by Ashley Pugh -

6 Family Fun RV Trip Destinations

An RV in Joshua Tree Area
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An RV road trip makes for an exciting, cost-effective, and memorable adventure with your family. It keeps hotel and food accommodations down, usually providing access to a kitchenette and sleeping space.

RV camping is also slightly safer than tent camping since the vehicle protects you from wildlife and harsh weather. Plus, it has a locked door and private bathroom, which surely put me at ease.

This post will review some of the best family fun RV trip destinations, breaking down the area’s top attractions and where to go next. We will also share a few tips on how to make RV travel with children even more effortless.

Tips For RV Travel With Children

·      Bring extra clothes, especially layers. Even though this is probably second nature to most parents, it is essential to note when planning an RV camping trip in the Great Outdoors. You will always need more than you think you do, so this time, overpacking is encouraged!

·      Prepare for snack time. Even the adults on your road trip will want something to munch on between destinations.

·      Have them help plan the itinerary, keeping them engaged and excited about your upcoming trip!

·      Pack coloring books, puzzles, board games, playing cards, and other entertaining activities to keep your kids busy while on the road.

An RV on a cliff top looking out over ocean

Photo by Fabian on Unsplash
 

Family-Friendly RV Trip Destinations

1.    Bar Harbor, Maine

A view of Bar Harbor , Main

Photo by Sara Shute on Unsplash

It is also home to Acadia National Park, where you can hike the massive Cadillac Mountain and swim in various crystalline rocky lakes. Wake up for an early morning hike to catch the nation’s first sunrise of the day. While the national park has a lot of visitors over the Summer due to its outdoor recreational opportunities, it is equally beautiful in the Fall (and less crowded).

Top Area Attractions

·      Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

·      Thunder Hole

·      Mount Desert Island

Nearby Stops

From Bar Harbor, you can head to Portland, Maine, where you can eat tasty lobster rolls in Old Port and tour the Portland Head Light. Willing to drive farther? Make your way to Newport, Rhode Island, for a similar coastal town vibe.

2.    Gatlinburg, Tennessee

a walk bridge in Gatlinburg

Photo by Amy Baugess on Unsplash

For families looking to go on an extraordinary outdoor adventure, look no further than Gatlinburg! Take your family on a break from everyday life and go hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. With over 800 different hiking trails to choose from, it’s sure to be an adventure that your kiddos will never forget.

Top Area Attractions

·      Great Smoky Mountains National Park

·      Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

·      Hollywood Star Cars Museum

Nearby Stops

Dolly Parton is one of America’s most cherished icons in pop culture. To visit America’s most classic theme park, head down to Pigeon Forge for a one-of-a-kind experience down at Dollyworld!

3.    Key West, Florida

A statue outside Flagler station , Key West

Photo by R.D. Smith on Unsplash

Key West is a spectacular destination for a relaxing family getaway. Beach camping is unique and perfect for making long-lasting memories under the sun. RV resorts are often cheaper than some of the area’s beachfront hotels yet still feature similar outdoor amenities. So, it is a great budget-friendly option for exploring the Keys! Be sure to stop by the US 1 Mile Marker 0 Sign, which indicates the beginning and end of the highway that spans through Maine.

Top Area Attractions

·      Dry Tortugas National Park

·      Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

·      Sweet Savannah’s of the Florida Keys (for the best key lime pie in town!)

Nearby Stops

Of course, you will want to visit the other Florida Keys, such as Marathon, Key Largo, and Big Pine Key. Furthermore, Miami is only an hour to two-hour drive away from the Keys. There are many great family-friendly activities to do there and in its sister city Fort Lauderdale.

4.    Richmond, Virginia

A richmond, Virginia city view

Photo by STEPHEN POORE on Unsplash

Dating back to as early as 1607, Richmond is one of the oldest cities in America. Full of history and sculpted by the James River, Richmond definitely has a one-of-a-kind scenery with so much to offer. Not to mention, it’s easy to tour! Your family can rent an electric bike down the 51-mile-long Virginia Capital Trail, take a trolley tour downtown, or take a segway tour across the river.

Top Area Attractions

·      Browns Island, Belle Isle, & the Civil War Museum

·      Carytown’s Galaxy Diner

·      Maymont Estate & Gardens

Nearby Stops

Gently nestled between the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a tiny little town called Covington, Virginia. Just an hour southeast of Richmond, you will find family-friendly hiking trails with breathtakingly beautiful views of a marvelous hot spring waterfall!

5.    Boston, Massachusetts

Boston harbor view

Photo by Jimmy Woo Man Tsing on Unsplash

Speaking of historic cities, this destination is so old that it was the match that lit the American Revolution. It’s also a city we’re sure you’ve seen on one of these lists before, but there’s a reason for it. It’s a big city, but its old-timey nature gives the city a small-town feel. With every historical facade, Boston guarantees its guests an all-American hands-on learning experience of a lifetime.

Top Area Attractions

·      Museum of Science

·      The Freedom Trail

·      Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Nearby Stops

Some great destinations from Boston include Cape Cod, home to beautiful beaches, great seafood eateries, and occasionally, sharks! An island just south of Cape Cod is Martha’s Vineyard. Spend your evening on a serene beach, and let the sounds of the waves wash your stresses away. Providence, Rhode Island, is also a popular coastal road trip stop.

6.    Saint Louis, Missouri

The Saint Louis Arch, from afar

Photo by Brittney Butler on Unsplash

If your child is obsessed with Pixar’s Cars, you may want to consider an RV road trip down Route 66. Saint Louis, the largest city down the iconic American highway, has tons of exciting family-friendly attractions. It is the perfect place to visit after driving across historic Route 66.

Top Area Attractions

·      Old Chains of Rocks Bridge

·      Saint Louis Zoo

·      The Gateway Arch

Nearby Stops

A few other terrific destinations of Route 66 are Chicago, Illinois, which is where the highway begins, and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Considering the famous road stretches from Illinois to California, you have plenty of options for pit stops.

Photo by Vladimir Haltakov on Unsplash

 

Ashley Pugh Written by
Ashley Pugh
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Ashley Pugh is one of the Co-Founders of Familydaysout.com and has been committed to writing family related content since 2008. There isn't much about family attractions that Ashley doesn't know, after visiting hundreds of them worldwide over the last 20 years.

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