East coast road trip need tips

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St Augustine, see Harry's Sea Food in the evening, or a quick pizza at Piazzalley on St George. If time for the beach, do Crescent beach on A1A, clean and "usually" not crowded. I've visited St. Augustine many times and would spend the winters there, if not for my granddaughters here. Enjoy your trip.
 
niagara falls - is a must see - ya it’s is nice on the canadian side but you can get a better appreciation for it on the usa side . there are large parking lots in the park on the usa side . trams available to get people moved . the usa side offers a very close up view on the waters edge and get a close up view (almost feel the water rushing by ) . canada is kinda comment, usa more park like . take a look at it on google maps get a feel for the area . on the us side the robert moses parkway basically leads you into the falls area of off the mainline thru way and is a scenic ride in itself along the niagara river which eventually plunges over the falls ! i lived here my whole life still impressed with it !
Thani you for the great infos!
I think we will explore both sides, there must be a nice walk from US side over the river along the CDN side (one way approx 1/2h walk). Do you recommend a boat trip or is it wasted money? How do you like the light show by night?
Marco
 
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Thani you for the great infos!
I think we will explore both sides, there must be a nice walk from US side over the river along the CDN side (one way approx 1/2h walk). Do you recommend a boat trip or is it wasted money? How do you like the light show by night?
Marco
I can give you a couple tips on the falls.

On the American side, do the tower and the "Cave of the Winds". The American cave is a lot better than the Canadian cave. Maid of the Mist is a must, do that from either side. Do the tower on the Canadian side too.

As said, the American side is more scenic, and they have a tram that takes you around if you want. The US city of Niagara Falls has seen better days and you don't want to stay there... If you need to stay over, either go to Canada or Buffalo.

On the Canadian side, it's much more commercial. I suggest the Butterfly Conservatory and if you can, drive up into Niagara On the Lake for better restaurants and some shopping.
 
We travel by motorhome, and have found a book available at Camping World called " Casino Camping ".
It lists the Casinos by State, what's avail, usually several restaurants, buffets, etc which was my target as I have a limited diet, and my wife eats everything .
They often have 1st class resorts, tennis, golf courses, pools etc.
When driving into a strange city, sometimes late at nite, there will be security driving around all nite, shuttles to the casino itself, we sleep soundly every nite .
Rates ranged from free to $50 a nite, most $30ish, and all? had accomodations.
Good Luck .
P.S. - I don't gamble, lol, - my wife does, and usually buys dinner .
 
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It's been a lot of years since I've visited our east coast so I'll just offer a couple of very interesting locations if they're not too far from your travel route:
* Boston (MA) Freedom Trail
* United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
* United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
* Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, VA
* Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, VA
* Jamestown, VA - site of the first permanent English settlement in America

Are you familiar with the American television show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"? Outstanding sometimes out-of-the-way places to eat with great food. You can check out the locations by state at Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

One last thing: If you ever get back to the Southern California area and you like touring old ships the USS New Jersey in San Pedro (Los Angeles) is an outstanding tour.

Have a great trip!
 
Thani you for the great infos!
I think we will explore both sides, there must be a nice walk from US side over the river along the CDN side (one way approx 1/2h walk). Do you recommend a boat trip or is it wasted money? How do you like the light show by night?
Marco
the light show is awesome, probably best viewed from canada as you see more of the falls at one time , the boat ride is cool also , to see all that water from below is awesome, there is also cave of the winds where you actually walk along the base of the falls and when i went you kinda get under it as it flows in front of you , i hear they have a package these days where you can do both….
 
the light show is awesome, probably best viewed from canada as you see more of the falls at one time , the boat ride is cool also , to see all that water from below is awesome, there is also cave of the winds where you actually walk along the base of the falls and when i went you kinda get under it as it flows in front of you , i hear they have a package these days where you can do both….
downstream about a mile there is also a park , where you can leave your car up top and walk down in the gorge , but beware it is a hike …..i’m not sure i’d trust my muscle car up there whole hiking thou , i’m thinking your bringing your hot rod if i remember correctly, just north of niagara falls (city) sets lewiston, nice little town , touristy , good eats and little shops abound . also in lewiston is art park , many in expensive concerts of hood bands , last i went was only 5 bucks , and a great venue ( it’s also on the gorge above nia river)
 
downstream about a mile there is also a park , where you can leave your car up top and walk down in the gorge , but beware it is a hike …..i’m not sure i’d trust my muscle car up there whole hiking thou , i’m thinking your bringing your hot rod if i remember correctly, just north of niagara falls (city) sets lewiston, nice little town , touristy , good eats and little shops abound . also in lewiston is art park , many in expensive concerts of hood bands , last i went was only 5 bucks , and a great venue ( it’s also on the gorge above nia river)
just north of lewiston on the mouth of the big river sets old fort niagara a historical fort from civil war time , it’s pretty cool to
 
