I want to see EVERYTHING in the USA west/southwest
December 6, 2015 7:58 AM Subscribe
I want to see all the neat things to see in a large chunk of the USA- Texas to Colorado to California and back, including New Mexico and Arizona. I'll consider the NW too, if something is exceptionally cool.
I'll be traveling by car with no agenda, timeframe, or limits. I want to see it all- canyons and caverns, mines, flight museums, the boneyard, Native American sites, museums, deserts, gem hunting, history, Hearst Castle... Pretty much every major or minor tourist attraction in 7+ states. Thanks!
I'll be traveling by car with no agenda, timeframe, or limits. I want to see it all- canyons and caverns, mines, flight museums, the boneyard, Native American sites, museums, deserts, gem hunting, history, Hearst Castle... Pretty much every major or minor tourist attraction in 7+ states. Thanks!
I haven't seen a lot of the southwest, but Eastern New Mexico (Tucumcari area) was really pretty.
posted by kevinbelt at 8:08 AM on December 6, 2015
posted by kevinbelt at 8:08 AM on December 6, 2015
The Lightning Field, NM
Go to Marfa for sure.
There's other land-art and site-specific works out thattaway but the specific ones elude me right now
posted by wemayfreeze at 8:10 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Go to Marfa for sure.
There's other land-art and site-specific works out thattaway but the specific ones elude me right now
posted by wemayfreeze at 8:10 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Obviously, Pacific Coast Highway, between Santa Barbara and San Francisco.
posted by zagyzebra at 8:11 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by zagyzebra at 8:11 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Arches national park in Utah, also a ton of other parks nearby
White sands in New Mexico
posted by pravit at 8:17 AM on December 6, 2015 [4 favorites]
White sands in New Mexico
posted by pravit at 8:17 AM on December 6, 2015 [4 favorites]
Mesa Verde National Park is awesome.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:20 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:20 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Carlsbad Caverns is my favorite National Park. In the most recent thread on road trips through the southwest some people brought up the Chaco Culture site. I would also very heartily recommend that, too.
posted by phunniemee at 8:23 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 8:23 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Go see Chaco Canyon. It's a set of Indian ruins in New Mexico and it is big and complex and totally changed my perspective on the ancient people who used to live in the Southwest. I also like astronomy, which is relevant because the people who built in Chaco Canyon aligned their buildings with the sun and moon.
You should go take a look around one of the Indian reservations in the area too. Here is a list of walking tours you can do from the Zuni tourism office. Here's the Navajo tourism website.
posted by colfax at 8:41 AM on December 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
You should go take a look around one of the Indian reservations in the area too. Here is a list of walking tours you can do from the Zuni tourism office. Here's the Navajo tourism website.
posted by colfax at 8:41 AM on December 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
If it were me I'd buy some of the guidebooks. And then target first all the National Parks - there are so many amazing ones in that area and you could spend weeks to months just exploring those. Then there's the state parks, scenic byways, Native American sites and other stuff such as the Impact Crater in Arizona which I believe is in privately owned land but they allow people to come see it. The NW has many exceptional cool things as you put it, such as the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Rainer, Mt. St. Helens, etc. Use trip advisor - that can help you narrow stuff down and see if people thought it was worth going to.
posted by FireFountain at 8:48 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by FireFountain at 8:48 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Seconding Chaco. Magnificent. The Angel's Landing trail and Virgin River at Zion National park is pretty spectacular, too.
posted by thenormshow at 8:55 AM on December 6, 2015
posted by thenormshow at 8:55 AM on December 6, 2015
Not sure if you're going this far north, but Big Sur in California is a must see. Beautiful cliffside redwoods. Stop at nepenthe and big sur river inn. Actually, just driving up the one from Santa Barbara to San Francisco is awesome. Plenty of cool stops along the way (Big Sur, Monterey, Santa Cruz).
