I am amazed at the variety and amenities of many of the rest stops along the road these days. Many of them are cleaner than the restaurants and diners you can stop at on the road. Some of them are still plain, but some of them are magnificent. I intend to start discussions and upload pictures of a few of them. I regret I did not take pictures of all of them on our trip. For instance there was one near Holt, Iowa that was full of details about the American Civil War. I learned mare there than I ever learned in a history class. Do you stop at rest areas when you travel?
[question posted by GardenGerty]
responses and comments:
Not normally. There are a few here in central Arkansas that are known to be hangouts for homosexual men. Definately not something that you would want your kids walking in on accidently. I wish we had some that nice. Most of ours are run down, dirty and hot with little ventilation. Occasionally you'll find vending machines in some, but they are very overpriced and often emptied. [carpenter5]
I know what some of those are like, as well. The coffee vending machines in Minnesota are terrific and inexpensive, in my opinion. [GardenGerty]
HI GardenGerty: Wow! That photo you posted on the rest stop in Iowa is just BEAUTIFUL! Very cool place! Heck I'd stop there to check it out even if I didn't have to go..LOL!! I always use the rest stops when I used to go anywhere, not late at night but I'd stop at them along the journey; Very cool photo you posted! happy [dreamweaverjan]
Exactly! The world is just so sick and twisted anymore, you never know who or what is gonna jump out at you and demand money and numerous other things; if you have any more cool shots like this place, post them (G)! I'd love to see more! [dreamweaverjan]
I try to always stop at rest areas at state borders, I find those are often associated with state visitor areas. I, however, haven't been out of state since 2007 when my cousin died in NJ. I flew with my mother and brother at that time. I think the last time I drove was in the 1990's. [ElicBxn]
I remember the one at the state line between Oklahoma and Texas, it was very nice. [GardenGerty]
We do stop at them, but they're usually not much around here. They mostly have (besides the rest rooms) a bulletin board with a map behind plexiglass, and drinking fountains. Some of them have one of those racks that hold little pamphlets about local attractions, and other stuff further down the road. While nicely maintained, there sure isn't much lol. On the turnpike though, there is a nice restaurant, gas stations, and a gift shop. Guess the turnpike is the only kind of rest areas around here (Ohio) that have anything special. Just over the line into Pennsylvania there is the kind of rest stop that you're talking about though. It has everything, and there's much they have there to learn from regarding Lake Erie, the nearby zoos, and things like that. I think that's the nicest rest stop I've been to in ages, it was such a nice surprise! We even spent a little more time than we usually would just checking out the nice displays and the info that went with them. That's kind of neat about that one you found in Iowa. [JoyfulOne]
Most of the ones in Kansas are plain jane, as well. Clean, but not too fancy. There is one north of here that is very interesting, and it is a half circle shape. You can go up stairs to the roof to look down to the other side of the highway.It is our favorite in Kansas. [GardenGerty]
When we travel with our dogs, we make frequent stops. Just like kids, they always have to go. If we're traveling to new areas we like to stop too. Rest areas are great places to pick up Maps and information about places you might want to stop at, and a terrific source for discount coupons. The hospitality industry is one area that's almost recession proof, and it's a hugely growing industry. Think of the cafe squares in malls, rest areas, hospitals, etc. Even if the people who normally drive are staying home because of the economy, many people who normally fly are driving instead. [catdla1]
You would enjoy the rest area that had pens for dogs. They had them divided for large dogs and small dogs. Dogs are allowed in with handlers, off leashes. There is water available and seats and shade for owners and a convenient place to take care of any poop you have to scoop. [GardenGerty]
i don't travelbut about 10 years ago i went to Nashville and stope at a rest area and all they had was maps and food machines nothing special [anniefannie]
I never thought of that. These runs did not look like anything that would have a place for ticks, no wooded area, etc. More risk out on the edge in the trees. [GardenGerty]
I like to stop at the rest area not only because I need to use the washroom, but also to see what is around the state...I also visit rest area in my own state, because I like to travel locally... [polachicago]
Okay, I sit corrected, BUT Ike's boyhood home was in Abilene, KANSAS, and his Presidential library is there as well. Must have moved from Texas at a young age. [GardenGerty]
I haven't traveled much in years now.....if you share photos, please tell me how to view them! Marsha [marsha32]
I may start a blog about that. So far I just put this picture up, and then if you go to the interest "Trave" one of a shady tree in Missouri, kind of wild like. You can click on any interest, Marsha, and look at each picture that members have uploaded. [GardenGerty]
I don't stop at ANY rest area unless I absolutely have to because the places are so dangerous and infested with crime. Not only that, it's a homosexual hangout, at least in Virginia they've become that way. However, the one you uploaded is really pretty! Cool! [CatsandDogs]
