Stuff to see on the east coast of America

[offspring86]

Morning all,

I'm flying out to New York on 14th July to spend 3 weeks driving down the east coast with a friend, we fly back from Miami on 3rd August. We plan on staying in the following cities:

New York
Philadelphia
Washington
Charlotte
Atlanta
New Orleans
Jacksonville
Orlando
Miami

We're booking a hotel for the first 3 nights in New York and the final 3 nights in Miami but with all other nights we'll either call ahead when we leave a destination and book a motel for the night, or just see where we end up and then find a place to sleep. Aside from the obvious sights in New York, Miami and Orlando, does anyone have any suggestions for other bits we shouldn't miss out on? Are there any destinations along the way that people would advise stopping off at?

We plan on catching some Baseball at some point, do mid-week games usually sell out in advance or would we be able to buy tickets on the night? Is it the same with basketball and ice hockey?

[NormalWisdom]

Go to Annapolis, once a temporary capital of the US and home of the US Naval Academy (well worth a visit). The whole Chesapeake Bay area is superb with a host of superb Crab/Lobster restaurants.

The Air & Space museum at Dulles is excellent.

Edited by NormalWisdom on Wednesday 25th June 08:37

[lamboman100]

Go whale watching on a boat tour (if in season). Plenty near NY.

[davepoth]

I'd think about your route again IMO. That's 2300 miles of driving, and something over 1000 miles of it is to make the trip to New Orleans. It'll be easier with two sharing but you'll still spend two full days of your holiday getting there and back.

[offspring86]

davepoth said:

I'd think about your route again IMO. That's 2300 miles of driving, and something over 1000 miles of it is to make the trip to New Orleans. It'll be easier with two sharing but you'll still spend two full days of your holiday getting there and back.

Yes we're fully aware of that. It's about 7 hours from Atlanta to New Orleans and about 8 hours from New Orleans to Jacksonville, given that we're spending 3 weeks there 2 days driving is a small chunk of the holiday, especially if we find stuff to see along the route. We both want to visit there so have no problems with driving.

[5potTurbo]

offspring86 said:

davepoth said:

I'd think about your route again IMO. That's 2300 miles of driving, and something over 1000 miles of it is to make the trip to New Orleans. It'll be easier with two sharing but you'll still spend two full days of your holiday getting there and back.

Yes we're fully aware of that. It's about 7 hours from Atlanta to New Orleans and about 8 hours from New Orleans to Jacksonville, given that we're spending 3 weeks there 2 days driving is a small chunk of the holiday, especially if we find stuff to see along the route. We both want to visit there so have no problems with driving.

That's a lot of hours toing and froing. Why not take a flight from Atlanta to N.O and pick up another rental in another city later one?....

[NormalWisdom]

5potTurbo said:

offspring86 said:

davepoth said:

I'd think about your route again IMO. That's 2300 miles of driving, and something over 1000 miles of it is to make the trip to New Orleans. It'll be easier with two sharing but you'll still spend two full days of your holiday getting there and back.

Yes we're fully aware of that. It's about 7 hours from Atlanta to New Orleans and about 8 hours from New Orleans to Jacksonville, given that we're spending 3 weeks there 2 days driving is a small chunk of the holiday, especially if we find stuff to see along the route. We both want to visit there so have no problems with driving.

That's a lot of hours toing and froing. Why not take a flight from Atlanta to N.O and pick up another rental in another city later one?....

Looks fine to me - 650 mile detour to see N.O. would be acceptable for me. Can't be doing with the fly option, the whole point is to be able to stop en-route should you see something you like

[Matt Harper]

OK - New Orleans, I kind of get, if you've never been before, despite it being a filthy, neglected and in part, highly dangerous city. But why on earth would you want to visit Jacksonville?

[Steve Campbell]

Philadelphia = Liberty bell and running up the steps (Rocky)..that's about it.

I would definitely try and take in a US sport..if sport is your thing. I've been to baseball (in Philli) and ice hockey (Raleigh) and enjoyed them both. Definitely want to go and see an American football game if I get the chance.

