"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)
Here's a link to places in Illinois with blog posts on The Driveby Tourist. Check it out! Most recently, the trip took me to U.S. Presidential sites. The attractions included Lincoln, Reagan, and Grant. , Other links include several about Chicago, three about Route 66 in Illinois and a couple about other places in the state. Thanks for reading! Stan
While South Dakota may be the best for some, “best” really depends on what you want to see or do. Or as they say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” 👀✨ I’m planning to write posts about each state eventually, starting with a road trip through South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. That’ll give me plenty of chances to dive deeper into South Dakota’s gems! 🚗🗺️ The Black Hills in western South Dakota offer incredible vacation attractions. Sure, Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse...
A couple of years ago, you may remember (if you stayed around that long!) a series ten about state fairs in the US in this newsletter. The top three were Minnesota, Texas, and Iowa. The list didn’t include Alaska, but recent reading found their state fair unique! So, here goes! If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, make sure to time it with the Alaska State Fair in Palmer—because this isn’t your average fair! 🎟️🐮 Located about an hour from Anchorage, the fair runs from late August through...
If you are a “Fifty Stater,” you’ll find yourself wondering about that! Today’s newsletter comes from direct personal experience. I visited Fargo this past weekend. I have a daughter and three adult grandchildren there. I make it there three or four times a year to see them. As those who plan to visit all 50 states know, North Dakota is often one of the last states to visit. The Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center team developed the “Best for Last Club” for anyone visiting North Dakota. They give...
I’ll admit it—I’m not exactly a “beach guy.” 🏖️😅 I usually prefer mountains, museums, or quirky attractions over sand between my toes. But on a recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, even I couldn’t resist the island’s incredible variety of beaches. 🌋🌺(At least looking at them!) Each one feels completely different. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is striking, with jet-black volcanic sand and sea turtles basking in the sun. 🐢🖤 Hapuna Beach, on the Kohala Coast, offers the classic postcard...
Standing high above the meeting point of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, Fort Snelling is often called the most historic place in Minnesota—and for good reason. ✨ Established in 1820, this military outpost witnessed nearly every chapter of the state’s story, from early frontier life to the Civil War and beyond. Originally built to secure the U.S. presence in the Upper Midwest, Fort Snelling became a crossroads of cultures—home to soldiers, traders, enslaved people, and Dakota...
If you’re searching for one of Missouri’s most scenic drives, look no further than the southern section of Missouri Highway 19, which winds through the heart of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This 42.3-mile stretch is known for its rolling “roller coaster hills,” crystal-clear springs, and colorful wildflowers that make every turn a feast for the eyes. 🌸🌿 The route passes through the Mark Twain National Forest, where dense woodlands and peaceful streams showcase the natural beauty of...
- It’s the Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar! 🦪🍽️ If you love great food served with a side of history, make sure to stop by The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Thomasville, Georgia. Established in 1916, it holds the title of Georgia’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, serving up Southern hospitality and classic flavors for more than a century! 🕰️🌽 Located in southwest Georgia, Thomasville sits just 30 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida, making it an easy and scenic day trip for...
Or the most impressive bridge in any state you visit. Here’s something else to look for on your travels in the US. A publication called Love Exploring published an article highlighting each state’s most impressive bridge. Here’s a link to the article. I thought I’d mention the bridges I’ve seen or crossed in my travels and realized there are fifteen of them on the list! See a summary of a few of them below. And here’s a link to a post with details about those I have crossed or seen. Some are...
Are these stories folklore or are they real! Over the years since each National Park was founded, you’ll find hundreds of stories. I found these stories on Mental Floss, a website that has generally reliable articles for casual trivia and interesting facts. That implies fact-checking the stories to ensure multiple sources report the same story. But… who knows how much truth is in these stories about six legendary who haunt six national parks? What do you think? What have you heard? 1....