Las Vegas is back and you’re ready to pack up the car, hit the road and visit your favorite destination. Did you know getting here is half the fun? A variety of landmarks and hidden gems along the way will keep you alert, entertained and educated. Check out the cool places on I-15 coming from California, and I-40 (both aka historic Route 66) and highway 93 from Arizona.
From California
Barstow Station
Barstow Station is 16 train cars welded together with some impressive skills to house several restaurant chains.
Jenny Rose Sign (Barstow)
The Jenny Rose Restaurant has been closed for years, but the sign is iconic. Before the fast-food era, traditional diners like Jenny Rose were the spots where travelers to and from Las Vegas would stop and eat.
Calico Ghost Town
Calico is a tiny detour, but if you haven’t seen a legit ghost town before, then it’s worth it. Calico was a traditional western mining town and has been around since 1881.
Baker Thermometer
The World’s Tallest Thermometer is located in Baker and stands 134 feet tall, which honors the record 134 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in Death Valley on July 10, 1913.
Zzyzx Road
Zzyzx is a 4.5-mile-long unincorporated community in San Bernardino County. The founder named the land Zzyzx so it would be “the last word in the English language.” And, yes, it’s open to the public!
Welcome to Nevada Sign (Primm, NV)
This makes for a solid Instagram post to start the trip. About 30 to 45 minutes from Las Vegas, this sign is in Primm and there’s usually always another traveler there who you can ask to take your picture. While you’re passing through Primm, hit the shops at the Primm Mall for some fresh new fashion or a quick bite.
Seven Magic Mountains (Jean, NV)
Located about 10 miles south of The Strip, you can’t miss the seven towering totems painted neon colors created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, juxtaposed by the contrasting backdrop of the Las Vegas desert.
From Arizona
Petrified Forest Natural Park (Navajo and Sun Valley)
Right after the New Mexico border is the world’s largest and most colorful natural collection of petrified wood. Along with the beautiful logs, you’ll find historic structures, archaeological sites, and fossil displays.
Meteor Crater (Winslow)
The world’s best preserved meteorite impact site on Earth is located right off of I-40. Nearly a mile across and more than 550 feet deep, it’s the result of a meteor hitting the planet about 50,000 years ago.
Twin Arrows (Flagstaff)
Twin Arrows was built during the trading post boom of the early to mid-20th century. Once home to a diner and a series of small shops, all that remains is the site’s namesake 25-foot-tall arrows and a row of dilapidated buildings.
Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In (Seligman)
Opened in 1953, this iconic eatery is a must-stop for travelers. With juicy burgers, piping-hot French fries, shakes and sodas, you’ll fill up and feel as if you popped back in time on your way to Fabulous Las Vegas.
Arizona Last Stop (White Hills)
Calling itself the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, this road stop is also the last stop before you hit the Nevada border.
Boulder City
Grab a bite to eat in a charming family-owned restaurant, see the local art, explore the city’s rich history and peruse the famous antique shops in downtown Boulder City, just 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas.
Hopefully, these stops and sights provide some fun on your way to the REAL fun!