Where would we be without the internet? It has changed the world at large, and on a smaller scale, the world of RVers forever. We can shop online and have our merchandise delivered right to our RV site at our favorite campground, do our banking, pay our bills, and manage our investments, all from the comfort of our homes on wheels. And we can do all that whether we are boondocking in the desert in Arizona, relaxing in a luxury RV resort in the Florida Keys, tucked away in a mom and pop RV park in a small town, or blacktop boondocking in a WalMart parking lot.
The internet can also be a great tool for travel planning. Anytime we are visiting a new area, I spend some time online doing a bit of research and it’s amazing how many interesting places we find within an easy ride of our campground. Here are some of my favorite travel resources.
Trip Advisor – This is the granddaddy of all travel websites. Type in any town or city in America and you’ll find links to restaurants, lodging, attractions, and more. http://www.tripadvisor.com
Historical Marker Data Base – I have never owned a vehicle capable of passing one of those historical markers that can be found on highways and back roads from coast to coast. I just have to stop and read them! But sometimes it’s impossible to stop, as much as I want to. No Problem, all I have to do is log onto Historical Marker Data Base on my computer or Droid smartphone and every historical marker in my area is listed, with photos and complete inscriptions. www.HMdb.com
Bridge Hunter – Bridge Hunter is a database of historic or notable bridges in the United States, both past and present. I may not like driving over high bridges, but I can spend hours browsing here. www.Bridgehunter.com
History Here – This app for both Droids and Apple smartphones is an interactive travel guide to thousands of historic locations across the United States, with photos, video and maps that bring history to life anywhere in the country. http://www.history.com/interactives/history-here
The Milepost: Anybody who has ever driven an RV to Alaska knows that this trip planner and travel guide is an invaluable resource for information on roads, attractions, and services along the Alaska Highway. The website that supports the book is also packed with information to help make your grand adventure a success. http://milepost.com
U.S. 101 Mile by Mile – I don’t think there is a more beautiful trip anywhere in America than U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast and this website is a fantastic guide to every scenic mile. Think Milepost for the Oregon coast. http://www.oregoncoasttravel.net
Legends of America – From Route 66 to ghost towns, legends, myths, historic forts, and more, if it’s out there, you can probably find it on Legends of America. http://legendsofamerica.com
USA.gov – A fantastic website with links to official travel and tourism websites for every state. http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel-Tourism/State-Tourism.shtml
North Carolina History & Historic Sites – From gold rushes, first flights, disappearing colonies, pirate graves and pivotal battlefields, if it happened in North Carolina, this website will tell you about it! http://www.visitnc.com/journeys/highlights/nc-history
Discover Historic Travel – You can easily spend an entire day with this portal to a wide selection of travel websites. http://discoverhistorictravel.com/destinations/historic-sites/
Civil War Battlefields – The Civil War Trust has a fine website about the War Between the States, including a guide to Civil War Battlefields large and small. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/
Discover America – Another excellent website with travel links for every state that includes where the locals go to hang out, must-see museums, classic road trips, history, and more. http://www.discoveramerica.com/usa/states.aspx
Landmark Hunter – LandmarkHunter.com is a database of historic or notable landmarks in the United States, past and present. http://landmarkhunter.com
Florida Backroads Travel – If you spend any time in Florida, get to know this interesting website that will help you discover hundreds of interesting places to visit on the less traveled back roads. http://www.florida-backroads-travel.com
Know Your States – This isn’t a travel guide, but it’s a fun little test of how well you know our country. How fast can you fill in the map? http://jimspages.com/States.htm
Thought For The Day – People who say it can’t be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Wow, what a great list! Thanks. I’ve used some of these sites already but a few are new to me and I’ll definitely be bookmarking them. Have you ever used the site “Roadside America?” It’s full of quirky attractions and oddities. Here’s a link to it… http://www.roadsideamerica.com/.
Thanks for publishing this resource, Nick!
Thanks once again for great information. They have all been bookmarked on the iPad. How did we travel without these wonderful, useful ways to keep information at our fingertips? I also recommend the apps for “Campwhere” and “Allstays” And yet there are still folks out there that wonder how we figure out all these place to go and where to stay….
Thanks Nick, Great info!
Really great list Nick. Thanks.
Hi Nick,
Love your blog and all the great information you post on it. Today was really good information.
Thanks
Garth
Thanks for great list–I havw two of them, but the others will be very useful. Got anymore lists like this for traveling RVers? I do have your 7?? in one campground, casino, etc disk
John
Just finished your book, “Meandering Down the Highway”.. gas $1.50!! little did we know. Also finished while waiting at the Honda dealership, read the epilogue & just started bawling, Miss Terry had cancer!!!! Jolly read up until then and life intercedes.. Good to see on current blog that Miss Terry is continuing to do well!!! Everyone at Honda thinks i am crazy….
John, I’ll have some new ones to share one of these days.
Delores,
I’m glad you enjoyed the story of our first year as fulltime RVers.
Yes, Terry went through a terrible ordeal and things were pretty bleak there for a while, but she came through it and has been cancer for for 12 years now. Every day we have together is a blessing.
Nick