8 hrs from MD, fun for kids, 50 amp, prefer state parks?

[Magua]

Pipe dream?

Trying to think of somewhere new to take our 6 and 8 year old boys (and our lab!) for a week's vacation this summer. We've been to the ADKs in NY and down the east coast to the NC beaches.

Thinking Niagra Falls and Four Mile Creek State Park, but not sure what else, besides the falls, there is to do around there.

Thought about Asheville NC…dying to see the Biltmore…but what else to do?

Maybe Pigeon Forge? Sounds like quite a bit to do, but that may be a very, very long trip?

Where else could we go? We have a 38' moho and will want 50 amp electric, but other hook ups don't matter much. We prefer state park-type atmospheres (and prices) though I know that's tough now that our rig is so darn big.

Looking forward to any input! 🙂

[michigansandzil]

Niagara Falls is a ton of fun for the kids! I don't think I'd spend a week there only bc we've been twice, but I would need at least 3 days to do the minimum my kids would enjoy.
All of the touristy stuff is on the Canadian side.
You can do the Maid of the Mist boat tour.
Cave of the Winds tour.
Marineland is well worth a stop for the day.


As far as the Smokies go, I'm not sure what your interests are, but we were in the Smokies with kids this past April. You couldn't pay me to stay in Pigeon Forge. It's a 6 lane cement heaven, you can't walk anywhere and it's only appeal is the multitude of go-cart facilities.

[gcloss]

There are many great RV parks in the Pigeon Forge area. We will be visiting the Pigeon Forge area for the first time in June on our way back from CMA Fest in Nashville. We have reservations for 5 days at River Plantation RV Park in Sevierville, TN.

[Magua]

You guys rock. FANTASTIC input!!

I looooove the Raystown Lake enthusiasts…isn't it FANTASTIC!? We stumbled on it a few years back and stayed at the resort (in our TT) once and at the corps of engineers park once. Both amazing. We're planning on going back this summer for a long weekend (about 4 hrs from us).

Lantley—it was another post of yours that got me thinking about where we could go new this year…so thanks! Loved all your suggestions.

Leaning towards the smokey mountains right now. We feel like we've been darn near everywhere within 4 hours of us (harford county MD) and we've never headed in this direction. Any campgrounds suggestions close-ish to Pigeon Forge?

We're also planning a fairly major change (selling the house, road schooling the kids, doing a loop around the country) so I'm adding these suggestions!

[Busskipper]

Magua wrote:
Pipe dream?

Trying to think of somewhere new to take our 6 and 8 year old boys (and our lab!) for a week's vacation this summer. We've been to the ADKs in NY and down the east coast to the NC beaches.

Thinking Niagra Falls and Four Mile Creek State Park, but not sure what else, besides the falls, there is to do around there. All of upstate is great - think Lakes and things the kids will enjoy

Thought about Asheville NC…dying to see the Biltmore…but what else to do?
Biltmore is great but head up to Lake Toxaway Rt 64 is just full a fun things to do Lakes Rivers Falls all just spell fun to the kids.

Maybe Pigeon Forge? Sounds like quite a bit to do, but that may be a very, very long trip?

Where else could we go? We have a 38' moho and will want 50 amp electric, but other hook ups don't matter much. We prefer state park-type atmospheres (and prices) though I know that's tough now that our rig is so darn big. Look at Rocky Gap in Maryland could also head up for a day or two at Deep Creek Lake - IMHO water and kids = Vacation/ Fun

Looking forward to any input! 🙂

Cherry Creek camp ground off I95 in DC is a great resort CG and the kids will always love the great museums. Used to take my kids all the time and now they love taking there kids every chance they get, hard to imagine one of the best spots in the world is so close.

BOL,

[spoon059]

Lantley wrote:

James Island County Park,in Charleston,SC is Great. Hilton Head Island/Savannah GA is also another favorite.Raystown Lake in PA is another regular stop.
We have also done Cape May and the Jersey shore.Cedar Point Park in Ohio is great if you like roller coasters. Cedar point has a very nice CG at the park.

