Trip to the Fort - itinerary help: from CT through Smokies, hitting Legoland as well

[KristinU]

Hello All,

DH and I started talking about WDW/Fort Wilderness plans for 2012 and are considering taking 2 weeks next summer, driving down from CT. I need to change my avatar pic since we recently moved up in size from our Aliner to a travel trailer – a Gulf Stream Visa 23BHD, which is about 26 feet.

I think we’d like to hit the Great Smoky Mountains on the way down or back, maybe a little of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We’d also like to go to the new Lego Land for a couple of days, and possibly do a day at Discovery Cove (though, after looking at the price tag I’m not so sure!) We do realize that summer is going to be hot, hot, hot…but after the last few days in New England, we realized that we don’t think it would be that bad to vacation in similar temps. It would definitely ensure we’d be able to swim and hit the water parks!

So, in case anyone wants to play along…what would your itinerary look like? We’ve always just kind of blasted down 95 and back without taking the time to “smell the roses”, so we are thinking that we might like to take it just a little slower and see a little bit of what there is to see…at least going one of the two directions. Would you base out of the Fort for Legoland? Or would you look for something closer to there and stay overnight for a night or two? And before or after WDW?

 

[lostacresfarm]

I also live in CT and we have driven to FL several times. Not sure how old you kids are and their interests...

I recently traveled in VA / MD with my son. You might want to consider some of the following.

If you are going the I-95 Route, Baltimore may be a place to stop. The downtown / harbor area has a lot of stuff, but could be difficult to navigate with a camper, but you might try stopping at Fort McHenry - of National Anthem fame - right off 95 just after the Fort McHenry Tunnel.

DC may be tough to navigate, but you could consider stopping at Manassas battlefield. You can do a simple driving tour or do some walking / ranger programs if you have the time. It is also close to shopping if you need supplies, restaurants, etc. When we visited (July 2011) it was not as hectic as it was at Gettysburg (which we also toured).

Fredericksburg, VA is not far from I-95. There are historic site such as Martha Washington's House and shopping downtown with good walking. There are also several civil war battlefields in the area (Fredericksburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Chancellorsville). I toured many of them this summer with my 8 year old son and we both got a lot out of the visit. They can be a quick drive through or you can spend more time if you want to tour more in-depth.

There are also several civil war sites near Petersburg and Richmond, but I have not visited them recently.

If you are going on the I-81 route, there is Hershey in PA (as well as Gettysburg). We drove on US 15 and I think that it was almost the same as being on an interstate.

We also toured Sharpsburg / Antietem and visited several of the state parks in the area. We walked on the Appalachian trail and enjoyed Harpers Ferry (you can park at the visitor's center and take a bus to the historic area, so parking should not bee too bad).

In Florida, we have stayed at Anastansia state park in St. Augustine and would go back again. Both the location and the campground were very nice.

Charleston,SC if off the track by about an hour or so but has a county / city park that was good and you could visit the city for a day. Kids might enjoy the aircraft carrier, Fort Sumter, the aquarium or just walking around the historic district.

Hope that this helps a bit. I felt bad that no one else has responded.

 

[Ellura]

I adore the Great Smokey Mountains. They are absolutely worth it (even if out of the way). We just got back from there today. Tons of campgrounds in the park and tons around the areas. If you have any questions, please ask.

 

[ob1quixote]

If you want a quiet day on the way down {via I-95}, you might consider Broxton Bridge Plantation. Pretty peaceful, site of a Civil War battle with earthworks still in place along the Salkehatchie River, sporting clays course that stays pretty quiet, miles and miles of trails if you are bringing a golf cart.

Full hookups at $25/night {last time I checked}, nice bath house and laundromat.

 

[YellowXterra]

If you want a campground with the best views in the world I would reccommend Mile High Campground in Cherokee. Its just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped by there this past weekend to check it out. Only problem is there is no hookups. But even with it in the 90s this weekend in the valley it never got out of the 70s up there. Its also only 10 miles from the City of Cherokee.

 

[KristinU]

Thanks guys! Lots of great ideas! Our DS is 7 now, will be 8 next summer for this trip. We've been enjoying checking out both Revolutionary and Civil war sites in the last couple of years and had a really great visit to Gettysburg a month or two ago, so hitting some other battle sites might be a great idea.

Lostacresfarm, we took 81 to 15 on our last trip to DC, then again to Gettysburg a month or so later...I really like that route!

 

[cruising spud]

Kristin,

We live in Pennsylvania and my first thought for your trip is-how long are you planning to stay at Disney? I ask because heading on over to the Smokies is going to take a chunk of time.

And, the traffic moves slowly on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Not trying to be a fun sucker, but every time we head to Disney, I think, "this is the year we will head home and finally drive the Blue Ridge Parkway," and we never do. It is just too time consuming. Unless you have a ton of time, I think the Smokies and Parkway could be a trip onto itself.

If I did decide to do this trip, I would go to the Smokies and meander on up the Blue Ridge Parkway after Disney. This is just me, but we are always excited about getting to Disney, so we don't mind the long drive.

Another nice site to see is Monticello. Although now that I think about it, not sure if this would be exciting for your son.

 

[manning]

Take a look at Cherry Hill Park in College Park Maryland

http://www.cherryhillpark.com/index.cfm

Metro System buses stop in the campground hourly and will take you to the Metro Rail. Also greyline Tours from there.

 

[CampCoop]

Done all of the parkway several times. Same with the Smokies. Favorite campgrounds are Lewis Mountain in Shenandoah NP and Balsam Mountain in Smokies or any on the Parkway. Balsam Mountain is part of GSMNP, at end of same road as Mile High, has running water & flush toilets (cold water only), no hookups & decent views from a couple sites but since its at the top of the mountain there is a short easy ring trail with several nice overlooks too. Both campgrounds (at over 5000ft elevation) are much cooler than the valleys below. Down side to either Mile High or Balsam Mountain is the hour plus ride over Smokies to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, both of which are must sees.

If you make it to Gatlinburg & like mini golf, give Hillbilly Golf a try, it's great fun. If you like barbeque try Bennett's in either town. Dont forget about Dollywood or the dinner theaters in Pigeon Forge, or the classic car cruise nights in either town.

Note: I'm just scratching the surface of what a trip like this has to offer. With all of the overlooks and a 45mph speed limit (not that you can average that on a good day) the Parkway along with Skyline Drive take 3 days minimum from Front Royal to Cherokee. It'll take much longer to do them justice. The same goes for GSMNP and Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge. I guarantee that there will be so much you'll want to see once your there.

So, as highways go, we like 84 to 81. For us its about 8hrs to Front Royal, 10 to Roanoke, 16 to Pigeon Forge if i remember right. Then its another long day's drive down 75 to 192 and Disney.
Break that up, insert your stops and Park / Parkway time and you'll have a pretty good estimate of how long your trip to or from Disney will take.

May I suggest Disney first. The Parkway is a fantastic way to relax and drive home at the same time!!