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ptjeff04

Family Trip from Florida to Yellowstone/GC. Need Ideas...

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My wife and I have been RV'ing for about 7 years. I am not retired (46) and we have 2 children 11 and 9. We want to take an RV trip this summer from Florida to Grand Canyon via stops at Gateway arch (if recommended), Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, to Grand Canyon and any other stops recommended. I have a rough route drawn out but am looking for ideas of places to see or stop in. Keep in mind I have children so I am trying to keep them interested as well. They love to travel so should be a blast. Thanks in advance for nay ideas, tips, etc.

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First, YES! stop at Gateway Arch and do not miss the ride to the top (unless you are claustrophobic).

I am going to take a look at your trip and see if I have any other suggestions along the way but off hand I can only see that you should plan to visit Devil's tower as you pass by. One more thing. If you will be passing close to Atlanta you should also visit Stone Mountain. Nice campground and a great history lesson. Take the tram to the top and walk down the mountain. It's long but it's well worth it.

OK, I'm back. If you don't mind a 150 mile detour I would leave St. Louis and head for Kearney, NE to visit the Great Platte River Road Archway. Another amazing history lesson. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g45649-d126546-Reviews-Great_Platte_River_Road_Archway_Monument-Kearney_Nebraska.html

That would take you through Denver (too much stuff to see/do) and then into Glenwood Springs, CO where you can stop and visit the best Hot Springs I have ever found. It's a nice fun break for the kids as well.

You will then be headed toward Moab, UT where you can visit Arches and Canyonland. Again, awesome history plus unparalleled beauty.

Are we having fun yet? If so, with a slight detour coming out of Moab you could visit Four Corners which is just slightly more than a tourist trap but a very cool story for the kids to tell that that stood in 4 different States at the same time.

Wait, if you go that way you would first be able to visit Cortez, NM where you will be able to visit the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings. Something to not be missed. http://www.visitmesaverde.com/

Geeze, when will I learn to shut up! If you have the time, please, do it all. If not, do a bit of research and see what you and the kids would enjoy the most. No matter where you go and where you stop you are headed to some of the most beautiful land in the Country.

Plan at least a week in Yellowstone or, if you are in a big hurry, stay at Flying Bridge (centrally located) and plan on 2 or 3 days of long drives to hit the highlights.

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Hello fellow Floridian!

We did a very similar trip two summers ago. Of course, it all depends how long you have for the trip, since you mentioned you are still working...and also the size of your motor-home, since not all campgrounds accept large rigs. I agree with all mentioned by Bill Adams. We went to most he mentioned between our 3 month trip in 2012 and again last year for another month.

On our first trip we:

-- stopped at McKinney Campground, north of ATL. A little winding road to get there, but nice to relax and swim at the lake beach.

-- then we continued north to Chattanoga, TN and stayed at Racoon Mtn Caverns and RV park, visited the caverns, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mtn, etc.

-- on our way to Illinois, we side-tracket to an Amish town: Marion, Kentucky where you can have the best donuts!

-- from there crossed to IL on a river barge and arrived at Cave in the Rock, where we had a quick lunch and visited the cave before continuing.

-- at SW St. Louis we stayed at the Edmund Babler St PK and from there we went to the arch in our tow car.

-- while crossing the central plains, be sure to have plenty of games for the kids... it is long and boring!

-- If you continue to CO on I-70, and go north at Denver, you have to go to Moraine Park at the Rocky Mtns. It is beautiful!!

-- continue north on I-25 to Cherokee, Wyoming.... about 7 hrs NE is Mt. Rushmore, (we will go this summer the week after July 4th) or go west and a must visit is Cody, WY. At least 3 days.

-- we used the east entrance to Yellowstone. We stayed at Grant campground which was sort of in the middle. Stay at least 5 days and then go south to the Grand Tetons (unless you want to go farther north to awesome Glacier Park!!!)

-- Stay another couple of days at the Tetons and go south to Utah. and yes, Moab is very nice and other national parks are nearby.

