BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello all

I'm a New Zealander planning a trip to the East Coast of the USA in August. Firstly, I will be doing three days' professional development (environmental education) at Sewell in New Jersey, then travelling to Cape May, Assateague, Chincoteague, Virginia Beach, Richmond, Charlottesville, Charlotte, Savannah, Jacksonville to Florida before returning home.

I will be travelling with a friend and we will be hiring a car while there. We are particularly interested in looking at gardens and wildlife/wilderness areas.

We would prefer to stay in B&Bs and meet the locals than large hotels or commercial motels.

Would appreciate ideas from the locals. Thanks in advance!

Jacqui

Hi Jacqui!

I'm pleased to hear that you're visiting our neck of the woods! I don't know the details of your circumstances, but there's one thing that alarms me and I want to keep you from making a mistake that you may regret later. Your itenerary takes you oh-so-close, but around Charleston, SC. To be that near (Savannah's just a short drive south) and miss out on what could be best "colonial" city in the US would be a shame.

I should let you know that I'm NOT from there, sadly, but I lived there for a few years before moving overseas and it is by far the best place I've ever spent any time in the US. If you're considering it, let me know and I'll give you some details about this amazing town.

At any rate, I hope you enjoy the east coast, and particularly the Carolinas!

Hello Carolina Couple

Our itinerary is very flexible - so thanks for this. We will probably tighten it up when we're there in August. I just drew "straight lines" on the map that would get us from Cape May and Chincoteague, to a friend's place in Charlottesville , and then down to Florida.

But not sure which you are saying - which is the best colonial city in the US? Savannah? Charleston? Someone else told me that St Augustine would be a better place to stay than Jacksonville too...

I need to spread out the map I've got of the US and take a really good look at all these places.

Look forward to your clarification.

Jacqui

I'm sorry, I hate when I confuse people in my writing! I meant that Charleston is the best. I have nothing at all against Savannah--in fact, depending on your time available, I say visit them both! There's a lot to see and do in Charleston--not because it's a big city (it really isn't) but because it's got so much history. When you're ready to know, give me some idea of what you're into (tourist highlights, historical sites, beaches, bars/nightlife, restaurants, etc) and I would LOVE to give you some ideas. I acted as tour guide for anyone that came to visit me and my wife for the 4 years I lived there, so although I don't consider myself an expert on the town I do know my stuff!

You got some good info about St Augustine, too. That's THE oldest town in the US.

I couldn't live with myself if I didn't put in a plug for my home state, too. If you find yourself near Asheville, that's a town worth a visit, too. I don't recollect how far away it is from Charlotte but it's nestled in the mountians and just a lovely little mid-sized town filled with history, hippies, outdoor folk, and college students.

I hope I've helped!

I'm getting some great trips from others - we only have a week to do this trip, so I'm putting everything into the planning.

Thanks for your help - I'll sit down with a map eventually and sort everything out. It's great to be able to be flexible.

Thanks again.

Jacqui

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If you want a colonial type area, you're so close to philadelphia you could spit, and the old town there is very charming. But of course you probably don't have time to retrace north.

I liked Savannah Georgia, and I'm sure you'll like charleston too.

We're arriving at Philadelphia airport - and after our course we will have a few days in NJ with our hosts, so no doubt they will show us around!

Thanks for that

Jacqui.

Oh, don't forget the Camden aquarium! I know, Camden is a dump of a city, but it has a fine aquarium if you like that sort of thing.

Check out the Okeefenokee swamp in Georgia (near Florida). You can either rent boats and explore on your own or go on a tour. A friend and I went on the sunset tour and it was amazing! We saw all kinds of birds, alligators, and we got really lucky because it was a full moon.

Savannah was also very interesting. It definitely had a one-of-a-kind feel to it.... maybe a little haunted?

Sounds great - thanks so much for that. I have always wanted to see the "wetlands" so this is a MUST.

Thanks

Jacqui

Thanks for this, much appreciated.


