Savannah to RIchmond to DC via BlueRidge Parkway & Skyline Drive
May 24th, 2011, 01:52 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Savannah to RIchmond to DC via BlueRidge Parkway & Skyline Drive
Hi guys
I would like some feedback on the following Itinerary:
Saturday 5th Nov Arrive in Savannah early am by train from overnight NY train - day sightseeing and overnight in Savannah.
Sunday 6th Nov Rent Car & Drive to Charleston & sights along the way
Monday 7th Nov Day in Charleston then onight train to Richmond
Tuesday 8th Nov Arrive 4:45 am - Day sightseeing - onight in RIchmond
Wed 9th Nov Charlettsville/Monticello, and allpoints to Lexington - BlueRidge Parkway from Lexington to Staunton - onight in Staunton
Thu 10th Nov Depart early - Staunton to DC via Skyline Drive - Arrive DC PM
- Any recommendations for hotel in Richmond / Staunton ?
The main reason for doing bits of the parkway & Skyline Drv is for the scenary, and hopefully there will be some fall leaves to view (depending on elevation?) Does anyone know how long it would take to get from Staunton (via waynsboro entrance to skyline drive) to Washington DC ? I could do a section of it, then take an exit onto the #81 & to DC that way - any thoughts on which part of the skyline would be the best?
Also, what are your thoughts on Lexington Vs Staunton Vs Harrisonberg
I have tried mapquest etc, but I cant seem to get any indication of travel times via parkway/skyline drive.
I realise you guys might think i am crazy, but here in Australia we are accustomed to driving great distances to get anywhere. It is the travel time that worries me, as we are allowed to travel at 70miles per hour on the highway over here, but I understand you are restricted to 55mph? Also, with the parkway/skyline distance isnt the issue, it is how long it takes to drive, which I cant seem to get any info on.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Len
from Australia
I would like some feedback on the following Itinerary:
Saturday 5th Nov Arrive in Savannah early am by train from overnight NY train - day sightseeing and overnight in Savannah.
Sunday 6th Nov Rent Car & Drive to Charleston & sights along the way
Monday 7th Nov Day in Charleston then onight train to Richmond
Tuesday 8th Nov Arrive 4:45 am - Day sightseeing - onight in RIchmond
Wed 9th Nov Charlettsville/Monticello, and allpoints to Lexington - BlueRidge Parkway from Lexington to Staunton - onight in Staunton
Thu 10th Nov Depart early - Staunton to DC via Skyline Drive - Arrive DC PM
- Any recommendations for hotel in Richmond / Staunton ?
The main reason for doing bits of the parkway & Skyline Drv is for the scenary, and hopefully there will be some fall leaves to view (depending on elevation?) Does anyone know how long it would take to get from Staunton (via waynsboro entrance to skyline drive) to Washington DC ? I could do a section of it, then take an exit onto the #81 & to DC that way - any thoughts on which part of the skyline would be the best?
Also, what are your thoughts on Lexington Vs Staunton Vs Harrisonberg
I have tried mapquest etc, but I cant seem to get any indication of travel times via parkway/skyline drive.
I realise you guys might think i am crazy, but here in Australia we are accustomed to driving great distances to get anywhere. It is the travel time that worries me, as we are allowed to travel at 70miles per hour on the highway over here, but I understand you are restricted to 55mph? Also, with the parkway/skyline distance isnt the issue, it is how long it takes to drive, which I cant seem to get any info on.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Len
from Australia
May 24th, 2011, 03:00 AM
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Staunton (via waynsboro entrance to skyline drive) to Washington DC ? I could do a section of it, then take an exit onto the #81 & to DC that way - any thoughts on which part of the skyline would be the best?"--Skyline Drive with stops is 5 hours. to DC- best guess is 8 hours. Skyline Drive is 105 miles and the speed limit is 35 miles per hour. Best part is probably around Skyland.
May 24th, 2011, 03:29 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The leaves will be long gone unfortunately. And the speed limit on the Skyline Drive is 35MPH and the distance is 105 miles total
.http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisi...line-drive.htm
I haven't been on it recently but further down on the Blue Ridge Parkway you sometimes run the risk of the clouds totally obscuring the views--and you riding over the clouds. Just a thought to watch the weather a little.
