Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Leisurely Car Trip from Atlanta to Sacramento?

Leisurely Car Trip from Atlanta to Sacramento?

Old Aug 5th, 2017, 11:56 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Leisurely Car Trip from Atlanta to Sacramento?

Hi Everyone-

I'm heading west from Atlanta, GA to Sacramento, CA in September and I have a window of about 10 days to make the trip. This is my first time driving cross country, and I was wondering if anybody had ideas on how to make the trip enjoyable, both scenery-wise and/or culture-wise? I'm big into hiking and art museums, among other things.

The I-40 route of course makes sense, maybe there are a few detours along that basic route?

Thanks so much?
WestwardHo58 is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2017, 02:05 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
One art museum to put on your list is the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ--great collection of Native American art. Some of the Las Vegas casinos also have good art collections if a stopover there appeals to you. You could Google art museums in major cities to get an idea of more.
Underhill is online now  
Old Aug 5th, 2017, 03:47 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,332
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
If you go the northern route and end up on I-80, check out the Auto Museum in Reno, Detour to Lake Tahoe, and check out the Donner Memorial in Truckee.
MichelleY is online now  
Old Aug 6th, 2017, 11:13 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And Santa Fe has Georgia O'Keefe museum. https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

Bandelier was our daughter's favorite place in that part of the country. https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm
Gretchen is offline  
Old Aug 6th, 2017, 02:55 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,716
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Does your 10 days include a return to Atlanta? How long do you intend to stay in Sacramento?
If this is a solo trip, I would suggest taking trains instead of a huge amount of driving.
The logical Amtrak route would be the Crescent from Atlanta to New Orleans with an overnight in NOL.
Next day get on the "City of New Orleans" to Chicago (arrives in CHI in the morning).
Take the California Zephyr (leaves at 2PM) west all the way to Sacramento. Coach seats are tolerable to sleep in if you can't afford a roomette.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Aug 6th, 2017, 03:09 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
He says "leisurely" for ten days of museum going and hiking and scenery--not going by at 80MPH. I think he realizes that would not be a return trip to Atlanta.
There is nothing about a train trip that is leisurely, except the late trains.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 11:41 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Petit Jean State Park NW of Little Rock in Arkansas is pretty--I don't remember how serious hiking is there.
Petroglyph National Monument near Albuquerque is interesting as is Bandelier near Los Alamos. Museum at Los Alamos interesting, but not art.
Grand Canyon?
Sedona?

Alternative is to go up to I-70 and catch some trails in Colorado, Utah, and Lake Tahoe.
Not sure of art museums in St Louis, Kansas City, or Denver.
Kay2 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sal56
United States
6
Aug 5th, 2016 03:16 AM
samras21
United States
9
Mar 3rd, 2012 06:19 AM
mintchip
United States
6
Nov 10th, 2007 04:29 PM
MarshaL
United States
9
Jun 12th, 2007 06:35 AM
1jan1
United States
5
Jul 26th, 2005 07:08 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -