The most epic American road trip

From Niagara Falls head across to the Midwest and visit Cloud Gate in Chicago. This public sculpture has become a symbol for the city. It was designed by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, and is remarkable for how it was welded together. Comprised of 168 stainless-steel plates, there are no visible welding seams because of how much it was polished. You can take some pretty epic photos here at sunrise. The "Bean" (as it's called) is in the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park, in the Loop area of Chicago, which is a great place to grab a drink or a bite to eat.

From St. Louis, head north towards Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota. Nothing says “America” more than Mount Rushmore. But, there’s also more to do here than just see the carved mountain memorial. There’s an adorable little tourist town nearby, where you can learn about the making of the monument. Plus, there’s good places to eat. Sometimes there’s a laser light show after dark at Rushmore, so check with the park to see if there’s one on the calendar when you visit. If you want a great spot for a picture, head to the Grand View Terrace. And be aware that there's going to be lots of tourists from June through August, so traffic might be an issue during this peak season.

After Rushmore, it's straight on to Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. This was the first national monument, established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt. You may remember it from the Steven Spielberg sci-fi film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." It's a pretty phenomenal geological wonder, and even more incredible in person. After you pay the entrance fee, you can visit the monument for seven days. There’s a lot to explore here, including learning about the cryptozoological mythology of the monument and surrounding area. If you take the scenic road on the north side of I-90, you’ll get a great view of the tower.

Next stop is Grand Teton National Park, home to one of America’s most beautiful lakes, Jenny Lake, as well as the majestic Teton mountains. If you visit in summer, it can get pretty hot during the day, but then cool down considerably at night, so be sure to pack accordingly. If you drive in from the South Entrance you’ll get a fantastic view of the Tetons as you approach the park. Another great tip is to hop on a boat and take it across Jenny Lake, and from there, hike a mile to Inspiration Point for one heck of a panoramic view.

Then it’s just a few-miles drive to Yellowstone National Park, and seriously, this park is no joke. It’s a geothermal playground of epic geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and deep boiling pools. The entire park is one big adventure. Also, be prepared to see wildlife everywhere, including roaming herds of buffalo, that will walk right past your car. Some can’t-miss Yellowstone wonders: Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Falls, and of course, Old Faithful. Definitely grab lunch at the Old Faithful Inn, one of the world’s oldest and largest log buildings. No wonder it was the third most-added stop on our fans' Most Epic Road Trips!

The next major national park on the most epic American road trip is Glacier National Park in Montana. The Kootenai and Blackfeet Native American tribes consider the land this park protects to be sacred, and when you visit, you’ll see why. The immense beauty of Mother Nature here is indescribable. There’s a great Red Bus tour that will take you along the Western Alpine, and a boat tour of Lake McDonald. Also check out Many Glacier, which offers incredible views of the remaining glaciers.

From Glacier, head west to Olympic National Park. This national park is home to coastline, beaches, rainforests, alpine lakes, glacier-capped peaks, forest valleys, and a primeval, ancient wilderness.There’s really something for everyone: from hiking and backpacking to walking along the beach and taking wildflower meadow picnics. If you have the opportunity, absolutely drive along Hurricane Ridge. This is the park’s most accessible mountain area, and the views are insane.

Yes, Crater Lake is beautiful. Yes, you should see it. However, it is a long haul from Eugene or any of the major stops off the 5, so you'll want to plan accordingly and expect to take a full day to visit and drive back from this attraction. From high atop the rim of Crater Lake, you can see just how magical the world really is. A hike down to the water reveals new beauty. The water is so blue and so deep, it’s no surprise that it’s the deepest lake in America, and one of the deepest on Earth. That’s why it’s one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon.

Surrounded by cliffs almost 2,000 feet high and boasting a picturesque island with a violent volcanic past, Crater Lake is also home to hikes through old-growth forests, and cross-country ski trips in the winter months. Many of the roads and facilities close during the winter, but the park is open and accessible all year long.

Crater Lake is located in southern Oregon, which is also home to the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the stunning Rogue River, the Oregon Caves and vineyards, and chocolatiers and cheesemakers galore.

The Las Vegas Strip is a world unto itself. First, it’s the third destination on this most epic American road trip that has no open container law (the other places being Savannah and Bourbon Street), which means you can walk around with a foot-tall margarita while you casino hop. This is a fantastic place for people watching, and there are loads of shows and some pretty delicious restaurants. Visit the Heart Attack Grill if you have time... the waitresses wear nurse uniforms!

Rounding out the most epic American road trip is a visit to Grand Canyon National Park, the most popular spot that showed up in our Holiday Inn contest submissions. Drive between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View for some amazing scenic overlooks. The National Park Service takes exceptional pride in this park and does an amazing job at keeping it well-maintained and clean. A few insanely cool hikes are the hike down South Kaibab Trail toward Phantom Ranch, the North Rim hike to the river, and the South Rim Trail, which provides unbelievably beautiful sunsets.

Arches National Park is one of the most jaw-dropping geological wonderlands in America, so it's no wonder that it was the second-most popular place users added to their trips in our contest. Plan to spend a day exploring the many arched rock formations. A few highlights are Balanced Rock and Tunnel Arch. If you take Exit 204 towards Cisco, it will take more time to get to the park but the drive way more scenic. The park can get pretty busy during the day, but it empties out just before sunset, when you can get some amazing photos.

From Vegas, drive to Monument Valley. This is home to what’s arguably the most iconic landscape of the American West.If you go to The View Hotel and pay $10 per person, you can get some insane pictures of the valley from the Visitor Center balcony. This is absolutely an essential stop on any great American road trip.

Then it's on to Tucumcari, New Mexico! After all that national park adventuring, it's time to chill out in an authentic Route 66 town, just off of I-40. There are tons of great diners to eat at here, and loads of retro motels, such as the Blue Swallow and Motel Safari. And make sure to grab a bite at Del's: You'll recognize it 'cause it's got a massive cow on top of its sign. Take some time to walk around and snap loads of pictures of the vintage Route 66-era neon signs.

From New Mexico, hop the border into Texas and drive down o the Alamo. Every year, more than 2.5 million people visit this important piece of history. Back in 1836, a band of Texans held out for an impressive 13 days inside the Mission against the centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Even though the Alamo ultimately fell to Santa Anna's forces, those brave men who defended the Mission have gone down in history as American heroes and defenders of liberty. The Alamo is located directly in the middle of San Antonio, right next to the Riverwalk (which is a bustling riverfront neighborhood full of restaurants, bars, and cafés).

After San Antonio, head to the French Quarter in New Orleans, for a taste of some insane Louisiana nightlife. Here you can drink on the streets thanks to New Orleans's open container law. Be prepared if you visit during football season: The crowds can get pretty crazy after a Saints game. Bourbon Street is one of the wildest streets in America (in a good way), and the French Quarter itself is full of gorgeous architecture that will make you feel like you're walking back in time through an eighteenth century French tropical colony.

Speaking of iconic city symbols, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is one of the Midwest's most visited places. There's a museum beneath the park, and an observation deck with great views of the river. If you have time, pack some nibbles for a picnic under the arch, or take a tour of it.