Offseason Travel Location Suggestions? - On or Near Water: I just retired and I'm looking for a place to do waterscape photos (fresh or salt water), aquatic wildlife, tidepools...

SteveTog Loc: Philly

I just retired and I'm looking for a place to do waterscape photos (fresh or salt water), aquatic wildlife, tidepools, abandoned jetties and harbors - that kind of thing. Definitely before Memorial Day - I could pack and leave in about an hour - and I'd love to catch the prettiest places before all those nasty tourists with their selfie sticks show up. (I'm retired, so I am practicing my 'Grumpy Old Man' routine...)

Any thoughts on places East of the Mississippi (fresh water or salt) and north of Florida? Other locations would be fine too, but for this trip, I'll stay close to home.

Places I have loved - Cape May, NJ, Brooklyn Shore Line, Oregon Coast, Niagara Falls, abandoned and decaying waterfronts/docks/piers on lakes, rivers or bays.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

SteveTog wrote:

I just retired and I'm looking for a place to do w... (show quote)

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

SteveTog wrote:

I just retired and I'm looking for a place to do w... (show quote)

As long as you have a passport you could do the Lake Superior Circle Tour. The Map of the route is here. It'll probably be a bit chilly as early as you want to travel but you certainly won't have the crowds. Especially nice are the Keweenaw Peninsula. and the north shore of the UP of Michigan. Many, many parks surround the lake.

MDI Mainer

Several years ago the wife and I had a great time exploring Lake George in the Adirondacks. Also Lake Champlain between New York and Vermont, and farther afield but still a doable drive is Campobello Island and Saint Andrews by the Sea. Last but certainly not least: Monhegan Island.

https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/

https://www.lakechamplainregion.com/

https://www.visitcampobello.com/

https://standrewsbythesea.ca/

https://islandinnmonhegan.com/

dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

Take a look at Huntington Beach State Park south of Myrtle Beach, SC. A lot of birds winter there or stop in on their migrations. You get the beach, a saltwater marsh and a freshwater marsh all in one park. And there is the Brookgreen sculpture garden across the road, just for something different. And Charleston, SC is an easy day trip, so go see Fort Sumter.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

SteveTog wrote:

I just retired and I'm looking for a place to do w... (show quote)

Try the east coast of the US starting with Maine and down to the boarder of Florida.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

cdayton

Mid-Coast Maine (Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Owl’s Head area)= lots of tourists in towns but country side is OK all summer and photo opportunities are legion. Port Clyde is one of my favorite areas - ferry to Monhegan leaves from there. Bar Harbor, on the other hand is a zoo in the summer = stay away. Portland is a great city to stop at on the way. The air and car shows at Owl’s Head Transportation Museum have wonderful photo ops if you’re into that kind of thing.

SteveTog Loc: Philly

Hi All,
Thanks for the great recommendations. I like Billnikon's idea best - to paraphrase, got the tip of Maine and work your way south to Florida. Of course, that might not be practical...

Having shot the coast of Oregon and Washington State, I have to say the rugged New England coasts lines with tide pools are the most intriguing. I shot around Chincoteague last summer and had two observations. First, it never seems too crowded, even in high season, and second, it is still rustic enough for my kind of shooting.

The great inland suggestions and links sound promising too.

Thanks again!

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

SteveTog wrote:

I just retired and I'm looking for a place to do w... (show quote)

How important is it that you stay east of the Mississippi? If you could find a way to eliminate that criteria, I would recommend Bandon Oregon. Something on my bucket list is to stay in Bandon for about a month or so in the winter with the hopes of a winter storm in the Pacific. A storm in the Pacific could cause big waves on a spectacular beach. There are other beaches and lighthouses in Oregon worthy of a visit as well.

A few of my Bandon photos here:
https://www.fayledvisionphotography.com/Oregon/Bandon/i-2Pt5RK6

SteveTog Loc: Philly

Hi Fayle,
Thanks for the great input on Oregon. I shot there for years when my in-laws were living in the Willamette Valley, right underneath Mount Hood. The entire coast is stunning. The rivers and lakes are stunning. The forests and mountains are stunning. The whole freaking state is STUNNING!!! But after 20 years of visiting every year, I need a break!!!
Your site really captures Oregon well, BTW.
Please send Sasquatch my regrets.
Steve

SteveTog Loc: Philly

cdayton wrote:

Mid-Coast Maine (Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Owl’s Head area)= lots of tourists in towns but country side is OK all summer and photo opportunities are legion. Port Clyde is one of my favorite areas - ferry to Monhegan leaves from there. Bar Harbor, on the other hand is a zoo in the summer = stay away. Portland is a great city to stop at on the way. The air and car shows at Owl’s Head Transportation Museum have wonderful photo ops if you’re into that kind of thing.

Awesome! Thanks!

Kishka Loc: Grafton, WI

I'll second the Lake Superior Tour, it's on my list for the near future.

However, if you don't have the passport and would like a shorter trip, Wisconsin's Door County boasts the longest shoreline of any county in the US, from Lake Michigan on the east to the waters of Green Bay on its west coast. It's a very popular vacation spot all year round, naturally heavier crowds in the Summer and Fall. The Niagara Escarpment runs the length of the peninsula with many scenic rock formations, caves, fishing villages, lighthouses and tourist stops.

Try to get there before the Illinois tourists take over the hotels!

GeorgeK Loc: NNJ

Sandy Hook National Seashore is close to you. You will find ocean, bay, very old lighthouse, wildlife and an old military fort. If you go, don’t miss the sunset near the ferry stop. You can easily spend a day exploring.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Coastal Maine. The coastline is very fjiord-esque so you’ll have to drive down the little peninsulas. FYI the Maine coastline is longer than that of California.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

mizzee wrote:

Coastal Maine. The coastline is very fjiord-esque so you’ll have to drive down the little peninsulas. FYI the Maine coastline is longer than that of California.

Not only longer but a heck of a lot prettier. Main and Nova Scotia are my two favorite places for photography.