Archive for February 2011
Great Road Trip Destinations in Eastern United States
While road tripping might be at the top of your list this summer it can be tricky to make it to the destinations on the western half of the country.
To give those of you on the east side of the country some fun destinations to seek out, lets explore some great road trip destinations in the eastern United States.
Acadia National Park
Located in Maine the Acadia National Park is a great place to take a day trip or spend a week camping and exploring nature. With lots of wagon trails you can get far on a bicycle or just by hiking around Maine’s coast. There are plenty of mountains and bodies of water to explore as you venture throughout the park. Make sure you have reservations for camping during the busy summer months to ensure you can stay as long as you expected.
White Mountain National Forest
If you want a fun outdoor destination in eastern United States then look no further than the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. With plenty of activities to take part in and scenery to enjoy you are sure to have a great time visiting this beautiful place. You can go fishing, climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and lots of different water activities. There are even adorable cabins to stay in if you do not want to stay in your own tent.
Washington D.C.
While visiting Washington D.C. there is not a lot of nature to explore but there is plenty of rich history and lots of monuments to admire. You can take tours of the area or be your own tour guide as you travel throughout the area by taxi, bus and on foot. Do not forget to stop and admire the White House, Washington’s Memorial, Lincoln’s Memorial and the World War II Memorial. These are some of the largest attractions in the area along with many other important historical displays.
Great Smoky Mountains
Located in eastern Tennessee is a fabulous National Park filled with wildlife and outdoor activities for everyone in the family. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to over seventeen thousand plant, animal and invertebrate species. Some of the mountain peaks rise over six thousand feet above sea level making them a great day hike for any mountain climber. Take the time to plan your visit and make camping reservations for summer as it is busy that time of year.
Everglades
If you plan on taking a trip south down to Florida then you will want to make sure that the Everglades are in your itinerary. This is the largest subtropical wilderness in the country and has some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire southeast filled with reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds and fish. Take your time in the Everglades National Park as there is so much to see and explore that you need more than just a day to visit.
Have Fun Road Tripping
While these five places along the eastern side of the United States are great to explore there are plenty of cities and small towns along the way. Plan your trip accordingly so you can visit the more time intensive sights without being rushed or trying to make a reservation far down the road. Enjoy driving and remember to take your camera and binoculars along to be able to take in all the sights.
Great Road Trip Destinations in Western United States
This summer will hopefully come earlier than last year and when is there a better time to hit the road with your family.
Taking a road trip is always fun whether it is just you and a friend or your spouse and kids. To help you plan a fun vacation for yourself and the family this summer here are some great road trip destinations in western United States.
Grand Canyon
This spectacular sight is located in Arizona but is very close to Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit the Grand Canyon National Park and see the canyon from many different angles. There are tours for flying into the canyon which give you a completely different perspective.
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is one of the largest dams in the world and is something you have to see to even believe. From its sheer size to all the mechanics and engineering used to build such a magnificent sight it is worth the money to take the tour.
Zion National Park
This park has some of the most beautiful scenery you could imagine from the rock formations to the sandstone canyons. Zion National Park is defiantly a sight you do not want to pass up if you are driving through the state of Utah or close to the southwestern corner in Nevada or Arizona.
Mount St. Helens
If you are heading north along the west coast or staring somewhere near Washington State then you do not want to pass up visiting Mount St. Helens. This Cascade Volcano is still acting up and when you stop in the visitor center you can watch a movie of the eruption.
Mount Rainier
Further north in the Cascades is Mount Rainier which is one of Washington’s finest sights. Sitting high above the skyline in Seattle and Tacoma you cannot miss this spectacular view. Driving up to Paradise meadows and stopping at the observation areas along the way to admire this beautiful volcano is surely worth the drive.
Glacier National Park
Heading east from Washington along Route 2 you will bump into the Flathead, Montana where Glacier National Park is located. This beautiful park is home to real North American Bison that roam free along with Grinnell Glacier which is one of the last ice formations in the lower forty eight.
Mount Rushmore
Located in South Dakota is the magnificent Mount Rushmore where you can experience part of the United States history first hand. This monumental sculpture is there as a symbol of some of the founding fathers of the United States. Through rich historical information and beautiful sights you will get a little piece of history when visiting Mouth Rushmore.
Rocky Mountains
South west of Mount Rushmore is a mountain chain that has some of the most breathtaking scenery. The Rocky Mountains are home to elk, mule deer, big horned sheep, black bears, moose and more. With miles and miles of hiking trails in the Rocky Mountain State Park you are sure to see plenty of beautiful sights.
Keep on Driving
While you can easily make an entire vacation out of driving to one of these magnificent sights there is always a chance you can stop and two or more. Road trips where you stop at several beautiful locations are always fun and allow you to see more of our beautiful country in one long drive. You can plan your road trip to be like a loop so you drive through many states and experience lots of culture along the way.