5 RV road trip themes for the truly adventurous

1. Cheesy tourist traps

This is one of our more out-there ideas, definitely for people looking far beyond specific regions or another generic national park RV tour. Cheesy tourist traps, heavily featured in comedic films like “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” are a longstanding road trip tradition popular with RVers of all ages. From the PEZ Visitors Center in Connecticut to the Hammer Museum in Alaska, you’re sure to find eye-rolling attractions in every state for every strange intrigue. 

Interested in reconstructed famous buildings? Check out the Leaning Tower of Niles in Illinois. At roughly half the size of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this midwestern marvel was built in 1934 and continues to delight visitors almost 100 years on. Or are you a Star Trek Fan? Riverside, Iowa is home to the Future Birthplace of Captain Kirk, featuring an engraved stone monument for his birthdate (March 22, 2228) and plenty of Star Trek collectibles. For even more flavor, take a trip to Minnesota, where you can take a selfie with an enormous Jolly Green Giant statue, and check out the SPAM museum.

2. Trains and train museums

US train museums provide a unique and unexpected perspective through the history of railroads and their impact on the country. These museums showcase a variety of historic locomotives, artifacts, and stories highlighting the evolution of train travel and its lasting significance in American culture and industry. 

The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, one of the largest in North America, features carefully restored locomotives and cars. Don’t miss the striking, fully-restored 1862 steam locomotive! Interactive exhibits and educational programs provide a hands-on experience, making it ideal for visitors of all ages, especially children.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania offers a comprehensive collection of historic trains, from early wooden passenger cars all the way to massive steam engines. This museum's vast array of engaging displays illustrates railroad development and its role in shaping the nation.

Located on the site of the oldest railroad station in the United States, the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore delves into the birthplace of American railroading. Here, visitors explore an extensive collection of 19th-century trains and enjoy seasonal train rides bringing history to life.

3. Hall of Fame museums

Hall of Fame museums throughout the United States give us a glimpse into achievements in many different fields, from sports to music and more. They provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the people who accomplished so much and a chance to celebrate their legacies. 

No list of Hall of Fame museums would be complete without the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Located in Cooperstown, NY, this museum is practically a pilgrimage site for fans of America’s favorite pastime. Showcasing the history of baseball through exhibits, memorabilia, and interactive museum displays, visitors get a sense of being a part of something bigger. Check out the plaques of inducted players, historical artifacts, and educational programs that explore the sport’s rich history. 

Another New York stop, the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls celebrates women who have made significant contributions to society. Visitors can browse exhibits that highlight inductees from across fields, including science, art, politics, and more. From Emily Dickinson to Janet Reno, you can learn about the women who have left a lasting impact on our nation’s history. 

Take your RV to Ohio for the next two! The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland famously pays tribute to the legends of rock music. Browsing an impressive collection of costumes, instruments, and drafts of song lyrics, visitors can trace the history of rock and roll through themed exhibits and multimedia presentations that bring the music to life. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, located in Canton, is dedicated to the history of American football, its greatest players, and memorable moments.

4. Haunted or creepy locations

Looking for more of an adrenaline rush for your next RV adventure? Why not take a trip that includes spine-chilling experiences and landscapes steeped in mythology?! 

For East Coast travelers, be sure to check out The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia for crumbling cellblocks and haunted solitary confinement cells. Nighttime ghost tours add to the thrill as visitors explore the dark corridors while hearing tales of the penitentiary’s sordid past. Head south to the most haunted city in America to experience the ghostly legends of Savannah, Georgia. The Bonaventure Cemetery and Sorrel-Weed house provide the perfect backdrop to some of the nation’s most tragic and paranormal ghost tours. 

For RVers who are or wish to travel further west, be sure to visit the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. This beautiful hotel was the inspiration behind Stephen King’s “The Shining,” and it is well-known for its paranormal occurrences. Guests and visitors frequently report unexplained encounters, especially in Room 217 and the ballroom. Another location in the mountain west is the city of Roswell, New Mexico, which is equal parts scary and fun. Infamous for its involvement in alien encounters, visitors to Roswell can marvel at the number of spaceships to explore, an alien autopsy site, and gift shops galore. 

And finally, for the West Coast RV enthusiasts among us, one of the most famous haunted road trip destinations is the Winchester Mystery House. Located in San Jose, California, the sprawling, labyrinthine mansion was constructed in continuous pieces over 38 years. This house was constructed under the direction of Sarah Winchester, the widow of the rifle magnate. Renowned for its architectural oddities, including staircases leading to nowhere and doors opening into walls, the Winchester mansion is said to be haunted by the spirits of those killed by the rifles that share the name.

5. Dark places: Caves and Designated Dark Skies

Dark skies and cavern sites provide glimpses into what we can’t see. These places give us a blend of geological wonders below and stellar vistas above, offering a truly unique road trip experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is a well-known destination for spelunkers. Featuring more than 119 caves formed by sulfuric acid dissolution, make sure to take a tour that goes through the Big Room, a spectacular chamber adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations. You can also witness the Bat Flight Program at dusk, when thousands of bats emerge from the caverns, truly an astonishing natural spectacle.

Escape from a cavern adventure to a dark sky site. Recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, Big Bend in Texas offers some of the most pristine night skies in the United States. The lack of light pollution makes it an ideal spot for stargazing, where visitors can see the Milky Way in all its glory and enjoy ranger-led astronomy programs.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, home to the world’s longest-known cave system, offers tours that carve their way into its vast below-ground passages. Explore key historical aspects and notable formations or take a tour that focuses on an adventurous, hands-on caving experience. Above ground, the park’s night skies also offer a perfect setting for stargazing, particularly in its more remote areas.

In Arizona, Kartchner Caverns State Park showcases living caves with incredible formations like the Throne Room's massive column and the delicate soda straws in the Big Room. The park also features designated stargazing nights, where visitors can enjoy the dark skies of southern Arizona, often accompanied by educational talks and telescope viewings.

Feel inspired to take these themed trips in an RV of your own?

If you’re looking for the perfect RV, no matter the size or destination, look no further than your local Transwest dealer. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is available to help you make the best choice to meet your travel needs. Check out our available inventory and visit us today to help make your quirky RV road trip dreams a reality.