Must-see, must-do from Oregon to New Hampshire?

[Tronadora]

My daughter is starting an internship in southern NH in August. We plan to head there in the AI, leaving Portland Oregon area early July and getting to NH by August 1 to help her get settled. Then, we intend to explore New England.

Given the route, and the season, and the semi-relaxed time frame, are there any spots along the way we must see, or stay at, or do? We don't necessarily need to do the Mt. Rushmore bucket list kinds of things. In fact, we prefer the more out of the way places that have character and beauty without it being a major landmark. And yes, we subscribe to Harvest Hosts and plan to include several of those sites along the way.

Any tips or suggestions? Thanks.

[gmillerok1]

Originally Posted by Tronadora

My daughter is starting an internship in southern NH in August. We plan to head there in the AI, leaving Portland Oregon area early July and getting to NH by August 1 to help her get settled. Then, we intend to explore New England.

Given the route, and the season, and the semi-relaxed time frame, are there any spots along the way we must see, or stay at, or do? We don't necessarily need to do the Mt. Rushmore bucket list kinds of things. In fact, we prefer the more out of the way places that have character and beauty without it being a major landmark. And yes, we subscribe to Harvest Hosts and plan to include several of those sites along the way.

Any tips or suggestions? Thanks.

Little Bighorn Battlefield, then head down to Yellowstone, then Cody, Wy, then Devils Tower, Mt. Rushmore,Black Hills, SD. Stop by and see a former minuteman missile site next door for a couple of hours. Go north to see Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, then on to Niagara Falls, then on to Rochester, Kodak Museum.

I'm sure there's a few other good choices as well. That should give you some ideas, though.

[Alex AVI]

If going MI UP route, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City. If taking southern route via Chicago, maybe a slight detour to Poconos Mountains in PA and near PA/NJ border is the Delaware Gap Nat'l Rec Area (towns of Dingman's Ferry, Bushkill, Winona Lakes, and Milford in the Tri-State corner). Though I had a severe case of food poisoning from a Milford restaurant but that was 30 yrs. ago, I am sure they have since fired the chef

EDIT: Since GMILLEROK1 suggested HFM in Dearborn, on your way there, why not make a stop at ELKHART, IND where all the major RV's are made. Maybe not AI, but most of the suppliers of AI are right there right next to the big boy RV's. They do accomodate private tours.

Go to RV/MH Museum & Hall of Fame

[majorairhead]

Knowing your intended route might make this easier, however, if you happen to be in the neighborhood of Bennington VT, it's a nice little town, the Green Mountain boys had a skirmish there with the British. Anywhere near the finger lakes in NY. If in Ontario check out the locks on the Welland Canal.

I'm from PA, a stop in Gettysburg is nice. Or Glen Onoko area just outside of Jim Thorpe. PA state parks are generally pretty nice.

Have a good trip!

[OTRA15]

You have allowed three weeks to travel about 3000 miles. Add in side trips etc. and you will be up to 4200 plus or minus.

This equates to 200 miles per day [3x7x200=4200], without allowing for days of R&R.

Not sure if this is a “semi-relaxed time frame . . . ”



I would make a list of the spots you want to see, in order of priority, and plan on seeing the top 2 or 3. You will not have time for more, without changing the parameters of the trip IMO.

Have a great time!

Peter

PS — We have done about 8 cross-country round trips FYI going back to the 60’s . . .

[Tad Zelski]

Camping sites almost anywhere in the Adirondacks - NY State campgrounds are great.
Vermont - DAR Campground - on Lake Champlain - Addison VT

[Lensman]

If you have time while in Cody,Wy. it is the highlight of the area to visit the Buffalo Bill Center. There several museums in one place the one not to miss is the Cody Firearms Museum! https://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/ So fascinating and beautiful presentations.

[cegardner]

You are limited in time. I agree with many suggestions. But if possible. The Cody Museum is stunning. Easy parking but awesome.

[coasttocoast]

I was just in Yellowstone about a week ago, so please be advised of the road construction. I would think the August crowds would be stifling.
I was also just in Cody and would give a definite thumbs up to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. In Cody, eat a steak at Cassie's. I've been to 10,000 restaurants. This is the best steak out of all of them.
Butte has cool old architecture. Skip Bozeman; it's been pasteurized. Sheridan, WY is a nice stopover.
The Henry Ford is a must. Also, The Barnes in Philly, and Burlington, VT.
I would steer clear of Chicago by 100 miles to avoid the drivers going 90 mph one inch from you.

[Reynolds]

Don't stop in NH; Coastal Maine! Camden to Bar Harbor..... And the western mountains of Maine in the Fall if you're able. :-)

[Oregonboy]

I have been to all 50 states, so I know the terrain well. The upper Dakotas can be very windy, and tornado driven as well. I prefer Interstate 80 through Iowa and Nebraska, and central Illinois. Minnesota also has some beautiful sports, including Blue Earth region, where you can visit the Green Giant statue. I also live in Oregon in Lake Oswego.

[moosetags]

We like going through South Dakota. You've got Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park with the Begging Burros, Wall Drug in Wall, and the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

Brian

[bwcarter]

If crossing thru Vermont you will like Woodstock, VT.

[tjdonahoe]

Glacier National Park

[AlanMcD]

Originally Posted by Reynolds

Don't stop in NH

That's rude. NH is beautiful!

Do the cog railroad up Mt. Washington. Also be sure and drive or even camp on the Kancamagus Hwy. And then there's "Moose Alley" Rt. 3 up in Pittsburg, NH. There's The Flume, The Basin, a tram ride up Cannon Mnt., Hampton Beach with it's classic boardwalk, all the quaint little towns and Portsmouth, NH is a fun town to explore with it's shops, restaurants and the Strawberry Banke pioneer village and garndens, there are covered bridges to check out and so much more...

