To make this trip really special, it is Mr. Hero’s and my wish to get off the beaten path and see what makes this country unique. Obviously, there are big dots on the map to hit — Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Yosemite, as well as Washington, D.C., Hollywood, and NYC. But we also want to catch those little places, the Radiator Springs, if you will, and that’s where I need your help.
Share your Must-See and Must-Do lists. Lived in the sweetest little town in Kansas so that I can feel like Dorothy? Let me know. Had the best crab on the west coast? Tell me where. Help the Star Family make this the adventure of a lifetime with the best Bucket List possible!
We’re starting in Texas this month and here’s what we have so far:
- visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX
- climb Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg, TX
- visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Stonewall, TX
- visit Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose, TX
- visit the Billy the Kid museum in Hico, TX
- visit the Space Center in Houston, TX
- see the Spindletop site and museum in Beaumont, TX
- visit Big Bend National Park
- see the lights at Marfa, TX
Have any other must dos in Texas? How about around the country? Let’s make some memories with that map!
This is NOT Tx, but when you head to the Rockies, I hope you find time to visit the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs… and little ways up the road, the Ghost Town of St. Elmo where your kiddos can feed the Chipmunks! http://www.mtprinceton.com/
Non Texas ideas are MOST welcome! And yes, we must feed the chipmunks. I have loved seeing your pics from there.
🙂
Traci
We road tripped from Central Texas to North Carolina two summers ago. Such fun! My favorite stops were:
Crater of Diamonds State Park http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/ We search for diamonds and they also have a small but fun water park area. We had a blast there!
Emerald Mine in Hiddenite, NC http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g49211-d143892-Reviews-Hiddenite_Gems_Emerald_Hollow_Mine-Hiddenite_North_Carolina.html
Our sons loved the sluiceway and finding gems! Their lapidary prices were great too!
Rock City http://www.seerockcity.com/ near Chattanooga, TN. These rock formations are very accessible and blew our minds! Such fun!
We are heading back east again this summer and we are aiming to find some blue ghost fireflies! http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20070605/NEWS/70605004
These are terrific suggestions — they are going on the list.
Thanks!
🙂
Traci
Davis Mountains state park and the McDonald Observatory are really great. I don’t know if you’re planning to do SW Texas in the winter, but if you are in that area in the summer there’s a great swimming opportunity at Balmorhea State Park: http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea.
We are absolutely headed to SW Texas later this month or early next month so that is an awesome share!
Thanks!
🙂
Traci
We took our kids to Memphis a couple of years ago (they were 12 & 10). Memphis is a great place to bring kids and talk about music (Elvis, Sun Records) and race (Civil Rights Museum, Memphis itself). I would definitely put this on your bucket list.
My son loves music so Memphis is definitely on the list. I am glad to hear that it is kid friendly!
🙂
Traci
Oh goodness. I could possibly list something for every state. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s homes — all of them. Missouri, DeSmet SD, Minnesota. Speaking of Minnesota – Silver Bay and the shore of Lake Superior. Every single National Park. Anywhere in Montana, or Wyoming. I loved Death Valley in late October. So many things to see!
You are definitely a go to resource! I have lived vicariously through your posts for a while.
<3
Traci
Congratulations to you and your family. Your children are going to be so much more aware and educated than those that don’t have such opportunities to explore the world around them. I have been an elementary teacher and now run a non-profit in Austin that focuses on taking children on adventures as part of an after-school program. Too many children don’t get exposure to all that this city offers and it is so educational.
I have taken several cross country trips around this country (in an RV) and have explored so many amazing places…
Here’s a short list of some of my favorites, but I will add on as you travel around (Carlsbad Caverns, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Hearst Castle, Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway, Acadia National Park, Big Bend National Park, Bozeman, Montana, Gettysburg National Park, Appalachian Trail – any part of it….)
Again, best wishes and living on the road will be a great experience, and life should be all about the experiences 🙂
Tammy
Great list, thanks! And yes, we are definitely hoping that this will prove to be a mighty educational opportunity. We want education to become more tactile and interactive. Your on-profit sounds wonderful!
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Traci
If you are in the San Angelo area any make sure to visit Fort Concho (next to Fort Concho is Ft. Concho Elementary- the only school in the world on a historic landmark) and Fort Chadbourne (on the way to Abilene). In Abilene you can see Frontier Texas. Wishing you the best time during your journey!
Thanks Candy! These are awesome suggestions. I know you have moved on but I will have to catch up with you somewhere this year!
🙂
Traci
First of all – thanks for stopping by my blog this morning, I’m excited to meet you! Jayco trailers connect, eh? I think you should definitely have Boulder, CO on your list, and if your truck is up to it a drive across the Independence Pass on the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. The Drive across the Rockies on I 70 is also spectacular, lots of places to see on the way, like Aspen! Then once you’re in Utah, Arches is great, as is Bryce Canyon. But first stop by the Great Sanddunes National Monument in southern CO as you come up from down South 🙂 That is a fantastic place.
If you are heading North, definitely hit the Grand Tetons on your way to Yellowstone. They are unbelievable! Sorry, I could go on 🙂
Are you planning to head into Canada at all?
We will probably mostly stay local with our Jayco this year, but a big trip is in the works and will probably happen when the kids are out of the house.
Again, nice to meet you – looking forward to following your adventure!
SO nice to connect with you! Our hope is to hit all of the states and yes, peek into Canada a couple of times, too. Thanks for this fabulous list. I look forward to watching your travels and sharing ours.
🙂
Traci
still taking suggestions? I have two in the local western suburbs of Chicago. Both are very inexpensive and mostly free. First is the wonderful grounds and museum left to us by the late Colonel McCormick called Cantigny.
http://www.cantigny.org/museums/robert-r-mccormick-museum
Next one is a working national physic laboratory called Fermilab. The top quark was found there. You don’t need to understand physics to enjoy, just have a sense of wonder.
http://ed.fnal.gov/lsc/
We are definitely still taking suggestions! These are awesome. Thank you!
🙂
Traci