7 Sensational Drives for Families

As a child, there wasn't any trip we would take that didn't involve a long car ride. My father was a full believer of driving trips, during a time where DVDs and portable music players were not yet invented. To him, driving was part of the adventure, not to mention a cheaper alternative than to fly with a family of five. Now that I am a mother, I find myself taking my own children on road trips to reach our vacation destinations for the exact same reasons. While driving trips can be good for the wallet, there are a number of drive-worthy destinations where the drive is the vacation. So, let out your inner Clark W. Griswold and load up the fam for a vacation along "Holiday Road."

Written by Lissa Harnish Poirot
1.

California, The Pacific Coast Highway

It tops many must-do dream road trips list, following the twisting coastal drive along California's famed Pacific Coast Highway and through what many refer to as heaven on earth, Big Sur, and this gorgeous drive can be fun for the entire family. Begin your adventure in San Francisco and visit its attractions, including Alcatraz and Pier 39 for seal watching, then take the scenic route as you drive and stop in picturesque towns such as Santa Barbara and visit legendary sites like the Hearst Castle. End the trip in Los Angeles, and take a walk on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, learn about movie making in Universal Studios, and visit the house of the mouse, Disneyland, in nearby Anaheim.
2.

Florida, Alligator Alley

Between Miami and Tampa lies the unique ecosystem that is the Everglades, home to alligator, boar and Florida's endangered panther. Alligator Alley is a lonely stretch of road through the Everglades, providing your family with a chance to partake in the National Park's programs or ride an airboat. Indian Reservations offer stopping points, welcoming guests to their tribes to watch Native American rituals. Start the journey on the beach in lively Miami for sunrises on the Atlantic Ocean, and end the ride in on Clearwater Beach near Tampa for spectacular sunsets on the Gulf. Of course, don't forget to enjoy a taste of both Southeast and Southwestern Florida attractions, such as Busch Gardens and the Miami Seaquarium.
3.

Mid-Atlantic, The History Tour

This Mid-Atlantic history tour shows the kids where their history books come to life along I-95, which connects Alexandria, Va., Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Md., and Philadelphia. Along the way, you can visit George Washington's Mount Vernon, visit one of the nation's free 19 Smithsonian museums, hop aboard historical ships in the Inner Harbor and see the bell of liberty in Independence Hall. With a little more time, continue up the road to New York City, park the car and ferry over to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty before enjoying the spoils of Manhattan.
4.

Southeast, Slow as Molasses

It's all about taking your time in the Southeast. Sit back and feel the breezes blowing through the pines while sipping on some sweet tea. Instead of heading north on I-95, head south for coastal exploration along the barrier islands along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Hilton Head, S.C., Savannah, Ga., and Amelia Island, Fla. Kayak through marshy wetlands, go crabbing along the dune-covered beaches, and watch for sea turtles hatching from numerous nests on sun-filled days. Then stroll cobblestoned streets in the South's historic cities, such as Charleston, S.C.
5.

Mid-West, Get Your Kicks

While Route 66 is no longer fully operational, the infamous highway making its start in the heartland can still be enjoyed in pieces. Begin the journey in Chicago, first enjoying the city's Miracle Mile and lakeside pier. Drive through the Land of Lincoln (including the historical Lincoln Log Cabin site), pass through St. Louis' Gateway Arch and continue on through stretches of the southwest. If you travel far enough west, you'll come across our country's biggest hole in the ground: the Grand Canyon, as well as numerous scenic vistas.
6.

New England, Dune Diving

Follow Cape Cod's historic 6A, the original highway of Cape Cod that remains a two-lane road winding through the Cape's sleepy towns. From it's beginnings along the Cape Cod Canal, the journey will take the family past mudflats, beaches and sand dunes, and pass through the National Seashore before ending in Provincetown, where a whale watching cruise can provide an up close and personal tour of the Cape's chilled waters. When you've had enough sand and surf (as well as mini golf and homemade ice cream), hop the ferry to Boston and take in one of the country's most historic, and family-friendly cities.
7.

Southwest, Desert Tour

Take the kids on a Southwestern road trip through the desert, beginning in Las Vegas, which actually features an array of kid-friendly fun that has nothing to do with sin. Pass over the Hoover Dam -- be sure to stop and take in the massive size (and stand foot in both Nevada and Arizona) -- en route to Arizona's Grand Canyon, where you can camp it old school style or check into a cozy hotel and embark on outdoor adventures like rafting, hiking, and horseback riding.

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1 of 9

7 Sensational Drives for Families
  1. California, The Pacific Coast Highway
  2. Florida, Alligator Alley
  3. Mid-Atlantic, The History Tour
  4. Southeast, Slow as Molasses
  5. Mid-West, Get Your Kicks
  6. New England, Dune Diving
  7. Southwest, Desert Tour
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