posted by mosschief at 9:03 AM on December 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by mosschief at 9:03 AM on December 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Make sure you see Carlsbad Caverns, the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon. If you can and are interested, take the time to hike down into the Grand Canyon. The viewing spots along the rim are often PACKED with people, and (if you're a semi-introvert/disliker of crowds/desirer of a wilderness-y experience like me) that can put a slight damper on the experience. The hikes, however, are less crowded and absolutely breathtaking. I especially recommend the South Kaibab Trail.
posted by sevensnowflakes at 9:04 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by sevensnowflakes at 9:04 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
We made a point of touring the Very Large Array of radio telescopes (where they filmed parts of Contact). It was a bit of a hike but very worthwhile. You can take a self-guided tour just about anytime but they offer guided tours the first Saturday of every month. They are astonishingly huge and it's v cool if you are there when they move them.
Some other things on my list:
The Titan Missile Museum, in Sahuarita, Arizona.
Goldfield Ghost Town, Apache Junction, Arizona
If you're in Arizona in March, there's the Wild West Steampunk Convention. (The site's a bit wonky at the moment.)
Phoenix Art Museum
Robbers Roost Bookstore in Torrey, Utah
Colorado Wildflower Hikes
Dinosaur Hotel in Denver
Dublin Bottling Works, Dublin, Texas
Catch a show at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels or Austin City Limits.
Berdoll Pecan Farm Store in Cedar Creek, Texas
The Bullock Museum in Austin (the Wendish Immigrant Trunk looks especially cool.)
The Cathedral of Junk in Austin
I've found some interesting, quirky, out of the way stops on Roadside America.
Have a great trip!
posted by Beti at 9:05 AM on December 6, 2015 [7 favorites]
Some other things on my list:
The Titan Missile Museum, in Sahuarita, Arizona.
Goldfield Ghost Town, Apache Junction, Arizona
If you're in Arizona in March, there's the Wild West Steampunk Convention. (The site's a bit wonky at the moment.)
Phoenix Art Museum
Robbers Roost Bookstore in Torrey, Utah
Colorado Wildflower Hikes
Dinosaur Hotel in Denver
Dublin Bottling Works, Dublin, Texas
Catch a show at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels or Austin City Limits.
Berdoll Pecan Farm Store in Cedar Creek, Texas
The Bullock Museum in Austin (the Wendish Immigrant Trunk looks especially cool.)
The Cathedral of Junk in Austin
I've found some interesting, quirky, out of the way stops on Roadside America.
Have a great trip!
posted by Beti at 9:05 AM on December 6, 2015 [7 favorites]
See also the replies to this recent question on a similar theme.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 9:28 AM on December 6, 2015
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 9:28 AM on December 6, 2015
In Texas: Marfa, Natural Bridge Caverns, Inner Space Cavern, Fort Worth Stockyards, Schlitterbahn, Hamilton Pool Preserve, the Alamo and other missions along the San Antonio River Walk.
posted by neushoorn at 9:38 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by neushoorn at 9:38 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you want to see something awesome and terrifying, check out the Arizona Meteor Crater, near the Petrified Forest. Stay at the cement tipi motel in Winslow, Arizona, and take it easy.
posted by Oyéah at 9:40 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Oyéah at 9:40 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Seriously do not miss the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum.
The Balloon Museum in Albuquerque is pretty interesting for certain kinds of nerds too.
posted by wintersweet at 10:16 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Balloon Museum in Albuquerque is pretty interesting for certain kinds of nerds too.
posted by wintersweet at 10:16 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Antelope Canyon, near Page Arizona. Link is a google image search. Requires no hiking.
Also near Page is The Wave, which is accessed through Coyote Buttes North (BLM). You need permits, so that one needs some advance planning. Coyote Buttes South is almost as spectactular, and there are lots of permits available for that, so that's an alternative. The Wave, aka Coyote Buttes North, requires an easy 3 mile hike. Coyote Buttes South requires some mild 4 wheel driving (sand).
Page also has day long rafting trips on the Colorado River (lots of outfitters in town, just drive around).