[HenryJM]

Steve Campbell said:

Philadelphia = Liberty bell and running up the steps (Rocky)..that's about it.

And Liberty can be done in about 5 minutes, it's primarily a case of how long it takes to say 'isn't it small' before moving on. Not a great place of fun is Philadelphia.

[Matt Harper]

HenryJM said:

Steve Campbell said:

Philadelphia = Liberty bell and running up the steps (Rocky)..that's about it.

And Liberty can be done in about 5 minutes, it's primarily a case of how long it takes to say 'isn't it small' before moving on. Not a great place of fun is Philadelphia.

I'm all confused about what is stated here. Philly is by no means my favorite US city - although I work there a lot. To say that the city is "small", at around 140sq miles for the metro area is a little strange. Philadelphia is one of the most significant metro economies in North America.

Additionally it is one of the most important historical sites in the nation, with some interesting and easily accessible attractions. Aside from Liberty Hall, the Historical Society of PA and the Franklin Institute are both renown, as is Fairmont Park and Valley Forge historical sites.

The city also has major league EVERYTHING, one of the best Chinatown districts in the country, a wealth of downtown options for eating, drinking and partying and their July 4th celebrations are bonkers.

It has a LOT more to offer visitors than a cracked bell, a monosyllabic pretend boxer and cheesesteak sandwiches.

That said, don't go in winter and never ever be tempted to pop over the river to Camden NJ unless you are impervious to gunshot wounds.

[Super Slo Mo]

offspring86 said:

davepoth said:

I'd think about your route again IMO. That's 2300 miles of driving, and something over 1000 miles of it is to make the trip to New Orleans. It'll be easier with two sharing but you'll still spend two full days of your holiday getting there and back.

Yes we're fully aware of that. It's about 7 hours from Atlanta to New Orleans and about 8 hours from New Orleans to Jacksonville, given that we're spending 3 weeks there 2 days driving is a small chunk of the holiday, especially if we find stuff to see along the route. We both want to visit there so have no problems with driving.

Guess it depends what you're comfortable with. For us, 2,300 miles in 3 weeks would be a breeze, nothing out of the ordinary for a holiday.

I like driving in North America, and the big benefit of being behind the wheel is that you can stop anywhere you please, and take any detour that takes your fancy.

[HenryJM]

Matt Harper said:

I'm all confused about what is stated here. Philly is by no means my favorite US city - although I work there a lot. To say that the city is "small", at around 140sq miles for the metro area is a little strange. Philadelphia is one of the most significant metro economies in North America.

Not the city, the bell. It's a really underwhelming experience seeing it if there is no patriotic/emotional attachment. It's a fairly small bell, with a crack in it...

Matt Harper said:

Additionally it is one of the most important historical sites in the nation, with some interesting and easily accessible attractions. Aside from Liberty Hall, the Historical Society of PA and the Franklin Institute are both renown, as is Fairmont Park and Valley Forge historical sites.

Yeah, it's still not that great as a visitor though.

Matt Harper said:

The city also has major league EVERYTHING, one of the best Chinatown districts in the country, a wealth of downtown options for eating, drinking and partying and their July 4th celebrations are bonkers.

It has a LOT more to offer visitors than a cracked bell, a monosyllabic pretend boxer and cheesesteak sandwiches.

That said, don't go in winter and never ever be tempted to pop over the river to Camden NJ unless you are impervious to gunshot wounds.

I'd say it has a lot to offer residents more than visitors, personal preference of course, but my visits there have never been overburdened with fun!

[Matt Harper]

I suspect we need to agree to disagree. Philly doesn't have theme parks or beaches, or sun-painted mesas, but it is essentially the focal point of what makes the US what it is now. Industrially and commercially important, historically (relative to the US) significant and essentially 'birthplace of the constitution' of this country.
It is grimy, crime-ridden and hard-nosed, but is much more American old-school than Charlotte, Atlanta, Jax. (FFS don't stop I Jax), Orlando or Miami.

