When you think about Iowa, what's the first thing that comes to mind? It may be corn, prairies and flat land, not a typical must-see for your RV travels. Iowa falls on the list of one of the least-visited states. What if I told you there's a reason to put Iowa on your RV travel map, and that reason is a charming little town in Iowa just outside of West Des Moines? I'm here to inform you that you will long to come back and visit more. Take a short drive from I-80 to this off-the-beaten-path, amazing place: Madison County in Southern Iowa. Last year we did just that on our RV travels. As we headed out west with a few weeks to spare, we started investigating cities in Iowa.…

Some RV parks are full of amenities, enticing guests to stay in the park, rarely venturing beyond the front gates. Then there are RV parks that provide a perfect place to park your rig and tempt you to get out and explore the surrounding sights, attractions and town. THERE ARE TWO SUCH RV PARKS IN PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS • Lafitte's Hideout RV Resort • On the Beach RV Park Lafitte's Hideout RV Resort is conveniently located on West Cotter Avenue in the heart of Port Aransas. Walking to restaurants, shopping, bars and attractions is accessible from this location. Lafitte's offers 96 full hook-up sites, partial concrete pads (think concrete strips for your tires) and a community clubhouse and pool. This RV park is a popular destination for Winter Texans—northern folks…

Belgium may seem like the least obvious road trip destination, but it's a no-brainer if you're in Europe. One of the most multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-faceted countries in the world, Belgium is also one of the most fascinating to visit. Are you more interested in traveling for chocolate, history, waffles, architecture, frites, or genuine lace? Why choose? Belgium has them all. One of the best things about road-tripping in Europe is the ability to visit various countries more quickly and efficiently than in multiple States. Even the approach to Belgium brings an element of both novelty and adventure. Belgium shares a border with France, Luxembourg, Germany, and the Netherlands. On the French side, you can also enter Belgium less than 40 miles from the famous Channel Tunnel or “Chunnel,” which connects…

The iconic American road trip can be accomplished from any point A to point B. However, a road trip with a theme adds focus and purpose to your behind-the-wheel adventure. The thematic fabric of the itinerary is the thread that weaves a simple trip into a memorable experience. On this journey, we explore the historic sites, people and culture of the roads between Washington, DC, and Virginia Beach. Immerse yourself in national parks, beautiful waterways, scenic drives, Colonial life, Civil War battle sites, World War II ammunition, national monuments and more throughout the cities and towns as you explore this Southern route from the comfort of your car or RV. WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Our nation's capital is jam-packed with one-of-a-kind experiences that will capture your attention and keep you…

PRO TIP I highly recommend the west-to-east route. The West Tennessee Plains lead into the Middle Tennessee Hills, which in turn lead into the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is your pathway to all the whiskey in the Tennessee Distillers Guild. Any whiskey enthusiast (and anyone who appreciates the process) who loves a road trip wants to take this trail. You can find the complete list—plus maps and sample itineraries—of every distillery and the entire trail on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail website. With more than 30 member distillers, some with multiple locations, road-tripping can be a fun challenge. Here is everything you need to know to plan your journey across the state on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. The trail is a great road trip any time…

Can you take a minute and do the math on just how long ago 3,600 B.C. actually happened? Are you looking to stretch your borders, comfort zone, and concept of time? Are you ready to eat the best food in the world and do so with an epic view? It's settled: You're going to Greece. While this is not your typical RV-style trip, it's fun to get out of your routine. You can include Greece on an RV trip of a lifetime through Europe, take a road trip all over mainland Greece, and scratch your driving itch by renting a car on one of the hundreds of Greek Isles. Or give your driving skills a rest and see how the other half travels. If you choose the latter, you'll likely…

You'll need about a week to fully expLore Arizona's second-largest city. The Old Pueblo is surrounded by gigantic saguaro forests and sweeping grasslands and offers plenty of breathtaking desert sunsets. There are plenty of fantastic outdoor experiences to be had in the surrounding state parks and The Saguaro National Park. Whether you prefer to explore these desert wonderlands by foot, bike, or car, there is definitely something for everyone. Downtown Tucson is very walkable and filled with historic sites, museums, shops, breweries and, of course, plenty of restaurants. WHERE TO STAY To get the full experience of camping in the desert, we highly recommend finding a campsite outside of the city and downtown area. The Gilbert Ray Campground is a first-come-first-serve state park just 13 miles from downtown and has…

Looking for a unique way to stay overnight while heading to your next great RV destination? Harvest Hosts offers a network of unique locations to park your RV for the night and participate in activities you may not have otherwise. Their network includes museums, farms, attractions, wineries, breweries and golf courses. The thousands of Harvest Hosts locations across the U.S. offer RVers the chance to enjoy their rest stop while traveling and an opportunity to support someone's dream and passion. In 1991, three men, driven by a deep passion for preserving U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy history, invested their own money to start what eventually became the Grissom Air Museum. Located in Peru, Indiana, next to the Grissom Air Reserve Base, this museum features indoor and outdoor displays of…

Custer State Park, located at the southern end of the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, offers visitors a vacation spot that combines the best of all words: outstanding natural scenery, a plethora of wildlife to enjoy, numerous small towns for stocking up on supplies and experiencing a taste of the past, and some scenic drives to create unforgettable memories. This park was one of my favorite stops during a three-month trip in the U.S. west, and it’s a place I’ll return to explore more and relive favorite spots. Sylvan Lake Campground When planning our trip to the Black Hills, I chose Sylvan Lake Campground for its proximity to the lake and the walking trails. From our site, I could walk my dogs for approximately a quarter of a…

40.7128° N 74.0060° W RVDESTINATIONSMAGAZINE.COM When considering RV destinations, RVing n the Big Apple doesn't usually come to mind. But you can add camping across the harbor from Manhattan to your list of must-see camping experiences thanks to the proximity of one RV park. Liberty Harbor RV Park, located in Jersey City on the Hudson River, offers a no-frills camping experience, conveniently located near the water ferry, Port Authority Trans-Hudson, and light rail lines, which makes traversing the NYC urban jungle easy to access and easy to conquer. Though you could spend a lifetime seeing, experiencing, and eating your way through New York City, there are a few must-dos for first-time visitors and some fun, quirky things to add to your list if you've visited the city several times and…