The most epic American road trip

From Arches, hit up Rocky Mountain National Park. With more than 300 miles of hiking trails, epic fields of wildflowers, alpine lakes, and wildlife around every corner, this is one of America's most beautiful woodlands. The Trail Ridge Road is a must-drive! It takes you to an impressive elevation of more than 11,0000 feet. Another great trip is the hike along Estes Cone Trail. The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking. It's a pretty lengthy hike at four to five hours, but it's definitely worth it.

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.

As if New Orleans nightlife weren't enough, your next stop is Miami's South Beach. Developed back in the 1910s, South Beach became a boomtown, attracting loads of tourists to its beaches and Art Deco hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants. South Beach is perfect for people-watching and for immersing yourself in gorgeous retro architecture. The food on Ocean Drive is alright, but overpriced for tourists. Get off the strip to find some real gems, such as the iconic Cuban restaurant Versailles.

Then drive up the coast and head toward Savannah, Georgia. Settled in 1733, Savannah boasts one of the country's largest historic districts. The riverside hamlet was spared by General Sherman's troops when the mayor of the city allowed Sherman's men to have the run of the city in exchange for leaving it intact (Sherman had a habit of torching every town he went through during the Civil War). Because of the mayor's bargain, Savannah has retained her antebellum charm. When you visit, absolutely go to Forsyth Park, an incredibly lush public park that you could easily spend the entire afternoon in. Savannah also has some great ghost tours, including one that's also a ghost tour/pub crawl.

Hop back on the highway, and head north to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although this park is beautiful to visit all year-round, the fall is a particularly amazing time to soak in the scenery. When you visit, plan to spend time exploring the abandoned resort town of Elkmont in the park. Also, Cades Cove is a perfect spot for a picnic and for viewing the park's wildlife. And don't leave before you have a chance to walk up Clingmans Dome. At an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet it provides breathtaking panoramic views of the park. It's free to visit, and is the most visited national park in all of America.

You can't take the most epic American road trip without visiting our nation's capital. Washington D.C. is home to incredible historical architecture and some truly mind-blowing museums, most of which are free! If you only have a day, hit up the National Mall, but be prepared for a long walk, and don't forget your sunscreen and some water. Here, you can enjoy a picnic surrounded by Washington's most iconic memorials, or visit a museum or two right off of the Mall. Also, between the Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History, there's a pretty great fountain where you can cool off. The best time of year to visit is either fall or spring: You'll still find crowds, but the changing colors of the foliage in fall is a can't-miss, as is cherry blossom season in spring.

Get back on the highway, and drive north towards New York City, where you can grab a boat to Ellis Island and experience the journey so many immigrants have made over the years. If you only have time to do one thing in NYC, do yourself a favor and visit the Statue of Liberty. Plan to spend time wandering around the museum and enjoying the views of the harbor and Manhattan. Of course, if you have time to do more than just one thing in NYC, the city is renowned for its delicious restaurants. Go to Chinatown for dim sum or Little Italy for pasta, and save room for some Chocolate by The Bald Man.

Next up is Boston. Again, there are just way too many awesome places to visit in this city, but if you have to go to one, Fenway Park is one of the city's most popular attractions. It's the oldest Major League Baseball stadium, having opened in 1912, and it's a hallmark of Boston. You can grab some beer on Yawkey Way, or sit up on the Green Monster... and don't forget your baseball glove to catch a ball! Even though the beer vendors close up shop during the seventh inning, "Who's on First" on Yawkey Way will continue to serve into extra innings. A couple other notable Boston attractions are Faneuil Hall, where you can eat everything from clam chowder to North End pizza, Chinese food, BBQ, and loads of desserts. Also, the Freedom Trail is a walkable tour of Boston's history. Oh, and the aquarium is one of the best in the world. If you have kids, also hit up the Science Museum. There's just so much fun to be had in Beantown!

Another can't-miss spot is upstate New York's Niagara Falls. The falls can be very misty in the morning, but that's when you can avoid the crowds. If you have the chance, take a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat, which takes you right up to the falls. If you need a place to spend the night, the Red Coach Inn is a lovely historic hotel with an excellent onsite restaurant. Also, head over to the Canadian side of the falls... there are more food options there. But, don't forget your passport!

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.

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.

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.