Cheap attractions

As long as we are gathering up possible ways through and around New York, let me say that I have used Michael's alternative and whole-heartedly recommend it for those who really don't want to experience traffic in or near New York. Between say Harrisburg, PA and Hartford, CT, such a routing adds only 20 miles (out of around 300) to a route through the New York City metro area.

But for those who are seeking a truly scenic alternative, there is one modification that can be made. Just east of Harrisburg, leave I-81 on I-78 to the Allenton-Bethlehem area of Pennsylvania. There use US-22 and then either PA-512 or PA-33 north to connect with US-209 through the Delaware Water Gap, at the northern end of which you join I-84 and continue eastward. This will add time, but not too many miles, since many of these roads are two-lane rather than freeway, but worth the consideration if you're looking for a quiet drive between New England and points southwest.

AZBuck

Thanks so much you guys Rock!!!!!

At the moment, I like to avoid NYC by taking I-287. I'm not a big fan of I-84 (I used to be - maybe I'll try it again someday).

I do admit that the Bear Mtn Bridge area (near West Point) is very beautiful and worth the trip.

I would avoid I-95 until well into CT - this is an extraordinarily heavily travelled corridor, sometimes US-1 in the area actually moves faster (hard to believe but true). Timing will be the key issue when getting through this area. If you are coming through on the weekend, you will have far better luck than if you get there on a weekday morning or afternoon.

We look forward to seeing more posts!

On a trip from St. louis to Rhode Island, what would be some fun things to do that are not to far off the highway. Maybe some summer tourist attractions. Fun places too stop for a night. We want to make this trip as fun as possible. We will be going in Late July or Early August if that makes a difference.

...and what kind of things do you consider fun? Are you looking for goofy, kitschy stuff? Or historic stuff? Or hiking and outdoor activities? Or theme parks? Or what?

Help us help you.

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Originally Posted by Rachel17

On a trip from St. louis to Rhode Island, what would be some fun things to do that are not to far off the highway?

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I think I already did that in this post earlier in the thread. Did you have something else, specifically, that you were looking for?

AZBuck

Thought I'd lop this on the end of this thread as it seems like a good place. As I had replied in this thread, you can make a left after the Bear Mountain Bridge and head up route 9D straight to I-84, or a few alternatives off of that road. I use this way to get home on my commute when I-87 north is in "crunch" mode, usually Friday evenings when everyone seems to be headed to upstate NY. Another really nice way to go, and one I've never seen posted, is to get to the top of the Palisades Parkway and instead of exiting the traffic circle at Bear Mountain Bridge, go a little further around and head up 9W. This is a beautiful road that I'll sometimes take home just for the diversion and goes directly past the entrance to West Point and over Storm King Mountain, which has some incredible views of the Hudson Valley. There's a couple a areas you can safely pull over and take some nice pix. From there, you'd just stay on 9W north through Newburgh (a few traffic lights at this point) until you get to the entrance to I-84 east.

Mike

I just came back from a trip to Rhode Island and I would like to suggest the mansions in Newport. They were amazing to look at, cheap to tour and the rest of the scenery and drive through and around Newport was absolutely beautiful. It was very foggy the first few days I was there and the mansions (originally owned by families such as the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts) made me feel like I was in a different era somewhere in Europe. When things cleared up, we drove along the water (or you could bike ride, which lots of people were doing) and see huge houses jutting out on rocks and from cliffs. Gorgeous drive!
I personally dont see anything wrong with driving through NYC, but I grew up right here and my husband is originally from the Bronx. Unless you are used to driving like a maniac, I would take an alternate route.

Good luck and I hope you have lots of fun!