The road between Washington and New York via Philadelphia is about 227 miles and takes around four hours if driven in one stretch. But why hurry? Part of the appeal of taking a road trip is that you can take your time, stopping off wherever you like to explore and discover, or take detours to check out places you might otherwise miss. Once you’ve loaded up your car rental in the US it’s time to sit back, relax, and go with the flow. But in case you were after some inspiration, here are some of the places you might encounter on your route. (Photo "Downtown Baltimore" by nitewind23)The route from Washington to New York is quite direct along the I-95. (Washington itself, of course, has enough attractions to keep you entertained for several days or more.) But there are other options. Montgomery County, just north of Washington, has a wealth of natural attractions, and some of them involve getting a little off the beaten track. There are plenty of hiking trails amidst spectacular scenery, such as the trails around Black Hill Regional Park which offers beautiful lake views, or the Rachel Carson Conservation Park trails, set in one of the country’s best natural areas and developed in honor of the writer and environmental activist. You could also go kayaking or canoeing in one of the many lakes in the county, such as Triadelphia Reservoir, Duckett Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake or Clopper Lake.
Baltimore is worth a stop for its museums and other attractions. Check out the American Visionary Art Museum, B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art or the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The latter gives a fascinating insight into the city’s industrial heritage. Grab a bite at Broadway Market at Fell’s Point and pop into the nearby Maritime Museum or the visitor center for information on walking tours. Federal Hill Park is a great spot for viewing the Inner Harbor and the city skyline, and there are some beautiful old homes around the park.
The road from Baltimore to Philadelphia passes by Elk Neck State Park, a beautiful environment of sandy beaches, marshes and woodlands set in over 2000 acres. Superb views over the North East River and Chesapeake Bay are a major draw. There is a lighthouse overlooking Chesapeake Bay, which is open from April to November at weekends. Climb up to the top of beacon and discover the lighthouse’s amazing tales and history. You can also visit the beach at Chesapeake Bay, where you can swim, picnic and kayak. The park has plenty of hiking and cycling trails.
In Philadelphia, be sure to check out the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The National Constitution Center is the country’s only museum dedicated to the American Constitution and explores it through various interactive and high-tech exhibits. The Penn Museum, one of the best archaeological museums in the world, is also worth a look. A great little detour from Philadelphia (turn off just before, at Chester) takes in the beautiful Longwood Gardens, where a variety of gardens, indoor and outdoor, tropical and naturalistic, await you. (Photo "National Gallery of Art" by awsewell)
New Jersey has several destinations worth taking the time to discover, including picturesque Clinton, scenic Mullica Hill, and Surf City and Long Beach Township on the coast. Stop in New Brunswick for lunch and explore the city’s heritage with a historic downtown walking tour. Head on to Morristown, where you can explore the Morristown National Historical Park, site of Gen. George Washington’s army during the hard, cold winters of the Revolutionary War.
