A few summers ago, my partner and I set out for a 4 day road trip starting in St. Louis, Missouri and ending in Boston, Massachusetts to visit a music festival.
This covered over 1,200 miles just one way, but with so many amazing places to stop along the way, in our eyes it was completely worth it.
In this article I am going to be sharing with you everything we did on our way up to Boston to hopefully give you some ideas of cool places to stop if you find yourself road tripping this area; from the Midwest up to the east coast.
We were able to squeeze in visits to 6 different cities (not counting St. Louis or Boston) plus a few hidden gems and state parks along the way all within a 4 day time frame.
If you’re interested in learning how we did it (while on a budget) and what kind of activities we stopped for then keep on reading!
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Route Breakdown
The route we took to Boston is the quickest way to get there. The photo above shows our base route but we definitely strayed just a little bit away at times to check out nearby attractions.
Tips to Have a Cost-Efficient Road Trip
Opt For Camping
To cut down on costs, we car camped most of our nights on the trip by either booking spots on HipCamp which we paid less than $30 a night for each, or finding free places on iOverlander.
It all depended on what was available in the area we wanted to stay.
The only thing about using iOverlander is that it can be difficult to find a safe and legit spot depending on where we were.
If we looked ahead of time and couldn’t find any spots on iOverlander we would go over to HipCamp and reserve a campsite. There almost always was a campsite close to where we needed to be so that worked out well for us.
Make Your Own Food
In another attempt to save money, we ended up cooking a lot of our own meals out of the car. This can be hard to find time for, but we really did save a lot compared to if we ate out for every single meal.
If you need some car camping meal inspiration, check out this post!
Day 1 – St. Louis to Columbus
Our first day, we left St. Louis and drove straight through Illinois and towards Indiana.
By the time we got to Indiana we were both eager to get out and stretch our legs. Our first stop was to see the Cataract Falls.
Cataract Falls State Recreation Area- Jennings Township, Indiana
Cataract Falls State Recreation Area is a beautiful state park located just an hour south west of Indianapolis.
It’s also only a 25 minute detour from I-70. Coming straight from St. Louis, this was a perfect place to stop that was right off the interstate.
There is a $7 fee per car for Indiana residents and a $9 fee for out of state visitors.
This park boasts two spectacular waterfalls (Upper Cataract Falls and Lower Cataract Falls) which are the largest in the entire state. Coming in at a drop of 45 feet and 30 feet respectively.
There are parking lots located near both which makes for a short walk to view the impressive waterfalls. The walking trails are completely paved.
You can also explore the famous historic covered bridge that’s located in the park. At one time this was the most photographed covered bridge in the country.
It is no longer open to vehicle travel so you will have to walk to the bridge to explore the inside.
World’s Largest Candle- Centerville, Indiana
After getting back to I-70, we passed through Indianapolis and briefly drove around to see the sights of the city.
Our next stop was to see the World’s Largest Candle which is just about an hour from Indianapolis.
The World’s Largest Candle is a family fun attraction that is literally right off the interstate. You can even see the massive candle from the road as you’re driving. This stop is completely free.
Viewing and photographing the candle was definitely a unique experience but you will also not want to miss the gift shop that’s right around the corner. The Warm Glow Candle Outlet has the biggest candles you will probably ever see in a variety of different scents.
We came back with 2 two pound candles that we are still using 8 months later!
Along with their massive candles, you can also buy smaller versions that come in all the same scents. Candle prices range from $7- $18 depending on which size you buy.
Thistlethwaite Falls- Richmond, Indiana
Thistlethwaite Falls is a hidden gem that’s located just west of the state’s border with Ohio just a short drive away.
It’s another perfect little spot to get out and stretch your legs after a long drive on I-70. It’s just a 5 minute detour from the interstate and it’s free to visit.
This waterfall is actually man made by Timothy Thistlethwaite in 1854. He made a dam on the West Fork of the Whitewater River resulting in the water flowing down this rocky ledge creating the impressive falls we see today.
You will have to park and make a quick walk down to view the waterfall. You cannot see it from the road.
There is a trail that leads you down to a beautiful viewpoint of the falls but it does have a short staircase which would unfortunately not be suitable for handicapped individuals.
Columbus Park of Roses- Columbus, Ohio
After crossing the Ohio border, we continued on I-70 towards Columbus.
We had decided to camp our first night just outside Columbus. So, we made our last stop of the day at the Columbus Park of Roses.
The Columbus Park of Roses is a beautiful and unique attraction located in northern Columbus. This garden is free for everyone and open year-round.
However, the best times to visit this park is from June-September to see the roses in full bloom.
They have over 12,000 roses with a variety of different types.
The gardens are built in a gorgeous symmetrical pattern with grassy and paved trails allowing visitors to easily view all the sections of the garden.
