Az2cc

Hi there, will be having to pick up a car in New York City and drive it back to Phoenix early July. I have a little bit of time to stop and see some sites and wondering what the drive would be like time wise and enjoyment wise. I would like to eat at some local regional fare restaurants, do some short hikes, and see a visit a couple of historical / quirky places.
Could you help lend your thoughts on what I am thinking. Traveling will be a 22 year old daughter and two adults.
Thoughts were to travel through Hershey PA, then on to the Skyland Scenic Drive and the Blue Ridge Drive. I thought Nashville or Memphis to spend a day, and then Santa Fe for a couple of days. Not sure how much of the two scenic roads I need to stay on to get a good feeling for them, or which I should stop at Memphis or Nashville, and what to do between that choice and Santa Fe. Any suggestions for good restaurants or lodging or sights / things not to miss would be appreciated.

Thank you for your guidance!

tomfuller

Are you going to Hershey for the chocolate experience http://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/ or the amusement park?
Would you want to visit the Gettysburg Battlefield?
To get to the Skyline Drive, take I-81 to the I-66 interchange and go east 1 exit to Front Royal VA. Take the Skyline Drive south to Waynesboro (I-64) and get back on I-81 at Staunton.
Skip the Blue Ridge Parkway IMO.
Whether you stop in Nashville or Memphis depends on whether you like country music or Elvis I suppose.
In Arkansas, you might want to visit the Clinton Library.

Virginia1990

For a short hike, check out Humpback Rocks along the BRP. About a mile to a rocky outcropping that overlooks the valley. This is a local favorite, so it can be crowded. Raven's Roost is also a good overlook along the BRP. Personally, I like the BRP between Wintergreen area and Buena Vista. Some of the sections around Roanoke can get a bit boring if you aren't up there in the fall with all the leaves changing. For good food around this area, us locals love Blue Mountain Brewery. The views are pretty great here, and you can sit outside and eat. Mill Street Grill in downtown Staunton, VA is also a fantastic place to eat, but a bit on the pricey side.

If you are taking I-40 out then Oklahoma City has a little downtown area called the Bricktown Canal that has a few little restaurants and a winery, you can also do a water taxi narrated tour of the canal. Might be nice for an afternoon stop.

Beale St in Memphis is fun to visit if you like listening to live bands. A lot of blues music, but also some country and more alternative rock. My dad used to work in Memphis some and used to like going here to hear some of the blues bands play.

Az2cc

Thank you for a fast reply - exactly what I was looking for on the scenic routes - were they worth the slow travel pace. Can you tell me why you think BRP not necessary. We were going to do the chocolate tour, and walk around a bit in Hershey. Not a big ride person, the water ones are fun but not so much the roller coasters, not sure if the amusement park is in the plans. I will read up on both the elvis and opry experience - see if any bands I have heard of are playing. But what else in either Nashville or Memphis wold make one stop over the other better. Not a Clinton fan, gasp, might not stop their though my traveling companion might disagree!

Still looking for a few more ideas, any restaurant suggestions, or don't miss opportunities while driving this direction.

And where to stop midway Santa Fe and TN.

Az2cc

I love Blues! Beale Street looks like a fun half day and I love the idea of the Bricktown Canal water taxi and meal. Adding it to the trip. Going to look up both hikes - I would like to experience a bit of the scenic drive and hike and your options look great - crowds I guess on the plus side indicate a loved trail. As a park ranger they definitely indicate what the public is interested in. I will look at them both and see what fits in.

In OK there is a cadillac ranch art in the middle of nowhere exhibit - worth a detour?

Any other don't miss ideas, restaurant, lodging, hikes in other areas along our routhe?

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

Virginia1990

There is a cadillac ranch in TX. I remember seeing it from the interstate on my way through actually. We didn't stop, so I'm not exactly sure how you get to it, hopefully someone else can answer that. But I'm not sure it's worth stopping either. It's literally about 5 or 6 cars turned on end and buried half way up in the sand, full of graffiti.

I also completely forgot to tell you about Natural Bridge in VA. It's a little south of Lexington (exit 180 I think?), and it a short hike to see the rock bridge and continue on up to see a waterfall. It's worth a stop I think, it has been considered a natural wonder of the world.

ElendilPickle

I'm not sure how far it is between Memphis and Oklahoma City, but that could be a logical stop between TN and Santa Fe.

Lee Ann