Blue Ridge Parkway suggestion! It's one of my favorite places to drive in our home state of NC. In the Asheville area, I recommend a visit to the Biltmore house and gardens, driving on the parkway and hiking. Asheville has many, many good restaurants to choose from. Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, is nearby on the parkway and should be cool even in July. A little farther away on the parkway is Linville Falls (pretty place to hike and picnic) and Little Switzerland (quaint town, good view and restaurant at Switzerland Inn, also caverns nearby). Lake Lure is about 30 miles from Asheville and is very scenic. If your teens would like to visit an amusement park, then Carowinds is a couple of hours east of Asheville, in Charlotte, NC. And Charlotte has plenty more to offer!
Apr 15th, 2016, 06:09 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,938
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And then Charleston, South Carolina. It's a lovely, lovely city and one that didn't get burned during the Civil War. After the War, no one had any money to remodel, so the houses along the bay and in the downtown area, now restored, are beautiful.
Apr 16th, 2016, 03:26 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even more important in the preservation of Charleston is the foresight of Joe Riley who has just retired as the mayor. He kept urban renewal from tearing down the "lesser" parts of Charleston and making it a gem in the US.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful road --for a given length of time of driving it. The speed limit is 45MPH. Choose portions and enjoy them. Around Blowing Rock and down to Asheville is a lovely stretch.
From Asheville head on down to Charleston.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful road --for a given length of time of driving it. The speed limit is 45MPH. Choose portions and enjoy them. Around Blowing Rock and down to Asheville is a lovely stretch.
From Asheville head on down to Charleston.
Apr 18th, 2016, 05:16 PM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll love NYC....so much to do there.
As you head south out of NYC (early), I would plan to stop in Philadelphia for a couple of hours to see the sites, but would prefer to spend the night in Baltimore. (OR....you could detour from Philadelphia over to Gettysburg, PA for a night...before heading over to Baltimore. Gettysburg is the site of our most important Civil War battle....a REALLY interesting place that your kids will enjoy. Real Americana. There is also a "good but not great" amusement park in Hershey, PA along the way).
Baltimore has some great neighborhoods (Fell's Point and Canton) and well as a great aquarium. Also, eating Maryland crabs is an American tradition...so definitely plan for that). I love a little restaurant in Baltimore/Canton called "Mama's on the Half Shell." Baltimore Orioles (baseball) games are A LOT of fun.
Next you'll want to spend at least 2 days/3 nights in Washington. A GREAT city for kids. Also, unlike New York, most of the museums there are free. The museums are exhausting so don't plan to do more than 2-3 in a single day. I personally recommend the National Archives, The National Gallery of Art (be sure to hit the awesome gift shift on the way to the modern wing), The Air and Space Museum, the Museum of American History (was better before they remodeled) and the Museum of Natural History (be sure to check out one of the actual Easter Island Moai in rear of the Natural History Museum). And one thing that I HIGHLY recommend visiting on the way out of town is the Air and Space Museum Annex at Dulles Airport (I like it better than the one in DC). You will pass Dulles if you take hwy 66 west out of town, as you head down to Charlottesville, VA. You'll also have a chance to see the Washington Nationals (baseball) in case you missed the Yankees and/or Orioles.
Next, I would plan to spend the day in Charlottesville, VA...tour the UVA Campus and visit Monticello. Very pretty area.
Then I would hit the Blue Ridge Parkway (early) and head toward Asheville, NC. There are great stops along the way so you'll need to decide if you want to stay overnight somewhere (maybe Boone, NC so that you can visit GrandFather Mountain)....or make it all the way into Asheville. Note that Boone looks close to Asheville, but it takes longer on the Parkway.
You'll love Asheville. The Biltmore House (the largest private residence in America) is definitely worth visiting, but it is expensive. Also be sure to check out the Grove Park Inn. Walking downtown Asheville is a blast. Excellent food and one of America's great brewing towns. I recommend visiting the Sierra Nevada Brewery while you're there. They also have a fun minor league baseball team...the whole town really gets into it.
From Asheville, you have two options I think. You can either head south through Atlanta and then onto New Orleans. Or you can take I-26 from Asheville to Charleston, SC (only about 4 hours). From Charleston, you can also visit Hilton Head Island and Savannah as you continue South. Two really nice options to have, but I think I might recommend going toward Charleston (instead of AtL/NO). Charleston and Savannah are beautiful cities (and safer than New Orleans) and you will have access to some fantastic beaches in the area (esp at Hilton Head and/or the Georgia barrier islands south of Savannah). I think your kids would enjoy some beach time over visitng Atlanta. Also, the food in Charleston is amazing.
