15,000 Miles of Americana

Remember the days of piling into a wood-paneled station wagon to take an all-summer trek along American byways? Or maybe you don’t remember, exactly, but wish you did? Whether we were around for the glory days of the Jimmy and the Matador or not, we have a certain kind of summer road-trip imprinted on our minds.

Endless miles across epic landscapes. Unlimited time to discover strange and wonderful roadside attractions. The sort of trip no algorithm could plan, roaming from the old-time ice-cream stand to the eccentric art stop, from small town to big city and back again, picking up prized mementos that map the route.

It may seem like a bygone fantasy. But the joys of that mythic road-trip experience—the iconic landmarks, the local delicacies, the treasured souvenirs—still exist. You just have to know where to look. And we’ve mapped a nation-spanning odyssey straight into pure vintage Americana—starting in one far corner of the map, all the way across and down to the end of the line.

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES
Puget Sound, WA
It doesn’t get much more “edge of the map” than this storied boat network among the far Northwest’s ports and isles. Reach bucolic Bainbridge or Whidbey from downtown Seattle. Or get a concentrated dose of the Northwest in the San Juan Islands. On Washington’s picturesque ferries, it’s about the journey, soaking in Puget Sound from the sundeck.

SOU’WESTER LODGE
Seaview, WA
A woodsy, beachy peninsula hides a vintage travel-trailer resort steeped in style and midcentury summer-camp charm. A rustic spa and an artist’s retreat program keep this beloved destination down-to-earth, with a constant stream of creative activity.

THE "STAND BY ME" BRIDGE
Burney, CA
There is no finer summer film—one so exquisitely cast in amber of a specific time (the end of the 1950s) and yet timeless in its expressions of the wonder, fear, discovery, and freedom of childhood—than Stephen King and Rob Reiner’s classic. Remember the iconic and gloriously terrifying bridge scene? It was filmed on the trestle above Lake Britton, outside of Burney. If you can stomach it, a spectacular bike trail leads you right over the spot where those intrepid boys just barely dared to go.

CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE
San Francisco, CA
In 1956, City Lights published Allen Ginsberg’s Howl, the Beat Generation’s landmark poem. Get your copy right at the source, the coolest bookstore in the coolest city in the storied borough of North Beach. Read with a cocktail at throwback haunt Vesuvio.

SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK / LOOFF CAROUSEL
Santa Cruz, CA
The salty sea breeze, a wooden coaster’s clank, the sherbet-colored gondola cars and aroma of freshly fried elephant ears: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk speaks summer’s native tongue. The 116-year-old, hand-carved Looff Carousel, a National Historic Landmark, still pipes out tunes that waft in the background, a timeless sensory experience’s backbeat.

GRANT GROVE CABINS AT SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
Kings Canyon, CA
Idyllically rustic log cabins and tent huts stud the sun-dappled Grant Grove area. Meander among giants to General Grant’s tree, the third-largest known tree in the world.

NEON BONEYARD
Las Vegas, NV
It’s a fitting resting place for streetscape icons from the heyday of neon-lit Americana. The signs here advertised the original hotels and casinos that defined the glitz and glamor of Old Las Vegas. See their hazy glow preserved as a larger-than-life collage of 20th century dreams and debauchery—in retirement.

DESERT VIEW WATCHTOWER
Grand Canyon, AZ
This 70-foot tall structure at the Grand Canyon, built in 1932, shows architect Mary Jane Colter’s interpretation of Indigenous architecture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. She oversaw the placement of each stone and wanted the rock uncut and weathered to remain part of the surroundings.

MOAB ROCK SHOP
Moab, Utah
The late Lin Ottinger opened this shop/museum in 1960, and it remains a magnet for rock hounds. In addition to gemstones and other geological wonders, Ottinger discovered four species of dinosaur, earning him the name Dinosaur Man. He died this past February at age 97. The shop helps carry on his legacy.

TRADERS RENDEZVOUS
Gunnison, CO
Mark your time in the West by bringing a piece of the wild home. Choose from a dizzying array of taxidermy, shed antlers, and fur at one of the largest such dealers in Colorado.

