We (wife and I, no pets) will be leaving Florida July 8th for a four month trip in our 27 ft. TT. We have taken two month and a six month trips within the last few years, so aren't rookies, but haven't RV'd in the eastern part of the US and Canada before.
Our itinerary: Florida to Buffalo, NY through Pittsburgh.
Niagara Falls to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
QC to coastal Maine, then ramble around as much of New England as possible.
Then to Upstate New York, then through Cleveland to Chicago (any suggestions for side trips into Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana?)
Then to Denver to visit family
Then to Carlsbad Caverns NP, Big Bend NP, West Texas, Texas Hill Country, Austin, Houston, New Orleans, then home to Tampa Bay.
Obviously we realize we can't see everything along that route! We are in our late 60's, reasonably fit and active, and enjoy both cities and the countryside. We like to stay in state and national parks when possible, and reasonably priced commercial parks (swimming pools, cable TV aren't important). We usually stay in one location for 2-5 days.
When we went on our long West Coast trip a couple of years ago we posted a question like this and got lots of really great tips, so thought I would try it again, especially since we haven't visited many of these areas, especially not in an RV.
So, if you are from or are familiar with the places along our route, please chime in with suggestions, warnings, etc.!
Thanks in advance,
Riley and Val
arcaguy said
08:07 PM May 23, 2019
Make a right turn at Toledo on I-75 or US-23, completely miss Chicago, go across Big Mac (The Mackinac Bridge) and enjoy the beautiful scenery in Michigan. Once you leave Michigan Wisconsin and Minnesota are beautiful also. If you're a fisherman all three states have awesome fishing. Michigan has State Forest campgrounds which are primitive but I believe first come first served (but please check). I don't know if they can take a rig your size but they're cheap. You might also cross into Canada at Buffalo again and take the 401 to Windsor, quite a bit quicker than going south through Ohio. Try not to miss the Maritimes in Canada or Acadia National Park (?) in upstate New York. I was though that area on my bike a few years ago and it was beautiful. Lake Champlain is also pretty nice. There is a ferry across the lake but it might be pretty expensive for the RV. You might also want to check out "Changing Lanes" on youtube, they have a series of a few videos from a trip they made to Maine and the surrounding area. There is also a ton of history on the St. Lawrence River on both the American and Canadian side. When you to to Big Bend check out some of the towns to the northwest of the park. I was there a few years ago and didn't see them, but now I get to go back so all is not lost! There is a campground in Bend, Texas (yes it's a little bitty town) that is a working cattle ranch. Pretty cool. It is on the Colorado River (the one in Texas not the Grand Canyon one) I was there on my bike and didn't have any size issues but as I remember it should accommodate fairly large rigs. If I think of more things I post again. Sounds like a nice trip.
RandV said
01:42 PM May 24, 2019
Thanks for these great suggestions!
Barb and Frank said
03:43 PM May 24, 2019
Chicago is our hometown and it is where we spend the summer visiting our family. We camp at Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin, IL (a county campground - $35 a night). This campground is five minutes from a train station that goes into downtown Chicago, a great place to visit world-class museums and restaurants. Paul Wolff Campground does not accept reservations, so you must arrive Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to get a site. It fills up with locals on the weekend. The campground is open until October 31st each year.
Enjoy your trip!
Barb
RandV said
04:13 PM May 24, 2019
Barb, thanks so much for sharing this tip! Of course we can read the guidebooks, but any ideas about sights/experiences you really like would be great. We like to see city life, museums, historic sites, casual restaurants that specialize in "Chicago" food, etc.
Barb and Frank said
08:19 AM May 25, 2019
RandV wrote:
Barb, thanks so much for sharing this tip! Of course we can read the guidebooks, but any ideas about sights/experiences you really like would be great. We like to see city life, museums, historic sites, casual restaurants that specialize in "Chicago" food, etc.
RandV,
There are so many things to see and do in Chicago, but here are a few of my favorites.
1. Museum of Science and Industry - downtown near Lake Michigan
2. Chicago Architecture River Cruise - downtown
3. Field Museum of Natural History - downtown
4. Sky Deck at Willis Tower - downtown
5. Art Institute - downtown
6. Navy Pier - on Lake Michigan
7. Segway Tour - along lakefront
8. Wrigley Field - home of the Chicago Cubs
Restaurants:
1. Frontera Grill (Mexican) - downtown
2. Lou Malnoti’s Pizza (locations all over the Chicago area)
3. Pizzeria Due - downtown (deep dish pizza)
4. Mr. Beef on Orleans (downtown) - Italian Beef sandwiches
5. Wildfire (Schaumburg)
6. Maggiano’s (Schaumburg)
7. Garrett’s Popcorn - not a restaurant, but they sell the best popcorn in the world, with locations downtown and suburbs.
Hope this is helpful!
Barb
A-S Travelers said
10:48 AM May 25, 2019
Well, 4 months to cover all that much of the country is way to short IMO. However different folks do things differently.
I can supply some recommendations for the latter part of your trip.
Carlsbad Caverns to Tampa as a stand alone trip for winter travel:
-- Take I-10 and drive directly to Carlsbad Caverns with plans to arrive in mid to the latter part of November.
