Adirondacks is NOT a national park - it's a state park. And it doens'n have on huge attraction - like Grand Canyon - to attract global visitors. But it does have what you said you wanted:

Woods - lots of woods
Ton of lakes and streams of all sizes - great for boating and fishing
Very pretty rolling countryside
A large choice of accommodations
Near your travel route

Also you can go by way of Lake George - very large with tons to see and do - large boat trips, water park, amusement area for kids and at the south end sandy beaches with clear waters (recall as a teen wading out into the lake up to my waist and watching the tiny fish cover over to investigate my toes (you could see clear to the sand bottom)

You can find more by googling:

Adirondacks park images
Lake George images
Lakegeorge.com for lots of info on what to see/do

One of the biggest reasons The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is popular is that it is one of very few National Parks with no fee to enter. That makes it very attractive to visitors.

Other reasons it is popular are that it is easy to see a number of attractions just by driving around (Cade's Cove area) and that makes it easily accessible and good for all ages. It will be very busy in July. If you choose the Adirondacks you aren't going to miss out on anything big by skipping the Smokies.

With your itinerary and interests I would choose the Adirondacks. I haven't been there but I have been around the Finger Lakes and found the area beautiful with plenty of gorgeous scenery and hiking and waterfalls. The weather will be nicer in NY July than in TN (or KY). I don't know about crowds there. You can get your fill (or rather, your 9 year old's fill) of the tacky touristy fun when you visit Niagara Falls.

I loved the Smokies and would love to go there again, though, so you really aren't going to go wrong with whatever you choose.

Hello asimm,

1. Even though you have 25 days,but you mentioned 6 cities on the East Coast that are pretty far apart from each other! So my suggestion that maybe you would limit to 3 or 4 cities/ areas and travel around those areas instead...that way it is more enjoyable, and costs less and saving time to travel from one place to another.

2. It would be hot& humid in Miami in July. And as a tourist, you have to walk around...so take that into consideration.

3. I live in Washington DC area, so if you plan to visit this area, I am happy to give you tips.

4. There are lots of daily bus going from NY city to Washington DC (Tripper bus, Bolt Bus, Greyhound bus). Tickets range around $20/ $30 one-way.

5. If visit DC, you can stay in hotels in Northern Virginia, choose one like in Ballston or Vienna area, so you can ride the metro in DC to visit museums/ attractions.

6. If you like mountain, consider Homestead resort www.omnihotels.com/HotSprings‎
It is about 3.5 - 4 hours from Northern VA and it is a nice drive and it would be a relaxing stay for your 9-year old, as well.
That would also be a good sample of a resort in the States and this one is not over-the-top - just nice & reasonable.

7. Or consider Williamsburg, Va - 2.5 - 3 hrs from Northern Va. Colonial Williamsburg is very historic in VA and you mention that you are not interested in history. But the town of Williamsburg is very cute, and there are Great Wolf Lodge Resort (that your 9-year old would enjoy) or Busch Gardens. Virginia Beach is another 1-hr away from Williamsburg and you would get some respite from just sightseeing!

Hope this helps! Best of luck in planning your trip!

At first i was planning to either travel to Adirondack Or Great smokey, but both of them are getting too far

Any suggestion for similar type near NYC OR DC, that would save some travelling which eventually would save Time + Money

No - you will not find huge national or state park closer to any of your cities.

If all you want is some nature for a day or two you can find much smaller areas within a few hours of these cities - but not sure they will have everything you are looking for. If it's just a day hike there are many park near NYC. Just google New York State Parks and you will find some with hiking within a couple of miles of the city - but not housing or a host of activities.

there are many places you can stop near the finger lakes and also some on the Hudson valley. Check out nysparks.com and search Location for finer lakes and taconic -both on your route from Niagara to NYC. It will list all of the parks and what activities they have.

Shenandoah National Park, mentioned above, is within easy driving distance of Washington DC--what specifically do you mean by closer?

Thank you all

I found that the Airfare from Miami/Orlando to Buffalo is quite high, so have decided to land in DC. Here we would be staying for 3-4 nights and then would be visiting NYC, Niagra and one of the national parks.

We are now short listing to the following 2 national/state parks for a 3 days trip

1. Adirondacks (while coming back from Niagra to NYC, we can visit it. We will be renting a car from NYC

2. Shenandoah National park, while visiting DC, we can visit this park. if needed, we will rent a car in DC

Could some one guide me on the Pros & Cons of both the parks. Whats the difference b/w the two and which would be more scenic in terms of Lakes, greenery, mountains, good views etc.

Which one would be cheaper to visit.

We are visiting around last week of July and would prefer the park which would not be warm in July

Sorry - cannot provide a comparison - doubt very many people have been to both.

But I can tell you that in July every place you are going will be warm if not hot - although upper NYS will probably be slightly cooler but I would still expect highs over 80.

> would prefer the park which would not be warm in July

Shenandoah will be hot in July.

> which would be more scenic in terms of Lakes,
> greenery, mountains, good views

Shenandoah has no lakes but does have very good views.
Both have mountains.

> Which one would be cheaper to visit

At Shenandoah, like most national parks, you pay one price and you get unlimited admissions for a week. This fee in 2016 is $20 per vehicle.
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/entrance_fees.htm
Adirondacks Park has no admission fee.
http://visitadirondacks.com/first-time-visitors/faqs

If you plan to visit Shenandoah National Park, and stay around there for a few days or even overnight, you may want to look ahead for a place to stay or a cabin since things may get booked up ahead of time.

To add to what nytraveler has told you, here is more info about the Adirondacks

Unlike the National Parks, the Adirondacks are a mix of public / private land. So you will have pockets of civilization & towns, surrounded by vast areas of open space with many many lakes & mountains.

This means that the open space is easy to access by boat or by foot, and on most lakes you can find hotel or rental lodging directly on or near the water. In the larger towns like Old Forge, Lake Placid, or Lake George Village you will find more hotel options.

It's also not the place where you can really enjoy just by car as a drive by with roadside vistas - you have to get out on foot or on boat to enjoy, or at least have a quiet place near a lake.

An Adirondacks vacation can range from luxury lodging at a resort on Lake George, such as the Sagamore to rustic motels or clusters of cabins on many, many different lakes from small to large size, to day hikes to wilderness camping.

Let us know what your interests are and we can give your more tips. I mostly do day trips there but I'm familiar with many parts of the park, especially the Lake George area.