Jacksonville is "just a place" so I wouldn't spend time there. St. Augustine Florida (the oldest city in the United States) is definitely worth a quick detour. Your kids would also enjoy visiting the NASA facilities at Cape Canaveral
Then hit Disney World for a few days. Orlando will be very hot in July so plan to spend days at the pool and the parks either very early or in the early evenings.
Hit some of these restaurants:
https://charlestonfoodbloggers.com/2...n-restaurants/
and...
http://experience.usatoday.com/ameri...ants/15668411/
Have a great trip!
As you head south out of NYC (early), I would plan to stop in Philadelphia for a couple of hours to see the sites, but would prefer to spend the night in Baltimore. (OR....you could detour from Philadelphia over to Gettysburg, PA for a night...before heading over to Baltimore. Gettysburg is the site of our most important Civil War battle....a REALLY interesting place that your kids will enjoy. Real Americana. There is also a "good but not great" amusement park in Hershey, PA along the way).
Baltimore has some great neighborhoods (Fell's Point and Canton) and well as a great aquarium. Also, eating Maryland crabs is an American tradition...so definitely plan for that). I love a little restaurant in Baltimore/Canton called "Mama's on the Half Shell." Baltimore Orioles (baseball) games are A LOT of fun.
Next you'll want to spend at least 2 days/3 nights in Washington. A GREAT city for kids. Also, unlike New York, most of the museums there are free. The museums are exhausting so don't plan to do more than 2-3 in a single day. I personally recommend the National Archives, The National Gallery of Art (be sure to hit the awesome gift shift on the way to the modern wing), The Air and Space Museum, the Museum of American History (was better before they remodeled) and the Museum of Natural History (be sure to check out one of the actual Easter Island Moai in rear of the Natural History Museum). And one thing that I HIGHLY recommend visiting on the way out of town is the Air and Space Museum Annex at Dulles Airport (I like it better than the one in DC). You will pass Dulles if you take hwy 66 west out of town, as you head down to Charlottesville, VA. You'll also have a chance to see the Washington Nationals (baseball) in case you missed the Yankees and/or Orioles.
Next, I would plan to spend the day in Charlottesville, VA...tour the UVA Campus and visit Monticello. Very pretty area.
Then I would hit the Blue Ridge Parkway (early) and head toward Asheville, NC. There are great stops along the way so you'll need to decide if you want to stay overnight somewhere (maybe Boone, NC so that you can visit GrandFather Mountain)....or make it all the way into Asheville. Note that Boone looks close to Asheville, but it takes longer on the Parkway.
You'll love Asheville. The Biltmore House (the largest private residence in America) is definitely worth visiting, but it is expensive. Also be sure to check out the Grove Park Inn. Walking downtown Asheville is a blast. Excellent food and one of America's great brewing towns. I recommend visiting the Sierra Nevada Brewery while you're there. They also have a fun minor league baseball team...the whole town really gets into it.
From Asheville, you have two options I think. You can either head south through Atlanta and then onto New Orleans. Or you can take I-26 from Asheville to Charleston, SC (only about 4 hours). From Charleston, you can also visit Hilton Head Island and Savannah as you continue South. Two really nice options to have, but I think I might recommend going toward Charleston (instead of AtL/NO). Charleston and Savannah are beautiful cities (and safer than New Orleans) and you will have access to some fantastic beaches in the area (esp at Hilton Head and/or the Georgia barrier islands south of Savannah). I think your kids would enjoy some beach time over visitng Atlanta. Also, the food in Charleston is amazing.
Jacksonville is "just a place" so I wouldn't spend time there. St. Augustine Florida (the oldest city in the United States) is definitely worth a quick detour. Your kids would also enjoy visiting the NASA facilities at Cape Canaveral
Then hit Disney World for a few days. Orlando will be very hot in July so plan to spend days at the pool and the parks either very early or in the early evenings.
Hit some of these restaurants:
https://charlestonfoodbloggers.com/2...n-restaurants/
and...
http://experience.usatoday.com/ameri...ants/15668411/
Have a great trip!
Apr 19th, 2016, 09:46 AM
#8
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And although I like my first recommendation (Blue Ridge Parkway) because I am a huge fan of Asheville, NC (and because temps will be more comfortable there during July)....I'm going to mention another excellent alternative, if you are looking for a more coastal trip (ie. fewer mountains) with another amusement park thrown in.
Instead of leaving Washington, DC and heading toward the Blue Ridge Parkway....you could head down I-95 to Richmond, Va. A great place to live, with wonderful neighborhoodss and restaurants....but not really a great tourist town. I recommend lunch at Millie's Diner in the Shockoe Bottom section of Richmond. You'll also want to drive through "Carytown" and maybe pop into the very interesting Hollywood Cemetary (resting place of several US Presidents and notable Confederates Jefferson Davis and Generals George Pickett and JEB Stuart).
