The best attractions along I-15

Pay tribute to one of the region's most important crops, the orange, at California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside! The boom in the citrus industry was often referred to as "California's second Gold Rush" and it was an important part of California's economy for a long time. Here, you can stroll through orange groves and check out vintage farming equipment while learning about this favorite fruit.

The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville is part museum, part gift shop, and even though it's small, it's a great look at the most iconic road trip in American history! Located in the former location of a popular Route 66 restaurant, the Red Rooster Cafe, the exhibits here are fun and ooze vintage Americana.

Next up is Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande. The size and attention to detail at this folk art roadside stop is incredible, and it's a great place to stretch your legs. The work of one man, Elmer Long, the whole thing is made entirely of disposed of garbage and junk...but as they say, "One man's trash is another man's upcycled folk art wonderland."

Calico Ghost Town in Yermo is a historic site that's been turned into a full-blown tourist attraction. The formerly abandoned mining town has a museum, gold panning, a mine tour, gift shops, restaurants, and even a campground, in case you really want to immerse yourself in Wild West vibes not too far off I-15.

Snap a picture of the country's weirdest road sign as you cruise past Zzyzx Road. Then tell your driving buddies all about the town's crazy history: it was founded as a fake hot spring resort (heated by boilers, and not natural springs) by a crackpot "doctor"... and that's just the beginning of the weird story!

Snacks can make or break a road trip, so stock up on fuel at Alien Fresh Jerky, a totally offbeat jerky shop. The kooky UFO theme and the delicious flavors (like lemon peppered beef and honey chipotle, among others) are quirky and absolutely delicious.

As you continue along I-15, you hit Primm, Nevada, where you can visit Bonnie and Clyde's Death Car for a macabre photo op. Back in the day, right after Bonnie and Clyde met their extremely violent end, several fake "Bonnie and Clyde death cars" were making their rounds. However, it's generally accepted that this one, riddled with bullet holes, is probably the real deal. It's located at Whiskey Pete's Casino, and you can even see Clyde's blood-stained shirt there, too.

Pioneer Bar in Goodsprings is rich with Wild West history, including cigar burns in the bar left by Clark Gable, who drank away his sorrows here after learning about the death of his wife. The bullet holes in the wall were left from when a man was shot dead cheating at cards. And this place doesn't rest on its history, either: they make killer drinks and tasty grub like tacos, lasagna, and their infamous ghost burger.

I-15 is a major route for traveling to Las Vegas, so whether you explore the Strip or head off the beaten path, it's worth stopping off here for a bit. Try your hand at a different kind of game while in Vegas: some old-school pinball. The Pinball Hall of Fame is pretty much a museum dedicated to the arcade classic, except you can play with all of the machines. Each machine costs between 25 and 50 cents to play, and all the money goes to charity!

While in Vegas visit the Burlesque Hal of Fame on Fremont Street; it's an incredible place to sample Sin City's sexier side. Dedicated entirely to the art of the tease, you'll find vintage costumes, an in-depth history, all kinds of props, and tons more.

And if you find yourself in need of a hotel in Vegas, the Artisan Boutique Hotel, the Flamingo and the Palms are some spots to look into.

While on I-15 definitely take some time to stretch your legs and soak up some beautiful scenery. Valley of Fire State Park is an incredible detour that features ancient trees, mysterious petroglyphs and striking red stone formations.

Go even further off the beaten path to Little Finland, a strange patch of land where the wind has eroded the sandstone into bizarre shapes. You'll feel like you've left Earth for Mars!

Next stop: Utah! You can't really climb on the rocks in Little Finland, but at Pioneer Park (which is free) you're allowed to do some low-key bouldering and rock climbing while soaking in the beautiful views of the Utah landscape.

When you pass through Leeds, UT, pull over at Silver Reef Ghost Town. There's not a ton left here, but the museum and exhibits dedicated to this former mining town are really interesting. Several buildings have been rebuilt, so you can take a tour, or go solo and explore the area yourself.

A trip along I-15 just wouldn't be complete without visiting Zion National Park. There are almost countless reasons to make the journey out to this incredible National Park. The Subway hike, Angels Landing trail, the Weeping Rock, and tons of other hikes and features can be found inside this one-of-a-kind park.

Nearby is Cedar Breaks National Monument, where there's a natural red rock amphitheater filled with strange hoodoos and gnarled bristlecone pines, all visible from multiple vistas. It's absolutely enchanting!

Detour slightly to Highway 161 and visit Cove Fort Historic Site. This popular travelers' rest on the Mormon Corridor was a stopoff built in the mid-19th century at the request of LDS leader Brigham Young. Today, it looks much as it did during its heyday, with historic exhibits and re-enactments. And, it's totally free!

Fun fact: for a short period of time, the capital of Utah was located in the town of Fillmore, and the Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum building was once just a small part of a bigger planned statehouse that was never completed because the state capital was moved. But today, the building remains standing as a state park museum. You can stop by and admire the building, and check out some of the displays: there's an old jail cell, a vintage printing press, the Governor's office, and more.

Road trip stops don't always have to be parks and museums, and the Mona Rope Swings in Mona, UT are a tiny bit of old-school fun that provide hours of entertainment, relaxation and refreshment. Two swings allow the brave to launch themselves into the Burriston Ponds in Mona, just south of Provo.