Will be in NY as of September 2nd, planning to spend couple of days in NY and then head south to Boone, we (me and my boyfriend) need to be in Boon on the 8 of September, so we have about 4-5 days to be on the road...
Any suggestions where to go\how\what to see? Don't want to spend in the car the entire days, we like hiking as well seeing Amish communities could be an attraction for us...
Thank you in advance!

Where is Boone?

Just to clarify, are you talking about flying into New York City, then traveling to Boone, North Carolina?

If that is indeed the situation, you need to provide more details as to what you like doing. If you are into museums and the like (urban environments) that means you would take an I-95 based route to go through Washington, DC. If you are the outdoorsy type, then you may want to consider taking an I-81 based route. Given that you will have 3-5 days to make the trip, you could do both, but you'd really only have a cursory look at either.

EDIT: (note to self, read entire OP...)

Plan on taking I-78 out of NYC to route US-222. Cut over to US-30 to Gettysburg, then get over to I-81 south (don't have a route there). That will bring you through significant portions of Amish communities and through the mountains of Virginia.

I agree with above.

Much of Pennsylvania's Amish population is in Lancaster county (think Bird in Hand, Intercourse, other areas around New Holland). Not sure what your expectations are in this area, though.

Then head south into Virginia where there should be plenty of opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Yes, thats exactly what I mean...
I think I would prefer less of Washington DC... although - if you would go there, what would be a must to see? Was thinking maybe for specific recommendations around the Appalachian trail...
Regarding the Amish - what would you recommend as the best experience to see the culture?

I haven't done near the amount of traveling for pleasure in Amish country that others have. My route was primarily to get you into the heart of the two areas.

Skipping DC isn't terrible given that it appears not to be your primary focus, and it takes at least a half day at any of the multitude of museums on the mall, and that doesn't include the various memorials. While you could fit it in for a day, it would pull you off of the more "natural" route.

You may be best served to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway for part of your journey and taking your time along that. Plenty of side trips available there that you can spend as much or as little time as you have available, and it will take you almost into Boone....

Having dated a girl in college who was from the area, I'd say the best way is via bicycle. I used to ride for miles when going to visit her and see all kinds of things...farming, a barn raising, horse & buggies. But I'm not sure that helps you.

Maybe a local can chime in, but I don't know that there is to "see" that isn't "touristy".

The best way to see the Amish in Lancaster is to get off the main highway onto the side roads (but you don't have to go by bike! ). For example, route 30 is a major road through Lancaster, but if you take route 340, which runs almost parallel, then you have a better chance of "Amish sightings." It's fun to pick a side road and just wander. You can't get seriously lost, because eventually you will come out to a main road.
Also, the farm stands will still be open in early September, so even if you aren't in the market for a bushel of fruit, you can stop and shop and see Amish farm life up close.

+1

I live about 45 minutes away from Lancaster County and find myself wandering around there on a regular basis. Experiencing Amish country is not about visiting specific sights or attractions--you just have to drive/bike around and soak up the atmosphere. Plus, the countryside around there is really beautiful. I have a great, very large-scale map of Lancaster County that shows absolutely every tiny road--I'm sure you can pick one up at a tourist information desk there. Get the map, or don't get the map, and just start making random turns wherever you feel like it. You'll see a lot that is really interesting. If you're lucky, you'll stumble across something like an auction, or a firehouse chicken barbecue, or some other kind of gathering where you can mingle with Amish, Mennonite, and "English" residents of the area. Just get the heck off Rte. 30, it's a traffic nightmare!