East Coast Suggestions for a late summer trip
Okay board I will admit it, we are a west coast snob family. We LOVE the west coast national parks. We crave Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia, Redwoods, Grand Canyon, Arches, Rocky Mountain, and the G...
Forum Discussion
Acadia is the epitome of "unique" due to it's diverse topography and location. It is small but has some of the best and most scenic hikes in the country and is one of the most-hiked national parks as well. It's location offers the ability to hike, bike, view wildlife, explore the town of Bar Harbor as well as other small coastal towns, go sailing or whale watching, see natural wonders, ride go-karts, play mini-golf, go antiquing, shopping, dine out, and savor some of the best natural foods on the planet-lobster and Maine blueberries. There are art galleries, county fairs, museums, and superb people watching. The park varies from coastal to woodlands to incredible views and awe-inspiring cliff faces. You can have afternoon tea at the Jordan Pond house, take a carriage ride on the carriage roads in the park, or mountain bike on very challenging terrain. Using your own words, just leave your "snob" at home and open your mind to an area that's truly like no other. My only concern is that it's a 1000 mile drive for you. That's two days up and two days back, which will only allow 4 days in the area. If you just spend time in the park, that's adequate, but to fully enjoy the area you'll need more time.
You don't say how old your kids are, but if you home school you might want to do a combo trip of Gettysburg and Colonial Williamsburg. From Gettysburg you can also get to Antetiam and Harpers Ferry, and aren't that far from Hershey Park. Gettysburg also offers horseback riding, ghost tours, shopping, and wineries. Drive a little less than two hours and you are in Pottsville, the home of the Yeungling Brewery, the oldest continually operating brewery in America. They even stayed open during prohibition, but I won't give away the secret as to why. The tour is both interesting and a history lesson. Kids won't be able to sample at the end, but you will! Best of all it's free. There's also Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. However, our last visit there was disappointing as the park was in a state of disrepair. It's no longer owned by Anheiser-Busch and the new owners don't seem to have the same caring for the park. Gettysburg is a day's drive for you-you could hit there first then Williamsburg on the way back if you choose to do both.
You don't say how old your kids are, but if you home school you might want to do a combo trip of Gettysburg and Colonial Williamsburg. From Gettysburg you can also get to Antetiam and Harpers Ferry, and aren't that far from Hershey Park. Gettysburg also offers horseback riding, ghost tours, shopping, and wineries. Drive a little less than two hours and you are in Pottsville, the home of the Yeungling Brewery, the oldest continually operating brewery in America. They even stayed open during prohibition, but I won't give away the secret as to why. The tour is both interesting and a history lesson. Kids won't be able to sample at the end, but you will! Best of all it's free. There's also Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. However, our last visit there was disappointing as the park was in a state of disrepair. It's no longer owned by Anheiser-Busch and the new owners don't seem to have the same caring for the park. Gettysburg is a day's drive for you-you could hit there first then Williamsburg on the way back if you choose to do both.
