RV Vacations For Dummies

Description

Hit the open road with help from expert travelers Keep RV Vacations For Dummies by your side as you navigate the highways of the United States and Canada. (But don’t read and drive.) This Dummies guide will clue you into the most RV-ready roads, camp sites, and attractions to make planning your journey a bit easier. Choose from journeys through New England, the American heartland, the Rocky Mountains, Alaska via Canada, or any of the dozen other adventures detailed in this book. Get to know the can't-miss tourist attractions and the best places to park while you enjoy time off the road. This updated edition features all-new maps of the RV-friendliest routes out there, plus the latest on post-pandemic destinations. Ready, set, RV! Learn the art of planning an RV vacation that won’t wear you outHook up your RV at campsites and explore local attractionsFind a list of popular RV routes and cool places to visit Be prepared for mechanical issues and other hiccups in your travel plans This Dummies guide is a must for RV owners and RV renters in need of guidance on well-planned travel routes, campground destinations, and attractions. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1 Getting Started on RV Vacations Chapter 1 All the Best Reasons to Take an RV Vacation Who’s RVing These Days? Ignoring RVer stereotypes Noting the interest from various groups Counting the Benefits of RV Travel Containing costs Enjoying maximum convenience Controlling the destination Finding your rhythm on the road Having room for extras Being close to events Easing mobility issues Bringing your pets for free Keeping a clean living space Embracing the RV Lifestyle Trading traditional living space for an RV Working and staying connected on the road Adding variety to your RV stops RVing as an eco-friendly alternative RVing as a kid-friendly way to travel Finding Temptations for Everybody Reaping the Essential Rewards of RVing Understanding the Romance of the Road The ultimate Airstream romance rally Romancing the Badlands Chapter 2 Deciding Where and When to Go Revealing the Secrets of the Seasons Selecting summer for your RV jaunt Watching out for winter Opting for RV trips in spring and fall Scoping Out Your Perfect RV Vacation Taking the road less traveled Creating an RV itinerary all your own Calling all space explorers Tracking the North and South Discovering Black history Rockin’ and rollin’ Riding the rails Sailing the seas Exploring ghost towns Peering into a galaxy far, far away Living history Following America’s most famous roads Ultimate tailgating for sports fans Show Us Yours Chapter 3 Managing Your Money Add Up the Savings When You Go by RV Calculating the Cost of Essentials Figuring the cost of gasoline or diesel fuel Charging electric vehicles costs money, too Planning out your campsites Dealing with rising campground fees Saving by boondocking Getting clubby Saving on supplies and souvenirs Saving on Attractions and Activities Finding city passes Picking up passes for parks Loving the local entertainment Testing the Waters: RV Rentals Traditional rental companies Private RV-sharing rentals Chapter 4 Eating on the Road Setting Up Your Rolling Kitchen Getting Ready to Roll Keeping it simple Taking only the appliances you use RV doodads and helpers Shopping for Food Where did my grocery store go? Recognizing national chains and their aliases Big-box hypermarket stores Membership warehouse chains Farmers markets Cooking Adventurously Cast-iron cooking Grilling and chilling Using a portable grill Practicing safe grilling On the road again, and again, and again Food spoilage and contamination Dealing with pests (the flying and crawling kind) Chapter 5 Finding Campgrounds and Boondocking Knowing the Big Names in Campgrounds Recognizing national campground chains Kampgrounds of America Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts Sun Outdoors Camping associations and networks Good Sam Club Escapees Harvest Hosts Boondockers Welcome Using campground apps and directories Comparing Public and Private Campgrounds Assessing the amenities Scoring a season-sensitive campsite Making reservations and paying Choosing the Right Site Embracing Boondocking Understanding a 12-volt kind of life Powering an RV for boondocking