With the rising prices of costs associated with travel, like resort prices as well as airline flights, train tickets, and other transportation expenses, alternatives to the typical week-long stay are becoming much more popular. Road trips, especially, are becoming popular for people who want an affordable way to travel all over the country. There are some fears associated with taking on a big adventure like this. Some people fear that they’ll be injured in a car crash while road-tripping in the U.S. since there can be so many unpredictable factors like inclement weather, excessive traffic, or reckless drivers on the road. Others might fear that they’ll meet more instability in their travel accommodations if they choose a road trip over a typical vacation. In reality, proper planning can help to ensure smooth travels across the country, so the most challenging part of your road trip will be narrowing down where you want to go! If you need help deciding what sites to see, here’s a guide to ensure your road trip is a blast!
For the Nature Lover
The most popular stops along any road trip are primarily national parks and other breathtaking natural geographical features. You might think that places like Yellowstone National Park are too cliche or overdone, but the reason why they’re so frequently visited is that they’re well worth the trip–and, with some states having such a high concentration of National Parks, it makes sense to stop by and experience each one as you tour the state. For example, Arizona is most known for Grand Canyon National Park but is also home to Petrified Forest National park, which lies on the other side of the Painted Desert, and Saguaro National Park, which has the nation’s largest cacti. These parks in particular offer a range of activities from geocaching to cultural demonstrations to guided river trips through the Grand Canyon.
For the History Buff
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of our nation, then a great place to start your road trip is along the east coast, where the early American settlers landed and where the United States that we know today was founded. If you’re particularly interested in the Revolutionary War and the founding of our country, then you might want to include New York, New Jersey, and South Carolina into your travel itinerary since over 200 separate battles were fought in these states alone. If you’re more interested in the battles of the Civil War, then you’ll find the most history in Virginia and Tennessee. Since Virginia is also home to the capital of our nation, it holds a vast amount of American history that dates back to before the country was even founded, making it a must-see location for any self-proclaimed fan of U.S. history.
For the Music Lover
If you’re a big fan of music, then the number one stop on your road trip itinerary should be the state of Tennessee. Not only is Tennessee known for Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, which offers tours of the mansion, property, and private jets that he used to take to his shows, but it’s also home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Gospel Hall of Fame, and the Blues Hall of Fame, in addition to many other music halls of fame and museums–the majority of which are either in Nashville or Memphis, Tennessee.
For the Foodie
It’s possible to find great food all over the country, but if you’re looking for something truly special, then you need to head down south, where cuisine varies pretty significantly from state to state. One of the southern states most revered for its unique, culturally-inspired cuisine is Louisiana. The city of New Orleans, especially, is well known for its blend of Cajun and Creole cooking. Here, you’ll have to try popular dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, locally-caught crawfish, and red beans and rice. If you aren’t filled up after one of these meals, then you’ll have to have a beignet or bananas foster for dessert–both of which are considered signature dishes of the area.
Another great spot for any foodie is Texas–there’s a reason why Tex-Mex is so popular! One of the best areas to find a diverse selection of cuisines is in San Antonio, specifically along the river walk, or at the nearby food and entertainment hub, The Pearl. The Pearl is home to the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America and therefore has a plethora of incredibly talented chefs living and working nearby. Here, you’ll find many mouth-watering options for taco shops, ramen shops, french bistros, American barbeques, and upscale breweries.