One of the best things about traveling in the US is that it’s ok to do things differently. Americans are very accepting of, and even encourage, being offbeat. Which means that a road trip across the US can be very interesting, indeed.
If you are not the type for standing in line for hours to see the Eiffel Tower, for instance, then you will have a lot of fun doing some unusual and quirky things on a trip to the US. Road trips are especially fun because you can get way off the beaten path and often find a lot to do while there.
In this article, I will go over some activities and attractions that you can do if you want to take a roadtrip across the USA.
1 – Go shooting
It’s no secret that Americans have a love affair with their guns. They are a symbol of freedom and are used by people from all walks of life and across the political spectrum. Used in applications like hunting, to home protection, there are more guns per capita in the US than any other Western nation.
If you have never fired a gun, then you can experience the thrill of firing live ammunition while on your road trip.
There are shooting ranges all across the country where you can pay a fee to go in and shoot different types of firearms under the supervision of a trained expert. Https://www.shootpointblank.com/product-department/shotguns can give you an idea of some of the types of guns available to shoot at their ranges.
In some locations, there is even skeet shooting and clay pigeon shooting to make things even more interesting. And, if you are truly outdoorsy and would love to actually go hunting, then you can find an outfitter and guide to take you out in search of game.
With the right guidance and training, it can be a perfectly safe experience and something you aren’t soon to forget when you get back home from your trip.
2 – White water rafting
From Maine to Washington state, there is no shortage of wild wilderness where you can truly get away from it all. And there are few things more thrilling than taking a ride on an inflatable raft over the rapids of the many rivers there.
Even if you aren’t typically a thrill seeker, this is an experience that can bring out the adrenaline junky in just about anybody. The idea is that you go out on a raft with a group of people all paddling for dear life.
The rivers typically have some calm currents where you can lazily drift across some stunning scenery and get to know the others on your raft. Then things speed up as you approach a decline and the water rushes over the boulders which toss your raft here and there.
After the rush of excitement, you enter another calm phase of the river. At some point there are breaks in which you can stop for a picnic and reminisce with your fellow rafters about the highlights of the river trip.
3 – Ride a donkey
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of the natural wonders of the world. With a setting so spectacular that it looks like it’s a painting, it is something that should be experienced at least once in your life.
One of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in its splendour is to see it on the back of a donkey. Just like the Spanish settlers did hundreds of years ago, you will mount up on your donkey and follow your guide down into the rabies and along the cliffs for a comfortable and exciting adventure.
You do have to love being in the outdoors, however, as this is usually an overnight trip. The canyon is so large that getting down into it can take the better part of a day.
4 – See some unusual roadside attractions
No place in the world does roadside attractions like the US. Have you ever wanted to see the largest ball of yarn in the world? Or, how about a Stonehenge, but made out of cars instead of monolithic rocks?
These attractions and more are never far no matter what stretch of road you find yourself driving. There is a higher concentration of curiosities when you travel along the famous Route 66, however. This is the old highway that seems lost in time since the interstate was built in the 50s and it got forgotten about by travelers looking for a faster way to get to Los Angeles.
5 – Go to a reenactment
US history is rich and interesting and there are many people passionate about preserving many of the eras for people to learn. This is why historic reenactments are so popular. No matter where you find yourself in the country, you can see history live thanks to a dedicated group of historic actors.
In New England you can witness what it was like in the colonial era when the Pilgrims first landed at Plymouth Rock. In the South there are lots of Civil War reenactments at the famous battlefields. And as you head West there is no shortage of Wild West shows to conjure up a visual of what it was really like back when cowboys and Indians was not just a thing that kids play.
There are plenty of museums where you can go to see a slice of some interesting bits of history as well. The Lizzie Borden museum in Fall River Massachusetts will give you everything you wanted to know about the famous axe murderer. And the Slavery Market museum in Charleston South Carolina is making sure that people never forget the horrors of the slave trade in the New World.
Conclusion
There is something for every taste when you do a road trip across the US. If you love getting away from the crowds but still want to experience something different then there is no better vacation.