Winter can be a great time to curl up at home and get cozy, but if you’re seeking some adventure in your life, a road trip might just be the perfect way to get out and see part of the country while being safe during the pandemic.
Lake Michigan to Brown County (Indiana)
Indiana Dunes State Park is a great place to start this journey if you bundle up, with 15,000 acres right on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. When you get to Indianapolis, exploring The Canal Walk and downtown is the perfect way to get your steps in.
The Start of Route 66
It’s a classic trip for good reason. Begin in Chicago, where you can go ice skating in Millennium Park and warm up afterward with a takeout deep dish pizza. Then, hit Springfield, Illinois, for all things Abe Lincoln, including his home, the Presidential Library and Museum, and tomb. In St. Louis, check out the Gateway Arch State Park and City Museum.
Duluth to Grand Portage, Minnesota
In Duluth, music buffs will want to take a stroll along Bob Dylan way, as the famous folk singer is a native of the town. When you make it to Grand Portage, its National Monument, a former fur trading center, is a fascinating peek into the past.
Sault Saint Marie to Leland, Michigan
Go from the Upper to the Lower Peninsula on this scenic drive. Make sure to stop at Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City, where you might just be able to see the Northern Lights.
Into food? You don’t want to pass by Traverse City, which is home to some of the best restaurants in the state, including Raduno, Poppycocks, and Harvest.
Sioux Falls to Spearfish, South Dakota
If you’re into roadside attractions, this trip has you covered: head to The World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, and the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is the largest mountain carving in the world. The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, a 70-mile stretch of road, is the perfect place to take in the mountainous landscape, which includes the iconic Mount Rushmore.
