Spring Break is the best time of the spring semester. It is time to break free and forget all about school. Some students go to the beach and party and some go on a road trip. A road trip can actually be more fun because you have more time getting to know your friends while you are sober and you get to see more scenery than just the resort you are staying at. There is an endless supply of road trip options and their length depends totally on the starting point. To give a frame of reference for distance my home town of Rogers, Arkansas will be the starting point for most of these options.
Memphis, Tennessee is a good road trip. Memphis is the home of Elvis Presley. From my hometown it takes six hours to drive to Memphis. The roads to Memphis are interstate most of the way so it’s a nice drive that goes fast. While in Memphis its fun to go visit Elvis’ home and the compound that is near it with its shops and museums. If you’re not an Elvis buff now you will be once you visit his home. Then when it gets dark visit Beale Street which is famous for its Blues music. There are plenty of places to party while in Memphis. While there you can also walk along the Mississippi and record a song among other things. There are shops and all kinds of shopping that will satiate that need as well.
Chicago, Illinois is another good road trip to take if the weather is warm; if it’s cold the trip is not as advisable. Chicago is known as the windy city and this is a name it has earned, so you don’t want to experience the cold wind but rather the warm wind. Chicago is twelve hours from Rogers, Arkansas. It’s a route through Missouri on highways and some interstates. The midpoint of the trip is St Louis, Missouri. Once you arrive in Chicago there are many things to do. Some important stops are Navy Pier, Sears Tower, The Aquarium, and the Lake as well as the sports facilities.
New Orleans, Louisiana is another fun road trip and destination for spring break. It is at least an eight hour trip. Depending on the route you take into New Orleans it may be on interstate or on regular highway or going through little towns on the route to New Orleans. If taking the scenic route you will encounter swamps with trees growing in them and all kinds of other wild scenery that isn’t seen in very many places in America. Once you make it to New Orleans be aware that staying in the town is going to be expensive so it is recommended to get a hotel in a town just outside of New Orleans to save a little money. While in New Orleans visit Bourbon Street and enjoy the night life and listen to the jazz music on the square. Enjoy the unique architecture.
Dallas, Texas is a great road trip for an experienced driver. It is approximately six hours away from Rogers, Arkansas. Driving into Dallas it is like an explosion of overpasses and off ramps and a multitude of highways. Navigating the traffic is for an experienced driver. The town is beautiful. Visit Texas Stadium, Shop at the Galleria Mall, and visit the Visit the place where JFK was assassinated and visit the museum.
Dallas, Texas to San Antonio Texas is approximately five hour drive. Upon arrival in San Antonio visit the River Walk, Sea World, Six Flags, The Alamo, and the numerous opportunities for shopping.
San Antonio, Texas to South Padre Island is approximately a five hour drive. Upon arrival enjoy swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Watch out for jellyfish though.
Las Vegas, Nevada is a trip that from Arkansas to Las Vegas would take almost twenty hours. However it would be well worth it. Along the way to Vegas the road would take you through Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. So there are five states for the price of one road trip. Once you arrive in Vegas there are so many things to do. The casinos have shows at night. All the casinos have bars and some even have night clubs that cater to the college crowd. There are light shows, water shows, shopping, and beautiful scenery. Gambling is another option for fun just make sure you don’t gamble the gas money away.
Las Vegas, Nevada to the Grand Canyon is a trip in close proximity. It is approximately five hour trip from Las Vegas Nevada to the Grand Canyon. The National Park offers beautiful scenery, hiking, train ride, whitewater and smooth water rafting on the Colorado River.
Las Vegas, Nevada to Los Angeles, California is a trip that is great to take since it is so close. It is only a four hour drive. Driving to Los Angeles will take you through Death Valley and that is intimidating and opens the door for some awesome pictures. Be sure to fill up with gas and have plenty of water because when the signs say there is not another station for x amount of miles they mean it and you don’t want to be stranded in the Death Valley. Once in Los Angeles visit Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, tour the stars homes, go shopping, she the Hollywood stars, go to Grauman’s Chinese Theater and see the stars hand prints and take in a movie. Let loose and have fun.
Los Angeles, California to San Francisco, California is another trip that must be taken while in the area. It’s approximately five to six hours or more depending on how many times you stop to take pictures. Take Pacific Highway 1 and you will be driving along the Pacific coast and its breathtaking shore. You can pull over and take pictures. There are areas to go hiking as well. There are many little towns along the way with quaint little shops and warm hoodies that make wonderful souvenirs. It’s the perfect scenic road trip and you will treasure the pictures forever. Upon arrival in San Francisco visit the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
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