Locally, I've really been wanting to see the Dolly Sods, a unique natural area in West Virginia. Farther afield, I have a hankering to visit literary sites like Emily Dickinson's house in Amherst, Massachusetts. And for years I've wanted to visit Tucson and the surrounding desert, especially the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

I've actually never been to Ocean City (I know I'm not missing out a whole lot, but still, just to say I've been) and the Shenandoah Valley because it's gorgeous.

We keep saying we should stop in Havre de Grace on our many trips to Philly and New York but have yet to do it. I think it would be great to get off 95 and do some exploring in that area but we never take the time. Maybe this year we finally will.

KC should visit Abingdon during the Virginia Highlands Festival (this year held July 29 through August 12) ... we were there last year and thoroughly enjoyed seeing an area of Virginia we hadn't seen before .. and enjoyed the food and artists and antiques at the festival.

As for Cape Cod, you should definitely do it but not in the summer months .. wait until September to go. The beaches are uncrowded, the tourists for the most part are gone. Restaurants aren't filled to capacity. That's when we go and it is so relaxing.

As for someplace that we have been wanting to visit, it is Charleston, SC. I have put that on my wish list for this fall.

Beyond the stop and go - Route 50 will wind and become yours alone (despite the slow blue pickup bound to be in front you) leading to the sometimes pretentious but satisfyingly charming - Upperville. Forget planned weekend extravaganzas and spend a Thursday evening walking the 10 minute stroll from one end of town to the other; window shopping (think, antiques and boutiques) will allow you to fill more time. Settle in for dinner, expect hearty semi-southern cuisine on a slate patio (there's more than two of these fabulous eateries in this tiny town) and then head back. It's the perfect dose of gourmet country to get you through the last day of the work week.

I've always wanted to drive on the California coastline...and to see the big national parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone. This summer my husband and I are visiting friends in Cape Cod - I haven't been there since I was a child and my husband has never been! We're also bring friends to my parents house in O.C. for the first time. Can't wait to introduce them to Seacrets, Phillips, Candy Kitchen, Grottos and Nicola's Pizza...

Oh, patpod I envy you your first visit to Charleston. I've only been there once but can't wait to get back.

My honey & I are talking about visiting Natural Brisge, VA this summer - just one of those old-timey tourist places we've never gotten to.

Talk about local! I live in the Bronx and the Number 1 place I want to visit this summer is Governor's Island in New York Harbor. It was turned over to city administration two years ago after having been I think military property, and until the city finds some way to develop it, it's being presented as a park/historic district. It's only open weekends, and the ferry from South Street is free, or so says the city's website.

This is for Karen ... Natural Bridge is beautiful .. in fact the resort is for sale ... just in case you want to start a new career ... :)

Sights in West Texas; Big Bend, the towns of Alpine and Marfa, Fort Davis and finally a visit to El Paso.

Yeah, I got really lucky and got my passport a few days after making this video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39zNQlRVVxY

I also put together a blog detailing all the routes to go once you realize your passport is going to be delayed:
http://passportcrisis.blogspot.com/

To the 2nd poster - go to OC! Secrets is fun, and the city has a bus that will cart you around town for $2 a day (I think that is the price). I am usually in Fenwick Island, the last town in DE before O.C. I also second all the stuff that "me" said.

I have a hankering to go to Hot Springs, NC. I assume spring or fall is best - since you don't want to get into hot water on an awfully hot day. Has anyone been that has any suggestions for or against, or how long you can stay before getting bored. My S.O. has a slight case of ADD and we need to stay busy on vacations.

I would have to say Kauai. Once you go, you get the Kauai bug, and must go back.

to BxNY - I highly recommend visiting Governor's Island if they are opening it to visits. I had the chance to explore it about 4 years ago with a military member of my family who had been stationed there in the early 70's. There's a old 18th or 19th century fort that was used as a prison. Besides that it's mostly military housing and barracks, but it's interesting to walk around this miniature city sitting out in the harbor.

Definitely wait until September to go to the Cape/come up to this area in general. The weather will still be decently reliably gorgeous (50s/60s/70s), more so than at any other time of year, really.

Places in the US I'd love to explore are smaller cities with character like Savannah, GA and Austin, TX. I'd love to visit San Francisco. Joshua Tree Nat'l Park also fascinates me. Closer to home I'd really like to explore the coast of Maine, maybe including a (leisurely!) kayak trip around the islands.

Would like to visit Savannah, GA. Also have a pipe dream to do a rail-travel vacation-- go cross-country from Chicago to Seattle, up into Vancouver, then down the California coast. Then back across the middle of the US with possible stops to see sights like the Grand Canyon. Down to New Orleans, and back up along the Atlantic Coast. Someday!

How about the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina?

I've always wanted to give Colonial Beach a try. Of all the water places in DC, MD, and VA, you never hear of it. I imagine it as some low-key relaxed backwater. Are there even places to stay there? Is the water poluted? I have no clue, but the name's interesting.

My family (sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and grands)are headed to OC, NJ next month. We have been going there for 25 years. It is family friendly, great beach and great boardwalk. No bars or liquor stores in town (BYOB) and Atlantic City is just 20 minutes away.

I visited Colonial Beach in the off-season last year; there's a Days Inn plus a few B&Bs in the area, and Margarita Restaurant is a great, low-key Peruvian place. For more ideas, check out the Escapes column we ran a few years ago.

For the Havre de Grace waverers: stop there! I love HdG. The little downtown is thriving, and not all with touristy antique shops and gift boutiques (altho they are represented). It's pretty. And most of all, you should stop at Bomboy's Candy shop and its ice cream shop across the street. Directions: http://www.bomboyscandy.com/ And no, I don't work for them. 9 times out of 10 when I'm passing by, I stop in HdG and buy candy, it's a tradition and a treat.