Some are like that, I agree. There were some in another state like that that eventually just got shut down. The worst thing that ever happened was a car that parked for several days and put up "begging" signs saying that they were broke down. It was a scam. [GardenGerty]
Sometimes, I didn't know that they were updating them with useful kinds of information. Most of the ones I've been in I read some dirty lymricks and got a few phone numbers for later use from a payphone, I'm not using my cell minutes for a prank call. [gitfiddleplayer]
You are a rascal, and silly. Some kid will read that here and decide to copy you. [GardenGerty]
We do. There's this one in particular along the 99 somewhere between Sacramento and Los Angeles that we always stop at. Has this huge rock the kids like to climb on. then it was closed for a prolonged period and when it re-opened it was all done up nicely, new toilets and lots of them. Grass was redone, tables too. They hadn't put vending machines in yet though. But it was 10x nicer than any of the other rest stops along the route. [dawnald]
That would be the one I would choose as well. [GardenGerty]
Big time. But I bought a choco-taco in the vending machine at one and broke a tooth on it! Good thing I had Dent-Temp in my suitcase, eh? When we got to our room, I put in a temporary filling and when I got back home 3 weeks later, the dentist said he couldn't have done a better job himself. At first he didn't believe that I fixed my own tooth while on the road. I like rest stops! I've catnapped in them before, but that was in my youth ;-) [drannhh]
I have tried the temp repairs, but my mess is really big in my mouth. I stick to mostly coffee and cappuccino from the machines, especially in Minnesota. [GardenGerty]
you should visit the 'rest areas' along the highway in our country - it's almost like a 'shopping complex' - not only with toilets (with shower rooms) and food stalls.. there also children playground, foot massage, handicraft stalls etc in some locations. we have a lot of public holidays and school holidays in our country - and families normally travel during these holidays, so no matter how 'big' the rest areas are, they are normally very crowded. as for myself, my husband's family lives in the northern part of the country - which is about 4-6 hours travelling on the highway - the time varies because it really depends on how long we stop at the rest areas lol... and with 5 children - - we normally 'rest' a bit longer so that children (especially the 2 younger ones) wont get cranky in the car... wink [4mymak]
How nice that you can have so many family holidays. I remember traveling with kids.I would insist that they get out and play ever so often. [GardenGerty]
I have not travelled in a very long time. I did notice a rest area, we stopped at, had alot of ammenities also. I was surprised to, that they had all kinds of information available to us. [stephcjh]
I think they are getting nicer all the time. Many states rely on tourism and so want to make their tourist guests feel comfortable. [GardenGerty]
I'm on diuretics, do I ever stop at rest areas! Tennesse, there was this rest area, all metal and glass. Shined so it glowed. There was one guy there wiping fingerprints off after you touched the door. Bathrooms looked like they had never been used. Woman there who would go in after you and clean. One near Buffalo, NY, the stores, unbelievable. You could buy a Native American cedar baby carrier. It was absolutely beautiful. In VT, they have some that are coffee stops. In NY, up in my area, some are visitor ones staffed with people who can give directions and with all kinds of maps and pamphlets for tourists. But between the special ones, we have mostly reg. bathroom ones with soda and maybe snack machines. We do have a big one near Peru NY that includes a police unit, snack bar, and some other things. [writersedge]
Someday when I have money, I definitely have to get back to traveling again, esp. when even rest areas are getting interesting. [writersedge]
hi there WOW we only have them every so often where there is say between Dunedin & Chch NZ usually just before little towns there is a little cafe type place where they have "Driver Reviver" where the government have put in place where the driver gets free coffee along their trip if it is normal business hours for them of course. next time i go on my travels i will take a picture of the signs along the highway as well as the "Driver Reviver" stop/s. latas lamb101 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo [lamb101]
hi there it was a initiative of the police & transport minister & the ministry of transport combined to try to bring the road toll down which has worked a treat. with the reminders of signs which say a simple message of "fatigue kills" latas lamb101 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo [lamb101]
I don't think I can remember when rest areas were just places to stop to use the bathroom.There was always something more when we stopped. I do agree that they are many that are "updated" and you can actually lean something at them. Yes I do stop at rest area when do not I travel by train. [razcal2267]
I have not traveled by train. It is on my to do list. There is a move to get more train service in Kansas. [GardenGerty]
Ya we stop at them. But most in Wisconsin are in park like settings. They are pretty. But also out house type bathrooms..Not nice. So we will stop at gas stations or restaurants. Your rest stops sound like they are really nice. I wish we had them here!! [passivepam]
I think there are some "primitive" rest stops we have seen as well. I agree, my preference is for modern facilities. [GardenGerty]
