Need recommendations for stops on road trip to L.A.

[jkennett]

I'm going to leave on a road trip across the country next Sunday and figured I'd ask you all for some recommended sites to see along the way. I've checked out the recent threads on Chicago sites, and already have a thread about looking for apartments once I'm out there but this is on my mind at the moment...

I'll be stopping in the following cities: Cleveland, Chicago, Omaha, Cheyenne (or somewhere else nearby if there is a more unique or cooler option), Salt Lake City (or someplace more interesting in Utah if I can find it), Las Vegas (probably stay 2-3 days), and then end in Los Angeles.

I'd really like some recommendations on things to see in any of those places. I'm trying to show my road trip companion the best of America, since it'll probably be a once in a lifetime trip for both of us. We're both in our mid-twenties, into live music (indie rock, punk, dance, and anything else good), like art, outdoors, etc. I'll probably try to stay in Wicker Park while in Chicago, and plan on doing something like horseback riding in Wyoming. Vegas we'll probably stay on the strip and try to go to a show or something. Is that Cirque show any good there? Seems like Circus circus is too good of a deal to be true... Should I just do the Luxor or something? Thanks for any recommendations!

 

[emptym]

In Chicago see FL Wright's house and studio, if you like architecture.

As much as I loved NE (mainly for meeting MJK and his family), I'd go through South Dakota instead. Did that w/ a girlfriend on a trip across country and it was our favorite state. You have the Badlands and Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Crazyhorse, Corn Palace, Wall Drug, etc.

Also, if you go that north, you can go through Yellowstone, which is amazing.

In LV, CC is probably the worst place an adult w/o kids could stay. Excaliber is better, but I'd stay at the Golden Nugget. Weekend rates are much more than weekly rates usually. Try to see the "World's Largest Gift Store" on the corner of Sahara and LV Blvd--very interesting kitch. The Cirque shows are great.

Normally I'd rec. that people see either Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam while in LV (the desert is gorgeous) but since you'll be driving to LV through Utah, you'll get enough of that. See Zion or Bryce in SW Utah.

Have a donut (I recommend the apple fritter) in LV at the little shop next to Olympic Garden stip club on LV Blvd (or Paradise?) and Oakey.

A great resource to have while driving is the book "Eat Your Way Across America." It's by a couple that does just that non-stop, I think. It focuses on food particular to the area and on inexpensive, non-chain restaurants.

 

[Bird's One View]

Not a stop, and off your planned route, but Interstate 70 west of Denver is a very impressive drive.

Keep several gallons of water in the trunk. If your car breaks down it might save your life.