Lichi

Hi All, We are planing our next big trip 2.5 weeks in east USA late July - Aug. we are coming from Israel, will be landing in NY, and would like to be in both Niagra Falls and TN. (this is second trip with RV - first one was in the west- amazing)

we want to make a RV trip, with great places to stop and stay for 1-2 days and continue, should we fly first from NY to Toronro, and from there start with the RV getting south ? or should we do the other way around?

1. what attractions and nice relaxing places we should not miss ?
2. Is there a place with Lake that we can take a boat for a day?
3. if you think I should drop the TN area ,what would be a prefereed route?
4. is there any park (6 flags type) that is recommanded on the way?
5. any chance to see a basketball game (NBA) is this time of the year


Thank you so much for any recommendation on the above !!!!

tomfuller

Are you spending any time in NYC? My thought would be to take a train (Amtrak) from New York Penn Station to Buffalo or Niagara Falls NY. Make sure you have multi entry visas if you decide to go into Canada. Spend at least 24 hours in the Niagara area.
Take the train to Cleveland. You can get a good boat tour in Cleveland. http://www.goodtimeiii.com/cms/
You can also visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame which is also along the waterfront north of the train station.
You might want to rent your RV near Cleveland and then head south on Interstate 77 all the way to Interstate 81 in Virginia and then South-west on I-81 entering Tennessee at Bristol connecting to Interstate 40. Which part of TN did you want to see?
You may have to return the RV to the place that you rent it.
You may want to check Dollywood to see if it's a place you want to visit in eastern Tennessee.

sf7307

Unfortunately, your schedule and the NBA's don't mesh - the season ends in late May or early June, and doesn't pick up again until October.

Why Tennessee?

nytraveler

You might not find it possible to rent an RV in Canada and take it into the US. It's often hard enough with a rental car.

If you want to start in Toronto I would take the train from there to Niagara Falls, spend a day and then take a train to NYC (you do NOT want an RV in/near New York). When ready to leave New York you can rent an RV for the rest of the trip - but have no idea why you would head to TN versus all the other options.

spirobulldog

Dollywood theme park is similar to Six Flags and is in Tenn.

Lichi

Thank you all for you quick reply, there was one reply questioning why TN, isnt this place nice to visit in the summer? with lakes montains and good music?

also any RV company that you know that i can pick RV in orth of NY and return in TN?

sf7307

You'll get much more knowledgeable advice about RV travel here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/

Lichi

Thank you so much for the assitance.

capxxx

There is a huge RV rental place near Buffalo, NY, which is near Niagara Falls. You could fly or train NYC to Buffalo.

First pick up a rental car to tour Niagara and the area (be sure to visit the Canada side if your visa allows it).

Then you can return the car, pick up your RV, and wander generally southward, following the western side of the Appalachian mountains.

Tennessee can be very uncomfortable in summer -- I suppose it is hot in Israel too, but not so humid. It is pretty, but not in a WOW spectacular way like the western US.

Here are some places you could visit:

+The Finger Lakes, central New York State. You could take a day trip by boat there.
+Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.
+Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee.
+ Dollywood amusement park.


Another idea would be to travel east from Niagara, visiting the Adirondack mountains (New York State), Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and parts of Massachusetts. (But don't take an RV anywhere near Boston.) Not quite so hot in August.

Lichi

This sound great, thak you so much for the recommendation !!!

if we change the route to east - any special points to visit, we are looking to stay at nice campgrounds, side to river or lake, we want to visit an aquatic park, the reason to get to TN was Nashville .. the music and city center ... but small town can fit my familly as well...

What is the name of "huge RV rental place near Buffalo" - how can i find it?



Thanks again

capxxx

The company is Cruise America.The website says if you want to pick up in one state and drop of in another, you have to call them and inquire specifically -- they'll allow it if the ``inventory'' works.

If you go east, there is a big Waterpark (Water Slide World) and more amusement parks near Lake George NY. And Water Country in New Hampshire.

Typing something like RV camping New York would show you campgrounds and such.

capxxx

(Typing into google, that is).

nytraveler

Need to agree that NY State is absolutely gorgeous (many people think only of NY City and don't even think of the state) with the incredible Adirondacks Park, Lake Placid and area, Lake George (part tacky amusement town and part gorgeous nature area) as well as New England - which has a lot of historical sights as well as beautiful countryside. And the Maine coast is incredible - esp if you LOVE lobsters.

A much better - and cooler - area to explore in the summer.

capxxx

Overall, the northeast is not as musical as Nashville (TN), but you might enjoy the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, in eastern NY in August. There would be RV parking on the premises or somewhere nearby, I expect.

There is also the well-known Newport Jazz festival, but you seriously don't want to take an RV into Newport, RI.

Or consider Tanglewood (western MA), the summer home of the Boston Symphony, for classical music. Or nearby Jacob's Pillow for dance concerts.

Besides the Finger Lakes, Lake Placid, and Lake George, which does have a more commercial flavor, look at Lake Champlain (NY/VT border) and Lake Winnipesaukee NH for lakeside camping spots.

And Howe Caverns (NY) is fun and interesting.

sf7307

Can you imagine trying to navigate an RV through downtown Newport or other like towns (like Stonington, CT)? I think you'd end up spending your entire trip trying to extricate the RV!

capxxx

sf: LOL, I had the same mental image -- they'd get stuck in a tiny street and have to abandon the RV.

Generally I think the RV wants to stay away from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts. I have seen RV campers in towns on Cape Cod but never figured out how they managed it.

Lichi

All....
Thank you so much for your tips and directions, I will start explore all locations and spots that you have mentioned to build up my route.

one thing that was not clear is your push back regarding TN , I thought this is great place to visit, great hills, country style, great music, lakes.. but I assume i can find it all in the other areas...

annikany

I think visiting the Adirondack Park with an RV is an excellent idea! Old Forge NY has The Enchanted Water Safari amusement park. Great fun. Old Forge is a must see if you decide to travel into the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack Park is large. 6 million acres. So you would want to pick towns relatively close to one another. Lake Placid is another must see. Beautiful view from the top of Mt. Wilmington. It's a charming town with great shopping and restaurants. Blue Mountain Lake has a wonderful museum with history of the park.
Check this website:

iloveny.com

The Finger Lakes is another great suggestion. Beautiful area with lots of wineries.

The Thousand Islands area with Alexandria Bay is also a great place to visit in the summer. Boat tours / rentals available. Boldt Castle is really worth a visit.

nytraveler

Tenn is fine if you want country music - I fully admit that though I like most types of music I am NOT a country fan. Have been to Memphis on business - and - unless you have seen a lot of other places in the US first this would not be on my list.

Plus while there is pretty countryside - no more so than a lot of other places - and summer will be very hot and humid.

capxxx

In terms of scenery --- relaxing views, hills, lakes, parks --- I would say the two areas are even. Northeast wins in the fall when the leaves turn, but you won't be there then, so its a tie.

In terms of music, Tennesee probably has more venues, but its mostly around Nashville and mostly a specific type (country).

In terms of comfortable weather in July, August, the northeast wins. (This may be less of an issue for you since you're coming from a hot climate: but it's not the heat, it's the humidity.)