TETON VALLEY BALLOON RALLY
Driggs, ID
Four days of hot air balloon launches over 4th of July weekend make for a magical rainbow against a backdrop of soaring peaks.

THE CODY NIGHT RODEO
Cody, WY
What’s better than a rowdy, dusty rodeo on a cool summer night? Chock-full of Western charm, Cody holds its Night Rodeo every single evening from the top of June to the end of August.

TAOS PUEBLO
Taos, NM
Make a dough out of American commodity ingredients and bake it in a Pueblo earthen oven, or horno, and you get Pueblo bread, a fluffy white loaf that’s been a staple in New Mexican Pueblo communities for generations. At Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously occupied communities in the country, bakers sell it from their adobe homes and stores. You can also taste it at the nearby Tiwa Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery, with other traditional Pueblo dishes.

CENTINELA TRADITIONAL ARTS
Chimayo, NM
Take home a woven Chimayo blanket imbued with the colors and traditions of the great Southwest—spun, dyed, and woven at the source.

BALMORHEA STATE PARK
Toyahvale, TX
In West Texas, Balmorhea shimmers like a mirage. The spring-fed pool—the largest in the world—invites swimmers to soak while tiny fish dart between their toes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it’s still the best way to beat the High Plains heat.

CADILLAC RANCH
Amarillo, TX
In the early ’70s, an oil heir with a prankster streak named Stanley Marsh 3 commissioned a clan of hippie exiles from San Francisco to create an installation in the Texas Panhandle. A series of cars poke out of the Texas clay like icebergs covered in graffiti. See for yourself, right off old Route 66—a classic site of roadside mythology that inspired many apostles of Americana, including one Bruce Springsteen on his 1980 album, The River.

PARIS HATTERS
San Antonio, TX
A few years ago, Bob Dylan walked into Paris Hatters and bought seven hats. Those in the know have their Stetsons fitted, steamed, and stretched at Paris, a family-owned institution since 1917. The shop near the Alamo has customized headwear for the likes of Johnny Cash and Pope John Paul II, too.

THE WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER
Tulsa, OK
Visit the living memorial to one of American history’s most influential artists—an immersive lesson in the power of song. Full of history-making musical artifacts and scraps of process left by a legendary musical life.

RIBS, AT GUY AND MAE’S TAVERN
Williamsburg, KS
Some of the best Kansas City-style ribs aren’t in Kansas City—they’re an hour away, at a small-town dive called Guy and Mae’s. Seasoned with an herb-forward secret rub called “hookey-poo” and served on newspaper, with a crisp bark and ultra-tender meat underneath, they’re worth the drive to Williamsburg, population 375.

TURKEYLEGG, AT TURKEYLEGGMAN
Kansas City, KS
In one of America’s barbecue capitals, Matthew Montgomery smokes his namesake “leggs” till they’re as tender as baby backs. Think Renaissance Fair turkey legs—but good. If you’re hungry, go for the Buss Down Legg, which comes smothered in Velveeta-textured mac and cheese. Pair it with the greens: a mix of kale, collards, and cabbage seasoned with more smoked turkey.

DUCKPIN BOWLING AND ICE CREAM SUNDAES
Potter, NE
This town off I-80 is a repository for two American traditions. It’s famously the home of Potter Sundry, the birthplace of the Tin Roof Sundae (named for the tin tiles on the ceiling). On the same block, find the Potter Duckpin Bowling Alley, built in the 1930s and meticulously restored in the early 2000s. According to the owners, it may be the last hand-set duckpin bowling alley in America.

SPIRIT MOUND
Vermillion, SD
A small hill with a big history, Spirit Mound stands out in an otherwise flat corner of South Dakota. That’s why it got the attention of Native Americans in the area, some of whom still consider it sacred, and of Western explorers Lewis and Clark, who climbed to the top on a hot summer day in 1804. Today, it’s a state historic site planted in native prairie, with an easy hike to sweeping views across the Plains.

THE CORN PALACE
Mitchell, SD
Part basketball arena, part folk art marvel, the Corn Palace is one of the heartland’s most beloved roadside attractions. Each year, local artists decorate its walls with murals made entirely of corn, grains, and grasses. It’s kitschy, it’s free, and it’s a tradition dating back to 1892.

