Driving from NY to Myrtle Beach - WEAR TO STOP?
Mar 7th, 2008, 08:27 AM
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Driving from NY to Myrtle Beach - WEAR TO STOP?
Hi, family with 2 small kids will be driving from NY to myrtle beach this summer and want to stop somewhere 1-2 nites on the way there not off the beaten path of I95. Any suggestions for a fun place to stop for the kids ages 5 & 7. Beach or pool a Must! Virginia Beach ??
Mar 7th, 2008, 08:31 AM
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Try this: roadsideamerica.com.
A few years ago I drove from FL to MA and stopped at any place we found on here along the route. You get to see some of the strangest, most unique sites (off the beaten path)on the way.
A few years ago I drove from FL to MA and stopped at any place we found on here along the route. You get to see some of the strangest, most unique sites (off the beaten path)on the way.
Mar 7th, 2008, 08:34 AM
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Virginia Beach is quite a long way from I-95. Do you want to drive an hour or two to get to the beach? You're heading to Myrtle Beach, so that doesn't make sense imho.
I would think that somewhere around Richmond would be about half way. You are sure to find hotels/motels with a pool.
I would think that somewhere around Richmond would be about half way. You are sure to find hotels/motels with a pool.
Mar 7th, 2008, 10:20 AM
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I95 does not go close enough to ocean to find a beach, but pools should not be a problem. I95exitguide.com is my new favorite website for trips along eastern corridor. Lists hotels, restaurants, along the way.
South of Richmond amenities become progressively more scarce, until you hit NC when it can be tough to find a decent place to stay. Fredericksburg and then Richmond have every chain hotel you have ever heard of in all sorts of prices. We stay at a Comfort Inn in Fredericksburg on trips to Savannah, but there is nothing special about it other than we know where it is.
Not sure if you want just to sleep, eat and run off steam or a place to vacation for 1-2 days. If the latter, stop in Baltimore and possibly see an Orioles game at Camden Yards if the kids are interested. Tickets are plentiful and can be had for cheap.
South of Richmond amenities become progressively more scarce, until you hit NC when it can be tough to find a decent place to stay. Fredericksburg and then Richmond have every chain hotel you have ever heard of in all sorts of prices. We stay at a Comfort Inn in Fredericksburg on trips to Savannah, but there is nothing special about it other than we know where it is.
Not sure if you want just to sleep, eat and run off steam or a place to vacation for 1-2 days. If the latter, stop in Baltimore and possibly see an Orioles game at Camden Yards if the kids are interested. Tickets are plentiful and can be had for cheap.
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Mar 8th, 2008, 08:15 PM
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Consider Colonial Willaimsburg. When taking the 295? bypass around Richmond, it is only 30-40 minutes out of your way. It's a great spot to let the kids stretch their legs in the historic area and around the many pools.
Mar 11th, 2008, 06:56 AM
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Rt. 81 is a much more scenic and interesting route south than I95. You pass through Pennsylvania and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of western Virginia. There are lots of historic sites, especially Civil War related. Like I95, there are hotel chains all along the way, many with pools. Comfort Inns are especially reliable. Rt. 64 east through Charlottesville, VA is also scenic, and it brings you into I95 in Richmond, well below the DC traffic.
Off the track a bit, but not far from there is Williamsburg, where there are lots of things to see and do. From there you could travel down to Mrytle Beach by way of Rt. #17, which, though slower going, is an interesting way to see some of the south.
Off the track a bit, but not far from there is Williamsburg, where there are lots of things to see and do. From there you could travel down to Mrytle Beach by way of Rt. #17, which, though slower going, is an interesting way to see some of the south.
Mar 12th, 2008, 07:43 PM
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Petersburg, Va. is interesting, if a bit rundown, and has some good restaurants. Richmond and environs is also not a bad idea, and you can swing over to Colonial Williamsburg for an overnight if you are not in too much of a hurry.
