Hi- I am planning a summer vacation for next July. I looking for a nice cool temperature destination within a 10 hour drive of Washington DC. Preferably a high altitude mountain destination or a beach destination if it has cooler temperatures. I have been to much of Maine (coast and interior), different parts of New England (including Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts), Upstate New York (Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls), much of West Virginia including Canaan Valley, Shenandoah National Park in VA, Outer Banks of NC, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park including Gatlinburg, TN. I am very much into the outdoors. And am basically looking for a place that will be a cool relief from the summer temperatures in Washington DC. The only real beach destination im considering is Cape Cod, if that doesn't get too hot in July. I heard the water is cold there, but don't know what the temps are like. I know Outer Banks gets hot and sticky even though it is the beach. The only place that would be cool on the coast would probably be Maine, which I have been to several times unless Cape Cod is almost as cool. As far as mountain destinations that sound good is the Adirondacks of NY like around Lake Placid, the White Mountains of New Hampshire (been through but haven't spent any time there), Vermont (Ditto), Catskills of NY, or somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southern VA/Western NC. I am sort of leaning towards the Blue Ridge Parkway because that gets pretty high elevation in NC. Im looking at like Blowing Rock or Boone. Also, I took a trip to New York/New England last summer, so might want to go somewhere south this summer. But, as far as something up north, im sort of leaning towards the Adirondacks or Catskills. I have also spent a night in the Berkshires of MA, so i ve been there. Is there any places in PA that stay cool during the summer? Or what about the mountains of Northern Georgia?
Thanks-

If you would fly, the Canadian Rockies are a superb summer vacation destination.

I would love to fly somewhere and have always wanted to goto the Canadian Rockies, however, I have dogs and don't want to leave, so im limited to somewhere I can drive. So, im basically limited to the east coast and I don't want to drive anywhere over 10 hours.

Cape Cod could be hot and humid or it could be cool. You never know. It will also be busy there. The water at the Cape never gets very warm (maybe it gets to 70)

The Blue Ridge Parkway region would be a good choice. Besides cool temperatures, what else are you seeking?

Outdoor Recreation, peace and quiet. I wouldn't have considered Cape Cod if it wasn't for the National Seashore it has there with the trails and wild beaches.

Cape Cod is the perfect summer destination! Warm days, cool nights and long, lovely stretches of sandy beaches without another soul in sight are indeed possible to find.

The wild Atlantic Ocean beaches of the National Seashore are lifeguard protected in some areas, but not all. These more remote beaches, easily accessed after a short walk from the crowds, offer the chance to really experience the beauty of the Cape. Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown all have gorgeous NS beaches.

The Cape Cod Bay beaches have long lowtides perfect for clamming (with a license), walking, kids, or just digging in the sand. The Nantucket Sound beaches of Chatham, Harwich, Dennis are warmer, more crowded, but very child friendly. You can also take a boat out to Monomoy Island for the day and pretend to be on a deserted island.

For something completely different, you can try to arrange to stay in an antique lighthouse on Monomoy. Overnight stays had been suspended in 2009 due to vandalism, but you might try calling them now to see what the status is: The Friends of Monomoy: (508) 945-0594

You can also stay at the Race Point Lighthouse in Provincetown:

http://bandb.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1...ighthouse.net/

For a really good overview of the Cape, read Kim Grant's guidebook:

http://www.kimgrant.com/about_kim/index.html

PA - Allegheny National Forest? Kinzua Dam area? Presque Isle (Erie)?

What type of accommodation are you looking for?

The beautiful 1000 Islands on the St. Lawrence River. You can rent cottages on the river and there are many things to do such as: Antique Boat Museum, Handweaving and Textile Museum and many quaint shops along the river in Clayton, NY - Boat tours through the islands (Millionaires Row) from Alexandria Bay (which take you to Boldt Castle and Singer Castle), French Festival in Cape Vincent (a yearly celebration of the French culture including bread and pastry carts, parade, band competitions). The river and islands are beautiful IMO.

Looking for s cabin in the mountains or a small beach houses. Mostly interested in outdoor stuff like hiking trails and scenery. I know the Cape Cod NS has hiking and stuff.

Why not check vrbo.com or weneedavaction.com for cottage rentals in Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro or Provincetown? You might luck out and find a rental in the National Seashore.

Central Maine/Baxter State Park area?

