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Driving across the country encountering a variety of people and places on a great American road trip is a national rite of passage. Road trips offer the promise of adventure and the satisfying reward of building bonds with your boys (or special girl friend). In fact, couples that go on road trips together often say that it strengthens their relationship. Furthermore, friends that go on road trips together can solidify the bond between them. If you have never been on a road trip before, the three recommendations below are great places to start.
1. Pacific Coast Highway through California
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The Pacific Coast Highway offers up one of the most spectacular experiences you will ever have on a road trip. It takes ten hours to travel the length of the highway, which has a starting point at the northern border of California and comes to an end in San Diego.
Make sure you soak up the stunning view of seaside towns, untamed forests, and coastal shores. A camera is a necessity rather than a recommendation since this is one trip you will want to remember forever. As you travel down the highway, make sure you stop at plenty of famous spots along the way such as the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. And don’t forget the picturesque ocean views of Malibu as you drive up the coast. After all, it’s the views of the amazing drive and scenery of PCH which puts California on your must visit travel list.
2. Route 66
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Route 66 is one of the most famous and historic roads in the United States, namely thanks to 1946 release of the “Route 66” song by Nat King Cole. The road offers plenty to do as you travel from Chicago to L.A. or vice versa. Although it is no longer part of the U.S. highway system, it remains a popular road to travel, particularly for road trips.
If you begin your travels in Chicago, make sure you stop at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, first. Once you hit Missouri, halt and see the famed Gateway Arch or the Magic House in St. Louis. If you’re looking for something a bit more on the thrill seeking side of life, you could always check out Six Flags in St. Louis instead.
Next is Galena’s Haunted Bordello in Galena, KS. Of course, no trip down Route 66 is complete without stopping to catch a glimpse of Mickey Mantle’s boyhood home in Commerce, Oklahoma.
As you continue your travels, you will find Dot’s Mini Museum in Vega, Texas. There is also the Dinosaur Museum in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Check out the Meteor Crater near Flagstaff, Arizona, too. Finally, end your trip at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles.
3. Kentucky Bourbon Trail
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Last, but certainly not least on the list, is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The trail is more of a preservation of Kentucky’s rich Bourbon history. A collection of distilleries maintains the trail, which features restaurants, bars, and attractions. Considering that it is a fun, easy-to-follow trip, it is well worth the time to enjoy the experience.
As you travel the trail, whether following the map or your heart, make sure you do not miss the many stops along the way. For instance, you will want to stop at Maker’s Mark in Loretto or even the Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown. Continuing with your travels, you will find the Urban Stillhouse as well as the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience. There is also the Town Branch Distillery in famed Lexington.
With so many stops to choose from on each road trip, you are sure to have a grand adventure. Whether you are looking for a day long road trip or something to last you for a weekend or even a week, the road trips mentioned above are the way to go.
Tags Kentucky Bourbon Trail Pacific Coast Highway Road Trips Route 66 Travel
