The Best Summer Weekend Road Trips

DAY 2 – 165 miles. Your second morning in SoCal starts with breakfast at Cheeky’s, or a quick NY-style bagel and coffee to-go from Townie Bagels. Head west toward Cabazon. Stop and see the vintage Cabazon Dinosaur attraction—a fun little photo-op the kids will love. Continue through Banning and take San Gorgonio Ave to connect with the Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Highway. Stop in Mount San Jacinto State Park and hike the Summit Trail, which is accessible from the Idyllwild Nature Center. Take a quick tour of the Idyllwild Area Historical Society and then continue on CA-79 to CA-74 into Lake Elsinore. Enjoy lunch with panoramic views of the town and Lake Elsinore at the Lookout Roadhouse. Then, work off your midday meal with a hike up to Ortega Falls.

Hop back in the car and make a pitstop at the Ortega Oaks Candy Store and Goods for snacks before driving southwest until you reach the I-5. This stretch of the interstate follows the coast and offers up several opportunities to stop and stroll the area’s top beaches—like Capistrano Beach, San Clemente State Beach, Trestles Beach and San Onofre Beach—on your way into San Diego. If you only have time for one stop, however, make it La Jolla Cove. Then, head straight into the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter to shop and sightsee in one of San Diego’s oldest and most famous neighborhoods. Before checking into your San Diego hotel, enjoy a classic burger with a tasty shake at Hodad’s Downtown or check out the Knotty Barrel’s offering of over 100 beers paired with locally sourced eats.

Pro Tip: After dinner, pick up your favorite flavor in a homemade cone from Cali Cream Homemade Ice Cream for dessert. Then, take walk down the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade to Children’s Park to see the fountains and city skyline at night. It’s the perfect way to end your summer weekend SoCal road trip.

DAY 2 – 233 miles. On your second day, you’ll start bright and early in Jefferson City with morning bite and a tasty coffee drink at the unique Yanis Coffee Zone. Your literary adventures continue with several stops related to the author of the first great American novel, Mr. Samuel Langhorne Clemens—better known as Mark Twain. Head northeast into Mark Twain State Park where you can stop to visit the Birthplace of Mark Twain Historical Marker, followed by a tour of the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site. Then, it’s onward to the town of Hannibal, the setting of two of the literary master’s most popular works. Stop for a while and pay a visit to any (or all) of the Mark Twain attractions in town, like the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, the Becky Thatcher House, Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center, Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse, and the infamous Mark Twain Cave.

Break up your Hannibal adventures with lunch at either Becky Thatcher’s Diner or Finn’s Food & Spirits. Don’t skip on dessert from Becky’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream! And, if you have the time while still in Hannibal, consider joining one of the Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tours. Finally, take the Little Dixie Highway MO-79 south from Hannibal to follow the Mighty Mississippi via this short stretch of the Great River Road right into the Gateway to the West. You’ll likely only have time for one major St. Louis attraction before the evening, so be sure to visit the famous Gateway Arch around sunset for a spectacular photo-op. Check into your St. Louis hotel, and then head over to The Fountain on Locust for dinner. They also serve specialty ice cream treats! Or, get some finger-licking Midwest BBQ creations at Sugarfire Smoke House—just be sure to call before you go, as they’re only open until they sell out. And try the spiked shakes!

DAY 2 – 99 miles. Start your second day off right with a quick coffee and breakfast treat to-go from Benchwarmer’s Coffee & Doughnuts. Take New Holland Road (PA-625 S) and navigate your way south through Angelica toward Churchtown and stop by Pool Forge Covered Bridge. Find your way through Terre Hill and visit either the Oberholtzer's Mill or Red Run Covered Bridges. Take Division Highway (US-322 W) into Ephrata and get a photo-op (or take a tour when open) of the circa 1732 Ephrata Cloister. Keller’s Mill Covered Bridge is nearby. Next, find yourself in the Amish village of Lititz. Stop by the Lititz Historical Foundation, or just do some window shopping in the downtown area. Take Orange Street out of Lititz and navigate your way to Kaufmans Distillery Covered Bridge. Head toward Landisville and you’ll find three more covered bridges nearby: Shenck’s Mill, Siegrist Mill and Forry’s Mill.

Next, head southwest into Columbia, just minutes away. Stop for lunch at Rocky’s BBQ or Hinkle’s Restaurant in the quaint downtown area, both surrounded by plenty of unique shops and boutiques. Plan a short visit to the National Watch and Clock Museum. The Wright’s Ferry Mansion makes for an excellent photo-op. If you’re looking for a more tourist-friendly attraction and have the time, visit the Turkey Hill Experience. Or, take a walk down the Lancaster County River Trail to see the St. Charles Iron Furnace and Point Rock Tunnel.

Back on the road, follow the Susquehanna River south through Safe Harbor and Martic Forge. Visit the Colemanville Covered Bridge, and then swing back northeast toward Lancaster to see Baumgardener’s Covered Bridge. The Lime Valley Covered Bridge is just about five miles away and marks the last of the covered bridges on your Pennsylvania Dutch Country road trip. Finish out your adventure back in Lancaster, where you can visit The Demuth Museum and the North Museum of Nature and Science. Or, take the kids to Lancaster Science Factory if you have the time. Stroll through historic downtown and visit any of the shops before checking into your Lancaster hotel. Finally, it’s time to settle down with a tasty evening meal at Rosa Rosa Pizzeria (try the spaghetti pizza!) or Cabalar Meat Company. Be sure to grab a fun sundae from Splits and Giggles Café for dessert on your way back to the hotel.

DAY 2 – 255 miles. A big day of exploring awaits, so start by filling up on a big breakfast at Benson’s Grill. It’s an area classic, open 24-hours every day. Then, take I-40 E out of Fort Smith and go north on AR-164 at Exit 47 to AR-21 N straight into the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. This drive will take you deep into the woods where cell service is limited, so be sure to plot out your trip beforehand. Your first couple of stops should include both Glory Hole Falls and Magnolia Falls—each accessible via a short hike through gorgeous scenery. Find your way into the tiny community of Deer Stand and grab lunch at the Deer Stand Café. Afterward, check out Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area and then swing east through Ben Hur to hike the Pedestal Rocks & Kings Bluff Trailhead. To exit the National Forest, take AR-16 S to Old Highway 27 through Retta and Hector. Catch I-40 east toward hotels in Little Rock. Be sure to snap a photo of the Arkansas State Capitol before sunset. Finally, it’s time to dine on locally sourced ingredients at The Root Café. Or, try out Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill for a yummy burger and brew. Just remember to save room for your favorite sweet treat from Kilwins for dessert.