When a converter or inverter come in to play Foregoing some electricity drains Choosing the power-hungry items that are must-haves Cheating the system with a generator Water, water everywhere (or not) Finding a safe place to stop Looking for traditional (and unusual) stopovers Following the etiquette of overnight camping Locating specific parking-lot spots along your route Ah, wilderness! Looking into dispersed camping Making Good Use of Government Land Federal agencies that offer camping opportunities Getting the campsite you want Part 2 Exploring the East Chapter 6 The Coast of Maine: Lobster Land Planning Ahead for a Maine Stay Reserving a campground and packing Allotting sufficient time for your visit Driving the Coast of Maine Great stops north of Kittery along U.S. 1 Around the Portland and Freeport areas North and east of Freeport Rockland and surroundings Rockport, Camden, and on northward Finally, to Bar Harbor Must-See Maine Attractions Acadia National Park Farnsworth Art Museum L.L. Bean and Freeport’s Factory Outlets Portland Head Light More Cool Maine Activities Camping Along Maine’s Roads Finding Good Eats in Maine Lobster central More than just lobster: Markets and meals Maine supermarkets Finding Maine’s Farmers Markets Fast Facts for Maine Travelers Chapter 7 Western New York: Cooperstown to Niagara Falls Planning Ahead for a Western New York Tour Meeting the campground and weather challenges Dealing with unique issues of the drive Engaging the New York phone apps Taking the Drive through New York Leaving Cooperstown and heading north Moving on to Syracuse and Ithaca Heading toward Corning and back north Turning south again and meandering Exploring west from Jamestown and back north Finally, turning toward Buffalo Must-See Western New York Attractions Corning Museum of Glass George Eastman Museum Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum Mark Twain’s Study National Baseball Hall of Fame Niagara Falls More Cool Things to See and Do in Western New York Our Favorite Western New York Campgrounds Good Western New York Eats Fast Facts about Western New York Chapter 8 The Blue Ridge Mountains: Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway Planning for Your Skyline and Blue Ridge Trip Minding your seasons and your daily schedule Preparing to enjoy history, nature, and recreational activities Driving Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway Starting off in Front Royal Picking up the parkway in Virginia Making it through the ups and downs Heading into and through North Carolina Finding the end of the parkway at Great Smoky Mountains National Park Must-See Skyline and Blue Ridge Attractions Biltmore Estate Cades Cove Frontier Culture Museum Manassas National Battlefield Park Mast General Store Monticello More Cool Things to See and Do along Blue Ridge Parkway Our Favorite Campgrounds along Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway Shenandoah National Park campgrounds Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds Good Eatin’ along the Blue Ridge Route Shopping along Blue Ridge Parkway Blue Ridge Fast Facts Part 3 Seeing Sights in the South Chapter 9 The Gulf Coast: Tallahassee to New Orleans Planning Ahead for Your Gulf Coast Drive Driving the Gulf Coast Fabulous Florida history Starting the Florida Panhandle trek Traveling west from Apalachicola Making your way to Pensacola Crossing Alabama Moseying across Mississippi Last stop: Louisiana Weekend wandering Must-See Attractions along the Gulf Coast USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Bellingrath Gardens and Home Gulf Islands National Seashore INFINITY Science Center Walter Anderson Museum of Art More Cool Things to See and Do along the Gulf Coast Our Favorite Campgrounds along the Gulf Good Eats along the Gulf Coast Gulf Coast markets Seafood markets Snacks and full-meal deals along the Gulf Fast Facts for Gulf Coast Travelers Chapter 10 The Natchez Trace: Natchez to Nashville Planning Your Natchez Trace Adventure Favoring early spring and fall Taking it easy Driving the Natchez Trace Characteristics of the route Taking in the first 20 miles Noting the history that runs deep Making it to and through Vicksburg The Jackson interruption at milepost 87 Rejoining the parkway’s attractions History and