Highly recommend dipping up into Utah while you're out here, although you didn't mention it on your list. Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks are the highlights in the southern part. In Zion, the iconic hike (in summer) is to hike up the Narrows (easy day hike).
Sounds like you're interested in rocks? Petrified Forest, also consider digging Turquoise at an authentic mine near Tonopah Nevada. Depending on your timing, hit Quartzsite, AZ - January is the best month, or Tucson any time in February for the gem and mineral shows - mind blowing. Like, you can buy dinosaur bones. Cheap(ish). Rockhounding? try "Lavic Siding", or sign up for Yahoo group "LA Rocks" to get info on field trips and gem shows in the greater SoCal area.
Yosemite, of course. It really is not overrated. You need reservations waaaay in advance though, even for camping, so plan ahead.
Southern California's best hidden gem is diving/snorkeling in the kelp forests of the channel islands, including a spectactular sea lion dive (or snorkel!). Check the Spectre dive boat (out of Ventura, CA) - you can rent gear and snorkel and dive in some gorgeous areas on a day trip.
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:16 AM on December 6, 2015 [5 favorites]
Also near Page is The Wave, which is accessed through Coyote Buttes North (BLM). You need permits, so that one needs some advance planning. Coyote Buttes South is almost as spectactular, and there are lots of permits available for that, so that's an alternative. The Wave, aka Coyote Buttes North, requires an easy 3 mile hike. Coyote Buttes South requires some mild 4 wheel driving (sand).
Page also has day long rafting trips on the Colorado River (lots of outfitters in town, just drive around).
Highly recommend dipping up into Utah while you're out here, although you didn't mention it on your list. Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks are the highlights in the southern part. In Zion, the iconic hike (in summer) is to hike up the Narrows (easy day hike).
Sounds like you're interested in rocks? Petrified Forest, also consider digging Turquoise at an authentic mine near Tonopah Nevada. Depending on your timing, hit Quartzsite, AZ - January is the best month, or Tucson any time in February for the gem and mineral shows - mind blowing. Like, you can buy dinosaur bones. Cheap(ish). Rockhounding? try "Lavic Siding", or sign up for Yahoo group "LA Rocks" to get info on field trips and gem shows in the greater SoCal area.
Yosemite, of course. It really is not overrated. You need reservations waaaay in advance though, even for camping, so plan ahead.
Southern California's best hidden gem is diving/snorkeling in the kelp forests of the channel islands, including a spectactular sea lion dive (or snorkel!). Check the Spectre dive boat (out of Ventura, CA) - you can rent gear and snorkel and dive in some gorgeous areas on a day trip.
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:16 AM on December 6, 2015 [5 favorites]
Nevada National Security Site tours and atomic testing museum
posted by ctmf at 10:34 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ctmf at 10:34 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you like artsy things, visit Taos, New Mexico and Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico..
Someone above mentioned the Very Large Array, and it's pretty interesting. I didn't know until I was leaving New Mexico that Area 51 is in the area -- somewhere in Death Valley or thereabouts, I stumbled on it by accident -- so don't miss that.
Also don't miss the meteor crater, which is a sight to see, and of course, Roswell, which I never did get to, but I understand is... interesting.
But really, the best thing to do if you like all things touristy is to drive along the highways and biways and just... stop the car at every little thing that has a sign. That's what me and the hubs did whenever we drove anywhere. He grew up there and didn't know of all the stuff that was around him until I pulled him to every little thing in the surrounding areas.
Believe me, you won't want for touristy stuff on the roads of the Southwest. They are everywhere! And they are great!
posted by patheral at 10:57 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Someone above mentioned the Very Large Array, and it's pretty interesting. I didn't know until I was leaving New Mexico that Area 51 is in the area -- somewhere in Death Valley or thereabouts, I stumbled on it by accident -- so don't miss that.
Also don't miss the meteor crater, which is a sight to see, and of course, Roswell, which I never did get to, but I understand is... interesting.