This is scary... my EXACT thoughts.

JICP is a fantastic place for kiddos in the summer. Lots of activities to do at the park, beautiful city to visit as well. Patriots Point in Charleston is great for boys that age. If you aren't familiar with it, its a military museum complex. They have a WW2 aircraft carrier, a destroyer, a submarine and a replica Vietnam era fire base. Its a great way to spend an entire day! Only problem is that its a little longer than 8 hours.

Savannah is another great location, lots of cool streets to walk and food to eat. Its about an hour further away than Charleston though.

Raystown Lake is AWESOME. We got introduced to Lake Raystown Resort about 3 years ago and have gone at least once per camping season since then. The lake itself is amazing. Lake Raystown Resort is very beautiful and has great lakefront sites (no sewer that close to the water though). They also have a waterpark at the campground with waterslides (real slides... not a backyard pool slide), tubing rides, pools, splash park, etc. Its much closer than 8 hours but a LOT LOT LOT of fun.

[jtbr3]

with kids, we did Pittsburg which kids really liked cause city/ducks/touring, amusement parks, white watering rafting in OhioPyle and zoo last summer. Also, NH/VT around Shelburne or Twin Mnts.

[magnusfide]

Western NC has Nantahala Outdoor Center in addition to the Biltmore. http://noc.com/. Close by also is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad http://m.gsmr.com/
Closer to you:
Luray Caverns in Luray, VA http://luraycaverns.com/
Grandfather Mountain in northwest NC

[midnightsadie]

cedar point in ohio by lake erie.

[puttd]

Gettysburg + hershey?

DC?

Baltimore with the kiddie oriented museums.

NYC staying at Liberty? (Granted, not a state park).

Williamsburg area.

If they like astronomy/are nerdy, there is a great, kid oriented star party at Green Banks telescope in July. Won't be fifty amp though.

[Lantley]

Dick_B wrote:
Off the top Niagara Falls and the Biltmore would be of little (read no) interest for the kids. For that age group you want a pool and amusement park rides.
For ideas do a Google search for `_____ tourism' and put the State, city, or area in place of the blank space.
Dollywood would be the perfect place for a couple of days.

Biltmore maybe a bit much but Niagara falls is great for kids.

[Lantley]

We appear to be from the same area. I'm sort of in the same boat in looking for something new. Cape Cod area has lots to do. Niagara falls is great as well. We stop and toured NYC on the way. Croton Point Park is a nice state park with access to NYC. MD/VA eastern shore,Kiptopeke state park and First Landing state park in VA beach are both fantastic.
James Island County Park,in Charleston,SC is Great. Hilton Head Island/Savannah GA is also another favorite.Raystown Lake in PA is another regular stop.
We have also done Cape May and the Jersey shore.Cedar Point Park in Ohio is great if you like roller coasters. Cedar point has a very nice CG at the park.
There is also the Shenandoah Valley. Yogi,Sherando lake, KOA are all decent places to name a few. Luray Caverns is just one of many attractions in the Shenandoah area.

[Dick_B]

Off the top Niagara Falls and the Biltmore would be of little (read no) interest for the kids. For that age group you want a pool and amusement park rides.
For ideas do a Google search for `_____ tourism' and put the State, city, or area in place of the blank space.
Dollywood would be the perfect place for a couple of days.

[geotex1]

Gettysburg. Stay at Gettysburg Farm CG. It's a Thousand Trails CG, but they do allow a certain number of general public campers to come in. Boys 6 and 8 will love the fact they can interact with the animals - biggest hit with my godchildren. Several on-site playgrounds, gameroom, putt-putt, and pool. You are then close to everything about Gettysburg, the Elephant Museum (hold onto the kids there), fantastic mini-golf and ice cream establishment near by, you can go for a float or paddle, and much more...