SusieR

I'm going to NYC for a friend's wedding in early May 2010 and, as I've been before, would like to see a few other parts of the US while I'm there. So I'm planning to fly to NYC, do a 3 or 4 day road or train trip (max 4-5 hours travelling per day), go to the wedding and then fly back to London from NYC.

Could anyone recommend some places to visit to help with my initial research? I realise this is a very broad question so just to tell you that I like pretty scenery (countryside, mountains, lakes, pretty towns and villages) and good restaurants (both fancy and homely).

Thanks in advance!

ellenem

the Adirondacks in early May might be a mound of snow, slush, or mud--it's a bit too early for a quality visit. The Hudson River valley make for a lovely few days that would include your scenic interests and good restaurants.

From NYC, city options by train for that amount of time include Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

J62

Here's my 2p on the Adirondacks.
There are basically 3 different parts of the Adirondacks.

1. Towns/Lakes on the east. This includes Lake George (not technically in the Adirondacks yet, but close enough), and Lake Placid.
2. The vast, open high country (very undeveloped),
3. Smaller/Med sized lakes w/ cabins, and small towns.

Visiting #1 is what I would recommend for you. #2 is for serious campers/hikers, and #3 is for those looking for a quiet few days or a week on a lake in the woods.

The weather in early May can be beautiful, or it can be cool and rainy.

There is a lot of pretty scenery, countryside, mtns, lakes, pretty towns and villages closer to NYC than Lake Placid. I wouldn't strike it from your list just yet, but I'd not put that tops on my list to start.

Here's a route you could take, requires a car which you can rent in NYC.

Day 1. From NYC drive north and visit the Hudson Valley. If you want to see some historic mansions (historic from US perspective, not UK) let us know and we can recommend. If not we'll just skip over that part.

I like the Storm King Art Center - it's a 1000 acre outdoor sculpture park for large sculpture. www.stormking.org. It's a pretty setting. About 45min - 60min from NYC.

From there drive a little further North. The walkway over the Hudson River will be opening up in 3 weeks to celebrated the 400th anniv of Henry Hudson's arrival on the river. http://walkway.org/ It's a big, old (1880's) RR bridge spanning the Hudson, about 200+ feet over the river, recently converted to a pedestrian walkway. Views (of the river valley) from there will be great.

Then proceed on to the small town of Rhinebeck. Stay in a B&B or the hotel Beekman Arms. Several very good restaurants in the village of Rhinebeck. Or have dinner at the nearby Culinary Institute of America, about 15min south of Rhinebeck. Total drive time less than 2 - 2.5 hrs

Day 2. Drive north to Saratoga Springs NY, sample the mineral water in town or at the state park outside town. There may be a performance at the Saratoga Perf Arts Center (outdoor amphitheater), - early May might be before the season opens though. www.spac.org. Proceed on to Lake George - another 30min north. It's a summer vacation lake, so it'll be quiet in May. Take a boat ride on the lake to soak in the mountain lake atmosphere - www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com/

There are numerous basic hotels in Lake George village, or the very nice Sagamore Inn www.thesagamore.com.

Total drive time 2 - 2.5hrs

Day 3. Circle back south through southern Vermont and western Massachussets. (the Bershires). There are several pretty villages. I'm less familiar with areas. Notable towns (all small) include Bennington in VT and Williamstown, Adams, Lee, and some others in Mass.. Other posters can give you info about these towns. There are several interesting museums in that area, including the Norman Rockwell Museum and another on the Williams College Museum of Art (modern/contemporary art) www.wcma.org/

total drive time less than 2hrs.

Day 4. Fill in more to do or return to NYC. (2hrs without stops) -

There are many other possible routes - I've just given you a few ideas to get you started.

yk

I like pretty scenery (countryside, mountains, lakes, pretty towns and villages)

This doesn't sound like Boston is for you; unless you're thinking of heading to Boston and then immediately leave for the either Berkshires (Western Mass) or to New Hampshire.

Early May can still quite cool and chilly in New England. Also, exactly how early is "Early May"? May is commencement month in Boston. Most of them occur in the 2nd/3rd weekend of May. Hotels are super-expensive during that time as tens of thousands of family and friends of graduating students descend into Boston.

kgh8m

I couldn't agree with J62 more. Saratoga Springs has a wonderful, quaint but upscale feel and cute shops, and Lake George is gorgeous. A great counterpoint to NYC.

Boston is also a great city, but it is a city and it might be easier to make it there in the future.

nytraveler

I agree with the Hudson River Valley and perhaps as far as Saratoga. but you should realize that NY - esp upstate - is much colder than London - with a real winter. So early May is when the trees in NYC and the Hudson Valley are just coming into leaf and the early flowers are out. If you go too far north you'll likely find lots of mud, some trees in bud, but not leaf yet - and not much in the way of flowers. flowering trees.

For more of a spring feel you may want to head south to DC - which has a ton of things to see and do - and perhaps see some o f the countryside - which will be greener - on the way.

isabel

As others said it may be a bit early for the Adirondacks. But I live in Western Massachusetts and early May is delightful here. I would go up the Hudson Valley, then over to the Berkshires (and maybe further over to the Pioneer Valley), then back down through the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. It should be pretty green in all that area and it's full of "countryside, hills, lakes, pretty towns and villages". Plus even the furthest (Pioneer Valley) is still less than 4 hours from the city.

SusieR

Thanks for your replies. I didn't realise the weather wouldn't be so good in early May (we'll be there 2-6 May) so I think we'll give the Adirondacks a miss and look into Connecticut!

ellenem

I've experienced 12 inches of snow on May 18 in the southern Adirondacks 40 minutes from Saratoga . . . you never know.

TheTravelMaven

Susie -

You might consider the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. You could rent a car and tour from NYC throughout the Finger Lakes and also make a stop at Niagara Falls. This region has all of the highlights you're looking for, and by May, you should have decent weather. You don't say exactly when you're coming in May, but the Lilac Festival in Rochester runs from May 14-23, 2010 and is lots of fun. For more information about the Finger Lakes and some things to do, visit:

www.travelmaven.wordpress.com (my blog about the Finger Lakes)
www.visitfingerlakes.org
www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com
http://www.visitfingerlakes.com

FingerLakes4Life

I agree with TheTravelMaven. The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is the way to go.

You said "I like pretty scenery (countryside, mountains, lakes, pretty towns and villages) and good restaurants (both fancy and homely)."

We have 11 pristine finger-shaped lakes, over 1,000 waterfalls, 117 wineries with gorgeous vineyards, quaint villages and B&B's, and unique dining options that focus on the slow-food movement and cooking gourmet foods with local ingredients.

Do yourself a favor and visit www.FingerLakes.org for more information!