Road trip from New York

[bijutsu]

Hello, I am currently in New York and was hoping to do a mini road trip at the end of July, beginning of August. Preferably I will need to be back in New York to fly back to London. I will have just over 2 weeks and am hoping to stop in Philly to see a friend on the way. Can anyone recommend a route?

I have never been on a road trip before and would love to do a proper long trip when I get the chance, but since I have a few weeks this summer I was hoping on trying it out.

Looking forward to hearing your recommendations!

Bijutsu X

[glc]

What are your interests, besides stopping in Philly? That's only a 2 hour drive from NYC. Are you looking for cities, or are you looking for scenery with a lot less civilization? Are you an outdoor type person? Do you need to stay in a hotel each night, or do you want to do some camping?

[bijutsu]

We would like to stay in motels I'm not really an outdoors person. I don't think I would like to camp. We are both artists using photography, film and painting and would like to be able to visit some museums as well as be inspired by natural landscape (less civilisation). We are thinking of doing a kind of loop, and need to do some more research of things we would like to see, but I am just not sure how far is realistic for a 2 week break. Was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations of things not to miss. Is St. Louis too ambitious to get to in a week with lots of stops? Also which car rental company would you recommend? I would love to have a convertible so we have the option of Air Conditioning or putting the roof down, but I also have a few suitcases from my stay here in NY city. I am a complete newbie at this, I can't even drive. My boyfriend will be doing all the driving!

[glc]

A loop trip to St. Louis would be very reasonable for 2 weeks. Here's something you might want to do:

Head down to Philly and Washington, DC. Then take I-66 west and get on the Skyline Drive, then the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take that south till you have had enough, then do what you have to do to get to I-64 and take that to St. Louis. On the way back, head up to Chicago, then across I-80 back to NYC. Research what attractions are along those routes.

We can't recommend a specific car rental company, but you need to research all the majors (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, National, Dollar, Thrifty, etc.) and compare. Carefully check to see if there are any mileage restrictions, and what states you are allowed to take the car to. If your boyfriend is under 25, there will be a hefty young driver surcharge, and if he's under 21 he will not be allowed to rent a car at all.

[Foy]

Hello Bijustu,

Your stay in the US and the New York area coincides with the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival/concert/snafu/catastrophe. The original location is Bethel, NY, some 40 miles northwest of the Route 17 exit off of the New York State Thruway (I-87) and overall around 100-120 miles outside of NYC. There is a large performing arts center atop the big hill forming the natural bowl where concert-goers sat by the hundreds of thousands. The stage area is identifiable at the base of the bowl, and since my one and only visit there +2 years ago, an interactive museum has opened.

If you're a "flower child" in your late 50s/early 60s, or the child or grandchild of one, it's a great place to spend a few minutes or a few hours.

Foy

[bijutsu]

Hello Foy,

Thanks for the information. I will be sure to check it out. I am not a flower child, we are both 29 years old. Thanks again.

Bijutsu

[bijutsu]

Hi glc,

Thank you for your advice, I think that sounds great. I will discuss it with my boyfriend and try and plan things to do. He is 29 years old so I think it should be ok. I have looked at a few car rental companies but will ask him to have a look too.

Thanks again.

Bijutsu