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The Fites’ Adventures guide
Top 50 locations in United States for Van Life
byAsh Fite and
Michal Ben-Ari
Live update: Updated July 30, 2022Copy link
Copy link1. Orpheus Brewing, Dutch Valley Place Northeast, Atlanta, GA
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Ash FiteWe came here in November 2020 for some outdoor drinks and dinner. They had a vegan food truck with BBQ that was delicious!
It’s also located right off of a trail leading you into Piedmont Park.
There is free parking on the side street leading to the brewery where we were able to park overnight without trouble.
2. Off the Wall Cafe, Main Street, Park Ridge, IL
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteLove this dig! Cool coffee house with craft coffee, food, games and cocktails.
The staff was especially friendly. We had our kids with us, and Everly (our 7 yr old) asked a barista if she liked dragons, the barista responded and was all ears and questions after that, more than just a kind tolerance of Everly’s excitement of dragons. It was sweet.
Attached is a neighboring tap house called Beer On the Wall. There’s a window to order coffee/drinks from either side which is really fun in itself. Didn’t go into the tap house but it looked rad as well.
Parking wasn’t particularly plentiful but we found a spot close by without much effort.
3. Grand Teton National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteWe love this national park and are a little embarrassed to say we didn't know how awesome it was until we stumbled across it in 2016 on our way to Yellowstone. We actually liked this park MORE than Yellowstone, and can't wait to go back! The Tetons are INCREDIBLE!
4. Crater Lake National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteWe first came here in 2016 on our way to see my uncle in Bend. He suggested it to us and I can't believe I'd never heard of it. It's absolutely one of the most beautiful places in Oregon and a must-see as you're driving through!
5. Olympic National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteAsh's extended family is all from Port Angeles, WA, so this is a yearly stop for us! It's one of the most magical national parks we've been to.
6. 10 Barrel Brewing West Side Bend, Northwest Galveston Avenue, Bend, OR
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteOne of our favorite breweries! Great vibes including a nice outdoorsy patio, pet friendly, and the nachos are to die for!
7. Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub, F Street, Salida, CO
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteThis is our go-to hometown pizza joint for thick crust, eclectic pies! Of their in-house brewed beers, the High Side IPA is a smooth, balanced IPA that’s great for summer hangs. Also- on full moon days they have a BOGO of several tasty pies.
8. Amicas Pizza Microbrew & More, F Street, Salida, CO
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteThis is legit our favorite thin crust pizza ever. No lie. We haven’t not liked any of their pizzas, but just being honest we get the Thai pizza almost ever time now because it’s just SO. DANG. GOOD. If you like Thai food obviously.
9. Belle Isle
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteThis is a great vanlifing spot during the day! There is a beach where you can lounge and swim, tons of trails, and a GIGANTIC park to play with food trucks on some days.
10. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteWe stopped here for the day on our way to Chicago from the upper peninsula of Michigan! We did a nice hike through the dunes to the lakeshore. It was definitely more intense than we thought, so bring more water than you think and go to the bathroom before you start the hike haha.
11. Copper Harbor
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteThis is was such a great place to experience vanlife. Copper Harbor is a great stop for experiencing the outdoors-hiking, kite surfing and mountain biking! It's also the "gateway to Isle Royale National Park."
The town itself is VERY small, but it is a great spot to get away and very welcoming to RV'ers.
There are a couple of good restaurants as well as a microbrewery in town.
12. Rocky Mountain National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
13. Arches National Park, Utah
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
14. Niagara Falls Visitor Center Parking Lot 1
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
15. Alki Beach Park, Alki Avenue Southwest, Seattle, WA
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
16. Third Beach Trailhead (Strawberry Bay Falls), La Push Road, La Push, WA
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
17. Grand Teton National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
18. Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
19. Mission Bay Park San Diego
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
20. Grand Canyon National Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Ash FiteRecommended this place!
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