-- If you go to Glenwood Springs, CO (west of Denver on I-70) like Bill suggested, there we stayed at Glenwood Canyon rv resort.

-- If you go to Mesa Verde, NM close by is Durango and a good train ride.

Truly, there is so much to see, I would suggest you go west twice. "cut" the map in half, visit north of Colorado and I-70 on one trip and south of CO and I-40 on the next.

Enjoy the trip!

Jocelynn and "Quico" Power

Gainesville, FL

28' Coachmen/Concord and tow car.

Be sure to have a couple of books, such as National RVCampgrounds; State RV Campgrounds, Corp of Engineers RV c/grounds and then either on the internet or books, the Good Sam, Passport America and Koa campground guides. If it is a quick overnight stopover, we would use a service station or Walmart, then we would look at those above and check prices. Do remember some c/grounds are "dry" and you have to alternate dry camping with full hook-ups.

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Thanks for both suggestions and advice. We are going to have about 6 weeks hopefully. I did map a trip a few months ago that had us going through Atlanta, Dollywood, the gateway arch, Mt Rushmore, Cody (We love Rodeos and head about Cody) then Yellowstone. Finally south to the Grand Canyon and was looking at the Tetons, Royal Gorge Bridge, The Silverton Train in CO but needed more ideas and feedback. Thanks so much. I will keep checking for advice. We have a 37 foot Class A and will be towing. I have also heard that fuel is limited heading west. IS this true?

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If you head to CO be sure to take the Cog Train to the top of Pikes Peak! Don't miss Devil's Tower as you will drive right by. Not sure you will find anything in Cody rodeo related unless your timing is perfect but the Buffalo Bill museum is something not to be missed. However, it's a bit overwhelming and it takes 2 4-5 hour days to get a really good look at much of the stuff (not all). Maybe you have better stamina than I but dang, it's so much information to absorb you will go brain dead before your legs wear out.

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Here are links to several my blog entries that describe trips we've taken with our grandchildren. You have a wide range of ages which means a wide range of interests and also a wide range of attention spans. With a 2 year old, there will have to be frequent changes of activity which means lots of work for the rest of the family keeping the youngest entertained and involved during those long drives.

Fun With the Girls is a California trip but the ideas here could apply as you travel elsewhere. Our granddaughters in CA are 5 and 8 years old.

Granddaughters on Board - The First Day is a California trip as well.

Granddaughters on Board - Days Two and Three is also in California, again look for these kind of activities to keep the children involved.

We all Live in a Yellow Submarine! is the first posting of the Indiana and Illinois trip. A variety of activities for young children. We especially recommend the Indianapolis Children's Museum. The boys really liked all these activities.

Grandchildren Rule, Grandpa Drools is an Indiana and Illinois trip with our grandsons.

Listening to Little Voices is a trip with our grandsons in Indiana and Illinois.

We did other trips with our grandsons and granddaughters that I blogged but those entries are missing? Anyway, we took the girls on the same trip that the boys had above but took them to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. They had a great time seeing horses, riding horses, learning to groom horses and learning all about horses.

We took our grandsons to Nebraska and South Dakota when they were 11 and 12. We visited Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, The Mammoth Fossil Site in Hot Springs, SD and The Ashfall Site near Royal, NE where they have fossilized remains of Hippopotamus. We visited the Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln which has spectacular exhibits of the many ancient animals that lived on the great plains. We also went to Fort Robinson State Park in Crawford, NE and the Trailside Museum to see the many fossils and ancient animals on exhibit there. We also took the boys to the Crazy Horse Monument for the Volksmarch which occurs in early June each year. We walked up onto the developing statue and right out onto the outstretched arm.

These are just a few ideas to keep the children interested in the trip.

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Thanks again and please keep the ideas coming. My children will be 9 and 11 at time of travel.