celebrity near Tupelo Crossing into Alabama Ending your drive in Tennessee Must-See Natchez Trace Attractions Alabama Music Hall of Fame Elvis Presley Birthplace Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Vicksburg National Military Park More Cool Things You Find along the Natchez Trace Sleeping along the Natchez Trace Good Eats along the Natchez Trace Enjoying veggies and drinks Southern-style Minding your carbs and portions Finding fun regional cooking Stocking the pantry for your trace trek Fast Facts Part 4 Meandering through Mid-America Chapter 11 The Heart of Ohio: A Circle around Circleville Planning Ahead for an Ohio Excursion Watching for weather and traffic Reserving a spot and packing Touring the Buckeye State Heading from Dayton to Cincinnati Cruising along the Ohio River Turning toward Columbus and Zanesville Appreciating Amish country Exploring Zoar and on to Cleveland Enjoying a couple of side trips Must-See Ohio Attractions Amish Country Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Historic Roscoe Village Historic Zoar Village John P. Parker House John Rankin House National Museum of the United States Air Force National Road and Zane Grey Museum/John and Annie Glenn Museum Portsmouth Floodwall Murals Pro Football Hall of Fame Rock and Roll Hall of Fame More Cool Things to See and Do in Ohio Visit neighborhoods and nature Discover famous Ohio folks Weekend wanders Campgrounds in Ohio Good Eats along the Ohio Route Chili, sauerkraut, and Amish cooking Snacks of chocolate, cheese, and ice cream Finding Ohio’s supermarkets and farmers markets Shopping along the Ohio route Fast Facts for the Ohio Route Chapter 12 The Ozarks and Branson: Hot Springs to Springfield Planning and Packing for the Ozarks Making the reservations you must Packing the right clothing and gear Anticipating Ozarks driving challenges Exploring Ozarks Country in Your RV Starting at Hot Springs Hotfooting it hill-ward Turning west from Harrison and meandering Heading east and north to Branson and Springfield Circling back to Arkansas Taking alternate routes Must-See Ozarks Attractions Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World/Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Branson: Music, museums, and other amusements Hot Springs: Fordyce Bathhouse Historic Downtown Eureka Springs Ozark Folk Center State Park More Cool Things to See and Do in the Ozarks Our Favorite Ozarks Campgrounds Good Eatin’ in the Ozarks Dining Ozarks style Farmers markets Ozarks supermarkets Fast Facts for Your Ozarks Vacation Part 5 Wandering the Wild West Chapter 13 Montana and Wyoming: Tracking Buffalo Bill Planning your Montana–Wyoming Trip Prepping for your Yellowstone visit Gearing up for potentially bad roads Packing and taking along preventatives Driving Buffalo Bill’s Montana and Wyoming Trekking from Billings to Yellowstone Heading for Cody and on east Enjoying the charm of Buffalo Completing the circuit Alternative weekend wanderings Must-See Montana and Wyoming Attractions Beartooth Highway Buffalo Bill Center of the West Chief Joseph Scenic Byway Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Yellowstone National Park Visiting the developed areas Looking for wildlife Enjoying Yellowstone activities and seasons More Cool Things to See and Do in Montana and Wyoming Camping Out in the Wild West Camping in Yellowstone National Park Booking with the right operator RV size does matter Good Eatin’ in the Wild West Finding a few good restaurants Stocking the pantry and fridge Farmers markets Supermarkets and not-so-super markets Fast Facts about the Buffalo Bill Route Chapter 14 New Mexico: Billy the Kid Meets E.T. Planning Ahead for a New Mexico Jaunt Keeping seasonal weather in mind Packing smart and allotting time Exploring the Land of Enchantment Entering Billy the Kid country Exploring the atom, the air, and outer space Following Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway Moving on to bear and alien encounters Getting back to Billy the Kid Completing the route Weekend wonder Must-See Attractions in New Mexico Carlsbad Caverns National Park Touring the caverns Accepting the tour conditions and dress code Respecting the cave bats and minding the rules International UFO Museum and Research Center Lincoln Historic