In a moment of insanity, or love, or both, I agreed to drive with my daughter from Seattle to Pittsburgh in early June. She found an internship there so that she could spend the Summer with my Mom, so how could I say no.
I need help with things to do and see, places to stay, and, of course, places to eat. I am thinking of driving through Southern Idaho to Jackson Hole, then cutting down through the CO Rockies, and then cutting across through Kansas City (definitely need BBQ ideas), Lexington and WV, but I am open to other ideas.
So far, I am thinking about river rafting on either the Salmon (near Sun Valley) or the Snake (Jackson Hole). Other than that, I have no idea other than driving through the Rockies.
Emma is probably just as interested in finding every weird roadside attraction that she can.
How much time do have? If you are on the road before school lets out, driving and finding accommodations will be easier. I love Sun Valley, and Jackson Hole is one of my favorite places. You could easily spend 5 or 6 days between those two areas. And the Snake, around Jackson, should be much bigger water than going over the pass to the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Also, Yellowstone is one of this planet’s jewels. Drive through the Colorado Rockies. Go to Aspen, then drive over Independence Pass to Buena Vista or Leadville - if Independence Pass (12,095 feet) is open, that is. Plenty of fine dining in these areas, as well as good wine shops.
I LOVE road trips like this, and did several of them when I attended USC, driving from WI to CA. I recommend two different routes - remarkably different, if you can - so you have two completely unique experiences. There’s so much to see in the US - so many incredible places to see.
This was going to be my suggestion as well. Include Crazy Horse and lots of other cool stuff in the Black Hills. That does however leave you hanging out in the middle of the plains with nothing to see but grazing lands and corn fields until you hit Chicago.
Looking forward to seeing people’s suggestions. I strongly urge you to get in touch with “Backroad Bob” Summers, who participates here on occasion. He knows more about scenic routes, roadside attractions, off the beaten track stuff, you name it, than anyone I know.
Here are a few options for stops you may not have considered.
First off, yes I’d definitely hit Yellowstone. From there, Colorado to Missouri means driving through Kansas; this would allow you to see the birthplace of Bob Dole, but you might consider going north through the Black Hills and Badlands in South Dakota. Off the beaten path, in eastern SD you could take local roads down to Ashfall State Park in Nebraska, where volcanic ash has preserved the 12-million-year old skeletons of hundreds of critters such as rhinos, three-toed horses, camels, etc.
The nearby town of Verdigre will be having its annual Kolach festival (celebrating Czech pastries) 12-15 June
Form northeastern Nebraska, you might head east via US 20 across the middle of the Iowa. The filming location of Field of Dreams is on this route (Dyersville); turns out that there is a 25th anniversary reunion of the cast here on Fathers Day weekend (14-15 June). http://www.fodmoviesite.com/ (sounds like a zoo, actually, but might be OK if you don’t mind crowds)
Her friend is going to fly east and they are going to drive back together on the northern route (I-90), picking up another friend in Minneapolis, so I am looking for things farther south, probably I-70.
The Garden of Eden in Lucas, KS looks interesting.
Just an FYI, Denver to the Black Hills is only about a 6 hour drive. But, if you want more I-70 attractions…
Mt Evans Highway just west of Denver is awesome and far less touristy than its over hyped neighbor to the south, Pikes Peak. A drive to the top of Evans will thrill and amaze. It is the highest paved road in North America.
It is also the #1 Tripadvisor attraction in Denver.
Check ahead on Mt Evans. Lots of late snow this year and it’s snowing today in some areas of CO. I got turned back on my attempt to bicycle it and got snowed on riding over Mosquito Pass (13,000+). Jeff, I got your PM
I would take I-90 out of Seattle across Washington State (isn’t that going right through wine country?) then enter Montana and possibly make the detour through Glacier NP if time allows–after all the few remaining glaciers won’t be there for much longer.
Then I’d go on through Montana via Butte (nice scenic highway from which you can see the ravages of the asian beetle?) or if crossing through Glacier NP, taking the 89/287 via Choteau (where I could swear half of the Knight Riders episodes have been shot), Augusta (for another view of the US) and Helena. Plus you’ll get to see plenty of “Stop Meth” signs which are always a great conversation starter. Then keep on the 287 through Yellowstone (and absolute must see) and Grand Teton.
191 and I-80 to Cheyenne. Stop at Buford on the way to visit one of the US “Population: 1” towns, and from there do a little detour to see the Ames Bros Pyramid, it’s really just off the Interstate at Buford. There’s a funny stop with a tree in the middle of the interstate but I don’t remember where exactly.
Stop in Cheyenne to say hi to Terry Harris. I’d avoid Colorado entirely, it’s nice but overrated in my opinion. I’d head northeast towards Scottsbluff and Alliance and check Carhenge on the way (another nice bit of US weird memorabilia). Then north through Custer State Park to Deadwood, with Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial on the way. Take the short detour to Jewel Caves. If time allows do a detour west towards Gilette (isn’t there a nice restaurant/wine bar called Blue Martini or something up there) and then do Devi’s Mountain NM. Sadly Theodore Roosevelt NP is a bit too out of the way.
Head East to Badlands NP. It’s one of those NP you can enjoy from your car, as there’s not much to do there anyway in terms of activities or hiking.
The central part of the US isn’t known as the fly-over states for no reason. You can either drive through Chicago or Indiana. I drove through Kansas City and Saint Louis (a nice place where to make a point about how low one can fall in life, in case you missed Montana’s Stop Meth signs), sleeping in casinos along the way: cheap lodging, free wifi, AYCE breakfasts. Then again I was heading for Mammoth Caves NP (which you absolutely have to visit in case you’re interested in caves, and the one day exploration tour is really worth it if you’re not claustrophobic)(warning: it’s in a *!&$%# dry county), not for Pittsburgh, though.
I don’t really have any recommendations re: the Ohio/PA part of the trip as I’ve barely been there. Chicago is probably your best bet for a bit of leisure on the long drive from Nebraska. I didn’t mind driving 12+ hours a day through empty country (I <3 cruise control) but YMMV.
Ok, now that I’ve read all the thread, I see you plan to go farther south.
Kansas: Dodge City (although it’s definitely not quite as nice as Deadwood by a long shot) and there’s a great Space Museum somewhere near Wichita. Can’t remember where exactly but it should be easy to find. Definitely one of the best things to do in Kansas. I loved the Western Heritage Museum in OKC but that’s probably just me. Plus the sight of a derrick in front of a State Capitol is too good to pass. You can follow through Fort Smith, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville (not sure rock’n’roll and country are your daugher and friends’ favourite music, otherwise it’s great). You’ll miss the Natchez Trace Scenic Drive from Natchez to Nashville, sadly.
From Nashvile you could drive to Mammoth Caves then via Virgiana vineyards for a more historical perspective: Roanoke, Mount Vernon/DC, Gettysburg… (just don’t watch Delivrance before going )
You mentioned WV, so as I born and bred Mountaineer I’ll recommend the New River Gorge in southern WV. Best known for rafting, and that is worth doing if its in your wheelhouse, but also nice hiking, biking, climbing, scenery, etc.
Color me jealous - sounds like fun and has me reminiscing of the road trips of my youth.
Too bad the Backyard Brawl is no longer. First one that I remember seeing was in '63.
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I rafted the New River Gorge quite a few times when I was much younger. Beautiful place, but unfortunately that will not be on this itinerary. I’ll tell Emma that she should think about rafting there this summer, though.
Planning this has brought back memories of my road trips when I was a teen, as well. I may go back to some of those places I haven’t seen in more than 40 years. Truett’s mention of Independence Pass brought back some great memories.
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