With its giant Gateway Arch towering over the city skyline, you don’t need a map to know you’re in St. Louis. See the Gateway to the West from a new vantage point — from inside the iconic monument, which was completed in 1965. After returning to ground level, take a relaxing stroll through the Missouri Botanical Garden, the country’s oldest botanical garden, which features a 79-acre flora and fauna feast for the senses.

In the evening, you can visit the glittering, glamorous Fabulous Fox theater, which shows a variety of top-level music and theatrical performances. Or find seats waiting at Busch Stadium, where you can see the St. Louis Cardinals.

While you’re in town, stop at the city’s Italian neighborhood, The Hill, where you can sample top-notch Italian fare at Bartolino's Osteria, a favorite staple since 1969. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, home of a delicious “concrete” that’s so thick, it’s served upside down.

Choice Hotels near St. Louis, Mo.: 22

As you make your way through the Ozarks, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time for a side drive through the Mark Twain National Forest, which spans 1.5 million acres of beautiful public land across 29 Missouri counties. The hilly, scenic region boasts distinct seasons, each with their own appeal, such as the flowering trees and lush greens in spring.

Bonus tip: When you pass through Springfield, Missouri, be sure to stop for a selfie. The birthplace of Route 66, the city has several historic signs downtown just waiting for photographers!

Choice Hotels in Springfield, Mo.: 9

Among other attractions, Oklahoma City offers an eclectic mix of museums. Play the strings? Check out the American Banjo Museum. Love the West? Try the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Into anatomy? There’s the Museum of Osteology, which claims to be the only skeleton museum in the country. They’ve even got one for the birds—the American Pigeon Museum & Library.

When you’re done exploring OKC’s eclectic museums, grab some tasty eats at Cheever’s Cafe. Known for its chicken-fried steak, the stop serves up contemporary comfort food. (Bleu cheese potato chips, anyone?)

The Loaded Bowl, which claims to be Oklahoma’s first vegan food truck, is also in Oklahoma City. Now with a brick-and-mortar location, the restaurant strives to serve one-of-a-kind recipes featuring plant-based foods and ethically sourced ingredients.

Choice Hotels near Oklahoma City, Okla.: 29

The chrome curves and cool colors of vintage cars serve as works of art just outside Amarillo—where the famed Cadillac Ranch attracts visitors from the road with its sky-saluting fenders. Back in town, motor enthusiasts can check out the self-explanatory Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum.

While in the area, consider Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West, a Western heritage attraction that offers horseback riding, chuck-wagon meals and opportunities to learn about horsemanship and the history of the area.

When in Amarillo, a surefire supper stop is the Coyote Bluff Cafe, a hometown favorite with half-pound burgers—including the “Burger From Hell,” which features fresh sautéed jalapeños, Coyote Hell Sauce, Tabasco sauce, cheese, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions.

Choice Hotels in Amarillo, Texas: 8

Albuquerque is filled with pops of color—hot-air balloon rides are a popular way to get a feast for your eyes. (It’s especially magical to visit during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which draws visitors from all over the world each October.)

Art lovers will appreciate a stroll around Albuquerque’s Old Town, which dates to the early 1700s and centers around the San Felipe de Neri church. Today, the area features more than 150 stores and galleries filled with handcrafted gifts and more—the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs on your Chicago to Phoenix drive. Tours of local history, ghosts and even Breaking Bad film locations are also regularly available!

Between your shopping and strolling, sample some authentic local grub at Little Anita’s, which serves what it calls “New Mexican” foods. With eight locations across town, their menu offers simple yet refined recipes that diners have sampled for decades. Another tried-and-true option is Mary’s & Tito’s Cafe, with diner-declared delicious food, large portions and great prices.

Choice Hotels near Albuquerque, N.M.: 22

Just 3 1/2 hours from the Grand Canyon, Phoenix is a perfect destination for a variety of reasons. For a major city, it sets a lot of land aside for parks and preserves, such as the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, which offers visitors 36 miles of trails in the mostly undeveloped desert. Another super scenic spot is Papago Park, which shows off red-rock buttes with trails as well as other attractions.

Each year between late February and late March, the Phoenix sports scene comes to life during Cactus League Spring Training, in which 15 Major League Baseball teams put on exhibition games across the city’s multiple ballparks. With many games being played in a short amount of time, it’s a prime opportunity for affordable family fun.

Choice Hotels near Phoenix, Ariz.: 39

A cultural must-see after your Chicago to Phoenix drive is the Heard Museum, which offers 12 galleries and courtyards of traditional and contemporary American Indian art. The museum collaborates with American Indian artists and tribal communities to show visitors distinctive perspectives in the art of Native people, especially in the Southwest.

When you get hungry in Phoenix, stop by Little Miss BBQ. The two-location restaurant offers Texas-style barbecue served in the meat-market tradition. Sausage and sides are made in-house, and meats are smoked using Arizona oak and pecan wood in offset Camelback Smokers. Another option is La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop, featuring fresh produce from local farms with unique flavors including Oaxacan cheese, green tomatillos, and flour and corn tortillas.