Dry tourism — traveling without alcohol — is anything but limiting. It’s actually a growing lifestyle choice, especially among younger travelers (think Gen Z) and a growing community of health-conscious adventurers.
RVing combines perfectly with dry tourism. After all, everyone already knows you should never drink and drive. But as it turns out, cutting the booze at your destination, too, can help you fully sink into and enjoy every moment of your vacation. And when you travel in an RVshare vehicle, you get the best combination of RVing’s innate travel flexibility, the opportunity to choose from a wide range of vehicle types, and total comfort and control over your environment.
From mocktail recipes to morning rituals, we’ve got you covered when it comes to learning how to do dry tourism right. Read on for all the deets!
What Is Dry Tourism and Why It Works So Well for RV Travel
Eschewing alcohol may initially strike some travelers as, well, a bummer. A cold beer or a nice glass of wine after a long day of adventuring can seem like a comfort.
But on the other hand, alcohol just is bad for humans. It’s cancer-causing, it can wreck your sleep quality, and it can also cause you to forget key moments of your vacation.
Here are some of the reasons dry tourism mixes well (pun totally intended) with RVing, specifically.
A More Intentional Way to Travel
Many RVers are specifically interested in intentional travel. After all, it’s one of the only travel styles where you’re in control of everything: the exact itinerary (no waiting around based on airport schedules), the route you’ll take, and even the quality of the sheets you’ll sleep in at night.
Traveling without alcohol in an RV allows you to stay focused on your connection to others in your travel party (or strangers you meet along the way), the incredible scenery you’ll be passing through, and the experiences you’ll have. It’s also a great travel style for families and wellness-focused adventurers, who are often drawn to RVing in the first place.
Why RV Travel Enhances the Experience
With RVing, you have full control over the food and drink you’ll have on your trip (access to a kitchen means you don’t have to rely on restaurants or gas-station snacks at all if you don’t want to). Additionally, the customizability of the RV travel style gives you space to carve out your own unique rituals and routines. (For instance, some people set aside a section of their motorhome or travel trailer as an RV yoga space.)
Traveling in an RV also gives you the extra storage room you need to stow bigger adventure equipment like bikes and paddleboards. When you rent through RVshare, you can choose from a wide variety of RV floorplans for active travelers and use the space however you like.
Campsite Mocktails That Pair Perfectly with Classic Camp Foods
Just because you’re not drinking alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fine and fancy sip at the end of a long day of driving or exploring! Here are some of our favorite RV campsite mocktails that pair perfectly with the camp foods you’ve already planned for.
Citrus Sparkler + S’mores
For the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, balance those gooey s’mores with this bright, acidic favorite. The recipe couldn’t be easier:
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup sparkling water
Simply pour all of the ingredients over ice and garnish with orange or lime slices. And get the campfire and your s’mores ingredients ready!
Spiced Apple Mule + Campfire Chili
Is anything as warm and comforting as campfire-cooked chili? Well, maybe this apple mule. You’ll need:
- 3/4 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup ginger beer
- A pinch of cinnamon (or other Christmas-y spices to your taste)
Serve it up over ice with an optional squeeze of lime and enjoy the way the warm spices complement your warm, hearty meal.
Berry Mint Refresher + Grilled Skewers
Simple, light, and refreshing, this berry mint refresher is the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats of all types (which are, of course, a campside classic). Just grab:
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (frozen works well — you can even keep some berries frozen for garnish)
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 cup lemonade or soda water
Muddle the thawed berries and mint, add ice, pour the lemonade or soda water over it all, and stir it up. Yum!
Quick Camp-Friendly Mocktail Tips
Want to keep the mocktails flowing all trip long? We recommend:
- Pre-batching ingredients or even mixing up batched mocktails ahead of time. That way, it’s as simple as grabbing a jug and pouring.
- Use reusable containers and cups to keep your conscious and intentional approach earth-savvy, as well.
- Keep it simple: You can get super creative with just three or four ingredients, as the recipes above prove!
Explore RV rentals with full kitchens to make campsite cooking and drink-making easy.
Morning Coffee and Tea Rituals with a View
Replacing an evening libation is one thing. But for dry tourism fans, it’s often all about the mornings: a new day shining its light on every leaf and flower. Here’s the scoop on morning rituals on the road, including why they matter and how to create one that’ll be resonant to you.
Why Morning Rituals Matter on the Road
A good morning means a good day. Honing a beautiful and resonant morning ritual can help set your tone for a whole day of travel adventures, along with encouraging slower, more mindful travel and staying present.
Easy Camp Coffee Setups
For many travelers, a morning ritual is incomplete without coffee. Even if you’re roughing it, though (i.e. off-grid camping or boondocking), it’s easy to make your perfect cup of joe.
French press and pourover options are favorites among RVers because both of them require little more than ground beans and hot water. You can heat a kettle on the stove, over a portable camp stove, or, if you do have electricity, with an electric kettle.
Instant coffee and espresso are also options, though some campers may see them as a bit less refined and indulgent as a slower-brewed cuppa.
Scenic Ritual Ideas
Up the ante by making it not just about the coffee (or tea), but also about the view you’re enjoying as you sip it. It’ll all depend on your own itinerary and destination(s), of course, but some favorites include:
- Lakeside sunrise coffee. There’s nothing like watching the light shimmer over water to start the day.
