Roadtrip! Dallas to Denver
June 4, 2008 11:33 AM Subscribe
I'm driving from Dallas to Denver and want to make the trip fun:
1)Where should we stay overnight along the way?
2)What interesting things should we see and do along the way?
I'd rather drive less the second day, so I imagine I should stay somewhere north of Amarillo (Possibly in New Mexico?). I am driving with my mother who is accustomed to very nice hotels, so I am not looking for budget-minded recommendations. Are there any nice little towns with cute and nice hotels somewhere approximately mid-way between Dallas and Denver? Any interesting historical or culture experiences to be had? Any great places to eat?
Any and all recommendations are greatly appreciated!
I'd rather drive less the second day, so I imagine I should stay somewhere north of Amarillo (Possibly in New Mexico?). I am driving with my mother who is accustomed to very nice hotels, so I am not looking for budget-minded recommendations. Are there any nice little towns with cute and nice hotels somewhere approximately mid-way between Dallas and Denver? Any interesting historical or culture experiences to be had? Any great places to eat?
Any and all recommendations are greatly appreciated!
i only have one specific tip for you: gas up your vehicle during the day!
i've roadtripped all over the country, but i've NEVER seen anything like night-time bug infestations around gas stations in the middle of nowhere in TX. i mean, i made the mistake of stopping for gas just after dusk, and i got so many mosquito bites i had to stop driving for 24 hours.
otherwise, have fun!
posted by CitizenD at 12:19 PM on June 4, 2008
i've roadtripped all over the country, but i've NEVER seen anything like night-time bug infestations around gas stations in the middle of nowhere in TX. i mean, i made the mistake of stopping for gas just after dusk, and i got so many mosquito bites i had to stop driving for 24 hours.
otherwise, have fun!
posted by CitizenD at 12:19 PM on June 4, 2008
I've done that route several times. Unfortunately with a few exceptions it's a rather dull commute.
1. I prefer avoiding Amarillo and staying in the smaller towns since they have more character and it's easier getting in & out. Amarillo is just another big city.
2. Driving via Clayton/Raton rather than via Lamar/Eads is much more scenic... you get to pass by Capulin, the mountains near Raton, Sangre de Cristos, etc. Taking 30 minutes out of your schedule to drive atop Capulin Volcano is well worth the trip. Also you may want to stop in Colorado Springs and check out Garden of the Gods park, which is somewhat close to I-25.
Other than that, it's mostly sunglasses and XM Radio all the way.
posted by chips ahoy at 12:26 PM on June 4, 2008
1. I prefer avoiding Amarillo and staying in the smaller towns since they have more character and it's easier getting in & out. Amarillo is just another big city.
2. Driving via Clayton/Raton rather than via Lamar/Eads is much more scenic... you get to pass by Capulin, the mountains near Raton, Sangre de Cristos, etc. Taking 30 minutes out of your schedule to drive atop Capulin Volcano is well worth the trip. Also you may want to stop in Colorado Springs and check out Garden of the Gods park, which is somewhat close to I-25.
Other than that, it's mostly sunglasses and XM Radio all the way.
posted by chips ahoy at 12:26 PM on June 4, 2008
Texas has re-done some rest stops and they're pretty nice. CLEAN roomy barth rooms and info on local areas.
Caprock Canyon is a pretty cool scenic drive. So is Palo Duro. You could check out parts of old Route 66 in Texas or Oklahoma depending on how you go. If you're a Western Swing fan, Turkey Texas is home of Bob Wills.
Along I-40 you can pass Cadillac Ranch, a a giant cross that was in a This American Life story.
Fridge Henge is outside Santa Fe (probably out of the way). Have a great time!
posted by dog food sugar at 3:33 PM on June 4, 2008
Caprock Canyon is a pretty cool scenic drive. So is Palo Duro. You could check out parts of old Route 66 in Texas or Oklahoma depending on how you go. If you're a Western Swing fan, Turkey Texas is home of Bob Wills.
