Less driving, more exploring: How open-jaw travel can transform your road trip
The great American road trip is a summer travel staple. But for many, the lasting impression might be the seemingly endless serenade of 'Are we there yet?'
With efficiency borrowed from European travelers who've mastered open-jaw travel — flying into and exploring one city, driving to another and flying home from yet another — you can maximize your summer vacation. Yes, it adds cost, but you're exploring more while spending less time behind the wheel, which is bound to keep fidgety family members happy.
Here are two routes that keep the driving to about three hours while adding a fresh twist to a summer travel staple:
Southern Swing
We're starting a little ways off the trodden tourist path, but there's lots to do in Little Rock, Ark., beginning with a ranger-led interpretive tour at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (Tuesday-Saturday afternoons) and a visit to the Old State House Museum.
Outdoorsy types can rent mountain bikes and take in the local trails, including the 88-mile Arkansas River Trail, while those who appreciate art can spend hours in the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, which has free entry.
For a quick day trip, visit the spring-fed, Victorian-era bathhouses that make up Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park.
From Little Rock, it's a straight 140-mile drive through delta country to get to your next destination just across the Mississippi River. From barbecue to Beale Street, there's plenty to keep you busy in Memphis, and a stay at the Central Station hotel puts you within walking distance to most of it.
Memphis barbecue is a unique style, separate from Kansas City, Texas or the Carolinas, with a focus on pork. Make time to stop at Leonard's Pit Barbecue or Charlie Vergos's Rendezvous, which pioneered the dry rub style Memphis is known for. If you're traveling with kids, visit Beale Street during the day; if not, enjoy the bars and music clubs in the evening.
Speaking of music: No trip to Memphis is complete without stops at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sun Studio and Graceland.
Now it's time to get back on I-40 and head about 200 miles east to the Country Music Capital of the World.
No slouch in the culinary department, Nashville has long been famous for its hot chicken and, more recently, for its James Beard-nominated restaurants such as Bastion and Yolan.
After a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, make time to hear some live music at the Grand Ole Opry, which lends the cultural weight you'll need after visiting the touristy honky tonk bars along Broadway. And keep your eyes on the calendar: The Opry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Westward Wandering
Fly into Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Mont., and get a taste of the Yellowstone lifestyle at the all-inclusive Flathead Lake Lodge.
Overlooking the largest freshwater lake in the west, it offers activities such as fishing and kayaking to the typical dude ranch pastimes of horseback riding and hiking. For a change of pace, check out the nearby towns of Bigfork or Kalispell.
The next stop, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is a 200-mile drive from Bigfork.Break it up by stopping at the St. Regis Travel Center in St. Regis, Montana, for a huckleberry milkshake.
A resort town, Coeur d'Alene is renowned for skiing, but the area is an outdoor playground all year, with Silverwood Theme Park nearby or the lure of relaxing days stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Coeur d'Alene.
After remote stops in Montana and Idaho, you might be ready for a slightly more urban experience. Spokane, Wash., delivers: As the smallest city to host a World's Fair, it's been punching above its weight for a while. Here you'll find interesting and eclectic eats, a thriving art scene, shopping, and views of the Spokane River from many perspectives.