From Richmond, head east out of town down Rte 5 (which becomes the John Tyler Memorial Parkway) toward Williamsburg. There are some beautiful plantations along the James River along (pick one for a nice stop). The Williamsburg area is one of the most historical regions in the US. Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary are beautiful. Nearby Jamestown was the first permanent British settlement in the US. And the battlefield at Yorktown is where the General Cornwallis surrended to end the American Revolution. ALSO....Busch Gardens is a very popular amusement park in the area.
From Busch Gardens, head south through the Tidewater area of Virginia. Virinia Beach/Norfolk is fun to drive through (you may want to stop to check out all of the battleships/carriers (US Atlantic Fleet is based there) but I wouldn't stay there.
Head south out of the Norfolk area into the Outer Banks of North Carolina (enter at Kitty Hawk). This is where the Wright Bros plane first flew. Head down the Outer Banks until you arrive in Ocracoke. Nags Head is the most built up of the towns there. Cape Hatteras is very interesting. There's a free/short ferry from Hatteras onto Ocracoke Island. A very beautiful area with a lot of nice beaches (watch for strong currents). You'll never make it all the way to Ocracoke from Norfolk in one day. Plan to spend the night in Nags Head, then maybe 2 nights in Ocrocoke.
Take the 2-1/2 hour ferry from Ocrocoke onto the mainland at Cedar Island. From there, continue into the Beaufort/Atlantic Beach/Morehead City area until you hit Hwy 17. Follow 17 south through Wilmington, NC (pretty waterfront), Myrtle Beach SC (VERY built up, tacky, and fun for the kids) and Charleston, etc. Also, be sure to pop over to the village of Calabash, NC (just before crossing into South Carolina) for some great seafood.
I think either of these two routes heading south from Washington, DC (Blue Ridge Pkwy to Asheville, NC or Outer Banks of NC continuing south on Hwy 17) is preferable to the mind-numbingly boring stretch of I-95 between Richmond and the Savannah, Ga area.
Have a great trip!
Instead of leaving Washington, DC and heading toward the Blue Ridge Parkway....you could head down I-95 to Richmond, Va. A great place to live, with wonderful neighborhoodss and restaurants....but not really a great tourist town. I recommend lunch at Millie's Diner in the Shockoe Bottom section of Richmond. You'll also want to drive through "Carytown" and maybe pop into the very interesting Hollywood Cemetary (resting place of several US Presidents and notable Confederates Jefferson Davis and Generals George Pickett and JEB Stuart).
From Richmond, head east out of town down Rte 5 (which becomes the John Tyler Memorial Parkway) toward Williamsburg. There are some beautiful plantations along the James River along (pick one for a nice stop). The Williamsburg area is one of the most historical regions in the US. Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary are beautiful. Nearby Jamestown was the first permanent British settlement in the US. And the battlefield at Yorktown is where the General Cornwallis surrended to end the American Revolution. ALSO....Busch Gardens is a very popular amusement park in the area.
From Busch Gardens, head south through the Tidewater area of Virginia. Virinia Beach/Norfolk is fun to drive through (you may want to stop to check out all of the battleships/carriers (US Atlantic Fleet is based there) but I wouldn't stay there.
Head south out of the Norfolk area into the Outer Banks of North Carolina (enter at Kitty Hawk). This is where the Wright Bros plane first flew. Head down the Outer Banks until you arrive in Ocracoke. Nags Head is the most built up of the towns there. Cape Hatteras is very interesting. There's a free/short ferry from Hatteras onto Ocracoke Island. A very beautiful area with a lot of nice beaches (watch for strong currents). You'll never make it all the way to Ocracoke from Norfolk in one day. Plan to spend the night in Nags Head, then maybe 2 nights in Ocrocoke.
Take the 2-1/2 hour ferry from Ocrocoke onto the mainland at Cedar Island. From there, continue into the Beaufort/Atlantic Beach/Morehead City area until you hit Hwy 17. Follow 17 south through Wilmington, NC (pretty waterfront), Myrtle Beach SC (VERY built up, tacky, and fun for the kids) and Charleston, etc. Also, be sure to pop over to the village of Calabash, NC (just before crossing into South Carolina) for some great seafood.
I think either of these two routes heading south from Washington, DC (Blue Ridge Pkwy to Asheville, NC or Outer Banks of NC continuing south on Hwy 17) is preferable to the mind-numbingly boring stretch of I-95 between Richmond and the Savannah, Ga area.
Have a great trip!
