So, you’re daydreaming about hitting the open road and exploring new places. But the question is: where to go? Planning the perfect road trip involves finding unique destinations that inspire and excite you. In this blog post, we’ll explore a variety of resources and tips to help you embark on an unforgettable road trip journey.
Librarians and Bookstores: Underrated Travel Guides
If you have a general idea of the type of trip you’d like to undertake, consider exploring your local library. Let’s say, for example, you’re interested in driving Route 66. A librarian can guide you to a book or resource that specifically covers this historic highway. Bookstores can also provide the same inspiration in the travel section. Browsing local sections can offer a wealth of resources about the area from local authors, potentially revealing hidden gems right in your backyard.
Social Media: A Visual Inspo-Board for Travel Planning
Social media platforms are a fantastic tool for visualizing your travel plans.
Pinterest, a visual search engine, can provide a wealth of ideas. Once you have a destination in mind, you can search for it and save the results to a dedicated board. For instance, if you plan to visit Colorado Springs, create a board and start pinning attractions like Royal Gorge, Pikes Peak, and various mining tours. You can even categorize your board into sections for attractions, hotels, accommodations, and restaurants, creating a comprehensive visual guide.
Instagram and Facebook
Instagram is another excellent platform for inspiration. Searching for the official accounts of your desired destination and seeing what they share can provide a wealth of ideas. Likewise, Facebook and TikTok are filled with travel content that can spark your imagination.
AAA Membership: Not Just for Roadside Assistance
AAA is known for its roadside assistance and discounts, but it can also be a helpful travel planning tool. With their digital trip route planner, you can create a customized itinerary, including how often you want to rest and various attractions along your route.
Websites for Travel Inspiration
Surfing the web can offer a plethora of ideas for destinations and attractions. Websites like Roadside America showcase quirky roadside attractions and museums. Atlas Obscura specializes in unique attractions and points of interest, while the National Park Service lists hundreds of properties including National Monuments, National Forests, and National Historic Sites. For history buffs, the National Register of Historic Places and sites like Waymarking, the Historical Marker Project, and the Historical Marker Database can reveal fascinating historical locations across the country.
Don’t forget to check out websites like The Local Tourist, which specialize in road trips and content specific to certain regions. Roadtrippers, another excellent resource, allows you to plug in your destinations and find attractions and points of interest along the way.
Utilizing CVBs and DMOs
Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are invaluable tools when planning a road trip. They often have robust online resources, including event calendars and listings for local attractions, hotels, and restaurants. Once you arrive at your destination, make sure to visit the local visitor center for additional resources and personalized guidance.
Final Thoughts
No matter where the road takes you, remember that the perfect road trip is one that you enjoy. Whether you’re exploring historic sites, taking in stunning landscapes, or discovering the obscure, your road trip is about your journey. Stay flexible, open-minded, and use these tools to make your road trip planning an exciting part of your adventure. Here’s to wide open roads and the joy of exploration!
This interview was part of an exclusive 1-1 interview with Theresa Goodrich that
will be featured on Stress Free Family Vacations, to attend for free https://relaxationplanner.com/stress-free-family-vacations/.
