Ideas for end of April trip

[1965 mustang]

We are planning a two weak trip the last week in april and first week in may. We are from Wisconsin and looking for some decent weather. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Silver Otter]

Our lovely Blue Ridge Parkway is lovely in April. We try to stay home in April and October to enjoy our Blue Ridge. Two easy days and lovely Kentucky if you take the I-64 route east.

[kswelsh]

Come check out the Branson, Missouri area. Beautiful Table Rock Lake, wonderful shows and entertainment, Silver Dollar City. Branson has some great campgrounds. Beautiful area and weather should be nice at that time of year.

[polarlyse]

Blue Ridge Pky is a good choice but beware their campgrounds MAY not be open yet. Last year we drove it in early May. We stayed at the southernmost campground and it had just opened the day we arrived. The other one, more towards the middle, had opened earlier. So check if you decide on that option

[1965 mustang]

That's a good point polarlyse. I hope we are not heading out to early. I figured if we head south maybe south east the parks would be open, but maybe not. Thank for everyone's suggestions!😎


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[Florida 55]

The leaves are popping out on the trees, the dogwoods are starting to bloom, and the tulips are in full bloom here in the western Piedmont of NC. The mountains are usually 2 weeks behind us so you should see some beautiful spring scenery if you travel down our way on the Blue Ridge Parkway in a couple of weeks.

Most of the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park Service campgrounds open May 1. Check at Recreation.gov or Reserve America for specific locations. At the higher elevations, the days can be cool in late April and early May. The nights can be downright cold so bring clothing to layer and have your propane tanks full. It can also be warm during the day so be prepared for anything from 50's to high 70's during the day.

Virginia Highland Haven Airstream Park, south of Roanoke, VA, and about 6 miles from a Blue Ridge Parkway exit is a great central location from which to make day trips to the surrounding region or explore the Parkway. It opens May 1. Up to Memorial Day reservations should not be required.

Stone Mountain State Park, in northern NC, is located along the Parkway and has a nice campground open year round. Another good location to stay a few days and explore. Further south on the Parkway, near Blowing Rock, Julian Price Campground is a popular destination but this NPS campground has no hookups. It is near the charming town of Blowing Rock and the college town of Boone. A few miles south of Julian Price, the NPS has a campground at Linville Falls, another popular destination. Both JP and LF open May 1. Many of the NPS campgrounds are old and have small sites so I would suggest reservations to make sure your rig will fit. Site specific information appears on Reserve America.

Near Asheville, at Swannanoa, I recommend Momma Gertie's, a private campground close to I40, and not far from the Parkway. Open year round. Camp sites are on the side of a mountain and the ones at higher levels have nice views. Asheville is a great small city with much to see and do in the area.

Late April and early May should also be a nice time to visit the Outer Banks along the NC coast. The weather should be reasonably warm, although some days can still be chilly in the 60's, particularly with the ocean breeze. The insects will not yet be a problem and campsites should be available. If you travel further south on the coast, New Bern, Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah are all wonderful in April and May. If you are in the Charleston area the last weekend in April, Region 3 of the WBCCI is holding its rally at a local fairgrounds.

Enjoy your trip, wherever you go. It is a nice time to travel in the Carolinas.



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[Silver Otter]

2X What Chuck Says!

[Freq Flyer]

Florida... the snowbirds are leaving, the weather is great, and you can find more open campgrounds the further south you go.

[Piggy Bank]

Replying to subscribe to thread

[Bk Yd Safari]

Blue Ridge Parkway or maybe the Outer Banks of NC

[Chaplain Kent]

We to are from Wisconsin and will be leaving this Saturday to jump start spring. We have done this several times before and did the Smokeys north and south, Missouri, (wonderful) and Eastern Kentucky. Now we want to try Daniel Boone National Forest, any suggestions for campgrounds?

[Twinke58]

Worlds of Fun Village is open and it's next to the theme park. It's in Kansas City Missouri and the park is open on weekends but the RV park is open till November 1st. If you stay there they have discount tickets to the park.


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[Belbein]

Originally Posted by Florida 55

Asheville

Just don't tell anyone how much you like it, because then everyone will want to go!

[1965 mustang]

Thanks to all for your wonderful help. We will be heading to the Carolinas. We have never been there so…. besides the Blue Ridge is there any other must see areas, spots , things we must eat or restaurants we must eat at? Thanks again for all your help.

[ALANSD]

gotta go to Charleston, you can reserve space at James Island campground. Its very nice and has a water park you can get in cheap. Also just a few miles from the beach and a great seafood spot I don't recall the name of though.