I love rest areas! We have a couple here in Ohio and there's one at the Michigan border that are full of information, pamphlets and displays about the state's history. I'll look forward to seeing your pictures and reading your comments. You could make a very entertaining trip by touring some of the rest areas of the the midwest! The Southwest rest areas aren't so nice. They are usually dirty although they are fairly new and could be beautiful if not abused. Not much info there, either. [dragon54u]
Most people who have mentioned the southwest have said that. [GardenGerty]
I am on the road quite a bit and I gotta say the rest stops around my state are spotless and if you do have to make a pit stop they are usually a pleasant break from the tedium of driving. But I haven't seen anything as elaborate as the one near Holt...that's just gotta be a hoot to spend time in...lol [SunlightSwoon]
No thanks. I don't think the children at school will be taking a field trip to a rest stop very soon. [BlueGoblin]
It seems that they cannot afford a field trip anywhere anymore. [GardenGerty]
Pretty magnificent :D Too bad we don't have any rest areas in my hometown. I guess if we did people would never leave lol [thenextnoel]
I think lots of towns have some pretty good tourist interests, just most of them do not have restrooms included. [GardenGerty]
GOOD MORNING GG, i want to answer your discussion but u may wish i hadn't. I haven't traveled anywhere in years. I AM GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR TRAVELS. hAVE A GREAT DAY. [ANTIQUELADY]
What a nice thought, thank u. U would have to make it a short trip u couldn't put up w/me longrolleyes [ANTIQUELADY]
Yes it's called having a small bladder. But in our state we have many beautiful ones, I am thinking of one in the mountains where you circle down a very steep hill to a big river, it's just beautiful. [savypat]
Sounds absolutely breathtaking. I want that one on my list as well. [GardenGerty]
You are right, GardenGerty. Every rest area that I've stopped at in the past few years has all kind of information. They have lots of fliers about things in the area that you might want to go see. This really helps tourists who pass through the area and perhaps do not know anything to go see or do in the area. [Barb42]
The states need those tourist dollars, and this is one way to showcase the state. I think it is awesome. [GardenGerty]
Yah! Rest areas are improving nowadays. I witnessed this when i'm in college. Our rest areas have an air condition, the faucets and flushes have sensors and it's clean and beautiful. More improved than the classrooms. lol =D [check23]
Yes, the modern conveniences are great. [GardenGerty]
That's a very good observation! I'm an Indian and I can recall the same transition has taken place here over the last few years. This is the time of competition and privatization and the contractors are striving for the maximum customer satisfcation [jshekhar]
It is interesting to hear that this is more global. I appreciate your participation in the discussion.happy [GardenGerty]
I stop in some states more than others. MA's rest stop are just parking spots and are not worth the time. (In MA,it's a "travel plaza" if you want to get gas and something to eat.) PA, IL, IN, OH and I'm sure others have at least vending machines and are taken care of. PA even offers free coffee on holiday weekends at theirs. [ryouga]
No. That's New Jersey. I used to live in MA and the only real toll road we had was the Mass Pike. It's a nice ride, tolls are cheap west of 128 and the plazas are well maintained. [ryouga]
Stopping at some of the rest areas is part of the vacation. Plus you gotta have the potty breaks. I have also seen some fancy rest stops. I had stopped at one in Virginia that looked like a resort, it was real fancy. Had all the bells and whistles to go along with it. Look forward to hearing about your trip. [Polly1]
I have not been back that direction in quite a few years. I think we are going East at the first of December. [GardenGerty]
The rest areas I have been to here in California are actually good for picnics. Imagine that. The last time I went to one a man in a motorcycle camped in the grass for the night. LOL [libby2009]
I dont usually stop at rest areas when i travel. However lately I've when i travel i take my dog with me so i do tend to stop a bit more often. I used to be more likely to only stop to get gas or food and go on from there. [saundyl]
I think she does too. happy Shes not so happy with me right now - she had a bath (the second one this week) because she smelled like she went and rolled in somehting dead and she so wasnt sleeping in the house smelling that bad! [saundyl]
LOL we also have a picture of a rest stop in Iowa, its right before the Iowa/Minnesota border. They are really nice. I've found that the northwestern states and a few of the midwest states have the nicest rest stops and the southwest has quite a few that I would rather NOT stop at unless it was an emergency LOL. [madasp]
I probably stopped at that one as well. I have seen some really neat ones on this trip. [GardenGerty]
I haven't traveled anywhere in ten years but when my parents and I used to travel, we would stop at rest stops. Also, I used to travel with tour groups and we would sometimes stop at rest stops when we could. Yes, they do have a lot more in teresting things than they used to years ago. I bet the one in Holt, Iowa was very interesting. Kathy. [cyrus123]
Yes, I know it's fun. I enjoyed it when I traveled. I can't afford it these days because I'm living on a fixed income. I'm living on SSI, which is a part of social security, now and my family is helping me all they can. I wish I could travel, though. I miss it. Kathy. [cyrus123]
