East Coast trip this summer - any suggestions?

[Warhawk]

Looks like I'm joining my elderly (mid-80's) folks on a trip this summer to the East Coast, likely along with my sister. Dad wants to hit Vermont, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina to complete visiting all 50 states while he is still somewhat mobile. My sister wants to hit Rhode Island as she hasn't been there. I'd like to catch South Carolina on this trip to wipe off one more state on my list as well (after this trip, as shown, I'll be down to just nine left to visit myself).

Our preliminary thought on a route is something like the attached. I have up to two weeks of vacation planned in mid-June to do this.

We've all been to NYC, DC, Philly, etc., before, so no need to hit any of those again; frankly we'll probably drive around them as much as possible to avoid traffic. Also, our dad has mobility issues, so unless it is a relatively short walk with a walker we likely aren't doing it. We're more interested in some historical places (Civil War sites, old forts, national/state parks, etc.). We would, of course, always be interested in local dining establishments or specific meals to look for in these locations.

I would probably like to take them to The Breakers in Newport, RI - I remember that being pretty cool when I visited it back in the early '90s. I know there are some good Civil War sites in Virginia, etc., to hit. We want to see the New River Gorge in WV.

Any "must see" / "must do" items on this trip, or any reasonable route variations I should consider? Thanks!

 

[Warhawk]

Hey @Mr. S£im Citrus ,we've extended our trip through your neck of the woods (my dad went to HS in Marietta and wants to visit again) and my sister moved to Hattiesburg a few years ago, so we're adding 3 days to the duration and are ending with a flight out of New Orleans. We'll likely go hit World of Coca-Cola given my dad and I are both fans. Any recommendations you have for local food or stuff to do while passing through the Atlanta area would be appreciated!

This will also trim off 3 more states for me. I currently have 12 states I haven't been to and this will trim it down to 6 (leaving Iowa, Michigan, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky).

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Full disclosure, I don't really do dine-in (I generally hate being around other people), so it should not come as a surprise that my two recommendations (Slutty Vegan, Busy Bee Café) are carry-out only. If you're not above chain restaurants, try Zaxby's or Waffle House; I don't believe they have either one of those in California.

 

[Angelo127]

I love cook out in Mississippi, it's just fast food but lots of milkshake options

 

[Warhawk]

Full disclosure, I don't really do dine-in (I generally hate being around other people), so it should not come as a surprise that my two recommendations (Slutty Vegan, Busy Bee Café) are carry-out only. If you're not above chain restaurants, try Zaxby's or Waffle House; I don't believe they have either one of those in California.

I've been to a Waffle House before in Springfield, MO, but would definitely be up for hitting one again. Zaxby's looks something like a Raising Cane's or a Popeyes (to a certain extent), which I am totally down for. I think places like Busy Bee Cafe (based on the description) is exactly what I might be most interested in, though. Local joints with good local food. None of us are vegan, dad pretty much wants meat with every meal, so that last one will likely be a pass, though. Thanks!!!

I love cook out in Mississippi, it's just fast food but lots of milkshake options

Looks good as well, thank you! Can't go wrong with burgers and shakes! Cajun / BBQ burgers/chicken definitely sound good. Looks like they are all across the south / southeast, so I'll keep that one in mind as we mosey along.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

... Zaxby's looks something like a Raising Cane's or a Popeyes (to a certain extent), which I am totally down for...

It's definitely closer to Raising Cane's than Popeye's. I don't think that you can get bone-in fried chicken at Zaxby's.

 

[Angelo127]

Looks good as well, thank you! Can't go wrong with burgers and shakes! Cajun / BBQ burgers/chicken definitely sound good. Looks like they are all across the south / southeast, so I'll keep that one in mind as we mosey along.

Good

 

[macadocious]

Jesus, don't listen to slim. Thats like recommending Dennys. But worse.

In Vermont go to Ben and Jerry's. It's very cool. It's like Willy Wonka for Ice Cream.

NY has so much good food, you cannot go wrong. Throw a dart. Really depends on your budget.

In Virginia/Annapolis, go local and gt Crab Cakes.

I have nothing for you until Louisiana. It's cheesy, but get a beignet at Cafe Dumond. Skip the coffee, it's gross. Get jambalaya/gumbo/oysters/gators nuggets. They are local delicacies, and done well. If you want a great breakfast, go to Brennans. They created the Eggs Benedict, but you have to make reservations. You dont have to dress up, but, keep in mind, your waiter will be in a tux, even at 9:00 AM.

Any other questions fire away.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

??? Waffle House is nothing like Denny's, fym?

 

[macadocious]

you are correct, is worse. It's garbage food.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I'm not going to comment on your opinion of their food, but Waffle House >>>>>>>>> Denny's off of vibes alone.

 

[macadocious]

They are both the nut low of food, but brawls do not equal vibes.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Maybe not to you...

EDIT - As for a non-facetious answer, I can't elaborate without bending the board rules, but there's a "feeling" I get when I walk into a Denny's that I've never felt when I walk into a Waffle House, and that will forever make Waffle House superior in my Personal Record Book™.

Plus, Waffle House is the only place I can get a pecan waffle at two in the morning without having to drive into Atlanta.

 

[Warhawk]

In Vermont go to Ben and Jerry's. It's very cool. It's like Willy Wonka for Ice Cream.

I have nothing for you until Louisiana. It's cheesy, but get a beignet at Cafe Dumond. Skip the coffee, it's gross. Get jambalaya/gumbo/oysters/gators nuggets. They are local delicacies, and done well. If you want a great breakfast, go to Brennans. They created the Eggs Benedict, but you have to make reservations. You dont have to dress up, but, keep in mind, your waiter will be in a tux, even at 9:00 AM.

I've been to Ben and Jerry's (my wife and I honeymooned in New England - she loved the flavor graveyard) - we hit all the states northeast of New York at that time. Mystic Pizza, The Breakers, Plymouth Rock, Rockport, Bar Harbor, Ben and Jerry's - we hit a few things here and there. We missed some stuff too, but that's OK. We saw our first giant schnauzer in real life while sitting on a park bench in Rockport - we have always had minis. It was so cool to see the "blown-up" version of our pooches.

My folks and my sister may want Ben and Jerry's amongst other stuff in the area, so we'll hit what we can that strikes our fancy.

My folks like Denny's, unfortunately. Luckily, my sister and I have a vacation policy of not eating anywhere we have at home unless it is an emergency, so we'll hopefully avoid that this trip. My last Waffle House visit was probably 20 years ago, so we might do that again since it isn't local to us and it is something that is close to what my folks might like.

We're definitely getting the beignets. I have some friends that were just in New Orleans on vacation. That was their first recommendation and they'll have some others as well (we plan to talk about it in a week or two). I like gumbo and jambalaya, so those are on my to-do list. I've had gator before, and would do it again, but we'll see what everyone else wants to do and see if it fits in somewhere. I'll be looking for a good shrimp po' boy as well...

Gonna pass on the oysters though. Not my thing. And I don't drink coffee and don't see the point in starting now. Eggs benedict taste good except I hate runny eggs. Sue me.

 

[Spike]

Speaking up for Delaware here, having lived in Wilmington (a place to be somebody) for a hot minute. Rehoboth Beach has a nice boardwalk that might be good for everyone. Grab a Dogfish head beer, crabs and some fries. Other than that, Wilmington isn't exciting, unless you're a banker, and Slower Delaware doesn't have much to speak of. If you want, you could also take the ferry from Cape May to Lewes.