BISON-SPOTTING, AT THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK
Medora, ND
One of America’s most quietly impressive public lands. Drive the 37-mile Scenic Loop early on a summer morning, and you’re virtually guaranteed to see wildlife—without traffic jams or busloads of tourists angling for photos. Alongside prairie dogs, elk, wild horses, and other Badlands fauna, hundreds of bison roam the rugged landscape.

MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
St. Paul, MN
Summer’s grand finale in the Upper Midwest, the Minnesota State Fair has it all—butter sculptures, blue-ribbon livestock, and all the fried snacks vendors can dream up, from cheese curds to walleye fritter pops from Giggles’ Campfire Grill. A local tip: Pair a bucket of warm, gooey Sweet Martha’s cookies with all-you-can-drink milk.

SURF BALLROOM
Clear Lake, IA
The music never died in Clear Lake. The Surf Ballroom—where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper played their last show before their tragic plane crash—still hosts concerts in a space that feels frozen in time. Think green vinyl booths, fake palm trees, and a velvet-draped stage that’s held generations of greats.

WRIGLEY FIELD
Chicago, IL
The iconic park for an iconic American game opened in 1914, making it second-oldest in the majors. Post up in the bleacher seats with a Chicago dog and sing your heart out during the 7th inning stretch.

COZY DOG DRIVE IN
Springfield, IL
Did Cozy Dog Drive In actually invent the corn dog? Maybe, maybe not. What matters is the Springfield, Illinois, institution has been a Route 66 staple since 1946. Its namesake crisp-and-juicy Cozy Dogs have been luring road-trippers off the Mother Road for generations.

TED DREWES FROZEN CUSTARD
St. Louis, MO
The original, restored neon sign at this institution lights the way to the most famous frozen custard stand in the Midwest. The signature concrete—a rich, creamy shake or malt with mix-ins—has been a St. Louis summertime tradition for nearly a century. Served upside-down.

HUGO’S
Fayetteville, AR
Known for their burgers since 1977, this college-town favorite piles the bun high with a 1/3-pound charbroiled beef patty and various topping choices, such as crispy fried pickles or a spoonful of chili with melty cheddar.

HANSEN’S SNO-BLIZ
New Orleans, LA
Don’t even call it a snow cone. It’s so much more. Homemade syrups generously drizzled over velvety ice can cool the muggiest of New Orleans afternoons. Open since 1934, with a patented ice shaver designed and built by founder Ernest Hansen.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD AT OLD COURTHOUSE MUSEUM
Monroeville, AL
It’s like stepping into living literature. See the stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel in her hometown at the courthouse (now a museum) that helped inspire it.

MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO AND FAME STUDIOS
The Shoals, AL
Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard all recorded here. The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Allman Brothers followed along. Tour two studios where legendary tracks were laid down; see the Wurlitzer on Aretha’s “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” and the wood-paneled bathroom where Keith Richards finished writing “Wild Horses.”

ERNEST TUBB’S RECORD SHOP
Nashville, TN
One of the last relics of true country music of yore, Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop on Lower Broadway is set to reopen this year to hungry fans of music both live and recorded, country and western. Take some musical magic home with Ray Charles’ classic 1962 foray into the genre, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.

ROMP FEST / BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME
Owensboro, KY
Old-time hillbilly mountain music’s capital is not only home to the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum, but its annual ROMP Festival in the prime days of late June. Contemporary voices in roots and country join the traditional bluegrass sound.

WILSON FOOTBALL FACTORY
Ada, OH
At this behind-the-scenes factory tour, visitors can see the hands behind America’s game. Every NFL football is shaped and stitched here. Learn the process, from leather to laces, and then take home your own NFL-grade ball.

LUCY THE ELEPHANT
Margate City, NJ
She’s the queen of roadside tourist attractions (and the eldest of the bunch). Six stories high and constructed of wood and tin, Lucy has been ready for the photo ops since 1882.

