If you're making the trip, you might as well schedule it to coincide with one of the large quilt shows, right? :mrgreen:
The big Lancaster, Pa show, now run by the same AQS folks that put on the Paducah show, will be held March 14-17, 2012.
http://www.americanquilter.com/shows...s/upcoming.php
There are a ton of hotels/motels in the area, at all price ranges, but don't wait until the last minute to book. You'd find a room, but it might not be to your liking. ;-)
When you say you want to "see the Amish quilts," are you talking about viewing them in a museum, or checking out the Amish lifestyle?
Weather can go either way at that time of year - if can be really cold/snowstorm or beautiful with a nice chill in the year.
There are tons of quilt shops in the area.
http://www.quiltart.com/lancaster.html
And the Quilt and Textile museum in Lancaster:
http://quiltandtextilemuseum.com/qt/
NYC is 2 hours away, a very easy drive.
Here's a list of the shows that Quilts, Inc. puts on every year (the Houston folks):
http://quilts.com/newHome/index.php
At least you'd have the dates for reference.
Wherever you choose to go, enjoy your trip.