Southeastern states roadtrip help needed(part 2)
Nov 8th, 2006, 11:21 AM
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Southeastern states roadtrip help needed(part 2)
OK, I've got my reservations for the first 17 days of a 28 day trip. Now I need more help please. This is what I have so far:
Day 1 - Arrive 4pm IAD, drive to Colonial Williamsburg – 3 nights
Day 4 – Drive to Outer Banks, NC – 3 nights
Day 7 – O/N Wilmington on way to Charleston, SC
Day 8 – Drive to Charleston, SC – 4 nights
Day 12 – Drive to Savannah, GA – 2 nights
Day 14 – Drive to St Augustine, FL – 3 nights
Day 17 – Head towards Asheville, NC
Not sure if we will overnite on way to Asheville or not.
After Asheville we want to head up into VA and include Charlottesville (Monticello), Shenandoah Valley, Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry & Antietam if possible before returning to IAD to fly home. So we have 12 days (after St Augustine)to do this .
We are a retired couple who love road trips.
We like to stay at least 2-4 nights each place we stop unless we're just trying to get to a specific destination. We enjoy site seeing, some history/museums, hanging out on the beach, meeting new people, photography, and some light to moderate hiking/walking/scenic drives.
All of your previous help got me this far and I have changed my itinerary since I started. Knoxville is out - our friends are joining us in Asheville instead.
Suggestions on routing are really appreciated as well as what 'not to miss'.
Also, is it too far to go to Grandfather Mt from Asheville for a 'day trip'?
Thanks in advance for all of your help.
Day 1 - Arrive 4pm IAD, drive to Colonial Williamsburg – 3 nights
Day 4 – Drive to Outer Banks, NC – 3 nights
Day 7 – O/N Wilmington on way to Charleston, SC
Day 8 – Drive to Charleston, SC – 4 nights
Day 12 – Drive to Savannah, GA – 2 nights
Day 14 – Drive to St Augustine, FL – 3 nights
Day 17 – Head towards Asheville, NC
Not sure if we will overnite on way to Asheville or not.
After Asheville we want to head up into VA and include Charlottesville (Monticello), Shenandoah Valley, Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry & Antietam if possible before returning to IAD to fly home. So we have 12 days (after St Augustine)to do this .
We are a retired couple who love road trips.
We like to stay at least 2-4 nights each place we stop unless we're just trying to get to a specific destination. We enjoy site seeing, some history/museums, hanging out on the beach, meeting new people, photography, and some light to moderate hiking/walking/scenic drives.
All of your previous help got me this far and I have changed my itinerary since I started. Knoxville is out - our friends are joining us in Asheville instead.
Suggestions on routing are really appreciated as well as what 'not to miss'.
Also, is it too far to go to Grandfather Mt from Asheville for a 'day trip'?
Thanks in advance for all of your help.
Nov 8th, 2006, 12:00 PM
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How does this look for the remainder of the trip???
Day 17 – Head towards Asheville, NC – overnite on way
Day 18 – Arrive Asheville, NC – stay 3 nights
Day 21 – Drive to Charlottesville, NC – stay 2 nights
Day 23 – Drive to Shenandoah Valley – stay 3 nights
Day 26 – Drive to Gettysburg – stay 3 nights
Day 29 – Drive to IAD – flight home at 6pm
Day 17 – Head towards Asheville, NC – overnite on way
Day 18 – Arrive Asheville, NC – stay 3 nights
Day 21 – Drive to Charlottesville, NC – stay 2 nights
Day 23 – Drive to Shenandoah Valley – stay 3 nights
Day 26 – Drive to Gettysburg – stay 3 nights
Day 29 – Drive to IAD – flight home at 6pm
Nov 8th, 2006, 04:24 PM
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My thoughts as someone who lives in Williamsburg, went to school in Charlottesville, whose brother lives in Outer Banks AND who LOVES Asheville!
1) what time of year are you traveling?
2) of course your time limits depend on what you enjoy.
3) why 4 nights in Charleston?
