How We Find Interesting Stops Between Destinations

 How We Find Interesting Stops Between Destinations



Finding hidden gems is one of our favorite parts of traveling. Some of the best memories come from unplanned stops, quirky roadside attractions, or charming little towns we stumble upon. Over the years, we’ve developed a few tools, tricks, and habits that help us uncover local treasures between destinations—and we’re excited to share them with you!

1. Use Apps Beyond GPS
While Google Maps is great for getting from point A to point B, we often dive deeper with apps like Roadtrippers, Atlas Obscura, and TripAdvisor. These platforms highlight unusual attractions, local landmarks, and even small-town festivals you might otherwise miss. One more that I think gets easily missed and we use often- Facebook Events. We've found local library book sales, festivals, field days, etc just checking on Facebook.

2. Follow Local Recommendations
We love checking out local visitor centers, small-town newspapers, and community bulletin boards. Often, the quirkiest stops aren’t online at all—they’re tucked away in the advice of people who live there.

3. Keep an Eye on the Road
Sometimes the best discoveries happen by simply looking out the window. Giant sculptures, roadside diners with unusual themes, or interesting murals can all be spotted while driving. We keep our camera ready and our curiosity even sharper.

4. Plan, But Leave Room for Serendipity
We usually have a rough route and a handful of must-see stops, but we leave plenty of wiggle room for unexpected detours. Some of our favorite memories have come from spontaneous turns down scenic byways or exploring a random town we hadn’t planned to visit.

5. Document Your Finds
Once we stumble upon something memorable, we note it down in our travel journal and take photos. Over time, this habit builds a growing collection of off-the-beaten-path ideas for future trips—and for sharing with our readers!

Traveling is as much about the journey as the destination, and finding these hidden gems adds an extra layer of adventure to every trip. Keep exploring, stay curious, and let the unexpected guide your route—you never know what treasures you might discover!

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