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Road Trip - LA to DC via Interstate 10

I'm looking for recommendations regarding a cross-country trip I'll be taking with my family this September.

11 years ago, August 2nd 2012 No: 1 Msg: #159476 Delete Edit

Mike and Bri
Mike and Bri

N Posts: 2

My wife, 2 kids (3.5 yrs and 6 mos) and I will be travelling from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. this September and are very interested in driving Interstate 10 and then up through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, even though it is definitely not the most direct route.

We only have about 2 to 2.5 weeks for the trip, so we won't have time to see everything we probably want, but we would appreciate some suggestions of the best places to visit and things to do on the way. Our budget is not too tight.

The route we chose is flexible so if anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks!

[Edited: 2012 Aug 02 17:38 - Mike and Bri:246278 ]

[Edited: 2012 Aug 02 17:39 - Mike and Bri:246278 ]

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11 years ago, August 2nd 2012 No: 2 Msg: #159481 Delete Edit

Roosta
Ezra Erb

B Posts: 2,066

Welcome to Travelblog. A road trip is an amazing adventure.

Travelling with kids requires careful pacing, so the amount of sights will be limited. The most important question is, what kinds of things do you like? The US has huge variety, from historic sites to grand landscapes to long scenic drives, plus uncountable museums. What are you most interested in?

The things many people mention along your route:
1. Joshua Tree National Park: Stark and beautiful desert landscapes.
2. Grand Canyon: This requres at least two days off I-10. Alternatively, take I-15 north to I-40 east to the Canyon, then head south to Phoenix.
3. Carlsbad Cavern, Carlsbad NM: This will require one day off Interstate 10.
4. Alamo, San Antoio TX: Texas most important historic site. San Antonio in general is a fun city to wander around.
5. Johnson Space Center, Houston TX: The story of the US space program, with a special program for kids
6. New Orleans: Incredible historic city with great food and a unique culture. To avoid most of the R-rated behavior, stay in the Garden District (and visit during the week).
7. Savannah, GA: Another incredible historic city, with a picturesque downtown with over a dozen garden squares
8. Charleston SC: The city where the Civil War began. Take the Gullah tour and experience the African American side of that history.
9. Civil War Center, Richmond VA: The most through and even handed museum on the Civil War in the US. They have special programs for kids. Reply to this

11 years ago, August 28th 2012 No: 3 Msg: #160417 Delete Edit

Mike and Bri
Mike and Bri

N Posts: 2

The items you mentioned are right up our alley. I am probably most interested in historical sites and my wife is probably most interested in national park-ish things and scenic drives. Because of the kids, we will be spending less time at museums and things of that nature.

Your list provides a great starting point. Thanks!

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11 years ago, August 29th 2012 No: 4 Msg: #160458 Delete Edit

Roosta
Ezra Erb

B Posts: 2,066

Glad you liked the suggestions. A few more sites worth considering:
1. Tombstone AZ: The wildest boomtown in the west, famous for the shootout at the OK corral. Its now a fun western psuedo theme park.
2. Brisbee AZ: The best preserved mining town in Arizona, and close to Tombstone. I saw both in one day
3. Saguaro National Park, Tempe AZ: More stark and beautiful desert landscapes, covered with cactus of all types. The western half has a beautiful scenic drive
4. Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona AZ: The most best scenic drive in Arizona, in my opinion. It starts at Flagstaff near the Grand Canyon and runs south, so its a good alternative to the interstate to get to Phoenix.
5. Fredericksburg, TX: Historic town near San Antonio founded by German immigrants. It has wonderful Bed and Breakfasts too.
6. Petersburg National Battlefield, Petersburg VA: Site of the seige that ended the Civil War. The highlight is the site of the Battle of the Crater, where a group of union miners tried to dig a tunnel and then blow up the Confederate defenses with a huge bomb. Reply to this

11 years ago, September 5th 2012 No: 5 Msg: #160628 Delete Edit

GaryAlan
Gary Wicks

N Posts: 1

In response to: Msg #159481 I recommend taking the time to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. It cuts through the Great Smoky Mountains with incredible vistas, views, wildllife and tourist activities. You can drive all the way into Virginia to Skyline Drive/Shenendoah Valley, then on to DC.

If you have the time I would also visit the Outer Banks on North Carolina's northeastern shore. Wild and incredible. If I remember correctly it is remembered as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

In Virginia I would recommend going to Jamestown (the first permanent English settlement in the New World, established in 1407) and Williamsburg (the first colonial capital of the colonies). The town is kept like it was in the 1700s people dressed in period closes, working at period occupations etc. Really pretty cool, especially for history buffs.

Enjoy,
Gary

You could

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