Chautauqua Institution in Western NY is a great location. If you are a Lucille Ball fan, you can't miss her home/grave/museum in Nearby Jamestown NY.
I oiled then angle down to southern Pa. Fallingwater (Frank Lloyd Wright's) master piece is a must see. Nearby 40 miles or so is the flight 93 Memorial. I woul then travel on to Gettysburg which has more monuments than any battlefield in the world. An hour east of Gettysburg is Amish country which is worth a drive by, Then on to Philly to see Independence Hall/Liberty Bell/Ephrams Alley/Christ Church plus all the other historic sites. If you like history, you can't miss Philly and Gettysburg.