Adapted from Moon USA State by State There are nearly 200 sites included as part of the Mississippi Blues Trail, and visiting all of them is a considerable undertaking. Must-see stops delve into the history and influence of blues greats, while others are mere markers or plaques about artists from the town or what happened on that spot. The Blues Trail app gives details on them all. A selective tour of the Blues Trail travels through the Mississippi Delta and hits sights in the towns of Tunica, Clarksdale, Cleveland, Indianola, and Leland in about 170 miles (273 kilometers) of driving. Where to ..read more

By Cameron Sperance, author of Moon 52 Things to Do in Boston Sometimes you just need an afternoon away to feel refreshed. If you’re looking for adventures close to home that you can fit into a single day, here are some day trips ideas that are all easy to get to from Boston. Get transcendental at Walden Pond Why go: Visiting Walden Pond is a perfect way to experience the great outdoors (and literary history) within minutes of some of the most congested streets of Boston and Cambridge. Where: The Walden Pond State Reservation is about a half-hour northwest of Boston and Cambridge, accessible v ..read more

Adapted from 52 Things to Do in Chicago by Rosalind Cummings-Yeates From scenic lakefronts and mouthwatering bites to refreshing hikes and literary history, there are plenty of options for a Midwest escape. Enjoy an afternoon away with these unique day trips from Chicago or head out of state for a weekend getaway—whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. Day Trips Explore the eclectic in Evanston Gross Point Lighthouse in Evanston. Photo © Jim Roberts/Dreamstime. Why go: Find unexpected attractions in this quirky lakefront suburb. Where: 13 miles north of downtown via Lake Shore Dr ..read more

Get to know the history and people of the United States on your next road trip with visits to the best museums and cultural centers in the country. Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Photo © Jon Bilous/Dreamstime.Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City, New York Perhaps the most famous museum in the country, the Metropolitan Museum of Art houses one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of modern art in the world, including over 200,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Cleveland, Ohio I.M. Pei’s postmodern, geome ..read more

Outdoor recreation in the Sawtooth Mountains and elsewhere in the state is making Idaho a popular destination. Experience it yourself with this 6-day road trip or choose a scenic drive through mountains, farmland, and vineyards. When To Go Summer is peak season in most of the state, including Coeur d’Alene, the Sawtooths, and Island Park in southeast Idaho. Wintertime brings tons of snow to the mountains, making Idaho’s mountain resorts like Sun Valley, McCall, and Kellogg, popular destinations for skiers and snowboarders. Spring and fall are also good times to visit the mountain resort towns ..read more

By Jenna Blough, author of Moon Death Valley National Park Many visitors treat a visit to Death Valley as a car-only tour, an approach that makes sense during summer due to the extreme heat. But during spring, fall, and winter, you can experience the nuance of the desert and enjoy your own little piece of it by hiking some of the canyons or taking one of the many lightly traveled roads. Here are some scenic drives to choose from on your visit to Death Valley National Park. Furnace Creek and the Amargosa Range Dirt roads in this region vary in their accessibility. Some roads require only high c ..read more

Think October and you probably imagine a color: vivid orange, from Halloween pumpkins and the vivid leaves of a highland forest. While you can find excellent fall color in almost every part of the country, from the mountains of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to streamside groves in Utah and California, for drivers “fall color” means touring along New England country lanes or winding over Blue Ridge Mountain passes in search of the most intense red and gold maples, yellow birches, and purple dogwoods. The actual times and qualities of peak fall color has to do with weather and elevation (summer rai ..read more

By Judy Jewell and W.C. McRae, authors of Moon Zion & Bryce Sometimes you barely need to get out of the car to enjoy southern Utah. These scenic drives are perfectly enjoyable from behind the windshield, but all offer chances to stop and explore stunning national parks and monuments. Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Starting point: Zion Canyon Visitor Center Ending point: Mount Carmel Junction (at Hwy 9 and Hwy 89) Mileage: 24.5 miles (39 km) one-way Driving time: 2 hours From Zion Canyon Visitor Center, this road climbs through a series of switchbacks, passes through a long tunnel (or a much sho ..read more

If you’re looking for some of the best fall road trips in the US, then look no further! From Maine to Vermont, you’re sure to love these scenic fall foliage routes. The Berkshires. Photo © Reinout Van Wagtendonk/Dreamtime.com. The Berkshires, Massachusetts There’s nothing like New England fall. From Maine and Massachusetts to Vermont, you’re sure to find the best fall foliage drives here. One road trip worth doing is following the Hudson River Valley toward Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Leave the highway behind for the winding roads through the Berkshires. Stretch your legs on a hike up Mon ..read more

Road trips provide us with the freedom to travel slowly, to learn about different cultures, and to discover a variety of natural landscapes on our own time. These experiences are undoubtedly profound, yet they generate a lot of waste in our ecosystem. These simple tips will help you save money, reduce waste, and support local businesses without a lot of extra effort. Saving starts at home: Energy savers: Before you head out on your trip, consider adjusting the thermostat and closing window shades to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. In addition to turning lights off, unplug appl ..read more