As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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Ok, here's the situation. After our cruise comes into Quebec City next year, we're flying to Newark on a Thursday afternoon and our flight home is also out of Newark on the Saturday night, giving us just over two days.
Now most people would go into New York City. Not so keen on that idea. We've seen most things there on our previous visits and we've had such lousy journeys into the city from airports too.
So I'm looking at renting a car and what you can do in the area. The trouble is there are too many choices! We could head into Connecticut and Rhode Island - we have some things we haven't seen there. We could go into upstate New York - Albany, Saratoga Springs and the Adrioondack Mountains, or we could head south and there are so many options there. One option is Delaware and perhaps Cape May. Another option would take us to Annapolis, Alexandria, Mount Vernon and even Skyline Drive (again, we've seen most of the major sights in DC). But then there's Baltimore and we're thinking about going to Gettysburg. We've seen most of Philadelphia.
You see our problem? Too many choices!
What would you do in our position? As anyone who's ever read any of my trip reports will know, we tend to be able to pack a lot into a little space of time...
Ever been to the Hershey chocolate factory and amusement park in Pennsylvania?
That’s fun and interesting (even though not the greatest chocolate by any means, IMO.)
Upstate NY around Albany is lovely country. You could have an enjoyable excursion going up there, only about 8 hours from Newark.
DH, originally a New Yorker, suggested taking Palisades Parkway to Bear Mountain where he said his parents liked to go for seeing fall foliage. There's a nice inn there, he said.
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Last edited by Her Dotness; 11-08-2017 at 02:52 PM..
Ever been to the Hershey chocolate factory and amusement park in Pennsylvania?
Sorry, yes another place to add to the "been there, done that" list!
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That’s fun and interesting (even though not the greatest chocolate by any means, IMO.)
Oh my goodness, you are so right about that!
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Upstate NY around Albany is lovely country. You could have an enjoyable excursion going up there, only about 8 hours from Newark.
DH, originally a New Yorker, suggested taking Palisades Parkway to Bear Mountain where he said his parents liked to go for seeing fall foliage. There's a nice inn there, he said.
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Of course i think driving Skyline Drive, as well as other things around Virginia are great. But, you’ll likely have seen fall color in Canada. I think both Virginia and Rhode Island are a bit far from Newark, though.
What about the Hudson River Valley area of New York?
Or the Berkshires in Massachusetts? Lenox is adorable.
Lenox, Massachusetts is a great idea! Gorgeous country.
You could also take in the Albany area which isn't far at all from there, right in the neighborhood, so to speak. (DH calculated going from Brooklyn where he grew up, I expect, which adds getting-outta-NYC time.)
iPad says Lenox is a mere 3-4 hrs from central Newark, routing you a bit west of the craziest traffic.
That would be a lovely journey summer or fall.
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Last edited by Her Dotness; 11-08-2017 at 03:32 PM..
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September is a beautiful time of year to visit. You have some great choices! We love Cape May! Gettysburg is great historically, but there is really nothing more around it. Knowing how much you and Mark like to pack in a day, I worry about that. I have lots of family in Albany and I would say the same thing about there. If you head that way, I would plan to keep going to Saratoga Springs and the Lake George area, both are less than a 45 minute drive from Albany. Hope this helps.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
September is a beautiful time of year to visit. You have some great choices! We love Cape May! Gettysburg is great historically, but there is really nothing more around it. Knowing how much you and Mark like to pack in a day, I worry about that. I have lots of family in Albany and I would say the same thing about there. If you head that way, I would plan to keep going to Saratoga Springs and the Lake George area, both are less than a 45 minute drive from Albany. Hope this helps.
That does - thanks. I did wonder how much there was around Gettysburg and that was one of my concerns, so that's good to know.
I *adore* Cape May (we were married there!) but the end of September may be a little hit or miss when it comes to the weather and what all is open.
If you come north, Mystic CT is lovely. The aquarium is definitely worth a visit and there's lots of shopping in town and at the Seaport.
We also really like Newport, we've toured The Breakers and the seaport is again a nice place to wander around and shop.
I *adore* Cape May (we were married there!) but the end of September may be a little hit or miss when it comes to the weather and what all is open.
Good to know.
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If you come north, Mystic CT is lovely. The aquarium is definitely worth a visit and there's lots of shopping in town and at the Seaport.
We visited the aquarium a couple of years ago and it's excellent. We never made it to the Seaport and I had forgotten about that, so thanks for the reminder...
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We also really like Newport, we've toured The Breakers and the seaport is again a nice place to wander around and shop.
Ok, now you're swinging me round to heading up into New England...
I personally think Newport is a bit on the far side if you happen to hit traffic. It's 3-4 hours if you get a straight, construction free, accident free trip but it doesn't take much to turn 95 into a parking lot. Maybe you could combine it with a stop in Mystic and New London.
Have you done anything on Long Island? You could also do a stop at the Bronx Zoo.
I think Lenox and environs are nice as is Saratoga Springs. Albany doesn't do much for me but I've mostly just driven through.
My sister lives just off the Palisades (you can see her house when driving south behind the exit 7 sign) but I am not sure I think driving up the Palisades is much of a treat. And I am not sure what you would do or where you would stay in the Bear Mountain area. I guess you could stop at the Palisades Mall but to me it's just a mall, albeit larger and more crowded than most.
I think one problem you might have it many things will have closed for the season.
I personally think Newport is a bit on the far side if you happen to hit traffic. It's 3-4 hours if you get a straight, construction free, accident free trip but it doesn't take much to turn 95 into a parking lot. Maybe you could combine it with a stop in Mystic and New London.
We wouldn't drive straight there. I think, if we did this itinerary, which I'm now leaning towards more and more, we'd stop first at Mystic.
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Have you done anything on Long Island? You could also do a stop at the Bronx Zoo.
No, nothing out there at all. Another good idea. :wyatogo:
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I think Lenox and environs are nice as is Saratoga Springs. Albany doesn't do much for me but I've mostly just driven through.
My sister lives just off the Palisades (you can see her house when driving south behind the exit 7 sign) but I am not sure I think driving up the Palisades is much of a treat. And I am not sure what you would do or where you would stay in the Bear Mountain area. I guess you could stop at the Palisades Mall but to me it's just a mall, albeit larger and more crowded than most.
I think one problem you might have it many things will have closed for the season.
That amazed us a couple of years ago out on Cape Cod. We were there in late September and, over here, most things would still be open until early October or generally late October, to make the best of the week long school holiday we have at the end of October.
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We could head into Connecticut and Rhode Island - we have some things we haven't seen there. We could go into upstate New York - Albany, Saratoga Springs and the Adrioondack Mountains, or we could head south and there are so many options there. One option is Delaware and perhaps Cape May. Another option would take us to Annapolis, Alexandria, Mount Vernon and even Skyline Drive (again, we've seen most of the major sights in DC). But then there's Baltimore and we're thinking about going to Gettysburg. We've seen most of Philadelphia. 
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I have lots of family in Albany and I would say the same thing about there. If you head that way, I would plan to keep going to Saratoga Springs and the Lake George area, both are less than a 45 minute drive from Albany. Hope this helps.
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