Try stopping in North Adams, Massachusetts in early October for the Fall Foliage festival with celebrations and parades based on the fall’s changing colors. You could also check out the Museum of Contemporary Art while you’re there too. If you want to make an adventurous detour, stop at the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour in New Hampshire to zipline through the trees. If you want to get out and hike, try checking out the trails at Flume Gorge in New Hampshire. Don’t forget to enjoy some authentic New England clam chowder while you’re in the area.
Stop by The Smithsonian, The Capitol building, or the various monuments when you hit DC. Pop into New York City to check out Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Check out Fort McHenry while you’re in Baltimore where the battle was fought that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner. ” See Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell when you stop off in Philadelphia.
You could lose cell phone service up in the mountains, so bring a map with you so you can still find your way. Take a detour in Cherokee to learn more about Cherokee Indian history and culture at the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Pop into Mount Mitchell State Park near Burnsville if you want to hike through nature or camp out for the night. Stop at any shops you see along the way to find some traditional handmade crafts, like baskets, pottery, and even carved instruments.
Learn more about the history of the Keys on Islamorada in the Keys History and Discovery Center. If you’re interested in wildlife, try checking out the Coral Reef State Park or the Dolphin Research Center. Enjoy some fresh seafood at the various fish shops and restaurants. The Keys are also a great location if you want to try snorkeling, diving, or bird-watching.
Other stops you can check out include Graceland, The National Civil Rights Museum, and Hannibal, MO, which was where Mark Twain was born. Have some ideas for what you want to do along your drive, but stay a little flexible. If you see something interesting, don’t be afraid to pull off and check it out.
Route 66 has a ton of roadside attractions, so stop off whenever you see something interesting. Some places along the way include the Grand Canyon, Cadillac Park, Meteor Crater, and the San Miguel Mission. End your trip in sunny Santa Monica if you want to enjoy games and food on the pier. Be sure to make reservations at hotels along the route before you leave so you can save some money. If you’re driving an RV, there are a ton of campsites where you can stop off.
Be sure to hike the trails and check out the geysers and Grand Prismatic Spring while you’re in Yellowstone. Visit The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole if you really want to embrace the cowboy theme of the frontier.
Since the road passes through the mountains, it could be closed due to bad weather. You can always call (970) 586-1222 to find out the current status of the road.
Stick to the backroads rather than the highways since you’ll get better views and scenery. If you’re a country music fan, stop at Luckenbach to catch some performers on an outdoor stage. If you want to get outside and check out some caves, visit the Natural Bridge Caverns.
The PCH from LA to San Francisco is about 656 miles (1,056 km). Check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Santa Monica Pier while you’re in LA. San Luis Obispo is a popular area originally founded as a mission and is a great stop to learn about California history. Coastal towns like Cuyocos and Morro Bay offer authentic seafood and small coastal shops you can explore. In San Francisco, you can visit the piers, take historic cable cars, and check out all the local food and art.
Some notable stops along this route include Washington DC, Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, and Arches National Park in Utah. The total distance of Route 50 is 3,073 miles (4,946 km) and it takes at least 14 days to complete. Always get your vehicle checked out by a mechanic before going on a cross-country trip to make sure it’s safe to drive. Some things to check are the oil, engine, tires, and brakes.
Check out the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks to see Denali State Park and Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in the country. [14] X Research source For one of the most scenic experiences, take the Seward Highway near the coast to see glaciers, wildlife like beluga whales, and historic mining towns. [15] X Research source
It usually takes about 2½ hours to drive along the Hana Highway. Be sure to pull off at the Puaa Kaa Falls or Hanawi Falls to check out some popular swimming holes.
