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INTERSTATE I-90 TRAVEL GUIDE




Welcome to the Bigroads.com guide to Interstate I-90! This guide provides a basic overview of I-90 in each state along with a detailed list of recommended attractions. Millions of travelers drive I-90 each day, most to simply get from Point A to Point B. It's shame when travelers don't get off the interstate to explore. There are so many fantastic sites and attractions that are within easy reach from this interstate. All of the attractions you will read about below are within an hours' drive of the interstate.

Author/Contributor: Greg Parsons

I-90 TRAVEL GUIDE: TRAVELING EAST TO WEST

U.S. STATE
# OF MILES CUMULATIVE # OF
MILES
DRIVING TIME* CUMULATIVE
DRIVING TIME*
MAJOR CITIES & INTERESTING TOWNS/CITIES ALONG THE WAY
(listed in order of travel; all cities/towns listed are less than one hour from the interstate)
MASSACHUSETTS 136 136 2hrs / 10min 02hrs / 10min Boston, Springfield, Northampton, Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington
NEW YORK 385 521 5hrs / 30min 07hrs / 40min Albany, Saratoga Springs, Cooperstown, Syracuse, Ithaca, Rochester, Buffalo
PENNSYLVANIA 46 567 0hr / 40min 08hrs / 20min Erie
OHIO 244 811 3hrs / 30min 11hrs / 50min Cleveland, Sandusky, Toledo
INDIANA 156 967 2hrs / 10min 14hrs / 00min Shipshewanna, Elkhart, South Bend
ILLINOIS 113 1,080 1hr / 50min 15hrs / 50min Chicago, Rockford
WISCONSIN 187 1,267 2hrs / 40min 18hrs / 30min Lake Geneva, Madison, Wisconsin Dells
MINNESOTA 280 1,547 3hrs / 50min 22hrs / 20min Albert Lea
SOUTH DAKOTA 414 1,961 5hrs / 20min 27hrs / 40min Sioux Falls, Wall, Rapid City, Keystone, Hill City, Deadwood
WYOMING 213 2,174 2hrs / 45min 30hrs / 25min Buffalo, Sheridan
MONTANA 551 2,725 7hrs / 15min 37hrs / 40min Billings, Red Lodge, Livingston, Bozeman, Butte, Missoula
IDAHO 74 2,799 1hr / 05min 38hrs / 45min Wallace, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint
WASHINGTON 297 3,096 4hrs / 10min 42hrs / 55min Spokane, Seattle
*The hours listed above assume constant driving (add additional time for breaks/rest stops, traffic, detours, etc.)

The section below describes 5-star rated attractions that can be found within an hours' drive of I-90 in each state. Please take note that depending on traffic and your route of travel (e.g. east to west, or west to east), the interstate exit numbers used to reach these destinations could vary from what you see below. In short, you should rely on your GPS more than my exit numbers. My exit numbers are meant to serve as a rough guide only!

