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.
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.
Once you get to Blue Earth, Minnesota, worship at the feet of the massive Jolly Green Statue! Towering at over 55 feet tall, the giant is a cultural icon and it makes for an awesome photo op. There's a small gift shop on site; it's not open all the time, but there's plenty of parking and you can get your picture at any time of day with the giant. It's very close to I-90, and it's very easy to hop on and off for the photo op.
Over in Garretson, South Dakota, you'll come to your second gulch! This one is Devil's Gulch Park. This natural chasm has secured its place in history as the spot where Jesse James jumped (with horse!) while escaping from authorities after he had robbed a bank. The whole area is quite beautiful and there's even a waterfall. There's a visitor center at the gulch, and you can learn about the science and history of the area here. There's also a walking tour that will take you about an hour, but it's totally worth it if you're taking your time here.
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site offers a great tour and there's a very informative visitor center onsite. If you have time, take the guided tour through the control center. The tours are by appointment, so prepare to allow a bit of extra time... but it's worth it for this rare bit of Cold War history!
Your next stop is Wall Drug Store. Yes, it's a "tourist trap" but it's become something of an icon in this part of the country. The coffee is only 5 cents, and it's pretty good! There's also loads of kitschy gift shop stuff to buy, too.
As you drive along I-90 through Rapid City, hit up Art Alley and learn a bit about the history of city and surrounding area. The art is tasteful and pretty informative. You can also sometimes see artists creating new pieces!
There are tons of awesome hotels in Rapid City, South Dakota, so consider staying the night here! Cambria Suites, the Hotel Alex Johnson and Big Sky Lodge are all great spots to catch some Z's.
And now for something completely different! The Chapel in the Hills is an amazing architectural gem just outside Rapid City. It's also surrounded by beautiful scenery and has lots of wildlife roaming around. If you're in the mood to get out of the car for a stroll around the serene, storybook setting.
Mount Rushmore National Monument is a road trip ESSENTIAL! Once you get here, it's just $11 to park, and you'll find a great place to get a picture of yourself in front of the massive monument at Grand View Terrace. It's important to note that peak tourist season for Rushmore is June through August, and during this time traffic can get a bit backed up. If you're traveling during summer, plan to get their early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There's a great little walking path at the base of the monument as well.
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.
