trip to NY NJ PA MD VA...theme parks and history vacation

[Kajunswty]

Next summer we'll be taking off in our Brand NEW 08 Keystone Fuzion 5th wheel toyhauler (pick it up on Wednesay!!!) right now we are toyless...lol but we hoping Santa brings us one

Just wondering if you guys had any advise about the places we are going or the campsites in particular. Here's the game plan

New Orleans to Louisville KY - overnight (probably staying at a KOA)
Niagara Falls - KOA Niagara Grand Falls 2 nights (1 day US / 1 day Canada) http://www.koaniagarafalls.com/
New York NY – Liberty Harbor RV Park Jersey City 4 nights (1 day guided tour w/ statue of liberty & Empire State building 3 days roaming) http://www.libertyharborrv.com/
Hershey PA - Hershey Highmeadow Campground (3 nights) http://www.hersheypa.com/accommodations/hershey_highmeadow_campground/index.html
Lancaster & Philly PA – Old Mill Stream Campground (3 nights 1 day for Strasburg Train ride 1 day Philly 1 day Amish tour) http://www.oldmillstreamcampground.com/
Washington DC - Cherry Hill Park 5 nights (2 days of guided tours then we'll go out on our own) http://www.cherryhillpark.com/
Williamsburg / Virginia Beach - Holiday Travel Park (3 nights 2 days Busch Gardens 1 day beach) http://www.htpvabeach.com/
Myrtle Beach - Pirateland (for the lazy river) 1 night http://www.pirateland.com/
Jacksonville - overnight not sure where yet

24 days 3500 miles...thanks in advance!

 

[Gatordad]

I didn't know you could camp at liberty state park.....

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Wow! That sounds like a great trip.

Couple of notes:
1) Liberty Harbor in Jersey City is a parking lot campground and not necessarily a nice one. It is truly a parking lot that sits between the light rail train and the boat dock. If you plan on using it just as a place to park the trailer then you'll be fine. Do not plan on spending any time outside of the trailer at the campsite as all it really is is a fenced in parking lot with a bathhouse. I used to take the boat from Liberty Harbor to work. I always felt bad for the people that pulled in. I wondered if they knew the true description prior to booking. And those poor tent campers... let's just say "ouch".

2) I might try to squeeze in a day or two at Gettysburg since you are not too far when you are in PA.

3) Might also consider a day or two at Jamestown. Its the 400th annivesary this year.

Have a great time!! It sounds like a wonderful trip that you have in the making.

Gatordad - Its not Liberty State Park, its Liberty Harbor Marina in JC.

 

[Gatordad]

I did not know that..... is there a White Castle nearby??? lol

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I did not know that..... is there a White Castle nearby??? lol

Don't think so!

 

[ram101]

If you plan on a stay of 6 days in Hershey Lancaster and Philly, My suggestion is find a spot that is central to everywhere you want to go. Hershey and lancaster are the same general area and, depanding on where you want to go in the Phily area, you may be only an hour away from Lancaster.
Are you intersted in Amusement parks (Hershey Park is great, Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster) or museums? The Franklin Institute in Phily is neat. And there is always the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall as well as Longwood Gardens.
In Virginia as the PP said try to get into Jamestown for the 400th birthday. Williamsburg is also fun. I like the demonstations they put on.
Have a fun trip.

 

[marybrat]

WHen we went to PA, we did both Hershey and Gettysburg. We stayed at a campground called Drummer Boy, I believe. Nice place, the kids enjoyed it. The drives to Hershey and Gettysburg weren't too long. You will enjoy Niagara Falls, however, I don't know anything about the KOA there. The Canadian side is much nicer, tourism-wise. Be sure to bring birth cerificates for everyone. Of course, by next year, you may need a passport, so keep an eye on that legislation.

 

[Kajunswty]

thanks for the replies! i've edited the OP and added the websites for the campgrounds

Eeyore'sthebest....I've read the reviews of the "campground" / parking lot but thats fine by us. When I searched for others within 50 miles I came up with zilch. We had planed on staying at the KOA North of the city but it was at least an hour ride one way. We aren't looking for ammenities just something close so we can get in as much as possible. I haven't really figured out how long it'll take to see / do each of the things on our Must Do list but we'll try ot squeeze in more history stuff (as much as the girls will tolerate)

BTW, I forgot to mention we are thiry'somethings with 2 DD's who'll be 15 & 13 next year and my MIL is coming along with us.

okay Gatordad... what's White Castle? Is that like a Castle Burger from Dunkin Donuts ??

ram101...Ideally, finding a central spot in PA would be good except that the kids want to stay at Hershey and the girl scouts bumped us from our site early so we had to improvise. When I called and the lady at Hershey said, sorry we're completely booked. I couldn't believe it, I mean June 08 thats 11 months away!! Evidently the girl scouts must spent their cookie money on Hershey...lol. So, we are going a day earlier to get our 3 days there. Our short list for PA includes Independance Hall US Mint Valley Forge and Gettsburg. We'll see how much of that we can actually do without feeling rushed.

marybrat...thanks we'll look into the Drummer Boy campground. I've used Woodalls and the RV review website to try and find something on the US side of the falls. There were lots of better places on the Candian side but we don't want the hassle of crossing the border with the rv. we're going to take our passport photos (yuck) next week. hopefully it'll come out better than our drivers license photos....I look like Micheal Jackson and my husband looks cross eyed..

