Washington to Mt Airy Road Trip Guide
Introduction
Traveling with the whole family can sometimes be difficult, especially if not everyone is happy with the destinations. Washington D.C. is one of the most family-friendly places on earth with a whole range of great learning activities, which makes it a great place to start a weekend RV trip.
From Washington D.C. you have plenty of options as to where you can go on a quick trip, including heading down southwest into the mountains of North Carolina. One of the best routes to take down into the state is via I-81 and I-77. This will give you and the family the chance to see some of the beautiful natural areas within Virginia before you head south into North Carolina. Along the way, you can view the incredible Skyline Caverns and explore Monongahela National Forest before making your way to the final stop on your trip.
Mount Airy is the perfect place to have as the final destination if you and the family are looking for some peace and quiet. Known as the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith, this small city has a cute downtown area and a museum dedicated to the life of its most famous resident. Pack up your motorhome, gather your supplies and get ready for a great trip!
Point of Interest
The National Museum of Natural History
Washington D.C is to be one of the best places to visit in the world, so making it your first stop on your road trip is a great choice. While there are plenty of incredible museums in the National Mall, it is unrealistic to think that all of the family will be able to concentrate for more than a few hours at a time. If you have to choose one museum and one museum only, consider The National Museum of Natural History.
The National Museum of Natural History is the most family-friendly in Washington thanks to its interactive displays and hands-on learning opportunities. The little ones will have a ball in The Discovery Room where they can try on clothes, examine teeth and jaws of all sorts of animals, and piece together a skeleton from a 14-foot Prestosuchus.
RV camping in Washington D.C is a little limited due to the development of the city, but there are some great options on the outskirts, including the Prince William RV Campground or the Washington DC / Capitol KOA.
Skyline Caverns
Known as the closest natural wonder to Washington D.C, the Skyline Caverns are incredible caves that are well worth visiting as you continue your RV trip to Mount Airy.
Originally discovered by retired geologist and mineralogist Walter S. Amos in the late 1930s, Skyline Caverns are open for tours to the public every day of the year, including Christmas! The tours last for around an hour and you will be able to see around 20 percent of the caverns, with the other 80 percent being inaccessible.
One of the special features of the Skyline Caverns is that they are home to the long thin crystals known as Anthodites. Make sure to bring your camera because you won't get many other chances to see these stunning rocks in their natural environment ever again.
Since Shenandoah River State Park is close by there are many campgrounds to choose from when you are ready to hit the hay, including the highly-rated Luray KOA Holiday.
Monongahela National Forest
From the deep underground caverns to the scenic vistas of Monongahela National Forest, this road trip really has it all. Featuring one of the most diverse ecological areas in the United States, Monongahela National Forest is a little off the beaten path but you should definitely check it out.
The forest is a major tourist attraction in West Virginia, and for good reason. There are so many recreational activities to do that you would have to live at the park in order to experience them all. During your quick stay you can go hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, view some of the local wildlife, and have a picnic, just to name a few. Classified as a working forest, you may also see people undertaking various jobs when you are visiting.
The camping options at Monongahela National Forest are overwhelming, which is what to be expected in a natural area that is around 1.7 million acres in size. The Seneca Shadows Campground is one of the newer accommodation areas and has a combination of primitive and electric sites for you to choose from.
Summary
You and your family have covered over 300 miles on your weekend trip, so chances are you want to kick up your feet and chill out. Mount Airy is the perfect place to do this since this sleepy town is a haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While there are major events that happen in the city each year (such as the Autumn Leaves Festival and the Mayberry Days celebration) most of the time it will be a place where the sounds of the city are dominated by the birds in the trees.
The city is most famous for being the birthplace of legendary actor Andy Griffith and you can even go and see his childhood home. Other activities in the city include checking out the informative Mount Airy Museum of Regional History and going for a hike at the Riverside Park Granite City Greenway. To complete your visit, you can stay at the Mayberry Campground or Beechnut Family Campground. Now that you have reached the end of your trip the only thing left to do is head home and start planning the next one!
