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

[mobrien207]

and I've heard great things about it.
mob

 

[dblr]

When you head south if you take 95 you can not go thru the tunnels in Balt. Md. with propane you have to go around on 695 not bad just a little longer.

 

[cyberdeb]

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.

I hate the DC 95 Beltway with a passion even without a camper. Avoid it if you can. Around the lancaster area, there are a lot of nice camprgrounds nearby. Oak Creek is nice except for the giant hill. It is close to the Strasburg Railroad (I took that tour and loved it). Another nice place is Warwick Woods in Morgantown. If you are a little closer to Philly to the north that is a campground called Beaver Valley in Ottsville, PA. I have been going there since i was a kid and it is a nice place. About an hour and a half to two hours drive north of philly depending on the time of day. I would also second a trip to Gettysburg.

 

[PlusToo]

I noticed that you listed a stay in Virginia Beach and a visit to Busch Gardens. We just visited the holiday Trav-L-Park to check out things for future camping. The campground is big and has some decent ammenities.

You might, however, want to rethink where you stay for your visits to Busch Gardens unless you do not mind the drive. Straight through you could probably make is in about 50-60 minutes but you can almost guarantee that the tunnels and hwy will be backed up and you will sit in 30 minutes of traffic. So your 50-60 minute ride has turned in to 1:20-1:30. This is even during the week. Returning at night from Busch Gardens back to the beach won't be so bad but is still a good hour drive.

Hope this helps!

 

[CottontailCurl]

And Shady Maple is out of this world! The amount of food is crazy and the prices are so cheap it's even crazier!

I have to 3rd the Shady Maple! When we were in the area I asked the locals for the best PA Dutch restaurant and each one recommended this one. I have never seen a buffet with so many choices in my life (really). I'm not big on expensive buffets because I don't do them justice but just to have the choices on this one was excellent. Every type of entree you can imagine is available but I stuck with what I came for (pork mit kraut and potatoes). The variety of desserts was staggering (the cake section looked like they made 40 different kinds of cake and sliced them up to serve instead of all vanilla cake with chocolate frosting). With all the choices available what sold my kids on this restaurant was the icee on the buffet (ha, we were on vacation, why not?). Here's the web page: http://www.shady-maple.com/
I could spend a month in this area, it's just what the doctor ordered for restoring your spirit (the PA Dutch area, not the Shady Maple).

 

[Yensid_MD]

As far as prohibitions you cannot take Propane through the Ft McHenry Tunnel, which is 95. Instead use 695 to go east or west around the city.

There is a very nice Flying J at exit 104 or 106 on 95 north of Richmond, VA that we stop at when on trips south.

When at Cherry Hill campground one afternoon go over to College Park and the first Airport still in continuous use is there. Wright Brothers taught people to fly there and there is a nice restaurant there as well. There is an Ikea right nearby and also an REI for camping stuff in College Park as well.

 

[disney6family]

While in Philly we ate at a great Irish pub that was great for kids/ adults - just the entrance was so crazy - it was in an alley, but the food/ price were good. Mcgillin's Old Ale House on Drury St. and they have a website with menu/ prices
Also, remember in DC that they are an early to bed town and we had a hard time finding restaurants, even like Subway, that were open past 5 or on weekends. We had gotten tired of eating bigger meals and in hotel restaurants and just wanted an easy dinner one night. Luckily we stumbled on a TGIFriday's just a few blocks up from the Lincoln Memorial while we were searching. So DC is a town where it pays to plan out your meals not just try to stumble into them.
Also, if staying at Busch Gardens, there is a KOA in Fredericksburg which is a little better travel wise than VA beach, but there is something to be said for parking the trailer and leaving it in the same place for a couple days

 

[Kajunswty]

sorry I haven't replied...been crazy busy with valances but we did pick up our toy hauler today...here's the link to the post and tons of pics

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19818480#post19818480

i'll be back on tomorrow to reply (promise)

 

[dtum]

We stay at Round Top Camground in Gettysburg...much cheaper than Drummer Boy, but maybe not as fancy. Try to hit Gettysburg around July 4 though because that's anniversary time and the park system has all kinds of programs going on as well as the re-enactors are all around...it's truly the best way to experience Gettysburg for the first time. Been to Lancaster and the Strasburg train ride. it was OK. Lancaster's traffic was so horrible, we won't go back there. Wanted to get to Hershey, but it was a bit of a trip so didn't make it. Planning Gettysburg again in Oct. and taking a charter bus to DC for a day tour so we don't have to mess with parking, etc. in DC. Good luck on your trip!