 

[ftwildernessguy]

okay Gatordad... what's White Castle? Is that like a Castle Burger from Dunkin Donuts ??

:

When one door closes, another opens. Another opportunity to discuss White Castle. Watch out - Rhonda is lurking about.

 

[Kajunswty]

I couldn't stand it had to google White Castle...so I was on the right track...its the same burger I was thinking of. Can't figure out whats funny about it or why we should worry if Rhonda catches us talking about it? Geez, I was thinking it was someplace really "good" heck its a burger joint..thats not fun at all

Back on topic...
Anyone know how I can find out about any interstate or highway issues that we should now about or any areas to avoid with the camper? Are there any states that will fine you for pulling a rig thats too long? If so, where can I find that info?

We'd love to try out a few local eateries with some "native" foods, any recommendations?....my husband wants to find a pub in DC that we saw on the travel channel awhile back that was suppose to be a Must Do.

 

[Gatordad]

Rhonda likes Castles.... everyone should like them, they are just not another burger joint....

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I will tell you to watch 81 around Harrisburg, PA - notorious for aggressive drivers and spectacular accidents.

There is a really nice campground in the Lancaster area called Lake In Wood. Check them out - would be nearby to Strasburg, Hershey, Gettysburg, etc.

Rhonda shut down the loop about buying golf carts 'cause it went off topic discussing White Castle hamburgers.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Not sure how much traveling you want to do to eat, but there is a most excellent place for Pennsylvania Dutch food in a town called Shartlesville which is on route 78 east of Harrisburg. It's called Haag's Hotel and serves the greatest food family style, all you can eat. Pepper cabbage, potato filling, sausage, chicken, shoe fly pie - amazing food.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I got my first locked thread! I'm so proud.

Back OT though - In lower Manhattan try Katz's deli if you love a good sandwich. Its a bit overwhelming when you first walk in but if you love pastrami its like you died and went to heaven. Bring singles with you because if you tip the guys while they are slicing the meat they will put some on a plate for you to munch on while they are getting your sandwiches. My DH usually fills up prior to getting to the table. Ohhh and they have great pickles!! Oh, its on East Houston (pronounced Howston) between 1st and 2nd. And I forgot the most important part of Katz's. This is the place where they filmed the famous restaurant scene in the movie "When Harry met Sally". And the famous line..... "I'll have what she's having."

If you are going mid-town near Times Square there is a Juniors cheesecake place. I think its on 45th right next to the Lion King theater. Ummm, the best cheesecake around!!!

I'll try to think of some more in NYC for you. Can you tell I love to eat?!!

 

[ang38]

Old Millstream Village in Penn. Is a nice one. It's recently been redone. The area is great. The Strasburge RR is only a couple of hours as is the Amish Tour. Plan to take a walk around the towns; Bird in Hand, Intercourse, Strasburge, etc. There are great stores and also a lot of Amish road side stands that even welcome motorhomes! If you want some links to things to do while you are there, email me. We've gone every other year for over 30 years now.

 

[donac]

About a 30 to 40 minute drive from Liberty State Park is Cheesequake State Campgrounds in NJ. YOu are not that far from Liberty State Park but you could easily drive there. YOu could then see Sandy Hook National Park which has a lighthouse and a visitor's center and the ocean. Cheesequake is right off the Garden State Parkway and very close to the NJ Turnpike It might be a nicer place to stay.

If you stay at Cheesequake you are not far from Great Adventure and their water park Hurricane Harbor. If mom and grandma don't want to either of those at the same exit there is also an outlet mall.

 

[lawnspecialties]

Make sure you post some pics of the Fusion. Them suckas are BAD!

 

[mobrien207]

We went to Hershey Highmeadow last summer and really enjoyed it. We got a site that was closer to the pool and playground. There is a freight train that runs across the back of the CG and it bothers some people. Didn't bother us at all. Take a look at their CG map.

As for Lancaster, we stayed at Spring Gulch and it was great. Wonderful market and buffet nearby called Shady Maple and it's legendary. I think Old Mill Stream doesn't have a pool, which wouldn't work for us. There's another CG in Roberson PA that has a great reputation, but the name escapes me.

