What states are the most scenic to stop in on the way to WDW?

[domesticdiva]

I am not sure if we'll be crossing the border in Kingston or Niagara yet, but where do u stop on the way to WDW? I'm just trying to decide if we should book a night somewhere special along the way? Any advice or tips?

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Living in Virginia, I'm partial to anything along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Depending on the season, the views can be outstanding!!!!!

 

[StepInTime]

I like to stop in W.Virginia or Virginia when we drive south. Like PP said the views are fantastic! Last year we pulled over near a bridge(first of its kind in the area, but can't remamber the name) and walked to the bottom of the valley(canyon?). I'll never forget the view, DH wishes he could forget the walk

 

[domesticdiva]

I like to stop in W.Virginia or Virginia when we drive south. Like PP said the views are fantastic! Last year we pulled over near a bridge(first of its kind in the area, but can't remamber the name) and walked to the bottom of the valley(canyon?). I'll never forget the view, DH wishes he could forget the walk

That sounds spectacular!!! We'll be going in early October so I imagine the views would be gorgeous at that time of year Are the scenic rest stops in Virginia that we could pull over to for a nap and a stretch?

 

[disney4dan]

I personnally think the gate at Walt Disney World is the most scenic part of the trip !

I remember stopping at the Natural Bridge somewhere in Virginia on the way down as a kid, and also hitting the Luray Caverns. Both were pretty close to the highway if I recall correctly.

October is a great time for that drive, we did it in October 2006 and were glad we did not take the concrete canyon tour through NYC and NJ.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I personnally think the gate at Walt Disney World is the most scenic part of the trip !

I remember stopping at the Natural Bridge somewhere in Virginia on the way down as a kid, and also hitting the Luray Caverns. Both were pretty close to the highway if I recall correctly.

October is a great time for that drive, we did it in October 2006 and were glad we did not take the concrete canyon tour through NYC and NJ.

Right off 81!

There is a little bit of a walk to the Natural Bridge. It isn't too far, but it IS steep on the way back up.

BTW, if you come I 81, Fancy Gap, VA just before you hit NC is gorgeous!!!!! I can't stress enough that you must be careful, though! I have seen some trucks in precarious positions on that road!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I like to stop in W.Virginia or Virginia when we drive south. Like PP said the views are fantastic! Last year we pulled over near a bridge(first of its kind in the area, but can't remamber the name) and walked to the bottom of the valley(canyon?). I'll never forget the view, DH wishes he could forget the walk

You may be talking about the Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cumberland Gap, NC. It is breathtaking!

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/linncove.htm

 

[disney4dan]

That viaduct is incredible, thanks for the link. Not sure if I'll be taking the trailer along that route!!!

I like the part in the article where they talk about building sections in a warehouse nearby and bringing them out to the site. It reminds me of my uncle who is a supervisor for a highway paving crew. The last project they were on went through the center of a busy town, and he would usually get one or two irate people per week who did not like the disruption. He could usually calm them down by listening patiently and then just blurting out: "That's it, the next road we do, I'm just gonna build the darn thing back at the shop and bring it out here in one piece!". They usually "get-it" and just realize that the inconvenience is all part of the deal.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

That viaduct is incredible, thanks for the link. Not sure if I'll be taking the trailer along that route!!!

I like the part in the article where they talk about building sections in a warehouse nearby and bringing them out to the site. It reminds me of my uncle who is a supervisor for a highway paving crew. The last project they were on went through the center of a busy town, and he would usually get one or two irate people per week who did not like the disruption. He could usually calm them down by listening patiently and then just blurting out: "That's it, the next road we do, I'm just gonna build the darn thing back at the shop and bring it out here in one piece!". They usually "get-it" and just realize that the inconvenience is all part of the deal.

Your uncle is very wise! Sometimes people just want to be listened to, no matter how silly they soon realize they are!

