I was talking with my GF tonight, and was wondering how to spend my 1-week vacation this year. So I hit upon the idea of taking a car trip up the east coast from Norfolk, VA towards Maine.

Now, I've lived in Philly before, and visited DC many times. We're hoping to see more the backcountry type environment, do day hikes, maybe some off-road (or unpaved road) exploration.

Problem is, it's a big area, fairly built up for most of it, and kind of poor continuity between the states on what there is to do.

Anyone have any suggestions on things to see? I'd like to avoid the battlegrounds and presidential birth places, etc. I was thinking more like Catskills, Adirondaks, that sort of thing.

This will probably happen towards next April, so not super worried about snow - just starting to get ideas together now.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you can put forth.

Cat’s in range of NYC and towns some tough {Hills} and varied terrain if you’re a fisherman or hunter. You’ll hit the season; license can be high for non-residents through.
The Adirondacks is a world unto it’s self as big as some States.
NJ has some good places even close to Atlantic City.
Just be aware at this time of year we go from 0 to 70’s+ temps all within a day depending where you are and wet!

http://www.traildatabase.org/countries/usa.html
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/
http://slackpacker.com/
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/fingerlakes/f_home.htm
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/forsythe/
http://wildernet.com/

The Cats are nice this time of year - go for a drive around the Ashokan Resevoir - BTW - do yourself a big favor - stop at the Resevoir Inn (between Rt28 and 28A - on DikeRd/Basin Rd - right where they meet)

You could go up to Phonicia, and Woodstock (which is NOT where the concert was, that was Bethel)

The "Old Rheinbeck Aerodrome" (across the river from Kingston) puts on a nice WWI airshow on weekends - plus get some apples in that whole area

If you want a nice, but expensive place to stay (that I haven't been to in 20 years) - Look up The Whistlewood Inn. A nice B&B

No financial ties to any of this - I just love the area, used to own property up there, have a lot of friends up there, and hope to buy property up there again

If you are coming up in April, and make it up to Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, snow is still an issue

People are still skiing in the NH White Mountains in April sometimes, certainly in Tuckerman's Ravine, and there's still going to be snow followed by mud, along much of the AT through VT, NH, ME if you come up that far.

Having said that, it's awesome hiking up there. Try the AMC: www.outdoors.org for some good planning info. Hiking some of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains National Forest, or doing Katahdin up in Baxter State Park in Maine would be great, but, you really need to be prepared at that time of year. On Katahdin, April's probably going to still mean winter boots, crampons, ice axes, etc. If you go up the "Knife Edge" trail in April, you'll never forget it. (Assuming you live) It's the northern end of the AT.

As your planning gets crisper, and you decide what states you'll be visiting, let us know. If you make it to New England, I can give you some help I'm sure.

What a fun project to work on over the winter!

Thanks so far folks! I think I need to hit up AAA and pick up some state maps, sit down on the kitchen floor, and let my brain wander.

Great ideas and links so far! Thanks so much.

April is still kinda/sorta up in the air. I have my schedule for the year, but it isn't 100% permanent. Plus I'll have to get my break approved well in advance. If it IS still snowy in April, c'est la vie. I've done worse! It just adds to the beauty - the crispness, the sun reflecting, the frostbite...

Keep 'em coming!

+1 on what akabu said. I would throw in Bear Mountain and Storm King Mountain in upstate NY. Beautiful scenic views of the Hudson River, and plenty of camping and hiking trails.

Even Shenandoah NP is pushing it for camping comfort in April.

I much prefer vacationing in September-October, the weather is more reliably pleasant in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Another good place for info if you're going to work your way up the coast, is the Appalachian Trail Conservancy site: www.appalachiantrail.org

They have planning info for day and through hikers. Trail updates, tips, blogs.

MY suggestion is the Green Mtns in VT. Lots of opportunities for dayhikes up that way. There are plenty of offroad trails in Maine-old logging roads, etc-reach out to some of the offroad clubs in the new england area (google some-I contact bay state jeepers all the time, they have good info on trails in NE). Snow will still be an issue in April, as will mud. Be prepared for it, especially farther north.