It’s not too late to make spring break plans. Most juniors and seniors will have their licenses by April, so why not hit the highway? Here are some road trip ideas to put the stress of grades and school behind you, if only for a few days.
Berlin, MD
“America’s Coolest Small Town” is waiting just 2.5 hours away. Budget Travel announced Berlin’s new title Feb. 25, after the town received 39,285 votes for their poll. Located 10 minutes from Ocean City and Assateague National Reserve, there’s plenty of sites to see. You can explore the Ocean City boardwalk and enjoy a plethora of historical landmarks and elegant Victorian architecture.
Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg is surprisingly close, just over an hour away, and satisfies foodies, history buffs and anyone else who can appreciate a quaint town and a break from the rushed atmosphere of D.C. Check out the town’s Segway tours, which guide visitors through the historical battlefields, as an exciting and convenient alternative to museums.
Another hour of driving will lead you to Hershey Park, where you can spend the day riding roller coasters and eating pounds of chocolate. You could try hitting Hershey first and then stop in Gettysburg on the way home for a quick, two-day getaway.
Blue Ridge Parkway
For those who want to turn on cruise control, blast the radio and drive all day, try “America’s Favorite Drive” down the Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park. Get on the scenic highway in Waynesboro, VA, two hours from Bethesda, and follow the Appalachian mountains south.
Break up the trip into two or three days of driving if you want to take in the sights, or ride down for seven hours and spend a day or two in North Carolina. For a shorter drive, stop in Johnson City, TN, which is only four hours away.
Must-see stops along the way include a picnic by the James River, a show at the Blue Ridge Music Center and apple-picking at the Orchard at Altapass. Along the way, enjoy the nature around you–the highway is home to over 250 species of birds, more than on the entire continent of Europe.
Try downloading the Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Planner app for your phone to track your journey.