.http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisi...line-drive.htm
I haven't been on it recently but further down on the Blue Ridge Parkway you sometimes run the risk of the clouds totally obscuring the views--and you riding over the clouds. Just a thought to watch the weather a little.
May 24th, 2011, 05:55 AM
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are used to driving great distances too. That's why I recommend you keep the car and drive from Charleston to Richmond rather than take the train. It will take you half the time and you can go 70 mph on parts of I95. The trains here are slow and often late.
Gretchen is right. The leaves will be way long gone by November. It's a pretty drive though.
Gretchen is right. The leaves will be way long gone by November. It's a pretty drive though.
May 24th, 2011, 06:13 AM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you may be hard put to get a train from Savannah to Richmond that stops at Main Street Station, but I could be wrong. We generally are going north from Staples Mills Station, and I know the Florida trains stop there. It is an easy taxi ride to Staples Mills from the center of the city, where, I presume, you will be picking up your rental car.
Downtown Richmond is often pretty boring and sometimes sadly declined, but people usually get good rates at the Omni on Priceline.
The Museum District is worth a visit for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a very fine small museum, free to the public, and the Virginia Historical Society Museum and Library. Between the two is the United Daughters of the Confederacy Museum. Also well worth seeing, though in an odd neighborhood, is Holywood Cemetery, with outstanding views over the James River and lots of historic graves, including Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, and General J.E.B Stuart, the cavalry leader who died a legend at 33.
On Boulevard, across Broad Street from the museums, is Buzz 'n' Ned's Barbecue, the best local purveyor of BBQ and traditional side dishes. For dinner, the area between the museums and downtown is full of small restaurants. Pick up a copy of Style, the local arts and entertainment weekly paper, for recommendations.
There is lots more, but you really don't have time to do it.
Nov 9 is way too ambitious. It is an hour and a half minimum from Richmond to Monticello, and you can only tour at designated times, beginning around 10. You can get there earlier, but you are more likely to get behind school groups, who come early. Allow 2.5 hours at Monticello, and it is absolutely worth every minute. Each guide prepares his own talk, so you can go again and again and have a somewhat different tour each time. Parking is not easy in Charlottesville owing to the University being in session, but it is worth finding a visitor's lot to see the Rotunda and Lawn.
I prefer Lexington to Staunton and both to Harrisonburg. Lexington is a charming town that is home to both Washington and Lee University (burial site of Robert E Lee) and the Virginia Military Institute. The mountains in this area are lovely. I would overnight there; there are plenty of good places to eat.
On your drive to Washington, I would alternate among the mountaintop Skyline Drive and the valley routes, US 17 and Interstate 81. If you got to VMI, be sure to stop while traveling north at the site of the Battle of New Market. There the cadets of the Institute, 15 TO 21 years old, marched into withering fire from Union forces and with raw courage broke the Union advance and turned it into a retreat. See the article in Wikipedia for a quick overview. It was a kind of American Rorke's Drift.
From Monticello into Charlottesville itself, at least to the University area, is another 25 minutes.
Downtown Richmond is often pretty boring and sometimes sadly declined, but people usually get good rates at the Omni on Priceline.
The Museum District is worth a visit for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a very fine small museum, free to the public, and the Virginia Historical Society Museum and Library. Between the two is the United Daughters of the Confederacy Museum. Also well worth seeing, though in an odd neighborhood, is Holywood Cemetery, with outstanding views over the James River and lots of historic graves, including Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, and General J.E.B Stuart, the cavalry leader who died a legend at 33.
On Boulevard, across Broad Street from the museums, is Buzz 'n' Ned's Barbecue, the best local purveyor of BBQ and traditional side dishes. For dinner, the area between the museums and downtown is full of small restaurants. Pick up a copy of Style, the local arts and entertainment weekly paper, for recommendations.
There is lots more, but you really don't have time to do it.
