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.
Then head to Orchard Park, NY to see the Eternal Flame Falls. This is a pretty phenomenal natural wonder and a visit is worth the detour off I-90. Park at Chestnut Ridge Road and prepare for a short, 15-minute hike to the falls. You'll start to smell a rotten egg-type odor (the result of the natural gas that causes the flame) the closer you get to the tiered falls, which cascade around 30 feet. Here you'll notice a small grotto inside of which is a flame, about 4-8" high, ignited by the natural gas emitted from the spring. It's really an amazing natural wonder.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
Next up, is 1880 Cowboy Town in Sioux Falls! Again, I-90 can get pretty monotonous, so take advantage of these offbeat attractions. Sadly, 1880 Cowboy Town has seen better days (okay, fine, a lot of the mannequins and exhibits are pretty dated) but to be honest, the rundown nature of the place actually adds to its appeal. Plus there are some nice exhibits on the history of Sioux Falls here.
Next is America's "corniest" attraction. It all started back in 1892 when the town of Mitchell, South Dakota was home to just 3,000 residents. Folks wanted a place to gather and celebrate their bountiful South Dakota corn harvests, and thus the Corn Palace and Corn Palace Festival were born.
The Corn Palace grew so quickly that in 1905, a new Corn Palace had to be built, and then another newer and even bigger palace was unveiled in 1921. This is the Corn Palace we all know and love today. If you’re headed through South Dakota, the Corn Palace is a must-see, and if you’re going through South Dakota in late August, you’ll be in for a real treat: the Corn Palace Festival…a giant 5-day party to celebrate all things corn.
I-90 passes through a ton of American history as well. The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek, when the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment engaged in battle with the Lakota tribe in an effort to disarm them. 50 U.S. soldiers were killed, and at least 150 men, women, and children of the Lakota tribe were killed during the battle. Today you can pay your respects at the Wounded Knee Massacre Monument.
The Buffalo Gap National Grassland is a great place to either take a scenic cruise past one of America's "most extensive, productive ecosystems", or get out and take a quick stroll. The prairie seems to stretch on forever!
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.
Next stop: Deadwood. The entire town of Deadwood is amazing, especially Mount Moriah Cemetery, where you can see the graves of Wild West greats like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. The downtown historic district is basically a time warp back to the 19th century! Notable hotels in Deadwood include 1889 Inn, Iron Horse Inn, and Hickok's Hotel & Gaming.
Another great roadside stop in Deadwood is Tatanka: Story of the Bison. Here you can learn that there's more to Deadwood than just cowboys and outlaws-- Native Americans were just as crucial to the history here. You can even have a guide take you on a tour!
From the Old Prison to a verifiable ghost town! If you have time to venture a little bit farther off I-90, Garnet Ghost Town is a fantastic detour. Yes, it's off-the-beaten-path, but because of that it's not a particularly popular place for I-90 tourists to venture off to. You can easily spend an entire afternoon hanging out here and walking around. There are incredible opportunities for photos and the setting is absolutely gorgeous, surrounded by wildlife and forests.
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.
