We (2 adults) would like to travel the East Coast next July for 10 days. Can't decide between road trip Miami to Philadelphia or a loop north of New York. Short breaks on a beach would be nice, we
prefer no to get stuck in traffic jams and big crowds .

I am looking forward to your recommendations.

Thanks from Switzerland

Daniel

<or a loop north of New York>

Do you mean the New England states?

Sorry for my sloppy words. I meant the New England States. We have the optiin to start and finish in Boston.

I think it depends on whether you like lobster, clams and scallops or crab. Maine also has oysters and mussels. Shrimp might be better in southern states (one October we watch someone fishing for shrimp in Beaufort SC).

Southern Maine is only a couple of hours from Boston and that part of Maine tends to be crowded but has nice, sandy beaches. Portland has some terrific restaurants as well has some lovely parks with wonderful views of Casco Bay. I usually recommend the boat trips from Portsmouth NH however. The harbor is interesting but I like inland rivers the best.

We usually vacation in the mid-coast Maine area. Too bad we don't like oysters because there are some boat trips to sample oysters in the Damariscotta River. You will also find several different places where you can take a boat trip to see lighthouses. The trick to avoiding crowds is to skip the popular tourist places like Boothbay Harbor and go someplace else. I like to visit Maine for a 4th of July parade. Bath has a nice big traditional parade with a craft fair and other events. Instead of going to fancy restaurants for lobster we go to lobster shacks and eat at picnic tables. Sometimes, there are only a few tables of other customers. No long lines such as the ones at Red's Eats in Wiscasset. We like staying in rustic cottages although the one this year was a little too remote (no tv, cell phone or internet reception). I like to go on garden tours. This year was Munjoy Hill neighborhood of Portland. Some very nice private gardens are open to the public during the Garden Conservancy's Open Garden Days. I'm looking at possibly going to York ME for one that is later in July. York beach (southern ME) will be crowded. A private garden in York Harbor will not be. Open Garden Days is a national project with garden tours in many states.

I think Kittery ME is a good example of crowded and uncrowded Maine. It's the first coastal town after you cross into Maine from NH. Rt 1 is crowded and busy with outlet shopping but if you go to the Kittery Point area, it's much quieter and residential plus has a couple of good restaurants. You can then avoid traveling on Rt 1 to York by taking a back country state highway.

I don't think a would enjoy the humidity in FL in July. I was in Daytona in mid-May and that was hot enough.

A road trip from Miami to Philadelphia in July would not appeal to me. It will be very hot and very humid.

I would pick a route from Boston.

If you have options in flights and can fly into one city and out of the other that would be a way to save on back tracking. Flying into NYC and stay a few days to explore, hop on a train and get off in Boston and explore. Take the ferry to Martha's Vineyard or rent a car and head to Cape Cod. Then fly out of Boston back home. On Cape Cod there are a dozen towns each with their own flavor - water is still chilly in July but take a deep breath and jump in. Bike Trails abound where you can rent and ride to one of the beaches. A couple of hotel suggestions - Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham Inn, Ocean's Edge, Captain's Inn House, Skaket Beach Motel are all places we have stayed and rate highly, mind you the rates are high due to summer demand, but are located in great spots.
Have a great journey!