Camp Out with History
January 22, 2018
DUTCHMEN RV’S TIPS FOR FINDING THE BEST RV PARKS NEAR ICONIC US HISTORICAL SITES
One of the pleasures of traveling is exploring new surroundings and learning new things. And, learning is way more fun when you can chart your own course and take your time, which RV camping makes easy to do.
So, why not take a historic tour of places near and far, learning more about your favorite hobbies, presidents, cultural icons, and the country’s past? There are RV parks near just about every location you can imagine, with lots to do at each stop.
The Baseball Hall of Fame is a favorite of fans of all ages, with several RV campgrounds located nearby. It is located in Cooperstown, New York, located about halfway between Schenectady and Syracuse. It’s a beautiful area near Otsego Lake where you’ll also find the Fenimore Museum of Art, the Farmer’s Museum (with historical structures, farming artifacts, textiles, and more), and the Glimmerglass Festival of theater.
The Hall of Fame features baseball memorabilia from all the greats, with interactive and other special exhibits. Each year, the Hall inducts a new crop of baseball legends. Many previous Hall of Famers attend, and the awards presentation is free and open to the public.
You can’t get much more historic than Boston, Massachusetts, and there are three RV spots that not only offer easy access to the city, but boast plenty of history right in their neighborhoods:
North of Boston, Winter Island Marine Park in Salem offers camping May through October with ocean and lighthouse views, a public beach, and picnic areas. Take the trolley into the city, where you’ll encounter ghosts and witches everywhere you go at museums and fairs, especially in October when the city goes into full Halloween mode. Salem also has a lively arts scene and restaurants for every budget and taste. Then, take the Rockport commuter rail line right into Boston to see all the sites there.
Boston Minuteman Campground in Littleton, to the west, has lots of hookups and amenities, as well as pet friendly sites and public transportation to Boston. It’s near Lexington and Concord historic sites, as well as Walden Pond. If you’re more mechanically inclined, visit Lowell, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and home to Lowell National Historical Park. Minuteman is open May through October, with a playground, basketball court, badminton area, and a pool (open into September).
South of Boston is where some say it all began, Plymouth. At Ellis Haven Family Camping and Picnic Grounds, you’re in the thick of history with nearby Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II replica, and Plimoth Plantation (a living history museum). Cranberry bogs, Atlantic Ocean beaches, and whale watching tours are close by, too, with Cape Cod just 30 minutes away. The campsite offers amenities like Wi-Fi, and hookups including cable TV, showers, and laundry. It also offers a ton of activities, from pond fishing and paddle boats on the pond, to bingo, dances, live entertainment, and a sports bar, making it one of the best RV parks for kids, couples, or families.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the Harley-Davidson museum, this would be a good year to go. H-D is celebrating its 115th year in 2018, and the company and its hometown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is going to be Hog heaven. The official celebration will be held Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 2. You don’t have to own a bike to enjoy the festivities, which include a parade, special museum and factory tours, demonstrations, races, and entertainment. As you might expect, the museum is hardly dull any time of the year. Exhibits for all ages are interactive and fun, focusing on the engineering, art, culture, and history of the iconic motorcycle. If you’re going on the anniversary weekend, make camping reservations well in advance. Plus, be sure to check in with the museum’s site for tickets, as they will be selling timed-entry tickets in advance for the celebration. Camping and RV parking information is available at Wisconsin Campgrounds.
Another state simply steeped in history—and gorgeous scenery—is Virginia. You can camp near historic Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. The site offers easy access to boating, hiking, and coastal wildlife, as well as historical sites. Fans of past presidents might prefer Christopher Run Campground in Mineral. It’s close to Monticello, Montpelier, and the James Madison Museum, as well as Shenandoah National Park.
Or, check out Douthat State Park near Clifton Forge, itself a historical monument as one of Virginia’s original state parks. The campsites are pet friendly and offer many amenities along with breathtaking views. Historic sites nearby include Warm Springs Baths and Humpback Bridge, the oldest standing covered bridge in the state.
Whether you’re a history buff or just looking to learn a little more about your surroundings, a Dutchmen RV can take you where you want to go. Make sure you check out the Dutchmen Facebook page for the latest news, and follow our Instagram account, @dutchmenrvcompany, for updates about our family of Dutchmen RV owners.
