I'm looking for some advice on where to visit (and what to avoid) during this trip...:hHomeschooling family of 6 (4 kids 7-14 yrs) renting a 32 ft. Class A (no toad). Took same RV out west (MT, CO, WY, etc.) from Michigan couple years ago and LOVED it. Now were heading southeast to tour WV, PA, VA, NC & TN for the first 2 weeks of June. The only stops we've committed to are Gettysburg, Williamsburg (Busch Gardens) and New River Gorge (rafting slow water). After those things, I am at a loss for "don't miss" stops that the whole family will enjoy.Considering D.C., but am concerned about the crowds and getting around in a 32' RV. Is it worth it, or should we pass it by. Thoughts?Suspect we'll do Skyline Dr., Shenandoah, some of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but can't seem to land on "must see" stops along the way that will make the trip most enjoyable for the whole family. We love nature/scenery, and prefer rural to urban. Kids love adventure but the youngest (7 yrs) limits us to the more mild things. Any suggestions on how to route this trip? Thanks in advance your your help!! :)

Not to far from Williamsburg is the NC outer banks. Wright brothers memorial, The Lost Colony outdoor drama. I would say 3 days & 2 nights would do it.

On the western end of VA is Natural Tunnel SP. It is beautiful and scenic. The offer cave tours and canoe trips and 7 is old enough. My girls started doing canoe trips at6. Then an hour west is Cumberland Gap NP. Again, it's beautiful. Google them.

We just did a similar trip out of Michigan last year. The Flight 93 Memorial wasn't on our list but we ran across it. Very good stop with a great deal of discussion points.If you choose DC, look at Cherry Hill Campground. You can take a bus/shuttle from the campground that will drop you at the subway system. Its a great system and very easy to use. But, you can easily spend a week in DC.Skyline Drive is very nice. We stayed at Loft Mountain. Blue Ridge Parkway is very scenic. There are caves off the parkway. But do your research as driving a Class A on some of the roads off the parkway would not be recommended. Grandfather mountain could be fun. We didn't make it. We did enjoy Blowing Rock and the town of Boone. Also, most camping on the parkway is for smaller units (20/25 feet) or tents. Good luck planning as there is a lot to see and do.

You could spend a year sightseeing in DC but you don't want to spend one second driving an RV in there. And that's about all you'll do is drive because parking is extremely difficult for a car so forget an rv. Stay at Cherry Hill and use mass transit. Passes make it fairly cheap especially since you won't have any parking fees. The DC traffic both in DC and the freeways surrounding it is horrible.The museums and monuments are all free. Just make sure everybody wears comfortable shoes (not flip-flops) as you will do SIGNIFICANT walking. The Mall from the Capitol Bldg to Lincoln Memorial is over three miles. You could spends months there alone with the Smithsonian right there plus all the monuments.Though Williamsburg is neat almost ALL of it is re-constructed, not original and it is VERY expensive. Yorktown and Jamestown are both within ten miles of Williamsburg so tons of history there.Have fun.

In Virginia I would do the presidential home tour:http://www.virginia.org/birthplacepresidents/

MICH > W. VIRG > VIRG > NC > TN - Rookie | Good Sam Community

bid_time
Nomad II
Apr 26, 2013
I would stop in Dayton, OH, Air Force Museum (free); Hocking Hills State Park (Old Mans Cave); Smokey Mtn National Park, Cades Cove (Wildlife Loop, early morning hiking-not to be missed).
PamfromVA
Explorer
Apr 26, 2013
In Virginia I would do the presidential home tour:

http://www.virginia.org/birthplacepresidents/
Doug_and_Cassi_
Explorer
Apr 26, 2013
You could spend a year sightseeing in DC but you don't want to spend one second driving an RV in there. And that's about all you'll do is drive because parking is extremely difficult for a car so forget an rv. Stay at Cherry Hill and use mass transit. Passes make it fairly cheap especially since you won't have any parking fees. The DC traffic both in DC and the freeways surrounding it is horrible.

The museums and monuments are all free. Just make sure everybody wears comfortable shoes (not flip-flops) as you will do SIGNIFICANT walking. The Mall from the Capitol Bldg to Lincoln Memorial is over three miles. You could spends months there alone with the Smithsonian right there plus all the monuments.

Though Williamsburg is neat almost ALL of it is re-constructed, not original and it is VERY expensive. Yorktown and Jamestown are both within ten miles of Williamsburg so tons of history there.

Have fun.
epusher
Explorer
Apr 26, 2013
We just did a similar trip out of Michigan last year. The Flight 93 Memorial wasn't on our list but we ran across it. Very good stop with a great deal of discussion points.

If you choose DC, look at Cherry Hill Campground. You can take a bus/shuttle from the campground that will drop you at the subway system. Its a great system and very easy to use. But, you can easily spend a week in DC.

Skyline Drive is very nice. We stayed at Loft Mountain. Blue Ridge Parkway is very scenic. There are caves off the parkway. But do your research as driving a Class A on some of the roads off the parkway would not be recommended. Grandfather mountain could be fun. We didn't make it. We did enjoy Blowing Rock and the town of Boone. Also, most camping on the parkway is for smaller units (20/25 feet) or tents. Good luck planning as there is a lot to see and do.
Merrykalia
Explorer
Apr 26, 2013
On the western end of VA is Natural Tunnel SP. It is beautiful and scenic. The offer cave tours and canoe trips and 7 is old enough. My girls started doing canoe trips at6. Then an hour west is Cumberland Gap NP. Again, it's beautiful. Google them.
zackyboy3rs
Explorer
Apr 26, 2013
Not to far from Williamsburg is the NC outer banks. Wright brothers memorial, The Lost Colony outdoor drama. I would say 3 days & 2 nights would do it.

Forum Discussion

MICH > W. VIRG > VIRG > NC > TN - Rookie

About Campground 101

Related Content

rookie mistake

Petoskey Mich.

Airstream>>

50 > 30 > 20 amp

Vancouver > Jasper > Banff > Calgary