New York to Washington D.C. - via countryside

Hello everyone newtraveller39%26#39;s son here.

As a part of our family%26#39;s 4 week trip to the United States we%26#39;ve included a drive through the countryside after our stay in New York as a way to take in some more sights and experience a little rural America as we travel to Washingston D.C. Since being the most capable member of my family with a roadmap my mother has left me with the task of planning this aspect of our trip.

I was wondering if anyone could help me in planning the route that would allow us to take in some of the sights that most tourists do not get to experience.

We are picking up our car from Newark Airport early on the first morning (Thursday) and we already have 2 nights accomodation booked. The first being in Intercourse and the second in Gettysburg. We have booked accomodation in Washington commencing Saturday night. So that gives us 3 days to experience as much as possilble.

Any tips and ideas would be greatly appreciated as the amount of roads and small towns in this area is rather overwhelming. Many, many more than here in Australia.

P.S. The travelling party consists of my grandmother, parents and two younger sisters (11 and 7). I myself am 19. Both girls are quite used to travelling large distances by car but I was wondering if there would be anything of interest to them in particular. Just to make it a little more bearable for the rest of us.

Thanks.

New York to Washington D.C. - via countryside

You%26#39;ve chosen great places to stay! I will say that, if you%26#39;re looking for the rural experience, Lancaster might seem a little overwhelming. It%26#39;s quite built-up and touristy. However, if you are interested in trains, the Strasburg Railroad is a nice excursion that takes you through some quiet farms. Although they bill it as ';the road to Paradise';, it really goes to a rather dreary lumberyard in the nearby town of Paradise before turning around. Still, it%26#39;s fun, especially for kids.

Have you considered Hershey? The Chocolate World attraction is free and interesting. Besides a simulated factory ride, there are also some neat shops and a 3-D show. It was quite pleasant when I was last there on a September weekday. I%26#39;d also recommend Hershey Gardens, which is a lovely garden with a really nicely done Children%26#39;s Garden and a butterfly house which might still be open when you arrive. (Check the website)

The town of Boiling Springs could be nice to visit on the way to Gettysburg. It is a quiet little town with a nice tavern, springs, and access to the Applalachian Trail. It%26#39;s not a huge tourist attraction, but it%26#39;s more ';real'; than most of the touristy places--a nice way to see some countryside.

By the way, Rt 30 from Lancaster to Gettysburg is undergoing terrible construction in York, and is to be avoided. (Besides, it%26#39;s not very attractive.) I%26#39;d suggest going up to catch Hershey, then coming across 581 to Rt. 15. If you want to do Boiling Springs, you could swing over from Dillsburg on 174, and then down to Gettysburg via 34. This is a pretty little road that will take you through another small town, Mt. Holly Springs, and the heart of Pennsylvania orchard country.

New York to Washington D.C. - via countryside

Thanks aster143 - I like the idea of going through Hershey - my sisters have somewhat of a chocolate addiction - they will love it!

Your sisters might enjoy a relaxing chocolate spa treatment at the Hershey Hotel and spa. They have a wide variety of treatments available at varying prices. They tend to book full weeks ahead, so if interested, you may wish to make arrangements well ahead of time!

I think Aster hit it on the nose.

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