-- Visit the Caverns along with a side trip to Guadalupe NP. Hike into McKittrick Canyon. Download the newspaper for more info/details: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/learn/news/newspaper.htm
-- Move to Big Bend NP after Thanksgiving week and weekend. The NP is packed for that week. If your trailer is about 26' or less consider staying at Chisos Basin CG. Or stay at Rio Grande Village NP campground, no hookups. Really great place to camp. Plan for a week or more to sight see and hike. Lost Mine Trail is the best mid length hike in the park. Link to the park newspaper: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/news/newspaper.htm
-- When you leave BBNP take US-90 east to Seminole Canyon SP for 2-3 nights and take the cave shelter guided walk to see the pictographs. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/seminole-canyon In the winter they also have an all day hike to see lots more cave shelters and pictographs. They call it a pretty strenuous hike. However except for some scrambling over some rocks it is pretty level on the canyon floor. About 7 miles total. Fantastic hike.
-- Head to San Antonio or Austin, or both.
-- From San Antonio and/or Austin head to Galveston Island and stay at the State Park. Lots to see and do in Galveston.
-- From Galveston SP take the free Ferry across the ship channel and follow the coast to south of Port Author to Sea Rim SP. Very nice little SP right on the beach.
-- From Sea Rim, follow the 2 lane roads along the coast to Abbyville, LA. Stay at Palmetto SP. Visit Lafayette. Take a swamp tour in a small open 20' boat.
-- Head over to New Orleans. Stay at Bayou Segnette State Park
Back to Tampa.
This is a great 2-4 month trip.
aysstephanie said
11:07 AM Jul 12, 2019
I'm just seeing this post now and it sounds like you're already on the road but if you need any recommendations or have any questions about Ontario, don't hesitate to ask. Travel safe and enjoy!
We (wife and I, no pets) will be leaving Florida July 8th for a four month trip in our 27 ft. TT. We have taken two month and a six month trips within the last few years, so aren't rookies, but haven't RV'd in the eastern part of the US and Canada before.
Chicago is our hometown and it is where we spend the summer visiting our family. We camp at Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin, IL (a county campground - $35 a night). This campground is five minutes from a train station that goes into downtown Chicago, a great place to visit world-class museums and restaurants. Paul Wolff Campground does not accept reservations, so you must arrive Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to get a site. It fills up with locals on the weekend. The campground is open until October 31st each year.
Enjoy your trip!
Barb
RandV,
There are so many things to see and do in Chicago, but here are a few of my favorites.
1. Museum of Science and Industry - downtown near Lake Michigan
2. Chicago Architecture River Cruise - downtown
3. Field Museum of Natural History - downtown
4. Sky Deck at Willis Tower - downtown
5. Art Institute - downtown
6. Navy Pier - on Lake Michigan
7. Segway Tour - along lakefront
8. Wrigley Field - home of the Chicago Cubs
Restaurants:
1. Frontera Grill (Mexican) - downtown
2. Lou Malnoti’s Pizza (locations all over the Chicago area)
3. Pizzeria Due - downtown (deep dish pizza)
4. Mr. Beef on Orleans (downtown) - Italian Beef sandwiches
5. Wildfire (Schaumburg)
6. Maggiano’s (Schaumburg)
7. Garrett’s Popcorn - not a restaurant, but they sell the best popcorn in the world, with locations downtown and suburbs.
Hope this is helpful!
Barb
Well, 4 months to cover all that much of the country is way to short IMO. However different folks do things differently.
I can supply some recommendations for the latter part of your trip.
Carlsbad Caverns to Tampa as a stand alone trip for winter travel:
-- Take I-10 and drive directly to Carlsbad Caverns with plans to arrive in mid to the latter part of November.
-- Visit the Caverns along with a side trip to Guadalupe NP. Hike into McKittrick Canyon. Download the newspaper for more info/details: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/learn/news/newspaper.htm
-- Next stop Fort Davis, stay at Fort Davis SP. Visit the town, National historic fort & Chihuahuan Desert Nature center: https://fortdavis.com/listing/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens/ . Go to the McDonald Observatory for the Star Program. https://mcdonaldobservatory.org/visitors/programs/star-parties
-- Move to Big Bend NP after Thanksgiving week and weekend. The NP is packed for that week. If your trailer is about 26' or less consider staying at Chisos Basin CG. Or stay at Rio Grande Village NP campground, no hookups. Really great place to camp. Plan for a week or more to sight see and hike. Lost Mine Trail is the best mid length hike in the park. Link to the park newspaper: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/news/newspaper.htm
-- When you leave BBNP take US-90 east to Seminole Canyon SP for 2-3 nights and take the cave shelter guided walk to see the pictographs. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/seminole-canyon In the winter they also have an all day hike to see lots more cave shelters and pictographs. They call it a pretty strenuous hike. However except for some scrambling over some rocks it is pretty level on the canyon floor. About 7 miles total. Fantastic hike.
-- Head to San Antonio or Austin, or both.
-- From San Antonio and/or Austin head to Galveston Island and stay at the State Park. Lots to see and do in Galveston.
-- From Galveston SP take the free Ferry across the ship channel and follow the coast to south of Port Author to Sea Rim SP. Very nice little SP right on the beach.
-- From Sea Rim, follow the 2 lane roads along the coast to Abbyville, LA. Stay at Palmetto SP. Visit Lafayette. Take a swamp tour in a small open 20' boat.
-- Head over to New Orleans. Stay at Bayou Segnette State Park
Back to Tampa.
This is a great 2-4 month trip.