Suggest a destination, please

[greenbunny]

Okay, our Everglades trip is a bust since the place is still a mess from the hurricane. So DH and I need a new trip idea.

*We live near Philadelphia and want to go up to 1,000 miles from here. We will drive, not fly (we love road trips).

*We are not city people. We love traveling to see naturally beautiful scenery (some of our favorites have been the redwoods, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, northern Oregon coast). We're not looking to go to the middle of nowhere, but we want to see trees, not concrete.

*Somewhere close enough to go to a beach would be great, but not essential.

*I'm heavily into photography and want somewhere that will offer good photo ops.

*Someplace offbeat, rather than tourist trappy, would be great.

[emmjay]

What about Nova Scotia? (I checked and Halifax is 1000.38 miles from Philly ;) ). I've never been there but it is very high up on my list, along with Newfoundland. The pictures I have seen from that part of Canada are gorgeous, and I think that drive would be awesome - DH and I have talked about doing it ourselves. You could drive up and see the coast of Maine as well, which would be another worthwhile destination itself.

[Blondeinabmw]

Hmmm.

Charleston, SC is lush and pretty. The marshes are amazing, especially for photography. Any of the cities in that area like Beaufort and Savannah are all great for photo ops too. They can be a little touristy, but if you research ahead of time, there is plenty of local color off the beaten trail.

Colorado Springs is gorgeous. The Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak are amazing. Manitou Springs is the cutest little village. It's close enough to venture into the mountains too, and I hear Breckenridge has a pretty happening summer scene.

What about the Lake Tahoe area? We spent part of our honeymoon there. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been! You can hike, bike, boat and horseback ride during the day then go to casinos at night! Stay on the north side of the lake.

[kalogrias]

Vermont. It is seriously one of the most beautiful states, and it's got great photo ops -- the Green Mountains are GORGEOUS. Lots of hiking, picnic opportunities (weather depending), good food, back country roads...and not too touristy.

I second Emmjay on Maine, but it will be a little more touristy than Vermont unless you go to the really wild parts like Presque Isle or the massive National Forest in the middle.

[Goldie]

I also vote for Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA. Both are amazing, historic, and fun.

If you want more northern, what about Lake Placid, NY or Montreal?

[greenbunny]

I'm researching all your suggestions, ladies! Thanks so much, and please keep the ideas flowing.

I remember wanting to go to the Charleston/Savannah area after seeing the special features section of The Notebook...I wish I had the movie instead of renting it. So many places they filmed were so gorgeous! Maybe I'll buy the DVD so I can have all that info at my fingertips.

[lil_geek]

I would second driving up north to Nova Scotia/New Brunswick/PEI.

I am from Canada, and we drove from Toronto into Northern NY state, through New Hampshire/Vermont and stayed in Bart Harbour Maine a few times before taking a ferry into Nova Scotia.

June would be the best time to do that, before school is out (last week of June) and before it's really hot. Nova Scotia (http://novascotia.com/en/home/default.aspx) tourism website....

And some pics...
http://novascotia.com/site-ns/media/novascotia/i_lighthouse(1).jpg

http://novascotia.com/site-ns/media/novascotia/i_ceilidh_fishingboats(1).jpg

http://novascotia.com/site-ns/media/novascotia/mh_27.jpg

[rosa727]

Oooh - Charleston is definitely beautiful. Of course, it IS a city, but it still has a lot fo the things you are looking for - great scenery and natural beauty nearby, lots of great photo opportunity (plantations, historic homes, amazing gardens). There is also beautiful, very natural beach nearby. We have stayed in Charleston at a really nice inn and also at the shore about 15 minutes away (Isle of Palms). We loved both. Good luck with your fun decision!

[greenbunny]

Nova Scotia looks amazing! Thanks for the pics. Unfortunately, going the week before school is out isn't really an option, since DH is a teacher! :(

[chefker]

Crud, my post got eaten! I'll try to remember what I typed.

A few destinations around New England came to mind.

First one I'll mention: Mystic, CT Seaport. (http://www.mysticseaport.org/) DH and I generally make a day trip of this since we live in CT. Lots of fun stuff to do at the aquarium, maritime museum, and the shoppes at Old Mistick Village. :)

Franconia Notch, NH (http://www.franconianotch.org/) is also very nice. We used to go camping in this area when I was younger.

the White Mountains:
http://www.franconianotch.org/images/cannon.winter.jpg

And you can see the famous "Old Man of the Mountain" in Franconia Notch State Park:

http://www.franconianotchstatepark.com/oldman.JPG


The Mohawk Trail (http://www.mohawktrail.com/) (Route 2 in Western Mass, is a great area for hiking, scenic drives, fishing, kayaking, antiquing, you name it. The site also has some suggested routes for driving tours (http://www.mohawktrail.com/html/driving_tours.html).

Finally, the Berkshires are beautiful any time of year, but can get super crowded in the fall (leaf peeping season).

[elladee]

And you can see the famous "Old Man of the Mountain" in Franconia Notch State Park:


No you can't! He fell off a couple years ago!

I second the White Mountains, though...

[chefker]

No you can't! He fell off a couple years ago!

I second the White Mountains, though...

Wha? CRAP! When did this happen! I don't hear ANYTHING since I moved from Mass, seriously.

[elladee]

Wha? CRAP! When did this happen! I don't hear ANYTHING since I moved from Mass, seriously.

It was right after they came out with the quarter with him on it.

[elladee]

back to your question, greenbunny...

How about Asheville, NC? The city itself is quirky and a ton of fun. Plus you're right by the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smokey Mountain National park.

[Lizzy]

Have you been to Acadia National Park? It is beautiful. Last summer we drove up and down the coast of Maine. We went as far as the easternmost point of the US (West Quoddy Head, Maine). It was a fun trip, and except for Bar Harbor it was definitely off the beaten path.

[singerwife]

I vote for the Charleston, SC/coastal GA area, or Maine/Maritime Canada.

Both are gorgeous, beachy, have pockets of non-touristy fun stuff to do...and are conducive to road trips!

[udsweetpea]

I'm going to second Vermont.

[SweetRed]

I'll second Acadia National Park. Absolutely beautiful. And just a little too far north for most people to bother with, so it doesn't get too overrun with tourists (at least from what I've seen.) The hiking there is just stunning.

[ysolde]

We went to Lake Placid last summer and it is gorgeous!!!! The weather was perfect. We took the train from NYC, and took a million photos on the train ride alone. If your read "The Last of the Mohicans," this is the areas where it took palce: Fort Edward, Fort William Henry. It's historic, scenic, lots of mountains, lakes, trees. Our hotel had a golf course and a private "beach" (I still have a hard time with the concept of a lake beach, but . . . ) where DH took me on a rowboat (awww). There are ski gondolas that operate year round that take you to the top of certain mountains, where the view is magnificent, and the trails are amazing!

Prices are reasonable, the food is OK (but we live in NYC, so our standards for food are pretty outrageous), and we even had a room with a view of the Lake. Definitely a must-do vacation for those who love the outdoors, but want the luxury of a jacuzzi bathtub at the end of the day.