Most RV enthusiasts travel for the simple pleasure of seeing new places and doing new things. Others enjoy traveling the same route, year after year, and seeing their friends and family along the way. Deciding which locations to see or which route to take can be fun especially if you are looking to see a little bit of the history and culture the United States has to offer. Some of my favorite locations are small towns that are typically missed by other travelers. My top 5 RV travel destinations in the U.S. will take you on a journey through some of the prettiest little towns that are full of history and culture. Some of the towns are well visited but none are what I would consider major tourist attractions of a region.
St. Augustine, Florida – Unlike most Florida visitors who head straight to for the Orlando area for the Disney attractions or the coast for the beautiful beaches, I prefer to see some of the rich history that Florida has to offer while still being right on the coast. St. Augustine is a small, very old town on the northeastern coast of Florida. I don’t recommend trying to navigating the old streets with your RV but there is a great place to park right in the main visitor center. Most of the attractions are within walking distance from there. Some of my favorite attractions in St. Augustine include the Castillo de San Marcos, Old St. Augustine Village, Gonzalez-Alvarez House (St. Augustine’s oldest house), and just a short drive away from the center of town, my favorite spot in all of Florida, is the beautiful Anastasia State Park on Anastasia Island. The park has much to offer including excellent camping and what is in my opinion, one of the prettiest 4-mile stretches of beach in the entire state of Florida.
Tombstone, Arizona – Not your typical RV destination but definitely one that will take you back in time. Tombstone is that little old town you have probably seen in movies or read about in your history books. Even though the town is not nearly as exciting as it once was, back in the gun-slinging days, it still has lots to offer. The city has plenty of RV parking options as well as campsites so it is definitely an RV-friendly place. Some of the most popular or memorable Tombstone attractions such as the Casino Saloon and the Johnny Ringo Saloon are no longer standing but there is still plenty to see and do. The town is full of Old West history but my favorite places to visit include the O.K. Corral Museum, Boothill Graveyard, Old City Hall, and of course, I love to see the shows. If you really want to experience what Tombstone was like back in the day, make sure that you come during the first and third Sunday of every month, around 2pm, to see the reenactment of the best gunfight ever!
Fredericksburg, Texas – Located in what is known as the Texas hill country, Fredericksburg is a little town that has lots of history. Just outside of Fredericksburg you can also find the LBJ State and National Parks, Enchanted Rock State Park, and Lady Bird Johnson Park which offer plenty of camping options and many interesting and fun things to do. My favorite thing to do in Fredericksburg is to walk around the historical district. If you don’t want to walk, consider taking a ride on one of the Historical District Horse Drawn Carriage Tours which can be quite fun and informative. I love visiting the little shops and restaurants. I also recommend sampling the local wine because this part of Texas also happens to be the fifth largest wine producing region in the United States.
Madera, California – Nestled just minutes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and a few miles from Yosemite National Park, Madera is a cute town full of local history and lots of local culture as well. The art galleries in Madera are quite remarkable with many displays by local artists. The breathtaking landscape surrounding the city has truly inspired many of the artists because you can surely see it in their beautiful work. If you are a wine enthusiast, I highly recommend the Madera Wine Trail where you can taste some of the best wines California has to offer. Don’t forget to venture out to Yosemite where you will encounter some of the most spectacular landscape our nation has to offer and where you can enjoy the various types of outdoor activities that are offered year-round.
Telluride, Colorado – Telluride is a small scenic town that has much to offer even in the summer. The city is a pleasant blend of culture, heritage, and probably some of the most spectacular natural landscape you will ever encounter. If you like skiing but don’t like the big crowded areas, this is definitely the place to be. Telluride offers many year-round attractions including the various Native American sites, historic saloons, museums, and the famous gondola which takes you from Telluride up to Mountain Village. Mountain Village is a skiing town but even if you don’t plan to ski, the gondola ride is the best way to reach higher elevations and once there, you will be rewarded with a remarkable view of Telluride.
About the Author: Sandy Kirkland is a staff writer for traveloids.com as well as a retired teacher, lifelong traveler and RV enthusiast.