We did a trip to Maine and as long as we find different types of stops they travel great. So far a cliff notes version of the trip: Florida to The Gateway Arch with a stay outside of Atlanta one night. From The Arch to the Great Platte River Road as recommended above, thanks! From there to Mt Rushmore, then to Yellowstone via a couple days in Cody again per above. From Yellowstone we are still looking at Tetons and then probably Grand Canyon. From there I am working on it but places like Royal Gorge Bridge, painted dessert, petrified forest, four corners, Mesa Verde ruins, Durango are all in the planes.

Any other feedback is welcomed. We are looking at doing a sort of northern loop out and a southern loop back. I have been told Texas can be long and not too exciting.

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Since you mention a stop in Atlanta, at least camp that night at Stone Mountain so you could make a short visit if you can't spend a day. It's a massive stone carving with lots of history.

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Sounds like a wonderful family trip! If you will travel I-40 on your way home, you might want to consider a stop in Norman, OK to visit the National Weather Service. It was a very informative tour that I think your children could appreciate. There were a few children in our tour and they had some great questions and interest. We all really enjoyed this tour! You will want to make a call ahead to confirm their tour schedule. http://www.norman.noaa.gov/visitor/nwctours/

In the Texas panhandle while staying in Amarillo, we visited the Duro Pablo Canyon State Park, which you can camp in the canyon, saw the Cadillac Ranch off I-40 and ate at The Big Texan, which challenges guests to eat 72 oz steaks.

Consider a stop in Foley, Alabama on your return trip to eat at Lambert Cafe, home of "throwed rolls" (their term, not mine). It's real southern cooking, so go hungry! They come out regularly with delicious hot yeast rolls and you raise your hand if you want one, one is thrown right to your hand. There are 2 other restaurants in Missouri.

Are you aware that the National Parks have some special programs and material for children? They have a passport also so it can be stamped.

Have a safe trip!

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Dang! I have been to Norman, OK too many times to count and did not know about the NWS being there or that tours were available. It's officially on my list now. Thanks for the info. Palo Duro is very interesting but you need to have time to take a guided tour into the canyon. I think the Mesa Verde site is more interesting but they are quite different in the way the information is presented.

While the Big Texan and Lambert's are great novelty stops I would not drive a mile out of my way to visit one again (unless you were in the mood to eat a 72 oz steak or have rolls thrown at you). However, that's a complete personal opinion and not meant as anything else.

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This is all great!! I did forget to mention that we have family in Atlanta and have done the Stone Mountain trip about 6 times. A great place and in the winter they make snow for a tubing lane also. Just an FYI. I am working on more of the trip now so I'll update. Do you know anything about renting houseboats out west?

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OK, so a bit more info. Be aware that the trip from Rapid City (are you really going to by-pass Devil's Tower?) to Yellowstone via Cody will take you on WY14. You will see many signs saying "safest" or "best" route to Yellowstone is via 90. We ignored that advice on our first trip and we understood by the signs were there but they certainly are not accurate. The road is safe and the drive is easy, BUT, it does have some serious hills and canyons you will pass through. We were in a 40' with a tow vehicle and even though there were parts we traveled at 25 MPH there was nothing that would prevent us from doing it again. It also happens to be the only route that makes sense if you plan to visit Cody on the way.

From you CO destinations I am not sure of your plan back home but it it includes OK City you should visit the OK City National Memorial. Very well done and very informative.

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If you go OKC, also check out the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. It is a great museum of western art. Includes the original of Fraizer's "End of the Trail."

If you go to Colorado Springs, take a tour of the U.S. Olympic Training Center. You can also tour the Air Force Academy. Just west of Colorado Springs is a cog railway that you can take to the top of Pikes Peak (14,210 feet). Beautiful park on the west side of town called "Garden of the Gods." I used to live in the Springs and always like to promote it.

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Couple of added questions:

1. Would you recommend stopping to see Grand Tetons or would you stay overnight?

2. I added Devils Tower for an overnight plus one day. Is that KOA a good stop? Cody is only a few hours from there. Should I just stop in for few hours to see Cody or spend a day there?

