6 Motorcycle-Friendly Cities You Can Ride To

Ah, the freedom of owning a motorcycle—at any moment you can grab your bag, jump on your bike and hit the open road. When you’re in search of a destination, it’s always more fun to visit towns that celebrate this sense of adventure and exploration as well as cater to motorcycle culture. If you’re seeking stops where you and your bike will be welcomed with open arms, look no further than these six cities.

Cap off a solo ride with a celebration in Sturgis, South Dakota

Do you dream of riding for miles without seeing anyone but the buffalo? Then plan a ride to Sturgis! Just outside Rapid City, along the edge of the Black Hills National Forest, Sturgis hosts the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which has been going strong since 1938. Join more than 500,000 attendees for quirky events like the Beard and Mustache Contest (the winner goes on to nationals!), or join local-led bike tours of the surrounding area. If you miss the rally, there’s always the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, open year-round.

Rev up for a motorcycle rally in Lake George, New York

This quiet upstate New York town, about an hour’s drive north from Albany, is transformed every year by motorcycle events when Americade roars into town. Said to be the world’s largest multibrand motorcycle touring rally, the annual event is a full week of bike-centric parades, contests, rides, dinners and even ghost tours. Be sure to catch the fireworks show that lights up the lake—there are plenty of parks and waterfront paths where you can pull up your bike and enjoy the spectacle.

Drive straight to the source in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Open 363 days of the year, the Harley-Davidson Museum traces the company’s more than 100-year history and also regularly holds events.

Few motorcycle brands are as iconic as Harley-Davidson, and fans visiting Milwaukee will think they’ve died and gone to heaven when they visit the Harley-Davidson Museum near the city’s Historic Third Ward neighborhood. Explore the Design Lab, which shows how Harley-Davidson pushes its motorcycle creations to the next level, or the interactive Build-a-Bike display to design your own custom hog. And don’t miss the weekly Bike Night at nearby outdoor patio The Yard, which features vintage bikes and drink specials as well as plenty of motorcycle parking.

Road trip it from Seattle to Anacortes, Washington

Anacortes is home to the Oyster Run, which invites riders from all over to make their way to this seaside haven. Riders can slurp down a few freshly harvested oysters, enjoy events like the Whidbey Island Roller Girls demonstration, and jam to the many live music acts that entertain riders and their families. Though the coastal town of Anacortes is about an hour and a half from Seattle, the ride there is half the fun. Check out the event’s website to find bike-friendly restaurants and attractions along the route from Seattle.

Go hog wild in Madrid, New Mexico

If the first thing that comes to mind when you visit Madrid is that it looks like a movie set, that’s because it was. The motorcycle-centric comedy Wild Hogs was filmed here, chosen by producers for its biker-friendly reputation and quaint, western looks. Now a self-described “creative community” with more than 40 shops, galleries and great restaurants, this once-mining town still exudes a small town, family feel. Ride the scenic Turquoise Trail from Albuquerque to Madrid (approximately a one hour drive), where you can visit the real life diner and trading post from the film.

Celebrate fall in Daytona Beach, Florida

If you’re looking for the perfect warm weather coastal ride, it’s hard to do better than the path between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, where the annual Biketoberfest draws more than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts. Pull into town and be ready to cheer on the pros as they run the famous Daytona International Speedway’s motorcycle races. Then catch a live concert and check out the latest gear and accessories from vendors that come in from all over the country just for this one-of-a-kind event.

Ready to ride? Find hotels along the route.