[HHPJ]

Eventbrite is a fantastic app for things to do in an area. Atlas obscurea is another source for the adventurer explorer.

[PKI]

The covered bridges are worth a look. The Mothership in JC is not to be missed. The trip over the Bear Claw NE of Yellowstone is one all should make. Wall's Drug is a pilgramage all travelers should make.

A long trip is a good time to hit venues that support your hobbies - quilting, autos, cooking, photography, hiking, history, adult beverage ....... A few National Parks are worth ticking off and there are a bunch all accross the US. The Erie anal is one most would not bring to mind.

Good Luck - hope you enjoy the trip. Pat

Do at least one of the "Gaps" when you get to Vermont/NH.

[Lotus54]

If you want an easy first day- stay at the Army Corp of Engineers campground at Plymouth (Umatella)

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by AlanMcD

That's rude. NH is beautiful!

At first, I thought the same as you, kinda rude. But upon reading the comment again, I am pretty sure the intent was "why stop there (NH), continue on to the coastal Maine, being so close". Sometimes the intent does not convey in typed form.

[Sharon_Jon]

Since retirement in 2014 we have camped twice a year for 6-8 weeks and traveled 90,000 miles to all but three of the lower 48 states. Listed below are some of the great places that we’ve seen and enjoyed. Depending on your interests and route, defining “must see“ is difficult. We enjoyed each and every one of these and recommend them all. Hope this helps. We have a blog that we invite you to read (poolsmally.wordpress.com) for more details.

Wyoming
• Lusk Stagecoach Museum
• Devils Tower; scenic 3-mile hike around the tower

Colorado
• Colorado Springs; The Garden of the Gods is a beautiful collection of “300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies.”
• Boulder; Celestial Seasonings
• Montrose County; Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Cañon City; CO Prison Museum and Royal Gorge Railroad which runs up the gorge from Cañon City and back in two hours. The Arkansas River is at the base of the 1,250 foot deep canyon

North Dakota
• Bismark; The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center; dedicated to their entire journey but focuses on the winter of 1804-1805 spent north of Bismark at Fort Mandan.
• South of Bismark; 32 mile stretch “the Enchanted Highway”. Huge metal sculptures; sounds hokie but they are amazing and a nice drive

South Dakota
• Custer; Custer Park; variety of animals, beautiful scenery. Great hike up to Harney Peak at 7,242 the highest point east of the Rockies.
• Jackson County; Minuteman Missile Natl Historic Site
• Spearfish (maybe our favorite small town) located at the foot of a deep gorge, Spearfish Canyon. Waterfalls, pines, quaking aspens, birches and meandering Spearfish Creek make the drive up Spearfish Canyon not to be missed, then out of the canyon is
• Deadwood (15 miles away) famous cowboy and gambling town where Wild Bill Hickok played his last poker game --losing his life for holding aces and eights
• Spearfish; D. C. Booth historic national fish hatchery adjacent to the great town campgroundNebraska

Nebraska
• Aurora; The Plainsman Museum focuses on1860-1950, multiple exhibits in the Plainsman Building, the Huenefeld Ag Building, a school, Civil War hero's house, blacksmith shop, and a caboose

Oklahoma
• Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum; history and memorial to bombing and victims
• The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; huge modern museum with art, artifacts, cowboy and rodeo lore (one of our favorite museums)
• The Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA); one of the largest collections of Chihuly glass in the world; breathtaking

Minnesota
• Lake Itasca State Park; origin of the Mississippi River with the Mary Gibbs Mississippi headwater center

Iowa
• Creston (north of) Henry Wallace Prairie Dinner; take a walk thru > 6 foot tall restored grassland—the prairie as it used to be; Friday night dinner not to be missed if there
• Newton; Maytag Blue Cheese (best known in US) tour and tasting
• Decorah; Effigy Mounds National Monument and visitor center
• Decorah; Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center
• Decorah; Seed Savers agricultural center; mission is to "conserve and promote America's culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop" Seeds kept in refrigerated vaults after drying and processing. Currently 20,000 species

Arkansas
• Little Rock Central High School: The Little Rock Nine museum
• Little Rock; Esse Purse Museum; the story of the 20th-century American woman with decade by decade handbag displays complemented by informative narratives;

Wisconsin
• Baraboo Circus History Museum
• Baraboo; International Crane Foundation all 15 species housed here in spacious habitats
• Spring Green; Frank Lloyd Wright home-Taliesin
• Prairie du Chien; Villa Louis a mansion built by the Dousman family with money from the fur trade and onsite The Fur Trade Museum
• Warrens Cranberry Discovery Center/Museum
• Plain; Cedar Grove Cheese Company plant tour

Illinois
• Moline; John Deere Museum
• Moline; Mississippi Locks Museum and the Mississippi River Visitor Center

Michigan
• Traverse City; Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with over 100 miles of hiking trails

Ohio
• New Bremen Bicycle Museum of America
• Cleveland; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; If a Rock and Roll aficionado a can’t miss stop.
• Logan; Columbus Washboard Company; producer of washboards in the US
• Ross County; Hopewell Culture National Historical Park; from 200 BC to 500 AD center of North American culture.

Kentucky
• Georgetown; Friends is a nonprofit thoroughbred retirement center with 136-acres and supports over 150 rescued and retired thoroughbreds with great walking tour and racing history museum

Virginia
• Lexington; VA. Virginia Military Institute houses the(VMI) George C Marshall Museum.

New York
• Cooperstown = the Baseball Hall of Fame for baseball fans a can’t miss

Connecticut
• East Haddam; Gillette Castle