TravelUSAinRV

We are planning to take a year-long RV trip with our family of 5 around the US and Canada.

Any recommendations of what to see along the way? We have 3 kids, ages between 10-15 and we are all very active. We like biking, hiking, swimming and being in natural surroundings (such as state and national parks). But we are also open to doing more "touristy" type things, if it will create a truly memorable and wholesome life experience. Our whole philosophy around doing this trip is to create memorable life experiences for our children.

If we only have one week or less (5-7 days) to spend in your state, what would you say are the "must see" things to do? For example, we live in Wisconsin and we would recommend that travelers to our state should plan to see Door County (the northeast tip of the state) and while they were there, should definitely hike and bike Peninsula State Park, go to a fish boil at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek and swim and/or boat in both Green Bay (probably at Nicolet Bay) and Lake Michigan (probably at or near Whitefish Dunes or Cave Point).

What do you recommend for your state? Or for a state that you love to visit? We love the quaint and charming, rather than the hustle and bustle of most of the bigger cities (although, again, NYC, SanFran and Washington, DC will definitely still be on our itinerary, at least for a day or two).

Assume money is no object (although it always is…). Just don't hold back a good recommendation (such as swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii, another thing we plan to do), just because it will be a splurge. And yes, we have read 12-year-old Amy Burritt's "My American Adventure," which has been our inspiration for starting to plan this trip in the first place.

And if you also have any recommendations of good books to help us in planning our journey, please let us know. Most, if not all of the RV travel books are geared toward travel plans for retired couples, not young families. We want to get out and move around and see this great country of ours (as well as Canada)!

Recommendations?

Donna F

Since you have children it would be nice if they could see what other kids are doing. In NH you could visit any of the agricultural fairs most of which are held in Sept and check out the 4-H exhibits. Talks to the kids who own animals, watch some of the animal shows. Merrimack County has one of the most active 4-H working steer programs in the U.S. so Hopkinton Fair (held over Labor Day weekend) is one of the best places to see them. The very best 4-H projects and animals go on to exhibit at Eastern States Exposition in Springfield MA which will be 2 weeks, end of Sept. A great place also to see promotional exhibits from all of the New England states. Each state has their own building. NH's White Mountains will provide plenty of hiking opportunities. You can buy Guide to Hiking in the White Mtns with children. You should also be able to find plenty of good bike trails. (The old carriage roads in Arcadia National Park, ME/Bar Harbor area would be wonderful too.) Shaker Village in Canterbury NH is a must see. They were very inventive and I think the whole family will be impressed at the number of items the Shakers invented. I haven't been to the Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner NH but hear it's very good. You can rent canoes at several places in NH, even in the state capital Concord thru which the Merrimack River flows. During the later part of August several NH towns celebrate Old Home Day which is a time when everyone gets together for a picnic and parade. These are the location for old-fashioned children's games like sack races and the parades are generally very short but it's fun to see how imaginative parents and kids can be for costumes and floats. Usually there will also be a chicken bbq and that is probably one of the best meals in NH unless it's going to a public supper of ham and beans which are held thru the summer in various towns as fund raisers. Pick up local newspapers, announcements are usually in Fridays papers. In any small town you can probably stop in the local library and find out what's going on.
I think kids are getting a little soft nowadays but not 4-Hers. When you view a 4-H exhibit, take a look at the age. You'll see perfect mittens knitted by 7 year olds, beautiful woodworking projects by young teens, well tailored outfits by both boys and girls, and some excellent craftwork. Getting an animal ready for showing means good grooming all summer and careful training. Watch a 4-H dog obedience class.
If you'll be covering Alaska I would recommend reading "Running North" by Anne Mariah Cook about her family's adventures moving to AK and training their sled dogs for the Yukon Quest.

OhioGirl

If you come to Ohio we have several amusement parks. There is Cedar Point, Six Flags and Sea World all within less than 100 miles of each other. At the other end of the state you have Kings Island.

