Worcester to Birmingham Road Trip Guide

Introduction

Massachusetts is home to many gems outside of the Boston area, including the city of Worcester. Located in central Massachusetts, Worcester is the second-largest city in the state, and its combination of history, museums, and nature means that it is a top tier destination for your next RV road trip.

Worcester truly is a wonderful destination to start a trip, especially if you are heading southwest. Heading on a road trip through this region of the country gives you the chance to enjoy vastly different climates, landscapes, and cultural activities, which is a huge reason why RV traveling is so great. You can be in a lively city one day and then the complete wilderness the next, all while going at your own pace.

No matter what time of year that you choose to hit the road your drive times will be a breeze due to how many things there are to do. With multiple state parks, lush forests, towering mountains, and unique attractions scattered throughout the south, this is going to be a trip for the ages.

A seven-day trip down south will also lead you to the largest city in Alabama. Birmingham is renowned for its outdoor activities, jazz music scene, and great museums, which makes it a perfect final destination before you have to return to reality.

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Details

60'
Max RV length
60'
Max trailer Length
Road trip length: 7+ days
Recommend rig: van
audience: single

Point of Interest

Worcester Art Museum

Known as one of the most important art museums in all of the United States, the Worcester Art Museum has been a cultural institution of the city since the late 1800s and is one of the main attractions in the city. All visitors no matter their age will be interested in something at the museum since there are more than 38,000 works of art that span from ancient pieces to modern-day classics.

One of the most interesting parts of the museum is the John Woodman Higgins Armoury Collection. Featuring the second-largest collection of armory and arms in the country, history buffs will love seeing the different eras that you won't be able to see at many other museums. There are also plenty of special exhibits that are available on a limited-time basis only, so make sure you check out their website to see if there might be anything of interest that wouldn't usually be there.

Located 20 miles southwest of Worcester, Wells State Park is a fantastic option to call home after hanging out in the city for the day. There are two loops for RV camping in the park with all sites equipped with electrical hookups.


Quassy Amusement & Waterpark

If you are looking for some fun in the sun during the east coast portion of your trip you need to pay a visit to the Quassy Amusement & Waterpark in Middlebury. This park is full of history and is only one of 13 trolley parks left in the country so you will be able to enjoy a classic American day out like previous generations dating back to 1908.

Open from the beginning of April each year, Quassy Amusement & Waterpark is a hit for visitors of all ages due to the variety of rides and attractions that are on offer. There are 20 rides in the main section of the park, along with a waterpark, arcade, and a laser maze, so if you have any interest in amusement park attractions there will be something for you to enjoy.

10 miles down the road from the Quassy Amusement & Waterpark is Kettletown State Park where you can pull up and stay the night. The park campground has a total of 61 campgrounds suitable for rigs up to 28 feet long, so if you have a smaller rig it is a great place to stay for the night.


Nockamixon State Park

Located around three hours from Middlebury near the picturesque city of Allentown is Nockamixon State Park, which is also only an hour away from Philadelphia. Since the park isn't too far from the route to Birmingham, it is a great choice for RV lovers wanting to get outdoors and experience some wonderful recreational activities.

The highlight of the 5,283-acre park is Lake Nockamixon. Featuring a surface area of 1,450-acres, here is where the majority of park visitors flock to where you can enjoy boating and fishing. The park is also home to a modern pool area that features two waterslides, six unique hiking trails, several picnic areas, and many wildlife viewing opportunities thanks to the rolling hills and forested areas of the park.

Nockamixon State Park has cabins available for rent, but for RV camping you can head to the nearby Little Red Barn Campground or Tohickon Family Campground that are only a few minutes away.


Caledonia State Park

You will soon be enjoying mountain life as you continue to make your way down south, and located next to Michaux State Forest is the impressive Caledonia State Park that is well worth checking out.

The area is known for its untouched wilderness, and within the park, there are over 1,000 acres that are development free where you can explore over ten miles of trails, hunt on over 700 acres, fish in one of the two streams, and go swimming in the summertime at the park pool. If you feel up to more exploring the state forests in the area features 84,000 acres where you can escape to the wilderness.

If you are going on your RV road trip of a lifetime during the summer months make sure you check out the educational programs on offer from the park that include tours of the park blacksmith shop, guided hikes, and history talks about the park and its local area.

