Last summer, I drove 3 hours north of Boston, taking scenic Route 1 along the coast, to about the middle of Maine’s Atlantic coast. Stopped at a lovely small town called Rockland (but seemed dead on the day I was there, which was on July 4th), and had a great chowder and lobster at a small diner in the town’s main street.

I would like to return sometime, go further north to Bar Harbor (Maine), and take the ferry across to Nova Scotia.

We enjoyed the scenic drive along the Hudson Valley, North of NYC. West Point (great views, museum’s interesting, but the tour is kind of ho-hum) and Hyde Park (all the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt stuff and the Culinary Institute of America) were highlights.

I second the recommendation of Maine. Even spots close to the MA/NH border are beautiful (York Beach; Old Orchard Beach, etc.). I really want to make it to Bar Harbor one day.

If you didn’t want to travel as far, I’d go to Cape Cod, but it’s horrifically busy during the summer (not to mention expensive). I love Chatham, though.

I also recommend Maine Harrison, Oxford, Norway, Old Orchard Beach (Portland in general is sweet)

Would love to hit up Cape Cod one day, Martha’s vineyard and Nantucket

Thank you for the suggestion,
have been camping in Kittery up in Maine by the naval base in my youth, and been to Cape Cod a couple of times.
Never driven to Acadia and this labor day weekend will be too much to drive.
I live close to the Hudson River and Bear Mountains as well as West Point are in my vicinity.

Thought of going to 1000 islands but seems like the accommodations are just too expensive. Unless I can find a house to accommodate other families so i can invite a group of families with me.

Similar fares are being seen in the Finger Lakes or the Adirondacks.

My intentions are really to drive up to 2-2.5 hours from Northern NJ.

Oldlady, Is hyde park worth visiting for 3 days?

I know in surrounding areas, in PA, there are all inclusive resorts which has buffets, accommodations, games all included. I simply cannot seem to remember that place. Is there such all inclusive places in NJ, NY, PA, CT, DE, etc anyone knows!!!

1 and 1/2 days at Hyde Park (including a leisurely drive from NYC) would probably be plenty for me. Even with all the tourists it’s still a pretty sleepy little village. We didn’t go to the culinary inst., so I don’t know what that offers a tourist but it looks like a great (perhaps expensive??) place for a foodie to spend 1/2 day for a tour and a meal. Maybe Tarrytown (not been there) would add another day?

I noticed AAA offering day visit to the culinary institute. It is a short driving distance for me, is there anything else to do for 2-3 days other than the institute.
I noticed they charge something to see the institute or does that include meals? etc?
What else is there in that part?
Tarrytown is right over the bridge so I have been there quite often.

All the FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt stuff is interesting (and free) if you have any interest in the biographies and history involved. We spent most of a day (actually 1 afternoon and the next morning) there. Looks like $6 to tour CIA — they actually refer to it that way….
http://www.ciachef.e…