Along I-40 you can pass Cadillac Ranch, a a giant cross that was in a This American Life story.
Fridge Henge is outside Santa Fe (probably out of the way). Have a great time!
posted by dog food sugar at 3:33 PM on June 4, 2008
If you choose the route through Amarillo… check out the Palo Duro Canyon if you get the opportunity. The Texas show is supposed to be pretty good. Of course, you have to eat at the Big Texan.
You might consider an alternate route through Oklahoma City and Wichita. The mileage is greater (87 miles according to Microsoft Streets and Trips), but the same software says that the time is one-half hours shorter (straight lines, flat land, and interstates.) Wichita is a neat town with the Old Town area. We stayed at the Broadview there and had a room with a view of the Arkansas River.
posted by busboy789 at 3:40 PM on June 4, 2008
You might consider an alternate route through Oklahoma City and Wichita. The mileage is greater (87 miles according to Microsoft Streets and Trips), but the same software says that the time is one-half hours shorter (straight lines, flat land, and interstates.) Wichita is a neat town with the Old Town area. We stayed at the Broadview there and had a room with a view of the Arkansas River.
posted by busboy789 at 3:40 PM on June 4, 2008
Best answer: Nthing Palo Duro Canyon, Capulin (especially Capulin), and the 380->287->87 route through Amarillo and Raton.
If you're making reasonable time you should end up in Dalhart or Dumas the first night; avoid Dumas, if I remember right there's feedlots near town and it smells pretty bad when the wind's wrong (which it always seemed to be). I don't remember Clayton having much for hotels, but maybe that's changed. The Nursanickel in Dalhart used to be pretty good, but it's been years since I stayed there, and it was not exactly a luxury destination even then. They had good pie in the cafe though. Make reservations for hotels in Dalhart, they can fill up quick if there's something going on and you can find yourself in a bit of a pickle. If your mom really wants luxury, I think staying in Amarillo would be the only option; most of the little towns have rooms that are clean and comfortable but a long way from the Hyatt Regency.
Be careful with the speed between Dalhart and Raton, especially right around Clayton, NM. They've usually got a revenue trap set up on one end of town or the other.
Don't go through Oklahoma and Wichita; it's an awful drive compared to 287/87. I've done both routes many times, and 287/87 always worked out better.
posted by hackwolf at 6:22 PM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
If you're making reasonable time you should end up in Dalhart or Dumas the first night; avoid Dumas, if I remember right there's feedlots near town and it smells pretty bad when the wind's wrong (which it always seemed to be). I don't remember Clayton having much for hotels, but maybe that's changed. The Nursanickel in Dalhart used to be pretty good, but it's been years since I stayed there, and it was not exactly a luxury destination even then. They had good pie in the cafe though. Make reservations for hotels in Dalhart, they can fill up quick if there's something going on and you can find yourself in a bit of a pickle. If your mom really wants luxury, I think staying in Amarillo would be the only option; most of the little towns have rooms that are clean and comfortable but a long way from the Hyatt Regency.
Be careful with the speed between Dalhart and Raton, especially right around Clayton, NM. They've usually got a revenue trap set up on one end of town or the other.
Don't go through Oklahoma and Wichita; it's an awful drive compared to 287/87. I've done both routes many times, and 287/87 always worked out better.
posted by hackwolf at 6:22 PM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
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If you're interested in taking the road less traveled, you might consider heading north from there on 325/456/551/389 (the route has a lot of numbers) to US 160, and then shooting west to pick up I-25. There's some interesting terrain along the way, as you cut through the Raton Ridge and down into the Commanche National Grassland. You do miss the equally cool terrain between Capulin and Raton along this route, however, as well as the opportunity to drive over Raton Pass on I-25.
For a good place to stay past Amarillo, you might consider Clayton, NM (assuming you're willing to drive that far on the first day). The Eklund Hotel downtown has a lot of character; if you don't stay, at least consider dropping in at their restaurant for lunch. Great food.
posted by jal0021 at 12:10 PM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]