You also have the option of staying at one of the two campgrounds within the park with some sites featuring full hookups so you can end your stay in style.


Monticello

Undeniably one of the most recognizable estates in the United States, paying a visit to the former home of Thomas Jefferson is one of the most popular activities to do for visitors to the northwestern side of Virginia.

Originally developed back in the 1700s after he inherited the land from his father, Thomas Jefferson used Monticello as his main residence for many years until his death in 1826. The French architecture and octagonal dome truly is a sight to behold, and in 1987 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the University of Virginia’s Academical Village.

Thanks to the preservation efforts of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation it is open for visitors to enjoy. During your visit, there are plenty of tour options for you to choose from, including one that details the garden and grounds of Monticello, a day pass to tour the first floor, a day pass to tour the second floor, and a tour that focuses on slavery that Monticello was notorious for.

After spending a day out at Monticello you may be feeling pretty tired since it is on a 2,500-acre property, but for a no-fuss campground option, you can stay at the Charlottesville KOA Holiday.


The Roanoke Star

One of the highlights that RV road trips allow you to experience is taking time to stop at some areas that wouldn't usually be on most travelers itinerary. Overlooking the city of Roanoke, Mill Mountain Park is a hidden gem that every visitor will find enjoyable.

The park is well-known in the area for having over 10 miles of hiking trails, many great picnic areas, a zoo, and a discovery center, but you can't miss seeing the Roanoke Star lit up in all its glory. The star is the largest of its kind in the world and has been overlooking the surrounding area since 1949. People 60 miles away can see this neon thing of beauty, so there really is no way to miss it during your time in the area. Featuring over 2,000 pounds of neons and weighing in at 10,000 pounds, this is a heavy-duty light installation.

However you choose to view the star during your stop in Roanoke make sure to bring your camera and enjoy this very unique attraction while you have the chance.


Knoxville

After many days out in nature, it can feel good to get back to city life, especially in a city as cool as Knoxville. The gateway to the Smoky Mountains is full of cool things to do, especially if you are into the arts and out of the ordinary attractions.

If you are looking to get your creative fix and are on a budget, one of the best options to do when visiting Knoxville is to head to the Preservation Pub. This is an iconic local venue where some of the best local and touring bands cut their teeth and with over 200 gigs a year there will most likely be some great music to catch here during your visit.

Seeking an attraction on the spooky side? The University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility is home to a two and a half-acre plot that has been nicknamed "The Body Farm" due to it being used by scientists to research how human cadavers break down. There are over 700 skeletons at this location, which makes it one of the largest collections in the world. No tours of The Body Farm are allowed, however, you can get a view through the chain-link fence.

One of the best camping options in and around Knoxville is the Poland Creek Campground that is operated by the town of Louisville where you can enjoy some creekside camping.


Lookout Mountain

The Smoky Mountains are always a fantastic attraction, but if you are looking for something different as you reach the closing stages of your trip you should consider paying a visit to Lookout Mountain.

Located around six miles from Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain has plenty of things to do. One that you must check out is the hike to the See Seven States area where you can indeed see seven different states from the awe-inspiring viewpoint. While up at Lookout Mountain another incredible attraction is Ruby Falls, which is the largest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. To cap off your day, why not take a ride on the Incline Railway, which is one of the steepest passenger railways in the world?

Since you are nearing the end of your trip you can spoil yourself by staying at the Lookout Mountain / Chattanooga West KOA Holiday. Featuring full hookup sites, a dog park, WiFi, and jumping pad, this is one of the best campgrounds in the area.


Summary

At the end of a long road trip, you can't do much better than spending some time in Birmingham. The most populated city in Alabama offers the perfect mix of natural attractions and modern city luxuries, so no matter how you are feeling after a week or more on the road, arriving in Birmingham will be a relief.

If you are in the mood for experiencing some culture, there are multiple museums that you can visit, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, and the Birmingham Museum of Art. There are multiple places where you can enjoy some fine dining, such as at Satterfield's Restaurant and Galley & Garden, or if you want to kick it at a local bar consider having a drink at The Atomic Lounge or Carrigan's Public House.

When it comes to RV camping in Birmingham you can't go past the campground at Oak Mountain State Park. Open all year round, there is no better way to end your trip than by relaxing at a full hookup site lakeside.

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