- Mountain overlook tea break. Although it’s fun to get caught up in travel to-dos, it’s also worthwhile to take a midday pause to slow down and enjoy.
- Walking (and sipping) meditation. Yes, being still is important, but sometimes a little bit of movement helps everything go down even more smoothly. Grab your favorite insulated cup or thermos and head out for a walk-and-sip.
Make It Effortless with the Right RV Setup
With RVing, you benefit from customizable extras that can make your morning ritual a lot easier to set up, such as:
- Awning space to cover outdoor seating
- Easy kitchen access
- Large picture windows to gaze out at the world from wherever you park
Discover the best RV destinations for scenic camping views — and RV kitchen essentials for campsite meals and crafted drinks, too.
Fitness-Friendly RV Floorplans for Active Travelers
Many travelers who are drawn to dry tourism are also hoping to stay active and fit on the road. An RV trip can make doing so easier (and way more fun) than any hotel gym. Here’s what to look for and how to get moving.
What to Look for in an Active-Friendly RV
When you’re road-tripping, the whole world is your backyard and rec center. But for mindful, indoor-based practices like yoga or body-weight training, looking for the right type of RV floorplan can give you a leg up. While you’re browsing the listings, keep an eye out for:
- Open floor spaces perfect for laying out your yoga mat
- Exterior storage compartments for hauling bigger adventure gear like kayaks and snowboards
- Awnings to make outdoor workouts shady and fun
RV Types That Work Best
Along with the right floorplan and features, certain RV types work better overall for active travelers. We recommend:
- Class B vans for campers who want the ultimate mobility (i.e., to get off-the-grid and out to where the biggest, sweatiest adventures live)
- Travel trailers with flexible interiors, perhaps using slide-outs, to offer floorspace when you need it combined with a small footprint when you don’t
- Toy haulers for gear-heavy trips (i.e., where you’re bringing a boat or four-wheeler
At the end of the day, though, nearly any RV can fit an active lifestyle. In fact, it’s the active lifestyle that brings many RVers to this type of travel.
Simple Campsite Fitness Ideas
You got your morning routine on lock. Now, let’s get you set up with an easy-to-implement (and scenic) fitness routine for the road.
- Morning yoga flow. Whether it’s lakeside at the campground, in your RV living room or out on the beach, a few sun salutations are always a great way to greet the day.
- Resistance band workouts are perfect for RVing, since the bands take up almost no room to store and are versatile enough to help you strengthen any muscle group.
- And, of course, trail runs, bike rides, and big hikes are all accessible ways to turn the great outdoors into your gym — while, of course, enjoying the ride. (Even if the conveyance is your own two feet.)
How to Plan a Dry Tourism RV Trip: Step-by-Step Planning Guide
Tips and tricks are one thing, but here’s a foolproof, step-by-step guide to building your perfect dry tourism RV trip.
1. Choose your destination.
Starting with the right destination can go a long way toward ensuring your trip stays dry — yet interesting.
State and national parks are popular destinations for adventuresome, wellness-oriented travelers, and they often offer affordable and well-appointed campgrounds.
Of course, any destination can be incredible without alcohol, even if you’re traveling to Las Vegas. Still, figuring out where you’re going is the very first step in planning any RV trip, wet or dry.
2. Select the right RV type for the job.
We’ve already given you the tools above, so now it’s up to you! As you browse RV rental listings, keep your proposed daily fitness routine in mind as well as the type of trip you’re planning on overall.
For example, for a rugged boondocking trip, a Class B campervan may work best, while those staying in developed campgrounds might want a Class A motorhome for all the comforts of home — including yoga space.
3. Plan meals and mocktails.
Planning your meals ahead of time, and even doing some basic prep-work, might not sound like a fun vacation activity. But that’s exactly why doing it before you leave is a pro tip: You won’t have to worry about what your next meal will be (or doing every single step to prepare it) on the road!
4. Figure out your morning rituals and fitness routines.
Don’t over-crowd your schedule, but slip in a few fun, wholesome routines and rituals to look forward to. For instance, we recommend a sunrise hike to the top of that nearby mountain for the most well-earned and satisfying cup of coffee of your life.
5. Pack wellness and fitness gear.
Whether it’s your yoga mat, hiking boots, or skis, don’t forget to add your fitness and adventure gear to your packing list.
6. Enjoy!
The whole point of dry tourism is to remain present and fully engaged for the duration of your trip. So along with all the planning and logistics, don’t forget to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view!
Why Dry Tourism Is About More Than Skipping Alcohol
Although staying healthy and comfortable are more than sufficient reasons on their own to try it, dry tourism is about way more than skipping the hangover. It’s about approaching the entire trip with clarity, focus, and connection.
At RVshare, we believe in a travel lifestyle that offers the freedom and flexibility to travel your own way, along with built-in comfort and memorable, shared experiences. All of that is perfectly aligned with dry tourism, so we’re happy to help you bring your alcohol-free journey to life.
Enjoy fresh mornings, long days of adventure, and a healthy mind and body on your next RV trip. After all, you’re creating a lifestyle that’ll enable plenty more years of exploring.