Nov 9 is way too ambitious. It is an hour and a half minimum from Richmond to Monticello, and you can only tour at designated times, beginning around 10. You can get there earlier, but you are more likely to get behind school groups, who come early. Allow 2.5 hours at Monticello, and it is absolutely worth every minute. Each guide prepares his own talk, so you can go again and again and have a somewhat different tour each time. Parking is not easy in Charlottesville owing to the University being in session, but it is worth finding a visitor's lot to see the Rotunda and Lawn.
I prefer Lexington to Staunton and both to Harrisonburg. Lexington is a charming town that is home to both Washington and Lee University (burial site of Robert E Lee) and the Virginia Military Institute. The mountains in this area are lovely. I would overnight there; there are plenty of good places to eat.
On your drive to Washington, I would alternate among the mountaintop Skyline Drive and the valley routes, US 17 and Interstate 81. If you got to VMI, be sure to stop while traveling north at the site of the Battle of New Market. There the cadets of the Institute, 15 TO 21 years old, marched into withering fire from Union forces and with raw courage broke the Union advance and turned it into a retreat. See the article in Wikipedia for a quick overview. It was a kind of American Rorke's Drift.
From Monticello into Charlottesville itself, at least to the University area, is another 25 minutes.
May 24th, 2011, 06:40 AM
#8
The earlier the better on the Skyline Drive. Train from New York to Washington, rent the car and make the loop West on I66 to Front Royal VA, south on Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Pkwy to Buena Vista and Lexington. Stay in Lexington or Staunton. There should be no problem finding lodging that late in the season. Take the car back to DC and continue on the train to Savannah and rent you car there for the southern part of your trip.
May 29th, 2011, 06:20 PM
#9
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
we stayed at the Old Staunton Inn http://oldestauntoninn.com/ a very nice B&B in the historic district--lots of nice restaurants,and very close to the Shakespeare theater in Staunton-- we were there off season as well and got a room below market by waiting till last minute to stay there--you may not have that luxury.We also loved Monticello pronounced "montichello" and loved it.You could just drive a section of the Blue Ridge--it is a tediuos drive , and drive 81 mainly. I think leaves will be gone by then.
you should try and stop by beaufort between Sav and Chareslton Its soo differnt than the bigger towns,and gives you a definite Deep South feel to it "the movie "the Great Santini" was filmed there--you could rent it to get a feel for the areaI agree with suewoo-keep the car,forget the train.I dont think theres much to see in Richmond--youd enjoy a day in Beaufort more. One more bit of advice, youre kind of rushing thru seeing savnnah and charleston--if this is your first trip, id pick one of them and stay longer--id pick Savanah, its such a unique town--stay at Planters Inn, eat at the Pink house, have breakfast beignets at Hueys on the river, go to the graveyard,visit a few old houses--most of all have fun
you should try and stop by beaufort between Sav and Chareslton Its soo differnt than the bigger towns,and gives you a definite Deep South feel to it "the movie "the Great Santini" was filmed there--you could rent it to get a feel for the areaI agree with suewoo-keep the car,forget the train.I dont think theres much to see in Richmond--youd enjoy a day in Beaufort more. One more bit of advice, youre kind of rushing thru seeing savnnah and charleston--if this is your first trip, id pick one of them and stay longer--id pick Savanah, its such a unique town--stay at Planters Inn, eat at the Pink house, have breakfast beignets at Hueys on the river, go to the graveyard,visit a few old houses--most of all have fun
May 30th, 2011, 05:00 AM
#10
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bigbomoho, you may not think there is much in Richmond, but you are wrong.
What you see of Richmond from I-95 and I-64 in no way represents the riches of this fascinating city. I have now visited regularly for six years and have spent Jan-April there for the past three years and still have two dozen sites and probably 35 restaurants on my must-do list.
What you see of Richmond from I-95 and I-64 in no way represents the riches of this fascinating city. I have now visited regularly for six years and have spent Jan-April there for the past three years and still have two dozen sites and probably 35 restaurants on my must-do list.
May 30th, 2011, 07:48 AM
#11
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
didnt mean any harm--i was just saying on a first trip to US hes rushing thru and might consider Richmond next time--ive been there several times-- i like Pittsburgh too,but wouldnt go there my first trip to US--sorry if i insulted you
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AnnMarie_C
United States
10
Oct 15th, 2012 12:10 PM