But really, the best thing to do if you like all things touristy is to drive along the highways and biways and just... stop the car at every little thing that has a sign. That's what me and the hubs did whenever we drove anywhere. He grew up there and didn't know of all the stuff that was around him until I pulled him to every little thing in the surrounding areas.
Believe me, you won't want for touristy stuff on the roads of the Southwest. They are everywhere! And they are great!
posted by patheral at 10:57 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've heard Californians rag on it but I love the Antelope Valley! The closest I ever have or reckon I ever will come to a spiritual experience was at the Devil's Punchbowl, owing to it being the quietest place I've ever been.
posted by ftm at 11:29 AM on December 6, 2015
posted by ftm at 11:29 AM on December 6, 2015
Canyon de Chelly near Chinle, AZ is breathtaking and not nearly as touristy as the Grand Canyon. Seconding Antelope Canyon, but I believe you have to sign up for a tour and can't just explore it on your own. If you make if to southern AZ, Kartchner Caverns are worth the detour. Oh, and a favorite road trip for me is to Bisbee for the night (the Copper Queen Mine is awful and awesome at the same time) then it's a short trip to the Chiricahua National Monument.
There's so much more to see in just Arizona, including the Saguaro National Monument on the eastern edge of Tucson; the Sedona, Jerome & Prescott area; and the aforementioned Grand Canyon.
posted by kbar1 at 12:13 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's so much more to see in just Arizona, including the Saguaro National Monument on the eastern edge of Tucson; the Sedona, Jerome & Prescott area; and the aforementioned Grand Canyon.
posted by kbar1 at 12:13 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Recently visited this myself, so it's on my mind: If you're in the Tucson area, absolutely make sure to visit the Sonora Desert Museum. Grand Canyon is of course awesome. Reservations for Havasu Falls typically have to be made far in advance. Skip Grand Canyon West (the skywalk) and visit either Havasu Falls or Grand Canyon National Park.
posted by compartment at 12:15 PM on December 6, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by compartment at 12:15 PM on December 6, 2015 [4 favorites]
If you're taking the long drive on I10 through Texas to get from A to B, and the weather is warm, I recommend stopping for a swim or even an overnight stay at Balmorhea State Park. It was built in the 30s under the directive of FDR and his Civilian Conservation Corps, and remains largely unchanged - it very much has a feeling of a time and a place and is one of my favorite spots in west Texas. The spring-fed pool is 20' at its deepest and standing on the diving board you can see all the way to the bottom. There's always camping available, and if you reserve in advance you can stay in the on-site motel which is an extra dose of retro-awesome.
posted by slagheap at 12:28 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by slagheap at 12:28 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Joshua Tree
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:40 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:40 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Since I don't see it on here and it's near White Sands which is also well worth going to, if you can be there on the first Saturday in April or October, I highly recommend the Trinity site - the test site of the first atomic bomb. (Those are the only days it's open.)
In some ways, it could be disappointing - there's the ranch house where they assembled the bomb, an obelisk, some atomic glass, and the observation bunker in the middle of this desert/volcanic landscape - but the sense of history and the meaning of that history is palpable. I get goosebumps just thinking about looking through the portholes of the bunker. It's a good place to not just see but also to ponder.
posted by barchan at 1:40 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
In some ways, it could be disappointing - there's the ranch house where they assembled the bomb, an obelisk, some atomic glass, and the observation bunker in the middle of this desert/volcanic landscape - but the sense of history and the meaning of that history is palpable. I get goosebumps just thinking about looking through the portholes of the bunker. It's a good place to not just see but also to ponder.
posted by barchan at 1:40 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Seconding the Acoma Pueblo -- it's been continuously occupied since 1168 or something like that. Walking tours are offered.
I don't have any information on hand and my mind is blank, but there's a church between Santa Fe and Taos that was photographed by Alfred Stieglitz or someone significant like that.
Wait, here's the one.
And I've never been there, but there's a hand-carved cave southeast of Santa Fe that appears awesome.
