Wanted - Family Road trip ideas

[jejton]

So we both have some time off in June, and it will probably be the last time for a while ( graduating medical school - yahhhh - and starting residency aka legalized slave labor - in July ) , so we're looking for a vacation idea. Budget wont allow for flying away and staying in a hotel for the amount of time and people involved so am leaning towards a road trip. I was thinking of heading southwards so we could visit the inlaws briefly without losing to much time ( they're in the D.C. area ). So far the Outer Banks is one of the top contenders but was hoping some of you could chime in. We wamt to get some nature as well as some civiliation/culture into the trip, maybe even a night or two camping and this will be a family oriented vacation.

1.) I dont want to spend all 10 days at one location. Advantage of road trip is stopping and seeing/doing things on the way. Do you know of things along the way and places to stop for a night or two?
2.) What is June like in the OUter Banks - weather, activities, mosquitos and FISHING?!

 

[jaa1456]

The outerbanks in June has reallt nice weather. Of course the later in June the warmer/hotter it will be. Usually get thunderstorms almost every night at that time of the year but for like 30 minutes. Sometimes in the day as well. Bugs are noramlly minimal unless you go inland more away from the beach area. Fishing is hit or miss for certain species, The Striped bass and blue fish will be in this area by then. You can get some nice offshore fishing in, Swordfish, marlin things of that nature. Hit up Bush Gardens for a day in Virgina on your way there or back, it is a nice park and very clean.

 

[jaa1456]

And maybe catch a baseball game during one of the days as well. Baltimore orioles or Washington nationals.

 

[skene]

Well if you are going the southern route...
First stop Philly... cheesesteaks and head down towards center city. Go to the museum, climb the steps where they filmed Rocky. Catch a Phillies game. Night scene isn't too bad either.
Baltimore is your next large city stop worth visiting I guess. The aquarium there is very nice and a day around the inner harbour is usually a site all in itself. Catch an Orioles game if you would like. Not a bad night life as well.
DC is the next stop. IF you have family there its probably easier to show you around the monuments and Smithsonian. Catch a Nationals game but its a drive out of the DC area. Good night life. Great seafood places out and around.
You will also be around the No. VA area as well, but not much going on unless you were planning on shopping. Besides all else everything is centered around DC.
Start the trek out west on 495 and then to 40 and head towards Ocean City MD. Great beach town and food and nightlife await you during the summer weeks.
If Ocean City isn't to your liking you head down the Cheasapeake Bay Bridge... down to Virginia Beach or down the coast to go down to Outerbanks NC.
Figure by this time you would want to start heading back as well.
There is AC for a chance of luck on the way back.

Enjoy.

 

[Imbarrie]

If you are planning the outer banks make sure you stop in ocracoke nc. I used to live there and it is the coolest part of highway 12. Cape haterass is cool to.
I would go all the way to Wilmington nc before I turn around. The south ferry leaving ocracoke takes reservations.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Hershey PA.

 

[jejton]

thanks for the advice keep it coming guys. I forgot to mention that restaraunts are not an issue for us and we are taking a young child as well as we've been to D.C. and Baltimore many times so not so interested in spending time there other than to see the in-laws. Looking more for beaches, nature, very very light hiking, fishing, beaches, and some cultural stuff, even just a nice city to walk around.

 

[DJYoshi]

i'd travel it down to DC/VA in June. you can catch a Nats game at their new stadium (AWESOME). fishing is all over the place in Va. if you play golf..there's a ton of courses.... you can also head over to MD and stay in Ocean City... a ton of good clean family stuff to do there..
if you wanna keep it closer to home but still enjoy beach life..then just hit
Long Beach Island. great beaches, good eats, and you're 50 minutes outside Philly to catch a game there. a TON of great fishing in that area...and you can always take it down to AC for a night if you feel up to it.

 

[jejton]

We're leaning towards the outer banks. jaa - where in the outer banks did you stay? any recommendations?

 

[tentacles]

There's so many cool things to do in Philly. Go to a Phillies game (even though I hate them), go to the market in Reading Terminal. Since you're into medicine I'd highly suggest the Mutter Museum- it's a museum of medical history and oddities, and if you go when the weather is nice you can tour the grounds and see their medicinal garden.

 

[jejton]

Oh that does sound nice. Maybe we'll stop at Phillie on the way there or back. I think we're gonna do the bulk of the vacation at the OBX so am looking for suggestions as to which towns/villages I should consider staying.
Also has anyone here done the Blue Ridge Parkway? It looks like a great trip but am trying to figure out if I can squeeze in enough time to make the drive worth it.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Whatever you do don't go on a tour of the LI LFS's.

 

[jejton]

Thanks Chief but since I broke down my tank two years ago, and will be moving again this summer to start residency, not gonna be an issue. As it is I'm hoping to be able to keep the snakes and other reptiles.

 

[Imbarrie]

OBX I would go the Buxton where the lighthouse is then Ocracoke. If you want a beach and small village it's perfect. Restaurants are good and it's a great family place.
I haven't been since 2004 and I'm not sure about hotels. Boyette House in Ocracoke was where I put my parents up.

 

[Josh]

Another option altogether is Western Mass, I'm planning a trip there with the kids this summer. There are a lot of things to do in the Pittsfield area and it is only 3-3.5 hours away.

 

[masterswimmer]

Another option altogether is Western Mass, I'm planning a trip there with the kids this summer. There are a lot of things to do in the Pittsfield area and it is only 3-3.5 hours away.

I was going to suggest the other direction too. We had our best family vacation in Bar Harbor, ME. We spent a week in a tent with the kids in Acadia Ntl Pk. Fantastic time of year for you to go too.

Where ever, have fun.

Russ

 

[jejton]

So we're gonna go to cape cod in the end, and maybe squeeze in a little more of New England. Anyone surf or FW fish at the Cape and not mind sharing some tips?

 

[James]

blue ridge pkwy is amazing. not sure of what to do as I just drove through it on a scenic but fast route down south, but it is a really pretty drive.

 

[knugenx]

I'm planning a road trip to Williamsburg, Va next week with the kids...any one know how's the drive is back from VA via the Cheasepeake Bridge thru DE (Rt 13)?

Sorry to hijack ur the thread.

 

[rookie07]

Wally World!


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