Vacation destination with (max) 6 hours drive of Virginia?

March 25, 2016 7:37 AM

Vacation Filter: Help us decide where to go on vacation for a week in May within 4-6 hours drive north of the Virginia/MD state line?

We (two 30-something adults, no kids) are looking for a place to spend a week that is about a 4-6 hour drive *north* of the Virginia/MD state line. What we're looking for:

- Not looking to stay in a major city, ie. Philly or DC. Too crowded.
- We enjoy: hiking, parks & gardens, historical stuff, really good food & drink, movies, (window) shopping, museums
- Not too hard to get around (driving is fine, but for example, driving into DC is a pain in the ass.)
- Beaches are OK, but one of us isn't really into the 'lay on the beach all day for a week' kind of vacations

Vacation spots we've really enjoyed in the past: Asheville, NC and Ithaca, NY.

Spots we're considering: Annapolis, MD; Deep Creek Lake, MD; another town in the Finger Lakes region? (I feel like we've seen everything near Ithaca.)

I would love to hear your opinions on the places we're considering, or recommendations for other places! Is there good food and other entertainment in Deep Creek Lake? Is Annapolis outdoorsy?

posted by geeky to Travel & Transportation (17 answers total)

Harper's Ferry is great for hiking and other fun outdoor stuff.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 7:54 AM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

Letchworth state park in NY may be at the outside of your range, but is really worth it. Memail me, and I'll get some photos from when I was there.
posted by kellyblah at 8:05 AM on March 25, 2016

The Brandywine Valley definitely has parks & gardens and historical stuff and also has dining and hiking.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:10 AM on March 25, 2016

You could spend the week driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway / Shenendoah National Park. Great scenery, plenty of hiking, interesting museums and history and restaurants in the various small towns along the way.
posted by COD at 8:13 AM on March 25, 2016

Response by poster: @COD: We live in the Shenandoah Valley, so while I agree it is wonderful, we're looking to go elsewhere - north of here :)
posted by geeky at 8:21 AM on March 25, 2016

Annapolis is boat-outdoorsy but not hiking/nature outdoorsy. The Delaware Water Gap has nature, history, wine, restaurants, art ... pretty much everything you are looking for plus a wolf preserve.
posted by headnsouth at 8:25 AM on March 25, 2016

Lititz, Pa. There are hotels and B&Bs. Rent right in town and walk everywhere. You can visit Wilbur chocolate factory, Lititz Springs Park, and several cute shops and restaurants. From there, it's an easy drive to Hershey Park, Intercourse Pretzel factory, Strausberg, and tons of other really nifty places. It's also really pretty up there in May.
posted by myselfasme at 8:39 AM on March 25, 2016

What about stuff near the shore that isn't lay on a beach stuff? I was thinking you could consider places like chincoteague where there are wild ponies. Or maybe cool parks on the Outer Banks like Jockeys Ridge State Park
posted by FireFountain at 8:59 AM on March 25, 2016

I'll just say it, White Sulpher Springs, WV.

It'll be a gorgeous drive and you can see The Bunker at the Greenbrier.

Stay at the Greenbrier or just out of town.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:56 AM on March 25, 2016

I was going to suggest White Sulpher Springs and its surroundings although it is technically not North of the the VA/MD border. But since Ruthless Bunny broke the ice I'll also add that the Cass Scenic Railroad is nearby as is the interesting Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The nearby Snowshoe Mountain has hiking and mountain biking in the warmer months.
posted by mmascolino at 10:14 AM on March 25, 2016

I haven't been there personally, but I've heard good things about Cape May, particularly if you're into birdwatching.
posted by Johnny Assay at 11:00 AM on March 25, 2016

We went to Cape May last June for a week and it was awesome. Also, apparently it doesn't get crowded until July, so June was great and May would be even better.

There's the beach of course, but the town itself is beautiful with lots of interesting places to see, nature areas, restaurants, historical locations and neat hotels to stay at. It's also great for walking and biking around town, everything is close by. You can even rent a house for a week instead (the prices on the 'off season' like May or June can be awesome).

We were looking for a laid back sort of vacation where we could wander around and do random fun things whenever we felt like it. Cape May was perfect for that.

Also, it was an easy drive (we live in southern Maryland near DC).
posted by scififan at 11:15 AM on March 25, 2016

Seconding the Brandywine Valley, and noting that the upper part of MD and Chesapeake Bay are within reach. Elk Neck St park is huge. You could find a boat ride of some sort if it met your fancy. Also, it's possible to dash into Philly for some history.

Amish country is also close.
posted by SemiSalt at 2:17 PM on March 25, 2016

Rocky Gap State Park!

My parents used to take us camping there ALL THE TIME. They have great hiking and a really beautiful lake to swim in. I remember the ranger programs being really wonderful as well. There's also golfing and a spa near by.

I'd recommend staying in the lodge, but I think they turned part of it into a casino (which kind of stinks), so I can't speak to it's family friendliness anymore.

But the camping is excellent!!
posted by Deeleybopper at 2:54 PM on March 25, 2016

Another town in the Finger Lakes region: Watkins Glen at Seneca lake. The town (village..) isn't maybe so hot but the hike in the state park is spectacular. Also, there's wineries all along the lake!

And if you say you've seen all around Ithaca, you've likely been to the Buttermilk Falls State Park, but have you seen Taughannock Falls?
posted by Namlit at 4:13 PM on March 25, 2016

Response by poster: @Namlit: Yep, we've been to Watkins Glen State Park (amazing), Buttermilk (fantastic), and Taughannock (breathtaking), and even a few of the lesser know spots in the area. Loved it all, but seen it and got the pictures, you know? If you know anything about the northern parts of the Finger Lakes I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. We've got lots of research to do :)
posted by geeky at 6:38 PM on March 25, 2016

Seconding Lititz, and not just because I like to say its name.

It's very outdoorsy, you're in Penna. Dutch country and it's ridiculously cheap.

If you're into beer, it has several brewpubs plus the excellent Bull's Head Public House, rated one of the best taverns in America. Troegs Brewery is also nearby.

Best of all: The Wolf Sanctuary of Pa. It's offers a fantastic tour with very knowledgeable guides and incredibly beautiful animals. There's a B&B on the grounds where you can wake up to the wonderful sound of howls.
posted by sixpack at 10:30 AM on March 26, 2016