Seeking Northeast U.S. destination
 

Family of four, two young teens, in need of June 2005 vacation spot. We normally head to the beach because three of us LOVE the beach. Youngest DS does not want beach this year. He has requested a cabin with lake for fishing. DH and I want a place with a pool where we can relax and, basically, be unsociable. I know that must sound terrible, but DH says "I don't want to have to tell someone where I work and what do I do". We work many long hours throughout the year and vacation is a time for veggin' out.

OK, we live in Illinois and will drive. I'm looking at Northeast U.S. because we've never been there. Heck, we've never been to NYC and would love to squeeze 3-4 days in there. We will leave around June 20 and like to return before July 2 (youngest DS b-day). Would like to spend less than $200 a night on lodging. Would prefer the cabin not be too rustic--we could eat breakfast and maybe even lunch in, but definitely want dinner out. Am I being too picky?? Help! Thanks Fodorites. Just give me your ideas.

I'll bite. How about Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, a beautiful mountain area in Western, MD. Here is a link to a site with four great looking cabins for rent within your price range:

http://www.deepcreeklakecabinrentals.com/

This area is used for skiing in the winter, and due to the lake, lots of water sports in the summer.

Thanks, Hugglyn! This looks like a good option and I will certainly be checking it out more thoroughly. I appreciate the recommendations!

~sunbabe

I suggest that you look into the Lake Winnepesaukee region of New Hampshire. Lots of rental options, lots of restaurants, you can take a short trip to the mountains. It's very beautiful and your husband could be sociable or not. However, book now because the best places fill up early.

I would highly recommend the Adirondack Mountains in New York State ... Look into Blue Mountain Lake Area ... Hedges is a great place to stay with full service cabins, right on the water. If you do a search o this site you will find lots of information on the Adirondack Mountains.

Lake Placid NY or Lake George NY or Niaggra Falls Canadian side all can be done in same trip.

It would be quite a drive, but with a bit of compromise you can have both fabulous beach and great fishing by going to Montauk, Long Island,NY. One of the best beaches in the country and great fishing.

http://www.montauksportfishing.com/montauk.htm

There are condos/motels right on the beach with kitchen facilities(Panoramic View) or plenty of different sorts of places (including cabins) across from the beach (Lenhart's Cabins). It isn't lake fishing but you'd also be a bus or train ride away from NYC for daytrips.

Our family found a place fairly close to home to spend a week last summer, had a great time and will return! I realize you have more time to spend but here's an idea for part of the time, although many people do stay much longer than we did.

You might consider the Lake Erie Islands, Ohio, specifically Put in Bay. Close by with a variety of attractions. There a various types of lodging, The Bay Shore Resort is new and lakefront, with a nice Pool. Of course there is fishing available, as well as shops, hikes, and the islands are great for biking or tooling around in a golf cart, the primary wasy of transportation on the islands. The Perry National Monument is also located on Put in Bay with panoramic views of the area including Canada.

Kelly's Island is nearby and while a bit less developed and better for biking, it has more cottages for rent, many lakefront.

Then you will be within 20 minutes of Cedar Point, said to be the worlds greatest amusement park. Definitely the best for roller coasters, up to 16 now I think. Our family absolutely loves it.

You could also venture into Cleveland (about an hour from the Islands) and see an Indians game and tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On Cape Cod you can have both. Here's a link to freshwater fishing in the ponds on the Cape: http://capecodtravel.com/attractions.../fish101.shtml

At the same time, the other three can enjoy the beaches. There are lots of hotels/motels and cottage rentals on the cape if you book early enough.

I'll vote for Lake Winnepesauka area of New Hampshire. Lots for teens in the area! (Water parks & arcades, boating, hiking, beautiful scenery) Look into the towns of Wolfboro or Alton Bay.
Many friends also like Sebago Lake in Maine for camping. And Lake Placid/Lake George in upstate NY always get high marks for family vacations. I'm not sure, but I think those would be close to the NY vineyards, which might be fun for you and your husband. The kids would like the falls, esp on the Canadian side.

Good luck with your plans!

Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas. Baseball and amusement parks would be high on the kids' list of entertainment and a winery would suit me just fine. I'll check each of these out more thoroughly when I'm off work.

That reminds me sunbabe, there are several wineries in the Pt. Clinton, Sandusky, Lake Erie Island area. One actually in Put in Bay that we toured. Can't remember the name however, but it was tasty. Maybe buckeyemom will see this and be able to identify it? Lovely place for boating, also! (A boat is on my wishlist for next Christmas :) )

Try a New York State park in the St. Lawerence River area. There are cabins for rent that are very inexpensive, and I believe not all that rustic. Your son can go fishing, and lay on the beach in the same day. There is a lot of action along with much solitude. I would suggest staying at either Kring's Point, Grass point, or Weslley Island State Park. The towns around that area especially on the Ontario side of the river are very nice. I would however avoid Alexandria Bay. It is a giant tourist trap, and not to mention a hell hole.

Pethead--Interestingly enough, I had looked at Alexandria Bay. I saw from an early post that you have a cottage near there, so I'm glad to hear your opinion of Alex. Bay.

I appreciate everyone's posts and welcome more suggestions. ~sunbabe

I agree about Alex Bay. Yuk. I would look more into the Adriondacks. It sounds like you might want to be careful not to wind up someplace to remote though (which is easy to do in the Adirondacks - fortunately). Its specialty is not amusement parks etc. but there is great hiking, great boating, kayaking, swimming. Maybe look for a place near Lake Placid, that way you would have the amenities of a real town, but still be someplace really nice. Hedges is nice - but those places can be pretty sociable! Also, IMO Blue Mtn Lake has really nothing to do except a great museum (which is worth a day trip from other places anyway) - not even any decent restaurants. For some people that's great - but others might be stir crazy there.

Also consider looking into coastal Maine - it's quite fun and teenagers might like it better. But very booked up in the summer - make plans now!

Thanks! I'm still checking out everyone's recs. I've been looking at vrbo.com and have found some nice rentals in some of the areas that have been mentioned.