The original article was published as part of a partnership with Wild Sky Media. The original can be found HERE.
The family road trip is a quintessential experience, offering fun, adventure and ideally gorgeous scenery along the way. Lucky for us, the U.S. boasts plenty of perfect byways to traverse. Keep costs down by avoiding hotels with the ultimate RV trip.
Here are a few of our favorite road trips that incorporate mother nature’s gifts and kids’ interests, from hikes and playgrounds to museums and animal encounters. Just gather your family’s favorite snacks and books, confirm your route and buckle up.
California’s Highway 1
This twisty, two-lane highway is the way to see California’s incredible coast. For a giant dose of natural beauty, travel the stretch of highway that connects Santa Barbara and Monterey via Big Sur. Top stops for families driving this 230-mile route include the Santa Barbara Zoo, Elephant Seal Vista Point in San Simeon, Pismo Beach (swing and play at Dinosaur Caves Park), Morro Bay, Limekiln State Park and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Central Arizona
From red rocks to towering cacti, Arizona offers some stunning and otherworldly natural sights. It’s also home to some of our country’s bucket list-worthy national parks. Start by exploring the Grand Canyon by trail, horse, or boat. Then get on a highway heading south, breaking to explore brilliant red mountains in Sedona and Red Rock State Park; ride a rollercoaster or tour a museum in Phoenix; hike among Saguaros in Saguaro National Park; and get up close to desert flora and fauna at Tucson’s Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Tropical Florida
Sure, Florida has theme parks, but it’s also home to some stunning wetlands and tropical islands (plus their natural inhabitants). Visit Everglades National Park, where American Alligators are common sightings. Then drive the Florida Keys — the archipelago is made up of more than 800 islands, but 43 are connected by bridges. Take your time and enjoy the turquoise waters as you drive from Key Largo (the northernmost island) to Key West. It’s only 100 miles between the two, but all the adventure opportunities along the way can easily fill up a week-long road trip.
Washington to Oregon
The Pacific Northwest is widely known for its beauty and chilled-out vibes. Start your adventure in Seattle, where famous sights like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle are sure to please the whole family, then leave the bustle of the city behind and drive to Olympic National Park for hiking, tide pool time and crab spotting on the park’s beaches. Further south and on into Oregon, consider adding points of interest like Portland, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, or the beloved neighboring towns of Bend and Sunriver.
Austin to New Orleans
This trip has it all: cities to explore, opportunities for natural history lessons, and lots of time outdoors. In Texas, hang out at Austin’s Lady Bird Lake or Barton Springs Pool before heading to Hill Country to jump in swimming holes, go tubing in Guadalupe River State Park, or explore Natural Bridges Caverns. Then head through Houston for some beachy fun in coastal Galveston en route to New Orleans. Here, spend time in City Park, take a tour of the French Quarter, check out the Louisiana Children’s Museum, and treat yourself to some delicious beignets.
