We love exploring new places and seeing new sights but it seems that every time we visit someplace new, somebody tells us we missed something there that we really should have seen. Miss Terry tells them that we do that on purpose so we’ll have an excuse to go back. There are some places we’ve only visited once but really want to return to, and others we’ve been to many times but just can’t get enough of and go back time and time again. Here are our personal Top 15, in no particular order.
Florida Keys – If money were no object I could live in the Florida Keys. We love paddling our kayaks in the beautiful blue green waters, just hanging out under a palm tree watching the world go by, and did I mention all of the delicious seafood?
Port Townsend – Perched at the entrance to Puget Sound on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is a beautiful and historic little town with a picturesque downtown area with fun shops to browse, stunning views of the water and mountains, and lots of events to keep you busy.
Gettysburg – I find it inconceivable that such a pretty place could have been the scene of so much suffering and death as this beautiful little town in the rolling hills of southern Pennsylvania. Even without all of the history, which we love, we’d still return to Gettysburg any chance we get.
Branson – We’ve been to Branson four or five times and never went to a show until our last visit. We just like the beautiful countryside and the friendly people, touring the Ralph Foster Museum on the campus of the College of the Ozarks, which has been called “The Smithsonian of the Ozarks” and the watersports on Table Rock Lake.
Oregon Coast – Mile for mile, there is no more beautiful place on earth than the wild and rugged Oregon coast. Friendly people, quaint towns, abundant seafood, lighthouses, and breathtaking views around every bend in the road. What more could you ask for?
Washington, D.C. – Our two visits were not nearly enough to see all there is to see in our nation’s capital. There are so many wonderful museums, monuments, and other attractions that nobody could cover them all in one trip.
Sault Ste. Marie – Our one and only three day visit to Sault Ste. Marie wasn’t nearly long enough. I could happily spend a week just watching the big freighters navigating their way into the narrow locks and then being raised or lowered over 21 feet in a matter of minutes. And if you get tired of that, there are plenty of things to see and do in town or nearby to keep you busy.
Savannah – I can’t explain the hold this beautiful and historic city has on me, but no trip along the Georgia coast is complete without a stop in Savannah. I could spend days walking its tree shaded streets enjoying views of the old mansions in the Historic District, browsing the shops along the riverfront, and sitting on a bench in one of the city’s lovely squares people watching.
Tarpon Springs – Located on Florida’s Gulf coast, Tarpon Spring’s waterfront is a living postcard. From the sponge boats to the shops offering everything from clothes, jewelry and crafts, to the Greek restaurants and bakeries, plan a full day when you visit. And if you don’t get to it all, don’t worry. After one visit you’ll be back.
Avery Island – Located in southern Louisiana, you can smell the vinegar from the Tabasco factory the minute you get out of your car. The factory tour is interesting, but the 170-acre Jungle Gardens is amazing with its beautiful foliage, wildlife, and a centuries-old Buddha statue. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Boston – We’re usually not attracted to big cities, but Boston is an exception to the rule. There is so much history to be seen there, from Paul Revere’s home to the Freedom Trail to the old Granary Burying Ground and Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution, to name just a few of the city’s treasures. Not to mention great food, interesting ethnic neighborhoods, and a wonderful waterfront. As you can see, Boston is well worth a return visit.
St. Augustine – Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, St. Augustine is the oldest continually occupied European city in America, and you can feel the history everywhere you look. Throw in wonderful shops and restaurants, a beautiful lighthouse, and walking the beach at Anastasia State Park and you will wonder why you would ever leave, but know you’ll be back again.
Mackinac Island – When you step off the ferry at Mackinac Island you step back in time. If you want to get anyplace on this beautiful and historic island you have three choices – on foot, by bicycle, or by a horse-drawn carriage, because no motor vehicles are allowed except for emergency vehicles. But that’s okay because you will want to take your time as you browse the shops along the waterfront, visit historic Fort Mackinac, and marvel at the splendor of the Grand Hotel.
Beaufort – We spent a week in this friendly and historic little town on the South Carolina coast and knew that we would return again someday. Centuries-old, moss-draped live oak trees shade the sidewalks in the city’s historic district where pirates and seafarers once lived, there are awesome museums and memorable restaurants, and a fine beach and pier for fishing, kite flying, or just relaxing.
