America's Byways take you through the most intriguing places in a nation famously varied in its wonders. As you experience the United States' most illustrious drives you will come across a multitude of extremes. Whether it's the country's hottest, longest, tallest or first, you'll find plenty of reasons to stop along America's Byways. Take a picture of the tallest building, for example, or marvel at the largest freshwater lake in the world, or humble yourself at the foot of the world's largest rubber stamp. You'll have plenty to talk about when you get back.
As the railroads spread in the early years of the United States, the west's geological features drew crowds from the east. Retrace the steps of these early tourists on Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road through Yosemite National Park, making sure to stop at the base of El Capitan. At 3,593 feet, the tallest piece of exposed granite in the world beckons rock climbers and photographers from all over. On this same formation, Ribbon Falls cascades down the face of the stately monolith as the country's highest waterfall. A few more records lie farther south. Drive the Death Valley Scenic Byway and descend into Badwater, the lowest point in the nation. Imagine the day when the temperature soared to the continent's highest point at 134 degrees at Greenland Ranch in this same valley. In Arizona, take the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway to the Grand Canyon. More than a mile deep at points, the largest canyon in North America winds through 277 river miles of stunning desert scenery; an incredible testament to the power of nature.
Northern states claim their own share of bragging rights. Alaska is home to the country's highest point (Denali, or Mount McKinley, 20,320 feet), lowest temperature (-79.8 degrees F), and the longest of the America's Byways, the Alaska Marine Highway. Extending for over 3,500 miles, the byway consists of several ferry routes along the incredible Alaskan southern coast, stopping in at remote towns and visiting wildernesses and national parks. Drive along the coasts of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, on the North Shore Scenic Drive in Minnesota or the Copper Country Trail in Michigan. Also the highest, deepest and most pristine of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior offers an almost endless variety of activity both on and near its waters.
In the eastern United States America's Byways provide paths to legendary sites such as Niagara Falls on the Seaway Trail in New York. No other waterfall in the United States delivers the sheer volume of water that pours over the falls' collective edges. Visit Virginia, the birthplace of more American presidents than any other state. Stop in at Arlington House in Arlington National Cemetery on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to honor the legacy of the legendary founding father.
Man-made marvels also abound along America's Byways. Historic Route 66 made a name for itself partly for its larger-than-life roadside attractions, many of which still stand today. Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences in Peoria, Illinois is home to the center of the world's largest scale model of the solar system. To get a sense of distance, take the bike tour from the thirty-six foot model of the sun to the inch-wide Pluto forty miles away, stopping at all the planets in between. Look out the window of the Sears Tower, the nation's tallest building, and observe the Chicago metropolis thriving below you. On Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, visit the World's Largest Rubber Stamp in downtown Cleveland. For the truly adventurous soul, try the World's Smallest Park in Portland, Oregon near the Historic Columbia River Highway. Depending on when you visit, the park may include a variety of attractions, such as a pool and diving board for butterflies or a tiny Ferris wheel, all within a two-foot wide circle.
So load the family into the station wagon for the quintessential road trip to Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon or take a less traditional journey to the lesser-known wonders of the United States. America's Byways provide the opportunity to see some of the variety that makes this country so compelling.