3. In the Grand Canyon, should I stay in the North Rim area? I am getting mixed reviews online but sounds more impressive, cooler and less crowded. We are considering Kaibab Camper Village since it is closest. Do you know it? or is Kanab better?

jr, the Cowboy hall of fame sounds cool also. Thanks!

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Couple of added questions:

1. Would you recommend stopping to see Grand Tetons or would you stay overnight?

2. I added Devils Tower for an overnight plus one day. Is that KOA a good stop? Cody is only a few hours from there. Should I just stop in for few hours to see Cody or spend a day there?

3. In the Grand Canyon, should I stay in the North Rim area? I am getting mixed reviews online but sounds more impressive, cooler and less crowded. We are considering Kaibab Camper Village since it is closest. Do you know it? or is Kanab better?

jr, the Cowboy hall of fame sounds cool also. Thanks!

I left Yellowstone and stayed outside of Jackson overnight, toured around the area a bit but found no reason to stay longer than 1 day (2 nights). Headed out happy after that.

You can tour Devil's Tower, watch some climbers and walk all the way around in 2-3 hours. If you get into the KOA early you could tour that afternoon and head out in the morning or tour earlish and leave by lunch time.

I have only visited the S. Rim side of the Canyon and I can't imagine missing that part but there certain is a lot to see all around. We stayed outside the gates at a campground just a couple of miles away which made for easy access without the costs involved with staying inside.

I did forget about the Cowboy Museum when mentioning OK City. It is also an excellent venue but doing it all in a day requires a lot of stamina.

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PLEASE GIVE HONEST FEEDBACK. I have a few extra days to spare but I am not sure how long we should be at each stop. This is what I have:

Day 1. Florida-Cartersville KOA in Georgia. Just an overnight stay.

Day 2. Georgia to Casino Queens RV Park. Arrive Day 2. Stay Day 3 to see Arch. Leave day 4.

Day 4. Casino Queens to Great Platt River Road. Overnight stay (Kearney RV Park) and see attraction. Leave Day 5. (Do I need a full day?)

Day 5. Arrive Mt Rushmore KOA. Stay Day 6 and view attractions. Leave Day 7.

Day 7. Arrive Devil's Tower KOA. Stay Day 8 see Devil's Tower. Leave Day 9.

Day 9. Arrive Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone. Stop for a couple hours in Cody but thought we may not stay. Should we?? If not, arrive here Day 9, stay 10,11,12,13 and leave Day 14.

Day 14. Leave Yellowstone & stop at Grand Tetons for several hours. DO we need to stay a full day here? If not continue later to Brigham Perry South KOA for overnight stay. Leave day 15

Day 15. Arrive Kanab RV Corral. Arrive Day 15, stay full days of 16 and 17 and leave Day 18. Is that enough? Should we see South rim? Thoughts? Donkeys? Leave Day 18.

Day 18. Arrive Painted Dessert at 10:30 (When Park Opens) Closes at 5:00. Tour until 4:00 & head out. Arrive Petrified Forrest KOA. Arrive Day 18, stay day 19 see Forrest. Leave Day 20

Day 20. Leave and stop at 4 Corners for Photos. Continue to Mesa Verde KOA. Arrive Day 20, stay Day 21 for Mesa Verde Ruins attraction. Leave Day 22.

Day 22. Arrive Moab KOA. Stay over day 23 to see Arches National Park. Leave next day on Day 24.

That's all I have now. Planning on Royal Gorge Bridge, Pikes Peak Cog, Moraine Park. Please let me know if you thing I need more time at any of the stops. Our activities will be limited to a 11 and 9 year old but some hiking is fine. Thanks!!

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No, you have not allowed nearly enough time. If your travel time is limited then you are going to need to cut out some of the stops so you can visit the "biggies" for longer times.

