r/roadtrip • u/Professional-Net2230 • 1d ago

Trip Planning Niche Stops?

Hi everyone!! Soon I will be embarking on a USA wide road trip over the course of two months. I have many stops in mind but I would love to see if anyone has any specific recommendations?

One thing I really want to do is hit up some kitschy touristy spots (like the Busch's bean factory, corn palace, walldrug, etc) and go to niche stores for shopping (like for area specific things, thrifting, jewelry)

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u/ooo-ooo-oooyea 1d ago

In the same area you mentioned, you can visit this: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/fast-fiberglass-mold-graveyard

Atlas Obscura specializes in stuff like this.

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u/Penguin_Life_Now 23h ago

Finding such spots is half the fun, for example a couple of years ago we did a trip across South Dakota stopped at Wall Drugs and the Corn Palace which I feel are both worth stopping at just to see, Wall Drugs has really good unique cake donuts. Both are places I would stop at again if passing through (the corn palace panels change each year), but I would not go out of my way to see them.

Having said that because we stopped at the Corn Palace we learned about the Indian Village archeological dig site just north of Mitchell, SD, on the way to Wall we found the Minute Man Missile Museum just a few miles east of Wall. And because we went to Mount Rushmore we also discovered Bear Country drive through bear adventure, the Reptile Gardens (one of the largest reptile zoos in the US), and food from Colonial House restaurant in Rapid City (best food we had in SD, but that is not saying a lot)

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u/goodcookT 22h ago

In Nebraska go to Carhenge in Alliance, the Bailey Yard in North Platte.

In Wyoming go to the Meeteetse Chocolatier for world class chocolate. From Cody drive the Chief Joseph highway to the Beartooth Scenic Byway east takes you to Red Lodge Montana, West takes you to the north entrance to Yellowstone.

Also recommend getting the Roadside America App. Lots of fun unique things to see in your travels. You get 1 zone free. The others cost.

Safe travels and have fun.

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u/Rosie3450 19h ago edited 19h ago

The Enchanted Highway in North Dakota is calling your name.

Be sure to stop in the Enchanted Highway shop in Regent, ND for some ice cream and a tee shirt. If you're lucky, the guy who single-handedly built all of the zany stops along the Enchanted Highway will be behind the counter and he's happy to pose for selfies with drivers.

Also, check out Roadside America, which has thousands of listings of odd and kitchy roadside stops.

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u/Electronic_Film_9904 18h ago

Stick with the backroads as much as possible, US routes or state routes rather than interstates. Listing your interests would help. The Corvette museum near Bowling Green Kentucky is pretty cool. If you like trains, particularly steam, UPs Big Boy 4041 ? I think is currently on a cross country tour.

In Minnesota there is the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum. Historic Route 66 is full of cool places. If you like drag racing you could take in a national event in your travels. I'm somewhat blanking here. I used to be a long haul truck driver so I've honestly missed mord than I've seen.

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u/Electronic_Film_9904 18h ago

The Crayola factory in Easton PA is pretty cool. There is a Hudson car museum near Kutztown PA. It's a private collection. I think it's Corning NY that has a glass museum.

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u/Electronic_Film_9904 18h ago

Quaker Steak and Lube is a pretty cool chain of restaurants I think mostly in the North East. There is one in Bloomsburg PA. Five Guys is a cool chain for fast food. In and Out burgers mostly on the west coast is a cool experience. It's also fast food.

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u/-rustyspork- 23h ago

House on the Rock and then off to Dickeyville Grotto and Shrines. There's also a car ferry across the Mississippi in Cassville and you can stop at Breitbach's Country Dining which is the oldest restaurant in Iowa. Then do the scenic byway through the driftless area.

The first two should meet your ask and the rest are pretty cool in the same area.

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u/Halleck23 22h ago

If you’re going to the Deep South: Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, Alabama is where all the lost luggage from US airports ends up for sale… It’s basically a thrift store the size of a city block. And since it’s anything from peoples’ lost luggage it includes luxury and designer items, gold and diamond jewelry, electronics, and — of course — luggage.

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u/Remarkable-Object-49 15h ago

Rock City in Chattanooga. South of the Border on I95 on the SC/NC state line

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u/destructionandbliss 13h ago

I did this a few years ago and had so much fun. Mostly used atlas obscura to find things. Staying on the state roads over the main highway is definitely the way to go. A few faves:

Wall Drug! - i enjoyed wandering around with a coffee and donut for a bit of a stretch. they give you a free bumper sticker too! (ETA: Just noticed you already mentioned this one oops.)

hole n the rock - classic roadside weirdness

million dollar highway - if you're feeling brave! I was insanely tense the whole time but holy shit the view.

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u/calimiss 12h ago

Sheridan Wyoming. Verdello olive oils. Sample, then buy your favorite(s) also a nice deli. Philipsburg Montana, sort through rough for Montana sapphires

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u/OkShallot5028 8h ago

If your timing and location match up to this https://sandingovationsmasterscup.com

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u/PoodleIlluminati 7h ago

Covering the USA in 2 months is just driving to most of the major tourist spots. Trying to add in a bunch of niche spots will be a challenge.

If you get down to southern AZ check out the Titan Missile Museum, the BioDome, or the aircraft Boneyard tour.

Northern AZ the Meteor Crater.

North of Las Vegas it used to be possible to take a tour of the original atom bomb viewing site.