Mid-Atlantic - Stopover point Philly & (Little) Washington

Hopefully this isn't OT but we're getting the train from Boston to Philadelphia and then picking up a car to do some exploring around Virginia. I want to split the journey between Philadelphia and Little Washington with an overnight stop. We're looking to take in some historic sites, views if there are any, etc en route.

So...at present looking to route through Harrisburg and Gettysburg. Wondered whether anybody can recommend an overnight stop. Frederick, MD? Leesburg? Ideally about 3 hours from Philadelphia.

Thanks.

It's only about a 4-hour drive between Philly and Washington, VA in any case (I assume you mean to go to the Inn at Little Washington?). That is on I-95, of course--going via Harrisburg would take a little longer.

Personally I would avoid Harrisburg--the highway route is soulless and pretty ugly, and I-76 is kind of a nightmare anyway. Instead I would take I-76 only as far as Rte. 222, then cut south to Lancaster/York/Gettysburg on Rte. 30. From Gettysburg you can head south to Frederick on Rte. 15. The countryside on this route is really pretty, and if you are in "wandering" mode then you will not mind things like traffic lights as you go through towns.

One caveat on this route is that if you are going to be doing this on a Saturday in the summer, Rte. 30 to Lancaster is a traffic-filled nightmare.

Any of the towns in Lancaster County would be a nice place to stop (Ephrata, Lititz, Lancaster), as would Frederick or the mountains just northwest of Frederick. I haven't spent much time in York or Gettysburg except for going to the Gettysburg battlefields, which are absolutely worth a visit even if you (like me) are not all that much of a Civil War buff.

(I assume you mean to go to the Inn at Little Washington?).

Indeed we are! We're then staying in the national park for a few days before heading on to Charlottesville and Richmond before going to DC.

It's only about a 4-hour drive between Philly and Washington, VA in any case (I assume you mean to go to the Inn at Little Washington?). That is on I-95, of course--going via Harrisburg would take a little longer.

Personally I would avoid Harrisburg--the highway route is soulless and pretty ugly, and I-76 is kind of a nightmare anyway. Instead I would take I-76 only as far as Rte. 222, then cut south to Lancaster/York/Gettysburg on Rte. 30. From Gettysburg you can head south to Frederick on Rte. 15. The countryside on this route is really pretty, and if you are in "wandering" mode then you will not mind things like traffic lights as you go through towns.

One caveat on this route is that if you are going to be doing this on a Saturday in the summer, Rte. 30 to Lancaster is a traffic-filled nightmare.

Any of the towns in Lancaster County would be a nice place to stop (Ephrata, Lititz, Lancaster), as would Frederick or the mountains just northwest of Frederick. I haven't spent much time in York or Gettysburg except for going to the Gettysburg battlefields, which are absolutely worth a visit even if you (like me) are not all that much of a Civil War buff.
That about sums up my thoughts.

You could also stop at the Harley Davidson factory for a tour, if you'll be in the area during the week. If you're interested in chocolate, you can swing up to Hershey, to Hershey's Chocolate World.

That said, if you're up for meeting an FT'er while you're in the area, let me know. :) It might give jackal and I an excuse to finally get together after we've kept postponing it. :D

Hershey has some supposedly relatively upscale hotels, but they're likely to be filled with kids. There's at least one place with a spa that specializes in treatments using chocolate.

Hershey has some supposedly relatively upscale hotels, but they're likely to be filled with kids. There's at least one place with a spa that specializes in treatments using chocolate.

That would be the spa at the Hotel Hershey/Hershey Lodge.

Washington has lots of Smithsonian museums, free admission, but you'll need more than 2 days as driving will take half a day each way. How about to the west of Philly, visit the Amish in Lancaster, or to east for Atlantic City, or the Poconos in the north. All within 2 hours drive.

Thanks for the help. Currently in NY and getting the train to Boston on Saturday then to Philly from where we pick up our rental car. Current plan is to drive to Shenandoah in one day but will take your advice and break up the trip with some nice stops. Four days in the hills before heading to Charlottesville, Richmond, Little Washington and then to DC where we drop off the rental and spend a few days.

Sorry...meant to add happy to meet up en route if it's convenient for all.

Frederick is a nice town, and if you are someone who makes a point of traveling via the Inn at LW you might also enjoy eating at Volt.