east coast trip

I agree with April or October around DC. Cherry Blossoms in April, Fall colors in October.

Beginnings of America? Then, Plymouth Massachusettes! You have to do the "pilgrim" thing, check out the Mayflower II boat and the Pilgrim and Indian settlements.

My favorite times for the DC area are April and October. Not too hot, not to cold. Either spring is coming on full force or the leaves are changing - the most beautiful times of the year in DC. By October, people have mellowed out from the summer tourist season, most of the mosquitoes are gone, the night air is crisp. In April, people are getting excited about summer on its way, the flowers are blooming, warm days aren't yet humid enough to swim in.

Traveling down the Appalachians following fall is pretty amazing. Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: all are not to be missed.

I agree with September.Warm days,cool nights,campgrounds less crowded.Pennsylvania has alot of great State Parks for camping,but we also have alot of historic sites:The Drake Well Museum where oil was discovered,the Train Museum in Strassburg,The Military Museum in Boalsburg,Gettysberg. In Mayrland,Assategue Island,Elk Neck or Jane's Island State Parks on the Chesepeake.

September is a good month on the east coast. Nice weather, the kids are back in school, campgrounds and attractions are not as crowded.

Definitely stop and see the Flight 93 Memorial near Somerset PA.

And, if possible, stop at Pottsville PA and tour the Yuengling Brewery. It's America's oldest brewery. Even if you don't care for beer, it's a very interestig tour.

The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is just south of Harrisburg PA.

And the Rockville Bridge is just outside Harrisburg. It's the longest stone arch bridge in the world.

And of course, Philadelphia, PA.

The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal is in northern Maryland.

There is a lot to see, start planning your stops now.
Enjoy your trip.

yes to gettysburg.
must stop here and give my respects.
sad i am not that big on the names of everywhere. American history was not my best subject in school.
i do wish to see some of the smithsonium museums.
and the "standard" tourest spots in and around DC.
and as a train buff must stop and see some of the history there ( including in montana).
it will be a whurllwind trip. only get six weeks. (one week to recover aka: sleep).
drive from here in ca to the east coast
and maybe get in a couple moto rides checking out the back roads.

and also what time of the year are "special" events taking place?...if any?

working from a blank sheet at this time..

Gettysburg, PA; Williamsburg, VA; Old Jamestown Village, etc

around the DC area,
working on the state, citys now, just reciving the "state guides",
as to the time of year, this is pending weather, as in humidly and ice.
this is were i am in need of help. not too hot, not snowing, etc.
and of course what time i can wessile off work as i am hurting on the seniorty level,
so i do not get choice of vacation times

It would be helpful to know what states you plan to visit and what time of year?