 MASSACHUSETTS


I-90 travels for about 136 miles in Massachusetts, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the MA/NY border and ending with mile 136 in Boston). Also take note that I-90 is commonly referred to as the "Mass Pike" in Massachusetts. All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 134: Boston - for a detailed list of attractions in Boston, click here
Exit 127: Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge - an excellent natural history museum with art, fossils, gems, and more
Exit 127: Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge - the first landscaped cemetery in the U.S.; historical graves from the 1800s; views of Boston
I-90/I-95 Junction (Weston)
Exit 123: deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln - an outdoor sculpture park with hiking trails; timed entry may be required
Exit 123: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro - home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution; also holds various summer concerts
Exit 123: Minuteman Bikeway, Bedford - a popular paved bike path that leads 10.5-miles from Bedford to the Alewife station in Cambridge
Exit 123: Minute Man National Historical Park - includes various American Revolutionary War historical sites; lovely walking trails
Exit 123: Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord - a beautiful kettle hole pond with several Henry David Thoreau historical sites
Exit 94: Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sutton - a geologic wonder with fun rock scrambling and small boulder caves for kids to explore
Exit 90: Treehouse Brewery, Charlton - one of the most famous and highly-rated breweries in the U.S.
I-90/I-84 Junction (Sturbridge)
Exit 78: Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge - an excellent living history museum with costumed interpreters depicting rural New England
Exit 54: Norwottuck Rail Trail - an excellent paved rail trail that connects with other rail trails in the area (e.g. Manhan Rail Trail)
Exit 51: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield - museum focusing on men and women's professional basketball
Exit 51: New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks (CT) - includes three hangers full of historic aircraft
Exit 51: Six Flags New England, Agawam - the biggest and best roller coaster park in Massachusetts; it also has a water park
Exit 51: Springfield Armory National Historic Site - an excellent collection of historic military guns and other weapons
I-90/I-91 Junction (West Springfield)
Exit 45: Downtown Northampton - a historic downtown area loaded with shops and great restaurants
Exit 10: Ashuwillticook Rail Trail - the finest rail trail in western MA; 12.7 miles through Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams; 100% paved
Exit 10: Bash Bish Falls, Mt. Washington - the most dramatic waterfall in Massachusetts; hike to it from Taconic State Park in New York
Exit 10: Bartholomew's Cobble Reservation, Sheffield - features hikes to scenic views and many types of native plants
Exit 10: Clark Art Institute, Williamstown - one of the best art museums in New England
Exit 10: Downtown Lenox - an upscale tourist area with plenty of boutique shops and restaurants
Exit 10: Downtown Stockbridge / Red Lion Inn - one of the quaintest areas in MA; the famous Red Lion Inn has a long porch to relax on
Exit 10: Great Barrington - a small town with boutique shops and good restaurants; access to the Appalachian Trail
Exit 10: Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield - one of several excellent living history museum in MA
Exit 10: Monument Mountain, Stockbridge - a nature preserve offering one of the best mountain hikes in western MA
Exit 10: Mount Greylock State Reservation / Mt. Greylock - beautiful views and excellent hiking; you can drive to the highpoint in season
Exit 10: Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge - features 500-plus original Norman's paintings and drawings of everyday life
Exit 10: Ramblewild, Lanesborough - an amazing aerial adventure park / high-ropes course

For a comprehensive travel guide to Massachusetts, click here.

 NEW YORK


I-90 travels for about 385 miles in New York, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that New York has a very odd interstate exit numbering system as they have been very slow to fully adopt the mile marker system that most states have. If the exit numbers shown below seem confusing to you, it's because they are. The exit numbers will grow as you drive west across the state (which is opposite of most states). Also take note that I-90 is commonly referred to as the "NY State Thruway" in New York. All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit B2: Art Omi, Ghent - a great and free outdoor sculpture park with hiking trails that lead to more than 60 art sculptures
Exit 6A: New York State Capitol, Albany - take a guided tour of this historic capitol building
Exit 6A: New York State Museum, Albany - a large museum covering many aspects of New York's history, including 9/11
Exit 6A: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs - a famous Thoroughbred horse racing track; the 4th oldest horse racetrack in the U.S.
Exit 6A: Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs - diverse park with a performing arts center, museums, spa, pools, golf course, and more
I-90/I-87 Junction (Albany)
I-90/I-88 Junction (Schenectady)
Exit 25A: Howe Caverns, Howes Cave - offers the best guided underground cave tours in the Northeast
Exit 29: National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Cooperstown - this famous museum is one of the very best sports museums in the U.S.
Exit 29A: Dig for real diamonds in Middleville - bring or rent tools and dig for real diamonds at several (paid) locations in town
Exit 34: Chittenango Falls State Park, Cazenovia - features one of the best waterfalls in New York
I-90/I-81 Junction (Syracuse)
Exit 36: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse - it takes about two hours to explore this medium-sized zoo that has more than 700 animals
Exit 40: Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca - features one of the best waterfalls in New York; hiking trails explore the gorge
Exit 40: Ithaca Falls, Ithaca - one of the best and biggest waterfalls in New York
Exit 41: Robert Treman State Park, Ithaca - features twelve waterfalls (incl. 115ft Lucifer Falls), swimming, and nine miles of hiking trails
Exit 41: Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg - visit one of the best and tallest waterfalls in the East; several viewpoints exist
Exit 41: Women's Rights National Historical Park, Seneca Falls - engage in the history of the Women's Rights movement
Exit 42: Glenn H. Curtis Museum, Hammondsport - a large transportation museum with aircraft, motorcycles, vehicles, and more
Exit 42: She-Qua-Ga Falls, Montour Falls - see one of the best waterfalls in New York
Exit 42: Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen - a beautiful gorge with a hiking trail that passes by several series of waterfalls
Exit 42: Wineries/vineyards in the Finger Lakes region - the Finger Lakes region is home to more than 100 wineries, breweries, and distilleries
Exit 46: Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester - an eclectic museum that's popular with families/children
Exit 47: Jell-O Museum, Le Roy - a small museum focusing on one of America's most famous and beloved foods
Exit 46: Letchworth State Park, Castile - see three large waterfalls and a deep canyon; one of the best state parks in the Northeast
Exit 50: Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls - get up close and personal with Niagara Falls while wearing a waterproof poncho
Exit 50: Maid of the Mist, Niagara Falls - a tourist attraction where a boat/ferry travels up the raging Niagara River to visit Niagara Falls
Exit 50: Niagara Falls Observation Tower, Niagara Falls - enjoy elevated views of the famous waterfalls of Niagara Falls
Exit 50: Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls - walking trails with various viewpoints of Niagara Falls
Exit 51: Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo - the best art museum in western New York
Exit 51: Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo - visit a historic home designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright
Exit 51: Forest Lawn, Buffalo - one of America's prettiest cemeteries; the final resting place of Rick James
Exit 53: Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, Buffalo - explore 4 decommissioned ships at the largest inland Naval park in the U.S.
Exit 53: Canalside, Buffalo - a public park with hundreds of annual events; part of a Buffalo waterfront revitalization project
Exit 57: Eternal Flame Falls/Chestnut Ridge Park, Orchard Park - see a waterfall with a natural eternal flame caused by a natural gas leak
Exit 57: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park - home of the Buffalo Bills NFL team until their new stadium is completed in 2026
Exit 59: Griffis Sculpture Park, East Otto - a huge, awesome outdoor sculpture park with 250-plus sculptures; several miles of hiking trails
Exit 59: National Comedy Center, Jamestown - features more than 50 museum exhibits about comedy

