here's what we're looking for, we're an active couple and our dog who like to hike and eat. we are looking for something not more than a 10 hour drive from New York. We like eating seafood from both seafood shacks and nice gourmet restaurants. we would like some sort of a town area nearby where we can walk around and have a good selection of restaurants and some decent hiking, just for short day hikes. we love maine and have been going there for the past few years but are looking for something different to try - even somewhere still in Maine but besides bar harbor or mid coast area which we have been going to. Thanks!

Hi gigi,

I read this with interest because we've tried to find someplace else, too!

I think Bar Harbor/Acadia has us spoiled: we haven't found another place will ALL the pluses, and I once opened up the question to the whole country, althought the doggie wouldn't get to come along if it wasn't within car distance...

~Liz

What about Newport RI?

Chincoteague, VA, is nice and would probably meet your requirements. It shouldn't be more than six or seven hours from NYC, the seafood is excellent, and rather different from that served in Maine, and the town is lovely. There are nice shops, good hiking in the nature reserves, and of course, the feral ponies. And if you like honky tonk, Ocean City, MD is only an hour or so away.

Jackson NH in the middle of the White mountains.Paul

Expand the Newport RI suggestion to include some of the more rural/seaside locations in southern RI - not that anything is very far in RI

It was a few years ago, so I don't recall the length of the drive, but I think it was under 10 hours - we had a great time around Lake George in the Adirondacks. It isn't as beautiful as Maine, but the drive is shorter.

My first hunch was Bar Harbor, Maine...until I read the end of your thread. We go there every year and have yet to find a more perfect place for us.

Our second choice are the White Mountains. The Conway area is beautiful and boasts plenty of outdoor activities. We are also hikers who travel with our two German Shepherds, and have found the area meets our needs. Can't vouch for the seafood.

I look forward to seeing other replies.

Would second the opinion for Lake George. Plenty to do around there and definitely a good selection of restaurants

thanks everyone for the suggestions. we are still mulling it over. Someone else mentioned Asheville, NC in addition to these posts though it may be a bit more than 10 hours. We may try and find something central in NH so we can try and check different areas out. I think Maine has the food we like though as far as seafood shacks there probably aren't much of those inland NH. Appreciate the suggestions I will keep you posted.