[Florida 55]

The Carolinas are a lot to cover. It is hard to recommend restaurants without knowing where you'll be. For North Carolina I suggest you spend some time on the website of "Our State" magazine. Here is a link: Our State Magazine . Many of the best eating places are obscure local establishments sometimes highlighted in "Our State".

There is much information on the site about places to visit, events happening around the state, and good dining places. Usually their restaurant reviews are accurate, look under the "Food" tab. Under the travel tab check out the "Dates and Events" tab which will show some of the big arts festivals and cultural events going on around the state. Also under the travel tab you can click on a region (say "mountains") and be presented with a list of attractions, scenic drives, historical or cultural site, etc. you might not see on your own.

In Asheville there are many great restaurants. Check on TripAdivsor.com and read reviews of the top 10-20 restaurants. If you are in the Blowing Rock/Boone area we enjoyed a terrific meal at Bistro Roca. We also like the Storie Street Grille in Blowing Rock and often have lunch or dinner there when taking day trips on the Parkway. Blowing Rock is a delightful town to visit and walk the street. It is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 292). The Julian Price NPS campground (milepost 297) is close to Blowing Rock.

In Asheville there is much to see and do. We highly recommend riding the trolley around town, leaving from the Asheville visitor center (36 Montford Ave at I-240; free parking). You buy a two day pass ($24 for adults, there is a $2 senior or AAA discount) that lets you get on and off at your leisure. Time your trolley trip to have lunch on the Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn (warning, the Grove Park is a resort so the food is pricey). If it is a nice day, the view is gorgeous. If the food prices are above your budget, stop a the Grove Park anyway and explore the historic inn and grounds as well as the Grovewood Gallery, Grovewood Studios, and NC Homespun museum all located adjacent to the Grove Park Inn grounds. There is also an antique car museum.

Biltmore Estate is a must see in Asheville. While there, walk through charming Biltmore Village to see the shops and art galleries. There are also some excellent art galleries in the downtown area. The gardens are blooming now and should still be beautiful for the next couple of weeks. If you are a fan of the PBS series Downton Abbey, there is a special exhibition at Biltmore called "Dressing Downton" displaying 45 costumes from the series. The exhibit is included in the admission price.

Here is a link to the Asheville events calendar so you can see what is happening in the area when you are visiting: Asheville Event and Festival Calendar | Asheville, NC's Official Tourism Web Site . Whether it be music, art, drama, street fairs, or special museum exhibitions, there is always something going on in Asheville and the surrounding area.

Don't miss the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 382) near Asheville. They have a parking lot for RV's. The center has beautiful arts and crafts of high quality and is operated by the Southern Highlands Guild. I also highly recommend the crafts center at the Moses Cone Park (milepost 294) along the Parkway. Moses Cone is also near Blowing Rock and Julian Price campground. Parking at Moses Cone may be a problem with your Airstream. It would be best to spend a night at Julian Price, or somewhere in the Blowing Rock area, to use as a base to explore Blowing Rock, Boone, and Moses Cone in your tow vehicle without the trailer attached.

Should you venture east on the I40 corridor, Old Salem (historic colonial era town similar to colonial Williamsburg on a smaller scale) and Reynolda House Museum (home of RJ Reynolds and now an American art museum) in Winston-Salem are worth a visit. If you like contemporary art, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art is close to Reynolda House. Should you visit Reynolda House, have lunch or dinner at the Village Tavern in Reynolda Village next door. For camping near Winston-Salem I recommend Tanglewood Park, a county park about 15 miles west of downtown off I-40 before you get to Clemmons. Tanglewood has full hookup sites. Caution, some of the sites are not level.

If you go further east on I-40 to the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area there is much to see and do, plus many fine restaurants. For convenience (not scenery) stay at the campground at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Further out are the state recreation area campgrounds on Jordan Lake.

Enjoy your trip.

[xrvr]

Good info Chuck. Thanks, jim

[1965 mustang]

Thanks Chuck, mama gerties hideaway campground is awesome!

Does anyone have any info on Hilton Head island? We are thinking of swinging down there next. Thanks for everyone's help!


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[Silverbee]

Hi,
You might want to check out Willow Tree RV resort in Longs, S.C.
Myrtle Beach Campgrounds - WillowTree RV Resort
It is so nice you might not make it down to Hilton Head. We have stayed there several times and have never been disappointed. It is a great campground. It is only about 8 miles from North Myrtle Beach, SC.
Also very convenient to go over to Calabash, NC home of some great seafood. We particularly like Ella's in Calabash.

Enjoy your stay in the Carolinas.

[Lumatic]

Death Valley would be superb. After a cold Wisconsin winter lounging around in the sun with temperatures in the 90s. Also Joshua Tree, not quite as hot but you could walk around in your Speedo (or not) all day long.