good towns to meet loved ones????

[climber2377]

i am interested in figuring which towns are best suited for meeting up with loved ones that could drive down from the northeast to spend a day or two relaxing in town and hiking around with them.

if you have any good suggestions please estimate about how long it might take to hike to them from springer, what is to do in the area, and how close it is to a highway.

i plan to do some searching on my own but figure why not see what others think. thanks!!

[JustaTouron]

You may be thinking more narrowly than you need to by just looking a "trail towns."

For a hiker taking a zero or two in Washington, DC or NYC would be PIA, likewise taking a break by visiting the amusement park in Hersey, PA however for someone with a car getting there from the trail would not be bad at all. (That assuming you can take that much stimulus after being on the trail)

[climber2377]

hershey might be a fun little journey. any other nearby amusement parks? like kings dominion or even bush gardens? i wonder how far they are from the trail?

[modiyooch]

asheville, NC

[Doctari]

hershey might be a fun little journey. any other nearby amusement parks? like kings dominion or even bush gardens? i wonder how far they are from the trail?

Maybe, but bear in mind the culture shock of going to a crowded tourist destination like Hershey PA or Gatlinburg TN. Just crossing Newfound gap in the smokies can be quite tiring.

My suggestions:
Gatlinburg Tn (see Culture shock above), Hot Springs NC, Erwin Tn, Damascus VA, Atkins VA. All with ample lodging, easy access to the highway, restaurants where family can treat you to a few meals, close to or on the trail.

[Pacific Tortuga]

"good towns to meet loved ones"

Don't think it was love but fell deep in like with StarLyte in Duncannon.

Does that count ?

[modiyooch]

"good towns to meet loved ones"

Don't think it was love but fell deep in like with StarLyte in Duncannon.

Does that count ?

I do not recommend Duncannon, at all.
Harper Ferry? Do they like historical places?

[JJJ]

Abingdon/Damascus is pretty easy access as far as highways are concern but a pretty fer piece from the northeast.
The Skyline Drive has Big Meadows nice camping/lodging/cabins in Shenandoah Park -a bit closer.
It would give them a slight flavor of your trip as well.
Plenty of wildlife and scenery even from a car.

[climber2377]

tell me more about demascus, and shenandoah please. how long do you think it would take to get there from springer?

[Lone Wolf]

tell me more about demascus, and shenandoah please. how long do you think it would take to get there from springer?

it should take you 5-6 weeks to reach Damascus. it's 12 miles off I-81. lots to do here. the Virginia Creeper Trail is very popular for bike riding

[JJJ]

5-6 weeks to Damascus, Damascus has The VA Creeper trail an easy and very popular bicycle rail-trail through National Forest. People come from all over to ride it.
Grayson Highlands SP is only about an hour away.
And of course Trail Days in mid May.
Abingdon is close by and has a colonial period history orientation
- a very nice Inn and spa, live theatre, good food, art galleries, and such.

Shenandoah NP has the AT and the Skyline Drive.
Skyline is like the AT for cars, paved of course but no commercial traffic. I biked it last year.
The hiking in the park is relatively tame, as are the deer and black bear.
There are vistas practically every 2-4 miles for traffic. Big Meadows has nice facilities for small conventions, good enough bed and food for most people. Commercialism is kept to a minimum as its a National Park.
It's about 250 miles closer than Damascus. Get on it at Front Royal, VA near I-66 and I-81.
About 3+ weeks further up the AT by shoe.

[modiyooch]

damascus is good.

[Chaco Taco]

asheville, NC

2 hostels now

[Chaco Taco]

I do not recommend Duncannon, at all.
Harper Ferry? Do they like historical places?

Why not Duncannon?

[fiddlehead]

Hiawaseee, NOC (not a town but interesting place with things to do), Gatlinburg, Hot Springs, Erwin, Damascus, Pearisburg, Waynesboro VA, Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, Duncannon, Delaware Water Gap, Bennington, Manchester Center, Rutland, Hanover, Gorham, Rangely, East Millinocket would be my choices.
Some are better than others but I doubt you'll be walking around these places to sightsee. More likely you'll be trying out every restaurant in town and enjoying the bars.

You can easily look up the distances in the data book which you should carry and become familiar with. It's your new bible if you've never hiked the AT before.

[modiyooch]

Why not Duncannon?

Better question, why Duncannon?

[modiyooch]

2 hostels now

I mentioned Asheville not for the hostels but because it's rated one ot the top travel destinations at the moment according to US Air(or Airtran) flight magazine. A bit more diversed than Duncannon.

[Chaco Taco]

I mentioned Asheville not for the hostels but because it's rated one ot the top travel destinations at the moment according to US Air(or Airtran) flight magazine. A bit more diversed than Duncannon.

Its expensive as hell to get here by air. Fly into tri cities and you have access to so much more of the trail. Just know that coming to Asheville during the season will be met with heavy heavy traffic crowded restaurants, mine included, Booked hotels. But you get great music, great food, amazing beer, cool festivals.

In defense of Duncannon, we had an awesome time in Duncannon. Stayed for 4 days. Its a small town but the people are amazing

[dmax]

Flying into the Tri cities is good for access to the trail. But don't assume its always cheaper. My son flies in a couple of times a year to visit me, on my dime. And usually Asheville is cheaper to fly into. Even when I take into account the gas I use in my 3/4 ton truck driving over Sams Gap. Just hunt the net and good prices can be found.

[modiyooch]

I fly to the NE from Charlotte, NC on Airtran or US air and cannot complain about the fare.