another post covid vacation question

April 18, 2022 4:51 PM

my husband (51m) and myself (51f) would like to take a 7-10 day vacation in august or september.

we live on the eastern shore of maryland. we have gone to (and enjoyed!!) the keys in florida, multiple times. blue ridge, georgia, multiple times. las vegas, with a side tour of the grand canyon, niagra falls and charleston, sc.

we have driven for all the trips except las vegas.

wants: amtrak or easy travel destination without needing a rental car. OR, driving distance under 8 hours, we take our own car.

needs: open to everything. we are getting old, but still enjoyed white water rafting! a very nice accomodation for where ever we go. fishing and small town charm are a big plus.

tell me your secret favorite places on the east coast!

note, we live close to ocean city, md so beach vacation suggestions are cool, but we are somewhat familiar with that.

posted by kiwi-epitome to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

Best answer: Only a few hours north of you, Lambertville NJ is a small town on the Delaware River just opposite the better known and busier New Hope PA. Both places have interesting shops and good restaurants and bars and Lambertville is really fun to walk around but the real glory is the river. There are tree-lined walking/bicycling trails (former tow paths) on both sides that go for miles and miles. Bucks County PA is famously gorgeous if you feel like going for a drive but Hunterdon County NJ’s rolling farmland and tiny villages are lovely as well. Revolutionary War history, a covered bridge, old stone Inns (now restaurants), Princeton and yes, fishing. It’s pretty quiet at night though.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:34 PM on April 18, 2022 [3 favorites]

You could board the Amtrak Crescent one evening in Wilmington, DC, or BWI, and be in New Orleans by the next. The roomettes sleep two bunk-style and are their own little adventure.
posted by cocoagirl at 7:09 PM on April 18, 2022 [1 favorite]

Since you list cities on your, what about Pittsburgh? It has all the cultural amenities of a big city but it is a manageable size and not that far from you. The city with it’s hills, rivers and bridges is visually unique and there will be lots to see and do.
posted by mmascolino at 9:03 PM on April 18, 2022

I would recommend Harpers Ferry, in part because you can take the train there, but I'm not sure there's a week of compelling things to do without a car. I believe there is a shuttle bus between town and the park and some of the outdoor expedition places have vans that depart from town. It does definitely have small town charm aplenty as well as fishing. You could do a day trip to one of the other towns on the railway for variety as well as to see the terrain.

Some of the B&Bs I scoped out also have tour guide type activities so if it's interesting to you, you might call and see what they recommend if you want to take the train in.
posted by Candleman at 9:37 PM on April 18, 2022

Ashville, NC?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:41 PM on April 18, 2022

Richmond, VA is an easy drive south (or the train if you prefer, but you might need that rental car if so.) I say easy because I grew up here and went to college on Maryland's eastern shore.

In Richmond, you'll encounter plenty of history, great food and sources of various adult beverages, plus whitewater rafting!
posted by emelenjr at 6:07 AM on April 19, 2022

Best answer: A great Amtrak destination is Saratoga Springs, NY. You can stay at the Gideon Putnam hotel in Saratoga Springs park, or somewhere downtown. The Gideon Putnam is a place we like because it's right in the midst of wonderful park trails with a lot of waterfalls and mineral springs. There's also a spa in the park where you can "take the waters" (and get regular spa services too). The downtown is a pretty charming set of shopping streets with good pubs and restaurants. There's lots of history, a few museums. Great long weekend destination.
posted by Miko at 9:05 AM on April 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Fort Lewis Lodge in Millboro, Virginia, is one of my favorite relaxing getaways. Delicious breakfasts and dinners are included. Rent a room in a lodge attached to an old grain silo or a freestanding luxury log cabin. Enjoy the hot tub under the stars with zero light pollution. Sit by the outdoor fireplace under a pavilion. Hike for miles. Go canoeing or rafting. Or fish on the property, in the Cowpature River.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 9:20 AM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Savannah, ga (SCAD museum, architecture and cuisine as real highlights) to Cumberland island to the okefenokee swamp was a great trip we took a few years ago. A little more than 8h driving from MD for the first leg (and return) but oh so worth it.
posted by lalochezia at 5:25 AM on April 20, 2022