For my comprehensive travel guide to New York, click here.

 PENNSYLVANIA


I-90 travels for about 46 miles in Pennsylvania, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 40 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the PA/OH border and ending with mile 46 at the PA/NY border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

I-90/I-86 Junction (North East)
Exit 24: Splash Lagoon, Erie - a large indoor Polynesian-themed water park and hotel
I-90/I-79 Junction (Erie)
Exit 22: PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden, Meadville - a series of murals made from PennDOT road signs; a great roadside attraction
Exit 22: Presque Isle State Park, Erie - offers excellent beaches plus bike paths and hiking trails
Exit 22: Pymatuning Spillway, Linesville - see hundreds of carp fish gather in a spillway on the Pymatuning Reservoir
Exit 22: Waldameer & Water World, Erie - one of the best theme parks in the U.S.; features more than 75 attractions

For my comprehensive travel guide to Pennsylvania, click here.

 OHIO


I-90 travels for about 244 miles in Ohio, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the OH/IN border and ending with mile 244 at the OH/PA border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 218: Geneva State Park, Geneva - a shoreline park with a small beach, marshes, estuaries, great fishing and boating, and 3 miles of trails
Exit 212: Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, Garrettsville - enjoy short hiking trails to see rugged cliffs and waterfalls
Exit 200: Headlands Beach State Park, Mentor - features a lighthouse and the largest natural beach in Ohio
I-90/I-77 Junction (Cleveland)
Exit 174: Cleveland - for a detailed list of attractions in Cleveland, click here
Exit 174: Cuyahoga Valley National Park - recreation and attractions along the Cuyahoga River (e.g. hiking, cycling, railroad, waterfalls, etc.)
Exit 174: Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail - an outstanding, 90-mile long, partially paved rail trail that connects Cleveland with Zoarville
Exit 174: Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton - the official hall of fame museum of the National Football League
Exit 174: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron - tour a huge, 65-room historic home on a 70-acre estate that also features gardens
I-90/I-71 Junction (Cleveland)
Exit 165: Castle Noel, Medina - billed as "America's largest indoor year-round Christmas entertainment attraction"
I-90/I-80 Junction (Elryia)
Exit 118: Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky - arguably the world's best rollercoaster park
Exit 118: Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, Sandusky - a tourist attraction with a haunted house and other family-fun activities like mini-golf
Exit 118: Kalahari Waterparks, Sandusky - the largest indoor water park in the Midwest; there's a hotel on site
Exit 118: Kelleys Island State Park, Kelleys Island - take a ferry to see glacial geologic formations; the state park occupies 25% of Kellys Island
Exit 118: Marblehead Lighthouse, Marblehead - visit the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes
Exit 118: Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky - arguably the best Merry-Go-Round museum in the U.S.
Exit 118: Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay - climb a 352-foot Doric column for great views
Exit 118: Put-in-Bay - a lively small town on South Bass Island; the "Key West of the North"; offers water sports and a Peace Memorial
Exit 118: Soak City Waterpark at Cedar Point, Sandusky - a great water park next to the Cedar Point rollercoaster park
Exit 71: Imagination Station, Toledo - a large hands-on science and children's museum
Exit 71: National Museum of the Great Lakes, Toledo - an excellent maritime museum with 40 hands-on exhibits; tour an iron ore freighter
I-90/I-75 Junction (Toledo)
Exit 64: Fifth Third Field, Toledo - one of the finest minor league baseball fields in the U.S.; home of the Toledo Mud Hens
Exit 64: Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo - one of the best art museums in the Mid-Atlantic
Exit 64: Toledo Zoo, Toledo - one of the very best medium-sized zoos in the U.S.; features more than 10,000 animals from 700-plus species

For my comprehensive travel guide to Ohio, click here.

