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The wife and I are trying to make a list of destinations between TN and WA to try to visit during our move. We have about 35-40 days to make the trip, so we have more than enough time to travel and make our way up there, but we think it'd make the most sense to stick to those heading in the same general direction to get the best balance between flexibility of destinations and time.
Out of these cities, which would you consider to be "must-visits?"
(Side note: we've been to Memphis and have family in Dallas, plus where we'll be moving is close enough to Seattle to make the trip whenever, so that's why those cities are excluded.)
I suggest taking a more northern route. Check out the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, and Glacier.
As much as I think this'd be an amazing experience, we do have a young child and animals we're responsible for, so I think it'd be better to try and hit the more "inhabited" areas, so to speak.
Boise might be worth a stop - it has a great family friendly downtown area.
If you're further north I'd say Spokane/Coeur d' Alene would be a good place to visit and rest a bit, but if you're living in WA those are drivable for a long weekend visit.
Between Wichita and Omaha it's going to be an either or depending on which route you take. I'd also give mention to St. Louis and some places in Montana (Helena and Big Sky).
Butte, MT along I-90 is worth a stop. Big former mining town with all the history that goes along with that (it's actually where the IWW formed). Classic old downtown, often compared to cities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. There are a few historical tours in town, and also the Berkeley Pit, a defunct open-pit copper mine with its own gift shop.
The area from the Badlands to Yellowstone is not to be missed, and relatively undertouristed; only southern UT/northern AZ exceeds it in varied interest in my experience of driving across both. Badlands, Black Hills, 2 major caves (Jewel & Wind), Custer State Park, then US 16 over the Bighorn Mts down through the Tensleep Canyon and over to Cody. Then Yellowstone, exit up through Paradise Valley, definitely stay in Butte (great great downtown), then the Idaho panhandle and onto the glories of WA.
It's amazing that tiny Fayetteville, AR got twice an many votes as Oklahoma City. I assume those voters want you to see a hillier and greener landscape as well as see how wonderful and beautiful University of Arkansas is. Also, a side trip to see the HQ of Wal-Mart must be quite a treat.
As you drive out West, you will most likely be driving through many of the cities on your list on the way to WA based on the Interstate routes. When you enter the Western states, the cities on your list are hundreds of miles apart, so you could spend a bit of time in each. I would suggest spending time in Denver, driving through SLC and spend some time in Boise. Boise for instance offers amazing outdoor activities that are family friendly right in city limits.
If you are driving in the warm months, the drive from Boise to Spokane via Highway 55 and 95 is worthy and probably one of the most beautiful routes in the West.
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