There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good old-fashioned road trip. If, like most of us, the idea of dealing with airports, security checkpoints and uncomfortable seats is less than appealing to you, a road trip is the best way to enjoy all the new free time your retirement has to offer.
Here are a few of the most exciting destinations and and some valuable travel advice. Each route is specially designed to let you take your time and not rush through all the beauty, history, and fun this country has to offer.
Baseball Fanatic
Every baseball fan has had the dream of visiting all of the top MLB stadiums across the country. Now is the time to take your big stadium tour. Use a baseball road trip planner to quickly sort out the details of your favorite teams’ schedules.
Research different rules and regulations for each ballpark before you head down to the stadium. Each park has different rules, snacks, and traditions and the more you know, the more you’ll enjoy your time. If you’re a foodie too, you’re in luck. Check out the craziest snacks available at various stadiums including “the Closer” out of Pittsburgh that boast two grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with 9 different kinds of cheese and candied bacon. Now that will make you slow down and smell the grass.
All Sports All the Time
If you’re a die-hard sports fan who loves the NBA, NHL, NFL and just about anything else with a ball involved, then you’ll appreciate the Ultimate Sports Road Trip, a how-to blog written by two best friends that boasts 122 teams, 107 venues, 51 cities and 4 sports. And pack your bleacher pillow and your thermos, because you’re going to need them.
We also love The Dig’s three under-the-radar sports fan destinations, including South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the Little League World Series dating back all the way to 1947.
History Buff
Study our fore fathers’ journey from the stomping grounds of many of our first American Presidents in Virginia and Pennsylvania via the Hallowed Ground road trip route from National Geographic. You’ll see the birthplace of the revolution and the site of the greatest Civil War battle in addition to some beautiful lush foliage in the summer.
Outdoor Trekker
The Pacific Coast Highway offers endless sunset photo opportunities along with all the hiking, biking and watersports you could dream of. There are also phenomenal art galleries and aquariums for the artistic mermaid at heart. Make sure to visit Monterey for the small beach town experience and a chance to see the impressive Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Gapyear.com recommends starting this epic journey off in San Francisco and ending up in San Diego. But if this is a summer trip, the glorious weather may pull you even further north into the lush green paradise that is the Pacific Northwest.
Start Your Engines Race Rans
We love this Indy 500 bucket list from Shawn Hesketh who has been a race fan since birth and always wanted to attend the Indy 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world. He recommends watching the race on a full stomach from Indiana’s oldest restaurant and blues bar The Slippery Noodle Inn. The pre-race parade complete with floats, historical cars, and, most importantly, Indy drivers, is not an event to be missed.
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