Are you short on ideas of how to celebrate Independence Day? Why not take the opportunity to discover some of this great country’s scenic and historical wonders on a Fourth of July road trip from sunny California to the heartlands of The North Star State of Minnesota?
Acting as your road trip planner, we’ve plotted the ideal Fourth of July road trip. Take in the nation’s most iconic historical landmarks, National Parks, and a thrilling array of activities to enhance your experience.
Whether you’d like to walk in a dinosaur’s footsteps, kayak across a serene mountain lake, or explore the rich history of the American frontier, this Independence Day, grab your sense of adventure, your car keys, and some healthy road trip snacks and join us on a road trip you’ll never forget.
Where better to start our Fourth of July road trip than with a spectacular view over San Francisco Bay, as found on the Berkeley waterfront. To kick-start this incredible road trip, we suggest saying goodbye to the Pacific in style with a genuine sailing adventure. Join Capt Dan Classic Sails for some wind-powered fun on the water while enjoying the panoramic views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
And if you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, why not enjoy some of Berkeley’s cultural landmarks instead? If this is you, we suggest heading to the fantastic University of California’s Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). This nostalgic vault of American cultural memorabilia is home to over 18,000 films and videos and 28,000 works of art to see.
You can reserve a room at the Aiden by Best Western @ Berkeley if you’re looking for hotels in Berkeley, California.
As we head inland following our road trip planner, we’re going to the stunning Lake Tahoe in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and scenic natural beauty, a Fourth of July road trip is a perfect opportunity to join the crew at Clearly Tahoe for one of their fantastic kayak tours.
For more spectacular views of Lake Tahoe, why not head down to the Incline Village Championship Golf Course. This 18-hole, par-72 course is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the astonishing scenery and offers a number of great photo opportunities, capturing the lake in all its beauty.
You can reserve a room at the Best Western Plus Truckee-Tahoe Hotel if you’re looking for hotels in Lake Tahoe, California.
Continuing the scenic elements of our amazing Fourth of July road trip, we’re stopping off at Salt Lake City, Utah. Surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west, it’s a picturesque location to stop for a few days. While in Salt Lake City, grab some road trip snacks for an afternoon exploring the breath-taking scenery of Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons nearby.
Our next stop is at the Natural History Museum of Utah, a must-visit destination with a fascinating insight into some of Utah’s past former inhabitants. Discover Utah’s rich natural history, delve into the vibrant Native American culture, and uncover the fascinating world of its former resident dinosaurs. Afterward, discover the trails of the nearby Red Fleet State Park, where the earth has fossilized these prehistoric animals’ footsteps on the terrain.
You can reserve a room at the Best Western Plus CottonTree Inn if you’re looking for hotels in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A Fourth of July road trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting one of the nation’s most magnificent natural wonders, Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is perfect for reconnecting with the natural world, with opportunities to observe indigenous animals such as elk, bison, black bears, and wolves during a leisurely drive through the park.
Also famous for its geysers, mud pots, and hot springs, you won’t be disappointed to witness some of Yellowstone National Park’s geothermal wonders. First, head to the spectacular Gran Prismatic hot spring and its incredible rainbow-colored borders before catching Old Faithful in all its glory as it shoots boiling water and steam up to 185 feet in the air.
You can reserve a room at the Best Western Desert Inn in West Yellowstone, Montana if you’re looking for hotels near Yellowstone National Park.
After a few days immersed in nature, our next destination entails visiting one of the nation’s most renowned historic landmarks. As we pit stop in Rapid City, South Dakota, we highly recommend that you witness the magnificence of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial as part of your Fourth of July road trip. A fitting way to celebrate Independence Day, paying homage to the towering figures who were instrumental in shaping this country’s rich history.
Rapid City has such an extensive heritage deeply intertwined with the history of the American frontier, so our next recommended stop-off is at the High Plains Western Heritage Center in nearby Spearfish City. This incredible museum explores the illustrious history of the local Native Americans and its gold mining, fur trading, and cowboy legacies.
You can reserve a room at the Rushmore Hotel & Suites, BW Premier Collection if you’re looking for hotels in Rapid City, South Dakota.
As we reach the City of Lakes Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the last stop of our thrilling Fourth of July road trip, we suggest heading to the fascinating Minneapolis Institute of Art. Boasting a vast collection of more than 90,000 American and international artworks from as far back as 5,000 years ago, this museum is a true gem that promises to captivate visitors of all backgrounds.
And what better way to conclude a Fourth of July road trip than a bit of entertainment and some retail therapy? Look no further than the Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in the United States, where you and your family can enjoy the indoor amusement park, sea life aquarium, and over 500 stores in this giant four-level complex.
You can reserve a room at the Best Western Plus The Normandy Inn & Suites if you’re looking for hotels in Minneapolis, Minnesota.