Need ideas for trip with parents - east coast
 

I want to take my elderly parents and teenager on a short trip in August. Would like to keep it within 4-5 hours drive of Baltimore. I considered Charleston and decided it would be too hot for my parents. Thinking of a B&B in Gettysburg. Maybe I should head north? Any other ideas?

It would be cooler that is for sure in the North. The weather has been great here. Not sure what activities you are looking for or the interest level. Can your parents walk well? Do they prefer quiet places? It is very scenic around New Hope Pennsylvania with many shops, restaurants, a playhouse, and antique shops. There is also a river rafting place where you can tube down the Delaware. B&B's as well. Lambertville is on the other side. Beautiful country and serene. Philadelphia is an idea with a lot of walking and History. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Hersey Park may be nice for your teenager and your parents. A visit to the Amish farms is not far away either. Just some ideas.

Another area to consider is the Kennet Square/Brandywine area, should bel less than 2 hours from Baltimore. This area straddles the border between PA and Delaware, and is beautiful country. The Winterthur museum and Longwood Gardens are here, both worth about a day each, esp Winterthur if you like American history and furniture. Take a look at http://www.winterthur.org and http://www.longwoodgardens.org.

If your teen is male, both he and your father might like a visit to the classic car museum in PA. Sorry to forget the name but it's near the Amish area. We enjoyed a bus tour and a visit to an Amish farm.

How about Ocean Grove at the NJ shore? It is a one-mile square village with the most charming main street and lots of victorian homes to stroll past. It is a "dry" town so its pretty mellow and the grand Ocean Grove Auditorium is surrounded by a colorful tent village of visiting Methodists.

There are several old hotels and B&Bs right along the ocean that would be scenic and breezy ~ even in August. The town has a real nostaligic feel to it that your parents might enjoy.