It's been a lot of years since I've visited our east coast so I'll just offer a couple of very interesting locations if they're not too far from your travel route:
* Boston (MA) Freedom Trail
* United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
* United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
* Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, VA
* Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, VA
* Jamestown, VA - site of the first permanent English settlement in America

Are you familiar with the American television show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"? Outstanding sometimes out-of-the-way places to eat with great food. You can check out the locations by state at Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

One last thing: If you ever get back to the Southern California area and you like touring old ships the USS New Jersey in San Pedro (Los Angeles) is an outstanding tour.

Have a great trip!
I like to visit old buildings and homes, thanks for the infos.
Yes i'm familiar with Guy's restaurant tests, they show it here in Europe. Lots of nice places.
Marco
 
downstream about a mile there is also a park , where you can leave your car up top and walk down in the gorge , but beware it is a hike …..i’m not sure i’d trust my muscle car up there whole hiking thou , i’m thinking your bringing your hot rod if i remember correctly, just north of niagara falls (city) sets lewiston, nice little town , touristy , good eats and little shops abound . also in lewiston is art park , many in expensive concerts of hood bands , last i went was only 5 bucks , and a great venue ( it’s also on the gorge above nia river)
Cool, sounds like less tourists and fun for less money.
Our ride will be a rental, pedal to the metal
Marco
 
We went to the Canada side of Niagra recently and its awesome. Its way better than the view from the US side.
 
Consider renting a motorhome, no packing, freedom, control of your environment.
Compared to overnight accomodations and car rental, you may end up way ahead .
jmo
Happy travels .
 
Once you get through Northern VA head for the Blue Ridge Mountains - cut inland and take the Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park) which then runs into the Blue Ridge Parkway, which will carry you all the way down to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the NC/Tenn line. Beautiful 2 lane blacktop, no trucks allowed, designed specifically for the beauty of the drive. Lots of guides available for accommodations, restaurants, places to see near the route...
 
Once you get through Northern VA head for the Blue Ridge Mountains - cut inland and take the Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park) which then runs into the Blue Ridge Parkway, which will carry you all the way down to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the NC/Tenn line. Beautiful 2 lane blacktop, no trucks allowed, designed specifically for the beauty of the drive. Lots of guides available for accommodations, restaurants, places to see near the route...

I remember this ride as a kid years ago - well worth the trip. Beautiful!
Also, don't miss the Luray Caverns in Virginia.
Caverns
 
I remember this ride as a kid years ago - well worth the trip. Beautiful!
Also, don't miss the Luray Caverns in Virginia.
Caverns
Skyline Drive and Luray Caverns are wonderful. One on top of the mountains and one below. Done both.
If you ride the Blue Ridge Parkway down into NC. Don't go to Asheville, NC aka. "Trashville". In addition to regular taxes (state and federal), they have a 13% tourist tax on motel stays. Place is horrible. Crime, bums, high prices, etc.

-from a former Asheville area resident.
 
I'll give another shout out for Skyline Drive and The Blue Ridge Parkway. Had to stop the car to let this momma cross the Parkway with her yearling when we drove it this past February.

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Consider renting a motorhome, no packing, freedom, control of your environment.
Compared to overnight accomodations and car rental, you may end up way ahead .
jmo
Happy travels .
Good idea, but we prefer the car, makes the live in the city areas easier!
And we like to diner and explore new restaurants.
Marco
 
Once you get through Northern VA head for the Blue Ridge Mountains - cut inland and take the Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park) which then runs into the Blue Ridge Parkway, which will carry you all the way down to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the NC/Tenn line. Beautiful 2 lane blacktop, no trucks allowed, designed specifically for the beauty of the drive. Lots of guides available for accommodations, restaurants, places to see near the route...
Thats what we like to see too.
Thanks Marco
 
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