Vacation ideas within a 4 - 5 hour drive

I would like to get away for a week in the early fall. My ideal vacation would be a pet friendly cottage/cabin on a lake, but close enough to a town for some shopping and dining. I would prefer to drive no more than 4-5 hours. I'm a transplant to this area, so I'm not sure what my options are. I have been thinking the Berkshires, Airondacks, Vermont, etc., but I would love to hear about your favorite areas to help narrow my search.

All areas are lovely. The Berkshires especially so. One year we ran into Karen Allen who owns and runs a fabric store in Great Barrington. She gave a talk using film clips of the Indiana Jones movies which Spielberg had loaned her.............she played the heroin in a few of the films . Positively radiant woman, wonderful talk.........made up for the god awful organic meal I was forced to eat at a general store across from the little church/talk

Many small towns and it seems that every where you go you are surrounded by one nicer view after another. We rent an old converted barn with no heat and resident mice but it adequate for two empty nesters.

the Narrowsburg NY area is very beautiful. We have a home there, right on the Delaware river, that we would consider renting for a week to the right person. If you are interested in learning more, please email me.

You could get to Vermont in just about your timeframe. I like Putney, VT in the fall. There's lovely foliage to enjoy, beautiful countryside and rivers, antiquing and charming B&Bs.

Probably won't find a cabin on the lake but have you ever been to Mystic Connecticut? Our family used to visit there in the fall...take in the beautiful foliage and it's much cooler and less crowded. The seaport is very historic with lots of exhibits about life in the days of the sailing ships...the town is quaint with shops and eateries some on the water and there is Mystic Pizza which was a movie. There is also a shopping village and aquarium so plenty to keep busy!

Newport, Rhode Island is less than four hours away. Beautiful mansions to tour, beaches, great food, antiques. Cute downtown.

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/mobile/cities/monlinecityRINewport.shtml

ladykoala said:
Probably won't find a cabin on the lake but have you ever been to Mystic Connecticut? Our family used to visit there in the fall...take in the beautiful foliage and it's much cooler and less crowded. The seaport is very historic with lots of exhibits about life in the days of the sailing ships...the town is quaint with shops and eateries some on the water and there is Mystic Pizza which was a movie. There is also a shopping village and aquarium so plenty to keep busy!

Another vote for Mystic. And at the right time you can take a historic train ride through the countryside.

Finger Lakes

hankzona said:
Finger Lakes

This. I'd bet you could find a lakeside house in the area. It's less crowded yet very beautiful.

Another one for Finger Lakes - going there for a week in August for our 3rd year.

The fall is the IDEAL time to be out in the Hamptons! (Don't tell anyone!)

Ocean and bays are warm for swimming, crowds are gone (at least during the week). Many historic spots to visit, plus the usual diversions (movies, fishing, etc.) Seafood restaurants to die for.

The further out you go, shopping becomes more eclectic -- and pricey. But if you're up to a day-trip into Riverhead from further out, Tanger Outlet mall probably not crowded mid-week.

Plus, it's exactly the right place for a hammock, a book, a nap, and doing nothing on the days you feel like doing that.

Or Block Island, just a little further by Ferry

blianderson said:
Newport, Rhode Island is less than four hours away. Beautiful mansions to tour, beaches, great food, antiques. Cute downtown.
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/mobile/cities/monlinecityRINewport.shtml

Finger Lakes +1 The Area around Ithaca especially.

Ooh, I forgot about the Finger Lakes! Watkins Glen Park, Corning Glass Museum, the restaurant at Geneva on the Lake, wineries, and lots of Greek Revival houses

http://genevahistoricalsociety.com/visit/rose-hill-mansion/

I appreciate all of the ideas. I took my parents to Mystic and Newport a few years ago and we really enjoyed them both. I am looking to try something new this year.

From all of the recommendations above, it sounds like I should research the Finger Lakes.