Jacqui

Hi all

Thank you for your help - this is what we have planned to date - would appreciate any other ideas.

While in New Jersey, visit Longwood Gardens?

Tuesday, 26/08/2008 - Philadelphia to Cape May visiting Leamings Run Gardens, Higbees Beach for seabirds, Nature Center of Cape May, Cape May lighthouse. Stay at the Inn of Cape May (historic)?

Wednesday, 27/08/2008 - Cape May to visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (different wildlife at each?) and Chincoteague Island. Stay B&B Chincoteague

Thursday, 28/08/2008 - In Chincoteague, then Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, to Williamsburg, stay Williamsburg

Friday, 29/08/2008 - Williamsburg to Charlottesville visiting wineries, stay Dinsmore House?

Saturday, 30/08/2008 – Charlottesville, visit friends, then to Charlotte visiting Mt Rogers National Recreation Area. Visit Daniel Stowe Gardens.

Sunday, 31/08/2008 - Charlotte via Congaree National Park to Savannah

Monday, 1/09/2008, Labor Day - Savannah via Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to somewhere west of Jacksonville, north of Gainesville.

Tuesday, 2/09/2008 – Florida visiting butterfly farms

Theres also the Cape May Zoo which is really quite nice but it isnt local wildlife and you could experiance it in other city zoo's probably, but it is worth mentioning as its by donation and well kept. I definitly wouldnt compromise any of the authentic wildlife you'd get at the Refuges, im just puttin it out there because i had a pretty good time at it last time i was in Cape May. Everything on your itinerary looks good, i wish i could give better advice, maybe visit Monticello outside of Charolettesville (website says 2 miles SE)The building is interesting and the grounds and gardens are really nice. Anyway I hope your trip goes well!

If you are going to be on Chincoteague, rent a bicycle and bike across the bridge to explore Assateague as well. There's a shop that rents beach cruisers right before you go across the bridge.

When you come back, if you bike down the main road a little ways, there is an all you can eat seafood buffet which is just what you want after riding and swimming around all day.

Have fun,
La

Awesome! Thanks for this.

I am so excited.

Hi Jacqui!

You appear to have an amazing trip ahead of you! This area of the country is beautiful and pretty accessible in terms of driving distances. I can offer some hints on the Delmarva (Delaware/Maryland/Virginia) portion of your journey – also let me know if you have any specific questions about the area!

I am assuming you are taking the Cape May ferry over to Lewes, DE instead of driving around (?) – the time savings is perhaps an hour or two if so, and puts you pretty close to Assateague/Chincoteague area…. Are you planning to go to Assateague (MD side) or Chincoteague (further down, Virginia side)? I have personally been able to see more of the famous wild ponies at the Assateague side – you can camp out there as well (I believe the current rates are 30 for the state side, 20 for national – however, entrance fees to get into the national park side are about 10 dollars higher so it’s about even…). If you come down the coast, you will pass thru Ocean City, Maryland – very busy and crowded in the summer, but it is a fun, classic East Coast beach resort to spend a little time in and get a good meal.

Blackwater Refuge is in my hometown – it is a gorgeous spot, definitely key if youre into wildfowl/birding – however, it is about an hour and a half drive each way from the coastal (Assateague/Chincoteague) area where it appears you will be continuing your journey down… If you are looking for traveling times, I’d say Lewes (Ferry drop off from Cape May) to Assateague is 1.5 hrs with summer traffic, to Chincoteague figure closer to 3… there is no road linking Assateague in Maryland with Chincoteague in Virginia on the island itself so you sort of have to drive in a round-about way either way… from Chincoteague to Williamsburg you are looking at about 2 hours (including about 20 minutes on the Bay-Bridge Tunnel – a pretty neat Tunnel/Road/Causeway combo that goes over some great scenery too! – lots of pullouts and view areas). Hope that was in some measure helpful and not too long-winded – have a great trip and let me know if you have any questions! -Matt


PS – Longwood Gardens is great too if you can fit it in!