Family Vacation Ideas - East Coast US - 7-16Dec'11
 

Hi All,

We're a family from Singapore with our 2 boys - 16 & 19yo, and have decided to do a family vacation on East Coast/US, starting from Washington DC from 7Dec to 16Dec, when we fly back from New York/JFK.

Clearly DC itself has so many options, I'ld appreciate any guidance on what we should cover/prioritise - where I've also thus far, secured tours into Capitol Hill and White House.

I'm comfortable to drive in US and keen to explore US/East Coast down south from DC, as we've done Boston to New York on a previous trip.

Its unfortutnate we'll be late for the fall colours BUT welcome advice, if it would still be interesting to go down toward Smokey Mountains ...etc.

Was also thinking to go down south all the way to Atlanta, on one route, before turning around on another, and making my way back to NY/JFK.

Would truly appreciate all ideas for stops along the broad route outline above as well as recommendations for moderately priced accomodations, along the same.

Thks & rgds,

amshah

See DC Smithsonian is especially awesome

then carrentals.com Front Royal Skyline Drive to

www.blueridgeparkway.org to Great Smokies NP

will be pretty some snow perhaps down to Atlanta

Hang a left to Savannah/Charleston back up via Myrtle Beach.

classic.mapquest.com directions distances

betterbidding.com for great priceline hotwire hotel deals

Have fun!

What do you think your kids would like to see? quovadis has given you some good suggestions, there is good hiking along the Appalachain Trail from Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway.

Alternatively, if you go down to Williamsburg you could see some Colonial history and give the kids a day at Six Flags. Then drive down the coast to the Outer Banks, or take the Bay Bridge/Tunnel north and stop at Chincoteague/Assateague.

I don't think you have enough time for all that driving, and to Atlanta from DC would not be particularly "wonderful". You have 9 days. Spending less than 4 in DC would be really missing a great city.
Williamsburg is a good idea. Maybe 2 days. So now you are down to 3 days left.
Go on to NYC and see that some more?

Maybe DC to Asheville to Charleston and back up? I95 is not much fun, but it's a straight shot back up to DC.

A lot of visitors to the US also think two different routes South from the mid Atlantic but the truth is that only the coastal route is interesting.

A one-way drive is a much better use of your time.

I would make your way South along the coast from DC and fly back to JFK from however south you plan to go. There are cheap flights to JFK from all cities down the Atlantic seaboard. Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Savannah GA and St. Augustine FL are all good stops. If your last stop is St. Augustine, you would fly back from Jacksonville.

I'll wait to hear exactly where you plan to go before recommending hotels...

Kentucky does share a border with Virginia, but we would be quite a distance out of your way on an east coast trip. The children should really enjoy Williamsburg, and I particularly love Charleston, SC.

bardo I disagree a little bit. The Shenandoah Valley and the Great Smokies are lovely.

They are, but in early December? I doubt it, the main reason people go there is for the trees and foliage and greenery. Nothing is that lovely in early December in this climate.

"with our 2 boys - 16 & 19yo,"

Makes all the difference in the world so cancel any thoughts about Charleston, the Shenandoah Valley, Savnannah, and even Williamsburg unless they are big US history buffs. (Six Flags isn't in the Williamsburg area, it's Busch Gardens and at that time of year most of the rides are closed and there are limited hours. http://www.christmastown.com/homepage.aspx)

If it were me and teen-aged boys, I'd do NYC and Miami or DC and Miami.

The OP has already been to NY. But I agree that the DC-Williamsburg-Charleston route might be a little heavy on US history for two teenagers.

Amshah, if you can give us a better idea of what you and your boys are interested in, you'll get better suggestions.

If you spend four days in DC - easy to do - you really only have from the 11th to the 16th for driving around, in an area that's much less compact than NY-Boston.

If Atlanta holds special interest for some reason I would give up on the coast, and drive down through VA/NC. If you wanted a *little* US history along the way you could stop in Charlottesville VA to see Monticello. You might also stop in Asheville NC and go to the Biltmore Estate, which is supposed to be quite wonderful during the holiday season.

Birdie's suggestion of Miami is also a possibility; there are frequent, often reasonably priced flights between DC and Miami. And then you could drive down to the FL Keys.

Hello ALL,

THANK YOU very much for all your inputs, and sorry I've not replied earlier, as was away on a biz trip.

I realize I was not clear, but we actually land in DC/Dulles on Sat/3Dec/pm; and I had already planned 4 Full days in DC till Wed/7Dec; AND only thereafter to start from 8Dec the trip possibly towards Atlanta...etc & having to be back to NYC/JFK on Fri/16Dec, evening flight home!

We've already previously travelled up North, from Boston to NYC/NJ, covering all of that area/attractions there, in the past. Similarly we've done a full 2 wk vacation across all of Florida from Orlando down to Miami/Florida Keys.

Why down towards Atlanta ? - thinking that "World of Coca-Cola", will be something my boys will SURELY relate to!

It's true they don't have and will likely not be too interested in US History, in too much detail, and hecne could give a miss to the same.

We are all for hikes, nature parks..etc BUT not sure if the temp then in Dec - I read sub 10C(?), might be too cold for the same?


Will continue to appreciate all further advice/guidance you can provide.

Cheers/ Atul