good last minute road trip ideas

my girlfriend and i have decided that a last minute road trip this weekend would be a killer idea. the only problem is we're short of a destination. where's a cool place we could go within a few hours of DC?

many thanks, kiddos!

It depends on what you want to do and how far you want to drive. You don't really give an idea here.
Look at a map and figure out a driving range and a limit on how far you're willing to drive. Boston, NY, Philly, Richmond, Pittsburgh are all possible - and all of these places can be fun. If you want something more natural, go to the Poconos, the Appalachians, or the coast. All three of those are within a few hours and you can get a cute little place for you and your girlfriend.
I do road trips all the time and I always want a package of sports and music. I'll get on Pollstar and look for shows within driving range. Then I'll check schedules for every sports team within 3-10 hours of driving, depending on what I have in mind.

Good luck and have fun.

why don't you go to the northern neck of virginia, its kinda near the bay and on two rivers. picturesque, water, not totally crowded, less than 3 hours away, with wineries to stop at as well.

Floydfest is going on this weekend. 4-5 hours south of DC.

I'd go for a quickie trip to Bermuda, USA 3000 flies non-stop out of BWI and they have walk up fares that are less than 3 bills, just hotwire or priceline a hotel room and voila instant caribbean-like weekend.


You can drive to BWI in less than an hour, the flight is two hours, so you can go from house to island temps and beach in four hours or less and be chillin like the Corona commercials.

Sunbath, windsurf, or just chill, there's nothing like getting off the mainland for a couple of days to rejuvenate.

The flights are in the evening so don't even have to skip work, done it a few times felt like a million bucks afterward.

I'm not sure that qualifies as a "road trip" ;)

Originally posted by bnyced0:
You can drive to BWI in less than an hour, the flight is two hours

Atlantic City/Cape May. I did this roadtrip twice this month (once to see a band and once for 777). Check out the Borgata's gypsy bar and try to win back the $$$ I lost.

harper's ferry is insanely beautiful. there's a hotel called "the hilltop house" which is very affordable and nice.
plus, it's near charletown WV which is kind of a cool town. there's a record store there called "leslie's records" which has more vinyl than i've seen in my life.

and on the way, stop at dinosaurland in winchester virginia.
so worth the $5

<img src="http://www.wgyates.com/images/full_borgata.gif" alt=" - " />

Originally posted by nkotb:
I'm not sure that qualifies as a "road trip" ;)

Originally posted by bnyced0:
You can drive to BWI in less than an hour, the flight is two hours

I guess I could be stretching the definition a bit, but isn't a road trip merely a short jaunt away from home via any mode of transport, where as a vacation would be something a little further and for a longer duration again via any transport?

I'm not recommending anything that would take anymore time than most of the other suggestions, it's just a little more exotic, but you're probably right it may not have been THEIR definition of "road trip" and that's the only definition that matters in this case.

oooH! or you can go up to coney island and say goodbye.

Originally posted by tigers scare me:
harper's ferry is insanely beautiful. there's a hotel called "the hilltop house" which is very affordable and nice.
plus, it's near charletown WV which is kind of a cool town. there's a record store there called "leslie's records" which has more vinyl than i've seen in my life.

and on the way, stop at dinosaurland in winchester virginia.
so worth the $5

it's charlestown, and the racetrack there with all the depression laced faces of the gambling freaks is worth the stop. and dinosaur land is off of 340 south (15 miles south of winchester, near what is called "double tollgate.") it's not worth it at all, even if it was free, but there is an interesting, huge flea market there on weekends.

Originally posted by tigers scare me:
and on the way, stop at dinosaurland in winchester virginia.
so worth the $5

Nice…is that still there? I vaguely remember going there 20 or so years ago.

i might steal this idea. this sounds darn darn appealing.

Originally posted by bnyced0:
I'd go for a quickie trip to Bermuda, USA 3000 flies non-stop out of BWI and they have walk up fares that are less than 3 bills, just hotwire or priceline a hotel room and voila instant caribbean-like weekend.


You can drive to BWI in less than an hour, the flight is two hours, so you can go from house to island temps and beach in four hours or less and be chillin like the Corona commercials.

Sunbath, windsurf, or just chill, there's nothing like getting off the mainland for a couple of days to rejuvenate.

The flights are in the evening so don't even have to skip work, done it a few times felt like a million bucks afterward.

Originally posted by PigIron:
Boston

Whew, 8 - 9 hours (one way) for a weekend seems like a VERY long drive.

Philly is a couple hours, New York is four, Pittsburgh is 3.5 (and a MUCH better drive than up I95 to Philly or NYC), Richmond is a couple. I'd go with one of them.

Also, there are great lakes around – Deep Creek, Lake Anna. Eastern Shore of Maryland is lovely(St Michaels, Easton). May be tough to find lodging mid-summer in places like that, though.

Originally posted by azaghal1981:

Originally posted by tigers scare me:
and on the way, stop at dinosaurland in winchester virginia.
so worth the $5

Nice…is that still there? I vaguely remember going there 20 or so years ago.

it's as fun as a stomach pump.

Originally posted by Bags:

Originally posted by PigIron:
Boston

Whew, 8 - 9 hours (one way) for a weekend seems like a VERY long drive.

Philly is a couple hours, New York is four, Pittsburgh is 3.5 (and a MUCH better drive than up I95 to Philly or NYC), Richmond is a couple. I'd go with one of them.

Also, there are great lakes around – Deep Creek, Lake Anna. Eastern Shore of Maryland is lovely(St Michaels, Easton). May be tough to find lodging mid-summer in places like that, though.

You're right on that one. My best friends live in NJ/Philly/PA so I usually break up the driving and therefore, sometimes don't realize how far it is from me. Also, I'm Baltimore, so that lops off an hour from most of you.

Fun town though.

Originally posted by walkonby:

Originally posted by azaghal1981:

Originally posted by tigers scare me:
and on the way, stop at dinosaurland in winchester virginia.
so worth the $5

Nice…is that still there? I vaguely remember going there 20 or so years ago.

it's as fun as a stomach pump.

Winchester is a nice little town. Probably not a vacation spot by any means though. If you want a cute little historical town go to Harper's Ferry.
And Christ, as a former Winchester resident, I advise all of humanity to steer clear from Dinosaurland. You can find tons of stuff like that along the Appalachian Trail and I think, in the Ocean City area. Its not one of those "so-stupid-its-cool" sites. Its just stupid. And in the middle of nowhere.

If you're into history: Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestown

and history of the musical kind: RnR Hall of Fame. Fly out from BWI one morning, do the museum and fly back same day. Cheaper than gas and hotel!

Not sure if six hours (give or take pit stops etc.) constitutes short enough road trip, but the upstate NY Fingers Lakes area is really nice … tons of wineries, great restaurants, the whole Ithaca area is nice … inns etc. on the water … and a nice scenic drive … if you want to add to the history and scenic aspect but possibly add a little bit onto the car time, you can do it by going through Amish Country in PA (don't miss the Nipple Convalescent Home on Route 15).