Everyone loves a good road trip. Whether you are looking for a secluded destination where you will be able to get away from it all or you are after a cool place full of with family-friendly activities, there is no shortage of excellent road trip ideas in the US. There are dozens of top travel agencies that offer cool road trip ideas, but this time we’ve decided to handpick 6 excellent places across the US that you should visit in 2018.
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Ann Arbor
Perfect for families for children, Ann Arbor is full of open-air markets, restaurants, and cafes. If you want to escape from all the hustle and bustle of the big cities, this is definitely one of the best road trip ideas. Wander around the historic downtown and go on a tour of the Arbor Brewing Company. Here you will also find a farmers market, a couple of second-hand bookstores, and several antique shops that sell everything from jewelry to clothes. One of the main reasons why travelers choose to visit Ann Arbor in summer is the amazing Street Art Fair which is usually held at the end of July. Hundreds of artists from all over the country gather here to celebrate the festival which includes numerous exhibits and musical performances.
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Santa Barbara
With a perfect year-round temperature and a laid-back vibe, Santa Barbara is one of the most visited summer destinations for travelers from all over the country. The beaches are great and there is something for everyone. For magnificent sunset views, go to the Butterfly Beach. The One Thousand Step Beach is perfect for vacationers who want to get some peace and quiet. If you are into surfing, the best place to go is the Arroyo Burro Beach County Park. Besides the spectacular beaches, Santa Barbara is famous for its craft beer bars, hipster eateries, and local wineries. The good news is that a number of luxury vacation agencies offer good deals on vacations in Santa Barbara.
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Oregon Coast
Buckle up and head out to Oregon Coast, a misty paradise with light breezes. Stop at the small town of Tillamook where you will find amazing hiking trails also known as Three Capes Scenic Loop. This hike will take you from lush forests to spectacular ocean vistas. Tillamook is also well-known for its cheese and you can purchase all kinds of pastries and local fruit. There are several other small towns in the area worth visiting on your road trip to Oregon Coast including Yachats and Lincoln City.
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Chicago
In case you are searching for a big city with plenty of tourist attractions and things to do, Chicago may just be the perfect road trip destination this summer. The Windy City is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is features dozens of attractions such as the Cloud Gate, Wrigley Field, the Magnificent Mile, and Richard H. Driehaus Museum. For spectacular views of the city, go to 360 Chicago Observation Deck. Visitors who wish to have a picnic and see an outdoor concert should consider going to the famous Millennium Park. As for the food scene here in Chicago, it’s pretty awesome. Foodies with a passion for BBQ will fall in love with joints like Smoque BBQ and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. Don’t forget to visit Giordano’s for a delicious slice of Chicago-style pizza.
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Knoxville
Surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, Knoxville is a charming city that offers plenty of things to do and places to see. Visit the Market Square where you can catch a number of theater performances in summer and go to the farmers market for some fresh local produce. Travelers who are into art will fall in love with the Knoxville’s Museum of Art that features outdoor sculpture exhibits, while those who love music should definitely check out the Old Town where there are bluegrass and rock live performance almost every evening.
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Utah’s National Parks
Driving to Utah’s National Parks is one of the best road trip ideas in 2018. Go to Zion, the first national park in Utah, or check out the amazing Capital Earth. You can spend the weekend in the town of Moabit. This charming town has plenty of eateries, shops, and markets. Of course, don’t forget to take the brochures from the visitor’s center and book a guided hiking trip. It would take you probably a week or two to check out all of the parks here, but a visit to the Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, and Dixie National Forest is a must.