 INDIANA


I-90 travels for about 156 miles in Indiana, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the IN/IL border and ending with mile 156 at the IN/OH border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

I-90/I-69 Junction (Fremont)
Exit 144: Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, Auburn - an excellent auto museum with over 100 classic and antique vehicles
Exit 144: Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Fort Wayne - one of the top 25 zoos in the U.S.
Exit 144: Parkview Field, Fort Wayne - one of the best minor league baseball parks in the U.S.
Exit 144: Pokagon State Park, Angola - a beautiful state park that is perhaps most famous for its winter toboggan run and CCC architecture
Exit 121: Blue Gate Theatre, Shipshewanna - a small but charming performance venue with musicals and concerts
Exit 121: Menno-Hof Mennonite, Shipshewanna - a great place to learn about Amish and Mennonite cultures
Exit 121: Shipshewanna Flea Market, Shipshewanna - the largest flea-market in the Midwest; open Tue and Wed from May through Sept
Exit 107: Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park, Shipshewanna - a petting zoo and drive-thru animal park
Exit 96: RV/MH Hall of Fame, Elkhart - see dozens of historic and modern motor-homes (you can enter/explore many of them)
Exit 92: Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum, Elkhart - has to be the #1 comic book / superhero museum in the country
Exit 92: Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart - features 20 themed botanical gardens on 36 acres
Exit 77: Basilica of the Sacred Heart, South Bend - considered the mother church of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the U.S.
Exit 77: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend - one of the premier college football stadiums in the U.S.
Exit 77: Studebaker National Museum, South Bend - a museum with lots of autos, wagons, carriages, and military vehicles
Exit 77: University of Notre Dame, South Bend - one of the most attractive university campuses in the U.S.
Exit 49: Washington Park, Michigan City - a Lake Michigan shoreline park with 2 miles of beach, a lighthouse, zoo, and more
Exit 26: Indiana Dunes National Park - features 15-miles of beautiful beaches and sand dunes on Lake Michigan, plus excellent hiking trails
Exit 26: Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton - highlights include three miles of beautiful beaches and tall sand dunes
I-90/I-80 Junction (Portage)
I-90/I-94 Junction (Portage)
I-90/I-65 Junction (Gary; near Chicago)
Exit 17: Michael Jackson's Childhood Home, Gary - no tours are offered, but you can photograph the famous small house from the street
Exit 10: Casinos in northwestern Indiana - there is a cluster of casinos near Chicago (e.g. Ameristar, Caesars, Hard Rock, and Horseshoe)

For my comprehensive travel guide to Indiana, click here.

 ILLINOIS


I-90 travels for about 113 miles in Illinois, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 1 hours and 50 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the IL/WI border and ending with mile 113 at the IL/IN border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

I-90/I-94 Southern Junction (Chicago)
I-90/I-55 Junction (Chicago)
Chicago and its suburbs - for a detailed list of attractions in Chicago and its suburbs, click here
I-90/I-94 Northern Junction (Chicago)
I-90/I-39 Junction (Cherry Valley; near Rockford)
Exit 17: Discovery Center Museum, Rockford - an excellent children's museum
Exit 15: Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford - features small but attractive Japanese gardens
Exit 3: Historic Auto Attractions, Roscoe - an eclectic museum with historic and famous vehicles, military and NASA exhibits, and more

For my comprehensive travel guide to Illinois, click here.