 

[StepInTime]

The bridge I was talking about(still can't remember the name) is a Steel Arch Bridge & I'm pretty sure it was in W.V. But there are lot of other scenic places you can stop & rest. I don't think I could make the drive(Buffalo to Florida) if there weren't!

 

[domesticdiva]

I personnally think the gate at Walt Disney World is the most scenic part of the trip !

I remember stopping at the Natural Bridge somewhere in Virginia on the way down as a kid, and also hitting the Luray Caverns. Both were pretty close to the highway if I recall correctly.

October is a great time for that drive, we did it in October 2006 and were glad we did not take the concrete canyon tour through NYC and NJ.

I do agree that the gate of WDW is by far the best view of any on the trip to WDW, no doubt!!
I can't wait to go!! I'm not looking forward to the drive and ecspecially the mountains in the dark! Eeekks! I think we'll have to plan it so we get through them or to them by nightfall, otherwise I'll be white knuckled for the entire drive

 

[Drewsmommybear]

The bridge I was talking about(still can't remember the name) is a Steel Arch Bridge & I'm pretty sure it was in W.V. But there are lot of other scenic places you can stop & rest. I don't think I could make the drive(Buffalo to Florida) if there weren't!

I think you're talking about the New River Gorge Bridge. It's quite an impressive sight. But if you're coming in from Niagra Falls, you're going to go by the Eastern Panhandle of WV. It's pretty far from the bridge in question. Since we live in that area, I would say that besides the Blue Ridge Parkway area, by Skyline Drive there are many Caverns that are kind of interesting though most are pretty tourist trappy in nature.

 

[StepInTime]

That's the name, THANK YOU! It was driving me nuts! We're coming from the Buffalo-Niagara area & you're saying if we saw that bridge we were going out of our way? Did DH get us lost again or did MapQuest take us the scenic route? The quicker we get to WDW the better!

 

[Drewsmommybear]

I could be wrong about the bridge but sounds like the one in question. If you're taking I-95 down, it's pretty much waaaay out of the way. Like I said, I could be thinking of the wrong bridge but the New River Gorge Bridge is a really large steel bridge that goes right over the New River and the New River Valley. It's so big that every year in October, they close the bridge down and have "Bridge Day" where people BASE jump with parachutes. It is the craziest thing I've ever seen.

 

[Kimbere]

I am not sure if we'll be crossing the border in Kingston or Niagara yet, but where do u stop on the way to WDW? I'm just trying to decide if we should book a night somewhere special along the way? Any advice or tips?

Driving thru Tennessee was really beautiful, through the Applachins (sp?)....on I-75.

 

[StepInTime]

You've definitely got the right bridge, but we don't hit the I-95 until(I think, maybe farther south) Virginia. I've made this drive so many times you'd think I'd remember!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I could be wrong about the bridge but sounds like the one in question. If you're taking I-95 down, it's pretty much waaaay out of the way. Like I said, I could be thinking of the wrong bridge but the New River Gorge Bridge is a really large steel bridge that goes right over the New River and the New River Valley. It's so big that every year in October, they close the bridge down and have "Bridge Day" where people BASE jump with parachutes. It is the craziest thing I've ever seen.

I need to look that up! I live in the New River Valley and have never heard of that bridge! Of course, it is NRV Virginia, where I call home, not WV. It sounds great, I need to go check it out!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I just found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_River_Gorge_Bridge

It IS impressive! And not far from home!

 

[DaveInTN]

You've definitely got the right bridge, but we don't hit the I-95 until(I think, maybe farther south) Virginia. I've made this drive so many times you'd think I'd remember!

You are right. I grew up near Buffalo, and we always drove over the NRG Bridge along US19 in WV on the way to Florida, at least after the bridge was completed in the late 70's. The route we took was I90 to I79 South, down through Pittsburgh and into WV, then US19 to I77, through the Carolinas to I95.

 

[domesticdiva]

I'll definately be stopping in WV or V now!! Those places look spectacular, thanks for the links and suggestions If you're pulling your TT, do you stop at a hotel for a night or at a rest stop to catch some zzzz's?