15 American West Family Destinations + Gift Ideas
Over the past few summers we have spent many days driving the roads across the great American west. We have explored historic Route 66, watched a wild west show in Williams, Arizona, hiked out to Horsehoe Bend and stood on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We have experienced Calico Ghost Town and seen Clark’s signature on Pompeys Pillar in Montana. If you are ready to plan your next road trip through the great American west, I’ve got some great family destinations plus some gift ideas to celebrate your adventures!
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15 American West Family Destinations + Gift Ideas
There are so many amazing destinations to explore when you go ‘west’ that it can be hard to narrow it down to just 15. But here are some great ideas to inspire your next family road trip. How many of these places have you experienced?
- Badlands – South Dakota
- Calico Ghost Town – California
- Deadwood – South Dakota
- Devils Tower – Wyoming
- Horsehoe Bend – Arizona
- Kings Canyon National Park – California
- Little Big Horn Battlefield National Park – Montana
- Mt Rushmore – South Dakota
- Paramount Ranch – California
- Petrified Forest – South Dakota
- Pompeys Pillar – Montana
- Range Riders Museum – Montana
- Rapid City to Sioux Falls Road Trip – South Dakota
- Things to see on Route 66
- Williams, Arizona – Gateway to Grand Canyon
You can’t experience the great American west without visiting Monument Valley in Utah. But because of Covid, the area is still closed. Here are some Monument Valley Alternate Options if you are heading that direction.
Gift Ideas from the American West
Whether you have recently returned from a trip out west or are planning your next adventure, grab some of these super fun gift ideas to celebrate your love for the great American west!
Backroads of the Great American West
Millions of Americans will be hitting the road this summer and millions of those folks will be making the west their vacation road trip destination. So they’ll want to know about the new book, Backroads of the Great American West: Your Guide to Great Day Trips & Weekend Getaways. (Motorbooks, $29.99). It’s the best one-stop source for road trips that avoid busy highways and crowded tourist destinations. From the dizzying snow-capped heights of the Rocky Mountains to the vast expanses of the desert Southwest, from the lush Pacific Northwest to sunny Southern California and the California coast, the great western American road trip is perhaps the most quintessential of American road trips.
Succulents
The first time we took a trip out west, the one thing my wanted to see was the great saguaro cactus. We didn’t just see one; we ended up seeing thousands! We couldn’t bring one of those home, but we did bring home a souvenir box of succulents.
Fun fact: Did you know that all cactus are considered to be succulents but there are succulents that are not cacti?
Thanks to Succulentsbox.com, you can satisfy your desire to decorate your house with a wide range of succulents without even leaving your house. You can even order playing cards to celebrate your love for all things succulents!
What is your favorite destination out ‘west’? I’d love to hear so I could add it to my next family road trip adventure!