Maine – Terry lived in Maine twice when she was a kid during her father’s Air Force career, and in all of our years on the road we’ve only made it there once. But what we saw impressed us so much that returning is high on our bucket list. There are miles of rugged coastline to explore, wonderful little towns to visit, and lobsters to be eaten. Yes, we definitely need to get back to Maine
What are some of your favorite places that you return to over and over?
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Well, we have been to some of those southern cities you mention…not sure we were that impressed with them…but maybe it was because it was pretty hot while we were there…and we don’t do so great with heat.
The prettiest places we know about are Puget Sound area in Washington state. As cities go Seattle is one of the prettiest we know of…but not great for RVs travel so far as we can see. But there are other places over across the water that would do ok I think (we do not have an RV yet…but just from having driven there…used to have a little camping trailer and went around the loop…up through Port Townsend and such…
It is also pretty hard to beat the scenery up around Coeur d’Alene, in northern Idaho too. Lived there my 14th year decades ago…ah what an perfect year that was.
We also enjoyed Williamsburg and Montecello and those areas and inbetween in Virginia as well…and up around Shenandoah is also a very gorgeous place. Drove though parts of Eastern Tennessee a few times…also very pretty…esp. if you drive the back roads (highways that are 4 lane and divided…avoid interstate).
Greetings from Gettysburg, I was pleasantly pleased to see my home town made it on your list of favorite places to visit.
We plan on taking the granddaughters to both Gettysburg and Washington DC this summer. Gettysburg I know pretty well as I visited there quite a lot, but also learn something new every visit. After several visits I am convinced that Lt. George A. Custer made a very sufficient Cavalry Charge that saved the day and secured victory for the North.
If you two wander through Brunswick, ME Peggy and I will help you find some great seafood and picturesque Maine coastline. Perhaps even some highway history.
I think your list covers more favorite places in the East. We always hate to cross the Mississippi as the East just doesn’t seem to be RV friendly. Old small sites seem to be the norm, if you can find a place. I also think the rates are much higher compared to out west excluding California.
Florida Keys is high on my list. Want to go back and use our Sea
Eagles(thanks to you we really enjoy them) We are in In. now, after
4th will be heading to and up the east coast,hoping to see many
Of the things you mentioned. Your next book should be a “travel
guide book” showing things in the areas you have traveled, similar
to what the Church’s have done. Enjoying your blogs.
Joyce and I have been to several places you mentioned and as y’all do, we want to go back for another visit. I was stationed at Loring AFB, ME for three winters, 75-78. Never been so cold in my life.
We love Florida and home base there. There are many places in Florida that are a great visit: the coast along the panhandle and down to Tampa, Titusville (national seashore, wildlife refuge, Kennedy Space Center, the Police Hall of Fame, The Warbird Museum, etc.), Bok Signing Tower and Lake Wales, Suwannee River area around Live Oak, Winter Park for the Morse Museum (the finest collection of Tiffany glass in the world), see the manatees in Crystal River in the winter, Tallahassee to see the capitol and FSU, swamp buggy races near Naples just to name a few wonderful attractions in Florida. And stay in our wonderful state park system of campgrounds.
We find that there are many small towns and unique attractions all over the USA. We continue to explore and find them everywhere we go.If you don’t get off the interstate, stop and smell the roses all you see are the interstates which are a fast way to get around but can be incredibly boring.
Yellowstone NP, Montana, Oregon, Crescent City CA, Colorado, Tennessee (fall)
I would add the Black Hills of South Dakota, Yellowstone, Memphis (Tom Sawyer campground in West Memphis), Grand Canyon, Missoula MT to Glacier NP area, and the Canadian Rockies.
What a great article. I would add some of the national parks in Utah to that list. We especially loved Bryce Canyon where you can walk down into the canyon. It is like a fairyland. Thanks for the reminder of the beautiful places we have visited. I want to go back again, too, now. We have not been to Michigan so we appreciate your suggestions. Next summer!!!
Agree with your bucket list, but point out Florida summers are mighty hot (I lived in Homestead 25 yrs, just north of the Keys-also suffered through Hurricane Andrew) Also, very few campites are close to the water! As to Sault Sainte Marie, advise seeing both the one in Michigan AND the one in Ontario-look for lighthouse boat tours, Bush Plane Museum.