My husband and I will likely be travelling to Boston and/or NYC next June. We have friends in NJ who we would like to visit, so we are throwing around the idea of a long weekend getaway someplace in the area - someplace we could all meet, relax and catch up, maybe do a little sightseeing or hiking, but nothing too ambitious.

As I don't know much about the area - been to the east coast a few times, but never really ventured outside the cities - and our friends are workaholics who never take time out, I am looking for ideas from you guys

Cape Cod and the Finger Lakes came to mind, but I know that there have got to be a lot more places to consider.

Beaches, mountains, lakes - any are great as long as the scenery is nice. Looking for something within a 5 hour drive of Monmouth County, NJ. I am thinking north or north west from there since my husband and I will either be in Boston or NYC.

We would like someplace where we could rent a house, condo, or cabin for 3-4 nights. It doesn't have to be large or posh - basic, clean accomodations are fine as long as there is a deck or balcony where we can hang out, maybe grill up some steaks. We don't have to be in the center of things either - off the beaten path is great.

Budget - I am thinking no more than $250/night for the rental.

Bring on the ideas

ttt

Anybody... anybody...

Really - no one has ANY recommendations?

I think your e-mails isn't that clear. Do you want to be closer to Monmouth County, or drive 5 hours north. There are a plethora of vacation places between the two - Jersey Shore, Bucks County PA, Catskills, Hamptons, Berkshires, The Cape, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, etc.

I think it is Within 5 hours.
I would vote for Nantucket.

Thanks for the responses. I'm sorry if my post wasn't clear. Our friends are in Monmouth County. We will be in Boston or NYC. I am looking for input on a place to meet our friends for a long weekend that wont be a terribly long drive for them or for us - which is where the 5 or less hour drive from Monmouth County comes in. Other than that, I am totally open.

As I said - I have only been to the east coast a couple times and am totally unfamiliar with the vacation spots. I figured there were plenty of choices, just looking for some recommendations.

OK, how about this.

1. Cape May, Jersey shore. Rent a house near the beach, eat seafood, in a nice town with trees and Victorian B&Bs.

2. Rent a canal boat and go up/down the Erie Canal. I think you can also bike the canal, with hotels that schlep your luggage.

3. Amish country near Lancaster, PA has some nice low-key things to do.

4. Bucks County, PA has cute towns with antique shoppes, and nice countryside. Somewhere like New Hope, PA.

5. Rent a cabin in a NY State park in the southern Adirondacks. Hike. Or stay in Lake George/ Saratoga/ Lake Placid.

7. Block Island, RI. Hang on the beach, kayak, ride bikes. Quiet and under-developed.

Thanks. I did some preliminary research into the places you guys have mentioned. Now I am really excited about the prospect of this trip.

Block Island sounds really cool. Sort of an overlooked gem of a place. I love the idea of leaving the car on the mainland and taking the ferry over, then just walking or biking around the island. Lots of places within our budget too.

I checked out Nantucket and Martha's Vinyard, which look terrific too, but more expensive - it looks like it would be a struggle to stay within our budget there.

For mountains, the Catskills and the Adirondacks sound great. Lots of small inns and cottages for rent, and it looks like plenty of places within our budget.

This has been a great help in directing my research.