Put a road trip back on list. Here are five beautiful drives that will make the whole family smile:
Going to the Sun Road. Hop aboard the historic red touring cars or go on your own. This engineering marvel spans 50 miles through Glacier National Park’s wild interior, winding around mountainsides and treating visitors to some of the best sights in northwest Montana. www.nps.gov/glac; 406-888-7800
San Juan Skyway. Sometimes called the million dollar highway, this extraordinarily spectacular drive through southwestern Colorado will stun the visual senses. Appreciate jagged peaks, pastoral valleys, waterfalls and colorful canyons as you wind your way along this 265 loop. Contact: 1- 800-463-8726; www.Durango.org.
Pacific Coast Highway. For majestic coastal scenery and seaside breezes, pile in the car for a trip up ( or down )our western shore. Begin in ultra hip Santa Monica, California and wind your way past the Hearst Castle. Push north to Carmel and then on to San Francisco. If you have time continue on to the dramatic Redwood forests. Contact: 1- 877- 225-4367 www.VisitCalifornia.com.
Monument Valley, AZ – You’ve seen the skyline in the movies and on television commercials. Your entire family will marvel at the 250 million year old red rock formations, the magical light and the native American history that is part of the iconic landscape. Contact: 435-727-5870http://www.azcentral.com/travel/arizona/northern/travel_monuvalleyindex.html;.
Skyline Drive. Meandering along the crest of the mountains through the woods and past spectacular vistas, Virginia’s Skyline Drive begins in Front Royal and twists and turns southwest through Shenandoah National Park. Hike in the shade of oak trees along the Appalachian Trail, discover the stories from Shenandoah’s past, or explore the wilderness at your leisure. Contact: 540-999-3500; www.nps.gov/shen.