I do not think the Cape is going to provide what you seek. While the outer Cape (Truro, Wellfleet) is usually cooler, July can be quite hot. Beaches tend to be quite crowded unless you can get a resident pass (sometimes thru cottage rental) and when it rains the entire Cape turns into a traffic jam of screaming kids. There are some ponds and a few short hiking trails, and old Cape Cod Railway path is a bike path.

I think you are looking for more solitude, natural beauty without crowds than much of the Cape can offer. That said, if you rented a cottage not on the beach/in the woods on the Cape and did not venture out to the main roads, it can be quite tranquil. Truro/Wellfleet area is much less commercial than the rest of the Cape.

i have actually been up in central maine before in the Moosehead Lake area. And yes, Im looking into the truro/wellfleet area as it is the most convienent to everything I want to see, especially the National Seashore. But, yes natural beauty without crowds is what im looking for. Plus, they have some trails and lighthouses there that interest me.

In 12 hours you can reach northern Michigan. It is beyond beautiful and not crowded.

Thats a idea. Do they have black fly season up there? The first week of July?

Natural beauty without crowds is tough to find on Cape Cod in the high summer season but your best chance will be in the lower Cape towns (Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown).What kind of trails are you seeing up there? The biking rail trail is great on the Cape. (but you won't be alone.)

We spent a week in Lake George New York and it is a lovely area - we were there in August of 2008 - my daughter still talks about wanting to go back. There were a lot of thunder storms not sure if that is common weather or not. We boated, horseback rode and enjoyed the scenery. We rented a house on the lake.

Theres a bunch of natural trails within the National Seashore. I think one goes to a spring where the pilgrims got there water. And also I would be looking for the least crowded section of beaches. I am not looking to swim or spend all day on the beach. I tend to spend an hour on the beach exploring the dunes and walking around and taking in the natural beauty then move onto other things.

However, I have kind of decided that I want to travel to a high elevation mountain area. Im still considering Cape Cod. But, mountain destinations im looking at are like:
White Mountains, NH
Green Mountains, VT
Adirondacks, NY
Berkshires,MA
Catskills,NY
West Virginia
Southern Virginia (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Western North Carolina Mountains like the Blue Ridge Parkway region)
North Georgia Mountains

Okay, ive been through the White Mountains of New Hampshire including the Kamacamagus Highway and Ive driven through a portion of the White Mountains of Vermont too. So, i ve seen some of those places. I have also driven through a portion of the Berkshires of MA, which is also very beautiful. I have not been to,however, the Catskills or Adirondacks in New York. I have been to many places in West Virginia including Fayetteville/New River Gorge area and Canaan Valley/Seneca Rocks. I haven't been to the Cass or Snowshoe area. But, wondering if theres anything to do there? As far as Western North Carolina, I have vacationed in the Great Smokey Mountains and stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Didn't really go into North Carolina much, other than a side trip to Asheville. I have not seen any of the Blue Ridge Parkway. So, im looking at the Boone and Blowing Rock areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Mount Rogers area of Virginia. I am also looking at the North Georgia Mountains like around Dahlonega and Brasstown Bald. But, basically just looking for a high elevation mountain area either in New England, New York or South.

Narrowed it down further. Heres the mountain destinations im looking at:
Adirondacks (Lake George, Lake Placid,Saranac Lake, Old Forge etc)
White Mountains
West Virginia
Western NC Mountains (especially around Blowing Rock and different parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC and VA)
North Georgia Mountains (around Blue Ridge or Dahlonga)

Now, like I said ive been through the White Mountains and vacationed in parts of West Virginia. But, these 5 or so areas have the largest mountains the East Coast has to offer and will all be cool in the summer even in NC. In the white mountains, the Flume Gorge and Mount Washington sound awesome. For the Adirondacks, theres Whiteface Mountain and the High Falls Gorge (looks similar to the Flume Gorge). In West Virginia, I have been to Seneca Rocks, Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls, and New River Gorge. But, have not visited Dolly Sods, Spruce Knob, and other points further down in the Monongahela National Forest. The Western NC Mountains I am leaning towards. I have been to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Asheville, but have seen any of the Blue Ridge Parkway, so places north of Asheville like Mt Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, and Blowing Rock look promising. Theres also Mount Rogers in Virginia. Theres also the North Georgia Mountains with Brasstown Bald and some waterfalls, but the mountains aren't as high and I don't know if its worth the extra distance. I would have included Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin, but thats just too far for this trip. I was up near there (Moosehead Lake) last time I was up there, but didn't actually get there.
Thanks-