Need advice on East Coast travel

[DVC Grandpa]

My wife and I will be leaving WDW on Sunday September 15, heading for HH and then on up I95 and the Alantic Ocean for as far as two weeks will take us. With the exception of Washington, DC and Mystic Connecticut, we have no idea of what to see or where to stop. For those of you who have traveled and live along this route, can you suggest any “can’t miss” sites and also sites that we should avoid? (We plan to visit NY City at another time.) Any advice on roads to take and the possibility of construction delays? Thanks!

 

[cindala]

Well, as far as site seeing goes, there is Virginia Beach, Busch Gardens and Williamsburg in Virginia, and you might REALLY want to stop and visit Cape May in New Jersey. It is a very unique victorian town with many restored buildings, inns, restaurants, shopping, a lighthouse, and sunken ship. Just down the road about half an hour away is Atlantic City, if you are feeling lucky! Both of these towns are directly off of the Garden State Parkway, which runs parallel to I-95 (NJ Turnpike).

Just for a frame of reference, Cape May is about 2 1/2 hours from NYC, and NYC is about 2 1/2 hours from Mystic (another of our favorites!)

 

[Jacksmom99]

Being from New England there is so much I want to tell you to see. Newport, RI is gorgeous, you can tour the mansions of the obscenely rich and famous. September is a good time of year too, after the tourist season. Providence RI aslo has great theater shows and a neat down town area. In Massachusetts, of course there is Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Great B&B's on the islands, but you need to take a ferry to get there. There is also the historic town of Plymouth, the Pilgrims, etc. Boston is great also, but traffic is a nightmare because of the Big Dig, and parking is a major problem in the city. Further on up the coast is Portsmouth, NH, a very quaint and picturesque town, neat shops, beautiful scenery. Now on to Maine and where I grew up. The whole coast is gorgeous and worth seeing if you make it that far. York, Kennebunkport, Portland-very neat downtown area called the Old Port, Boothbay, Bar Harbor, Rockland all so beautiful with plenty to do and see. Portland is about 2 hours north of Boston if you're trying to plan your time. There is also a the Sebago Lake area (where I grew up) just west of Portland. It's about 2 1/2 hours from Boston.

I hope you make it as far as New England. September is a perfect time here, the summer tourists will be gone, but the weather will be beautiful. Good luck and hope you have a great time.

 

[fraggle]

I would recommmend Newport R.I. also. The mansions are amazing as is the view of the ocean. I would also stay away from Boston unless you are planning on spending a few nights in one spot. Traffic there is a nightmare. Salem, MA is a great place to visit if you are interested in history (esp. the witch trials). If you decide to travel further north, I would also recommend Kennebunkport or further North to the lighthouses in Cape Elizabeth/Portland. One of my favorite vacation areas is the White Mountains of New Hampshire (about 2 hour drive from Boston or Portland, ME). The mountains are beautiful, there is tons of shopping and there are plenty of great Inns and B+B's that really emulate New England hospitality. Actually we are headed there this weekend for a mini vacation! Whatever you decide to do, have a wonderful vacation!

 

[crazyme5kids]

Come to Long Island! Lots of things to see, Sagamore Hill (Teddy Roosevelt's home), Stonybrook Carriage Museum, Wineries, the lighthouses of Fire Island and Montauk are just a handful of things to see and do. You can take a ferry across the L.I.sound to Conneticut (it beats driving,much more relaxing).

 

[The Duchess]

Go to www.interstate4u.com which will give you information on trip mileage, construction, places to visit etc...
It lists every exit on every interstate in the US and what you will find there!

 

[DVC Grandpa]

I picked up my AAA map of the Northeast and have started to plan all our stops along the east coast. I have been given many good suggestions and plan on seeing as many sites as possible. If anyone can add to what already beed suggested, feel free to add your comments. Thanks all who took the time to suggest sites along our route.

 

[izzy]

Since I'm from Virginia, I'll mostly give you my Virginia favorites!

If you've never been to Williamsburg or Jamestown before, they're both excellent. It's about a 45 minute drive from I-95 in Richmond on I-64E. Williamsburg could easily be a 2 day stop, especially if you go to Busch Gardens. (At that time of year, Busch Gardens is probably only open on the weekend.)

I would probably skip Virginia Beach, especially if you've just been to Hilton Head. It's another hour (at least!) east of Williamsburg through some pretty bad traffic, depending on what time of day you go through there. Plus, I think you'll be disappointed with Virginia Beach after seeing the beauty of HH.

If you like Civil War type things, Fredericksburg, about 45 minutes north of Richmond, is very interesting. Petersburg (just south of Richmond) has some sort of National Battlefield Park which I've never been to but understand is nice. I have been through the Fredericksburg Civil War sites and really enjoyed them.

If anyone in your party likes to shop, you might want to consider Potomac Mills Outlet Mall, which is about 1/2 hour or so north of Fredericksburg in Dale City. I think I do more walking at that outlet mall than I do at Epcot!! Williamburg is also known for its outlet shopping.

If you're looking for another amusement park, we also have Kings Dominion in Ashland, which is about 1/2 hour north of Richmond. Again, it's probably only open on the weekend at that time of year.

Even though it's not in Virginia, I also really enjoy the aquarium in Baltimore. I also ditto the Cape May suggestion someone else made. I can't say the same for Atlantic City, although I know a lot of people enjoy it.

Have fun on your trip!