USA Trip (Stage 3) - Washington DC, Antietam/Gettysburg, & Niagara Falls

Mycenius

Mycenius

Senior Member
Hi All,

As mentioned in my USA Trip (Stage 1) - Hawaii & USA Trip (Stage 2) - Pacific Coast Highway & San Francisco threads I will be heading to the US in a couple of months for a long holiday - after the above I'm in Washington for a quick couple of days, then in the car driving to Antietam & Gettysburg ACW Battlefields in MD & PA (I'm a military history buff), and then North to Buffalo to see Niagara Falls (4 days). I mentioned some of this previously in the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour - Lens suggestions thread (I had hoped to get to Chicago but ran out of travel time)! I've split up my itinerary into about 4 stages, so will post them separately so as to keep each thread focussed on a particular area.

As with my previous thread questions would appreciate any advice from locals or people who have spent time there. I'm interested in scenery & wildlife, historical sites, secluded/serene places to relax, and anything that's a great photography opportunity, etc. Other nice to haves are unique places to eat (e.g. restaurants that may be hidden gems only locals know about), and areas that will have good budget accommodation and such... Basically anything interesting or unique...

So if anyone can offer any information on Antietam & Gettysburg areas, the drive up through PA & NY to Niagara (I haven't figured any specific route), and any tips around Niagara (I plan to cross over into Canada for a couple of days, and will obviously do the boat thing at the falls themselves).

​Many TIA. :chuncky:
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
You could spend several days in Gettysburg to see everything, Antietam is probably just a morning or afternoon's time. I did a whirlwind trip through DC in one day and then drove back to Gettysburg. I hit DC on a Sunday, so I got excellent parking near the monuments and it was not as crowded. We were able to see the major monuments and a few museums in a days time. In Gettysburg, at the National Park Museum, you can hire a guide/historian to ride in your car with you at very reasonable rates. There is also a commercial double-decker bus ride in town that is reasonable and not a bad ride to the major spots.
 
Eduard

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
John, when will you be in DC? I'm going to be there in early August for a week with the family. I lived in the area for 14 years. It is a photo-rich environment but plan on high humidity and crazy traffic.

Near DC, I would recommend visiting the Manassas Battlefield (since you are a history buff) and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Annex.

When you leave DC, you could check out the National Cryptologic Museum which is half-way between Baltimore and DC. It is located outside of the NSA headquarters. (I may be a little partial to this because I was stationed there for the majority of my military career.)

If you can fit it in your schedule, you might want to consider overnighting at least in Baltimore near the Inner Harbour. It is a nice area to relax and stroll. You can tour the USS Constellation (the last Civil War era ship still afloat), take a water tour of the Chesapeake Bay, visit Fort McHenry (the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner) and most importantly eat some of the famous Maryland blue crabs smothered in Old Bay Spice!

Working your way further north, you might want to consider a short stop in Philadelphia. You could see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (get tickets in advance) and try a cheesesteak (highly recommended). Leaving Philly, you would travel west to Gettysburg and you could visit Valley Forge. (I live close to the park.)

Hope this helps!
 
P

Phillydog1958

Senior Member
Yea, if you have the time, you've got to stop in on Philly for the history and food. You have to try the Italian water ice. Cheese steaks and hoagies are Philly's signature sandwiches. Don't forget to get a soft pretzel, with a dab of mustard. :D The Philadelphia Art Museum is also great for photo ops. That's where the Rocky statue is located. You might recall the scene where Stallone runs up the steps to the art museum.
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
I love DC. And as for night photography, DC is second only to NYC for amazing night time images. Also, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants is called "Louria Plaza" located between DuPont circle and Adams Morgan. It's arguably the best Mexican food you can find east of the Mississippi.
 
Mycenius

Mycenius

Senior Member
Hi All,

One last quick question - as I am departing on my USA trip this weekend - and that is if I spend a day doing Gettysburg battlefield in the morning then drive over to Lancaster to see a few of the covered bridges (probably the ones on the West side of town), I'm trying to figure out the best place to stay that night and the best route to Niagara Falls from Lancaster, PA.


I'd quite like to drive North at least a couple of hours if possible for somewhere to stay to reduce the driving time the next day so I don't have to rush...


Is Lancaster the best place to stay or is there somewhere nice a couple of hours or so North of there (perhaps near the NY/PA state line or such)? What's the best route to Niagara Falls that's scenic but not too long a drive...?


Many TIA.
 
Eduard

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
I'll let others make recommendations on places to stay along the way but here is a map to the Covered Bridges which may be useful.
 
J

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
Mind the buggies in Lancaster! (it's pronounced with emphasis on the first part of the word - LANcaster, as opposed to lanCASTER, btw) Take something similar to this on the way up: http://goo.gl/maps/51VZU although there might be some traffic going through Harrisburg.
and would stay somewhere in Watkins Glen, NY. It's on the way and there's some awesome scenery, Seneca Lake, and wine around there: http://nikonites.com/blogs/jdeg/65-watkins-glen-new-york.html
 
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