With national parks in 30 of the 50 United States, and national historic sites in every state, there is no shortage of great places to visit. There are also plenty of roadside oddities and museums across the country. When planning your trip, don’t forget to look for opportunities to explore cultural experiences that may differ from your own.

So, how do you choose a destination? Maybe you are a pre-planner who maps everything out every step of the way. Or, maybe you’re a throw a dart at a map kind of traveler. Your bucket list adventures can revolve around visiting a certain city or state, you can follow your tribe on a group outing, or you can travel from one place to another on a food trip or a themed outing. No matter how you plan it, your trip will be enjoyable if you take the time to find things that interest you.

Ask yourself what hobbies or activities you enjoy most. I love quilting, so any quilt shows or quilting exhibits are interesting to me. I also love waterfalls, so if I find a waterfall along my route, I’ll make an extra stop.


Don’t avoid back roads for the sake of time. Some of the neatest roadside attractions are found in old town locations. Remember, Route 66 was the original road across North America, and you can find lots of unusual things along the way. Small towns and off the beaten path locations also have some of the most friendly people you will ever meet.