And since I came up with a link for the church, above, just to provide a sourceless claim I'll note that the best green chili burgers available are found in Cedarvale, NM, or somewhere like that just above Lincoln County. There's a lot of Billy the Kid stuff associated with Lincoln County (just below Cedarvale) if you want to get into that.
posted by mr. digits at 2:24 PM on December 6, 2015
I don't have any information on hand and my mind is blank, but there's a church between Santa Fe and Taos that was photographed by Alfred Stieglitz or someone significant like that.
Wait, here's the one.
And I've never been there, but there's a hand-carved cave southeast of Santa Fe that appears awesome.
And since I came up with a link for the church, above, just to provide a sourceless claim I'll note that the best green chili burgers available are found in Cedarvale, NM, or somewhere like that just above Lincoln County. There's a lot of Billy the Kid stuff associated with Lincoln County (just below Cedarvale) if you want to get into that.
posted by mr. digits at 2:24 PM on December 6, 2015
Do see the red rocks of Sedona, AZ. Also check out Jerome, an old mining town on a hillside, a few miles to the south.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 2:34 PM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 2:34 PM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Casa Grande ruins, in Cass Grande, AZ the Stonehenge of North America.
Montezuma's Well and Montezuma's Castle on the way north from Phoenix to Sedona.
Sedona, AZ, Red Ricks, Skide Rock.
Yosemite.
Mission San Juan Bautista in Northern California.
Rosicrucian Museum and Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.
Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.
Madonna Inn. San Luis Obispo.
Poncho's on Central just north of Baseline Rd. Red Chili, cheese crisp, and a mural commemorating a visit President Clinton made to eat some nachos. Phoenix.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:02 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Montezuma's Well and Montezuma's Castle on the way north from Phoenix to Sedona.
Sedona, AZ, Red Ricks, Skide Rock.
Yosemite.
Mission San Juan Bautista in Northern California.
Rosicrucian Museum and Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.
Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.
Madonna Inn. San Luis Obispo.
Poncho's on Central just north of Baseline Rd. Red Chili, cheese crisp, and a mural commemorating a visit President Clinton made to eat some nachos. Phoenix.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:02 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
While in the Carlsbad Caverns area there is in nearby Alamogordo the International Space Hall of Fame and nearby White Sands missle range.
posted by tilde at 3:04 PM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by tilde at 3:04 PM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
For southern AZ, 2nding Kartchner Caverns, the Desert Museum, and also Biosphere 2 - but read up on its history before you go to that last one, because the tour doesn't really go into what actually happened when people tried to live in there (or didn't when I went in 2007). But it's such a weird, human thing to have attempted that it's totally worth the time.
posted by town of cats at 3:31 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by town of cats at 3:31 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
In Colorado, Strawberry Hotsprings and Great Sand Dunes National Park are really amazing
posted by ananci at 4:02 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ananci at 4:02 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Seconding Jerome. It's a complete trip of a town, even compared to other mountain towns I've visited. Not a great drive if you are subject to vertigo, however.
posted by wierdo at 5:15 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by wierdo at 5:15 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
I wouldn't recommend a dedicated trip, but if you find yourself in the Panhandle, you owe it to yourself and to Texas to visit the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. Utterly ridiculous and therefore awesome. I bought a boot-shaped beer mug, and saw some guys try for the Free 72oz Steak of I-40 billboard fame.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:56 PM on December 6, 2015
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:56 PM on December 6, 2015
If you go to Mesa Verde, you can do Four Corners, then head up to Ouray and do one of the wildflower hikes mentioned above, soak in one of 3 hot springs - bathing suits optional on that last one, then 30 miles more to Montrose where you can see the Museum of the Mountain West and Black Canyon before either heading east towards Gunnison or north towards Grand Junction and the National Monument.
posted by kattyann at 8:13 PM on December 6, 2015
posted by kattyann at 8:13 PM on December 6, 2015
Consider hiking some or all of the John Muir Trail in California, considered by many backpackers to be the prettiest hiking in the US. The JMT is challenging but worth it if you go for three weeks or three days. Significant scenerie changes at every vista.