Until we changed our plans to go to Disney this summer we were heading back to Amish country. We thought about staying in York County to be 1/2 way between Gettysburg and Lancaster, but it wasn't worth the drive. It's a heavy traffic road betweent the two areas, so although it wasn't the miles it's was the length of driving time.

Liberty Park is not much more than a huge parking lot, but the access to NYC is terrific. The Liberty Science Center is right there and re-opeing this month after a two year renovation, so you might want to check that out.

Have a great time.
mob

 

[Kajunswty]

ftwildernessguy...Not sure how much traveling you want to do to eat, but there is a most excellent place for Pennsylvania Dutch food in a town called Shartlesville which is on route 78 east of Harrisburg. It's called Haag's Hotel and serves the greatest food family style, all you can eat. Pepper cabbage, potato filling, sausage, chicken, shoe fly pie - amazing food.

yummy!! I'll add it to our food spreadsheet. (I'm such a nerd)


Eeyore'sthebest... In lower Manhattan try Katz's deli if you love a good sandwich. Its a bit overwhelming when you first walk in but if you love pastrami its like you died and went to heaven. Bring singles with you because if you tip the guys while they are slicing the meat they will put some on a plate for you to munch on while they are getting your sandwiches. My DH usually fills up prior to getting to the table. Ohhh and they have great pickles!! Oh, its on East Houston (pronounced Howston) between 1st and 2nd. And I forgot the most important part of Katz's. This is the place where they filmed the famous restaurant scene in the movie "When Harry met Sally". And the famous line..... "I'll have what she's having."

If you are going mid-town near Times Square there is a Juniors cheesecake place. I think its on 45th right next to the Lion King theater. Ummm, the best cheesecake around!!!

I'll try to think of some more in NYC for you. Can you tell I love to eat?


Sounds great.... we'll have to rewatch the movie before we go to Katz! We love to eat as well...too much really Would you happen to know a tour company to recommend?


ang38....Old Millstream Village in Penn. Is a nice one. It's recently been redone. The area is great. The Strasburge RR is only a couple of hours as is the Amish Tour. Plan to take a walk around the towns; Bird in Hand, Intercourse, Strasburge, etc. There are great stores and also a lot of Amish road side stands that even welcome motorhomes! If you want some links to things to do while you are there, email me. We've gone every other year for over 30 years now.

I'll pm you...thanks


donac... About a 30 to 40 minute drive from Liberty State Park is Cheesequake State Campgrounds in NJ. YOu are not that far from Liberty State Park but you could easily drive there. YOu could then see Sandy Hook National Park which has a lighthouse and a visitor's center and the ocean. Cheesequake is right off the Garden State Parkway and very close to the NJ Turnpike It might be a nicer place to stay.

Thanks but I think being closer to the city suits us better, for this trip. We only have a few days there so less commuting is worth staying in the parking lot.

lawnspecialties...Make sure you post some pics of the Fusion.

sure thing..we pick it up on Wednesday. They added a 2nd air and awnings over the slideouts. I can't wait!!! I'll probably sleep in it in the driveway


mob...We went to Hershey Highmeadow last summer and really enjoyed it. We got a site that was closer to the pool and playground. There is a freight train that runs across the back of the CG and it bothers some people. Didn't bother us at all. Take a look at their CG map.

When I made the ressies I asked to be assigned to a site. We will be on the opposite side of the campground from the tracks..no worries there

As for Lancaster, we stayed at Spring Gulch and it was great. Wonderful market and buffet nearby called Shady Maple and it's legendary. I think Old Mill Stream doesn't have a pool, which wouldn't work for us. There's another CG in Roberson PA that has a great reputation, but the name escapes me.

I've made the ressies for Lancaster but we probably need a pool too..I'd overlooked that important fact. I'll check out Spring Gulch. Is the one in Roberson Adventure Bound ? They both look great..I'll have to figure out which one is more convenient. Who knew planning a trip was so much work?..lol I'm attempting to work out a rough budget with admission costs for attractions / a guess-timate on food and transportation costs. Looks like we need to have another family meeting to get a better idea of what exactly we want to do where or I'll never even get close to figuring out costs.

Chad bought me a iphone for our 16 anniversary a complete suprise but wow!! what a great phone and it'll be so useful on this trip (when we get lost)

thanks again everyone!

 

[ang38]

<I think Old Mill Stream doesn't have a pool>
This is so weird. A friend stayed there last year and said there was a pool. Now I looked it up and it says it doesn't. Have to ask her when she gets back!" And Shady Maple is out of this world! The amount of food is crazy and the prices are so cheap it's even crazier!