Rust Belt Tour (need recommendations)

[slomove]

So, we are going on our annual road trip (unfortunately sans Seven) in a u-loop end of June covering western PA, WV, eastern OH, northern PA, mid NY to Boston. We picked already a good number of attractions but I am looking for more recommendations. We are just not the cruise vacation people.

 

Itinerary is:

Pittsburgh-Morgantown-Lewisburg-Charlotte(WV)-Cincinnati-Berlin(OH)-Altoona-Scranton-Schenectady-Boston-Portsmouth.

Some of the items on the to-do list are the Fallingwater museum, various local breweries and other town attractions, just the Appalachian scenery, the Daytona Airforce museum, Ohio Amish country, railroad museums in Altoona and Scranton. No freeway, just highways and country roads.

 

Any other secret destinations along that route?

 

I must admit I have been a Bluegrass fan for a long time and would appreciate recommendations for good local joints where such music is played. Maybe some flatfoot dancing as well. Googling did not get me very far other than Youtube links.

 

Thanks guys!

Edited April 25, 2017 by slomove

[Taber10]

Sounds like a great trip! Please look for the United States Air Force Museum in DAYTON, Ohio, and not Daytona, Florida.

[waltermitty]

Bunker Hill and nearby Old Ironsides (USS Constitution) in Boston. Martin Guitar Factory and museum in Nazareth, PA (also Mario Andretti's home).

[slomove]

Sounds like a great trip! Please look for the United States Air Force Museum in DAYTON, Ohio, and not Daytona, Florida.

 

O.K., good advice

Minor difference but Florida was not really part of the plan.

 

Also thanks for the tip on Boston and Nazareth. I have seen the Constitution many years ago but probably time for another visit and never been to Bunker Hill (other than the one in Los Angeles...)

[Black Hole]

Some potential stops close to where I live in Hartford that are mostly in the Berkshires in Western Ma

 

- Saratoga Auto Museum just north of Schenectady. Saratoga is famous for horse racing and the spa waters. Check if they have an interesting show

- Stockbridge Ma - famous of Alice's Restaurant and Norman Rockwell - There is a Rockwell museum, but I have never been. Classic New England town

- Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, MA - very cool

- Tanglewood in Lenox, MA - home of the Boston Symphony in the summer - I don't think you will hear any bluegrass!!! (outdoor concerts with a covered "shed")

- Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA - close to me and never been! Drive by it on the highway all the time.

- Lime Rock Park - in the NW corner of CT. Beautiful area, beautiful track, celebrating 60 years in 2017. Home of John Fitch and Sam Posey

[wemtd]

Newport RI

[locost7018]

The Simeone Museum in Philly http://www.simeonemuseum.org/?gclid=CM-alObQw9MCFQmQaQod9iUORQ

Have not been there yet but it is on my bucket list

[Croc]

The Hudson river valley (NY) has a number of sleepy river towns (e.g Rhinebeck, Hudson) and stately mansions (e.g. Olana) that are worth inspecting. The Roosevelt family estate and Presidential Library in Hyde Park NY are worth seeing. If you stop in at Beacon NY you can check our Karl's (Blubarisax on here) craft bourbon distillery (he makes other spirits and I personally like his gin best)

 

Harley Davidson do factory tours in York PA. Lancaster PA has a strong Amish community around it. The market in Lancaster is just lethal to your waistline with Amish baked goods.

[Kitcat]

When you say Charlotte WV, do you mean Charleston? In any event, a pleasant alternative to interstates is to cross southern OH on route 50 to Athens, then route 32 to just east of Cincy. Lightly traveled, lots of countryside and scenery. If you are headed back thru KY you mite add in a Bourbon Trail trip and visit some distilleries? Cincy has a lively craft brewery scene with 20+ breweries, all thriving. Downtown Cincy has "The Over the Rhine" bar/restaurant district that is exploding in a former German immigrant section, turned inner city slum, now turned into the spot to be. The Comet Bluegrass Allstars are a popular bluegrass group performing Sunday nights at the Comet Bar in a seperate area called Northside 4-5 miles from downtown. Cincy also has a huge entertainment district on the river that it shares with Northern Ky. Also lots of hiking paths along the river in downtown Cincy. The two sides of the river are connected by a large pedestrian bridge called the Purple People Eater:). And a new streetcar now hooks the riverfront area up with OTR, 2 mile north. Google any of these places for details. Happy to show you the sights if I am around when you visit.

Mike

[slomove]

When you say Charlotte WV, do you mean Charleston? ....

Duh, now I mangled not only Dayton but also Charleston. I should not write such stuff from memory when traveling in Europe...

 

But thanks to All for the tips. I have already changed the route. Maybe I should also visit Biston, Schanactidy and Portsland :jester:

[slomove]

....In any event, a pleasant alternative to interstates is to cross southern OH on route 50 to Athens, then route 32 to just east of Cincy. ..........

 

Hm. that sounds like an interesting route. So far I had planned to go to Huntington and then along the Ohio river scenic byway, also all off the freeways. Should I change my mind?

Edited May 5, 2017 by slomove

[Kitcat]

As I recall, the river route is more scenic, tho the river is often obscured by trees, buildings, etc. It is quite a bit slower as well but if u have the time it could be worth it. Definetly take the Ferry across the Ohio to Augusta KY and have lunch, or an ice cream cone, etc. Augusta is a charming fairly well preserved KY village with some surprisingly good restaurants. Ripley Ohio has the underground RR Rankin house and the birthplace of Prez U Grant is along there somewhere as well.