Have you seen those airline flights lately? Gas isn’t cheap, but a road trip could be a great excuse to get away from Las Vegas over summer. So fill up the tank, check those tires, and hit the highway for a few not-so-obvious vacation destinations in the Southwest.
🎨 Tubac, New Mexico
Don’t let the size of Arizona intimidate you. After passing through Phoenix and Tucson (which has one of the most underrated dining scenes in the country), you’ll hit Tubac right before the Mexico border. The town was founded as a Spanish military site in 1752 and evolved into a walkable art community with more than a hundred galleries. Restaurants like Elviria’s and Wisdom’s Cafe offer a mix of Sonoran and Mexican cuisine, while the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park showcases the history of Spanish colonial life and Native American culture. Yes, summers are hot, but generally cooler than Phoenix and other parts of the state.
🏝️ Carlsbad, California
Las Vegans love a good road trip to the California coast (hello Santa Monica 👋), but head a few extra miles south to Carlsbad Village, an oceanside community between L.A. and San Diego that hasn’t been completely overrun by tourism. Parking is generally free and there’s only one hotel on the beach (Beach Terrace, renovated from an apartment complex). The village has its share of historic Victorian architecture and art murals with barely a chain in sight. Two restaurants, Jeune et Jolie and Lilo can even boast Michelin recognition.
🏜️ Escalante, Utah
Beyond Zion and Bryce Canyon is Escalante, a quiet community that values the great outdoors along Utah Scenic Byway 12. Spend the night at Ofland (a stylish glampground that has its own outdoor movie theater) and explore the rugged terrain of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument or Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. A drive on Hell’s Backbone is a tense, white-knuckle route that towers above winding canyons, but your reward is a meal in Boulder at Hell’s Backbone Grill, an arts-centric restaurant with menus based on local meats and produce.
🌵 Williams, Arizona
There’s a lot to love about Williams, Arizona — even beyond the free museum dedicated to fossilized dinosaur poop. One of the last active routes on Route 66, the small town celebrates the Old West and mid-century road trip culture in equal doses with small businesses, bars, and dining spots in locations where saloons and brothels used to operate. It’s also home to the Grand Canyon Railway, a train that takes a direct route to the gates of the Grand Canyon National Park.
- Need more ideas? How about a road trip for beef lovers? 🐮 [City Cast Las Vegas ✍️]
