Monday, June 2, 2014

Unforgettable Road Trip Destinations

Have you planned a summer vacation yet this year? If you haven't, why not take a spur of the moment road trip? Our country has many wonderful cities that aren't usually thought of as popular vacation getaways. Visiting any one of them will make for an unforgettable vacation. 

Business Insider has compiled a list of the Top 10 Road Trip Destinations in the United States. We've listed a few of our favorites here. What city would you most like to road trip to?


Portland, Maine
Portland is the perfect road trip destination. Whether you’re looking for a quick road trip along the east coast (it’s a 5 hour drive from New York City and less than 2 hours from Boston) or planning a cross-country adventure (start at the Atlantic Ocean in Portland and head west!). 
Stretch your legs and burn some  calories on a  biking tour of  Portland’s historic lighthouses and stunning shoreline, from Bug Light overlooking the Portland Breakwater to Spring Port Lighthouse and 2 Lights State Park. You’ll have earned a lobster roll for the road, which beats a rest stop hot dog any day. 
Rumney, New Hampshire
Whether you’re headed west from Maine or just taking a short trip into New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, why not get an adrenaline rush (from something other than go over the speed  limit) with a short pit-stop for to scale a mountain? 
Head up to Rumney, one of the country’s premier destinations for rock climbing. Numerous crags dot the hillside of Rattlesnake Mountain above the sleepy New England town, offering exciting challenges for climbing novices and experts alike. 
Niagra Falls, NY
Niagara Falls is an ever-popular road trip destination, since it’s pretty impossible to get to the Falls without driving some leg of the journey. 
Once you’re there, you could check out the Falls from the shore or don a “stylish” plastic raincoat aboard the Maid of the Mist, but why not embrace a little adventure? Hop on a jet boat tour of the Niagara River, whose Class 5 rapids make for an exhilarating, and very wet, ride.   
Nashville, TN
An American road trip is incomplete without visiting some historic sites.  If you’re headed across the country, why not stop in Nashville, Tennessee?  
Not only can you take in the great sites of Music City (Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, the Hall of Fame) but you can check out the city’s Civil War past as well. In late 1864, the Confederate and Union army fought the Battle of Franklin, a bloody struggle that effectively destroyed the Army of Tennessee.  
There you can visit three Civil War era mansions: The Carter House, Lotz House and the Carnton Plantation that witnessed and withstood the battle.  
Chicago, IL
Chicago has long been a hub of American travel—road trips to or through Chicago save the pain of having to spend time in Chicago O’Hare, a notoriously busy and overwhelming airport.
If you plan a trip with Chicago on the itinerary, there is any number of things to see and do. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the Miracle Mile, Chicago boasts culture and history in spades. 
Why not soak it all up on a foodie bike tour of the city’s best bites and brews? Ride 13 miles through Chicago’s distinctive neighborhoods, taste Chicago delicacies like deep dish pizza, and wash it all down with the Lincoln Park-brewed Goose Island beer.  Try to get there in time for the world-renowned Taste of Chicago, taking place July 10-14 – you don’t want to miss this! 
Denver, CO
The Mile High City is a must-visit on many East-West road trips via I-70 or I-80. The city combines the best of the urban, with the fun-loving adventuresome spirit of the West.  
Those unaccustomed to the altitude might find biking, running or hiking a lot more exhausting than what they’re used to.  Don’t torture yourself, and instead enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty without huffing and puffing.  
Shake off the road by soaring at 50 miles per hour 200-feet in the air through Rocky Mountain pine forests on a zipline. Afterwards, unwind with a craft beer tour of Denver’s hippest breweries.

Click the link to see the full list of Business Insider's Top Road trip destinations: http://read.bi/TUPZWz

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