The pandemic halted travel around the world. International travelers had to put off their travel plans as countries closed their borders to stem the spread of the virus. Some states in the US have imposed restrictions and discouraged or banned nonessential travel for the time being.
But with the continuing release of the coronavirus vaccine through medical facilities all around the country, the day will come when people can travel again. Here are some road trip destinations you can consider when it’s safe to travel again.
Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Many tourism websites have overlooked South Dakota, making it even more appealing since you won’t have to deal with large crowds of people ruining your shots. The park is 244,000 acres in size and is full of eroded spires, pinnacles, buttes. These natural formations started as rock deposited in the area millions of years ago. The erosion process started around 500,000 years ago, and the result of the process is amazing to look at.
The park is also home to the richest fossil bed in the world. You can even visit the fossil preparation lab at the park and see paleontologists work on the fossils they found in the Badlands. Besides fossils, you can also go wildlife watching at the park or check out the awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets. The night sky over the park is also an astonishing sight when you set up camp in one of its two campgrounds.
Finger Lakes Region in New York
If you’re a wine lover living on the east coast, a road trip might be to visit the wineries in Napa Valley. This can be challenging if you don’t have too much time on your hands. But don’t fret since there’s another place you can visit that’s closer to home, the Finger Lakes Region in New York.
The region is the biggest wine-producing region on the eastern seaboard. You can visit any one of its more than 130 wineries or join a wine festival or two. You can even go through one of the five wine trails of the place, including the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, and Lake Ontario Wine Trail. The region also boasts of a picturesque view that can even inspire you to check any plots for sale in the area.
Taos Pueblo in New Mexico
Are you an arts and culture enthusiast? Then, you can visit Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. Besides being a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it’s also the home of a Native American community who has continuously lived there for over a thousand years.
The ancestors of the inhabitants lived in the area even before Europe came out of the Dark Ages. The buildings in Taos Pueblo might have been built between 1000 AD and 1450 AD before Spanish explorers reached New Mexico. When the place opens after the pandemic, you can join the guided tours offered at the place. You can learn more about its history and the people living there.
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina
Looking to work on your tan somewhere on the East Coast? If so, you can drive out to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina after the end of the pandemic. Myrtle Beach is a resort city located on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. The area was once inaccessible and virtually uninhabited before the first hotel was built in 1901. The place gradually developed until it became the tourist destination it is today.
Besides working on your tan, you can also have a little bit of fun in the amusement parks and water parks in the area. Moreover, Myrtle Beach is home to several art galleries and museums that will delight art and culture lovers who want to visit the place.
Marfa in Texas
Another interesting place to visit is Marfa in Texas. Located at US Highway 67 and 90, Marfa is known as an arts hub in Presidio County. Its name supposedly came from a character in the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
While it’s a small desert town, Marfa has a huge footprint when it comes to art. The Chinati Foundation contemporary art museum features large-scale art installations. On the other hand, Greasewood Gallery features artwork from regional artists using different media. Another reason to visit the town is the mysterious Marfa Lights, which are orbs of light that appear randomly in an area close to the town.
Travel is limited for the moment due to the pandemic. But once everything is back to normal, you can hop into your car and drive off into the sunset while dropping by some of the places listed here.
