Challenge Level: 1
MISSION BRIEF 🧳
Embark on a weekend road trip with ease! No stress or experience required. Enjoy a two-night stay and visit one must-see attraction. Add a secondary activity for the bonus memories.
EXPEDITION GUIDELINES 📋
Destination within a 4-hour drive 🚙
Single main attraction 🎡 that offers three specific highlights you find interesting 🥳
Secondary activity as the cherry 🍒 on top
READY, SET, PLAN!
Step 1: Be realistic about your budget 💰💸
📌 Budgets are boring, and you might have a microscopic one. That's okay. Numbers don't care about our feelings, but they're still important. Having a realistic budget in mind may seem limiting, but it can help weed out options that are not truly options for you. And that means fewer decisions to make. Sounds like a win to my easily overstimulated brain.
📌 Once you know how much you can spend in total, visit MPT's budgeting page to determine how you'd like to plan and prioritize your personal adventure.
📌 Now that you've factored in the costs for gas, accommodation, entertainment, food, and souvenirs, you're ready to actually start planning. (Which is obviously the fun part.)
Step 2: Plot Your Course 🚗🗺️🌟
📌 Use an online free tool to find a 4-hour driving radius from your home. Alternatively, search within a 200-300 mile range. The point is to a) see your range represented visually on a map and b) have enough interesting options but not so many that you get overwhelmed and can't choose. I live in the Denver Metro area, so I would start finding places within 2 hours because the options are plentiful.
✨📣 There are premium travel planning applications that will do this work for you, but we're starting slow, free, and simple. And as a seasoned traveler, I still find this way to be the best. 🏆✨
📌 Once you have a visual of the areas within your radius, visit MPT's curated state attraction maps to discover what's around. Toggle the layers to filter the points of interest so that it feets your specific needs. If you don't care about scenic byways, you don't need those icons cluttering your map.
Think charming destination towns, national parks & monuments, or any areas that have a concentrated number of attractions. If other people enjoy visiting that area, you might too!
Step 3: Pinpoint Your Main Attraction 📍🔍🎯
📌 Find one main attraction that has three individual points of interest for you. Ideally, this one attraction could provide an entire day's worth of fun. The following examples fit my personality; how about yours?
Main Attraction 1️⃣: Grand Teton National Park
Hike to Inspiration Point via Jenny Lake Trail
Oxbow Bend at sunset - family portrait with a scenic background
Scenic Driving Loop - Wildlife opportunities
Main Attraction 2️⃣: The Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Walk the main downtown street
French onion soup at Downstairs at Eric's
Take the free gondola for epic view
Main Attraction 3️⃣: Iron Mountain Hot Springs
spend time in the soaking pools
enjoy the surrounding scenery; take photos
try a unique snack at the cafe
Step 4: Select Your Side Quest 🛤️🌿
📌 Add a secondary activity to spice up your trip. Low stakes - no bucket list items here. You could get the weekend started right by strolling down main street the night you arrive. Or if you're an early riser, you could fit the side quest in before you head home. There's no wrong way to do it, but it's a great and easy way to amplify your getaway. The main takeaway is that it should only be fun - it shouldn't require a ton of coordination or invite stress in any way.
🍓 Visit a farmer's market or local artisan's fair for produce and souvenirs
🍦 Enjoy a sweet treat from a locally owned ice cream shop
☘️ Take a 1-2 mile easy nature walk and enjoy the scenery
🔬 Visit a small history or science museum
Step 5: Choose & Book Your Accommodation 🏨⛺️
📌 Search for a place to stay that fits your budget and complements your adventure. No need for luxury - you're looking for a comfortable spot to rest and recharge. Whether it’s a campsite, a convenient motel/hotel, or a quirky Airbnb, the key is simplicity and ease. The goal is to ensure a restful night so you can enjoy what you're there to do.
📌 MPT's lodging page offers a comprehensive breakdown, but for a two night stay, I'd recommend camping or a motel/hotel. For more information on how to find and book, visit those sections ont he lodging page.
Step 6: Assemble Your Adventure Kit 🧳🌟
📌 Pack the essentials, keeping in mind that most areas have stores. I know, it's hard for me to remember, too. 🤷🏻♀️ But be realistic in what you need. You probably don't need a boardgame "just in case" you get bored. When was the last time you were bored? Yeah, your screen time just told on you. 🧐
🗺️ Bring your phone to use for navigation and capturing moments
🎧 Prepare entertainment like music, audiobooks, or podcasts for the drive
👕 Pack clothing, shoes, and outerwear that fit your chosen activities
🥤 Grab snacks and plan meals based on your budget & dining preferences
🪥 Pack toiletries, keeping in mind your actual habits and not your imagined ones
🏕️ Consider accommodation-related needs and pack accordingly
🩹 Build and keep an emergency kit for the car
HIT THE ROAD, JACK! 🚗🎵 (but you'll need to come back)
With your plan set and the essentials packed, embark on your adventure. Take photos, make memories, and have fun!
Happy travels, Road Tripper Rookie! 🌟🛣️🚗