Discover the ultimate American Roadtrip
Interstate 90
Montana - Cleveland
We’ve designed a road trip across North Central USA to showcase a sequence of cultural, historic and rural landmarks along the route of the fantastic I-90 east-west highway. From the mountains of Montana to the shores of the Great Lakes, this route will help you discover the real sights and scenes of today’s America.
Interstate 90
Stop 1: Gallatin Art Crossing 1/13
The likeable mountain city of Bozeman makes a great starting point to this trip across North Central USA. It’s a perfect base for exploring the stunning surrounding landscapes, and the compact city has a warm community atmosphere. You’ll find lots of public art throughout the downtown area. Spot how the Gallatin Art Crossing project places dozens of quirky sculptures around the city and in the gardens of public buildings like the library and the arts centre. (Image credit: GVLT)
Interstate 90
Stop 2: Pictograph Cave State Park 2/13
A pictograph is an ancient cave painting, so this unique state park is an exciting way to find these mysterious relics of prehistoric civilisation. Learn how primitive native hunters stayed in these sandstone caves and left images of animals and warriors daubed with pigment on the rock. An easy circular trail round the park lets visitors find more than 100 of these paintings dating back more than 2,000 years. (Image credit: Tbennert)
Interstate 90
Stop 3: Bighorn National Forest 3/13
As the I-90 curves through Wyoming, it passes the eastern edge of the Bighorn Mountains. The National Forest is the best way to experience the natural variety of the Bighorns, which ranges from gentle alpine meadows to sheer rocky peaks. Three scenic byways allow you to drive through the forest and there are 10 picnic areas, 1,200 miles of walking trails and 30 campsites. Along the way, watch out for the beautiful mountain lakes and lively white-water streams.
Interstate 90
Stop 4: Mount Rushmore National Memorial 4/13
Together, the 60ft-high faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln staring out from the side of a mountain form one of America’s most famous sights. The likenesses were carved into the granite of Mount Rushmore between 1927 and 1941. Today, visitors can get a close-up view of the attraction from the visitor centre, shop and restaurant. There are good walking trails round the Monument and the adjoining Dakota Black Hills too.
Interstate 90
Stop 5: Falls Park 5/13
The I-90 will take right you into the heart of this fascinating riverside city. Just north of the downtown district you’ll find the waterfalls that give Sioux Falls its name. This picturesque sequence of waterfalls on the Big Sioux River is now surrounded by an impressive public park. There are riverside paths, viewing points and an observation tower to get great views of the white water, and visitors can relax at a friendly café alongside.
Interstate 90
Stop 6: Minneapolis Sculpture Park 6/13
Combined with the Walker Art Center, this new sculpture park offers 19 acres’ worth of fascinating art set amid lush green space in southwest Minneapolis. Among the quirky works on show is Spoonbridge and Cherry, the fountain sculpture by two of the park’s biggest patrons, Coosje van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg. Set atop a pond, the striking piece took three years to complete. Also set to wow visitors is Kris Martin’s clapperless bell, which soundlessly swings on the hour, every hour. (Image credit: Anthony Arrigo)
Interstate 90
Stop 7: Grandad Bluff 7/13
The prominent 600ft-high rocky hill just two miles to the south of I-90 overlooks the town of La Crosse. The bluff has become a popular public park and vantage point for memorable views across the Mississippi River valley - locals voted it the best view in the state. From the summit, use the public binoculars to get a ‘tri-state’ view of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. It’s a great spot for a picnic with a panorama. (Image credit: Alan Froegel)
Interstate 90
Stop 8: Eplegaarden 8/13
Experience the old fashioned Wisconsin rural lifestyle by stopping at this family farm on the outskirts of the country town of Fitchburg. It’s a fruit farm so, dependent on the season, visitors are encouraged to pick their own apples, grapes, raspberries, squash and pumpkins. There’s also a homely farm shop in a classic red-painted barn selling produce, including apple butter, ice cream and drinks.
Interstate 90
Stop 9: Myopic Books 9/13
Follow I-90 into the heart of the Windy City of Chicago, and discover this quirky local institution in the Wicker Park district close to downtown. It’s a massive second-hand bookshop that has operated here for a quarter of a century, and now stocks more than 70,000 volumes that are stacked high to the ceilings. Myopic is open seven days a week and also hosts regular poetry and live music events. (Image credit: Lauren Manning)
Interstate 90
Stop 10: Oz Park 10/13
Just to the north of the I-90 as it reaches downtown is the Lincoln Park district of Chicago. That’s the home of Oz Park, a family-friendly urban green space that celebrates the story of The Wizard of Oz. Discover statues of the story’s characters, like the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Dorothy. In ‘Dorothy’s Playlot’ there is an array of children’s playground equipment, while adults can take a stroll in the greenery of ‘The Emerald Garden’.
Interstate 90
Stop 11: Toledo Botanical Garden 11/13
This is the perfect spot for a relaxing break, just to the north of I-90. Stop at Toledo Botanical Garden, or TBG as locals call it, for 60 acres of flowers, shrubs and vegetables. It’s free to stroll around the notable plant collections, fabulous beds and borders, and formal gardens dotted with statues and sitting areas. The TBG also hosts a busy programme of art and music events.
Interstate 90
Stop 12: 78th Street Studios 12/13
The lakeside city of Cleveland has shed its dowdy industrial image to become a lively regional centre for culture and the arts. Visit 78th Street Studios for the best example of this trend. It’s a former factory complex that is now the largest art and design complex in northeast Ohio, with dozens of art galleries, studios and performance venues. Pop into a gallery or take one of the regular open-house tours to see how the whole creative complex operates. (Image credit: Levdr1lp)
Interstate 90
Stop 13: Cleveland Museum of Art 13/13
Head for Cleveland’s University Circle district to find the pinnacle of culture in the city and a fitting finale to your road trip. The Museum of Art is one of the wealthiest and most visited galleries in the US. It’s a grand colonnaded building set in formal gardens and fountains. It’s free to enter. Inside, it houses a stunning collection of more than 30,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of history from all over the globe.
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