By Steve Fennell
Driving to Florida or Texas from the provinces of New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario via RV offers the chance to see the many attractions along the way. The real joy, however, is if you want to visit some attractions miles from the main Interstate you can do that. Or, if you want to spend an extra day exploring an area fishing, you can do that, too. From the many famous National Landmarks to the several beautiful towns along the way, a multi-day tour along Interstate 95 to Florida or the exciting Interstate 10 to Texas provide new experiences with every trip.
1 Acadia National Park, Maine
Maine is the bordering state for New Brunswick and parts of Quebec and if you have plenty of time, Acadia National Park in the south end of the state is a must-see for adventurous RVers. The National Park Service calls Acadia the "Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast" and protects the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic Coastline in the U.S., as well as the 254 km (158 mi) of hiking trails and 72 km (45 mi) of carriage roads with 16 stone bridges. Camping with an RV is permitted but it's best to book well in advance. Some other popular attractions in the area are the Acadia All-American Road, one of four National Scenic Byways in the State, which runs 64.4 km (40 mi.) from Route 3 and nearby is scenic Frenchman Bay (named for Samuel du Champlain who visited the area in 1604) and Bar Harbor (pronounced locally as Baw Hawba) where you can find excellent dining, shopping, and many attractions. For more information visit nps.gov or https://visitmaine.com/
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NPS Will Greene
As one of the first places in the country to see the sunrise, Cadillac is a popular location in Acadia National Park.
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Kristi Rugg
Iconic views of Acadia National Park are found all along the Ocean Drive section of Park Loop Road.
2 National Mall (and Much More), Washington, D.C.
You may cringe at the thought of driving your RV into the congested traffic of Washington D.C., but the good news is you don't really have to if you want to see the many memorials and museums. Less than 10 minutes from I-95 is Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland, a full-service campground that offers several services, including a shuttle to College Park Metro Station, where the city's Metrorail system will take you to the Archive/Navy Memorial Station, just a block from the National Mall. While the dominating Washington Monument is closed until Spring 2019, you'll still appreciate the lasting impressions of the Mall's series of memorials and insight of the nation's history. Also, set aside some time to visit The Smithsonian Institution, the world-renowned museum and research complex that consists of 17 museums and galleries, which showcase some of the most fascinating aspects of the world. If you need a break, Cherry Hill has two pools, a hot tub, and sauna, along with 24-hour laundry, three retail stores and much more. For more details visit www.cherryhillpark.com or https://washington.org/
The National Mall in downtown Washington, D.C., which includes the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, seen here.
3 Colonial National Historic Park, Yorktown, Virginia
Located an hour from Richmond, VA, The Colonial National Historic Park consists of Jamestown and Yorktown and is where the American Revolutionary War ended, and the U.S. became an independent nation after defeating the British in 1781. The two areas are conveniently connected via the 37 km (23 mi) scenic Colonial Parkway that provides dramatic open vistas of the James and York rivers, tidal estuaries, and tree-lined routes. What's more, you can learn about the history of the area through the various walking tours in Jamestown and by observing the battle demonstrations in Yorktown.
For more information visit www.nps.gov
Inside the 1607 James Fort.
4 Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, Fayetteville, NC,
The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex in Fayetteville, NC, provides rich insight into the history and cultural heritage of southern North Carolina dating as far back as the 1800s. With many artifacts and exhibits depicting Native Americans, European explorers/settlers, the area's role in the American Civil War and local industries, The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex consists of the main history museum, the 1897 Poe House, and Arsenal Park. The Poe House - a restored, two-story, period home built in 1897 – was owned by Edgar Allan Poe, a local successful businessman, politician, and civic leader (not to be confused with the acclaimed American author of the same name). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, a visit to the Poe House means learning about life in the first decades of the Twentieth Century and admiring the unique, hand-crafted architecture of the time. Just behind the museum is Arsenal Park featuring the remains of the Fayetteville Confederate arsenal, which was used to produce rifles, ammunition, and gun carriages before being destroyed during The American Civil War in 1865. https://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/
Arsenal Park at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, Fayetteville, NC.
5 Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Located near the Louisiana Stateline, Bay St. Louis on the Gulf of Mexico consists of many exciting attractions to discover while on the road. For instance, you can frolic on Bay St. Louis Beach that stretches miles along South Beach Boulevard, enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants, or browse the downtown shops for antiques, clothing, and local art. If you enjoy fishing, perhaps rig a line and fish at the Washington Street Pier and Boat launch or visit the INFINITY Science Center in nearby Pearlington. Another attraction is the historic Bay St. Louis Train Depot where you'll find the Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum featuring beautiful Mardi Gras costumes and information on the history of Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Two casinos are also found in Bay St. Louis where you can try your hand at the tables or slots. Many RV parks are available in the area, including two at the local casinos. For more information visit www.gulfcoast.org
Ellis Anderson
Bay St. Louis Harbor at Sunset.
6 Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana
Approximately three hours from Texas and about 45 minutes from the I-10 is Oak Alley Plantation where you can tour, taste the local cuisine and take in history that dates back to the 1800s. One of the many plantations in the area, Oak Alley is located on the west side of the Mississippi River and upon your visit, you'll be greeted with two expansive rows of oak trees that lead to the "Big House" featuring Greek-inspired Doric columns. Inside (and throughout the grounds) are many period rooms and many self-guided exhibits. While two RV parks are in the area, the Oak Alley Plantation Restaurant and Inn offers a series of cottages and a restaurant where you can savour authentic Louisiana cuisine.
For information visit https://www.oakalleyplantation.org and for a full list of plantations go to https://www.louisianatravel.com
Accessing the US from Ontario and Border Crossing Tips
Ontario has many border crossings that are located from as far east as Cornwall (that leads into New York State); as far northwest as Rainy River (that will take you into Minnesota); and far southwest as Windsor and Sarnia (that crosses into Michigan). There are also three border crossings in the Niagara region and one in Fort Erie, where you cross into New York State.
While border crossing locations are convenient throughout Ontario and Eastern Canada, here are a few quick tips from the Ministry or Transportation and Canada Border Service Agency:
- The international crossings in Windsor, Sarnia, and Fort Erie/Niagara Falls are the busiest borders in Canada (based on the volume of goods and number of trucks crossing the border).
- Visit https://511on.ca for the latest road conditions or go to the Canada Border Service Agency website to get up-to-date border wait times.
- Rainy River is the most western border crossing in Ontario.
- No matter where you cross the border from Canada, if you are travelling with a cat or dog three months of age or older, you'll require valid signed and dated certificates from a veterinarian indicating vaccinations against rabies.
- To avoid higher-than-expected duty charges visit The Canada Border Service Agency's Duty and Taxes Estimator at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html
For more information visit www.mto.gov.on.ca