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Originally Posted by rjn5656
I will driving from Upstate NY to Asheville this summer. Any interesting stops I should make on the way.
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Take I-78 to I-81 and stay far away from I-95. Less traffic and pretty all the way. At Harrisburg, move over to highway 15 if you are going to Gettysburg. There is a lot to see at Gettysburg. My 3rd great-grandfather received his death wound at Big Round Top, so it’s extra special to me. I walked in silence across the field where Pickett’s Charge happened, imagining what that was like, approaching the cannons.
Someone mentioned Luray Caverns, which is about half an hour from I-81 at the New Market exit. It is spectacular, but as I recall, you need to be able to walk well. From Gettysburg, you can stay on 15 and related highways and off I-81 and visit charming Middleburg. Lots of shopping there if you like fox hunting things. Jackie Kennedy had a horse farm there. The road from Middleburg to Gordonsville is gorgeous fox-hunting country, and you’ll see lots of beautiful horse farms. If you aren’t in a hurry, detour to Colonial Williamsburg and spend a day there. (Get reservations) There is so much to see and learn. Gordonsville is a few miles from Charlottesville and Monticello and also James Madison’s house. (Again, reservations required.) These are interesting, but forget about the role of Jefferson and Madison as presidents. These days they are presented mainly as “enslavers” and “oppressors”. I was not pleased by the change in focus.
Galax, Virginia, south of Roanoke, has a famous bluegrass festival yearly but also has an Appalachian heritage center there is worth visiting all year.