It sounds like you are referring to the Welcome Centers that are usually located just inside the state line. I always stop at the welcome centers for each state when I am traveling. They are always clean, have plenty of information about the state you are entering into. And you can normally pick up a state map for free along with other brochures of cities you might be planning to visit. I do know that the roadside rest areas in Texas, Virginia and Pennsylvania are kept clean and are nice to stop at, but they are mainly just a restroom break. The Texas on my avatar is actually in front of the Welcome Center as you cross into Texas on I-20 from Louisianna [palonghorn]
Yes, some of them are the Welcome Centers, but not all. Almost all of them have maps or places to get maps but they often are out, empty. I think the Welcome Center between Oklahoma and Texas is similar. [GardenGerty]
The pickle parks have definitely improved over the years and I especially like the ones in Alabama and as you come into northern Texas. Very large, well laid out, well lit and usually an attendant on duty except really late at night. Lots of them now also give free maps and other good information as well as local history lessons and such. [Strongheart]
You mentioned Alabama in your comment above. What part of Alabama did you go through? I live in Jasper, which is about 43 miles northwest of Birmingham.happy Kathy. [cyrus123]
I am not a fan of public restrooms at all. If I think I can hold it until I get to a friend or family members house, then I will. But, since we travel by car quite a bit, I know I have to stop at a rest area or something. And you're right, a lot of rest areas are much nicer than any restaurant! This is my most recent favorite rest stop. It was 40-some miles from anywhere in Nevada. I wanted to get a picture of it inside because there was about 30 rolls of toilet paper in there! It wasn't a fancy one, but it sure did work better than any tumbleweed was going to! [reinydawn]
I have been on too many trips that were way too long to hold it on. I appreciate the nice and clean rest areas, and often they are nicer than mom and pop diners and bathrooms that I have encountered. [GardenGerty]
Yes, Many places along the highway have developed over last many years and have many more amenities . However,I normally just have Half an Hour of stoppage at such places . [ptrikha_2]
That is a good way to refresh yourself, with a half hour. [GardenGerty]
I think some of the 'service stations' as we call them in the UK are great too. Many of them even seem to be comparable to quite a few entertainment areas. It's great because they provide a really great way for a tired, bored or anxious driver who may have been travelling for a long time to have a break during which they can get themselves to feel more awake. [UK_Shree]
Sounds a lot like our "Truck Stops" [GardenGerty]
Hi GardernGerty, I do stop at rest stops myself when I am traveling by car. Not only do stop to use the toiet. I stop to get out and streach my legs and conculte the maps that are provided there. I espicaily like to see where I am along the way, the maps at the rest stops do have there spot marked on the maps there. I have seen some with historic marikers and some without. some are nice and some are old. I have seen pics of missing and and exploited children in some. while most seemed to have the essicials. [scififan43]
Hi GardenGerty...and yes we do stop at rest areas, but have never run across any such as this. We have stopped at a few that have maps and articles on area amusements or sites to see, but have never run across any with this type of reading that you are talking about. I guess maybe we just haven't ventured into the right states or rest areas. I will be looking for them and thanks for sharing this. flutterby [flutterbykisses]
My health is the pits right now so I can't travel any more. I basically do my travel via the keyboard. I will take your word for the quality of pit stops on the road. [CraftyCorner]
I appreciate the thought. [CraftyCorner]
I went to a restroom in Lithuania and changed my baby's nappy in a nasty spot. Then an a lady showed me a mother and baby room. I felt so stupid but offer the language barrier got me. I found restrooms in Indonesia quite often a hole in the ground. The worst one was an old tire at a petrol station. I went shopping to a large shop and the restroom had children's Toys and books in it. I was really impressed. My toddler son was so happy in there. I usually have to go to much plainer restrooms. [maximax8]
That makes us appreciate our rest areas here. Thanks for sharing the sights in other lands. [GardenGerty]
Yes, we stopped at some on the way to New York last year. We stopped in some really good centers there. Good food at some truck stops too. [OreoCookie3]
I love to keep track of great truck stops and good food as well. [GardenGerty]
I would think they would be interesting. No, I don't stop at rest areas. They are not safe anymore I don't think. I have heard too many scarey stories and when I have visited them they sorta freak me out. Unless I absolutely have to I wait until I reach a town or someplace that is more populated. I just feel more comfortable and safer that way. [celticeagle]
I have seen rest stops like that as well. Those are some I avoid. [GardenGerty]
Only if I have to go. And/or if I am near the area of my destination because there could be some flyers from nearby attractions. That s soo kool about the civil war post. [General_Spacey]
That is an interesting though, you can learn what is new locally. [GardenGerty]
Sounds like a good travel article. I am not one for road trips by car. I can not remember the last time I was at a highway rest stop. [Canellita]
I know people who absolutely hate to travel by car. [GardenGerty]