US Roadside Attractions

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.)

[Mike in Denver]

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!

[Rich Rheingold]

Looking for a alternative way to travel and see the usa check out www.usroute20.com

[FE Krieg]

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!!!!!

[Mark Sedenquist]

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.