Plan the Perfect Day Trip for Your Cooped-Up Family

(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- Summer, invariably, sends the mind wandering to the open road. Call it cabin fever or wanderlust—after months of Covid-19 travel restrictions, those feelings are likely more acute than ever.

The good news is that it doesn’t take much to satiate the appetite for movement. A simple day trip will clear the head and lift the soul. Even better: Most states are loosening stay-at-home orders, allowing nonessential drives to beaches, trails, and national parks. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of 10 easy drives plotted from cities across the U.S.

These excursions require little to no advance booking; you can start them simply by backing out of your garage. Some destinations, such as Joshua Tree National Park and Bear Mountain, you already know and love. Others, like the Little Czech Bakery in West, Texas, might be new. We’ve deliberately listed these day trips as rough suggestions and with the mileages calculated one-way, so you can find your own particular path along the route—or make it longer, if you like.

Just gas up the car and go.

Nashville to Chattanooga, Tenn.

The old Civil War stronghold sits at the base of the Appalachian Mountains, which are especially stunning in the early morning and at dusk

Route: U.S. Route 70 East

Distance: 150 miles

Explore: Moccasin Bend National Archeological District features artifacts from 12,000 years of human population, including Paleo-Indian-era hunting tools and evidence of the Spanish arrival with Hernando de Soto in 1540.

Eat: Try the oysters and get a unique cocktail at Stir, a local favorite in the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo complex.

If you keep going: Although the campgrounds remain closed, the Chattahoochee National Forest, which crosses into neighboring Georgia, has thousands of miles of rushing streams and rivers and 850 miles of recreation trails.

Denver to Pikes Peak

Change your perspective by getting up above 14,000 feet

Route: Interstate 25 South

Distance: 97 miles

Stop and see: Set at the base of the mountain, Manitou Springs, Colo., is an historic town known for its healing mineral springs.

Picnic here: Garden of the Gods, a still-open national natural landmark, offers extensive places for rock climbing, hiking, and bike riding. Pack some sandwiches and lemonade, then find a spot by one of the towering red-rock pillars to enjoy the fresh air.

Want a longer trip? Great Sand Dunes National Park, where you can go sand sledding, swimming, hiking, and horseback riding, reopened on June 3. Off-road driving and nighttime adventuring are also allowed.

Dallas to Lake Whitney

Cool off from that Texas heat in the invigorating waters of and shady groves around the lake

Route: Interstate 35 East

Distance: 90 miles

Eat: Take a detour to the Little Czech Bakery in the town of West. It’s famous for its homemade kolaches (puff pastries filled with jelly), which it’s still serving 24/7 on a takeaway basis.

Want a longer trip? Open year-round, the municipal rose garden in Tyler is 98 miles east of Dallas. It boasts 14 acres and 35,000 bushes full of fragrant flowers.

Atlanta to Asheville, N.C.

Fall into the warm, wealthy embrace of Vanderbilt-style Southern charm

Route: U.S. Route 23 North

Distance: 197 miles

Stop and see: Spend your time strolling the extensive gardens of Biltmore House, which reopened to the public in May. Built as a 178,926-square-foot summer home for George Washington Vanderbilt II from 1889 to 1895, Biltmore is the largest privately owned house in the U.S.

Eat: Chef Katie Button made a name for herself in Asheville with her Spanish-leaning Cúrate, and she’s now tackled sandwiches at Button & Co. Bagels. Both are worth the stop and are open for takeaway orders.

Get gardening inspiration: The old glass Biltmore Conservatory houses many exotic tropical plants and orchids in full bloom; don’t miss the on-site exhibition about Downton Abbey, which has been extended through Sept. 7.

Portland to Sisters, Ore.

Escape Portland’s rainy days for the sunny side of the mountains

Route: U.S. Route 26

Distance: 160 miles

Stop and see: Multnomah Falls, less than an hour outside the city, is 20 miles out of the way but worth the detour. The short hike to the top of the 611-foot waterfall will revitalize your senses with its lush, green views. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Eat: Central Oregon pretty much started the craft beer craze more than 30 years ago with Deschutes Brewery, and there are many similar and wonderful outposts. Three Creeks Brewing Co. offers dozens of rotating options on tap and hearty pub grub.

Stay for the sunshine: With 300 days of sunshine a year and mountain views that rival anything in Colorado, Central Oregon is a jewel among jewels. Sisters, set up like an old Western town, is still quiet and slower than the surrounding communities.

Malibu to Santa Barbara, Calif.

The salt air will do you good

Route: U.S. Route 101 North

Distance: 67 miles

Eat: Along the way, Neptune’s Net, that famous seafood shack by the water, is open for takeout. Get the fish and chips.