[Pirated]

I am wicked jealous of your trip... If it were me I'd drive some and fly the rest, but I don't see a problem with you wanting to drive the whole way - ROOOOOOOAD TRIIIIIIP is all part of the fun!

Whatever you budget for NYC, budget some more... Seriously... !!!

If you do want to fly some, check out the deals on www.mightytravels.com - some crazy-cheap flights

Edited by Pirated on Saturday 28th June 01:09

[Matt..]

I see no issue with 2,300 miles of driving in 3 weeks. It's nothing at all really. Though obviously it will be a lot more once you drive around a little, easily over 3,000 i would say. I did 6,500 miles in 4 weeks last year...

I would say that it's a shame you're seeing a trip as purely one city to the next though (and some interesting choices, Jacksonville?!). You're basically driving straight past the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I would strongly suggest you try and visit a few of those.

Baseball will be your only major sport option at that time, and tickets are usually easy to come by, especially for the Marlins/Rays, as they have some of the worst attendance in the league! It's a bit of a shame there's no Nascar at that time though, as that would have been fun!

[smack]

Matt Harper said:

That said, don't go in winter and never ever be tempted to pop over the river to Camden NJ unless you are impervious to gunshot wounds.

Ha, yes, I was over in Camden last month, and it was obvious how rundown it was, cops everywhere. Only reason we stopped there was to visit USS New Jersey Battleship which was well worth it if you like that kind of thing.

Reading Terminal market in Philly is worth visiting for lunch.

[danzltiu]

Recommend St Augustine Florida. Oldest City in the USA. Great B&B`s on the seafront. Just a really nice place.

[offspring86]

Matt Harper said:

OK - New Orleans, I kind of get, if you've never been before, despite it being a filthy, neglected and in part, highly dangerous city. But why on earth would you want to visit Jacksonville?

Well I've had a few friends visit there in the last year who have all come back raving about the food, music, bars and atmosphere so we're both keen to go and experience it. Jacksonville's appeal is the museums and beaches, which are much quieter than the crowded ones in Miami.

Steve Campbell said:

Philadelphia = Liberty bell and running up the steps (Rocky)..that's about it.

I would definitely try and take in a US sport..if sport is your thing. I've been to baseball (in Philli) and ice hockey (Raleigh) and enjoyed them both. Definitely want to go and see an American football game if I get the chance.

Football is the sport I most wanted to catch but unfortunately we're leaving a week or so before pre-season starts. After that baseball is the other sport we definitely aren't going to miss. If we can catch some basketball and ice hockey along the way it'll be a bonus!

Pirated said:

I am wicked jealous of your trip... If it were me I'd drive some and fly the rest, but I don't see a problem with you wanting to drive the whole way - ROOOOOOOAD TRIIIIIIP is all part of the fun!

Whatever you budget for NYC, budget some more... Seriously... !!!

If you do want to fly some, check out the deals on www.mightytravels.com - some crazy-cheap flights

Thanks, we are debating catching a flight to Vegas for a couple of days so I'll keep that in mind. When budgeting the trip I've based it all on NYC prices in the hope it will prevent any major financial scares!

Matt.. said:

I would say that it's a shame you're seeing a trip as purely one city to the next though (and some interesting choices, Jacksonville?!). You're basically driving straight past the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I would strongly suggest you try and visit a few of those.

Baseball will be your only major sport option at that time, and tickets are usually easy to come by, especially for the Marlins/Rays, as they have some of the worst attendance in the league! It's a bit of a shame there's no Nascar at that time though, as that would have been fun!

We are by no means treating as purely one city to the next, hence me creating this thread! They're just points we would definitely like to stop at! Thanks for the suggestions, I'll add them to the list!

danzltiu said:

Recommend St Augustine Florida. Oldest City in the USA. Great B&B`s on the seafront. Just a really nice place.

Excellent, thanks!

Brilliant suggestions guys, keep them coming!

[Shinobi]

Please do a trip report when you get back, we are off to Washington, Philly, NYC and Boston next year for 3 weeks and would be interested to read your thoughts, tips and findings before we go.