We know it still feels like summer, but as temperatures begin to cool in the Northeast, the most beautiful season in coastal Massachusetts draws nigh: autumn. If you’re yearning for a jaunt through the Cape for glorious sunsets and the best oysters of the year, skip the summer crowds and plan your trip for September or October.
The East Coast is complex and rich in cultural variety. It has such distinct regions as New England, the uber-cosmopolitan NYC metropolitan and Washington D.C. metro areas - which between the two make up the financial, media, publishing, cultural and political capitals of the country.
There are the rural mountainous areas of New England and Upstate New York, the Amish Country of Central Pennsylvania where time has stood still since the 1800s. The deep South has its particular history and unique culture and food, and south Florida is the gateway to the Latin Caribbean. The East Coast is a smorgasbord of cultures, foods, languages and lifestyles.
There is spectacular wealth in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and D.C. and South Florida. There are ocean beaches, and rolling hills, and mountains, lakes and beautiful river valleys steeped in American history: the Hudson, the Delaware. There are tiny states like Rhode Island, smaller than many states' counties and really large states like Florida.
There are Revolutionary War sites and Civil War Battlefields all up and down the coast. There are charming and graceful cities down South like Charleston and Savannah, and great seafood from Maine to Eastern Long Island to the Jersey Shore and Maryland down to North and South Carolina.
Smaller crowds, great weather and a broad range of unique things to do await campers heading to this area in the Fall. Here we will look at some of those things and why this is such a special time and place for a camping adventure. During the fall, the major vacation season has ended. Most of the campgrounds can be fairly empty and the crowds at the major attractions will be much smaller to non-existent.
This is particularly true during the week. In some cases, this can be a negative. If you want experience the theme parks or bustling beach boardwalks then you may be out of luck. Many of them close up for the season, at least during the week. Many do open up for weekends so if you plan carefully you may still be able to enjoy those types of places for camping with your baby.
That's not to say a beach trip won't be enjoyable. With the smaller crowds visiting you'll have the opportunity to have a more peaceful visit.
1. Florida Keys
Florida has long attracted tourists seeking adventure in the ocean. The reputation of the Sunshine Coast as a first tourist destination is well known. Among the many places you can visit, the Florida Keys delight the tropical islands from the southern tip of Miami as a pearl necklace. With excellent fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving, Florida Keys has something you are not dreaming of.
The entire east coast in USA is full of unique stops and historical places. The country of the United States was born and shaped along this trail. Reaching Florida, you can choose to stay near the theme parks and cities or check out Downtown Hollywood or the beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Coast, and Florida Keys.
The East Coast of course is along the gulf stream, which draws warm water up from the Gulf of Mexico so the waters along these beaches will still be please pleasant well into the fall. The further south you go, the further into Fall you can go with your beach trip.
The Fall along the east coast offers campers the best weather of the season. During the peak summer season, temperatures and humidity can be uncomfortably high all along the coast and almost unbearable in the southern states. During the fall, temperatures and humidity moderate making it much more comfortable all along the coast.
While the weather is moderate during this time of the year, as you get further into Fall the possibility of colder weather increases so it is important to be prepared. Make sure that all of the systems in your RV are working properly, and test them all out before leaving. Make sure your furnace is functional and your propane tanks are full.
Even though it may be warm during the day, temperatures can dip quickly at night. Also, cold fronts passing through during this time of the year have been known to drop temps by 60 degrees or more from one day to the next. The further north you are and the later you get into the fall the greater the possibility of freezing temps so make sure you know how to keep your pipes from freezing.
It only takes a few hours below freezing at night to cause problems with your outside water lines. Many RV parks in the northern states will start to close later in the Fall. Most parks in this region that close for the winter will do so on the weekend closest to October 15th. If you are planning a Fall trip around or after that date make sure that the park you plan to visit will be open.
2. Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is the perfect spot for a family adventure. The park is covered in the woodland that changes color with the seasons. The park covers ocean coastlines, ponds, and lakes. A number of recreational activities are available for families such as hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and many more. The park also provides different lodging facilitates for backpack travelers and people traveling alone.
Acadia National Park is a beauty. Here you will have the chance to see many animals in their own habitats, as well as some gorgeous plants. The views are spectacular, so if you love being in nature, this park is for you. Another great part of fall camping along the east coast are all the festivals and fairs which happen around this time of the year. Some great examples include the Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine.
3. Shenandoah National Park
And the Urbanna Oyster Festival in Urbanna, VA. These festivals are a great place to visit by RV but make sure you plan ahead. For example, the Urbanna Oyster Festival is in a town of about 2,000 people. For the festival, the population swells to over 50,000 and the closest accommodations for the festival goers are all RV parks.
The nearby Beth Page and Grey's Point RV Parks are outstanding. These campgrounds are typically packed solid for the event and are booked for months in advance.
4. New York City
Stop in New York City for something completely different. Park the RV for the day, take the subway and explore like a local. The exotic sights and sounds of the city, will be traded for a lesson in history as Washington DC is the next stop. There is so much to see and do, but the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument are an awe-inspiring sight to behold.
Planning a family trip from New York City can seem daunting at first. If you are looking for a weekend getaway destinations near NYC where you can enjoy the colorful fall foliage and a slower pace of life, the Fall is a great time for glamping in New York too as 'Upstate' has some beautiful scenery.
5. New Hampshire
Traveling the east coast of the USA is a trip through history. Starting in Cape Cod, one of the favorite RV destinations, the New England experience and the flavor and culture of the Atlantic Ocean is quite tantalizing. Among the things to do, enjoy rich clam chowder as you watch the waves roll in Martha's Vineyard.
The most famous of all dinners is called a New England lobster/clam bake consisting of lobsters, clams, sweet corn on the cob, and potatoes, roasted on the beach in a sandpit with rocks and seaweed. They’re very tasty!
Interesting Reads: New York Fall Events & Festivals
The length of the coast and its north/south orientation provides a broad range of experiences from hot summer beaches in the south to cool fall weather with beautiful colors in the north. This is the time of the year when you can avoid the crowds and experience the coast in a whole new way.