REPOST: Traveling across the U.S.? Here’s the optimal road trip

Known for developing the optimum search path for Where’s Waldo books, Randy Olson created a route that will take you through 50 state landmarks. Read the article below:

Here’s what the optimal road trip looks like. A link to the interactive map is in the text below. | Image Source: al.com

If you’ve been itching to travel across America, the optimal road trip has been created.

Randy Olson, who is known for developing the optimum search path for Where’s Waldo books, used the same algorithm to compute the optimal American road trip that takes you through 50 state landmarks.

If you didn’t sleep, stop or hit traffic, the route would take about 9.33 days of driving. You can take a look at the interactive map Here. 

The route stops by Mobile to the USS Alabama. Below is a list of the landmarks the trip would take you to:

1. Grand Canyon, AZ
2. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
3. Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID
4. Yellowstone National Park, WY
5. Pikes Peak, CO
6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM
7. The Alamo, TX
8. The Platt Historic District, OK
9. Toltec Mounds, AR
10. Elvis Presley’s Graceland, TN
11. Vicksburg National Military Park, MS
12. French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
13. USS Alabama, AL
14. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL
15. Okefenokee Swamp Park, GA
16. Fort Sumter National Monument, SC
17. Lost World Caverns, WV
18. Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, NC
19. Mount Vernon, VA
20. White House, Washington, DC
21. Colonial Annapolis Historic District, MD
22. New Castle Historic District, Delaware
23. Cape May Historic District, NJ
24. Liberty Bell, PA
25. Statue of Liberty, NY
26. The Mark Twain House & Museum, CT
27. The Breakers, RI
28. USS Constitution, MA
29. Acadia National Park, ME
30. Mount Washington Hotel, NH
31. Shelburne Farms, VT
32. Fox Theater, Detroit, MI
33. Spring Grove Cemetery, OH
34. Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
35. West Baden Springs Hotel, IN
36. Abraham Lincoln’s Home, IL
37. Gateway Arch, MO
38. C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, KS
39. Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion, IA
40. Taliesin, WI
41. Fort Snelling, MN
42. Ashfall Fossil Bed, NE
43. Mount Rushmore, SD
44. Fort Union Trading Post, ND
45. Glacier National Park, MT
46. Hanford Site, WA
47. Columbia River Highway, OR
48. San Francisco Cable Cars, CA
49. San Andreas Fault, CA
50. Hoover Dam, NV

Olson also created a route for if you’re looking to travel to the most popular U.S. cities and it includes Birmingham.

Like this Louis Habash Facebook page to find more wonderful destinations to add to your travel bucket list.

Shopaholic’s dream: Best shopping cities in the world

Shopping during vacation doesn’t have to be limited to looking for touristy shirts and bobbles to take home to your family and friends. Sure, you can grab a souvenir or two but it would be such a waste to visit these places and not make the most out of your shopping experience. Here are the top cities to visit for those who simply love to shop:

New York City

New York City is renowned for being the city that never sleeps, but what many don’t know is that it’s also a city that always shops. The Big Apple is home to top shopping institutions like Tiffany’s and Barney’s on the Upper East Side as well as to fast fashion like the good deals found in Soho’s busy streets. NYC has you covered on all styles from every era in fashion history.

Image Source: cnbc.com

Hong Kong

According to the Global City Shopper Index, Hong Kong is the best Asian shopping city, and 87 percent of tourists go there to shop. It is definitely the place to go if you want to find the best bargains and get the value for your money. Visit Tsim Sha Tsui, the densest shopping district for everything from shoes to clothes to accessories and other interesting finds. The Central Area is your stop for more elegant attire.

Image Source: panoramio.com

Tokyo

There are infinite options if you choose to shop in Tokyo that it can be quite confusing. Do some research before visiting Japan’s capital or go with someone who really knows the area. Shinjuku is one of the city’s most famous shopping districts, but you can visit other neighborhoods like Shibuya, Akihabara, and Ginza.

Image Source: travigators.com

Paris

Paris is definitely the haute couture capital of the world, making it every shopper’s dream destination. The place offers plenty of shopping opportunities from attractive bargains in flea markets to high-end and luxurious items in Champs-Elysees.

Image Source: shineyourlight-shineyourlight.blogspot.com

Hi, I’m Louis Habash and traveling is one of my passions. Like my Facebook page for the best destinations and other travel ideas.