roadtripper1698562

{Visited French Quarter RV Feb. 2-5, 2015}

If you want to experience the heart and soul of New Orleans, this is your campground. You can't camp any closer to the action unless you're homeless.

Let me be clear: French Quarter RV isn't your state park campground shrouded in a canopy of oaks; quite the opposite actually. It's City Slicker Camping - a place to rest your head after a long night of sazeracs and jazz clubs.

We're the outdoorsy types who usually seek out forested campgrounds with swimming holes, but this was our first visit to NOLA and we enjoyed the convenience of being so close to the Big Easy's main attractions - and I don't mean Bourbon Street. Go anywhere but Bourbon Street and you'll have an amazing time in this historic, vibrant town.

FQRV is technically located on the border of the French Quarter and Treme neighborhood, but it's a reasonable walk to the heart of the French Quarter. If you don't want to walk, call a cab and they'll pick you up at your campsite (the front desk can help arrange it for you).

If you look at the campground on Google Maps, you'll see that it is right next to I-10, but we didn't find it to be noisy (we weren't even running the A/C). When in the camper, we listened to the soulful sounds of 90.7 FM WOZZ, the local public radio station, which also announces a community calendar that will help you find live music throughout the city.

FQRV has full hookups, gated with 24-hour management/security, a pool and hot tub, restrooms with showers, fitness room, coin operated laundry facilities, and an industrial ice machine [SCORE!]. We found everything to be clean and functional. The staff was friendly and helpful.

It's pet friendly, but there's not much grass within the campground, so bring your bags. We enjoyed walking our dogs over to Armstrong Park (less than 10 minute walk each way), which has a lovely French cafe across the street, Mister Gregory's, great for breakfast or lunch.

We used our Passport America and AAA discount to get a reduced rate, but it's still on the pricey side. However, it's cheaper than a hotel and you have all the the comforts of your home sweet home on wheels.

Be sure to visit our blog at RivetedRoost.com for details on all the NOLA attractions and restaurants that we enjoyed during our stay in the Crescent City.

{Camped October 2014}

Sebastian Inlet embodies the Florida lifestyle. Live like a local with your toes in the water at this coastal gem.

This is a gorgeous park with beach and lagoon access for boating, fishing, swimming, surfing, paddling, hiking, beach combing, and just soaking up some sun. Don't miss the stunning sunrise on the ocean, and sunset on the lagoon. We did a sunrise paddle on our SUPs and saw bottlenose dolphins and an abundance of fish and birds.

The campground is lovely and many sites have waterfront views of the Sebastian Inlet and Indian River Lagoon, but you sacrifice privacy for the view. Non waterfront sites have more trees surrounding each site.

For years, I camped at Long Point campground, just north of the Sebastian Inlet bridge, and I must say, I prefer this state park.

Amazingly hot solar showers, clean restrooms, friendly and informative park rangers. Pet friendly and plenty of room to walk the pups.

For some local flavor, visit Capt. Hiram's, almost directly across the Indian River Lagoon in Sebastian. There's often live music at the Sand Bar.

Local attractions include Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge and the Mel Fischer Treasure Museum.