Vacations ideas
 

Hi-
After a great trip to Upstate New York and Niagara Falls this past week, I am already starting to brainstorm my next summer's vacation. I will driving. Im looking for somewhere that is no farther than a 8-9 drive from the Washington DC area. But, i would rather somewhere preferably closer. I ve been all through the New England States especially Maine. I ve been south to the Outer Banks of NC and the Great Smoky Mountains on the other side of the state and Tennessee. I ve been through the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia a lot also. I ve been to Florida and i want to get back there and see the Everglades and the Florida Keys but thats too far to drive. Thats leaves me some choices. I have not been to the Adirondacks part of New York State. Nor have i seen much of Vermont nearby. Then, theres Pennsylvania. I have been around the state a fair bit. But, i have not been to the Pocanos and the Delaware Water Gap plus i haven't been to the Catskills Region of NY nearby. And two states i haven't been to at all are Kentucky and Ohio. I don't know much about these states and what there is to do there. Kentucky is a little far. But, ohio is actually pretty close actually. I know theres a national park called Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland and the Hocking Hills Region near Columbus. But, i don't know how much there is to do there. In Eastern Kentucky, theres Cumberland Falls and Red River Gorge, but it seems like Ohio offers similar scenery. So, Kentucky is a little far. I plan on spending a week somewhere or possibly splitting it between two places. So, my ideas are again:

Adirondacks NY/Vermont
Pocanos PA/Catskills NY
Ohio
Kentucky

Lake Placid in the summer is a great vacation... Add Lake George and Saratoga and you will fill up your time...Have Fun!

I was actually thinking Saranac Lake if i go up there, which is pretty much the Lake Placid area. But, its a little farther than i want to go. Any other ideas about the other places i mentioned?

Is there anything worth seeing in Ohio? It is close and i haven't been that state. Or is what i mentioned in New York or PA much better?

The Hocking County area of Ohio has five state parks that offer scenic hiking. There are cabins and bed & breakfasts that are well regarded for accommodations and dining. There is canoeing in the area. You are 1.5 hours from Columbus and a little further from Cincinnati for more to do. Pittsburgh is not far out of your way on the drive over.

We went to Put-in Bay for a weekend and really had a great time, it is good if you like beaches, parasailing, jet skiing, camping and just generally relaxing in the lake area.

Not that I'm prejudiced as a Kentucky native, but KY is one of the prettiest states in the nation. Google Kentucky State Parks for a start, and then we have Mammoth Cave National Park, bluegrass horse country, reconstructed pioneer forts, Abraham Lincoln birthplace, cities and very rural areas, two restored Shakertown villages, the Corvette Museum near Bowling Green, Fort Knox Army Museum, and Louisville museums including the Slugger Bat Museum, Mohammad Ali, Frazier Arms, Churchill Downs, and the Speed Art Museum. Our scenery runs the gamut from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River. In the summer there are several regional outdoor theaters. Come for a visit; I think you will be back.

Hi
thanks for all your responses. No, i am not a big fan of beaches and water-related activities nor cities. We are mostly into outdoor activities and mountains/hills. carolyn- I would love to goto kentucky someday, but i looked up driving distance and many places there are a lot farther than i want to drive like Mammoth Cave, Cumberland Falls, etc. A couple ppl in my family have motion sickness and even a 8 hour drive is pushing it. But, im willing to drive up to 8-9 hours somewhere. But, i d rather somewhere closer. The Red River Gorge of Kentucky sounds awesome, but the Hocking Hills Region of Ohio, which is closer, looks like some of the same sort of scenery. So, Kentucky unfortunetly is looking a little too far, the Adirondacks of New York are pushing it and the Catskills/pocano regions of NY and PA and Ohio are looking close.

Hi Asdaven -

The Amish communities in OH and PA is very interesting and definately worth a visit. If you enjoy music, I recommend a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Hi again -

I forgot to add that you might enjoy Mammoth Caves in KY. Very neat!

Hi- Unfortunately, Kentucky is going to be too far. I would love to see Mammoth Caves or Cumberland Falls, but all too far for this vacation. But, will visit someday. Cleaveland, Ohio would not be too far. And it is right near to Cuyahoga Valley State Park. Have been to the Amish part of PA, but not the Amish part of Ohio. Only place i have not explored yet in PA is the Poconos. The Delaware Water Gap NRA sounds interesting in that region.

