Hi-
I am starting to plan my next summers vacation and I can't decide where to go. I live in Maryland in the Washington DC area and am looking for a vacation destaination no more than a days drive from my house. I am very much into the outdoors, so I would like to go somewhere uncrowded if possible. I am looking for either a mountain destaination or a beach destaination. Not really into the whole crowded resort thing, so im looking for somewhere with open spaces. I ve been to Maine, White Mountains, Vermont, Niagara Falls and Finger Lakes NY, West Virginia, Shenandoah NP, Great Smokey Mountains, and the Outer Banks. For a beach destaination,I would like someplace like the National Seashore at the Outer Banks. For a mountain destaination, I would like a good wilderness area. Two places im considering is Cape Cod or the Adirondacks. But, im traveling the first week of July so im worried about Black Flies in the Adirondacks and crowded beaches at Cape Cod. I am not limited to those two places. Im open to any suggestions. So, basically any good uncrowded beach area or mountain wilderness within a days drive of my house that I haven't been to. I am also into historical places. And yes i ve been to Williamsburg.
Thanks-

I was in the Berkshires in MA last July and really enjoyed it.

Have you considered returning to one of the places you enjoyed most?

I agree with the Berkshires. You have a lot of lakes, 2 mountains (Monument and Greylock), lots of wilderness and historical. Bunch of museums. And not a bad drive from Maryland.

asdaven,

We're in DC also and have always taken a summer vacation for the last 25 years.

It sounds like you've hit most places "within a day's drive". One place close-by is Berkely Spriongs WV combined with nearby Cacapon State Park (they are about 15 minutes from one another).

http://www.berkeleysprings.com/
www.cacaponresort.com/

I would humbly suggest you also look outside the Mid-Atlantic coast area. Some ideas that have great summer weather that come to mind are (fly and then rent a car at each):

San Diego (and the beaches)
Vancouver (and the surrounding wilderness areas)
Seattle (and/or the nearby National Parks!)
Quebec City (and the nearby wilderness areas)
Nova Scotia (in particular Cape Breton Island!) ((do a Google "images" search for some breathtaking photos))

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/cbreton/index.aspx

All the above are sunny, dry and in the 70's in July. Gorgeous.

Have you looked into the beautiful Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River? There are really over 1000 islands throughout the river. The area is made up of 3 villages along a 15 mile stretch : Cape Vincent at the mouth of Lake Ontario, Clayton, and Alexandria Bay. Great fishing, boating, boat tours, Boldt Castle and Singer Castle. Many quaint shops in Clayton. The Riveredge Resort would be a nice place to stay.

A few more things on the 1000 Islands: there is the Antique Boat Museum, A Textile/Art Museum, and the original Opera House that puts on several shows a week.

I've been to the Berkshires and Cape Cod - my vote, very strongly goes to Cape Cod.

Have been through the Berkshires. It is a beautiful area. Yes, i ve also been to Berkeley Springs,WV and Cacapon SP, another pretty area. Have not been to the 1000 Islands. But, thats as far north as the Adirondacks. Is the first week of July still in Black Fly season? Have not been to Cape Cod. Also, even though ive been to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, I have not been to some of the other moutain areas of North Carolina. In particular, ive been looking at Blowing Rock, Boone, or Banner Elk. But, i ve been to Asheville, NC.
Thanks-

Cooperstown, NY (The Otesaga)
Lake George, NY The Sagamore)
Spring Lake, NJ
Lake Waramaug, CT

Lake George is in the Adirondacks. I would love to goto the Adirondacks, but I am concerned about the Black Fly season. I am traveling the first week of July.

No black flies in the 1000 Islands, just plain old mosquitoes

What about the Adirondacks that time of year? 1000 islands is just as much as far north.