I have never been to any of these areas, and am trying to decide between them. We will be traveling to Albany, NY then taking a quick jaunt to Boston. We will be stopping at one of these areas on the way home (Illinois). Can anyone give me advice? By the way, how long is the drive from Albany to Boston (hours)?

Albany to Boston is 3 to 3 1/2 hrs. Hopefully you have some time, take the backroads from Troy to Bennington VT, then Bennington to Williamstown MA.

Can't tell you which to go to, don't know your interests. I lived a long time in the Poconos, plus grew up between Albany and Utica. If you want to camp, I'd say the Finger Lakes - we used to camp at Watkins Glen all the time. If you want more conveniences or shopping at the Crossings outlets - Poconos. Want something special for a place to stay - look into Stroudsmoor.

We are most interested in nature, scenery, some hiking and biking. Would also like some other things to do along the way -- stop at good restaurants, enjoy a bit of history, some family activities (no small children). Which would be best .... Poconos or Finger Lakes/Letchworth?

F. Lakes/Letchworth area wins hands down especially if hiking & natural beauty is of interest. Be usre to include walking the glen at Watkins Glen, consider a stop in Ithaca to see Cornell Univ campus and walk the gorges. Auburn is norht of there and could be a stop on the way to Letchworth. It has the homes of Harriet Tubman and William Seward (and/or Millard Fillmore - can't recall which but sure the Tubman home is there). Rochester has the George Eastman House and the affiliatred Internataional Museum of Photography plus the one-of-a-kind and highly eclectic Strong Museum (see www.strongmuseum.org ). Letchworth is huge - one could spend a week exploring. There are rustic cabins available for rent from the park service and some are situated near the edge of the gorge. This park is in a class of its own. I've been to nearly all the major national parks in the west and southwest and assure you that Letchworth is in that class - definitely one of the premiere spots for natural beauty in the entire eastern US.

Ditto on the Finger Lakes for nature. The Poconos is more resort oriented. (ie you're not exactly sharing the place, and "biking" is more likely to involve motorcylces)

I can tell you every worth while eatery in the Poconos, but it's been too long for me to know alot of them up towards the Finger Lakes. If you're going from Albany to that area though, I have some suggestions. Consider Cooperstown as a stopping place, it's a lot more than the Baseball Hall of Fame. Williamstown MA has more of the fame in terms of art, particularly Winslow Homer, but for a quick thing to do in that area, you might go to the gallery in Canajoharie. Homer, Cassatt, etc. and quite an impressive curator. (shameless family plug)

While in the Finger Lakes, it's certainly easy to tour some of the wineries. Also not yet suggested is a visit to Corning, south of that area.

Letchworth is fantastic. It offers so much more than the Poconos. We go to Letchworth 2 or 3 times a year for a week. You can rent a cabin that is quite comfortable (two bedroom with elec. heat) or rent a rustic one with a wood stove. There is a motel and a hotel on the property, also a museum.

Near the park is Darien Lakes Amusement Center which your kids might enjoy.

If you decide to go to the park on the way from Boston to the park see if you can take the Mohawk Trail it is in the Northern part of the state and travels east to west. It was, I believe the first designated scenic trail.

If I can give you more info please e-mail. [email protected]