3) Tipton – US 50. The northern launch point for the Butterfield Overland Stagecoach. Today’s visitors can step back in time at the Maclay House which served as Union Army headquarters for General John C. Fremont during the Civil War.

4) Springfield – US 65 and I-44. The History Museum on the Square features six main galleries in the historic downtown area.

5) Silver Dollar City – US 76/265. See an authentic Concord Stagecoach that once traversed the Butterfield Trail. For train buffs, nothing beats a ride on the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train. Silver Dollar City features over 40 memorable, thrilling rides for kids of all ages and sits atop Marvel Cave, Missouri’s deepest cavern. The park showcases 100 resident craftsmen who bring to life America’s craft heritage. Silver Dollar City’s White Water park features 13 acres for cool, splashing fun.

8) Rogers» On I-49. Rogers offers today’s trail travelers memorable museums and trendy shopping and dining experiences surrounded by breath-taking Ozark scenery and historic sites. Favorite local museums in the area include the Daisy Airgun Museum, the Rogers Historical Museum and the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. The inspiring Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art combines art and architecture with the natural beauty of nature trails. The nearby Pea Ridge National Military Park is the nation’s largest intact Civil War Battlefield, while Beaver Lake offers wondrous sights including Hobbs State Park, War Eagle Mill and War Eagle Cavern. Families will enjoy the splash fun at the Rogers Aquatics Center. Shoppers can choose from the brick-lined streets of Historic Downtown Rogers with its gourmet restaurants and charming boutiques, or Pinnacle Hills Promenade, the area’s top destination shopping center featuring Blue Zoo Aquarium, Dave & Buster’s, and Arkansas’ only LEGO Store. Dig into local culinary traditions from renowned chefs at Yeyo’s Taqueria y Mezcaleria, Tusk & Trotter, and Wright’s BBQ, then dig live music and entertainment at the Walmart AMP, The Music Depot and Live at the Butterfield Stage. It All Starts With A Visit, go to: DestinationRogers.com.

11) Fort Smith » I-540, I-40, and I-49. On the Butterfield Overland Trail and the Beale Wagon Road. Start your journey at the brand-new Fort Smith Visitor Center, located at 524 Garrison Avenue. Grab information on the most popular places to visit (and the hidden gems you won’t want to miss). Head to Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, a restored Victorian bordello with a unique introduction to the city’s colorful past. Step into history at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, where you can explore Judge Parker’s courtroom, 19th-century barracks, and sites tied to the Trail of Tears. Explore the award-winning Fort Smith Museum of History, Arkansas’s oldest operating museum, as it brings the city’s story to life through engaging exhibits. Discover the national story of justice and heroism at the nationally acclaimed U.S. Marshals Museum, one of Fort Smith’s must-see attractions. Enjoy outdoor fun at Ben Geren Regional Park and scenic hikes and drives through nearby state parks like Lake Fort Smith State Park, Devil’s Den State Park, and Mount Magazine! Fort Smith also serves up big flavor, with local favorites offering everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. As the sun sets, unwind with live music at breweries, restaurants, and venues that bring the city’s vibrant culture to life. Ready to explore? Visit: DiscoverFortSmith.com.

Texas

14) San Antonio – At the crossroads of I-35 and I-10. The Alamo Mission founded in 1718 was the site of the 1836 Texas Revolution. A short walk leads to the world-famous San Antonio River Walk, a 15-mile urban waterway surrounded by great restaurants, historic districts and great shopping. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which along with the Alamo is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, includes Spanish Mission compounds built in the 18th Century. The Briscoe Museum of Western Art houses art and artifacts reflecting the history of the American West. The Witte Museum is dedicated to telling the stories of Texas from prehistory to the present.

15) Fort Worth – At the crossroads of I-35W and I-20. Just off the Butterfield Overland Trail route. The American West comes alive with the twice-daily longhorn cattle drive down the streets of Fort Worth’s National Historic Stockyards District.

16) Abilene – On I-20, US 83, and US 277. Visitors to Frontier Texas! can experience the Texas frontier between 1780-1880 with exhibits that portray the chaos of a buffalo stampede, a deadly card game, Buffalo hunters, Comanche warriors, explorers, and pioneers. Frontier Texas! also features the Abilene and Forts Trail Visitor Center with free visitor information and a General Store with Texas-themed gifts. The Texas Forts Trail includes six historic frontier forts in the area, including Fort Phantom Hill, built in 1851 where today’s visitors can feel like they are stepping back in time as they stroll the ghostly remains of three original buildings, more than a dozen chimneys, and the remains of other fort buildings. The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum provides the dramatic perspective of World War II from the men who helped liberate the concentration camps. The Grace Museum is housed in the historic Grace Hotel building that today features the best of Texas art past, present, and future. The Grace Museum is one of 24 stops on Abilene’s Historical Downtown Walking Tour. Abilene is also the Storybook Capital of America® where visitors can enjoy the largest public collection storybook characters in the country including at the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden. Visitors can also enjoy outdoor recreation at Abilene State Park and at many city parks that include cool splash pads for kids. Abilene has plenty of award-winning great restaurants and a Texas-sized selection of cuisine to choose from. Go to: abilenevisitors.com.

20) Tucson – I-10. Explore a unique blend of Mexican, Spanish Colonial, Wild West, and even modern aerospace history in Arizona’s second-largest city. Visitors can follow the Anza Trail south along I-19 to discover Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and the beautiful Mission San Xavier del Bac, built in the 1700s by Spanish missionaries.

21) Phoenix – I-10 and I-17. Arizona’s capital city is a showcase of modern art, ancient culture, and vibrant nightlife. The world-renowned Heard Museum showcases Native American culture and art and has live performances. Half a mile south, explore an extensive collection of classic and contemporary art at the Phoenix Art Museum, or go north to see over 8000 instruments from around the world at the Musical Instrument Museum. In nearby Scottsdale, Old West history is displayed at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.

24) San Bernardino County – Calico Ghost Town Regional Park – Located just east of the Barstow junction at I-15 and I-40 in Yermo, Calif. At Calico Ghost Town visitors can feel like they are in the days of the Old Wild West. This historical landmark silver mining town has been restored to its 1880s boomtown beginnings with a few original buildings, mining artifacts, shops & restaurants, hiking, off-roading and camping. Our annual events include California Days, Calico Days and Ghost Haunt and compliment the camping and RV experience, with cabins and full-hookups.

In San Bernardino County, visitors can also take the Rim of the World Scenic Byway to “the Alps of Southern California” and San Bernardino National Forest. The Byway encompasses parts of Highways 138, 18 and 38, connecting popular forest attractions including Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory Regional Park, and Cajon Pass. The California Theatre of the Performing Arts is a restored 1920s vaudeville and movie palace that today presents plays, musicals, and concerts by the San Bernardino Symphony. The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum is housed in the 1918 Santa Fe Depot and includes a 1910 recreated railroad station with many historic artifacts. The Original McDonald’s Site and Museum displays one of the world’s largest collections of McDonald’s memorabilia, merchandise, and souvenirs. Joshua Tree National Park is just a one-and-a-half-hour drive east from San Bernardino. Nearby, Black Rock Canyon offers campsite reservations and scenic hiking trails. The San Bernardino County Museum, in Redlands, is a regional museum with exhibits and collections in cultural and natural history for all ages. Tour the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley and discover exhibits about the cultural and natural heritage of the High Desert. Visit sbcounty.gov/museum for more information. Visit parks.sbcounty.gov for more information about all of San Bernardino County’s Regional Parks, its fishing activities and camping amenities.