Near the northern terminus at Mt. Whitney is the movie museum in Lone Pine (mostly westerns filmed locally including Dajango Unchained and every Lone Ranger episode ever), Manzanar Historic site (WWII internment camp) and the taco truck in Lone Pine. A town with one street so you won't miss it. There are hotels and a decent hostel in LP if you're on the cheap side of travel.
posted by rip at 8:35 PM on December 6, 2015
Near the northern terminus at Mt. Whitney is the movie museum in Lone Pine (mostly westerns filmed locally including Dajango Unchained and every Lone Ranger episode ever), Manzanar Historic site (WWII internment camp) and the taco truck in Lone Pine. A town with one street so you won't miss it. There are hotels and a decent hostel in LP if you're on the cheap side of travel.
posted by rip at 8:35 PM on December 6, 2015
Seconding the Painted Desert, which takes you into the Petrified Forest. So beautiful, so quiet, so stunning. Really amazing.
posted by clone boulevard at 9:50 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by clone boulevard at 9:50 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hueco Tanks is famous for its petroglyphs from many different eras. For eons, it was the only place that held water in the desert. It's really cool, but way off the beaten path. Carlsburg Caverns is awesome.
posted by kamikazegopher at 10:23 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by kamikazegopher at 10:23 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh!
Hit the Heard Museum of Indian Art and Culture in Phoenix, and then on your travels, make sure to go to an Indian Reservation to check it out, eat some Fry Bread.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:11 AM on December 7, 2015
Hit the Heard Museum of Indian Art and Culture in Phoenix, and then on your travels, make sure to go to an Indian Reservation to check it out, eat some Fry Bread.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:11 AM on December 7, 2015
Should you happen to be a musician (or for any future musicians reading this thread), head to Tucson, and go to Pima Community College's West Campus. The Center for the Arts has a little outdoor area where, if you stand right in the center, your singing, or speaking, or playing is reflected back to you. It's not a huge thing, but one of those neat little gems you find here and there.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 6:50 AM on December 7, 2015
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 6:50 AM on December 7, 2015
Fortunately, someone (well, a bunch of people) have written a book that will tell you everything to see.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:59 AM on December 7, 2015
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:59 AM on December 7, 2015
mr. digits: And since I came up with a link for the church, above, just to provide a sourceless claim I'll note that the best green chili burgers available are found in Cedarvale, NM, or somewhere like that just above Lincoln County.
Two points: in (much*) of New Mexico, we spell chili as chile, and we like green chile (cheese)burgers so much we have a green chile cheeseburger trail with 97 locations - it's not as much a trail as it is a logistical challenge.
* I've also heard that some of the old chile farming families in Hatch have spelled it "chili" for decades, but "chile" is one way New Mexicans distinguish our peppers and sauces from other versions and variants.
If you like to travel distances for food, you can trek out to Pie Town, NM and have a slice of pie or two. It's not really on the way to or from anything, unless you want to take the scenic route from Phoenix, AZ to Roswell, NM, or visit a number of national parks.
Make your way down to Alamogordo, NM, and you can visit the grave of Ham the Astrochimp, "the first free creature in outer space." It's near the New Mexico Museum of Space History, which is one of the 52 locations on the New Mexico Space Trail, something I just discovered. Alamogordo is also home to the (former?) grave of Atari's E.T. cartridges and other old Atari junk.
If you want to take up diving, you can do so in New Mexico, at The Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, the most visited (or at least rated) scuba dive location in New Mexico.
If you want something quirky not too far out of the way from major routes in New Mexico, there's the Sandia Peak tramway, the world's second longest continuous-cable aerial tramway (it was first longest until some new tram went up in Europe .. somewhere - take the tram and the tram hosts will tell you all about it, and other interesting facts while you ride up to the peak). Or you can drive up the east face and visit Tinkertown, one man's personal miniature, animated folk art exhibit/museum, complete with a 40-foot sailboat that traveled around the world for a decade.