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San Francisco Chronicle
10 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Russia's Far East 'land of fire and ice' avoids major damage from earthquake and tsunami
MOSCOW (AP) — A powerful earthquakes struck Wednesday off Russia's Far East coast, flooding a fishing port with waves from a tsunami, cutting power to a few areas and sending some panicked residents fleeing buildings but causing only a few injuries. Regional authorities say they were prepared for the 8.8-magnitude quake and the subsequent waves, and moved quickly to keep residents safe. They introduced a state of emergency in some areas, but said there was no major damage. Here is what to know about the Russian areas hit by the quake and tsunami: Kamchatka peninsula Dubbed the 'land of fire and ice,' Kamchatka is one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth. It has about 300 volcanoes, with 29 of them still active, according to NASA's Earth Observatory. Quakes and tsunamis regularly strike the peninsula that lies close to an ocean trench where two tectonic plates meet. The 1,200-kilometer (750-mile)-long peninsula nine time zones east of Moscow faces the Pacific Ocean on its east and the Sea of Okhotsk along its west coast. Kamchatka and a few nearby islands have a population of about 290,000 with about 162,000 of them living in the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Avacha Bay on the peninsula's southeast. There are few roads on the peninsula, and helicopters are the only way to reach most areas. Fishing is the main economic activity. A major base for Russian nuclear submarines is located in Avacha Bay. The tallest volcano is Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4,750 meters or 15,584 feet), the largest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere. Observers heard explosions and saw streams of lava on its western slopes, according to the Kamchatka branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences' geophysical service. Scientists have anticipated the eruption for some time, with the volcano's crater filling with lava for weeks and the mountain emitting plumes of ash. It last erupted in 2023. The Kuril islands The four volcanic islands, known in Russia as the Kurils, stretch between Kamchatka and the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The islands were captured by the Soviet Union from Japan in the closing days of World War II. Japan asserts territorial rights to the islands it calls the Northern Territories, and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty The islands have a population of about 20,000, and the local economy is based on fishing. The Russian military has bolstered its presence in the area, refurbishing a Soviet-era air base and other outposts. The impact of the quake and tsunami The authorities on Kamchatka and the Kurils said they have been prepared for a major quake for a long time and acted quickly to protect the population. The 8.8-magnitude quake, centered about 120 kilometers (75 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, struck at 11:24 a.m. local time (2324 GMT Tuesday, 7:24 p.m. EDT Tuesday) at a depth of about 21 kilometers (13 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Multiple aftershocks as strong as 6.9 magnitude followed. The earthquake appeared to be the strongest on record since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off northeastern Japan in March 2011 that caused a massive tsunami. Only a few stronger earthquakes have ever been measured anywhere. Regional authorities on Kamchatka said several people were injured, but they didn't elaborate. Regional health department chief Oleg Melnikov a few injuries occurred during evacuations, including a hospital patient injured while jumping out of a window. All were in satisfactory condition, he said. Video from Russian media showed doctors on Kamchatka holding a patient and medical equipment as an operating room shook during surgery. The quake damaged a kindergarten in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, but no children were in the building, which was closed for renovation. Municipal workers inspected about 600 apartment buildings and said no evacuations were needed. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was protected from big tsunami waves by its location on Avacha Bay. Emergency workers evacuated about 60 tourists from a beach of black volcanic sand on the Pacific side. Tsunami waves could have been as high as 10 to 15 meters (30 to 50 feet) in some sections of the Kamchatka coast, Russia's Oceanology Institute said, noting the biggest were under 6 meters (about 19 1/2 feet) near populated areas of the peninsula and the nearby Kuril islands. Severo-Kurilsk Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said tsunami waves flooded the fishing port along with a fish factory and swept fishing boats out to sea. Power was cut by the flooding, with authorities inspecting the damage.
The Hill
10 minutes ago
- The Hill
Russia's Far East ‘land of fire and ice' avoids major damage from earthquake and tsunami
MOSCOW (AP) — A powerful earthquakes struck Wednesday off Russia's Far East coast, flooding a fishing port with waves from a tsunami, cutting power to a few areas and sending some panicked residents fleeing buildings but causing only a few injuries. Regional authorities say they were prepared for the 8.8-magnitude quake and the subsequent waves, and moved quickly to keep residents safe. They introduced a state of emergency in some areas, but said there was no major damage. Here is what to know about the Russian areas hit by the quake and tsunami: Kamchatka peninsula Dubbed the 'land of fire and ice,' Kamchatka is one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth. It has about 300 volcanoes, with 29 of them still active, according to NASA's Earth Observatory. Quakes and tsunamis regularly strike the peninsula that lies close to an ocean trench where two tectonic plates meet. The 1,200-kilometer (750-mile)-long peninsula nine time zones east of Moscow faces the Pacific Ocean on its east and the Sea of Okhotsk along its west coast. Kamchatka and a few nearby islands have a population of about 290,000 with about 162,000 of them living in the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Avacha Bay on the peninsula's southeast. There are few roads on the peninsula, and helicopters are the only way to reach most areas. Fishing is the main economic activity. A major base for Russian nuclear submarines is located in Avacha Bay. The tallest volcano is Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4,750 