Rt. 301 in Maryland
 

We are thinking about driving from Newport News, VA to NYC by taking Rt. 17 to 301. What points of interest, not too far from the route, are worth the stop?

Annapolis, MD is a possibility. You can take an organized tour which includes the downtown historic area (with costumed guides)and the Naval Academy and a boat tour added if you wish.

Not a lot to "do" along your route until you hit Annapolis, but the town of Tappahannock is worth a stop/walk around/coffee/meal if you're ready to get off the road for a bit.

In Port Royal right at the intersection of 17 and 301 is Hornes - very good traditional country food. The breakfasts items (anytime) are particularly good: VA Ham, corned beef hash, country sausage, biscuits, grits, etc.

http://www.hornes.com/index.html

In Annapolis there is tons to see and do. Head straight for the old section. Take Rt. 70 about 2 miles east off Rt. 301, park between the State House and the dock (not free) and just walk around. You could also visit the State House and/or the Naval Academy, time permitting.

I assume you are picking up I-95 in Wilmington, DE. A great stop for lunch or dinner is the Charcoal Pit at 2600 Concord Pike (Route 202), North Wilmington. Take Rt. 202 North , exit 8 off I-95 and go about 2 miles. OMG! Get a burger and milkshake, you won't regret it.

http://www.charcoalpit.net/

In Philadelphia, I-95 goes right through the old part of Philadelphia. Take I-676 west off I-95 and park near the Liberty Bell (about 2 minutes off I-95). Here's a walk around that area - http://www.frommers.com/images/desti...ouroldcity.jpg

It is worth it to avoid the often back-ups along I-95, believe me

Johnny Boy's Barbeque is fabulous. "Johnny Boy’s is another idyllic barbecue stand—a yellow wooden building with a tin roof and fifteen or so picnic tables set up outside. Most of us would rather eat shoes than barbecue by now, but Johnny Boy’s ribs prove too good to resist—the meat is tender and full of flavor and falls off the bone into our tired mouths. Side dishes at Johnny Boy’s are also worthy—the coleslaw and potato salad are light on the mayonnaise and the lemonade freshly squeezed."

And agree to avoid I95 its worth going that way.

Also look into George Washington's Birthplace and near there, Robert E Lee's Stratford Hall Plantation.

> In Philadelphia, I-95 goes right through the old part of Philadelphia

Yes, which is precisely why you do NOT want to drive there! If you're going to NYC, take either the Delaware Memorial Bridge or the Commodore Berry Bridge into New Jersey; and then either I-295 or the New Jersey Turnpike until you are north of Trenton, then take the NJT the rest of the way to NYC.

As you can imagine, I love Philly, I love when people come to visit Philly -- but I do NOT recommend driving through there to get to New York.