4) I think there is a lot more in the Wilmington / NC coatal area that you could consider. Lots of cool beach towns there.
5) Asheville is amazing
6) There are not a lot of places to stay on the Skyline Drive area of Shenandoah Valley. We did stay at a cool B&B in Nelson County - The Acorn Inn - http://www.acorninn.com/index.shtml. It's in the middle of nowhere about 30 min south of Charlottesville and 15 min from the Shenandoah Parkway. Very neat Dutch / American owners. Just a thought.
I am in the travel industry down here in Williamsburg and if you are looking for any specific tips, feel free to post again. We're all full of history and some good art as well.
I hope I've given a wee bit of help. Enjoy our wonderful area!
1) what time of year are you traveling?
2) of course your time limits depend on what you enjoy.
3) why 4 nights in Charleston?
4) I think there is a lot more in the Wilmington / NC coatal area that you could consider. Lots of cool beach towns there.
5) Asheville is amazing
6) There are not a lot of places to stay on the Skyline Drive area of Shenandoah Valley. We did stay at a cool B&B in Nelson County - The Acorn Inn - http://www.acorninn.com/index.shtml. It's in the middle of nowhere about 30 min south of Charlottesville and 15 min from the Shenandoah Parkway. Very neat Dutch / American owners. Just a thought.
I am in the travel industry down here in Williamsburg and if you are looking for any specific tips, feel free to post again. We're all full of history and some good art as well.
I hope I've given a wee bit of help. Enjoy our wonderful area!
Nov 8th, 2006, 04:58 PM
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TAW-
Grandfather Mountain is absolutely not too far to go to for a day trip from Asheville. You can take the Blue Ridge Parkway almost to Grandfather, then get on 221 to go to the entrance. The scenery is incredible. In fact, you can see the "back" of Grandfather Mountain from the Parkway.
You could take a slow, meandering trip on the Parkway....stopping along the way at Mount Mitchell and some nice scenic overlooks, and still have plenty of time to wander around Grandfather Mountain and enjoy yourself.
Grandfather Mountain is absolutely not too far to go to for a day trip from Asheville. You can take the Blue Ridge Parkway almost to Grandfather, then get on 221 to go to the entrance. The scenery is incredible. In fact, you can see the "back" of Grandfather Mountain from the Parkway.
You could take a slow, meandering trip on the Parkway....stopping along the way at Mount Mitchell and some nice scenic overlooks, and still have plenty of time to wander around Grandfather Mountain and enjoy yourself.
Nov 8th, 2006, 05:08 PM
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To stevebarr: Thank you for the info. I'm just trying to figure out how many days to stay in Asheville. I know at least one day will be for the town & Biltmore Estate. Then 'day trips' to wherever...such as Grandfather Mt. We prefer to stay put and do day trips rather than changing hotels every day. And I'm not into shopping so I don't waste time doing that. And I have found a great cabin that I want to rent that's just outside of Asheville but first I need to determine how many days I'll need before I can reserve it.
Nov 8th, 2006, 05:18 PM
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Sounds great. The Biltmore estate outside of Asheville, NC is worth possibly 1 o 2 days by itself. There are at least 4 different tours on the grounds. Also Gatlinburg, TN and the Smokies are only about an hour and a half west of Asheville. Great scenery, great shopping and lots of shows!!!
Nov 9th, 2006, 05:13 AM
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You will definitely want an overnight on the way to Asheville.
For the latter part of your trip you might be able to just play it a bit by ear--not making advance reservations. It isn't high season and there should be plenty of choices.
I personally do not think Biltmore is worth 2 days, but I am not into castles.
And the Smokies around Pigeon Forge is outlet central. You will have beautiful mountains to see on toward Virginia and NC.
That's a BIG trip!!
For the latter part of your trip you might be able to just play it a bit by ear--not making advance reservations. It isn't high season and there should be plenty of choices.
I personally do not think Biltmore is worth 2 days, but I am not into castles.
And the Smokies around Pigeon Forge is outlet central. You will have beautiful mountains to see on toward Virginia and NC.
That's a BIG trip!!
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