Neil

My husband and I are planning on a four day driving vacation from NJ starting July 4th. We are new to the country and would appreciate any ideas. Maine or Virginia are some ideas floating around.

Ted

I think it would be tough to do Virginia and Maine in 4 days from New Jersey. I'd pick one over the other.

Lisa

My husband and I once did a b&b vacation driving from PA to Virginia and we had a lovely time. We stopped in the Shenendoah National Park, then Charlottesville, next Williamsburg and then drove up to Annapolis MD. I think we had a week, but you could modify that itinerery. I find driving to New England in the summer too congested.

Clousie

If you could give me some idea of what you'd like to see or do, I could probably offer some suggestions.

City or country; sports; historical sights; natural beauty, ocean (probably not on 4th of July weekend!) mountains??????

Beth

It's a beautiful - and appropriate - time of year to explore New England! You could make a loop through western Mass, Vermont, New Hampshire, over to the coast, and Boston using Routes 91, 89, and 95. It's a lot for 4 days, but highlights could include Yankee Candle Factory and Christmas shop, St. Gaudens on the VT/NH line, overnight in Hanover, the Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum in Warner, Portsmouth (NH), overnight in Ports area, Newburyport (MA), Boston, overnight in Boston area, and maybe even one final extra stop in Newport, RI before heading home!

me

Maine is nice. Too bad the foliage isn't at it's peak this time of year. Maine has lots of outlets. Especially in Kittery. You could always stop in Boston first. I live here and when the weathers nice, theres alot to do. Go to Digitalcityboston.com and look up ideas. Or digitalcity______com. You pick the city.

GOL

Beth's New England route is a good one, and would be my suggestion.

If you need a theme, try American History. Go to one of the National Park Service properties in Jersey, like Morristown Nat. Historic Park, and pick up a $1.50 map of the sites in the USA. New England is filled with history.

The other nice thing about New England is that you don't have to travel a long time to see something new or unique. Whereas in Virginia or further south it may take a 1/2 day or so to change area.

If you go to NE, avoid going thru NYC and CT along I-95, instead head up further West of NYC into NY then cut over East. Also, take time off the Interstates and take smaller roads once you are in NE.

Paul

Portsmouth NH and Southern ME are within a day's reach, and make a nice trip. Williamsburg VA will be about 6-7 hrs, and you can also visit Jamestown while there. Another trip taking about the same amount of time to drive is to Montreal - it's a great city to visit and a relative bargain with current exchange rates.

Susan

Virginia will be hotter than New England but you can skip the traffic and have a nice drive if you go down the Eastern Shore. Take the ferry from Cape May to Lewes, DE then go 113 to 13 and across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (a sight in itself) You can stay overnight in Chincoteague and then go on to VA Beach or Williamsburg. Williamsburg to the ferry is 4 1/2 hours.

UShould

I vote for Boston. So much to see and do. Many historical sightseeing options, great resteraunts and shopping. If you go, be sure to see the Boston Pops and walk the freedom trail!

Owen O'Neill

If you're looking for a relaxed pace and some scenic beauty, a good itnierary could be routed through the Finger Lakes region and back down. Lots of lovely scenery in the lakes areas and one could swing up to Niagara Falls for a day. Suggested stops might include Ithaca NY, a Finger Lakes winery or two, the Strong Museum and/or George Eastman House in Rochester, the Corning Glass Museum in Corning, and the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo. Ithaca, in particular, has some great dining options and much beautiful scenery.

Philip

There are some great places in NJ! You might want to spend a few days in Cape May and then a few days further up "the Shore". Cape May has plenty of B&B's. In central Jersey, the Grenville Hotel in Bay Head is a great old Victorian.
If you are intent to go elsewhere, Newport, RI is great and an easy 4 hour drive. In Virginia, you can make Williamsburg in about 5 hours, depending on what part of NJ.
Given when you are going, you may want to make reservations as it will be a big holiday weekend. Have fun!