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that big ball of twine, vortex (one is in S. Oregon), crop circles, giant plastic cow perched on a hill (N. Dakota) ...whatever. experienced traveler taking trip across US (OR to NY & back) south one way, north the other looking to see some of the more random tourist attractions. Suggestions appreciated!
A lot of the types of attractions you refer to are impermanent and it's been a few years since I've spent a lot of time on the road. Some that I've enjoyed that should still be there in no particular order are:
1. Buffalo Bill's grave and museum, 2-3 miles off I-70 at the Lookout Mountain exit about 30 miles west of Denver. If you travel west from Denver, also enjoy the sweeping view of the continental divide through a very long sweeping curve at the Chief Hosa exit, a mile or two west of the Lookout Mountain exit.
2. The touristy old-west ambiance of Tombstone, AZ.(see Magen's writeup of Tombstone under the what's new menu on this site's home page).
3. The old-west sections of both Dodge City and Abilene Kansas.
4. Temple Square in Salt Lake City. It's especially impressive through the Christmas season after dark.
5. The rocky coast and brooding red wood forests along Calif Hwy 1 in the area of Big Sur, south of San Francisco.
6. Valley of Fire State Park, north of Las Vegas, NV.
Have a wonderful trip.
The family is heading out of OKC to go to Boone, NC at the end of the month. Most of our travel will be on I-40. We have the grandchildred with us and like to know what there is on the way to see. Where's that giant ball of string?
thanks,
Barry
Another location that has been suggested as being a vortex is near Angel Fire, New Mexico. I don't know about the vortex qualities, but it has been a place of "good feelings" for hundreds of years. There is also a remarkable memorial there -- dedicated to healing for veterans of all wars. One of our must-stop places whenever we are in the region.
One of the best sites for finding the oddball stuff like the ball of twine can be found on Steve's site: http://www.gethep.net/road/
Enjoy!
Try www.roadsideamerica.com - they have a lot of the places you're interested in - with people sharing their sightings, too.
If you are looking for a great place to take the kids - try Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge also offers lots of evening shows (musicals and comedy and ones also designed to appeal to kids). Examples, Black Bear Jamboree, Louise Mandrel Show, Country Tonight and many more. Of course there's also Dollywood, Dolly Parton's entertainment park which is lots of fun plus she has another park next door which is a water park (closed in winter of course). The Xmas shop in Pigeon Forge has to be one of the best and largest I've visited (including the one at North Pole, Alaska and ones in big cities like Los Angeles that I've visited). Gatlinburg is probably more appealing to kids whereas Pigeon Forge appeals to all ages and right out of the main street of Gatlinburg you have the wonderful Great Smoky Mountain national park which is beautiful. Don't miss Cades Cove or some of the wonderful hiking trails including the famous Appalchian Trail which you can enter from a number of places in the area. There's dozens of hotels, motels and campgrounds to choose from and remember, just near Gatlinburg is Cosby and Newport, little towns made famous during the days of prohibition when bootlegging was the only way to make a living (and you can still purchase moonshine). There's lots to do in this area - stuff for the kids and adults. I've been working at a Campground called Crazy Horse which is located about 12 miles east of Gatlinburg and has a large pool, a wonderful waterslide, a trout pond, a kids theatre and about 35 acres of trees so the camping is shady. Just one of the many campgrounds in the area.
this summer i drove from LA to Boston and of the many bizarre and fantastic things i saw, one of my favorites was the Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park, NM, just out of Albuquerque. this place really left an impression on me. it's a big collection of carvings and creations. rather than being a pile of junky stuff though it is really fabulous and quite inspirational. i highly recommend it.
I was traveling to NC a couple of yrs. ago
I saw what looked like an car on a billboard. it was an orange camaro. the billboard was advertising south of the border and is located off I-95 in SC. DID anyone else see that? it is important if you did please answer back.
thank you,
ps,
this was a real car sitting on that billboard.
I don't recall the one you saw, but over the years, we have seen cars, trucks, rail cars and even mobile homes mounted way off the ground on billboard or similar monuments. For example look at the following page: http://www.roadtripamerica.com/signs/house.htm
Mark
Some friends and I are driving around the coastal states of the u.s. We like the bizarre, even one suggestion would be greatly appreciated.(places to go, people to see etc.)
probably one of the biggest tourist traps I've ever seen is the worlds largest prarie dog near Oakley, KS along I-70. There's signs like 10 miles out on both sides of the exit saying "see the five legged cow...alive! and pet the baby pigs, see the rattlesnake pit, etc". You can actually see that prarie dog from the interstate. it's kinda hidden around a couple of tall barriers, but all it is, is just a really tall fake prarie dog.
I have never stopped at this exit and I just do what I do everytime I drive across Kansas...just keep on going!
Looking for a alternative way to travel and see the usa check out www.usroute20.com
I am planning a roadtrip across the US....from Wisconsin to the west coast & back...I really would like to hear from other travelers....We intend to drive the entire distance in our vans....so we don't need to get rooms every night...
What are the best sights to see & where are the safest places to pull over & rest....We will be traveling on I-90 from Wisconsin all the way to Seattle, Washington...this is primarily the route that my folks took on their honeymoon in 1937...I-90 was Hwy 12 then....From Seattle we will be heading south, taking Hwy 5 & Hwy 101 along the coast for awhile....we will be taking this trip in the springtime...
We want to see the festivities in Spokane, Washington...the lilacs & the light parade....any feedback on these would be appreciated...
When we reach San Francisco we will head East through Reno on Hwy 80 to Salt Lake City....there we plan to go south on 15 & connect up with Hwy 70 to Denver and on to Kansas City.
At Kansas City we intend to head north to Omaha on Hwy 29 & then go East on Hwy 80 & on to Cedar Rapids, Iowa....
We know the way home from there....
Any suggestions on sites to see & how long things take & what the best campgrounds are?????
We certainly could use a lot of advice for this trip....
We are planning on traveling in tandem with about 3 or 4 vans, with our tents....I am hoping that I plan this trip out well....with a little something for everyone...I am in charge of the planning and doing up an itinerary....HELP!!!!!
FE,
There are a number of roadtripping explorers who have or are in the middle of such an expedition at the current time. Links to their sites are available at http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/travelogs.htm. The concept of the vans made me think of the 4 now on the road with a van, a jeep, a boat and a pop-up tent trailer (http://www.destunknown.com/equipment.cfm)
Be sure and spend time in the Badlands area as you make your way west. The Grizzly habitat in the Bitteroots is one of my favorite places. (Actually -- in early Spring -- I doubt the road will be open yet). One of the great things about the west, is that you can park off the forest roads at night -- as long as you use some good common forest sense. Spend some time in Couer D'Alene and Sandpoint.
At Spokane go north and visit the Grand Coulee Dam-- then head west on 174 making your way to Twisp and if the road over the Cascades is open (Hwy 20) the waterfalls in the Spring are awesome. Conversely, using US-2 thru Leavenworth is pretty fun -- the waterfalls on US-2 are amazing too.
Before you head south from Seattle -- certainly consider a visit to Queets -- unlike anything in Wisconsin! The Troll Haven at Gardiner Beach is worth a drive too.