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rwbradley's avatar
rwbradley
Explorer
Nov 08, 2014

East Coast Trip Opinions

Folks
I am in the process of planning our big trip for next summer, this is a family trip with a mix of kids fun and sightseeing. I am interested in any opinions about best time in July/August, route, things to see, things to avoid, campgrounds etc. If you have any experience with anything on this proposed route I would be interested in feedback.
Start: Ontario
Cross Border: Fort Erie/Buffalo
Scenic Drive: Grand Army of the Republic Highway (Wysocks to Scranton PA mostly US6)
Stop: Cozy Creek Family Campground near Scranton PA
Scenic Drive: Delaware Scenic Biway (Frenchtown to Trenton NJ mostly NJ29)
and Costal drive along Delware Bay (Newcastle to Dover DE mostly Del9
Stop: Jellystone Delaware Beaches DE
Scenic Drive: Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel
Scenic Drive: Outer Banks Scenic Biway (Kitty Hawk to Cape Hatteras NC)
Stop: KOA Cape Hatteras NC
Not Scenic Drive: backtrack to Nags Head to return to mainland to avoid Ferries
Stop: KOA Wilmington NC
Stop: Myrtle Beach Travel Park
Stop: KOA Wyteville VA
Scenic Drive: Coal Heritage Trail (Bluefield to Fayetteville WV US19, US60 WV16, US52)
Stop: KOA Logan OH
Cross Border: Detroit/Windsor

Thanks
  • huachuca's avatar
    huachuca
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2014
    Outer Banks - The Lost Colony Outdoor drama is a great play detailing a failed attempt by the English to establish a settlement in the new world. At a minimum, visit historic Fort Raleigh and tour the set and grounds. Don't avoid the ferries - they're your best route to Wilmington without backtracking and are FUN!!!

    Wilmington - Battleship North Carolina
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2014
    I am going to add a little here.
    Not far from the south end of the Chesapeake tunnel is the Mariner's Museum that is home to the Monitor's parts. A great stop.
    The Wright Brothers Museums at Kill Devil Hill are worth a couple of hours.
    The Ocracoke to Hatteras Ferry is free. The Museum at the south end of Ocracoke is a decent, but not great stop.
    The Ocracoke to Cedar Island ferry is reasonably priced.
    On your back haul through Detroit, plan a couple of days for the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (co-located) in Dearborn. This is a very good stop. Even if American history is not a great interest. There are several campgrounds in striking range, but none close by.
    Be ready to refuel at the duty free at the bridge.

    Matt
  • riven1950's avatar
    riven1950
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    When in Wilmington check out the downtown waterfront area where the Coast Guard cutter is docked. Kind of like a baby Charleston. Battleship NC is just across the river with river taxi available for that ( or you can drive to it in a few minutes ). Since you will only be going as far as MB the next day consider the route down 421 to Fort Fisher. You will pass Britts doughnuts Ymmm!!, the NC Aquarium, Fort Fisher historic site, and end up at the FF ferry. A 45 minute ride gets you to Southport, a nice little town with history. From there take 211 to 17South and you will be 1/2 way to MB. Might want to check but I think the newer ferries can handle about any rig you might have.
  • Oaklevel's avatar
    Oaklevel
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    Be sure to make reservations well ahead if you can as several of the coastal campgrounds book up in July & August.

    Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is fine for RVs but if windy it closes to trucks & RVs also Propane is required to be off in the tunnels.

    I assume you plan on spending the day in Wilmington NC ? The KOA Wilmington NC is inland from the beaches, Myrtle Beach Travel Park is on the Ocean and is only about 1 to 1 1/2 hours south depending on traffic. On Rt 17.

    If you plan on traveling north to Wytheville VA, on I77 just a heads up Fog on Fancy Gap Mountain just in Virginia is common. Just in Virginia I77 MM1-10. Many pile ups. Worst was 90+ vehicles. Just heavy traffic otherwise.

    Sounds like a great trip.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2014
    It does sound like a nice trip.

    I highly recommend the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village near Detroit. Two days would not be excessive to spend there; it has a vast amount to see and do, and a broad enough range of things to be interesting to most anybody.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    Outer Banks: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, possible trip up to Corolla to see the wild ponies, Jockey Ridge State Park, Wright Brothers Museum (both in Kitty Hawk), enjoy the beach.
    Myrtle Beach: Take in a dinner show, go strolling/shopping at Broadway at the Beach or Barefoot Landing, go-karting, mini-golf, amusement parks, enjoy the beach!
  • pehfhc's avatar
    pehfhc
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    The drive from Nags Head to Hatteras is awesome. From nags head to kill devil hills is worthwhile, but it is very developed. I love Hatteras ....so beautiful. Then Myrtle Beach is just plain fun! Charleston is further South, but it is one of my very favorites, lots of Southern history. Think about adding a day or so of Charleston. Enjoy!
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Nov 08, 2014
    Sounds like a great trip. Can I go along, too?

    Remember the 2-2-2 rule: drive 200 miles so you can arrive by 2 PM, then stay 2 days. At least.

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