How to visit the East Coast on a 6-month trip

If you're doing an east coast tour, it wouldn't be complete without going to Disney World. If you don't have kids with you, don't worry, there's more there for adults than there is for kids. Key West is fun to visit, and the Kennedy Space Port is only an hour or so from Disney. Savanna and Charleston are neat to see. If you like to hike, you may want to visit the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, although, I wouldn't recommend trying to drive it in an RV (slow, twisty and hilly). If you like history, you can't miss Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. Some of the plantations along the river are original (some rebuilt). You could spend weeks in Washington DC, and I enjoyed Independence Hall in Philadelphia. I would give New York City a wide berth (JMHO). If you'd like to visit New York, there's lots to see and do there, there's a campground across the river in New Jersey, and you can catch the train into New York, so I've heard. I really enjoyed Boston, the USS Constitution was there, The Rose and Crown (Cheers), and be sure to ride on the MTA (They call it the "T" now. If you've got time, a visit to Gettysburg is always interesting.

The neat thing is that many of these places are only a day or less drive from each other.

mkc wrote:
Would also add that many (most?) campgrounds/rv parks in New England won't be open until Memorial Day or maybe the week before. We have even found it challenging to find parks in upstate NY that open before May 1.

I echo mkc's observation: It is a total **** shoot as to finding a campground – specifically, those above the Mason-Dixon Line – open before Memorial Day. They are available... You just have to kind of "dig" to find them.

That said... Here's my personal list of favorite places to visit along the I-95 corridor/East Coast, by state:

Florida: Key West; parts of Miami (I like to shop!); Flagler Beach; SAINT AUGUSTINE!

Georgia: Jekyll Island; SAVANNAH!

South Carolina: Charleston

North Carolina: Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach; Topsail Beach; New Bern

Virginia: Richmond; Virginia Beach; Hampton

D.C.: Pick a place. Try to get there around the 1st or middle of April when the cherry trees are in bloom!

Maryland: Baltimore, particularly Fort McHenry;

Pennsylvania: I avoid Philadelphia when I can. I-83 out of Baltimore will take you to Harrisburg and Sally LOVES Hershey. A scenic, albeit a bit long, side trip is to Shanksville and the Flight 93 National Memorial.

New Jersey & New York City: I don't take the rig there. I-84 baby! Cross the Hudson @ Newberg.

Connecticut, Massachusetts & New Hampshire: Every street corner, field and meadow has a story. You are wallowing in history there!

Maine: Another "Pick a Place!", but do visit Old Orchard Beach and Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park.

Namaste.

brlr2000 wrote:
Thanks so much for all the replies. It sounds like we should spend a few months in South Florida, and slowly make our way up the coast. From what I'm hearing, lots to do and see in Pennsylvania and Washington DC. As far as interests, we really enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and beaches. Also enjoy City Walking Tours. Although we like Museums, it seems that we'll have to pick and choose some of the more popular ones. The other thing we need to consider is that we don't want to be anywhere that is too hot & humid. We would prefer cooler weather, but not below freezing. We also understand that there are always exceptions to the normal weather.

Having lived here for a good part of my life - I can say that the better time to visit is in the Fall if you are not into Heat and Humidity (HHH = Hazy Hot and Humid) Spring is very brief and he HHH days start as early as April. I would change the timing and get out to the North East in September - then follow the Leaves down the Coast - The only time it is ever free of HHH is when the leaves begin to Change, fall is actually almost enjoyable, and you being from Henderson have never had HHH like we have here.

Just a little side note - HHH in Florida - YES - one year we were down there, Tampa in February we had to leave and relocate to Hilton Head to Cool Down. Having spent a few years traveling in Colorado, i now HATE HHH.

Hope this is of some help,

Are you going to have kids with you?

In Connecticut, Mystic Seaport is probably the place to check out. There is Gillete Castle State Park and Goodspeed Opera House which are more inland.

Don't forget Plymouth Village! Gotta do the "pilgrim thing" and check out the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts.

Don't know what your interests are, but if you are into Colonial/Revolutionary history, I highly suggest Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

You can easily spend several days in Colonial Williamsburg, but in any case make sure you visit the Capital Building (legislature) and the Governor's Palace.

Jamestown would be divided into two parts. The original Jamestown Island is owned by the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia (originally known as Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (AVPA).

The portion of Jamestown Island owned by PV contains the original fort. For decades, it was thought the site of the original fort had been washed away by erosion by the James River. Luckily, not so. For many years now, the fort site has been, and is still being excavated. Fascinating, if you're into that type of thing.

Close by Jamestown Island, is Jamestown Settlement which is run by the Commonwealth of Virginia. It's a recreation of the original fort, and a native American village, plus replicas of the original ships that brought the first English colonists to America.

At the other end of the Colonial Parkway is Yorktown, where the de facto end of the American Revolution occurred.

The Colonial Parkway runs from Jamestown Island on the James River through Williamsburg, and on to Yorktown which is on the York River.

Vet Man wrote:
While in Fla stop and see Mickey. I would go up the coast in Ct. Stop at the Mystic area then up the road to the Cape, visit Boston, Portland Maine where you can take a fairy over to Nova Scotia then head west back home.

I'm pretty sure you mean 'ferry' as in boat. Tinker Bell is too old to travel.
And to the OP, Check up on entering Nova Scotia. You'll have to clear Canadian customs. Crossing the border is no longer a wave and a "howdy".

We agree with all of the above, except Mickey. If you have kids age 6 to 11 okay but VERY expensive. Money can be better spent elsewhere.

You can spend 2 weeks in the DC area easy.

Up here in Boston, the Freedom Trail is a must see for history buffs who like city walking tours. The Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the best beach areas in the world.

Once July rolls around Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor ME would be the ideal location to finish up at.

Actually, in southern New England (Mass RI, CT), all campgrounds open April 1.

mkc wrote:
Would also add that many (most?) campgrounds/rv parks in New England won't be open until Memorial Day or maybe the week before. We have even found it challenging to find parks in upstate NY that open before May 1.