ALPINE LOOP, Colorado. If you want to ‘get away from it all,’ then going on a road trip to the Alpine Loop Back Country Byway will easily prove to match your idea of haven. Situated in Colorado’s southwest, this picturesque destination effortlessly enthralls its visitors with a breathtaking landscape of snow-capped mountains, serene lakes and meadows dotted with wild flowers.
With its laid back feel and unspoiled beauty, and featuring an elevation of more than twelve thousand feet, The Loop is a place that will surely make for a memorable family road trip or a sought-after outing with friends. Such a Colorado road trip will help you discover that The Loop is not lacking in activities to keep you – and everyone in the group – happily occupied. From hiking and biking, to several great camping options, or simply lounging away the hours sightseeing, a weekend trip here will open up the wonders of the great outdoors.
For starters, try navigating your trip map to check out some of the most popular attractions The Loop has to offer. If you want to get breathtaking views at an altitude of 12,800 feet, then the Engineer Pass should definitely be included in your family trip planning. It is bordered by Mt. Sneffels in the east, Uncompahgre Peak in the northeast, and the vanished Lake City in the east. Now, if you want to bask in a little solitude and detour from your companions, a trip alone to the Whitmore Falls will revive your senses. The falls can easily be reached after a short trail.
Another great Colorado road trip is the GUANELLA PASS. If you want a family road trip that combines your historical interest without boring your kids to death (let’s face it, very few children will find staring at old buildings amusing), then you might consider going on a road trip to Guanella Pass. This scenic pass, located in Colorado, stretches for 22 miles. The driving time takes roughly two hours, but with diverse things to catch your attention along the way. The trip map of Guanella Pass begins at Georgetown, an utterly quaint and charming place that reflects a great deal of Colorado’s genteel past. Plan a stopover there and take in the well-preserved old buildings, many of which have been converted to museums. While you’re looking at precious artifacts, let your kids explore the town via carriage rides, which is one of the most popular attractions of Georgetown – with good reason.
When you think you’ve had enough sightseeing, head on to Idaho Springs, which is situated nearby. There are several hot springs you can opt to soak in, and of course the tranquil view helps you relax even more. When everyone has replenished their energy, continue your road trip through the old gold mines, or a countryside dining experience the whole family can enjoy.
If at last you’re ready to call it a day, there are bed & breakfasts you can stay in along the South Platte River. And don’t forget to [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Road’
A Breathtaking Road Trip In Colorado
Posted in 
Tags: 
Exploring Nature’s Diversity Between Utah and Maine in a Fall Road Trip
Enjoy filling your Road Trip Planner with a road trip and discover the places between the dry desert climate surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah and the salty sea air found in Bar Harbor, Maine.
This great road trip covers more than 2600 miles and 13 states so pencil in at least two weeks in your road trip planner. Three weeks would be ideal if you’re making it a Round Trip Road Trip.
So, with thirteen states to cover, how does one choose among the 1000s of things to do? Narrow the field by sticking as close as possible to the direct route. With the price of gas these days, concentrate on the free and affordable activities along the route.
I recommend filling your road trip planner with the following cities, where you’ll drive about 200 miles per day.
With Salt Lake City sitting on the edge of the Wasatch Mountains, spend a few hours hiking along the paths or have a picnic at the Wasatch Mountain State Park. Enjoy the Rock Springs Historic Museum once you cross over into Wyoming, spending your first night at the Rock Springs Days Inn.
The next day, remain in Wyoming while still traveling about 250 miles to the state capital, Cheyenne for your second night. Consider adding Colorado to your road trip planner by taking a short side-trip into Fort Collins, Colorado and spend the night in Lexington, Nebraska, where you can enjoy antique shopping and fishing while staying at a Victorian house, converted into a B & B. About 220 miles down the road from Lexington, you’ll find Omaha, the spot for your 4th night stay. Be sure to shop & stroll through the Old Market, where you’ll find a bit of everything; art, shops, cafes, restaurants and music!
The fourth state to add to your road trip planner is Iowa as you’ll be stopping at your second state capital, Des Moines before continuing on for an overnight at Iowa City, where you’ll find a number of very affordable hotels.
Cut north a bit past Joliet, Illinois so you can enjoy the Chicago nightlife. Chicago has lots of things to do so you might want to stay a second night there and drive the following morning through Indiana (about 250 miles) to Toledo, Ohio. Be sure to check out the Maumee Antique Mall, which has over 120,000 square feet for you to wander through (there’s also a smaller Antique Mall in downtown Toledo).
Hit the road again, passing through Cleveland, Ohio, and enjoy the view along Lake Erie, spending night in Erie, Pennsylvania (you should be able to find a room with a view). The next morning, enjoy the waterfront area in Buffalo, New York before continuing east to spend the night at Syracuse. You’ll want to add your 3rd state capital in Albany to your road trip planner before heading towards Boston. Here you might also want to stay two nights for a rich, historical experience.
You can actually travel through 3 states in one day in less than 250 miles [...]
Fall Road Trip to New England
To see New England at its best, make sure your Road Trip Planner includes the dates from mid-September to mid-October. New England is beautiful year-round, but unlike other regions, its busiest tourist season is during the Fall, where fiery colors reign supreme.
Enjoying the Fall Foliage is reason enough to visit New England, but what many people discover during their road trip planning is that this region is also steeped in American History. Thus, a Fall Road Trip to New England not only gives you nature’s colorful bounty but also a rewarding cultural experience. Add to that the abundance of festivals held during this season and the readily available lobster and you’ve got a memorable trip in the making!
So where do you start your road trip planning? For many, a New England Road Trip means flying first into Boston & then renting a car. This virtual road trip will take you in a clockwise loop over the course of 8 days where you’ll hit all six New England states: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.
Boston is one of the oldest cities in America with many things to do so plan on staying two nights here. The following morning, if you’re a walker, hit the Freedom Trail! A good place to start is at Boston Common, the oldest park in America. This 2 ½ mile walk will bring you to 16 significant historic sites worthy of exploration. One site to explore more thoroughly is the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where you’ll walk on cobblestone streets and meander in & out of shops, restaurants and historic buildings.
The next day, enjoy a scenic drive from Lexington to Concord and then south to Plymouth Rock. Here, your road trip planner should include explorations of the Mayflower II, and the extraordinary Plimoth Plantation. There aren’t many places where you can catch a glimpse of living history reenacted in the village found here.
Add Cape Cod to your road trip planner for your third night. Your best bet for a hotel during this busy season is in Hyannis because it’s the largest of the seven Cape Cod villages. Consider taking a ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard for the day if you’re interested in seeing the historic whaling town of Edgartown. Otherwise, Cape Cod has plenty to offer to fill a full day’s itinerary.
Heading into Rhode Island the next day and – if you’ve planned your road trip to start mid-October – then you should be able to catch Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival. Get your fill of lobster and clams and… and well, it IS a seafood festival. Here you also have an option to enjoy a ferry ride from Newport to Providence if you’re interested in seeing sprawling estates set against color-laden backdrops.
From Newport, you’re only about 50 miles to Mystic, Connecticut for your next overnight stay. For many visitors, this community becomes the highlight of their road trip because it’s a seafaring village dating back to the 1600s. Here you’ll find guides sharing “whale” stories, a [...]