 WISCONSIN


I-90 travels for about 187 miles in Wisconsin, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the WI/MN border and ending with mile 187 at the WI/IL border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 185: Alpine Valley Music Theatre, Elkhorn - one of the most famous outdoor music/concert venues in the U.S.
Exit 185: Geneva Lake - Wisconsin's most beloved lake; known for its shoreline mansions and estates; a walking path encircles the lake
Exit 185: Geneva Lake Shore Path, Lake Geneva - a lovely 22-mile path that encircles Geneva Lake; hike along some or all of it
Exit 185: Lake Geneva Ziplines and Adventures, Lake Geneva - an awesome aerial adventure park / zip-lining
Exit 185: Tristan Crist Magic Theatre, Lake Geneva - a small but highly rated magic theater
Exit 175: Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville - one of the best botanical gardens in Wisconsin
Exit 142: Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds - take a guided tour of an underground limestone cave
Exit 142: Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison - one of the finest medium-sized zoos in the U.S.
Exit 142: House on the Rock, The, Spring Green - a huge and eccentric museum complex; one of the weirdest museums in the world
Exit 142: Memorial Union Terrace, Madison - a classic lakefront hangout spot with some live music events
Exit 142: National Mustard Museum, Middleton - a small and quirky museum with more than 5,000 mustards from around the world
Exit 142: Natural Bridge State Park, Leland - take a short hike to a small but interesting natural bridge
Exit 142: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison - arguably the finest gardens in Wisconsin
Exit 142: State Street / Downtown Madison - the lively center of the great city of Madison
Exit 142: Taliesin, Spring Green - offers various guided tours of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright's home, studio, and school
Exit 142: Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison - see one of the most breathtaking U.S. state capitol buildings
I-90/I-94 Eastern Junction (Madison)
Exit 126: Pink Elephant, DeForest - a roadside attraction of a pink elephant statue; a quick stop off the interstate
Exit 115: Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area - scenic views from a 200-foot flat-topped butte
I-90/I-39 Junction (Portage)
Exit 106: Circus World, Baraboo - visit "America's favorite circus attraction"
Exit 106: Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo - the best state park in Wisconsin features 2 beaches, excellent hiking, biking, and rock climbing
Exit 92: Bigfoot Zipline, Wisconsin Dells - one of the best zip-lining parks in the U.S.
Exit 92: Boat tours in Wisconsin Dells - many companies offer scenic boat rides in Wisconsin Dells
Exit 92: International Crane Foundation, Baraboo - a wildlife/nature center featuring all 15 known species of cranes
Exit 92: Lost Canyon Tours, Wisconsin Dells - offers guided horse-drawn carriage tours of cliff-walled gorges
Exit 92: Noah's Ark Water Park, Wisconsin Dells - the largest water park in the U.S.; this is the best of Wisconsin Dells' 20+ water parks
Exit 92: Rick Wilcox Magic Theater, Wisconsin Dells - a famous magic show
Exit 92: Water parks of Wisconsin Dells - there are 20-plus water parks in this tourist town; Noah's Ark is generally considered the best one
Exit 92: Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells - supposedly the largest water park resort in the U.S.
Exit 87: Wisconsin Deer Park, Wisconsin Dells - see and feed over 100 deer
Exit 87: Witches Gulch, Wisconsin Dells - walk through a narrow, moss-filled canyon that is reached via a guided boat tour
Exit 69: Carr Valley Cheese Factory - one of Wisconsin's most famous cheese shops
I-90/I-94 Western Junction (Tomah)
Exit 28: Elroy-Sparta State Trail - the best rail trail in Wisconsin; 33.8 mile unpaved route with 3 hand-dug railroad tunnels (bring headlamps)
Exit 12: Grandad Bluff, La Crosse - drive a road up to 600-foot tall bluffs for elevated views of the Mississippi River

For my comprehensive travel guide to Wisconsin, click here.

 MINNESOTA


I-90 travels for about 280 miles in Minnesota, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the MN/SD border and ending with mile 280 at the MN/WI border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 252: Garvin Heights City Park, Winona - features excellent scenic blufftop views of the surrounding area
Exit 252: Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona - one of the best marine art museums in the U.S.
Exit 229: National Eagle Center, Wabasha - offers exhibits and live demonstrations of eagles
Exit 229: Niagara Cave, Harmony - offers guided tours of an underground limestone cave
Exit 218: Quarry Hill Nature Center, Rochester - an indoor nature center with live animals, plus hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails
Exit 218: World's Largest Boot, Red Wing - a 16-foot tall, 20-foot long boot found within a Red Wing retail store; a fun photo-op
Exit 178: SPAM Museum & Visitor Center, Austin - one of the quirkiest small museums in the country; fun even if you think SPAM is gross
I-90/I-35 Junction (Albert Lea)
Exit 102: August Schell Brewery, New Ulm - visit the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the U.S.
Exit 102: Jolly Green Giant statue, Blue Earth - a famous green-painted 55-foot roadside attraction; a fun and easy detour off the interstate
Exit 12: Pipestone National Monument - see historic quarries of red-colored pipestone and a tallgrass prairie
Exit 12: World's Largest Peace Pipe, Pipestone - a giant peace pipe statue provides a fun roadside attraction photo opp

For my comprehensive travel guide to Minnesota, click here.

