Ideas for a day trip?

"Stapleface" (patrickgruden) 07/19/2016 at 10:10 • Filed to: None

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My wife works in a school, so during the summer she has off for summer break like the students do. We like to take day/overnight trips, but we feel as though we’ve pretty much exhausted everything there is to do. So, I’m asking you, citizens of Oppo, what are some good day/overnight trips that one can do that are within say 400(ish) miles of Philadelphia? Preferably ones that do not involve children.

Karmann Ghia for your time

crowmolly > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 10:28

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Did you already do New Hope/Delaware river tubing?

Stapleface > crowmolly 07/19/2016 at 10:46

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We’ve tubed before, and we wouldn’t be opposed to doing it again. And yes, we’ve already done New Hope. As I said, we’re casting a pretty wide net. We essentially took a 800 mile round trip day trip to Vermont this weekend. Yes, I’m not normal.

crowmolly > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 10:51

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Totally cool, just wanted to figure out what you’ve done.

Do you guys drink? A beer tour is fun. Weyerbacher, Vault, Stoudt’s, Yard’s, Victory, Troegs, etc.

DC/Smithsonian is an option too. The Udvar-Hazy museum is great.

Ash78, voting early and often > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 10:53

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Dude, you're in the center of historical America and you need ideas within 400 miles? I'm 800 miles away from you, but I'm gonna rattle off from the top of my head: Valley Forge, Seneca Rocks, NYC, DC, Baltimore, Poconos, Amish Country, New River Gorge, Cape May/South NJ, MD Eastern Shore, about half of all Civil War battlefields, Three Mile Island (jk), Williamsburg...I think I could keep going without a map :D

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 10:59

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https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Phila…

Skyline drive! Really great place to be. This time of the year you should have great weather and while it may get crowded, its still worth it. Would be nice to spend the weekend at one of the lodges along the way, stop at all the scenic overlooks, and maybe some hiking. Highly recommend doing any driving portions of the road early in the morning or on a weekday since there will be effectively no traffic then. Also, you could certainly drive the whole thing one way in a day but making a few days out of it will be way more enjoyable. I rode down there in April last year and it was still quite beautiful, albeit a little cold for a top down drive. Would imagine its great in the summer!

Stapleface > Ash78, voting early and often 07/19/2016 at 11:05

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Well, part of the problem is that my wife hates history type stuff. And I’ve done everything in south Jersey ad nauseam. Done Amish country, Baltimore, DC, NYC. I'll check out Seneca Rocks, MD Eastern Shore and New River Gorge though. Thanks for the ideas!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/19/2016 at 11:07

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I have some good pictures too that I wanted to post but Kinja hates me!

Stapleface > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/19/2016 at 11:07

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Good idea, I'll check that out!

Ash78, voting early and often > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 11:12

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I hear you...my wife took many years to come around to "history" — I think the Gettysburg audio driving tour was the turning point, since we didn't have to leave the car very much and it really brought the stories to life a lot better than just reading a bunch of plaques. To me, all travel is either "history" or "active/outdoors" — we never just sit around doing nothing, I get sick of that. PA/MD/WV has a huge wealth of outdoors stuff, from flat trails (search for "rails to trails") like the C&O canal path near DC, to beautiful remote mountain spots in WV. I haven't done most of them, just a handful while my folks lived in MD. The hardest thing in the Mid-Atlantic is finding less crowded spots, since everyone and their brother goes to state parks on the weekends...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 11:22

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You could also do Whitewater rafting instead of tubing. Same idea but a lot more engaging. In PA though, its not like some sort of dangerous activity so its still easy for any first timers. There is a good place over in Jim Thorpe, PA (Pocono Whitewater) that puts on a good day trip. I have done that one three times now and have loved it every time. Definitely go when its a "dam release" weekend.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 11:27

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Into casual bike riding? There are quite a few places to do “rail trail” biking in the area. It is a ton of fun to do these mostly level, sometimes paved, paths that pass through beautiful areas. Plus you don’t need a fancy expensive bike to have fun on it. It is easy to do a 20-30 mile bike ride since it is so flat. I am sure you could find some really good ones without having to travel too far.

