Points of interest along a route?

chriscowles · 05-20-2021, 03:38 PM

How do you search for things of interest along your route? I don't mean the usual points of interest like Flying J or a Walmart where you can stay overnight, but a place to stop along the way simply because it's interesting, like historical sites or scenic overlooks nearby that aren't necessarily directly on your route. RVParky and RVTripWizard both are good at telling you where to eat, sleep and get gas but not about things that are fun or educational to visit.

rowdy boys 3 · 05-20-2021, 07:38 PM

Decide where you want to go and research what is along that route. I took a 5,200 mile trip from the new orleans area, all the way out to mt rushmore - yellowstone park area and back. 17 nights, a different place every night. Drive and stop when you wanna do something, spend the night, do something the next morning, afternoon or evening and then stop again. You cant do everything that every place has to offer, just get out there and go be adventurous...

DougW · 05-20-2021, 08:18 PM

The app CLIO has points of interest in it. It isn’t bad but I am sure there are things out there that might be better so i will also be watching the responses.

It used to be that the Good Sam App had excellent POI stuff in it but they did away with that a few years ago and never put it back. I have not found anything that is as good as that was yet.

chriscowles · 05-20-2021, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougW

The app CLIO has points of interest in it. It isn’t bad but I am sure there are things out there that might be better so i will also be watching the responses.

It used to be that the Good Sam App had excellent POI stuff in it but they did away with that a few years ago and never put it back. I have not found anything that is as good as that was yet.

Thanks for your useful response.

**ependydad** · 05-21-2021, 12:03 PM

www.RoadTrippers.com
www.RoadsideAmerica.com
www.AtlasObscura.com

Are all fun ones.

robo44 · 05-21-2021, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

www.RoadTrippers.com
www.RoadsideAmerica.com
www.AtlasObscura.com

Are all fun ones.

x2 all are in my bookmarks

**wmtire** · 05-21-2021, 12:30 PM

I like roadside America. Even added a few points to it myself if you are ever in the area. Lol

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/51213

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/36344

**wmtire** · 05-21-2021, 01:31 PM

I forgot to add in my previous post there are some free online poi websiyes/files you can download and like add to Garmin GPS units. I'll check on it tonight as I haven't used them in a few years

Geocaching.com is also a good site for interesting places. People tend to place geocaches at historical and other neat locations. Geocaching has taken me to places I would have never known existed.

chriscowles · 05-21-2021, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

www.RoadTrippers.com
www.RoadsideAmerica.com
www.AtlasObscura.com

Are all fun ones.

Thanks. That's the kind of thing I was looking for.

Reverse_snowbird · 05-21-2021, 04:52 PM

We've found that once we're near a campsite or location, our Garmin GPS will find local attractions if you use the 'Attractions' feature. It's buried in the menu and it depends on which Garmin you have where the featured buried.
We like 'odd' historical things and we found a fragment of an abandoned canal that the locals still give boat rides, an historic site where you could see remnants of a railroad that moved trains uphill between canals, and local museums that didn't appear on any of our other searches and contained fascinating local history.
You've got to be flexible to find the sites and frequently Google Maps helps if you zoom into the map. That takes patience to zoom in and follow your route.

KNMIB · 05-21-2021, 05:02 PM

We use the ones mentioned plus trip advisor is pretty good at identifying must see in towns. We do 1 to 4 month trips and we have certain thinks we want to see planned out then at night I look where we are headed and what's in the area. We also ask and have stopped at many places because of road signs. Like the Spam museum LOL

rowdy boys 3 · 05-21-2021, 07:31 PM

Theres also places out there like wall drugs (south dakota), the corn palace, the meteor crater, the cadilac ranch, the big texan steak house (amarillo), the london bridge (lake havesu), there is a place by flagstaff (where you can pick and cook your steak, chicken, etx..), there are places to see all over this great country of ours...

dieselguy · 05-21-2021, 07:41 PM

I know many here will wonder what decade I'm attempting to live in, but aside from the electronic gadgets, we sometimes simply pick up our Rand McNally Road Atlas and take a look at what is right on the map. Bunches of stuff to see is in print right in the atlas and you can get an idea of distance at first glance.

rowdy boys 3 · 05-21-2021, 07:48 PM

Nothing wrong with a rand mcnalley atlas map, i still use it, as my father in law used to say, as long as i got a map and gas, im not lost, LOL...

KNMIB · 05-21-2021, 08:30 PM

I for one (old one) love maps. Many times when we get to an RV park and get set up I will grab a cold one and my Rand map, sit at the picnic table and see what is up the road the next day. Sometimes it takes 2 cold ones.

chriscowles · 05-21-2021, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowdy boys 3

Theres also places out there like wall drugs (south dakota), the corn palace, the meteor crater, the cadilac ranch, the big texan steak house (amarillo), the london bridge (lake havesu), there is a place by flagstaff (where you can pick and cook your steak, chicken, etx..), there are places to see all over this great country of ours...

I'm trying to find them.

rsdata · 05-21-2021, 09:34 PM

before the trip, I let google maps plan my route... of course I look to stay off the interstates as much as I can...

Zoom into the roads that you plan on using... as you zoom in more and more places start showing on the google map...

you can find many places to eat and visit using this technique...

I have made my own maps with places to stay along the way using google maps...

This is a screen shot of a Natchez Trace trip I want to make with places of interest I found. Click on the icon and it tells you what it is... ( not this screenshot of course)...

**bikendan** · 05-21-2021, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNMIB

I for one (old one) love maps. Many times when we get to an RV park and get set up I will grab a cold one and my Rand map, sit at the picnic table and see what is up the road the next day. Sometimes it takes 2 cold ones.

Yep, me too! The DW feels I have Mapophelia.

okie dokie · 05-22-2021, 09:18 PM

Everyone plans differently so these are my tips

I try to order travel guides from the States we are going to travel through in advance. Some are better than others but a good jumping off spot. Most will throw in a map and camping guide.

Stop at welcome centers, we find info on specific areas and hidden gems

You can find lots of history stops in a National Park passport book.

Recreation.gov has a trip planner. It will overlay points of interest for federal and state lands.

Talk to the campground host. They have the best tips.

If time is not an issue, take the road less traveled. Hard to see America from the Interstate. We travel mostly US and State highways. Lots of interesting things to see and do along the way.

Last resort google top 10 things to do

Happy travels

Beachbourbon · 05-22-2021, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriscowles

How do you search for things of interest along your route? I don't mean the usual points of interest like Flying J or a Walmart where you can stay overnight, but a place to stop along the way simply because it's interesting, like historical sites or scenic overlooks nearby that aren't necessarily directly on your route. RVParky and RVTripWizard both are good at telling you where to eat, sleep and get gas but not about things that are fun or educational to visit.

Is this really a legitimate question?

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