Denver to Wilmington Road Trip Guide

With plenty of thrills and spills and rides to keep the whole family entertained, the last stop on this journey promises to end your adventure on a high. This 407-acre amusement park in Charlotte lies on the border between North and South and it is one of Carolina's most popular attractions. Open from March till November, you can buy daily or group tickets as well as fast passes which enable you to skip the queues.

For the brave among you, you will undoubtedly want to try the Carowinds Gigacoaster Fury 325. This is one of the world's longest, tallest and fastest steel coasters, with speeds of up to 95 miles per hour. As well as live entertainment, food stands and more, kids will love the dinosaur park with over 50 animatronic life-size dinosaurs.

Attracting over 11 million visits per year, the Smoky Mountains, also known as the Smokies, and its surrounding National Park is one of the most visited in the USA. This impressive mountain range and its stunning scenery provide the perfect place to spend the night.

Cades Cove is one of the most popular places to visit, and it is a great spot for viewing the wildlife native to the region. There is a wide array of species at home here, including black bears, white-tailed deer, coyote, groundhog raccoon, and skunks among others. Fans of the country music singer might always want to check out the nearby Dollywood Amusement park. This is one of the biggest attractions in Tennessee, with rides, fun, and lashings of southern charm.

Known as the Little Niagara or the Niagara of the South, the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is built around the mighty Cumberland Falls. With its thundering waters 65 feet high and 125 feet wide, this is also one of the very few places on the planet where the very lucky can spot a moonbow. Also known as a lunar rainbow, these cannot necessarily be seen with the human eye but they show up with a long exposure camera.

There is a wealth of outdoor recreation in the area, including rafting swimming, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding and 17 miles of developed hiking trails as well as backpacking through the Daniel Boone National Forest. There are 50 campsites in the Park, each of which has electric and water hook-ups. There is also a central building with showers, restrooms, a dump station, and a small store where you can pick up any supplies you may have forgotten.

Explore the hidden depths and enjoy an out-of-this-world experience at the Mammoth Cave National Park. Considered to be the longest known cave system in the world at 400 miles, with new caves being discovered all the time, this is one of the most popular attractions in Kentucky. Discover the eerie underground beauty on one of the tours; there is a wide range to suit all skills and abilities. If you are going underground, remember to wear suitable waterproof shoes with non-skid soles.

Above ground, you can enjoy canoeing on the Green River and hiking through 53, 000 acres of beautiful forests. Plus, there are three campgrounds located across the park where you can spend the night.

Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Gardens originally opened in 1928, and today it is one of the most popular in the State. With the chance to see hundreds of animals from around the world, this promises to be a fun day for the whole family.

The Amazonia exhibit is particularly impressive, providing the opportunity to wander through the South American rainforest. Through education and conservation, Indiana’s first zoo is committed to the preservation of our wildlife, and they are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. If you are looking to stay in Evansville for the evening, there are several private campgrounds in the area. Alternately, the John James Audobon State Park has 71 campsites nestled amongst the picturesque and peaceful woods.

Built in memorial to Thomas Jefferson, the Gateway Arch National Park provides the next stop on our journey. The iconic Gateway Arch has become one of the most famous landmarks in St Louis and beyond and there is a lot to do here. This retro elevator is the only one of its kind in the world, providing the opportunity to Ride to the top of the Arch. It’s just a four-minute trip to the top, with incredible views at the summit.

You may also want to check out the Old Courthouse Building. It has housed at least two landmark cases that have shaped civil rights history including the Dredd Scott slavery case and Virginia Minor and the right to vote for women. For impressive views of the city, you could also consider a riverboat cruise with stunning cityscape views from these 19th-century paddlewheel boats. This is also a great location to explore the city of St Louis further, with museums, restaurants and more.

Born in 1901, Walt Disney was the fourth of five children and he later went on to become one of the biggest names in American history. As Walt Disney once said it all started with a mouse, and this museum is located where the Disney family spent over five years at their farm in Marcelin. Discover a collection of memorabilia from Disney’s family farm, including hundreds of personal letters, artifacts and the only Disney attraction outside of Disneyland.

A trip to this restored 1913 Santa Fe Railway Station provides the perfect opportunity to discover the background of this American legend. The nearby town of Marceline is also worth exploring, with the downtown main avenue being the inspiration of Main Street, USA at Disney World.

After plenty of rest and relaxation in the heart of the American wilderness, the World of Fun Amusement Park has something for the whole family. This 235-acre park is operated by Cedar Fair, and it is home over 100 rides including seven world-class rollercoasters for the thrill-seekers. Located just off I-45, this hometown amusement park promises a day of fun and laughter.

Plus, admission also includes access to the Oceans of Fun- the adjacent water park. When it first opened this water par was the largest in the world, and today it contains over 17 exciting attractions. Cool off in the Caribbean Cooler, enjoy the surf in the Surf City Wave Pool or check out the Captain Kidd’s playground for the younger visitors.

Although claims about the world’s largest twine are highly contested, this alleged world’s largest monument is an unusual roadside attraction located in Cawker City, Kansas. Frank Stoeber began creating the largest ball of twine in 1995, and it is currently considered to be a ball of twine with the widest circumference in the world.

If twine is not your cup of tea, you may also want to visit the monument that stands at the center of the continental US. Pinpointed by a historical marker and surrounded by a small park, this monument is located around two miles from Lebanon. Although this was measured in a survey conducted in 1918, recent technological developments and the inclusion of other States have meant it may not be quite as accurate to this day. However, despite that, this unique roadside attraction provides the opportunity to stretch your legs and take a family photo.

Relax and unwind on your first night in the wilderness, at the Rock Creek State Recreation Area. Set among spectacular scenery, this 50-acre lake offers primitive camping in the great Colorado wilderness. There is a lot to do in this area, including hiking, biking, boating, camping and much more. However, if you are fishing along Rock Creek, you must have the appropriate fishing license.

Camping is also available at the Prairie Dog State Park, a beautiful area of shortgrass prairie lands spread across 1,150 acres. The park is home to a thriving colony of prairie dogs and there are plenty of campsites, with 67 having both water and electric hook-up. If you enjoy fishing, the nearby Reservoir is reported to have excellent potential, with the chance to catch black bass, walleye, crappie, catfish and saugeye. There are also designated swimming areas for a chance to cool down in the summer sun.