How We Find the Best Things to Do When We Arrive at a New RV Destination
- worriesempty
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
By: Worries Empty – Dawn & Trevor
When you pull into a new RV destination, the excitement is real. New places to explore, new trails to hike, new food to taste—and if you’re like us, you don’t want to waste a single day wondering what to do. Over time, we’ve developed a pretty foolproof way to figure out the best things to do in any area we land in. And it works whether we’re staying in a small town, near a national park, or even along a scenic byway in the middle of nowhere.
Here’s our tried-and-true process: Here is our YouTube Channel that we are building a list to help others research. www.youtube.com/@Worriesempty
1. Search YouTube for Inspiration
Before we even roll into town, we hop on YouTube. It’s one of the best ways to see what an area has to offer before you get there. We search things like:
“Things to do in [City/State]”
“[National Park Name] top attractions”
“Hidden gems in [City/State]”
The visuals help us quickly decide if something is worth our time. Plus, you’ll often find local creators who share off-the-beaten-path spots you’d never read about in a travel guide.
2. Search Google for Local Favorites
Google is the next stop. We’ll run searches for:
“Best restaurants in [City]”
“Best hikes near [Location]”
“Events in [City] this weekend”
We’ll also look at Google Maps to check reviews and photos, which can help separate the “must-sees” from the tourist traps.
3. Ask ChatGPT for Unique Ideas
Yep—AI is part of our toolkit now. We’ll ask ChatGPT for things like:
“Give me a 3-day itinerary for [City] with a mix of history, food, and nature.”
“What’s something unique I can do in [State] in summer?”
It often surfaces fun historical facts, seasonal events, or quirky stops that don’t always pop up in a regular Google search.
4. Talk to Fellow Campers
Your best resource might be sitting in the site next to you. We’ll chat with our neighbors and ask:
“Hey, if you had just one day here, what would you do?”
RVers tend to be friendly and full of great travel tips. Plus, they’ll often tell you which spots are worth it—and which ones to skip.
5. Ask the Front Desk
The campground office is a goldmine for local knowledge. The people working there usually live in the area and know it inside and out. They’ll often have maps, event flyers, and insider tips on how to beat the crowds.
6. Visit the Local Visitor Center
We always stop at the visitor or tourist information center. They’ll have:
Local maps (often with scenic routes marked)
Brochures for attractions and tours
Staff who know all the hidden gems.
They can even tell you about events happening that weekend you might not have heard about otherwise.
Final Tip: We combine all these resources into a little “must-do” list for our trip. It’s not about doing everything—it’s about finding the best mix for us. Whether it’s a hike, a historical site, a cool diner, or just a scenic drive, we want to make the most of every stop.
How do you find the best things to do when you travel? Drop your tips in the comments—we’d love to hear them.
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