Need help with a July Vacation??????

[DieselJay]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a 1 week vacation any where with in a 12 hour radius of Ct.  Don't care what way I go north , south, east, west. We have seen a lot up and down the new England coast line, but I'm sure there is still much more to see!!  Is there any place that you have been that really stands out?  FYI my kids are 11 and 8 and are up for anything .  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.   Thanks, Jay

[Great Horned Owl]

You might enjoy heading south and taking the Blue Ridge Parkway west to Great  Smokey Mountains N.P. It is a very scenic ride. You can take the kids to a live historical play in Boone, NC. There is loads of hiking all along the way and in the Smokies. There are loads of activities for the kids in Cherokee, NC, Gatlinburg, TN and in Pidgeon Forge, TN, all three just adjacent to the Smokies.

Joel

[Coach_Frank]

I second Joel's idea.  My DW and I traversed this area last summer.  Very nice!

[SeilerBird]

I third Joels opinion. I traveled the entire BRP in 2004. It is a wonderful trip.

[Wizard46]

Was in Cherokee 2 weeks ago, camped right on the creek. Ran the heater a lot more than the AC.

Short trip up the BRP, Beautiful is the best way to describe.

[rlratto]

Acadia, National Park or
NY's Adirondacks

[DieselJay]

Thanks everyone,  please keep them coming.  Joel it is  funny you say NC and SC, I was looking into NC, the Chimney Rock area than was thinking of heading to Knoxville TN, than maybe Nashville TN, But thinking no way I could pull that off one week, maybe two. I was also looking into Arcada NP in Maine so I guess I'm some what on target.   Thanks again. Jay

[SeilerBird]

One of my favorite spots on the Atlantic seaboard is Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Great campgrounds right on the beach. Lots and lots and lots of birds

[RVTom75]

Acadia N.P. is not worth the trip. Go to the Smokies.

[SeilerBird]

I thought Acadia was wonderful. One of the most beautiful coastlines I have ever seen. And the history of the area is really fascinating.

[Ken & Sheila]

I agree with Tom, Acadia is beautiful. It is far less crowded than the Smokies.

ken

[mariekie4]

Ditto on Acadia NP and Ocracoke Island. The New Hampshire White Mountains is another beautiful area with lots to experience.

Marie.

[SeilerBird]

The New Hampshire White Mountains is another beautiful area with lots to experience.

I have to agree with you Marie and therein lies a story. As a west coaster most of my life when I think of New Hampshire I think of two things. Primary elections and the Old Man in the Mountain. So the very first time I visited New Hampshire I went straight to the Old Man and he had just fell down the year before. Talk about a major disappointment. I am surprised there are no plans to rebuild it. Now all you get are spotting scopes that show you where it was. 

[mariekie4]

I have a story as well. West of the Mississippi has always been my major interest. Then we went to the eastern side of the US and low and behold, what a surprise, a pleasant one at that. It is as diverse, interesting and with a beauty of its own, to say the least. To put it in a nut shell, this continent is just amazing!

Marie.

[rlratto]

Acadia is great! Take your bikes and explore the carriage trails. The views from the coast are awe inspiring. Seen from only the car, it could get boring.  Let's not forget the lobster dinners!

[RoyalEF]

Well July means heat, so my thoughts go northward, not south to higher temps--but I know people have different feelings about the heat.

Virgina/DC/Maryland area is so full of stuff to see and do.  I spent a week in Winchester, VA visiting WV, Shenandoah Valley & D.C.  I would have liked 2-3 weeks in the region.

Acadia was one of the first to come to mind.
St. Lawrence River (Heart Island/Alexandria Bay), Finger Lakes was another.
Lake Champlain regions (NY/Vermont), Audible Chasm.
I'm sure you've done Niagara, but you could consider the Canadian side's Provincial/National parks or the cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec

For a more unusual choice... I'd say Nova Scotia.  Supposed to be a beautiful rugged country, reminiscent of Ireland.  Very Friendly people (Newfoundland is very expensive to ferry to, skip it).  But I think that would be more of a 14 hour drive from Hartford+customs.

[ArdraF]

(Newfoundland is very expensive to ferry to, skip it).

We LOVED Newfoundland.  You'll find various reports in our library for those who have been there.  I think we all loved it.  We went the first time for five days and spent a week.  Not nearly enough time!  Returned ten years later and spent a full month and still didn't see everything!

ArdraF

[DieselJay]

Thanks everyone, I've been really busy lately so just checking in on post and wow really liking what I've been reading.  Work is also busy so don't think I'll be getting more then a week right now, so I think we are going to check out Arcada NP! If by chance, I'm granted more time we will head south, but a little concerned because its been VERY hot and humid this summer so not sure if going south would be right choice for a July Vaca.  Jay