We set out as a group of 7 from Cincinnati in our 1999 Chevy Express conversion van (AKA “The Monster Van”) in search of iconic landmarks and hidden food gems. From the historic charm of Wrigley Field to the breathtaking landscapes of Yellowstone, our journey was a thrilling mix of adventure, history, and mouth-watering eats. Here are 19 highlights you might want to check out on your next western road trip:
Wrigley Field
It doesn’t get any better than Wrigley Field if you’re into history, baseball, or both. We had the good fortune of going to two games to start our trip and got to sit in the bleachers—a unique experience on its own. The atmosphere around Wrigley is one-of-a-kind. Our kids loved getting there early for batting practice and even got a couple of souvenir baseballs from the players.
Chicago Architecture Tour
If you’re in Chicago, one of the must-do tourist activities is the architecture tour by boat. The river runs right through the heart of the city, giving you amazing views of the skyscrapers while learning a thing or two about the history of the city and its buildings.
Portillo’s Beef Sandwiches
Portillo’s sandwiches are a legendary Chicago food, and we almost missed the Cubs game because the line on a Saturday afternoon was so insanely long. However, the sandwiches themselves were worth it. Next time, I would probably go to a different location than the major hub down by the Magnificent Mile.
Target Field
Our second trip to a baseball stadium after Chicago was Minnesota’s Target Field. We saw a great game between the Brewers and the Twins, and the kids were lucky that it was family day and got to run the bases after the game. If you’ve never been, Target Field is a beautiful ballpark.
The 5-8 Club Juicy Lucy
One of Minnesota’s iconic food items is the “Juicy Lucy,” and there are two places that claim to be the original. We picked the 5-8 Club because it seemed easier to navigate to, and we weren’t disappointed. The burgers were amazing, and it’s a must-do if you’re in Minneapolis.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
On our drive through North Dakota, we stopped for a half-day at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s a rugged landscape with plenty of bison. While it might not be worth planning a trip around, you could easily spend a day or two driving through this rugged area.
Cracked Pepper for Lunch in Fargo
I love finding roadside food stops, and that’s exactly what we found with the Cracked Pepper in Fargo, North Dakota. It felt like a place run by your mom and your grandma, making fresh soups, salads, and sandwiches for a really reasonable price. Everybody loved it, from grandparents all the way down to our youngest kid.
The Pickle Barrel
When we arrived in Bozeman, we checked into an amazing house and then grabbed sandwiches from The Pickle Barrel. We headed over to the Red Cliff picnic area about 30 miles south of town and let the kids play in the river. It was a quiet afternoon enjoying the scenery near Bozeman. The sandwiches were stacked with meat! We all ordered a half sandwich and nobody was able to finish it.
Montana Ale Works in Bozeman
Another restaurant we loved in Bozeman was Montana Ale Works, which is in an old train station and even incorporates a train car into the restaurant. Besides being beautiful, the menu featuring various bison and elk dishes was excellent.
Yellowstone National Park
We’ve been to Yellowstone National Park a few times, so we spent a full day there checking out the wildlife and some of the overlooks like the upper and lower falls. There’s not much I can add other than if you’re in this part of the country, you have to visit Yellowstone.
Cowboy Coffee in Jackson Hole
In the town of Jackson, Wyoming, Cowboy Coffee is my go-to place for a shot of energy while my wife shops around town. Their iced caramel latte is probably a tad pricey, but they do make truly excellent coffee and espresso drinks.
Swimming in Jenny Lake
In the heat of July, there’s nothing quite like taking a dip in the cool waters of Jenny Lake. That’s exactly what our boys did, and the adults enjoyed watching them get their breath taken away by the cold waters with the iconic mountain range in the background. If you’re visiting the Tetons with kids, this is a must-do.
Mormon Row in the Tetons
You’ve certainly seen photos from Mormon Row in Tetons National Park, and it’s worth it for the photo op and to learn the history of settlers in the area. If you are a photographer, you could spend quite a bit of time here trying to get the perfect shot. Bonus points if you’re willing to get up at sunrise or sunset to capture the contrasting colors of the Wyoming sky.
The Spoke on Center in Moab
Another local restaurant we enjoyed on our trip was The Spoke on Center in Moab. It’s right in the heart of town and has a really beautiful interior. Everybody loved their food. The burger was excellent, and they make really good fries. Highly recommend if you’re in the Moab area.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is one of our favorite national parks we’ve ever visited because so many of the arches are a quick hike away. This is great for groups like ours, where you have kids and senior citizens in the same group. Kids can climb up on the rocks a little bit, and grandparents can get up close to the amazing views. This is one place where coming at sunset and staying for the night skies is absolutely worth the trip.
Pickled Kitchen and Pantry
Another incredible sandwich stop we found was in Eagle, Colorado, at a place called Pickled Kitchen and Pantry. We tried the BLT, the grilled peanut butter sandwich, and an Italian sandwich the lady behind the counter recommended. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. Definitely a can’t-miss lunch stop if you’re passing through this area on I-70.
Eagle River Park
Another serendipitous stop off the same exit was Eagle River Park. We took our sandwiches there to have a little picnic lunch and realized that people were getting in the river and floating down the rapids. Fortunately, they had a city-provided life jacket stand, so on a whim, our kids grabbed life jackets, hopped in the water, and floated down the small waterfalls for about an hour. It’s another great roadside stop on the route between Moab and Denver, especially in the summer.
Idaho Potato Museum
The Idaho Potato Museum is world-famous, of course, and was only about 30 minutes away from where we stayed in Idaho Falls. The café has, as you’d expect, baked potatoes, tater tots, French fries, and everything potato, including a pretty good potato soup. It’s definitely worth the stop if you’re in the area and comes with this amazing photo opportunity.
Jack Stack BBQ
Jack Stack BBQ is my must-do in Kansas City. Obviously, the smoked meats are amazing, but their side dishes like the cheese corn and baked beans are two of the best sides I’ve ever had at a barbecue place and take it to another level. Plus, the restaurants themselves are always clean, well-staffed, and decorated nicely.