For wildlife, you can visit Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, and for stunning geologic formations, there's Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, which is often (visually) mistaken for Cappadocia, Turkey.
But if you're traveling in the near future, it'll be rather cold, so you can stay inside and visit a ton of museums around New Mexico that cover everything from rattlesnakes to uranium mining.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:37 AM on December 7, 2015
Two points: in (much*) of New Mexico, we spell chili as chile, and we like green chile (cheese)burgers so much we have a green chile cheeseburger trail with 97 locations - it's not as much a trail as it is a logistical challenge.
* I've also heard that some of the old chile farming families in Hatch have spelled it "chili" for decades, but "chile" is one way New Mexicans distinguish our peppers and sauces from other versions and variants.
If you like to travel distances for food, you can trek out to Pie Town, NM and have a slice of pie or two. It's not really on the way to or from anything, unless you want to take the scenic route from Phoenix, AZ to Roswell, NM, or visit a number of national parks.
Make your way down to Alamogordo, NM, and you can visit the grave of Ham the Astrochimp, "the first free creature in outer space." It's near the New Mexico Museum of Space History, which is one of the 52 locations on the New Mexico Space Trail, something I just discovered. Alamogordo is also home to the (former?) grave of Atari's E.T. cartridges and other old Atari junk.
If you want to take up diving, you can do so in New Mexico, at The Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, the most visited (or at least rated) scuba dive location in New Mexico.
If you want something quirky not too far out of the way from major routes in New Mexico, there's the Sandia Peak tramway, the world's second longest continuous-cable aerial tramway (it was first longest until some new tram went up in Europe .. somewhere - take the tram and the tram hosts will tell you all about it, and other interesting facts while you ride up to the peak). Or you can drive up the east face and visit Tinkertown, one man's personal miniature, animated folk art exhibit/museum, complete with a 40-foot sailboat that traveled around the world for a decade.
For wildlife, you can visit Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, and for stunning geologic formations, there's Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, which is often (visually) mistaken for Cappadocia, Turkey.
But if you're traveling in the near future, it'll be rather cold, so you can stay inside and visit a ton of museums around New Mexico that cover everything from rattlesnakes to uranium mining.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:37 AM on December 7, 2015
If you have the lungs and legs for it, you should hike a 14,000 foot peak in Colorado (a "fourteener").
Don't miss the redwoods in California. My wife and I hit the Muir Woods near San Francisco and were blown away.
Wine country (Sonoma, Napa) is awesome in the off-season (winter). There are a couple of black car services in the area; get a friend or three and hire a driver for a day and drink lots of amazing wine.
posted by craven_morhead at 11:27 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
Don't miss the redwoods in California. My wife and I hit the Muir Woods near San Francisco and were blown away.
Wine country (Sonoma, Napa) is awesome in the off-season (winter). There are a couple of black car services in the area; get a friend or three and hire a driver for a day and drink lots of amazing wine.
posted by craven_morhead at 11:27 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
White Sands.
Carlsbad Caverns.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
And basically anything on 285.
posted by maryr at 9:29 PM on December 7, 2015
Carlsbad Caverns.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
And basically anything on 285.
posted by maryr at 9:29 PM on December 7, 2015
Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain, and the surrounding post-apocalyptic desert landscape
posted by book 'em dano at 9:47 PM on December 7, 2015
posted by book 'em dano at 9:47 PM on December 7, 2015
Thanks for all the great suggestions! I've taken the list and created a Google Map. Originally this was for my trip planning, but might be useful to others.
posted by dttocs at 8:14 PM on January 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by dttocs at 8:14 PM on January 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Oh, one other thing, no Colorado road trip is complete without a detour to Bishop Castle.
posted by craven_morhead at 11:59 AM on January 12, 2016
posted by craven_morhead at 11:59 AM on January 12, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by something something at 8:04 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]