Unless you are coming from someplace like Rochester, 81 swings too far west IMHO, but is a pretty drive. You can drive to Myrtle Beach in a day from NYC, even with a single driver, but it is a pretty long drive (eleven or twelve hours on average-although DH's record from Bergen County, NJ to Charleston is something like ten hours and forty minutes).
Unless you are coming from someplace like Rochester, 81 swings too far west IMHO, but is a pretty drive. You can drive to Myrtle Beach in a day from NYC, even with a single driver, but it is a pretty long drive (eleven or twelve hours on average-although DH's record from Bergen County, NJ to Charleston is something like ten hours and forty minutes).
Mar 12th, 2008, 08:21 PM
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Been driving this route for years...
I-95 does not offer a lot for your age children. Baltimore has an Inner Harbor area that has a great aquarium, restaurants, shops and walking. If you stop at gas stations and state welcome areas along the way, they will have coupon books that have hotel coupons that will indicate if they have pools - all kids really want. We tend to stay overnight in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, right on the border with Virginia. Beach is not really close to I-95.
We also stop at Dairy Queens or Stuckeys - kids love the ice cream and the cheap souvenirs.
I-95 does not offer a lot for your age children. Baltimore has an Inner Harbor area that has a great aquarium, restaurants, shops and walking. If you stop at gas stations and state welcome areas along the way, they will have coupon books that have hotel coupons that will indicate if they have pools - all kids really want. We tend to stay overnight in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, right on the border with Virginia. Beach is not really close to I-95.
We also stop at Dairy Queens or Stuckeys - kids love the ice cream and the cheap souvenirs.
Mar 17th, 2008, 04:20 AM
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Beware the semi heavy traffic on I-81 not to mention the heightened speed limit enforcement.
I agree, way too far west for what you want to accomplish.
Do Williamsburg and then take the kids to Busch Gardens and its water park.
I agree, way too far west for what you want to accomplish.
Do Williamsburg and then take the kids to Busch Gardens and its water park.
Mar 17th, 2008, 06:51 AM
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Proceeding on the assumption that you are coming from NYC area, several thoughts--
Downtown Baltimore has some good stuff for your kids' ages but it's not all that far from NYC and you'd still have a LOT of driving ahead of you.
DC also has some good stuff for your kids, but it's only a little bit farther. Unless you want to stretch this into 3 days of driving, I'd plan on at least getting to Petersburg, south of Richmond. Some nice areas there, plenty of hotels to choose from, you can get use the bypass around Richmond, and if you want to you can spend some time walking around the battlefield area before heading South on your second day.
http://www.nps.gov/pete/planyourvisit/index.htm
If you're heading to Myrtle Beach, there's really no reason to go off your track to Virginia Beach.
While it's true that Williamsburg is not far from the bypass around Richmond, there's not really a good way to get back to I-95 Southbound.
If you are going to North Myrtle, it's not too far out of your way (on your last day of driving) to take I-40 to Wilmington, and then head south on 17. Get a bit in the lovely downtown area along the waterfront, and visit the USS North Carolina (WWII battleship):
http://www.battleshipnc.com/visitors/visitors.php
Downtown Baltimore has some good stuff for your kids' ages but it's not all that far from NYC and you'd still have a LOT of driving ahead of you.
DC also has some good stuff for your kids, but it's only a little bit farther. Unless you want to stretch this into 3 days of driving, I'd plan on at least getting to Petersburg, south of Richmond. Some nice areas there, plenty of hotels to choose from, you can get use the bypass around Richmond, and if you want to you can spend some time walking around the battlefield area before heading South on your second day.
http://www.nps.gov/pete/planyourvisit/index.htm
If you're heading to Myrtle Beach, there's really no reason to go off your track to Virginia Beach.
While it's true that Williamsburg is not far from the bypass around Richmond, there's not really a good way to get back to I-95 Southbound.
If you are going to North Myrtle, it's not too far out of your way (on your last day of driving) to take I-40 to Wilmington, and then head south on 17. Get a bit in the lovely downtown area along the waterfront, and visit the USS North Carolina (WWII battleship):
http://www.battleshipnc.com/visitors/visitors.php