Ohio Stuff - There are a couple of good threads on here re: Hocking Hills as well as Put-in-Bay & Kelleys. - www.hockinghills.com, www.kelleysisland.com, www.ohioslargestplayground.com, www.germanvillage.org, www.shortnorth.org, http://www.ohioparks.net/, http://www.heartofohio.com/

This is funny as I'm from Ohio but live in Wash DC now, and I wouldn't think of Ohio as a vacation destination, in particular. If you just want some moderate hills and camping, it would be fine, though. But a lot of things people think are really exciting in Ohio are nothing at all if you live in a big city or have been to one (like Short North in COlumbus). Ohio is really just not that interesting a state for a vacation.

I really like the scenery and outdoors in West Virginia a lot better, but I guess you've been there. Northern Ohio is kind of out if you want something shorter than 8 hours drive. It takes about 8 hours to drive from Wash DC to Columbus, I do it about once a year. So that leaves SE Ohio to be closer. I guess Hocking Hills is your best bet, but I bet it takes you 7-8 hours to get there, although I don't know how you plan to go, but just don't see a quicker route. I go across 68 through W Virginia and then head north at Morgantown up to Wheeling and go west on 70. I don't think you can get to Hocking Hills from DC except from there and then going south into the area with fewer main freeways.

A more direct route would be 70/79/68/50/93. Yahoo says a little over 6 hours (DC to Hocking Hills). I-70 would take you well north of your intended destination. Christina, I'd be curious to know what 'big city' you are referring to ? Columbus has about 120,000 more residents than DC. Sorry you didn't take advantage of the parks & outdoors of Ohio, when you lived there...

Cleveland dosen't look that far, only like a 6 hour drive. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is there. But, it is surrounded by two huge cities. But, looking at pictures and stuff, even though there is stuff to see there, I have been many spectacular places, and i don't want to say it is not beautiful, but i ve been to similar places. I have not been to Ohio before though. I have been to West Virginia. The Hocking Hills sounds interesting, but again i ve seen similar places like in West Virginia. I don't like cities unless there is a famous landmark (i.e. New York City or Washington DC). Im more of a outdoors person. The Adirondacks of New York are sounding like the place for me.

But, then again, whats there to do in the Adirondacks other than hiking? We like to hike, but my folks have developed arthritis problems, so we can do some hiking, but it is much more limited to short hikes like 2 miles or less and more sightseeing from the car and of course attractions. I am considering Ohio again because of this. Plus, i was just in New York State this summer, even though the Adirondacks are in another part of new york state.

Kentucky would be a drive from DC, but not that much more than Adirondacks if you kept to the eastern half...one feature down there that gets little pub becuase it is remote is Breaks Canyon, down along the KY-VA border. Its the longest and deepest canyon east of the Miss and is quite a sight. Just hard to get to since it's all back roads thru very remote SW VA. The Natural Tunnel down there sounds ho-hum, but it's actually incredible. Not really the tunnel itself, but the huge bowl-shaped 400 ft chasm that just opens up out of nowhere. They have a chair-lift type thing that can take you to the bottom of the chasm-active CSX train track runs thru it so you can't go in the tunnel. Actually, when I was there a train rumbled thru and the sound of it echoeing and bouncing off the chasm walls was really wild. Then there's Cumberland Gap and Kentucky. Lot of National Forest besides what carolyn mentioned. And Abingdon, VA is a nice town to stop in on the drive from DC.

Just throwing things out there...

And actually asdaven, if you do end up in The Adirondacks (and do not go before mid-July at the earliest due to black flies) the summit of Whiteface Mtn near Lake Placid, which you can drive up ($9) and then take an elevator to the top, has the most stunning 360 views imaginable. Just jaw-dropping. I was there and it was clear and you could see 70+ miles into Canada. Plus you can pay $25 for a 20 minute airplane ride over the High Peaks wilderness. (or maybe it was the other way around, can't remember). Also, the Au Sable Chasm and the High Falls Gorge. Your folks could manage those without too much problem, I'd think. There are a few stairs, but nothing excessive. Ferry across lake Champlain to Burlington, VT, etc.

