It’s no surprise that the Friday before Memorial Day is National Road Trip Day. This is the day that summer officially begins – not from a calendar standpoint but the get out and enjoy the summer standpoint. Statistics show that a very large percentage of Americans make this a travel weekend and many of them make it a road trip weekend. Of course, some use it to kick off a long summer vacation, but since most students are still in school, many families and friend groups opt for quick road trips. Here are a few to consider this Memorial Day weekend to celebrate National Road Trip Day as well as the unofficial kickoff to Summer 2024!
From Chicago: In just under two hours, the sights and sounds of the Windy City disappear and you’re met with shady trees, sparkling water and plenty of outdoor fun at O’Connell’s RV Campground in Amboy. O’Connell’s offers a beach, lake fishing, paddle boats, all kinds of planned activities, plus three swimming pools and two hot tubs. If you want to get away for a road trip and head north to Wisconsin, camping options abound. Yukon Trails Camping Resort and their oh-so-cool storage container camping accommodations is just a little over three hours from Chicago. Lots to do here from exploring the Wisconsin Dells and hiking Devil’s Lake State Park to local wineries and distillers. A longer road trip to Wisconsin could be a Door County adventure with a stay at Tranquil Timbers Campground. About a 4.5-hour drive, the Door County peninsula highlights include Peninsula State Park; the Peninsula Players; a ferry ride to Washington Island and the iconic goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant.
From New York: Head north for a classic road trip escape from the city where the only skyscrapers you’ll see are the magnificent trees and mountaintops found in the Adirondacks. Book a stay at Lake George Escape Campground and attractions including Fort William Henry Museum, Million Dollar Beach for swimming and beachside picnics, or the variety of lake cruises available through the Lake George Steamboat Company (lakegeorgesteamboat.com).
From Los Angeles: For over a hundred years, Palm Springs has been a gateway destination. In fact, it was the popular getaway destination for some of the early Hollywood stars. It’s just a bit over 100 miles from LA and has plenty of outdoor activities and a calming desert vibe. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs and take in the desert air while strolling Sunnylands Center and Gardens, a 200-acre estate with walkways to stroll while exploring the nine different gardens. See the city from above while riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway or explore Joshua National Park with its unique trees and rock formations.
From Boston: Two choices here – head to the beach or the mountains. Iconic Cape Cod offers two spots – Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod and Old Chatham Road RV Campground are perfect for beach getaways while Thousand Trails Sturbridge is nestled on 200 wooded acres. Beaches, bike trails and boardwalks are a great way to just relax when enjoying Cape Cod. For fun, try a walking Cape Cod culinary tour (capecodfoodietours.com). Sturbridge highlights include Old Sturbridge Village, Wells State Park and the Sturbridge Flea Market with over 150 vendors.
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- Find more campgrounds at ThousandTrails.com.