 SOUTH DAKOTA


I-90 travels for about 414 miles in South Dakota, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 5 hours and 20 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the SD/WY border and ending with mile 414 at the SD/MN border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 410: Palisades State Park, Garretson - features geological formations (e.g. quartzie cliffs), camping, hiking, and rock climbing
Exit 400: Falls Park, Sioux Falls - a beautiful urban park featuring impressive waterfalls
Exit 400: SculptureWalk & Arc of Dreams Monument, Sioux Falls - take an urban walk past numerous art sculptures
Exit 400: Sioux Falls Bike Trails, Sioux Falls - nearly 30 miles of paved, multi-use pathways that link the city's many parks and green spaces
Exit 399: Catfish Bay Water Ski Park-Greatest Show on H2O, Sioux Falls - one of the best and most famous water skiing shows in the U.S.
Exit 399: St. Joseph Cathedral, Sioux Falls - see a very attractive Catholic cathedral and parish church
I-90/I-29 Junction (Sioux Falls)
Exit 374: Porter Sculpture Park, Montrose - walk past 50-plus art sculptures in an outdoor park; great photo-ops
Exit 364: Ingalls Homestead, De Smet - learn about the famous author and farm life
Exit 332: Corn Palace, Mitchell - a roadside attraction featuring a large, funky building with siding made of real corn; a classic roadside stop
Exit 254: Dignity of Earth and Sky, Chamberlain - a giant sculpture of an Indigenous woman on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River
Exit 192: Pioneer Auto Museum, Murdo - a large and impressive auto museum with more than 275 vehicles on display
Exit 131: Badlands National Park - features outstanding prairie and badlands scenery, fantastic hiking, backpacking, and camping
Exit 131: Giant Prairie Dog, Philip - a fun roadside attraction and photo op of a giant prairie dog
Exit 131: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Philip - tour a Cold War-era ICBM missile system
Exit 110: Roberts Prairie Dog Town, Badlands National Park - one of the best places to see prairie dogs in their natural habitat in SD
Exit 110: Wall Drug Store, Wall - perhaps the world's most famous gift shop; many fun photo-ops; not everyone will enjoy this tourist trap
Exit 61: Bear Country USA, Rapid City - an excellent drive-thru wildlife park featuring North American animals
Exit 61: Black Elk Peak, Custer - take a moderately challenging hike to reach the highpoint of South Dakota; great views from a stone tower
Exit 61: Custer State Park - one of the top 10 state parks in the U.S.: outstanding wildlife (e.g. bison); don't miss Sylvan Lake; great hiking
Exit 61: Fort Hays Old West Town & Dinner Show, Rapid City - a famous Branson/Pigeon Forge-style music & comedy dinner show
Exit 61: Iron Mountain Road (US-16A), Custer - one of the best scenic drives in SD; extremely curvy with pigtail bridges and one-lane tunnels
Exit 61: Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer - take a guided tour of one of the longest caves in the world
Exit 61: McDonald's Quarter Pounder Monument, Rapid City - a roadside attraction of a giant Quarter Pounder; a fun and quick photo op
Exit 61: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone - a famous must-visit presidential attraction; visit in the evening to see it lit up
Exit 61: Needles Eye, Custer - a famous geologic formation on the paved Needles Highway scenic drive
Exit 61: Needles Highway (SD 87), Custer - one of the best scenic drives in the state (some would say its one of the best in the U.S.)
Exit 61: Reptile Gardens, Rapid City - perhaps the finest reptile-focused zoo in the world
Exit 61: Rush Mountain Adventure Park, Keystone - features cave tours, a mountain coaster, an aerial adventure park, zip-lining, and more
Exit 61: Rushmore Tramway Adventures, Keystone - has an alpine slide, aerial adventure park, zip-lining, and more family-friendly attractions
Exit 61: Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway, Custer - a scenic drive with outstanding wildlife (bison sightings are almost guaranteed)
Exit 58: Downtown Rapid City - a historic district with shops, restaurants, parks, and more
Exit 57: Chapel In The Hills, Rapid City - a beautiful Norwegian stave church
Exit 57: Storybook Island, Rapid City - a great amusement park for young children
Exit 30: Downtown Deadwood - a historic district with several casinos, shops and restaurants; best for adults (it's not great for kids)
Exit 30: George S. Mickelson Trail - one of the best rail trails in the U.S.; an unpaved 108-plus mile route from Deadwood to Edgemont
Exit 30: Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, Lead - mining history and views of the deepest gold mine in the northern hemisphere
Exit 30: Tatanka: Story of the Bison, Deadwood - features bison and Native American exhibits, sculptures, and art
Exit 12: Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (US-14A) - one of the best scenic drives in the state; access to several good hikes and waterfalls

For my comprehensive travel guide to South Dakota, click here.

