A dream of ours here at twowildtides is to roadtrip the USA (think Volkswagen bus, polaroid snaps, national parks). Until we have the chance to do it all in one trip, visiting a few states at a time will have to do! The first states to cross off the list? Arizona and Nevada.
Here are some things we done, and think you should do too, on a roadtrip through these states.
We flew into Phoenix Sky Harbour Airport and hopped into our Volkswagen bus (okay, okay- it was a Honda Pilot. A girl can dream!) and drove out to Goodyear. This was our home base. There are some pretty great hiking opportunities in the Goodyear area, and all of your basic amenities, such as restaurants and grocery stores.
Tombstone. Drive southeast toward the Mexican border and you’ll find the tourist town of Tombstone. (If you haven’t watched the movie, stop reading, go watch it, and come back!!) Tombstone is a western town complete with cowboys, saloons, and gunslingers, and is the historic location of the O.K. Corral shooting.
Don’t forget to swing by Boothill Graveyard. These headstones seem humorous (and let’s face it, they are hard not to chuckle at) but they are real! They say a lot about society in that era.
Grab lunch at Big Nose Kate’s and get dressed up in your best suits and dresses for a night at the saloon.
Mega-tourist tip: get one of those old-timey group photos and take in the O.K. Corral show.
Find the Tallest Cactus. Okay. Nobody told me that cacti are freakin’ massive! I snapped this shot of my family next to the tallest cactus we could find.
Los Algodones, Mexico. Head west on Route 8 to Yuma, a city right on the American-Mexican border. Park your vehicle and walk over the border into Los Algodones (don’t forget your passport!), which is an experience in itself. You might be surprised about how relaxed it is crossing the border into Mexico and so strict to cross back into the US. Stroll through colorful, vibrant markets, enjoy live entertainment and an authentic Mexican lunch, and…get your teeth fixed?? Many Americans go to Los Algodones to visit the dentist or the optometrist because it is so cheap! I found this quite unbelievable.
Drive over the original London Bridge. Fun fact: the original London Bridge (yep, from the nursery rhyme) that once crossed the River Thames is now in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Why? The architect that designed the bridge also planned the community of Lake Havasu, so he deconstructed the bridge, numbered the pieces, and had it reassembled in the middle of the American desert. Take a boat ride, grab lunch, and take in this little bit of the UK. Lake Havasu City is located north from Yuma on route 95.
The Hoover Dam. Time travel as you change time zones while walking over the Hoover Dam, a hydroelectric power plant and huge tourist attraction. The dam confines Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US (only when it is full!) Take in beautiful views as you cross into the Silver State.
Las Vegas. What do I really need to say? Sin City has something for everyone, and even just driving the strip is a fun addition to any roadtrip. Spend a night and take in one of countless shows, visit each hotel gift shop, ride the roller coaster in New York, New York, and have dinner under the Eiffel Tower. Vegas can be enjoyed by anybody, just remember, what happens in Vegas…
Our roadtrip ended here, but there are so many more things you can do along the way, such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and the Valley of Fire State Park. What would you suggest to add to this roadtrip?
Don’t be afraid to act like a goofy tourist and snap silly, cliche pictures next to monuments or on the side of the highway or in a quaint little restaurant. These photos help form the memories you will cherish for the rest of your life. In fact, we challenge you to take fun roadtrip snapshots and tag @twowildtides on Instagram or Twitter so we can see them!
Have a great trip!
Let us know what you think!