Trip through Northeast states

Looking for some ideas. Did Disney twice and tired of Jersey and Maryland. Looking to tour the northeast states and looking for some ideas of places to check out. It's a family vacation and the wife and I are looking to tour as many states with the kids. Looking at Acadia national park, mt Washington., maybe hit cape cod , any ideas along the coast or inland would be great. Looking to do this in August figure this would be the best time to go, any thoughts. Mostly want to get my kids out and see historical places or landmarks. The military and my government job has given me the opportunity to visit around 30 of the 50 states and 4 countries. I would like to give my kids the same opportunity. If any one has any ideas or thoughts. I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance for the ideas. If my truck has the new frame by then this will go along with the mountain bikes if not just the van will go.

 

Guess no recommendations, continue with the Internet search

 

Can't lose with the White Mountains. North Shore of MA has some really historic spots - Ipswich, Gloucester, Essex...then there's always Boston If you're bringing mountain bikes, you'll need to hit Highland Mountain in NH.

 

Erie Pa. Presque Isle state Park, miles of beaches. Waldameer Amusement Park, quaint old park. Brig Niagara, sailing replica of Niagara from war of 1812.

 

+1 on the White Mountains in NH and Mt Washington. Also check out the Old Man on The Mountain and the Flume while you're there. Up the coast on Route 1 in Maine is awesome.

 

Haha

 

Thanks for the suggestions

 

Gettysburg, PA has some good tours & very historical. While you're near there, stop by Hershey, PA and check out the amusement park. If your kids are a bit older they'd like it a lot. Also check out the Troeg's brewery while you're in Hershey.

Looks like you are already living in PA so its possible you've already done these things.

 

Thanks did all those places, looking for north of NY to Maine.

 

+2

There is so much to see up here.
You really need to have a plan. Work your way up the coast like was mentioned then shoot across for the mt's. All depends what you are interested in but you will not lack for anything to do or see. When you stop somewhere just ask a local and they will give you all sorts of suggestions.

 

Thanks the idea was to maybe head north a bit inland up to Acadia, then south along the coast to a couple places. We are just starting to plan this trip. When is a good time how many stops do we want to make. I think maybe it will turn into where will be a good place to get hotels along the way for where we are looking to head.

 

If Vermont/NH/Maine make the cut, consider some places in western Mass. too...
maybe on the way back from the coastal swing?

Mt. Greylock State Reservation/Bascom Lodge and Quabbin Reservoir
are interesting and 'off' the beaten path a bit.

Sounds fun either way...good luck and safe travels.

 

Thanks for the recommendations

 

Adirondacks! 6 million acres
Lake Placid Awesome fishing, mt biking, food, Olympic village! Then head south through Saratoga and stop and say hi!

 

While in Maine ; be sure to go whale watching , that experience is burned into my brain for the rest of my life. Kennebunkport is also cool to stop by , Bush's estate ... One of if not thee most expensive piece of realestate in the USA. You can't go in , but it's cheap (free) to walk on the beach there and get a closer look with some binoculars , head down the street a bit and enjoy some Ben & Jerrys ice cream. Enjoyable inexpensive day if you control the tourist trappings. Great lobster bisque too ☺️
Carefull not to fall for how "cheap" lobster is .... In August there are soft shells up for cheap , and that is what they taste like too , disappointing , and a tourist hook. Eat a lobster roll!
Pa cheesesteak , Maine style !!!
There is a monument outside of Bath Maine marking the 1/2 way point between the equator and the North Pole ! On route 1.
White mountains for sure too.

 

The North Maine Woods and the White Mountains are a must in my opinion when traveling/exploring up here, but the Old Man on the Mountain has been collapsed for over 10 years now.

Southern coastal Maine is beautiful, has a lot to offer, and I call it home, but be wary of traveling/camping in the area during peak season. Any town from Kittery to Portland will be jam packed with tourists between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and even well into leaf peeping season! Route 1 becomes a parking lot in both directions during this time. It is a great place to visit, but set your sites inland if you plan on camping for the night. There are beach front campgrounds though that you may be able to get into if planning well enough ahead of time.

You can spend many days exploring the NMW, hiking/fishing/camping/etc, and never see another person along the way. Many neat sites to explore also including the Trains, and the B-52 crash site. Those ARE active logging roads up there though, and you must keep an eye/ear out for logging trucks. They can be fully loaded, and travel at a very quick pace. They have the right away on the roads within the NMW so be sure to give them plenty of room.

Get a Delorme Maine Gazetteer, and go explore! Get the latest edition and it'll have very up to date and detailed maps of the areas.

 

Know you are looking to go N.

But on your 'someday' list, be sure to include Harpers Ferry, and the surrounding area. One of the most historical places, across multiple eras, that I've been to.

Yes, August is an ok time to do what you want. You'll likely catch several of the 25 or 30 great weather days. Hey, that's what all my friends from up there claim, don't blame me.

I enjoyed a trip in Vermont. Interesting capital, museum and tours if your kids are old enough for that.

Trip Advisor is a great site to look at for ideas for a specific area. Not to mention a good way to find local eats that are well thought of.

 

For colonial American history, swing by Plymouth, Mass. and the Cape Cod area. Take the ferry to Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard. Then head up to Salem and over to Boston. It's tourist season in August so be forewarned. Early lodging reservations are a must.

 

Check out the trains in the middle of nowhere near Baxter state park.

 

I'll keep this in mind, been to lake placid and Saratoga and lake George after my second deployment, took the kids to North Pole. Awesome place up there all I kept thinking was damn wish I had my mountain bike.