Journey Through the Wild West

If you’ve got kids with you (or if you’re a kid at heart) then book a stay at Flintstone’s Bedrock City. If you’re looking to unwind adult-style, then Ojo Caliente, which has a spa, is the perfect spot. And you can never go wrong with an old-fashioned camp-out at one of the many state parks and campgrounds along the route—the weather is prime for staying outside, plus the stargazing is incredible.

Passing through some of the Southwest’s cities is the perfect chance to grab a bite to eat. In Santa Fe, hit up Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen for authentic Mexican cooking and tequila (they have around 300 varieties: you’ve been warned). Satisfy your sweet tooth at Albuquerque’s Rebel Donut and be amazed by Sonoran-style hot dogs from Nogales in Phoenix (the hot dog is wrapped in bacon and topped with all kinds of delicious goodness. Also, did I mention it's wrapped in bacon?)

Bode’s General Store was once a town jail/post office/store, but now it’s a historic general store and restaurant (they make a kick ass green chili burger, which is a New Mexico must). If you’ve ever dreamed of playing outlaws and robbers in the Wild West, then check out Frontier Movie Town— literally hundreds of Westerns have been filmed there. Or, for an authentic ghost town experience, visit Silver Reef. The Rattlesnake Museum is another awesome attraction, and you can educate yourself in case you run across a snake in the wild…better safe than sorry!

Stop by the Four Corners Monument to stand in the four states of the trip all at once, venture through the ancient Pueblo dwellings of Mesa Verde, and splash around at Slide Rock State Park. Then, of course, there’s the grand finale of the trip…the Grand Canyon. If you thought those other natural wonders were cool, get ready to have your mind BLOWN. Try the Skywalk if you’re feeling brave, soak it all in at Toroweap Overlook, or tackle the intense (but totally worth it) hike to Havasu Falls.