Roll By The Beauty
Sometimes, we don’t want to go out to visit somewhere, because it then feels like a chore. If you’re road tripping without the intention of stopping to smell the roses, actually stopping can really put a dent in your plans. However, if you have the time and the desire, you can achieve perfect equilibrium by visiting one of these drive-thru attractions.
1. Highway 60 Corridor
This Ontario highway is a gorgeous drive through the beauty of Algonquin Provincial Park, one of Canada’s oldest and most popular historic sites. If camping isn’t your thing, then you can simply enjoy the nature of this 57 km (36-mile) drive.
2. Wildlife Safari
Located in Winston, Oregon, this drive-thru safari is part of a non-profit organization that supports the conservation of native and exotic animal species. The drive takes about 60-90 minutes to complete, and a day ticket will also give you access to the Safari Village.
Uzuri Safaris Tanzania on Unsplash
3. Donut Hole
This California bakery has been a popular attraction since it opened in 1963. It features two giant donuts that guests drive through to place their orders. This donut hole is also the only remaining location of the small franchise that still operates as a working bakery.
4. Icefields Parkway
Located in Alberta, Canada, this stretch of highway will take you through 232 km (144 miles) of mountains, icefields, and valleys in both Banff and Jasper national parks. You can get out and stop if you so please, but you don’t have to to see the beauty of Canada’s prairies.
5. The Drive-Thru Museum
Located in Seale, Alabama, this museum originated as a taxidermy shop and artifact room in the 1970s. Today, the museum features a rotating display of designs and random curiosities that are hand-picked by the museum's owner, Butch Anthony.
6. Fundy Coastal Drive
This 30 km (18 miles) road trip is located in Canada’s province of New Brunswick. The drive alone is beautiful, featuring sights from Fundy National Park, Cape Enrage, Minister’s Island, and the town of St. Andrews. If you have time to stop, however, we would definitely recommend going whale watching.
7. Chandelier Tree
This drive-thru attraction is located in Leggett, California, where the redwoods stand tall and wide. The chandelier tree is over 2 thousand years old, but the opening was cut out almost 100 years ago. There are trails and a gift shop available at the Chandelier Tree, but you can just continue down the Redwood Highway if you so choose.
Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on Unsplash
8. The Wilds
This safari park is located in Ohio and was recently named the best safari park in the state. It spans over 10,000 acres with plenty of open pasture for the animals to roam. You can take an open-air, wildlife, birding, or behind-the-scenes safari rides at this popular conservation centre.
Gabriel Schumacher on Unsplash
9. Doumar’s Cones & Barbecue
This long-standing business has been around since the turn of the 20th century. It first opened as a vending location on the Virginia Beach boardwalk, but became a full-fledged restaurant in 1934. The restaurant is quite popular for a retro feel, as it’s one of the few businesses that still does curb service.
10. Cabot Trail
This gorgeous 298 km (186-mile) trail takes you up through Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Highlands. It’s considered one of the most beautiful drives, offering many opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, and a peek into Eastern Canadian culture. You can also stop and eat some of the freshest lobster you’ll ever have.
11. Mark’s Hot Dogs
This California staple has been around since 1936 and has maintained car service options since its inception. The building is shaped like a giant orange, a long-gone food chain that closed in the 70s, and offers juice, floats, sodas, milkshakes, and, of course, hot dogs.
12. Lion Country Safari
This drive-through safari experience is located in Florida’s Palm Beach County. It consists of over 300 acres of natural area, and has 4 miles (6.5 km) of road through the animals’ habitats. The safari also has a theme park, premium experiences, and shopping.
13. Drumheller
Located across 47.3 km (29.4 miles) of Alberta, this geological phenomenon is considered the “Dinosaur Capital of the World.” Guests can take this scenic loop to see unique rock formations, geological sites, and a whack of dinosaur fossils.
14. Romantic Road
This 350 km (220-mile) route stretches across southern Germany. It was created in the 1950s to boost the country’s tourism, and features many gorgeous landscapes, medieval towns, fairytale castles, and the Alps.
15. Ring Of Kerry
This 179 km (111-mile) drive is located in southwest Ireland. It circles the Averagh Peninsula, and is well-loved for its coastal scenery, quaint villages, castles, and other historical sites.
16. Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range in Italy that you can drive through. Starting your journey in either Bolzano or Cortina d’Ampezzo, you will journey across 100km (62 miles), climbing up into the mountain range.
17. Transfăgărășan Highway
This mountain road is located in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, and is one of the highest-paved roads in the world. The road was originally intended for military use, but today you can drive all 90 kilometers (56 miles) of the route, taking you up through the highest peaks in the country.
Antony Stanley from Gloucester, UK on Wikimedia
18. Route 1
This well-named route is Iceland’s main national highway. Trekking across 1,322 km (822 miles), you can do a complete loop of the island, seeing waterfalls, glaciers, fjords, and volcanoes along your journey. The loop also connects to most of the country’s major towns, so you can stop and sleep along the way.
19. Vipava Valley
This road is located in Slovenia, and is a gorgeous road trip option that is not as well-known. The valley is full of vineyards and orchards, with several hiking and biking trails if you’d prefer a non-motorized route. During the summer, there’s even an “Open Cellars” initiative, where you can meet some of the local winemakers.
20. Tatra Mountains - Poland/Slovakia
Located in Poland and Slovakia, this 35 km (22-mile) road trip will take you through a gorgeous mountain range without too much difficulty. The roads are quite safe for standard vehicles, and the trip has plenty of quaint towns to visit along the way.