That sounds good, but if i took a week, i don't think there is enough to do to spend the whole week in Lake Placid. One, we are still active people even though we can't hike a lot. And Two, the Adirondacks is a big region and you can't really just base yourself in Lake Placid. Whiteface Mountain is what i really want to see in Lake Placid. High Falls Gorge and Ausable River both cost, they look similar so probably one or the other. As far as the ferry, like i said one of my folks has motion sickness and a boat would be very bad or a drive over 8-9 hours.

Im stuck between Ohio and the Adirondacks. Which place probably has more to do?

I'm just happy to know that I'm not the only one who starts planning another trip within a few days of returning from the last one!

(Sorry I can't be of any help on the question, not knowing these areas well enough.)

yepp, i start planning for next summer as soon as I get back from this summer's.

Have you been to the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania?...a very pretty area with lots to do:

http://www.laurelhighlands.org/

I have been to the Laurel Highlands. Very Pretty area. The Pocanos is about the only area of PA I haven't been to. Another place im considering is Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I ve seen a lot of New England. Is Cape Cod just another beach area like Long Island or the Outer Banks? I ve been to Acadia National Park in Maine on the coast. So, the three places right now im debating are Cape Cod, the Adirondacks, or Ohio.

Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio is a great amusement park
http://www.cedarpoint.com/ You can spend a day here and not see it all.
From Sandusky you can jump the Jet Express and be at Put-in-by in 20min. Tour the island in a go-cart, visit Perry's monument and have a glass of wine at the winery. Have a great walleye sandwich or lobster bisque on the dock. You can also visit Kelly's Island and see the glacier grooves.
http://www.kelleysisland.com
http://visitputinbay.com/visitus/
Coming to Ohio you can spend some time in PA at Fallingwater
http://www.inusa.com/tour/pa/laurel/fallingw.htm and stay at Ohiopyle State Park area
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statePar.../ohiopyle.aspx

While in Sandusky, Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not far.

Personally, I love Cape Cod, it is nothing like Long Island or the Outer Banks. Each town is unique and there is the National SeaShore but I think it is a little further than you wanted.
The Adirondacks is a wonderful area with I think the largest wilderness area in the USA.
The Poconos don't impress me.
How about the Berkshires, have you been there?

I have been to Ohiopyle and Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. Very Beautiful. I have driven through the Berkshires, very beautiful area. Cape Cod or the Adirondacks is not too far, its on the outer edge of what i want to travel (500 miles max). Unfortunately, the drive to either of those places is not pleasurable or scenic. Been up that way several times through Albany one way and through Connecticut and boston, ma the other. I ve been by Lake George and it wasn't much different than the part of Vermont i had come from. But, i haven't been up to Lake Placid before. My only gripe about cape cod is im not a beach person. I either like Maine because the coast is rocky rather than sandy or if i want a beach, like the Outer Banks where it is not crowded with long stretches of isolated beach. Im still considering ohio too. I think the pocanos are out, its too close. If i go up that way, i would continue futher to the Adirondacks.

I guess it also depends on what kinds of things you like to do...for example, the Berkshires have museums, theater, music, etc...while Cape Cod has cute villages to wander through, great biking and walking trails, whale watching,wonderful food,etc....

Why not stop in Stroudsburg, PA (Poconos, nice town), check out some of the waterfalls in the area), stay a day or two there, then head up to Lake Placid area for a couple days, then down to the Finger Lakes area for a couple days and stop at the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania" on the way back to DC. Not all in one place obviously, but no more than 4-5 hours or so between spots, so the motion sickness issue should not be a problem there. No reason you have to go just to a single place for the entire week, right?

I mean, I'm trying to be helpful and I do not mean any offense at all, but you seem to have so many exclusions and disqualifiers that just keep popping up. One place is too close, the next too far, or motion sickness, or not enough to do for the whole week, you like the Maine coast because it is rocky vs sandy, but then you're ok with the sandy, dune-filled Outer Banks as well, or the drive to get somewhere is not scenic enough, and on it goes. How can you go anywhere like this?

