Atlanta to Washington Road Trip Guide

The Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina has deep roots in the Tobacco Industry. One of the key players in that industry was Washington Duke. His contributions to the area have made the Duke name commonplace in the area, even serving as the namesake for the major university in the area, Duke University.

The Duke Homestead State Historic Site encompasses the original Duke home, factory, and farm as they stood while the Dukes lived there from 1852 – 1874. There is also a Tobacco Museum covering the contributions the Dukes made to the industry in general. 45 minute guided yours of the property are available, or you can explore parts on your own.

Rolling View Campground is located in the Falls Lake State Recreation Area. It is a beautiful campground located right on Falls Lake. It is also close to downtown Durham and only about 25 minutes from the Duke Homestead.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is a 125-acre park operated by the National Park Service in Greensboro, NC. The site commemorates the revolutionary war battle between Lord Cornwallace's and General Green's troops on March 15, 1781. This battle raged for about two and a half hours. While Cornwallis' forces emerged victorious, their heavy losses ultimately lead to their defeat and the American victory of the Revolutionary war several months later.

The park now includes a visitor center with a film about the battle and several exhibits covering the events surrounding it. Those exhibits include many artifacts from the battle. There are also guided tours of the grounds which provide an excellent overview of the events on that day. Also located on the property is the Hoskins Farm Site. This is a homestead occupied by two brothers who had fled the war in the north only to have to reemerge in their backyard. You can tour this area by audio tour.

Greensboro KOA is a good campground to stay at. It is close to downtown and convenient to I-85. It is also only about 20 minutes from the military park.

The most popular spectator sport in the United States is NASCAR racing. This sport is especially popular in the south, where it originated during the prohibition era of the 1920's. During those days, bootleggers used stock cars which were modified for speed to deliver their goods. The complete history of the sport can be experienced at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. The hall of fame is part of the five acre Charlotte Convention Center complex. Inside you'll find a large movie theater which plays various NASCAR related films, lots of interactive exhibits, and tons of memorabilia spanning the history of NASCAR racing. It also hosts a number of special events throughout the year which focus on specific areas of the racing industry.

Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort is a great place to stay in the city. It is located on the southwest edge of the city and it is associated with the neighboring Carowinds Amusement Park, which is a good place to visit while you're here. The RV park provides a quiet space with beautiful, large level sites. Access in and out of the park is also very easy.

Falls Park is a city park located in Greenville, SC. This is an outstanding park with several great attractions. First, there are the many walking trails that wind through the lush greenery of the park. These trails also take you to several scenic overlooks and waterfalls along the Reedy River for which the park is known. Two of the bigger attractions in the park include the Liberty Bridge and the Medusa Tree. The Liberty Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge that curves 345 feet over the Reedy River Valley. The bridge provides beautiful panoramic views of the river, waterfalls and park space below. During the summer you can often catch the park theater productions, which include Shakespeare, from the bridge.

The Medusa Tree is one of the most photographed subjects in the park. It is a large Birch Tree growing on a hillside along the Swamp Rabbit Trail in the park. Years of erosion have left a large portion of the tree's root system open see, looking very much like the snake hair of Medusa.

For an overnight stay, Ivy Acres RV Park is a great choice. This quiet park is located off I-85 exit 39 and is conveniently located just 10 minutes from downtown Greenville.

Fredericksburg, Virginia, played a pivotal role in the Civil War and offers excellent family-friendly attractions. The Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park provides guided tours and junior ranger programs that make history engaging for children.

Downtown Fredericksburg's cobblestone streets are lined with antique shops, restaurants, and the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, where costumed interpreters demonstrate 18th-century medicine (fascinating but not too scary for kids!).

Stay at Fredericksburg/Washington DC South KOA, which offers unique amenities like gemstone mining and a barrel train tour of the campground—perfect entertainment for families.

Virginia's capital city seamlessly blends Civil War history with modern attractions. The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar offers interactive exhibits that bring history to life for all ages. Kids especially enjoy the hands-on activities and period demonstrations.

The Richmond Riverfront provides beautiful walking and biking trails along the James River. Maymont Park features a mansion, wildlife exhibits, and gardens—plus it's completely free! The children's farm is always a hit with younger travelers.

Camping recommendation: Pocahontas State Park offers 64 RV sites with hookups, just 20 minutes from downtown Richmond. The park features hiking trails, a lake for fishing, and excellent visitor amenities.

Charlotte offers the perfect midway point for your journey, blending Southern charm with modern attractions. The city's vibrant Uptown area features the NASCAR Hall of Fame—a must-see for racing fans—and the Discovery Place Science museum, perfect for curious kids.

Families love spending time at Freedom Park, a 98-acre green space with playgrounds, walking trails, and a beautiful lake. The park's sports complex and picnic areas make it ideal for stretching legs and letting kids burn energy.

For RV parking, the Carowinds RV Resort provides easy access to both the theme park and downtown Charlotte. This family-friendly campground offers full hookups and shuttle service to Carowinds amusement park.