I live in the NYC area. I want to go somewhere new for the 4 day Christmas weekend that I can drive to in 10 hours more or less. I've already been to Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia.

I've never been to Virginia or the Carolinas. I like cities where there's a lot to see.

Any suggestions?

Charleston. Gorgeous, historical, with lots to see.

Asheville
Williamsburg
Charlottesville

Williamsburg must be wonderful around X mas time.Paul

Second the idea of Williamsburg but it's quite late to get reservations for that week -- worth checking.

Richmond takes a little planning and homework to find its best places (museum, restaurants, old neighborhoods) but worth the effort -- can pleasantly surprise you.

Don't think you can drive to Asheville in your 10 hr. window, but maybe. By far the most fun and diverse, but again, a little late for finding room -- and worth the effort if you can.

(Be aware that most of the places you'll visit in Va. and the Carolinas will close up on Christmas Day more than you might be used to in northern cities.)

There are so many hotels in Williamsburg that you shouldn't have trouble finding one. Many of the special CW dinners may be full but we can give you suggestions for great meals. Let us know if you are interested.

I would drive a little further and head to Charleston, SC.

The weather will be nicer than Williamsburg and there is just so much to see and do.

It is one of the best and most cosmopolitan small cities in the US.

For its size, the dining and shopping are unbeatable.

I said it's late for reservations for that week at Williamsburg because it will be very difficult to find space in or near the restored area and also to find dinner reservations, especially for Christmas Day.

There are many motels out on the approach to the area, but even then, you may have to work.

I speak from hard experience on this.

How does Asheville compare to Charleston?

Is the weather more likely to be nicer in Charleston?

Any hotel recommendations for under $100 in Charleston?

Aside from Colonial Williamsburgh, what else is there?

What are your interests? Shopping, museums, outdoors activities, restaurants?

How does Asheville compare to Charleston?

In what way? Asheville is smaller, in scenic mountains, full of arts, crafts, and rural history, although very NOT-rural Biltmore is an amazing landmark palace, larger than any of the Newport mansions. Charleston is larger, water-side city with plenty of port-city history -- more manicured, a bit more urban (but nothing like NYC, DC, etc.)

Is the weather more likely to be nicer in Charleston? Yes, it's at sea level and further south. Snow is possible in Asheville -- scenic if it doesn't catch you in transit. But this week, we're setting heat records in NC, so you never know.

Aside from Colonial Williamsburg, what else is there? A string of historic plantations and a hop either to Richmond or Newport News/Norfolk. Williamsburg itself is a 2-day proposition, not counting exploration of restaurants, stores, etc., and if you're tempted to do that, would also recommend a day in Richmond -- a surprising city with an exceptional museum and some great restaurants.

Based on your questions, however, it's sounding like you'd most likely head to Charleston.

Charleston would be a 12+ hour drive. It might be worth it to fly and get a rental car if that's the destination you decide on.

Have you thought of maybe the Baltimore/Annapolis area?

I'm thinking of the following itinerary:

Fri night - Leave NYC drive halfway to Charleston stopping Richmond??

Sat morning - see something in Richmond (museum?)

Sat afternoon - continue on to Charleston , arrive in evening.

Sun, Mon - See Charleston

Tues morning - Drive halfway back to NYC stopping in ?? , see something in the afternoon

Weds morn - See something else wherever I stopped Tues night

Weds afternoon -Drive the rest of the way back to NYC

Suggestions??

By the way, my interests are art, architecture, museums, scenery, good value restaurants.

A friend of mine who grew up in Asheville, NC told me the NY Times recently referred to Asheville as the "Paris of the South".

(I've never been in Asheville, so I can't comment. But I do very much agree with GoTravel's comment that Charleston, for its size, is unbeatable for shopping and dining), and it's so pretty, too (love the old homes).

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/09/30...l/30hours.html

It's easy to see why downtown Asheville is nicknamed "Paris of the South."

So the NY Times didn't really call Asheville that, but merely noted that it's a nickname that has been used in the past (probably by the Chamber of Commerce).

(I think I've also heard it applied to NO and Charleston, btw, both of which are probably a little more deserving.)

Driving NYC to Charleston for a long weekend is too much. I love Charleston, but given your proposed itinerary & interests, here's a different take:

Drive down I-81 (weather permitting) and stop in wonderful Charlottesville, VA instead of Richmond. (Just take 64 East from 81 to get to Charlottesville)

http://www.pursuecharlottesville.com...ctionIndex.php

Then drive further down 81 to 77 South & then 40 West to Asheville. OR, highly recommended: with a short detour to Old Salem in Winston-Salem via 52 South off 77. Then you can continue on 40 to Asheville.

http://www.oldsalem.org/index.php?id=47

You'll miss Charleston, but you'll have more scenery along 81, and you'll have a much more manageable drive, with lots of history, especially if you detour for a few hours in Winston-Salem to visit Old Salem. By the way, the Old Salem website doesn't do it justice.

BeachDweller,

Charleston is only one hour further then Asheville.

So my question is , which one will give me more bang for my driving time?

I love both cities, but if the drive time difference is only one hour, I would go on to Charleston. Asheville is lovely, but there is more to do in Charleston.

I'd probably stop in Charlottesville as mentioned prior. There is some history there as well as a bevy of wineries. I can't see wasting 1/4 of your time in the car.

"which one will give me more bang for my driving time?"

You said your definition of "bang" is "art, architecture, museums, scenery, good value restaurants."

By those measures, Asheville might actually edge out Charleston on all counts but maybe the restaurants, depending on what you mean by "good value."