Best Road Trip: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Minneapolis, Minnesota
Are you an avid traveler in search of new adventures? Perhaps you're planning a road trip from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Minneapolis, Minnesota? Fortunately, this 1,200-mile road trip provides endless opportunities to explore hidden gems and beautiful natural landscapes. So, get your car packed up and gas up the tank because we've listed the top places to see while driving from Albuquerque to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Natural Wonders
1. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
One of the unique natural wonders in the US is the Great Sand Dunes located in Colorado. This beautiful landscapes consisting of a landscape of towering dunes up to 750 feet tall towers above the plains at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. You can wander or sandboard on the dunes, hike the trails, explore the creek bed, picnic, or just enjoy the view. This place is heaven for adventure and nature enthusiasts.
2. Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado
The Denver side of the Rockies is home to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, which offers spectacular scenery. Its popular features include the Trail Ridge Road, which is the highest continuous paved road in North America. This route blankets the park and has stops where you can take breathtaking photos of mountains and valleys. You can also go horseback riding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing in the winter.
3. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
On the eastward section of our road trip, take time to visit one of the most notable South Dakota's landscapes, Badlands National Park. It is a 244,000-acre expanse with breathtaking gulches, canyons, and hills. These landscapes create unique pinnacles and ragged rock formations that are sure to awe you. In addition to the natural beauty, hundreds of species of wildlife inhabit the park. Don't miss an opportunity to see the park's sunrise or sunset, one of the most incredible sights you'll see.
Unique Roadside Attractions
4. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
About halfway through the trip, make sure to stop by from Amarillo, Texas, to the Cadillac Ranch. This unique roadside attraction features 10 classic Cadillacs half buried nose-first in the ground along the historic Route 66. The quirky aspect of this attraction is that visitors can contribute to this ever-changing graffiti art.
5. Wall Drug Store, South Dakota
A favorite of travelers for almost a century, Wall Drug in South Dakota is an excellent stop for any road trip. The colossal store features souvenirs, gifts, and art. They serve food such as lunch, dinner, and breakfast, including their famous donuts and refreshing 5-cent coffee. Take a photo with one of their dinosaur statues, or grab their unique bumper sticker before continuing on your way.
Best City Stops
6. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is an excellent place to start off because of its rich culture and history. The city's charming streets are covered with art galleries, restaurants, and shops. There is also a popular museum and a world-famous farmers market. If you have time, you can also visit the nearby cultural landmarks like Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo.
7. Denver, Colorado
On the way, you'll find Denver, Colorado, the city nicknamed the Mile High City. It provides several attractions for travelers, including the Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Butterfly Pavilion, several museums, and one of the largest zoos in the U.S.A. Denver also has a broad sports scene, offering a chance to watch the Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche, or Broncos play.
8. Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is home to the zoo rated one of the nation's best, and the nationally acclaimed Henry Doorly Zoo. Although its main focus is animals, it also includes a beautiful butterfly exhibit and a fascinating desert dome that simulates the sharp and arid Sonoran Desert.
Conclusion
The road trip from Albuquerque to Minneapolis, which takes you to different cities and landmarks, paves the way to a journey filled with wonder and excitement. Along the way, you'll see unique natural wonders, quirky roadside attractions, and metropolitan tourist spots. It is impossible to see all of the top places while driving from Albuquerque to Minneapolis, but we hope this list will help you plan a successful trip. Safe and Happy travels!