Stapleface > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/19/2016 at 11:33

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Never done whitewater rafting, but certainly not opposed to it. Great idea!

Stapleface > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/19/2016 at 11:36

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I do have a bike that I need to use more often. Not a bad idea. I'll look into that. And as you said, it seems like a great way to spend a nice day out in nature.

thebigbossyboss > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 11:41

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“We’ve exhausted all the things to do”....I don’t know how that could be possible where you live.

Aren’t you within 400 miles of like DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and NYC?

Anyways I spent 10 years living in ontario (almost 400 miles from you!) and there is some really cool stuff in north county NY although it’s at the edge of your desired travle range. Check out the little town of Alexandria Bay in the summer and Boldt Castle. You can take a boat there, and it’s a huge estate built on the island in the 1800's.

I went on my last ever date with my ex fiancee there, which is a bad memory to associate with it, but it was a really great date spot. We had a good time, our relationship had bigger problems though that can’t be patched over by cool castles.

Pretty affordable day outing, if you want cheap places to stay try Fort Drum. Alexandria Bay could be a bit more expensive because it’s nice.

http://www.boldtcastle.com/visitorinfo/

thebigbossyboss > Ash78, voting early and often 07/19/2016 at 11:43

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I live here on the Canadian Prairies. There’s not a lot of lakes or trees so most of excursions are looking for giant roadside things lol.

Most recently went to Wabamun and got a picture of the giant dragon fly!

Stapleface > thebigbossyboss 07/19/2016 at 11:47

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I've been fishing in upstate NY quite often and it is very pretty up there. I will look in to what you suggested, too. As I said, we're willing to travel, especially if it's a place that isn't overrun with people/tourists.

thebigbossyboss > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 11:51

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It was a bit busy when we went but not too bad. The castle is quite large so once y0u get over there, there is lots of room to explore at your own pace.

But I suggest, going on the edge of the season, or on a weekday to minimize the crowds.

I miss ontario a little bit, I moved to Alberta. Nice place, but not a ton of lakes for swimming in, which I miss. Also not too hot here. I miss that too.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 12:12

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Ever been to Hershey?

If you want to go a bit further there’s always Cleveland. They have a ton of great museums.

Stapleface > thebigbossyboss 07/19/2016 at 12:18

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Edge of the season is good for me. Also it'll be a little cooler too, which is always nice. Low 70's with a slight breeze is just about perfect for me.

Stapleface > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/19/2016 at 12:20

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Yeah, Ohio in general is good for that. Really the only reason to go to Ohio. lol We have been to Hershey, but wouldn’t be opposed to going back. It's always soo damn busy though.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 12:24

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You could always come here to Martha’s Vineyard.

Doesn’t PA have a large wine region? I’m sure your wife would love to tour that for a few days.

Niagara falls should be just on the edge of your 400mile range too, but I hear you have to go in from the Canadian side for the best experience.

Stapleface > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/19/2016 at 12:38

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I wouldn’t mind Martha’s Vineyard, but oddly enough my wife is allergic to alcohol. So winery tours are much less fun when you’re the only one tasting. And yes, Niagara falls are on our list, even though the Canadian side is better. Since she’s never been to either side, it will still be an experience for her.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 12:40

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I would not wish that allergy upon even my worst enemies.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Stapleface 07/19/2016 at 12:56

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Yup, I have always enjoyed mountain biking a bit but it just gets expensive to have a real bike worth using for that. But I think I actually enjoy rail trails more because you just get to see more and still get a good work out. There is a good one that runs along the Delaware-Raritan Canal in NJ. Its like 50 miles long so its fun to just do a section between a couple towns and get a nice lunch. Best on a fall day with the leaves but summer is nice too if its not too hot.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Stapleface 07/21/2016 at 14:00

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There’s a big Mormon historical site in Mentor, Ohio, outside of Cleveland.