Road trips are about the unexpected detours you take. The more quirky the attraction, the better. If you’re planning a road trip soon, plan out your route and mark the stops you want to make. Today, we’re serving you with the 10 road trip stops that many travelers rave about. This might even give you an idea of what route to take!
10. Lucy the Elephant, Margate City, New Jersey
This elephant is a uniquely weird spot you can check out while in New Jersey. It’s 65-foot-tall and 60-foot-long with an 18-foot-wide pachyderm. It was the brainchild of James V. Lafferty, who is a real estate speculator. In 1881, he commissioned a Philadelphia-based architect to design a structure that would lure tourists. To say the least, it has been effective as more than a century later, Lucy is the only one that remains.
9. Skylight Inn BBQ, Ayden, North Carolina
Hungry? Make sure to make a detour to Ayden, North Carolina, and dine at the Skylight Inn. It’s a family-run barbecue joint that has stayed in business since 1947. They serve pulled pork that will remind you of how local joints became the soul of your road trip.
8. The Unclaimed Baggage Center, Scottsboro, Alabama
The Unclaimed Baggage Center is a paradise for thrifters and treasure hunters. It features a 55,000-square-foot store, which is the only place in the US where unclaimed luggage from airlines and transit sources is given a second life. It actually started as a part-time business in 1970, and the place had grown in size. About 7,000 new items are added every day, from your usual luggage stuff to armor and gemstones.
7. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
When around Chicago, make a stop at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, located on the historic Route 66. It’s a public installation art that features ten Cadillacs buried in the ground. Imagine it has the same angle as the Great Pyramid of Giza. Visitors can even bring their own spray paint and add graffiti for free. It’s the best way to leave your name as proof that you set foot.
6. Steamboat Springs Hot Springs, Colorado
If you’re driving from Boston to California, then drop by Steamboat Springs in Colorado. It’s one of the favorite spots of travelers for a reason! There’s Strawberry Park Hot Springs, where you can relax by the pool. These natural hot springs will serve as your mid-point for relaxation during the road trip.
5. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
If you want to see the natural wonders of the Canyonlands, then drop by. Many of their best spots are easily accessible by car. You don’t really need to hike that much, although there’s a short one to Mesa Arch for half an hour to stretch out your muscles. Canyonlands is also conveniently located near Arches, making it easy to include both in your itinerary.
4. Beartooth Highway, Montana/Wyoming
This scenic highway offers breathtaking mountain views that you can enjoy while driving. You’ll also get to spot great horned sheep, beavers, and all kinds of wildlife. There are also waterfalls and snowy peaks, depending on the season. The pass even lets you out of the entrance of Yellowstone National Park! This high-altitude highway climbs at nearly 11,000 feet. Plan your travel during the summer as it’s typically closed from October to May due to snow.
3. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Right off I-40, in between Flagstaff and the New Mexico Border, lies one of the most underrated national parks. The best part? You get to be in a forest and a desert. The national park features fossilized trees that date back approximately 225 million years. Not to mention the Painted Desert.
2. Wall Drug, South Dakota
Wall Drug is a legendary Western-themed place where you can shop, dine, and be entertained after long hours on the road. It actually started out as a small pharmacy in the 1930s and gained fame for offering free ice water to travelers. Today, this South Dakota spot features quirky statues, five-cent coffee, homemade donuts, and even a giant dinosaur.
1. Teddy Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
As you make your way to Yellowstone National Park, you might pass by the Teddy Roosevelt National Park. This one’s less crowded as it offers way more wildlife encounters in just three hours. This underrated spot offers badlands formations, wild horses, and prairie dogs. It was inspired by the late President Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation efforts.