 WYOMING


I-90 travels for about 213 miles in Wyoming, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the WY/MT border and ending with mile 213 at the WY/SD border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 185: Devils Tower National Monument - an impressive 1,267ft-tall mass of igneous rock; make sure to hike the trail that encircles it
I-90/I-25 Junction (Buffalo)
Exit 23: King's Saddlery & Museum, Sheridan - a museum with exhibits on western and cowboy memorabilia
Exit 9: Bighorn National Forest - an excellent and varied nature park with outstanding scenery (e.g. grasslands, meadows, lakes, cliffs, etc.)

For my comprehensive travel guide to Wyoming, click here.

 MONTANA


I-90 travels for about 551 miles in Montana, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 7 hours and 15 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the MT/ID border and ending with mile 551 at the MT/WY border). Take note that I-15 and I-90 share a short distance in Montana, and I-15's exit numbers are used during this time. All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 510: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Crow Agency - visit the spot where George Custer and his troops made their last stand
Exit 478: Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Pompeys Pillar - explorer William Clark (of Lewis & Clark fame) carved his name here
I-90/I-94 Junction (Lockwood)
Exit 434: Red Lodge - a small but lively small town with historic buildings and great mountain scenery, skiing/snowboarding, and hiking trails
Exit 370: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, near Bozeman and Cooke City - a huge wilderness with world-class hiking, backpacking, and fishing
Exit 370: Natural Bridge Falls, Big Timber - see a waterfall pouring out through a natural bridge
Exit 333: Yellowstone Hot Springs, Gardiner - one of the best hot springs resorts in Montana
Exit 319: Montana Grizzly Encounter, Bozeman - offers intimate bear encounters in beautiful mtn setting
Exit 313: American Computer & Robotics Museum, Bozeman - one of the finest technology-focused museums in the U.S.
Exit 313: Big Sky - a small ski town with world-class skiing/snowboarding; beautiful mountain scenery; less than 1 hour from Bozeman
Exit 313: Big Sky Resort, Big Sky - world-class skiing/snowboarding; mountain biking and other outdoor activities in summer
Exit 313: Lone Peak Tram, Big Sky - take a tram ride to the 11,166-foot summit of Lone Peak
Exit 313: Moonlight Basin, Big Sky - resort offering world-class skiing/snowboarding
Exit 313: Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman - arguably the finest museum in Montana
Exit 313: Palisade Falls, near Bozeman - one of Montana's best waterfalls
Exit 309: Bozeman - a medium-sized city with a lively and historic downtown; many restaurants and shops; lots of outdoor recreation nearby
Exit 309: Downtown Bozeman - a very lively historic area with great shops, restaurants, breweries, and bars
Exit 256: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall - offers guided tours of a limestone cave
Exit 227: Cathedral of St. Helena, Helena - visit a neo-Gothic cathedral completed in 1914
Exit 227: Our Lady of the Rockies, Butte - see a 90-foot tall statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary
I-90/I-15 Eastern Junction (Butte)
Exit 126: World Museum of Mining, Butte - one of the best mining museums in the U.S.; take note that I-90 is using I-15's exit numbers here
I-90/I-15 Western Junction (Butte)
Exit 187: Old Montana Prison Complex, Deer Lodge - explore five museums inside of a historic prison
Exit 162: Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild, Lincoln - walk among a variety of beautiful Native America art sculptures
Exit 154: Garnet Ghost Town, Drummond - a preserved 1890s gold-mining town
Exit 104: A Carousel for Missoula, Missoula - ride a hand-carved carousel; one of the finest old-fashioned carousels you'll find anywhere
Exit 96: National Bison Range, Charlo - offers excellent wildlife watching opportunities
Exit 33: Quinn's Hot Springs Resort, Paradise - this is arguably the best hot springs resort in Montana
Exit 5: Route of the Hiawatha (ID) - a 15-mile bike path with ten tunnels and seven high trestles; one of the top 25 bike paths in the U.S.

For my comprehensive travel guide to Montana, click here.

