Interstate 90 (AKA I-90), is a coast-to-coast, transcontinental freeway, and it just so happens to be America's longest Interstate Highway. Unless you've only traveled around the southern portion of America, you've probably hopped on and off I-90 at some point, whether you boarded around Boston, Chicago or Seattle. I-90 is a whopping 3,020 miles long, after all! In the east, I-90 begins right by Boston's Logan Airport, passes through the Continental Divide by Butte, Montana and ends in Seattle, near Safeco and CenturyLink Field. Whether you're taking it all the way or just for a few miles, these are a few of the best I-90 road trip stops.
2110 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
If you're a fan of Superman (especially the comics), then make the pilgrimage to the home of Jerry Siegal, the creator of Superman. Outside the home you can see a sign and the iconic Superman logo commemorating the home's previous owner. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster came up with the idea of a hero with superpowers in 1933. Both boys were lived on the same street and were from immigrant Jewish families. The current owners of the home where Superman was "born" are quite friendly to people on Superman pilgrimages, and scattered throughout the property is superman memorabilia.
If you're a fan of the movie "A Christmas Story" then it's essential that you stop at the house where the film was shot... even if it's the middle of summer! It's located on West 11th Street in Cleveland and tours are offered. They even encourage you to touch the exhibits, and even recreate your favorite scenes for photos. The tour can run you around an hour, so if you have the time it's almost as good as actually being in the movie.
If you're staying the night in Cleveland, there are quite a few great hotel options. The Glidden House is an incredibly 1910 mansion-turned-B&B, and the Hyatt Regency at The Arcade features a killer location. As for food, try Lucky's Cafe or Melt.
If you enjoyed Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, then take a detour off I-90 to Avon, Ohio's Olde Avon Village. Here you can walk back in time and see what life was like in the mid-1800s. There are shops, homes and pretty much everything else you could want in an authentic 19th century village. Then it's back to the 21st century and back on the road!
When you're ready to stretch your legs again, stop at Pokagon State Park, near Angola, Indiana. The name for the park comes from Leopold and Simon Pokagon, the last two leaders of the Potawatomi tribe. If you're looking to spend the night in Indiana, you should check into the Potawatomi Inn, a pretty popular Midwest resort lodge. Throughout the park you'll find beautiful stone and log structures, wide open fields and meadows, rolling hills and even wetlands.
Detour off I-90 to Washington Park Beach in Michigan City, IN and visit the Michigan City Lighthouse or take a walk on the boardwalk. There's also a seven acre zoo just across the street from the beach, and playgrounds for little ones. The park is open from 6am to 10pm, and costs $2 during the weekday and $5 on weekends. There's also loads of parking!
If you're a fan of Michael Jackson, then you'll definitely want a photo at his childhood home in Gary, Indiana, which is right off the interstate. The best time to visit is in August, when there's usually a Michael Jackson-themed event going on.
If you love Saturday Night Live, or just really dig improv comedy, then you need to visit the mecca of improv: The Second City in Chicago. This is where the best SNL cast members got their start.
TIP: If you purchase tickets through the Second City website you can usually get a great deal on a restaurant nearby at the same time. Dinner and a show in Chicago: The perfect night out on the town!
And if you want a hotel in Chicago, the options are almost endless. Hotel Lincoln, Hotel Monaco, Hotel Burnham... take your pick! They're all great.
As you head out of Chicago, visit Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumurg, IL. There are over 3 million lego bricks here and you can easily spend the day exploring with kids. Keep in mind that Legoland is a kids attraction, and all adults must be accompanied by a child. If you happen to have a kid around, though, it's a can't-miss stop!
If you're road tripping during summer and fall, you'll absolutely want to visit Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch in Pingree Grove. There's so much to do, especially during autumn, from a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, to a hay bale maze, and basically every other fall-themed outdoor activity you can think of. Oh, and the puppet show is absolutely adorable.
TIP: Go during the week to avoid the massive weekend fall crowds. And don't forget to stop at the cafe and gift shop!
I-90 then makes its way into Wisconsin! Lake Kegonsa State Park is considered "one of the best-kept secrets of southern Wisconsin." This state park features a 3,200-acre lake, woodlands, a swimming beach, fishing, a boat launch and campground. There are tons of hiking trails and picnic places in case you just wanted to get some fresh air and soak up a little sun!
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, United States
Next up: Quirky roadside photo op alert! There's a massive Pink Elephant wearing glasses at a gas station. His name is "Pinkie" and he was installed in the late 1970s at the gas station, now a Citgo. It's definitely the most adorable gas station on I-90!
If you're still in the mood for some more offbeat adventuring, head to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. This town was where the Ringling Bros. Circus was founded in 1884 by five brothers. In fact, they named the city the "winter quarters" for the circus, Ringlingville. Several buildings were built along the Baraboo River between 1897 and 1918, and today they make up America's "largest surviving group of original circus structures." Here you can see memorabilia and learn all about circus history, which is actually pretty interesting.
And if you want a good book to read on the road, Katherine Dunn's "Geek Love", will definitely get you in the mood to fully enjoy your time at the Circus World Museum.
From clowns to witches...over in Wisconsin Dells, skip the water parks (did you know that Wisconsin Dells has more waterslides per capita than anywhere else in the world?) and head to the Witches Gulch. It's like something out of Lord of the Rings! Admission to get in is just $5 and it's an absolutely breathtaking geological wonder. The Gulch is a slot canyon that surrounded by lush woodland. It's pet-friendly and definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
And if you do actually want in on the waterpark action at the Water Park Capital of the World, we love the quirky offerings at Kalahari Resort!
If you're still in the mood for some outdoor fun, your next stop along the highway is Mill Bluff State Park near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. This state park has beautiful, towering bluffs, swimming areas, a campground and plenty of places to hike or relax after a long day of driving.
Then, head down County Highway Q, just off I-90 to visit the FAST Fiberglass Mold Graveyard. This is a super quirky stop and a totally fun place to wander around and snap pictures. The grounds are full of molds that were used for all those iconic fiberglass roadside giants that dot the country (especially on iconic, classic routes like Route 66). It's free to walk around, just pull into the visitors area, and be courteous, respectful and don't climb on anything, because they're still a working Fiberglass shop. This is a great place to check out, and it's totally off-the-beaten path.
2110 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
If you've got a sweet tooth, then do yourself a favor and visit The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor and Confectionary in La Crosse. Here you can sit back and imagine you're in the early 1900s, just enjoying a fountain soda, made from scratch in an old-fashioned soda shop. They also have handmade chocolates, and a candy selection that's to-die-for.
Once you hop the border to Minnesota, pull into the SPAM Museum in Austin. Even if you're not a fan of SPAM, this is a pretty cool museum that covers the history of this processed meat. Also, there's loads of SPAM merchandise in the gift shop (hello Christmas presents!) If you do enjoy SPAM, there's often a vendor out front selling SPAM burgers.
Depending on the time of year you decide to drive I-90, it's important to note that weather can affect your journey. Snow and high winds will plague you from Minnesota to Montana, especially in the winter. Snow plows do a pretty good job, but if there's a storm, you could get stuck, so be prepared before setting out for this trip. Also, keep in mind that between Rapid City and the Black Hills, you'll be at an exceptionally high elevation, which means it's a bit more colder in this area. Pack accordingly, depending on the time of year. In fact, during deep winter, you can expect sub-zero temperatures across South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Remember your anti-freeze, snow tires, and don't let yourself run low on gas.
