Vacation Me
July 19, 2024 9:23 PM   Subscribe

I just quit my job. I need a break before I start looking. I want to travel somewhere in the continental US. I'd be leaving middle of next week. Planning on going about 5-7 days.

I am open to a road trip. Not more than say 6 hours from Cleveland.

I don't want a big city. No NYC, Chicago, etc.
Nature is a plus. I'm not a big hiker but a medium wander around is fine.
I'd rather not boil, but a drier heat is fine.

Being alone, away from people is a triple plus. I like food.

I have a couple grand to throw at this, but would prefer to keep it under 1.5K.

I was looking at Asheville. Any other suggestions?
posted by kathrynm to Travel & Transportation around United States (11 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Asheville is great, as is western North Carolina in general.

Mammoth Cave near Bowling green, although it might be too far out of the way.

Green Bank Observatory deep in the West Virginia hills -- I've been there twice now. Note that it's in the middle of the NRQZ so no cell phone coverage. Which might be attractive to you right now.

Harpers Ferry. I haven't been but it's on my bucket list.
posted by intermod at 9:31 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]


Fort Necessity is a significant site in US & world history, within 4 hours of Cleveland, close to nature. the other southern locations are also good. i've been to Harper's Ferry, quite beautiful. in Asheville, recommending Firestorm Books

road trip, northern option: Niagara Falls, en route to Seneca Falls & the Finger Lakes
posted by HearHere at 10:36 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]


I really enjoyed my stay in Duluth, MN a few years ago. Right on Lake Superior for swimming and splashing, and close to a bunch of trails, so nature is at hand. Charming coffeehouses and good eats available too. I'd think that now would be an ideal time to visit.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 12:14 AM on July 20, 2024


It's the peak of tourist season, so Asheville is going to be bananas.

West Virginia is much more chill, and as a bonus the state parks are lovely and many have reasonably priced lodging options including cabins.

I took my daughter to Berkeley Springs, and it might be up your alley. It's an artsy place. Cute restaurants (I like Canary Grill), Cacapon State Park to explore, breweries and a winery. We stayed at Coolfont, which is a complex of hotel rooms and cabins with a pond, indoor pool, lodge, and other amenities.

Harpers Ferry is a great bet if you're a history buff, but it's a popular choice for day trippers from DC and Baltimore so it can get crowded. But it's so beautiful!

We stayed at a regular hotel, but the area is full of cabins and such. Lodging tends to be a little cheaper in nearby Charles Town.

Also, if you come to Harpers Ferry you can make a side trip to Frederick, MD, which has a gorgeous historic downtown.
posted by champers at 2:04 AM on July 20, 2024


Oh, and with Harpers Ferry, there's a commuter rail station in town. So if you do change your mind and decide you want to spend some time in the city, it's easy to get to DC for a day trip.
posted by champers at 2:07 AM on July 20, 2024


Best answer: Hocking Hills in Ohio?
posted by msladygrey at 3:32 AM on July 20, 2024 [3 favorites]


Hey , fellow Cleveander (waving at you). I love going to the finger lakes, especially Ithaca, in NY to hike, see amazing waterfalls, swim in clean water and go to the Moosewood restaurant. We’re headed there next week and plan to venture out on day hikes.
posted by waving at 4:57 AM on July 20, 2024 [3 favorites]


Best answer: Hocking Hills as mentioned above is the closest big chunk of nature that is outside of big cities. Athens being a big college town nearby means you should be able to find some interesting food with a short drive.
posted by mmascolino at 7:44 AM on July 20, 2024 [1 favorite]


Best answer: We were just in Hocking HIlls and there is a great state park with some nice hiking and the nearby native American mounds have a couple of sites (including the Serpent Mound), one of which was just named a National Heritage Site. If you go, talk to the rangers! They're super knowledgeable and very friendly. Chillicothe is a cute little town with a couple of b&bs if you're into that. Don't know about the food situation but there's a great coffee house downtown.

Another suggestion is Roanoke, VA. There is a great art museum, a fun science museum, an artsy downtown, The Greenway which is a walkway/bikeway that threads in and around the city, great food, and a beautiful setting nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway isn't far and there is a beautiful drive plus hiking for all hiking preferences. Also the drive through West Virginia where you would be coming from is gorgeous.
posted by bluesky43 at 8:01 AM on July 20, 2024


Response by poster: Just booked a room in a B&B near Hocking Hills. Really looking forward to going.
posted by kathrynm at 11:34 AM on July 20, 2024 [4 favorites]


Best answer: That’s a really beautiful part of Ohio. If you have the time or the interest, I recommend visiting some of the preserves managed by The Arc of Appalachia. They protect and steward some of the most important habitats and places in the region. Here’s a map of their sites.

(Also, for future folks looking at this thread, I can recommend the Arc’s lodges. My family spent a beautiful weekend in one a few years back for an anniversary celebration and it was wonderful.)
posted by minervous at 10:10 PM on July 20, 2024 [1 favorite]


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