I am going to try to plot out the trip and get back to you. There is so much more to the Mt. Rushmore area than Mt. Rushmore and a stop in Cody for a couple of hours would be a complete waste. If that's your only option I would avoid the East Entrance route and follow 90 around the N entrance, spend a night or 2 there (just outside the park if I recall correctly) so you could explore the top of the park and then move to Fishing Bridge so you can explore the bottom. It takes 2 very full days of driving and stopping (with little time to stop and smell the roses) to do Yellowstone. If you want to do a bit of hiking and explore some of the lesser attractions (they are all great, however) it's going to take time!

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Unless you are an over-the-road trucker by profession then this is too much driving per day.

Day 1. Florida-Cartersville KOA in Georgia. Just an overnight stay.
491 miles from Orlando (about 10 hours). I don't know where you FL stating point is.

Day 2. Georgia to Casino Queens RV Park. Arrive Day 2. Stay Day 3 to see Arch. Leave day 4.
500 miles. Another 10 hours+ Great RV park. 2 minutes to the Arch.

Day 4. Casino Queens to Great Platt River Road. Overnight stay (Kearney RV Park) and see attraction. Leave Day 5. (Do I need a full day?)
625 miles (12-13 hours) You do not need a full day at the museum and there's nothing else there. This is a 2-3 hour stop.

Day 5. Arrive Mt Rushmore KOA. Stay Day 6 and view attractions. Leave Day 7.
450 miles Not enough time here. Visit Custer State park (bring food to feed the donkeys) Crazy Horse Monument (even though it will never be finished) and the needles highway drive.

Day 7. Arrive Devil's Tower KOA. Stay Day 8 see Devil's Tower. Leave Day 9.
100 mile short drive....staying too long... 2-3 hours for the whole experience. View from the campground is the best!

Day 9. Arrive Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone. Stop for a couple hours in Cody but thought we may not stay. Should we?? If not, arrive here Day 9, stay 10,11,12,13 and leave Day 14.
300 miles to Cody and 100 miles to Yellowstone all on back roads. The museum in Cody is not to be missed but it's huge so you may have to bit the highlight. 4 hours was all we could handle in a day. If skipping the museum, skip Cody and take suggestion mentioned in previous post.

Day 14. Leave Yellowstone & stop at Grand Tetons for several hours. DO we need to stay a full day here? If not continue later to Brigham Perry South KOA for overnight stay. Leave day 15
Stay at Temple Square KOA in SLC, UT Visit Temple Square and the Beehive home of Brigham Young.
600 miles


Day 15. Arrive Kanab RV Corral. Arrive Day 15, stay full days of 16 and 17 and leave Day 18. Is that enough? Should we see South rim? Thoughts? Donkeys? Leave Day 18.
South rim is a must. If you can afford it the donkey trip to the bottom this is something the kids and you will never forget. Must make reservations now for the donkeys! Not kidding.

Day 18. Arrive Painted Dessert at 10:30 (When Park Opens) Closes at 5:00. Tour until 4:00 & head out. Arrive Petrified Forrest KOA. Arrive Day 18, stay day 19 see Forrest. Leave Day 20
I don't remember either Painted Desert or Petrified "forest" being more than a few hours of time.

Day 20. Leave and stop at 4 Corners for Photos. Continue to Mesa Verde KOA. Arrive Day 20, stay Day 21 for Mesa Verde Ruins attraction. Leave Day 22.
Good plan

Day 22. Arrive Moab KOA. Stay over day 23 to see Arches National Park. Leave next day on Day 24.
Arches and Canyonland is going to take 2 days.

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Wow, Thanks. The time listed in the program I was using was a bit less. I have driven to Atlanta in a day easily especially when we leave early. Figured I'd get a good start. I have more time so I will modify and try again. Am I annoying you yet? LOL

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No, you are not annoying me in the least. I mention what I mention because my very first "big trip" was poorly planned and I did not leave nearly enough time to visit the coolest places. I had a couple of "must be there on a certain date" destinations and this really went bad when I realized what I had done. Unfortunately, it was too late and my choice was get there or give up the destination (and pre-pay fees). I just want you to slow down and smell the roses. This is a great Country with more stuff to see than any one person could see in a lifetime. If this is not going to be your last trip, make your first trip a good, educational, enjoyable trip. If you do, the kids will be ready to go again on the next one (and so will you)!