Day 2- Columbus to Niagara Falls
From Ohio we made the destination for our second day Niagara Falls. Since we were already set to drive through Buffalo, we just had to make the short 20 minute drive up to see Niagara Falls.
From starting in Columbus this morning, we began to head north until we came upon Cleveland.
House from A Christmas Story- Cleveland, Ohio
Going to see the House from A Christmas Story was an interesting first stop of the day.
It was a little nostalgic for me because I grew up watching “A Christmas Story” on Christmas Day every year. It was cool to see the house and the area where it was filmed in person.
It’s now a museum and they’ve restored the inside to look just like the set of the movie. In order to see the inside, you do have to book a tour. The following admission fees are charged for tours of the house.
- Adults: $18
- Seniors (60+): $16
- Children (3-12): $13
- Children (3 & under): free
You can click here to purchase your tickets online ahead of time. Or you can also purchase them at the door.
Unfortunately we were short on time so a quick picture had to do the trick. But it was still cool to see the house and the famous leg lamp in the window.
Edgewater Park- Cleveland, Ohio
Edgewater Park is a free public park located in central Cleveland right on the coast of Lake Erie.
This is a perfect stop for everyone as there are playgrounds for children, a beach, and plenty of walking trails.
There is also a pier built out onto the lake where you can walk out to see gorgeous views of the Cleveland cityscape.
There is plenty of parking available and clean restrooms to use.
This park pretty much has everything you would want and need at a lakefront park. It was wonderful to get out, move our bodies and see all the beauty that this Ohio city has to offer. You will not want to miss this stop.
Presque Isle State Park- Erie, Pennsylvania
Presque Isle State Park is another completely free public park that’s located on a narrow peninsula in the town of Erie on Pennsylvania’s north coast.
This is such a beautiful area to explore. There’s multiple beaches, hikes, and there’s even an old lighthouse that you can tour.
There are a total of 13 beaches on the peninsula. We chose to visit Beach 8 (Pettinato Beach) and it is one of the only beaches in the park that is ADA accessible. It had gorgeous white sand and very unique rocks!
All of the beaches themselves are pretty similar so I don’t think it matters which beach you choose to go to if you just want to enjoy the sand and water. However, some of the beaches have more shallower water than others, or larger waves, and certain ones are smoke free.
I’d suggest reading this list on the park’s website where you can find descriptions of each beach so you can decide which one is most suited to your preferences.
We ended up having lunch here on the beach and it was the perfect spot! Along with spending a few hours at the beach, you can also hike the various trails on the peninsula. The hikes take you through a forested area with beautiful lake views.
The Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in 1873 and is still working to help navigate ships today. To see the inside, you must book a self-guided tour which runs between $8- $15 per person depending on which tour you book.
*Not all the tours give you access to the top of the tower.*
We didn’t take a tour of the lighthouse, but it is a very neat structure to admire. There’s also a lot of history here which was interesting to learn about.
I also want to note that the lighthouse is closed for the winter season from November- March.
Niagara Falls State Park- Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is probably the most impressive state park you can get into for free in the USA.
If you’re traveling anywhere in the Buffalo vicinity, you have to make a stop to Niagara Falls. Even if you’ve already been, go again because it will never cease to amaze.
Since we had booked an Airbnb for this night in the town of Niagara Falls, we got the privilege of visiting the falls in the late afternoon, and went back after it got dark.
Niagara Falls at night is a totally different experience that you won’t want to miss. The falls are lit up with multicolored lights which gradually change to different colors.
Day 3- Niagara Falls to Albany
The next morning we actually went back to Niagara Falls and seeing the falls in the early day light was such an amazing experience.
Since we were there on a bright and sunny morning we were greeted with a rainbow over the falls.
The sun was shining from behind us so it was the perfect opportunity to see a rainbow form in the mist of the falls. We enjoyed walking all around the park taking in every view we possibly could.
Cave of the Winds- Niagara Falls, New York
We decided to do the Cave of the Winds tour at Niagara Falls this morning as well.
This tour is completely self-guided and you are able to walk down to the base of the falls to feel its mist and powerful energy. You are given a plastic poncho included with your admission which goes for $14 a person.
You must buy your tickets on site at Goat Island. They are not available online.
The trail that takes you to the base of the falls is a beautiful walk on a deck that’s built at the base of the falls just 20 feet from the rushing water.
We really enjoyed this tour, there were a lot of historical facts and photos at the beginning of the tour about what Niagara Falls was like hundreds of years ago.
Walking near the base of the falls also really puts it in perspective of how strong and massive the waterfall is. Prepare for your clothes to get soaking wet.
