Louisville, KY to NYC, Boston, Cape Cod, etc.

[seanandmichael]

We are planning a round trip in mid-July up to this area. We have a few stops in mind but are pretty unsure what would be fun to see. We like pretty scenery, scenic drives off of the interstate, we may rent bikes and do a small ride for a day or two. We may be interested in going to a concert or festival if there is one around this time. We would like to stay in campsites for a portion of the trip. We aren't trying to do much in bigger cities other than a day in New York City and one in Boston. We hope to spend about a week and a half on the road. We would appreciate any and all suggestions for activities, routes, nice places for views and whatnot, delicious food, and anything else. (We began every sentence with "we").
We thank you for your time!
~We (Sean and Michael)

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

If your objectives include scenic drives off the Interstate, some short bike rides, and camping, then here are a few suggestions (of the literally hundreds of possibilities). Follow the Ohio upriver from Cincinnati on US-52/OH-7/WV-2 to Parkersburg and turn east on US-50 to Winchester, VA and US-340 to Harpers Ferry. Besides the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, this is one place to get in/on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park with foot and bike paths (and campsites) all along the Potomac River Then continue on to Frederick and hip on US-15 up to Gettysburg and Harrisburg before heading into New York City.

Between New York and Boston, you might want to follow the coast which is industrial and urbanized for a while but gets far more scenic after New Haven. Some places worth checking out are Old Saybrook, Mystic and maybe even leave the car behind for a day and take the ferry over to Block Island and rent some bikes out there.

Start home by using the Mohawk Trail (MA-2) across northern Massachusetts, then follow the west bank of the Hudson on US-9W down to Kingston. From there, US0209 will take you down through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and I-80/US-22 will take you through some or Pennsylvania's wooded Appalachians and onward through Ohio almost to home.

You have plenty of time to follow 'back' roads such as those. State parks are your best bet for affordable and tranquil camping. They will be around almost wherever you choose to stop, just check out each state's park website.

AZBuck

[CrossCountry2011]

Are you from Louisville? Because if not I could recommend a few places there.

[seanandmichael]

Are you from Louisville? Because if not I could recommend a few places there.

Yes we are from Louisville.