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OK, here is my latest itinerary for your feedback please. Keep in mind I have a 9 and 11 year old at time of travel so some hiking but not aggressive. trying to see as much as possibly with time allotted. My itinerary will pick up at Mt Rushmore:

1. July 5th Arrive to Mt Rushmore anticipated by 1:00 pm as we have a 5 hour drive that day from our last point. See Mt Rushmore in later afternoon and evening. Spend the next day looking at other nearby areas.

2. July 7th Drive to Cody, Wyoming and thinking about the KOA there. Is that good? Probably arrive later afternoon 4 ish. Go out to dinner maybe catch Rodeo, stay the next day (8th) to tour the town. Leave on the 9th.

3. July 9th arrive Glacier National Park at KOA East side (Heard East is better) Stay full days on 10, 11,12 and leave on 13th.

4. July 13th Arrive Grizzly RV Park. (All camps east side are booked) Stau full days of July 14, 15, 16, 17. Leave on 18th.

5. July 18th arrive Colter Bay RV Resort in Grand Teton National Park. Stay full day of 19th(doing white water raft trip) and 20th (River breakfast crusie then afternoon sight seeing) Leave on 21st

6. July 21st-overnight stay Fillmore KOA

7. July 22 Arrive Grand Canyon Trailer Village in South Rim. Stay full days of 23, 24, 25, and leave the 26th. Booked a mule ride on rim.

8. July 26th Arrive Mesa Verde KOA. Stay 27 and 28th full days. Tour and leave the 29th

9. July 29th-HEad to Arches. Working on this part towards home...................

Questions: Do I need less time at Mesa Verde or is 2 days good? Any other thoughts? Getting to Mt Rushmore and then from Arches home is pretty simple as far as what I will do but the meat of the trip is above and am looking for some more feedback. THANKS!!

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Mt Rushmore KOA is a day in itself w kids...they have a lot of planned activities for children and Family, also the loop around Rushmore is spectacular am or early evening trip. Plan on taking bus for KOA to Mt Rushmore itself , then you don't pay for parking and have a good time w the bus driver, the Night Time lighting of Rushmore is WELL worth it! You can get far away pics on scenic drive, but up there at night is a thing the children will remember.

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If it were me (and it's not!) I would skip Glacier to spend an extra day in Cody and add some time to other sites that I (me personally) consider to be of more value. You will cut about 800 miles of driving out of your trip. Only you can decide how important the Glacier stop is. Yellowstone in July is not the best time as the animals have all fled to the hills and the tourists make getting around very difficult. Allow lots of time while here.

2 days in Mesa Verde will be fine and as mentioned above you will want to visit Mt. Rushmore in the evening to watch the lighting and listen to the per-lighting "ceremony".

You will need an afternoon and evening for this and then at least one full day to visit Custer State Park and make the Needles highway drive. You can just drive up to the Crazy Horse carving but don't go in as the view from the road is just about as good as the view from the visitor center.

Lots of stuff to see when you get to Moab. Arches is one day and Canyonland is at least another 1/2 day. There are some amazing drives from Moab and things to do so check what's available and what interests you.

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Agree! You simply cannot see it all (or even much of it) in one trip. Seek out the points of interest that will provide you and the kids with the most memorable experience and be sure they fall within the time allotment for this trip. Hopefully, there will be other trips and you can plan those around your 2nd bests or simply around a completely different route. Before I fell into the full-time travel I wanted to show my wife the entire US in 6 months. It was a terrible idea but we had a great time anyway despite my stupidity. Even if we had never made another trip, it would have been a much better trip if I had slowed things down and visited less sites for longer periods. Luckily, we were able to return to many of the places we had to glance over but that's not always going to be the situation and it's my personal opinion (make note of that statement) that you should see less but see what you see as well as it can be seen. I left too many places with huge regrets that I had not planned enough time. I would rather miss a stop than leave an awesome stop because I had to make my next destination.

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