Be sure to visit Holmes County, Walnut Creek and Sugarcreek areas. They are the heart of Amish country and it is a big tourist attraction.

Ohio also has quite a few state parks.

OhioGirl

I also forgot the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

Then if you're really scratching for something to do, go to Steubenville and see all the murals they have painted downtown on the old buildings and visit the Old Fort Steuben.

Lori

Have you traveled along US 2 through Michigan's U.P.? Some of the highlights that we enjoy: Kich-iti-kipi (The Big Spring) in Palms Book State Park just north of Munising; Tahquamenon Falls near Paradise, MI (not along US 2, but not far away, either); Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore boat cruise (about a 3 hour boat trip) on Lake Superior in Munising; stopping at Cut River (right on US 2 - stop at the park and walk down the 260 or so steps - you're rewarded with a nice beach area to romp in where the river flows into Lake MI - and then hike the trail on the way back up to the park); stopping at Garlyn Zoological Park - very small zoo, but in a great wooded setting that kids really enjoy - ok I enjoy it, too); a short ride south to Seul Choix Lighthouse - you'll pay 5 dollars per family to climb to the top of the tower (watch your head!) but it's a very nice stop and you'll be glad you did.

I envy you being able to get away for a year. Have fun!

charlie

We travel in a Motorhome as much as two months each year and really love visiting the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park, Colorado Rockies, particularly Garden of the Gods, Estes Park, and Pike's Peak, the indian cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde near Cortez are also incredible. While in the area a visit to the Royal Gorge and then on to the Grand Canyon. If you can make it into Utah they have some fantastic sights including Bryce Canyon. We are also big fans of Ocean sites. The kids would love Myrtle Beach with it's abundance of activities, seafood buffets, incredible mini-golf, water and ride parks, tourist traps, golf courses and nice swimming beaches, and fishing piers. Pirateland, Lakewood, and several other campgrounds are right on the beach! Since we are involved in water sports we also like the Fla. Keys. We usually stay in America Outdoors Campground in Key Largo, right on the water with it's own marina. Water is prettier farther south but campgrounds are not. Great restaurants and fishing and snorkeling. Not as much to do as one may think. Great place in the middle of winter. Well enough said, have fun.

RVer

Charlie, have you ever stayed at Barefoot Campgrounds in Myrtle Beach?

What would you say is the best one there?

Kay

These are the places my grand-daughter enjoyed between ages of 9 and 12.
Monterrey Bay Aquarium-great RV park outskirts of town==Laguna-Seccarceway

Sacramento "old town" with Railway Museum
(not impressed with Sutter's Fort)

Of course Disneyland, But guess if you've been to WDW it might be a letdown.
San Diego Zoo and their Wild Animal Park is great

Could spend 3-4 days exploring San Francisco AND there is a RV Park southern part of town (unless they tore it down when they build the new Giants baseball park) Bike or in-line skating in Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's wharf and Pier 39 are "touristy" but kids like it.
Hearst Castle - near Morro Bay was really impressive. (good RV Parks in Morro Bay-Morro Bay State Park, Morro Strand State Park and Commercial one called the Dunes.)
One of "must see" areas is the Coastal Redwoods north of Eureka-magnificant. If they keep cutting them maybe not be any for your grandkids to see!!!
I know there is more things to see and do in California but I just picked her favorites.

Robin

If you can time it right (not the middle of summer), driving the entire (WA, OR, CA) west coast is beautiful, and you could detour for some of the sights Kay mentioned. Don't necessarily stay all on Highway 1-- that can be a little tiresome and slow. But take it where it counts (eg. Big Sur), and stop and detour into the state parks.

Also consider going into Mexico. You probably won't take time to go too far south, but even a little local flavor is interesting.

Certainly include the major national parks in the western states-- Bryce, Zion, etc. They are spectacular and very enjoyable for a family.

topper

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