In the summer of 2017 I went on a 5 week road trip. With the help of a coworker I planned months & months in advance of the places we wanted to stop at along the way. Some of the stops that we made on the road trip are still some of my favorite places I’ve ever seen or traveled to.
Going on a road trip gives you to the flexibility to see what you want to see to stay an extra day or two here and there if you fall in love with a place. Whether you plan to travel down south, out west, or back east there are so many must see locations in the US that you can’t miss.
For more information about Road Trips check out my blog How to Pack for Your USA Road Trip for your full supply list!
Niagra Falls
Niagara Falls straddles both New York State & Canada. I personally recommend visiting the Canadian border of Niagara Falls for the better views of the Falls. The Hornblower Niargara boat ride is also a must that takes you right up to the falls. Be prepared to get wet!!
The Badlands
The Badlands National Park is a hidden gem located in South Dakota. Consisting of rock formations & canyons, littered with animals like bison, sheep, and even snakes. The sky at night is insane boasting views of bright starts and the milky way. I stayed inside the national park when I visited and saw the Night Sky Viewing program in the Cedar Pass Amphitheater. To this day I won’t forget the night sky was one of the brightest I’ve ever seen.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is another top location on my road trip list located in South Dakota. Although it is a popular spot and most people have seen many pictures of the famous faces, it is definitely worth the trip to see in person and take a selfie with the faces. There are also a number of free tours at the park sharing the history of the sculptures and the names behind the faces etched into the stone.
Yellowstone National Park
To this day, this is my favorite national park that I have visited. Yellowstone is located in the Grand Teton mountain range. The views are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll see mountain ranges, waterfalls, geysers, hot springs and so much more. Not to mention the insane amount of wildlife that roams free throughout the park. To anyone that asks, I always recommend putting Yellowstone at the top of your must-see list.
Painted Hills
The Painted Hills are located in Mitchell, Oregon. Due to climate change this area of land was turned colors of red, orange, brown, black and offer beautiful views especially for photographs. Most people just make an afternoon visit there and even a small hike to check out the views of the painted hills. I recommend the Painted Cove Trail for the most picturesque views of the hills.
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United Stated. Caused by a volcanic eruption, and filled with rain and snow, its deep blue color draws in people from all over the country to see. I recommend the scenic rim drive and camping inside the park to be able to take in all the views.
The Golden Gate Bridge
Not only do you want to see the Golden Gate Bridge but a few other stops in the city of San Francisco are worth your time. There are a number of locations to view the bridge from but my personal favorite is Battery Spencer on the Northern side. You should definitely make sure you drive over the bridge on your way into San Fran and take in the view from all the angles. If you hang around the city for the day, check out some other touristy spots like the Painted Ladies & Lombard Street.
Big Sur
Big Sur is a stretch of the coastline on the Pacific Coast Highway also known as Route 1. It falls between Andrew Molera State Park & Caramel by the Sea. This coastline is known for its beautiful terrain that consists of cliffs, winding tunnels, and turns. The Bixby Bridge is one of the most iconic spots in Big Sur and a great place to stop and take a photo. There is a lot of camping and hiking spots along the way. I definitely recommend taking this drive around sunset when the road is quieter and you can enjoy the orange & pink colors in the sky.
Zion National Park
I have been to Zion a few times and I can’t wait until I can go again. This National Park has some of the most iconic hikes and views in the world. Angels Landing is a 5 mile hike that gains almost 1,500 feet of elevation with 360 views of the canyon. The Narrows are another popular hike in Zion. Make sure to bring your water sneakers and a waterproof bag if you do this hike because depending on the time of year, you will get wet!
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is another place I have been to more than once. The Delicate Arch hike leads to one of the most amazing view points for visitors all over the globe. Make sure that if you go in the summer its early in the morning because the hikes can be VERY hot and offer little to no shade! There are so many structures at Arches that offer amazing viewpoints such as Balanced Rock, the Double Arch, and the Window.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
See a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver Colorado. This is one of the most well known concert venues in the US. Red Rocks is known for the massive structures of rock that create acoustics valuable to some of the most famous performers. Even if you can’t see a concert here, there is a ton of outdoor recreation in the area such as hiking and mountain biking. Check the website before you go.
