6 Epic Road Trip Destinations to Visit in 2017
Hey — so why aren’t you driving right now? We don’t mean to single you out: it’s just that it’s 2017, and there are so many epic road trip destinations to visit this year that, well, you might wanna get started. From bucket list-worthy national parks to never-been-better city breaks, from shorter getaways to long-haul adventures, you’ve got some road tripping to do.
2. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia has never looked better. Not only was it named a 2017 must-visit by Travel + Leisure, it was also recently the first U.S. city inducted to the Organization of World Heritage Cities. And that’s just for starters. History buffs will want to hit the town in April, when the eagerly awaited Museum of the American Revolution opens its doors, while art geeks should drop by in the fall, when an interactive artwork by Cai Guo-Qiang illuminates the Ben Franklin Parkway. And everyone will want to linger in the newly reopened LOVE Park come summertime. City of Brotherly Love, indeed.
3. DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA: Last year, the National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary, and this year, it’s Denali National Park’s chance to throw a centennial bash. Though this 6-million-acre tract isn’t exactly a hop, skip, and a jump away from the continental U.S. (remember when we mentioned long-haul adventures?), we can’t think of a better reason for a quest to North America’s tallest peak. A range of birthday events are also scheduled throughout the year to mark the big 1-0-0. (Don’t forget to brush up on your road trip packing skills before making the journey.)
4. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Speaking of big anniversaries: free-spirited types will want to set their GPS for the City by the Bay in 2017. It’s the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love this year, and the whole city will be getting in on the party. Head to the Asian Art Museum’s Flower Power exhibition, groove at the Haight-Ashbury Street Festival, and go on walking tours that follow in the footsteps of Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin. (Psst: While you’re driving through town, don’t miss your chance to tackle Lombard Street — one of the curviest streets on Earth.)
5. UTAH AND NEVADA: Never heard of Bears Ears National Monument or Gold Butte National Monument? We don’t blame you: these road trip destinations were only given National Monument status at the very end of December, after all. The former, located in the Four Corners region of southern Utah, comprises wild Western landscapes and two distinctive, bear ear-shaped mesas. The latter is a sprawling desert landscape in southern Nevada that’s home to bighorn sheep and mountain lions, as well as stunning ancient petroglyphs. Hit the road: it’s time to get acquainted.
6. YOSEMITE, CALIFORNIA: Cities aren’t the only ones getting in on the upgrade action. Take Yosemite National Park. Following a series of restoration projects, this summer the largest of the park’s three sequoia groves will reopen to the public, complete with new hiking paths (and a new parking area, too — score!). Cold weather visitors, you’re also in luck; following a series of big storms, most of California is now drought-free — and even seeing record-breaking snowfall. Just don't forget to pack your snowsuit.
2. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia has never looked better. Not only was it named a 2017 must-visit by Travel + Leisure, it was also recently the first U.S. city inducted to the Organization of World Heritage Cities. And that’s just for starters. History buffs will want to hit the town in April, when the eagerly awaited Museum of the American Revolution opens its doors, while art geeks should drop by in the fall, when an interactive artwork by Cai Guo-Qiang illuminates the Ben Franklin Parkway. And everyone will want to linger in the newly reopened LOVE Park come summertime. City of Brotherly Love, indeed.
3. DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA: Last year, the National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary, and this year, it’s Denali National Park’s chance to throw a centennial bash. Though this 6-million-acre tract isn’t exactly a hop, skip, and a jump away from the continental U.S. (remember when we mentioned long-haul adventures?), we can’t think of a better reason for a quest to North America’s tallest peak. A range of birthday events are also scheduled throughout the year to mark the big 1-0-0. (Don’t forget to brush up on your road trip packing skills before making the journey.)
4. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Speaking of big anniversaries: free-spirited types will want to set their GPS for the City by the Bay in 2017. It’s the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love this year, and the whole city will be getting in on the party. Head to the Asian Art Museum’s Flower Power exhibition, groove at the Haight-Ashbury Street Festival, and go on walking tours that follow in the footsteps of Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin. (Psst: While you’re driving through town, don’t miss your chance to tackle Lombard Street — one of the curviest streets on Earth.)
5. UTAH AND NEVADA: Never heard of Bears Ears National Monument or Gold Butte National Monument? We don’t blame you: these road trip destinations were only given National Monument status at the very end of December, after all. The former, located in the Four Corners region of southern Utah, comprises wild Western landscapes and two distinctive, bear ear-shaped mesas. The latter is a sprawling desert landscape in southern Nevada that’s home to bighorn sheep and mountain lions, as well as stunning ancient petroglyphs. Hit the road: it’s time to get acquainted.
6. YOSEMITE, CALIFORNIA: Cities aren’t the only ones getting in on the upgrade action. Take Yosemite National Park. Following a series of restoration projects, this summer the largest of the park’s three sequoia groves will reopen to the public, complete with new hiking paths (and a new parking area, too — score!). Cold weather visitors, you’re also in luck; following a series of big storms, most of California is now drought-free — and even seeing record-breaking snowfall. Just don't forget to pack your snowsuit.
