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Robenz70's avatar
Robenz70
Explorer
Jun 10, 2015

4 week northeast trip suggestions July 2015

My husband and I (mid 40's) are planning a month long camping trip to the north eastern part of US. This will be our first trip to the north east and we will be pulling a pop up camper and are looking for suggestions on places to stay and best route to take. We are looking to stay 3 to 4 days in each place and not drive more than 4 hours between places but can be flexible. We do need power at each site and we are more interested in outdoor activities, nature, wine tours and maybe a stop at a casino. We are coming from southeast VA and have done some research and this is what we have so far.
Assateague SP Eastern shore MD
4th of July Fireworks NYC (where would be a good place to stay and take train into city)
Head up coast to Maine ending at Acadia NP (suggestions on where to stay along the way)
White Mtns - Kancamagus Hwy
Watkins Glen/finger lakes (can we do day trip to Niagra Falls from here or should we plan a few days there on Canada side?)
End up in the Poconos
Thoughts on this trip and any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

14 Replies

  • Do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put the city, state or area in the blank and read what the experts state are the things to do in their respective areas.
    Be sure to take the bus tour of Boston. Do NOT try to drive around Boston to see the sights by yourselves unless you are a masochist for driving in crowded small spaces.
  • Robenz70 wrote:
    ....................
    Watkins Glen/finger lakes (can we do day trip to Niagra Falls from here or should we plan a few days there on Canada side?)
    End up in the Poconos
    Thoughts on this trip and any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
    To make the trip to Niagara worthwhile you really do need to cross into Canada (take passports!).
    Due to the freak of nature that created the Falls, the view really is a lot better from the Canadian side.
    While you are there you need to take the "Maid of the Mist" boat tour and take the ride down behind the Falls themselves (oil-skins provided!)
    Then you could take the Spanish cable car ride across the river over the Whirlpool rapids a little bit downriver from the Falls. Both ends of the ride are in Canada.
    If you are adventurous (and/or need to cool off on a hot day!) you could take the jet-boat ride through the Whirlpool rapids, it runs from a beautiful little village called Niagara-on-the-Lake - worth a visit in itself.

    While at the Falls themselves you do need to turn your back on the towering blocks of hotels that have been built in the last 20-30 years that (IMHO) have destroyed what used to be a beautiful park location.

    You need to be there during an evening as the Falls are lit up with multi-colored lasers/floodlights after dark.

    Right on the brink of the Falls is a restaurant called Table Rock. Reservations are required, ask for a window seat.

    You will not do the round trip plus do justice to the Falls in one day. You really need to make it at least a two day trip.

    Edit: Forgot to mention the highlight of one of my Niagara trips - the helicopter ride over the Falls.
    They leave from just downriver (near the Butterfly Conservatory) and the flight lasts about 20 minutes. It's amazing how much water there is in that area!!
    Cost around $75 maybe 10 years ago, probably double that by now,
  • Thanks for the reply bukhrn. We are interested in history but have been to Boston before. We want to do and see things on this trip that we haven't done before (camping for a month being one of them). Looking for less tourist places and more scenic places. We threw nyc in just because we thought it would be a good place for fireworks as we will be around there on the 4th but we are open to any suggestions.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    I take it you are not into history, as being from Williamsburg you've probably had your fill, so there is no need to go to Boston, other than the sea food, which you can get any where along the coast. Not that there isn't anything else to do in Boston, but those are the 2 that draw most folks.
    Acadia NP is an awesome place, with some great hikes, Bar Harbor, for food & shopping, we stayed 3 days in Blackwoods CG, but there are no hookups, I'm sure others will chime in here as there are private CG's around the area with FHU's.
    The White Mtns are another gorgeous area with lots to see & do, & some serious hikes if your into that. The Auto Road up Mnt Washington is an experience in it's self.
    As far as a day trip to The Falls, I don't know what you want to see or do there, but it's 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive each way, so only you can say if it's doable.