meters or 15,584 feet), the largest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere. Observers heard explosions and saw streams of lava on its western slopes, according to the Kamchatka branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences' geophysical service. Scientists have anticipated the eruption for some time, with the volcano's crater filling with lava for weeks and the mountain emitting plumes of ash. It last erupted in 2023. The Kuril islands The four volcanic islands, known in Russia as the Kurils, stretch between Kamchatka and the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The islands were captured by the Soviet Union from Japan in the closing days of World War II. Japan asserts territorial rights to the islands it calls the Northern Territories, and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty The islands have a population of about 20,000, and the local economy is based on fishing. The Russian military has bolstered its presence in the area, refurbishing a Soviet-era air base and other outposts. The impact of the quake and tsunami The authorities on Kamchatka and the Kurils said they have been prepared for a major quake for a long time and acted quickly to protect the population. The 8.8-magnitude quake, centered about 120 kilometers (75 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, struck at 11:24 a.m. local time (2324 GMT Tuesday, 7:24 p.m. EDT Tuesday) at a depth of about 21 kilometers (13 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Multiple aftershocks as strong as 6.9 magnitude followed. The earthquake appeared to be the strongest on record since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off northeastern Japan in March 2011 that caused a massive tsunami. Only a few stronger earthquakes have ever been measured anywhere. Regional authorities on Kamchatka said several people were injured, but they didn't elaborate. Regional health department chief Oleg Melnikov a few injuries occurred during evacuations, including a hospital patient injured while jumping out of a window. All were in satisfactory condition, he said. Video from Russian media showed doctors on Kamchatka holding a patient and medical equipment as an operating room shook during surgery. The quake damaged a kindergarten in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, but no children were in the building, which was closed for renovation. Municipal workers inspected about 600 apartment buildings and said no evacuations were needed. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was protected from big tsunami waves by its location on Avacha Bay. Emergency workers evacuated about 60 tourists from a beach of black volcanic sand on the Pacific side. Tsunami waves could have been as high as 10 to 15 meters (30 to 50 feet) in some sections of the Kamchatka coast, Russia's Oceanology Institute said, noting the biggest were under 6 meters (about 19 1/2 feet) near populated areas of the peninsula and the nearby Kuril islands. Authorities in Severo-Kurilsk, the Kurils' main city, evacuated residents from danger areas to deeper inland. Severo-Kurilsk Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said tsunami waves flooded the fishing port along with a fish factory and swept fishing boats out to sea. Power was cut by the flooding, with authorities inspecting the damage. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted the quake warnings were issued in a timely fashion, people were evacuated quickly, and buildings withstood the shocks.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Gen Z Woman Decides To Travel Europe, Tears Over Who She Takes With Her
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 22-year-old woman's dream trip across Europe has become an emotional journey due to an unlikely companion. Lilly Cannavan chose to honor her late grandmother by embarking on the adventure with her beloved grandad, already creating memories that have captured hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok. She spoke to Newsweek about what her 77-year-old grandfather, Dave, means to her, and what they're both enjoying on the six-week trip across the pond. The inspiration behind the trip came from a place of love and remembrance. Photos from Lilly Cannavan's TikTok video of her and her grandfather preparing to travel Europe together. Photos from Lilly Cannavan's TikTok video of her and her grandfather preparing to travel Europe together. @lilcoombsy_/TikTok "The trip was inspired by the recent passing of my grandma around this time last year," Cannavan shared. "I grew up with my grandparents, so to honor her, we decided to go explore Europe together—something she would have always wanted, but could never do, considering she hated flying." Currently in Ireland, the duo is set to travel across various European destinations before returning home to Australia on September 9. Despite the generational gap, their journey has been remarkably smooth and filled with joy. "We have so much fun together," Cannavan said. "We have our fair share of fights, which usually results in me yelling and grandad sulking, but we always get over them and in a way that brings us closer." Dave, who just celebrated his 77th birthday in June, brings a youthful spirit to their travels. Cannavan affectionately described him as "a 25-year-old stuck in a 77-year-old's body." This means plenty of lively experiences, often involving Cannavan trying to keep up with his pace, enjoying new acquaintances and immersing themselves in local cultures. "We push each other to do more," Cannavan said, recounting a recent evening where she had to "drag him home from an Irish pub close to midnight because he was having too much fun chatting to the locals over one too many pints." The adventure has profoundly strengthened their already close relationship. "Dave is my best friend, and this experience has solidified that for both of us I think," Cannavan said. The passing of her grandma brought a stark realization about the preciousness of time. "After my grandma passed, we realized how little time we could have left together, so to do something like this, go see the world together, it's unbelievable and something I'll never forget," she said. Cannavan said she hopes that others following their journey on TikTok will take away a crucial message. "Cherish the time you have with people around you, not just your grandparents, but everyone," she said. "You never know when things will change—for the better or the worse—so you need to embrace every moment with your loved ones. Life is so short, after all."
