My wife and I are taking a trip from Cincinnati to Gettysburg, Baltimore and Williamsburg during the Fall season. We would appreciate any information regarding things to see, restaurants and lodging. Thank you for your help.

Ken - don't forget that you'll be going right through Washington DC on the way from Baltimore to Williamsburg (DC is about 45 minutes south of Baltimore).

Baltimore is more of a day trip and basically just to the waterfront, where you can do some shopping, eating and see the Aquarium (which is quite good). Other than that, not much to see.

If possible, I would try to stay in DC for at least a night. There is a ton to do and see (including the monuments, the Smithsonian, Embassies, Georgetown, Great Falls, etc.). It all depends on the kinds of things you like and the weather. DC can be a gorgeous place to wonder along the river if it's nice out. Lodging of course depends on your budget. DC like most major cities has a large choice of hotels. For restaurants, again, personal taste would be needed but my favorite and most consistant is DC Coast. In recent years, DC has greatly improved its dining choices downtown. Georgetown is also another great areas for restaurants, shopping and site-seeing.

In Williamsburg, you'll be better of at a nice B&B downtown. While the town isn't really my taste, it's a pleasant town with lots of history to see.

Given that it will be October and the fall foliage may be very nice then (depending on how late in the month), at Gettysburg make sure to take in some of the views that may be had from Little Round Top and the three viewing towers on Seminary Ridge, Culp's Hill, and the July 1 battlefield section. Culp's Hill is a relatively neglected area for many visitors but would be on the longer version of the driving tour if you buy a tape.

For a nice restaurant experience, try the Dobbin House or Farnsworth House Inn.

Make sure to allow about 2-3 hours for the wonderful visitor center and browse the huge bookstore (there is an even better one at Graystone's American History Bookstore just up the street).

Some more ideas in that beautiful area.Consider a circular route beginning at Berkeley Springs,WV (Cacapon State Park), an easy drive to Gettysburg, down to Harpers Ferry, WV, over to Rte. 81 South, drive a segment or 2 of Skyline Drive south (try to stay there for a nite), head east to Charlottesville,VA (UVA & Monticello are great), across Rte 64 to Williamsburg(try to stay on-site).For the return consider the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, up the Eastern Shore and across at Annapolis. The Annapolis waterfront, Naval Academy & Smithsonian in DC are far ahead of the Baltimore Inner Harbor.Both earlier responses are perfect but remember that leaf season can get busy & booked early. Try mid/late Sept.

I agree with some of the other postings about Baltimore, the aquarium is nice but not much else to do.

I really enjoyed Williamsburg. If price is not an issue the best restuarant I have ever had the pleasure of dining at is Fords Colony. My husband and I enjoyed the chef's tasting menu and I still think of that meal 3 years later. It has never been surpassed.

Enjoy your trip.

Cheapbutnice makes a good point about busy hotels during that time. We left Gettysburg in mid-October headed south in the Shenandoah and could not find a hotel room until we exited the mountains. We didn't get to spend the next day in the mountains but went to Monticello instead on our drive home.

If anyone in the family enjoys botanical gardens there is the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on the north side of Richmond, just off I-95. They have lots of water features and there are plenty of whimsical topiaries for the kids. Two good places there for lunch. Easy walking and lots of different types of gardens. Should be gorgeous in October.