SILVER SANDS MOTEL
Long Island, NY
The neon sea horse at this Long Island beach retreat has beckoned guests since 1957. Restored in 2023, the 20-room motel with a collection of cottages and 3–4 bedroom beach houses tucks into lush, quiet green just steps from the water. Find a spot under the shade of the old oak tree at Eddie’s for a tray of Pipes Cove Oysters, cultivated on the property’s 15-acre oyster farm.

THREE FLAGS BY JASPER JOHNS, AT THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
New York City, NY
Jasper Johns painted his Flag series in the 1950s, remarking that the American flag was an object “seen and not looked at, not examined.” If these iconic works are meant to be a pledge of allegiance to anything, it might be to the suggestion that the image of America we hold is one always to be re-examined, explored more deeply, and redefined for ourselves.

LAKE COMPOUNCE AMUSEMENT PARK
Bristol, CT
Hands up on the Wildcat, the wooden coaster built in 1927. Or ride the newer Boulder Dash if it’s more your speed—it’s also a wooden structure, completed in 2000.

AMERICAN CLASSIC ARCADE MUSEUM
Laconia, NH
Need a rainy day option? See the games you grew up with—more than 250 of them—from pinball to Asteroids and beyond.

MORSE FARM
Montpelier, VT
There’s no better taste of summer in Vermont than a swirl of maple creemee—soft-serve churned with real Vermont maple syrup. The Morse family has tapped trees at Morse Farm for eight generations.

RED’S EATS
Wiscasset, ME
Along Route 1 and the Sheepscot River, you’ll likely see the line first. But lunch is worth the wait—a buttered lobster roll piled with Maine lobster and served with Kate’s Maine Butter or mayonnaise on the side.

THE BOSTON POPS AT HATCH SHELL
Boston, MA
Bring a picnic to the lawn along the Charles, where rowing crews slice through river water. Come early. When the Boston Pops boom out their rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, the Esplanade will be full and festive.

NEWPORT SAILING SCHOOL
Newport, RI
For more than half a century, this family operation has been teaching folks about cruising the waters in the Sailing Capital of the World. For less of a commitment, hop on a sailboat for a spin through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.

HULL’S DRIVE-IN
Lexington, VA
Cinema under the stars? Long live the drive-in. W.C. Atkins built this one in 1950, and its legacy carried on for decades thanks to subsequent owner Sebert W. Hull. After Hull’s death, a group of community members (“Hull’s Angels”) formed a nonprofit to keep the drive-in running. Besides movies, Hull’s holds a summer concert series, the Virginia Opry.

NORTH CAROLINA DIPPED CHICKEN
The Piedmont Region
Fried to a crisp golden-brown and dressed with a vinegar-pepper “dip” often spiked with hot sauce, dipped chicken is the specialty at a handful of restaurants across North Carolina’s Piedmont. It likely originated at Frankie’s in Salisbury, since closed, leaving Keaton’s Barbecue—open since 1953—to represent the old guard. Ted’s Kickin’ Chicken in North Wilkesboro has the spiciest version, while Slappy’s Chicken in Winston-Salem, a newcomer, is building on tradition with a salty-sweet, umami-rich recipe.

PROFESSOR HACKER’S MAYDAY GOLF
Myrtle Beach, SC
What could be closer to playing a life-size board game than the nostalgic, cockeyed charm of putt-putt? Choose your technicolor golf ball from the bucket, select a rent-a-putter, and let the lazy heat of dusk lull you into a par-3 adventure through a tropical island-themed course.

PARADISE GARDEN
Summerville, GA
Reverend Howard Finster, a Baptist minister and grandfather of Southern outsider art, called himself a “Man of Visions.” And at his life’s work, the Paradise Garden, we can walk right into his dream. A spectacle of folk art, tchotchke-worship, and architecture, Paradise Garden is an awe-inspiring display of a lifetime of creativity in immersive scale.

THE MERMAIDS AT WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK
Spring Hill, FL
Crystal-clear spring waters for swimming, kayaking, and Florida wildlife also host fish-tailed swimmers performing feats underwater—a tradition since 1947. “I swam for Elvis Presley in 1961,” says retired mermaid Vicki Smith.