Discover Hidden Gems: Tips for Visiting Roadside Attractions
Road trips are the perfect opportunity to experience spontaneous and exciting getaways that create long-lasting memories. With the wind in your hair and a car filled with snacks and clothes, hitting the roads with an itinerary packed with quirky and iconic roadside attractions is a must.
Roadside attractions are structures and displays found along major roads and highways that make for excellent stops during road trips. Ranging from classic diners and motels to unusual sculptures and giant statues, these attractions add an element of uniqueness to your journey that you will never forget.
While these attractions can be considered a treasure, they are often overlooked; this guide provides tips for discovering hidden gems that will give your journey an unforgettable touch.
Do Your Research
Use the internet to your advantage and research the areas you are traveling to in advance. Make a list of attractions you want to visit, which will allow you to plan your route and avoid missing any must-see spots. Online forums such as Atlas Obscura, RoadsideAmerica, and TripAdvisor are excellent resources for discovering new roadside attractions. You can also visit local tourism bureaus once you reach your destination, as they can provide insider information about exciting hidden gems.
Stay Alert to Spot Hidden Gems
Every small town has something unique to offer, and it isn’t always highlighted on a map. Staying vigilant throughout your journey can help you find these hidden gems. Be on the lookout for historical monuments, public art, abandoned or rusted signs, and quirky sculptures that stand out as you pass. Consider using apps like Roadside America to help you identify hidden gems in your area, and don’t hesitate to pull over on the side of the road or ask locals for recommendations.
Explore the Less Famed Attractions
While famous attractions can be impressive, you may miss the less-famous attractions that are equally worthwhile. Small town museums, galleries, bookstores, or cafes can be charming and unique, with displays that offer an interesting perspective. Leave time for spontaneous pit-stops with some flexibility in your itinerary. Since these attractions are unexpected, they add an element of excitement and adventure to the journey, making your experience unforgettable.
Go Old School with Maps
Using a map book or paper map may seem outdated, but it transports you back to the days before the internet and GPS. These tools can be helpful for navigating traffic and planning your route, but a paper map allows a wider scope of discovery. In the event of a dead phone battery or unreliable GPS, a paper map can save the day and prevent your road trip from turning sour.
Rent a Quirky Vehicle
Road trips are meant to be fun, so why not rent a quirky vehicle to enhance your experience? You can choose from classic cars, vintage vans, or even a 70s pick-up truck to add an unexpected layer of whimsy to your journey. Renting a fun car solely for the trip makes your pictures more exciting and indulges your exploration.
Group Up for More Fun
Exploring with others can make the journey more enjoyable and exciting. Traveling with friends or family members is an unforgettable experience that brings you closer together. With a group, you can play games, divide driving responsibilities, and have more strength in exploring unique destinations. Going with people who enjoy discovering hidden gems can provide leads to a few of their secret undisclosed places and offer a wider scope of possible adventures that will make the trip better.
Make Memories
Roadside attractions offer something for everyone, from the wacky to the bizarre, the larger-than-life to the memorials, providing diversion on long drives and shedding light on different cultures and customs. Although the ride may be long, less than exciting, or a disappointment, the roadside gems are well worth the stop. The extraordinary experiences that come from uncovering hidden gems along your journey create lifelong memories and stories. Photos, videos and memorabilia keep that spirit of adventure within reach, even long after the road trip is over, allowing you to relive the moments again and again.
Road trips are a fantastic way to experience the world in a unique way. You can choose to focus on big-ticket tourist sites or take the road less traveled. Discover fascinating attractions and make memories that last a lifetime by following the tips outlined above. On your next road trip, skip the mundane interstate rest stops and discover something that you’ll treasure for years to come.