The Great American Road Trip is a journey that is quintessential to any American vacation. While many stick to famous roads like Route 66, others are simply willing to enjoy the immense and true natural beauty of this great land.

So we’ve picked out 5 of the most scenic drives in the US in the hope of instilling an eagerness to discover again just how beautiful this country is.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway

Regarded as America’s favorite drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through Virginia and North Carolina, touching on sections of the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.

Along the way be sure to check out the Humpback Rocks, Whetstone Ridge and the Buena Vista Overlook.

2. Highway 1

The US road system simply wouldn’t be the same if the famous Highway 1 were to shut up shop and cease to exist. Highway 1 is monumental to the United States and runs for an impressive 3,800 kilometres, connecting most of the major cities on the East Cost.

This route is overflowing with history and the coastal sections are also sure to be highlights as well.

3. Going-to-the-Sun-Road

While the name of this road shouldn’t be taken in the literal sense, its metaphorical title should work as an indication of the surprising beauty of this dramatic stretch of road.

Spanning the heart of Montana’s Glacier National Park, this road is dominated by views of the Going-to-the-Sun Mountain (hence the name) and boasts natural attractions like the Bird Woman Falls, Weeping Wall, Jackson Glacier and Rising Sun.

4. Great River Road

Discover the all-American Mississippi River when you embark on an adventure along the Great River Road. While it isn’t a single road (as the name may suggest), it is comprised of several amazing stretches of road, each offering brilliant views of the river and its surrounding natural attractions.

The Great River Road is the perfect option for those who can’t be bothered to hire a boat to make their way up this famous stretch and would rather hire a car to do the job.

5. Seward Highway

Running through the US state of Alaska, the Seward Highway is a masterpiece when it comes to spectacular scenery and great Alaskan highlights.

This highway runs through the towns of Bear Creek, Moose Pass, Portage Glacier and Anchorage, offering unsurpassed lake views and mountain landscapes.

-Chrissy

Driven any other amazing roads you think are worthy of this list? Let us know about them in the comments below!

America, roads, scenic, travel, travel usa america

The great state of Tennessee is home to some of the country’s best (and strangest) attractions. Home to everything Elvis, Tennessee is also prone to “big” attractions along with a lot of cultural highlights that only the locals seem to “get”.

So come along on a Jurnii as we travel into the South and uncover some of the strangest attractions that can be found on the great American roadside.

1. Museum of Appalachia: Clinton, Tennessee

The terms weird and wacky take on a whole new meaning once you have visited the Museum of Appalachia; home to seemingly endless oddities and strange attractions.

Boasting over a quarter of a million artifacts, highlights of the museum include the perpetual motion machine, the American axe and the tribute to the history of the nail.

2. Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

If you like your food seasoned (and seasoned well) you are going to love the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers.

Walk the halls of this crazy museum and come across almost 20,000 salt and pepper shakers, each placed into their own unique category, in a manner that is pleasing to the eye and quirky enough to make you stop and take a look.

From feet and crab claws, to every vegetable imaginable, this museum covers it all!

3. Elvis Museum: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

No museum encompasses the true extent of the Elvis phenomenon quite like the Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Die-hard fans are likely to swoon over his old sweaty clothes, the underwear that was hurled at him onstage and the two sets of his x-rays. Add to this collectables of the last personal hygiene products he used and you have yourself a shrine that could easily compete with (and even surpass) the bedroom of any completely obsessed fan.

4. Dinosaur Walk Museum: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Americans seem to love all things big so it seemed an obvious move to combine this notion of big with the ancient creatures of terror; the dinosaurs.

Walk among creatures that existed over 65 million years ago, being careful to avoid a run-in with the 42-foot long T-Rex and the 70-foot long Apatosaurus.

The Dinosaur Walk Museum is a huge novelty but definitely not one to miss!

5. International Towing and Recovery Museum: Chattanooga, Tennessee

The town of Chattanooga has a rich towing history; in fact some may liken it to Detroit’s strong connection to the auto industry.

The International Towing and Recovery Museum pays tribute to all things towing, housing an impressive collection of odd-looking tow trucks that each tell their own unique story. The aim of the museum is to lift the dark shadow that usually follows tow-truck drivers around, and achieves this through the colorful displays and exhibits.

- Chrissy

Been to Tennessee lately and think we’ve left anything off the list? Let us know about them in the comments below!

America The Strange, Attractions, Fun, tennessee, travel

Sweet Home Alabama is home to some pretty sweet roadside attractions, but it’s the wacky ones that stand out the most. Offering world-renowned “big” attractions and historic relics from some of the world’s most well-known names, Alabama is packed to the brim with all things weird.

So join us as we Jurnii across Alabama and discover what is so sweet about it!

1. Hitler’s Typewriter: Bessemer, Alabama

As morbid as Hitler memorabilia may be, it’s hard for many to ignore their inquisitive nature about history’s most reviled maniac. Keepsakes of this hated man are scattered all across the country, but it’s the town of Bessemer, Alabama, that has the most interesting of the lot.

Hitler’s typewriter is the most popular exhibit in this Hall of History and folks around here like to push the point that “orders that marched armies to their death were typed here”. Slightly sinister yes, but it doesn’t stop the crowds lining up to check out this incredible slice of history.

2. African Village in America: Birmingham, Alabama

As far as weird and wacky in Alabama goes, there really is nothing stranger than Birmingham’s African Village. Joe Minter has been developing this tribute to African-America in his backyard since 1989, and all attractions have been built from the likes of old sports equipment, baking pans, footwear, toys and Christmas lawn decorations.

Most of Joe’s creations carry or moral or political message so if you look hard enough you will begin to recognize the hidden messages this park is trying to put across.

3. Ave Maria Grotto: Cullman, Alabama

Finding a Grotto on the roadside that isn’t, well grotty, is a hard feat, but you may just be pleasantly surprised when you come across the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama.

This Grotto pays tribute to the world’s most important religious structures, along with fascinating structures like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Hansel and Gretel’s Temple of the Fairies.

4. DeSoto Caverns: Childersburg, Alabama

More than just a hole in the ground, the DeSoto Caverns are an ideal kiddies attraction, with more novelty attractions than some theme parks. Pan for gold and run around the maze, and be sure to check out the 2000-year-old jaw bone of a 7-foot tall Woodland Indian.

However it’s the caves that are really set to amaze, with their frozen Niagaras and Stalactites never failing to disappoint.

5. World’s Largest Chair Battle: Anniston, Alabama

The ongoing battle for the title of “World’s Largest Chair” has been amusing Americans for over a century. However it wasn’t until 1981 that one was erected in Anniston, Alabama. The chair was set to break all records at an impressive 31-foot tall and was constructed using 10 tons of steel.

This chair is one for the ages and is the town’s claim to fame.

-Chrissy

Do you call Alabama home? Tell us about your strangest experiences here in the comments below.

America The Strange, interesting, strange, travel, travel usa america, usa