Im just debating each place, not necessarly disqualifications. Im sorry if i seem picky. Im just trying to go someplace "new". I ve been to the Finger Lakes and Grand Canyon of PA already. Very Beautiful. And no i don't need or want to spend a week in one place unless i need to. So, i have three options Cape Cod, the Adirondacks (i would drive up through the pocanos if i went there), and Ohio. Both the drives to Cape Cod and the Adirondacks are most of the way, roads ive already driven. Ohio is uncharted territory for me. But, there might be more to see in do in Cape Cod or the Adirondacks.

Okay I am undecided which place i want to go. Deciding which place to go is up to me. I have a week wherever i go. So, here is a summary of my options:

Option 1: Ohio
After researching Cuyahoga Falls National Park, it dosen't sound worth a special trip, only if youre in the area. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is something i want to check out in that area though. The Hocking Hills Region of Ohio sounds very appeasing to me. The Lake Erie Islands sounds really cool too. I don't know about the ferry ride though because a person in our group has motion sickness. Its not totally out, but is there any quaint towns on the mainland with beaches? Amish Country also sounds very neat. What would be the best way to split up a week here?

Option 2:The Adirondacks
Lake Placid or Saranac Lake sounds really interesting. Definitely want to do the drive up to Whiteface Mountain and some hiking. High Falls Gorge or Ausable Chasm sounds interesting. Could possibly do the ferry over to Burlington, Vermont. Maybe split up the week between Lake Placid and somewhere in the southern adirondacks like Lake George or Old Forge? The Adirondacks is a huge park and would be nice to see as much of it as possible.

Option 3: Cape Cod
Don't know what town i would stay at here. Provincetown looks like a obvious choice because its at the tip of Cape Cod. But, the drive from the bottom of Cape Cod to the top doesn't look far either. Could probably base myself one place for the whole week. How crowded is Cape Cod in summer? Are there any isolated stretches of the coast?

For the Ohio part I would just do a loop. Start @ Hocking Hills, head up to Amish country - http://www.amishofholmescountyohio.c...shcountry.com/ Then on up to Kelley's Island. I wouldn't do much but overnight in Amish country & use it to break up the travel a bit between SE Ohio & Lake Erie. That would leave 3 days for each of them.

And skip Cuyahoga Valley and Cleveland. Would Amish country or that be better for the overnight? Is Put in Bay or Kelleys Island better? And is there any quaint Lake Erie Towns on the mainland?

I like the Amish countryside and Fallingwater is at the top of my To Do list.

I also love Cape Cod.

Enjoy your trip! :-)

I love Cape Cod but it is very crowded in the summer into the fall. Provincetown is my favorite, but you need to understand it to enjoy it. The tolerant live and let live atmosphere makes for a uniqueness that is hard to come by. I love the great shops, endless bike paths, wonderful restaurants, casual beaches, and interesting accommodations.
Many people are happier with the more sedate towns such as Chatham. If you decide to go to Cape Cod you will need to do some research to find the best place for you.

I ve been to Fallingwater, very beautiful. Cape Cod sounds very interesting. I like the sound of the national seashore too. Part of picking where to stay is not only the town but location too!! I kind of want to be somewhere convienent to the National Seashore. Is Cape Cod more crowded than OBX in summer? Are there beaches you can goto without crowds of people? Picking a travel destination is a never ending game. One minute I want to goto Cape Cod, the other to Ohio, and then the Adirondacks!! haha. Im just trying to gather all the info i can for each place and then choose.

I'd skip Cleveland. I like Kelley's better, Put-in-Bay is more of a island on Spring Break kind of place, particualrly in the Summer. Kelley's is much more quiet & sedate. I'd overnight in Amish country just to take advantage of the breakfast you'll be able to get there, & pick up a pie or two for your trip north.

what about cuyahoga valley? Is there enough to do on Kelleys Island for a couple days? Any public beaches? And anyway to hop over to Put in Bay from Kelleys Island?

Kelley's is pretty laid back & the 'beaches' (while some sand) will also turn into pebbles pretty quickly once you hit teh water. You have to Ferry to get around teh islands (Unless you have your own boat). http://www.kelleysislandferry.com/, http://www.millerferry.com/

So, maybe four nights or so at the Hocking Hills, a night in Amish Country, and 2 nights at the Lake Erie Islands? And skip Cuyahoga Valley National Park??
Thanks-