Extended Getaway Ideas within 10 hours from Pittsburgh (York, Rochester: home, cottage)

[PreservationPioneer]

Southern Indiana is really pretty. It's covered bridge country and hilly. There are lots of cute small towns to explore.

[Katarina Witt]

Chicago, but it's flat. It is on Lake Michigan, however, and there's LOTS to do.

You could also try:
Mammoth Cave National Park - Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Cool place.

[tabinekotaro]

Originally Posted by trlstreet

Asheville, NC is larger but feels small and offer plenty to do outdoors, quaint shops, etc... I'm sure there are nice little towns in that area.

Originally Posted by ex-burgher

North of Asheville just off the Blue Ridge Parkway is the beautiful town of Blowing Rock. It is however somewhat upscale with pricey antique and gift shops.. Lots of camping, cabins, hiking nearby. Grandfather mountain a short distance away.

I third the recommendation of the Asheville Area. Black Mountain is about 15-20 minutes east of Asheville and is another really cute, retreaty kind of town. Downtown Asheville and the surrounding towns have lots of character and are very artsy. It's also a great foodie town, if you're into that. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right through it for great drives, and your dog will love the hikes. Looking Glass Rock is one of the spectacular ones, between Asheville and Brevard.

[tabinekotaro]

Originally Posted by greg42

Or, not small, but still cool, Ann Arbor. Again I don't know where to stay, but pick the town first if the town is key. Although, it's kinda flat in that vicinity really.

I love Ann Arbor—it's worth a trip just to go to Zingerman's. It's hilly for SE Michigan, but still pretty flat and not near water, unless you count the river. You might be able to find a cabin in one of the surrounding small rural towns. I would go in summer if you visit, to catch the summer festival and the art fair, and to avoid football season and students.

How about Ithaca, NY? The Finger Lakes are beautiful and you'll have gorges and hills and water all there, plus a cute college town. Beautiful but not strenuous hiking and waterfalls. There are some good wineries along Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, and you might be able to find a wine tour.

There's also the Charlottesville, VA area. Again, if you're interested in wine tours, I know people who run a company specializing in them in the area.

[Hopes]

I'm loving all of these ideas!

I'm so torn between so many of them. I might plot out a route where I can see a few places.

It seems I can get a cabin almost anywhere. Every town mentioned has cabin rentals within a reasonable drive.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by tabinekotaro

How about Ithaca, NY? The Finger Lakes are beautiful and you'll have gorges and hills and water all there, plus a cute college town. Beautiful but not strenuous hiking and waterfalls. There are some good wineries along Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, and you might be able to find a wine tour.

I can't do upstate NY. I spent my last three winters in Vermont. I hope I never drive through upstate NY again.

[Katarina Witt]

If you go to Chicago, you can get a cabin in Door County, WI which isn't far away. Should be lovely in a week or two.

[GCPA]

We love Gatlinburg area. Was in habit of going once a year when we lived in metro Atlanta area. Great small town with outer perimeter of misc craft/artisan shops. Gorgeous mountains, great hiking. We always took our small 2 dogs with no problems. We always arranged cabin rentals through Jackson Mountain Homes....which we found via Southern Living magazine.

Hope to go back again soon.

[ex-burgher]

The problem with Gatlinburg is that one usually approaches it via Pigeon Forge which is as ugly a strip as any I've ever seen. I much prefer the NC side of the mountains.

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

A closer option would be near Berkley Springs, WV. Tons of cabin rentals, it is a gorgeous area, and Berkley Springs has some decent shops. And you are only a short drive over to Shepardstown.