What to do at the end: Old Mission Santa Barbara is closed for entry—but its verdant lawns are open, as is the park across the street. Once you arrive, lounge and inhale the jacaranda blooms and polish off the rest of those fries.

If you keep going: The orange blossoms and hippie coffee shops in Ojai are a fragrantly delightful diversion.

Albuquerque to Santa Fe, N.M.

Take in pueblo-style architecture, historic sites such as Pecos National Historical Park, and indigenous artwork

Route: Interstate 25 North

Distance: 65 miles

Eat: Choose any of the many authentic New Mexican spots open for takeout: The Pink Adobe, Paloma, and La Choza will all do the trick.

What to do at the end: Like famed resident Georgia O’Keeffe, make your own art. Pottery instructor Heidi Loewen will teach you how to throw your own pot, and she’ll even glaze your masterworks and send them home after you. Masks are provided for her outdoor classes.

Boise to Sun Valley, Idaho

The Sawtooth National Forest area is like an epic landscape painting come to life

Route: Interstate 84 East to U.S. Route 20 East to state Route 75 North

Distance: 155 miles

Stop and see: The natural and therapeutic hot springs of the region include Goldbug Hot Springs, Frenchman’s Bend, Boat Box, Lava Hot Springs, Sunbeam. Dozens of springs lie off the highways—down dusty hiking paths, nestled in canyons, or built into hotels.

Eat: Wiseguy Pizza Pie is still serving piping hot pies for curbside pickup and takeout. Try the Sad Guy, with Gorgonzola, bacon, meatballs, and red onions.

If you keep going: The main road of Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve loops around massive lava flows and remains open.

New York City to Peekskill, N.Y.

Peekskill is set on the serene Hudson River; it will feel like a balm after the city’s close quarters

Route: U.S. Route 202 North through Bear Mountain State Park

Distance: 57 miles

Stop and see: The view from Bear Mountain. The road goes to the top, which affords views of the entire forested and lake-dotted region.

Eat: Head on through Peekskill and take state Route 116 East toward North Salem, where Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish serves delicious local food and is open for takeout and delivery. Try the lobster roll and fries.

Want a longer trip? About 170 miles farther north sits picturesque Lake George, where the Fort William Henry Museum & Restoration is a British redoubt originally built in 1755. The lake is also host to Adirondack Winery, nearby waterfalls, and many hiking and biking trails. If you feel comfortable renting a house for a day or two, Airbnbs are available for a family stay.

Los Angeles to Palm Springs, Calif.

There’s nothing like the desert to help clear your mind and stretch your legs

Route: Try starting out north, through Pasadena on Route 2 to Wrightwood; turn onto state Route 138, then interstates 15 and 215 down to the 10. After that, simply head east through the desert.

Distance: 200 miles

Stop and see: The famously odd trees and stark red rocks of Joshua Tree National Park evoke another planet— just a little over two and a half hours outside Los Angeles. Hiking trails and Instagram opportunities await.

Eat: Pappy + Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace is a great bar full of barn wood and cowboy knickknacks. It’s now doing takeout—don’t miss the nachos.

If you keep going: For the more adventurous driver, continue the loop around Salton Sea State Recreation Area, an abandoned holiday destination favorite of Old Hollywood, which adds about 100 miles. The park is closed, but keep an eye out for the locals, many of whom produce psychedelic art installations.

Please check all restaurant and national park recommendations ahead of booking to confirm their status regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY JOURNEY

● Bring your own supplies. To limit stops, pack a stash of snacks, drinks, or prepared meals; they can help reduce interactions with other travelers. Think about items that may be hard to purchase if stores are crowded or still closed, such as lunch utensils, picnic blankets, sunblock, bug spray, and camp chairs.

● Research the destination. It may be tempting to revisit a favorite vacation spot, but make sure to look up the local community’s virus situation before embarking—especially public parks, historical sites, and playgrounds. Remember that many bathrooms will be closed, even in gas stations, so plot out breaks. Bring masks.

● Locate the health facilities in advance. Take a few minutes to identify hospitals or clinics along the way and at your destination, in case a member of your party falls ill and needs medical attention.

● If you’re spending the night, consider a rental. Many vacationers this summer may prefer an Airbnb or a VRBO home rather than a hotel room, as it can provide more space and separation from others.

● Be prepared to clean. No matter where you stop along the journey, you’ll likely want to sanitize the area before settling in. The CDC recommends wearing gloves while disinfecting high-touch surfaces: tables, doorknobs, light switches, and countertops. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash your hands before and after stopping at gas stations and restaurants.

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