Site Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park New Mexico Museum of Space History White Sands National Park More Cool Things to See and Do in New Mexico Camping in Southern New Mexico Good Eatin’ — New Mexico style Some like it hot (or not) Finding good local food Stocking the pantry Supermarkets Farmers markets Fast Facts for the New Mexico Route Chapter 15 California’s Central Coast: Malibu to Monterey Planning for the California Coast Driving California’s Central Coast Startin’ your surfin’ safari ‘Ventura Highway in the sunshine’ Finding Neverland, a bit of Denmark, and fields of flowers Searching out mission bells and barbecue Rolling toward Big Sur Coming up to the castle Entering Monterey and Steinbeck country Making a weekend jaunt Must-See Attractions along the Central Coast Getty Center and Getty Villa Museum Hearst Castle La Purísima Mission State Historic Park Monterey Bay Aquarium National Steinbeck Center Point Lobos State Natural Reserve More Cool Things to See and Do in Central California Sleeping along the California Coast Good Eats along the Central California Coast Santa Maria barbecue Finding a supermarket Specialty markets and meals Fast Facts for Coastal California Chapter 16 Route 66: OK to L.A. Planning Ahead for Your Route 66 Kicks Checking out the seasonal elements Reserving camping spots and packing Plotting Your Route 66 Itinerary Driving Route 66 in Oklahoma Reaching Oklahoma City Finding other Route 66 museums Traipsing through Texas Steering clear of falling water towers Ordering the biggest steak ever Taking on the New Mexico stretch Stopping for sourdough biscuits, fireworks, and pinto beans From Albuquerque to Arizona Arriving and thriving in Arizona Taking it easy and looking ahead Going for the grand view and Route 66 guardians Camping near London Bridge Ending the trek in California And yes, another Route 66 museum Dropping down to Los Angeles And on to Santa Monica Must-See Mother Road Attractions Acoma Pueblo Calico Ghost Town Grand Canyon Railway National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert Will Rogers Memorial Museum More Cool Things to See and Do on Route 66 Sleeping along the Mother Road Good Eats on Route 66 Fast Facts for the Route 66 Drive Chapter 17 The Oregon Coast: California to Washington Planning Ahead for Your Oregon Trip Adapting with the weather Bringing the extras you need Driving Coastal Oregon Choosing the route direction Heading northward from California From Brookings to Gold Beach Humbug! But not bah From Bandon and berry bogs to Coos Bay Onward — North Bend to Cape Perpetua Making it from Yaquina Bay to Depoe Bay Halfway to the North Pole and on to Tillamook From Cannon Beach to Columbia’s banks Crossing the Columbia into Washington Taking a weekend coastal drive Must-See Oregon Coast Attractions Bandon’s Old Town Columbia River Maritime Museum Fort Clatsop at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Oregon Coast Aquarium Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Sea Lion Caves Tillamook Creamery More Cool Things to See and Do in Coastal Oregon Camping along the Oregon Drive Good Eatin’ on the Oregon Coast Finding a fun local haunt Regional specialties Oregon cheese, please! Supermarkets Farmers markets Fast Facts for the Oregon Route Part 6 The Part of Tens Chapter 18 Ten Cool Factory Tours Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (Waterbury, Vermont) Original American Kazoos (Eden, New York) Crayola Crayons (Easton, Pennsylvania) FAST Fiberglass Molds (Sparta, Wisconsin) Jelly Belly Jellybeans (Fairfield, California) Louisville Sluggers (Louisville, Kentucky) PEZ® Candy (Orange, Connecticut) TABASCO® Sauce (Avery Island, Louisiana) Winnebago RVs (Forest City, Iowa) Virtual Factory Tours with Mr. Rogers Chapter 19 Ten Zany Museums Harland Sanders Café/Museum (Corbin, Kentucky) International Circus Hall of Fame (Peru, Indiana) International Cryptozoology Museum (Portland, Maine) International UFO Museum and Research Center (Roswell, New Mexico) Miss Laura’s Social Club (Fort Smith, Arkansas) Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix, Arizona) National Museum of Funeral History (Houston, Texas) Rancho Obi-Wan (Petaluma, California) SPAM® Museum (Austin, Minnesota) The Super Museum (Metropolis, Illinois) Index EULA