N Easterners: Help us plan this year's road trip!
 

So we've officially begun this year's planning. We'll visit 3 more National Parks in TN, VA, and yes.. WAY up thar in Maine. Along the way, we'll see family and friends that have become family. We'll base in Philadelphia for a few days as we run to NYC via train. We've all been to NYC, but not to the Trade Center Memorial. I am planning at least a day there.

Here's a punch list of the general areas:

• Great Smokey Mtn Natl Park, TN
• Shenandoa Natl Park, VA
• Chesapeake Bay Bridge, VA
• Philadelphia and historical parks, PA
• WTC Memorial, NY
• Boston, MA (need way points here)
• Acadia National Park, Maine
• Montpelier, Vermont (state capitol)
• Niagra Falls, Buffalo, NY
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Mammoth Cave, KY

So, given these way points:

• What incredible scenic drives nearby must we take?
• What's the best 'Diners Drive Ins, Dives' around your favorite spots?
• What amazing geographical site might we otherwise miss?

We'll have the month of July. Looks like nearly 4,000 miles at this early stage. This is about 2,000 miles short of past trips, so GIVE with the out of the way places we just can't miss!

You'all be passing very near my current home (northeast TN), and my alma mater (uMaine, Orono).

I'm sure there are others here that can give you better advice, but if you are hard up, please reach out to me.

In KY do a distillery tour. Wood ford Reserve has the best tour; Makers Mark is a close second.

In MI the Henry Ford Museum is a must see' add Greenfield Village if time permits and you are interested.

Canadian side of Niagara Falls is more scenic.

Tour of Nathaniel Hawthorne house in Portland, ME is really nice.

Mystic CT is a nice afternoon walk - downtown and the village

We really liked a couple of evenings at The Inn at Stonington (CT) as well. Reserve a room with all the amenities especially view.

A tour of Arlington National Cemetery is very moving. There is a great crab place in Annapolis but someone else will have to get the name (been a while). Recommend you stay/park outside of D.C. And take Metro or cabs/Uber in - Smithsonian is my fav but haven't seen the new African American museum yet. More choices there than you could see in one trip.

In VA a tour of TJ's place (Monticello) is excellent. Never been to Monroe's but heard it too is good. Mt Vernon too if you're nearby.

And, and, and.......

Drive the Dragon or Cherhola (sp?) Skyway if you haven't already.

Instead of driving through the middle of Delaware to Philly consider going to Lewes DE and take the Cape May-Lewes ferry to Cape May NJ. The boat ride itself is pretty relaxing...just make sure you make reservations for the ferry because there are limited spaces. Visit the Cape May lighthouse and hit the beach. There are a lots of B&B's in town where you can book a one night stand. Jackson Street is a good central location for walking to the beach and restaurants like the Mad Batter. There is also a patriotic sunset celebration at sunset beach on the bay side if your into that. If you have young kids the boardwalks in Wildwood and Ocean City are worth a stop. If your into gambling Atlantic City is on the way. To complete the detour take the Garden State Parkway to the Atlantic City Expressway into Philly. Looks like a fantastic trip!

Oh, wow, if you're traveling through Connecticut, avoid I95 from the NY border to the Milford, CT area at any cost. Talk about traffic and the risk of a broken windshield due to the big rigs, especially at night, that's a bad route. Instead, take the Merritt Parkway, Route 15 which runs parallel to I95, no trucks allowed. If you want a twisty, turney route, the Merritt Parkway is the way to go. In fact, Car & Driver Magazine has tested cars on the Merritt from time-to-time and it's been rated as one of the most Scenic Parkways in America.

After you have fun pushing the speed on the turns on the Merritt, crossover to I95 in the Milford area and proceed to the Mystic, CT area. As 14thbmw has mentioned in his previous post, the Mystic, CT area has plenty to do. You can visit the Mystic Village and the Mystic Seaport and don't forget, Mystic Pizza is a popular place for a slice a pie and was the inspiration for the movie back in the day! Also, as 14thbmw mentioned, the The Inn at Stonington is a great place to stay, only 18 rooms with New England charm.

Here's a few other places to consider when in the Connecticut area:

o The Submarine museum on the Thames River in Groton, CT, home of the USS Nautilus, the first Nuclear powered submarine in the US. It's near the largest East Coast Sub base that is home to nearly 20 Los Angeles & Virginia Class Nuclear Submarines.

o Mystic Aquarium - This is a fun place, ever see the YouTube video of the mariachi band serenading the beluga whale? It was at Mystic!

o If you want to trek up north to Hartford, the Mark Twain House & museum is a very cool historical place to visit.

o While in the Mystic area, if you like to play slots or maybe a bit a BlackJack or Roulette, the Mohegan Sun and/or the FoxWoods Casino is a great place to go. In fact, you can visit either Casino, park for free, never spend a dime, walk around just for a visit and you're more than welcome. We highly recommend the Michael Jordan's Steakhouse at Mohegan or Cedars Restaurant at Foxwoods. Both Casinos offer first class hotel accommodations as well.

o Travel a bit further East before heading North, you gotta visit Newport, RI, home of the historic America's Cup race back in the day. The Mansion tours in Newport are stunning, visit The Breakers, home of the Vanderbilt's or the Marble House, also home of the Vanderbilt's or any other of the Mansions in Newport. The incredible thing about the Mansions is the natural air conditioning with the cross-breeze especially during your July trip will keep you cool inside.

o OK, if in Newport, don't forget to visit the Marina area and Restaurants, if you love seafood, that's the place to be.

o One last thing, if you're passing by the New Haven, CT area, Frank Pepe's Pizza is a must stop! Plan to wait a long time for a table in this small shop, but it's the best pizza on the planet AND is one of the oldest and best-known pizzerias in the in the USA. In fact, Celebrities have been know to have pizzas flown to California just to have a taste of this legendary pizza pie!

I hope this helps you plan your trip and welcome on your pass-through our great State of Connecticut!