NEWCOAST INSIGHTS

Five Great Winter Adventures for Boat and RV Owners

The winter season is the perfect time to start thinking and planning new adventures for the upcoming year and future holidays. Whether traveling to spend time with family and friends or to get away on a much-needed vacation, boat and RV owners have some unique opportunities within easy reach. To help spark a few ideas, here are five great winter destinations and activities for boat and RV owners to try out.

Visit the Capital

Washington, D.C., makes a great RV destination any time of year. However, when the weather turns cold, the town comes alive with even more spirit, with local markets and bazaars full of food, warm drinks, and great gifts. In the nation’s capital, there is so much to see. Take a stroll through the National Zoo or take the self-guided tour of ArtWalk DuPont at the historic Dupont Circle location, which can feature live music and refreshments during certain times. And, of course, don’t forget to stop by and see incredible museums, monuments, and the most famous historical landmarks.

Enjoy a Boat Parade

Boaters can be a festive bunch, and for those living in a part of the country with a year-round boating season, the cooler weather can present the opportunity to watch or participate in lighted or themed boat parades. While big coastal cities like Fort Lauderdale, Corpus Christi, and San Francisco may have the most well-known events, many inland areas such as Lake Powell and Lake of the Ozarks also host flotillas full of lighted vessels. Smaller lakes have thriving boater communities too, so if you own a trailer boat, you can find a boat parade to watch, or even participate in, somewhere nearby.

Cruise the Intercoastal Waterway

Almost all boaters have a dream destination, such as the Erie Canal or sailing to The Bahamas, and a few weeks of vacation is the perfect time to make that dream come true. For many power and sail boaters, cruising the length of the Intercoastal Waterway, fondly called The Ditch or the ICW, is that dream. For those on the East side of the country, cruising the ICW is an attainable goal. However, for boaters from other parts of the country, although it can be pricey, it is possible to charter a boat and cruise parts of the ICW. It is also possible to sign up for a trip with a smaller cruise line and experience all or part of the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway.

Although the main channel runs 1,088 miles from Norfolk, VA, to Key West, FL, more than 3,000 miles of interconnected waterways make up the entire Intercoastal. Those 3,000 miles are filled with quaint towns, beautiful scenery, and other boaters making their own dream cruise a reality. Start at one end or the other or jump in anywhere along the length of the waterway and cruise for days or go for weeks. Make it a family trip or a solo adventure. Even if it’s only possible to see a small part of the Intercoastal, that is likely to be more than most others will ever experience.

Disney

Disney is a fantastic vacation destination for RV owners at any time of the year; however, during wintertime, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s other attractions are transformed to match the spirit of the season. During this time, Disney will feature lights and sounds, with special entertainment guests and shows, seasonal food offerings at park restaurants, and much more. Mickey hosts a variety of parades and parties, but even Minnie has a chance to steal the show with her very own fireworks display.

With kids or without, Disney is a truly magical place for RV adventurers to experience.

Winter Camping Across the U.S.

For all the adventure seekers out there, winter camping is a must! Whether you want to travel somewhere sunny like The Florida Keys or find a hidden winter wonderland near the Rocky Mountains, there are plenty of destinations to explore by RV.

Johnathan Dickinson State Park – Hobe Sound, Florida
There’s a reason people flock to Florida for the winter months—warm weather and sandy beaches. So, if you plan on heading down south in your RV for an outdoor adventure, staying at Johnathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, Florida, is a must. This 10,500-acre state park is surrounded by untouched Florida scrub and native wildlife—like alligators and bald eagles and gives access to the famous Loxahatchee River and Trapper Nelson’s homestead from the 1930s.

When staying at the park, families can choose between two campground locations with necessary RV amenities while enjoying biking trails, bird watching, boat tours on the Loxahatchee Queen pontoon, kayak and canoe rentals, horseback riding, and so much more.

Leavenworth RV Camping Preserve – Leavenworth, Washington
Are you thinking of traveling to the Cascade Mountains this winter? Plan a road trip to Leavenworth RV Camping preserve in Washington and take in the vast forests that span 300 acres. Built for travelers on wheels, this pristine campground offers winter visitors the chance to venture through 200 miles of snowmobile trails, sled or ski through the quiet mountainside, or stay toasty by the fireside.

If you want to venture outside the campground, think about visiting the popular Bavarian Village of Leavenworth to explore unique German eateries, winter festivals, Bavarian architecture, and plenty of shopping. Guests in the winter months will also be able to experience the Leavenworth Village of Lights, which turns on Thanksgiving Day and lasts through Valentine’s Day.

Ridgway State Park – Ridgway Colorado
What better way to spend the winter months than traveling Colorado and exploring the Rocky Mountains? Though there are plenty of places in the Rockies to explore, the Ridgway State Park is a popular camping destination among visitors and is known as the “Switzerland of America” for its views. Not only can you camp in the comfort of your RV, but you can also rent a yurt, or small rustic cabin, to keep you and your family cozy when temperatures drop. Explore the great outdoors by hiking the trails, viewing wildlife, or finding winter activities nearby, like ice climbing and skiing. With so much to offer, your perfect winter wonderland is closer than you think.

No matter what the destination or what time of year, at Newcoast, we’ve got your RV and marine insurance needs covered. For those thinking about purchasing a new boat or recreational vehicle in the coming year, we’ve got you covered there as well. Our boat and RV financing plans feature competitive rates, a 2-minute pre-qualification, and approval in as little as 24 hours. We also offer tailored coverage with smart and affordable options available through a large network of carriers.

With decades of industry knowledge, Newcoast makes it easy to own your dream and protect it too.