I need points of interest for my cross country trip

I will be driving out to Los Angeles about three weeks from now. I am making my first stop in Virginia and second in Atlanta (siblings). From there I will be taking 40 west. My first planned diversion is Tupelo, Mississippi, followed up by Graceland, naturally. The only other sites that I have in mind are Acoma, N.M. (Natural Arch) and the Grand Canyon. I am travelling alone and would like to make it to the Pacific in about 12 days or so.
Suggestions?

In OKC, try the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum. Really. An amazing place, full of Western and Native American art, artifacts, etc… It’s so cool, I go see it. And I live here. Need to spend 2 to 4 hrs if you decide to go.

Also, near the entrance to Tinker AFB, in MidWest City, there is a ‘museum’ of sorts. Older AF planes on display. B-29, B-47, F-4, B-52, C-47, a couple more. A nice 10 to 15 minute stop, depending on weather, of course.

I40 lies over or next to large stretches of old Route 66. Google “route 66 attractions” or similar, and see if there’s any pieces of Americana you’d like to visit.

When passing through the Texas panhandle, do not miss Cadillac Ranch, which is right along I-40 just west of Amarillo.

And, while in Amarillo and hungry–and I mean hungry–be sure and have a bite at the Big Texan Steakhouse, home of the 72 oz it’s-free-if-you-finish steak.

I submitted before I also recommended the Helium Monument, also in Amarillo.

Another link to it: http://notes.chem.usyd.edu.au/course/masters/Chem1/Lecture%20Slides/web%20version/sblock/sld005.htm

Wait, wait - I-40, or route 40? Because if you’re taking 40 west, then you drive almost directly over my house. Really.

I’ve never travelled across country on I-40. I’ve always taken I-80 so I’m not familiar with what is on I-40 so my suggestions are kinda off road a bit but well worth it.

I lived in Utah a lot of years and there are some beautiful National Parks there.

Rainbow Bridge: http://www.nps.gov/rabr
Bryce: http://www.nps.gov/brca
Zion: http://www.nps.gov/zion

Anyway, have a great trip and I hope ya share it with us :smiley:

I hope that it won’t make me lightheaded.

sorry
All great suggestions so far. Thanks.

Well, I’m leaving in two days and I’ve still got a shitload left to do. I’ve mapped out an interesting trip. Two days in Virginia; two days in Atlanta; Friday morning arrive in Birmingham and stop at the Civil Rights Museum, continue on and bunker down in Tupelo; Saturday morning hit Graceland; Little Rock late in the day and try to make Hot Springs; Texarkana Sunday morning and Dallas in the afternoon, where I’ll have a couch and a hot shower, then maybe a rodeo; Dealy Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum of the Texas Book Depository on Monday Morning before heading to Austin; from there it’s on to Big Bend National Park hard by the Rio Grande; by Wednesday or Thursday I"ll be hitting El Paso and Juarez, Mexico; after Las Cruces it’s west toward Tombstone, Tuscon, and the Saguaro cactus (and hopefully some pitchers and catchers at the baseball facilities); here I will turn around and travel back east and to the north to the Gila Cliff dwellings (NM) by Sunday; up through the Zuni Reservation and Black Rock on Monday; the Four corners and Monument valley beckon on Tuesday; next up is Flagstaff where another couch and hot shower await; at last! The Grand Canyon for the first of what I hope is many more times (I’d like 2-3 days here possibly - money could be playing a factor by this point); I figure to make it a two day trip from the Canyon where I’ll be stayin’ in Hermosa Beach!

After you leave Elvis’ birthplace (in Tupelo) go west on E. Main St. At the light past the railroad tracks look across the street to your right and you will see Tupelo Hardware. That is where Elvis’ mother bought him his first guitar. They no longer sell guitars, but you can get a guitar pick there and see a small memorial to the event.
The store itself is worth seeing since it has not been remodeled since the 40’s (if then) and they carry just about anything you can think of in hardware. If they aren’t too busy ask for Leon or Charles and tell them Mr. Alf sent you.

While you’re in Atlanta you should go to The Varsity and get a chili dog and some onion rings. If you’re a vegan just get the rings. Best darn chili dog in the country.

http://www.thevarsity.com/