 IDAHO


I-90 travels for about 74 miles in Idaho, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 at the ID/WA border and ending with mile 74 at the ID/MT border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 62: Sierra Silver Mine Tour, Wallace - ride a trolley and then walk into an underground mine
Exit 54: Crystal Gold Mine, Kellogg - offers fun underground guided mine tours
Exit 22: Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch, Coeur d'Alene - a ranch that offers interactive experiences with many farm animals, including alpacas
Exit 15: Coeur d'Alene - "the honeymoon capital of the Northwest"; don't miss cycling on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene; lake activities
Exit 15: Timberline Adventures, Couer d'Alene - offers awesome zip-lining tours
Exit 12: Lake Coeur d'Alene - a scenic lake beside a gateway city; famous for its boating opportunities and cycling paths
Exit 12: Schweitzer Mountain, Sandpoint - this 92-trail resort is the largest ski resort in Idaho
Exit 12: Silverwood Theme Park, Athol - the best theme park in ID and one of the highest rated in the U.S.; more than 70 rides/attractions
Exit 12: Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes - an exceptional 72-mile scenic paved rail trail; one of the top 25 rail trails in the U.S.
Exit 11: North Idaho Centennial Trail - an excellent 24-mile paved recreational path for walking, cycling, etc.

For my comprehensive travel guide to Idaho, click here.

 WASHINGTON


I-90 travels for about 297 miles in Washington, and without any stops or traffic it takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes to drive across the state. Take note that the exit numbers in this state are based on the mile marker system (starting with mile 0 in Seattle and ending with mile 297 at the WA/ID border). All attractions listed here are within a 1 hour drive from the interstate.

Exit 296: Mica Moon Zip Tours, Spokane - offers excellent zip-lining tours
Exit 282: Riverfront Park, Spokane - a great public park with several attractions, including a waterfall and a gigantic Radio Flyer Wagon
Exit 282: Spokane Falls, Spokane - see powerful waterfalls within Riverfront Park
Exit 281: Manito Park, Spokane - a city park with an arboretum, botanical gardens, and conservatory
Exit 221: Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park, Lacrosse - one of the most scenic waterfalls in the U.S.
Exit 151: Gorge Amphitheater, The, George - the #1 or #2 best outdoor concert venue in the U.S. (some like Red Rocks in CO better)
Exit 151: Wenatchee-Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, Wenatchee - one of Washington's best ski areas
I-90/I-82 Junction (Ellensburg)
Exit 84: Alpine Lakes Wilderness / Enchantment Lakes - hike up to beautiful alpine environments; permits are required for some areas
Exit 84: Downtown Leavenworth - a lively and touristy Bavarian town; also serves as a gateway to beautiful outdoor recreation areas
Exit 84: Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, Leavenworth - a small museum featuring more than 9,000 nutcrackers
Exit 84: Leavenworth ZipLines, Leavenworth - offers excellent zip-lining tours
Exit 47: Franklin Falls, Snowqualmie Pass - a scenic waterfall that remains popular even through winter
Exit 25: Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie - this 268-foot tall waterfall east of Seattle is one of the most scenic waterfalls in the U.S.
Exit 18: TreeHouse Point, Issaquah - a famous resort offering overnight treehouse accommodations
Exit 10: Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue - one of the best botanical gardens in the Northwest
Exit 10: Skydive Snohomish, Snohomish - a gorgeous place to go sky-diving; you should see distant views of Mount Rainier
I-90/I-5 Junction (Seattle)
Exit 2: Seattle - for a detailed list of attractions in Seattle, click here
Exit 2: Bob's Java Jive, Tacoma - a diner shaped like a giant coffee pot; a classic Washington roadside attraction
Exit 2: Chihuly Bridge of Glass, Tacoma - a 500-foot pedestrian bridge featuring beautiful glass art
Exit 2: Future of Flight Aviation Center/Boeing Tour, Mukilteo - an excellent aircraft museum; you can also tour a huge Boeing factory
Exit 2: LeMay: America's Car Museum, Tacoma - one of the very best auto museums in the U.S.; has more than 350 cars on display
Exit 2: Point Defiance Park, Tacoma - a reconstructed fur-trading post plus a zoo and aquarium
Exit 2: Sea-kayaking the San Juan Islands - one of the premier sea-kayaking destinations in the U.S.
Exit 2: Whale-watching in Puget Sound - many boat operators in this area offer tours to see killer whales (orcas)

For my comprehensive travel guide to Washington, click here.

ROAD TRIP GUIDEBOOKS



In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any link to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com (affiliate).

Fodor's Bucket List USA (1st edition; 2021)
Moon USA State by State (1st edition; 2021)
Your Guide to the National Parks (3rd edition; 2022)
Road Trip USA (9th edition; 2021)

As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or come highly recommended by trusted peers.

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