Devil’s Hole State Park- Niagara County, New York
We also took a quick drive down to Devil’s Hole State Park which is a free park with hiking trails overlooking the gorge. The most known aspect to this park are the whirlpools in the water which can be seen from the overlooks.
This is a beautiful area to admire and explore that’s just a 10 minute drive from Niagara Falls State Park.
Taughannock Falls State Park- Trumansburg, New York
After our adventures at the Niagara Falls, we got back on the road. We were driving past the famous finger lakes located in central New York so we decided to stop.
We did a hike called Taughannock Falls Gorge Trail.
This is probably one of the more popular hikes amongst all the finger lakes.
The trail is an easy and flat 1.8 mile out and back hike that runs along a stream and leads you to an impressive 215 foot tall waterfall. This is actually taller than Niagara Falls! But with a much much less volume of water.
There is a $7 admission fee (per vehicle) to get into the state park, however they only collect payment if you enter through the main entrance.
We came in from the west on route 89 and parked in a parking lot parallel to Cayuga Lake and did not have to pay.
Washington Park- Albany, New York
After hiking, we got back on the road towards Albany and made a quick stop at Washington Park to quickly walk around and stretch our legs out once more.
Washington Park is a beautiful 81 acre free park that is open to everyone.
There is a playground, a lake, and tennis and basketball courts available for use. We enjoyed walking around the park, viewing all the different types of flowers, and sitting by the lake to relax before hitting the road again.
In the winter you can even ice skate on the lake! I would love to come back when it’s cold to skate here. I’m sure it’s a gorgeous place to visit in the winter.
We were camping outside Albany for the night so it was a nice and quick drive from the park to our campsite.
Day 4- Albany to Boston
The next morning we quickly crossed the border into Massachusetts and decided that we wanted to visit the town of Salem.
We drove all the way from Albany to Salem which turned out to be a 4 hour drive.
I was always so intrigued by the Witch Trials in school so I was glad we were making the trip to Salem to learn more about it’s rich history.
Essex Street- Salem, Massachusetts
Essex Street is like the main street of Salem.
For the past 300 years this street has been where all the hustle and bustle is in the town. Now, it’s full of cute shops and places to eat in old, beautifully built historic buildings. There is definitely a lot of character to this area.
We first enjoyed having lunch at Life Alive Organic Café and then walked around the shops for a few hours.
Most of them have a witchy/ magic theme which I thought was lovely and of course fitting for the location.
If you’re a “Halloween is my favorite season” kind of person, this is the place to visit. You’ll find everything from tarot cards, crystals, jewelry and all kinds witchy-themed souvenirs.
Salem Witch Museum- Salem, Massachusetts
If you don’t know the story of the Salem witch trials, this museum would be a great place for you to visit.
At the Salem Witch Museum you can expect a thorough explanation of how they got started, what happened during the trials, and how they ended.
However, this isn’t your typical museum experience. When you walk into the main room, it’s more like a dark theater. Instead of reading about what happened, you are presented with a show of different scenes made by props built into the walls that light up while a narrator tells the story of the trials.
If you’ve ever read “The Crucible”, this museum includes all the same characters as in the play. It basically just tells the same story that I read about in school. Since I’m already very familiar with the play, I personally didn’t get a whole lot out of the experience.
Nonetheless this museum is definitely unique and there are some more interesting facts presented to you at the end of the show.
The museum charges the following fees for admission which can be purchased here.
- Adults: $17.50
- Seniors (62+): $16.00
- Children (3-14): $14.50
The Witch House- Salem, Massachusetts
Now this attraction on the other hand, my partner and I both really enjoyed and I learned a lot more from.
The Witch House, according to its website, is one of the only places in Salem you can visit that has direct ties to the witch trails. That’s because this house was once home to Judge Johnathon Corwin who was a judge in the trials.
The house was built to replicate what his house really looked like in the 17th century. This makes it an incredibly popular place for photos. Especially during the week of Halloween.
Admission to the house is only $9 per person. There’s tons of artifacts from this time period, information about the trails and the way of life back then that The Salem Witch Museum doesn’t provide.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial- Salem, Massachusetts
Our last stop in Salem was to see the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. Seeing all the gravestones with all the names of the girls, women and men that I remember reading about was so eerie.
Parking was a little bit of a challenge to get to the graveyard as there is no parking lot on site. We had to find an open spot across the street and walk to it.
Nahant Short Beach- Nahant, Massachusetts
Our last stop before heading into the crazy downtown traffic of Boston was to the Nahant peninsula. The town of Nahant is such a unique area of the state to explore.
There are several beaches along the peninsula all worth checking out but we only had time to spend about an hour at one of them.
Here you’ll be treated to soft white beaches and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. These beaches are also known for their calm waters making them ideal for swimming or paddle boarding.
Along with beaches you’ll find places to eat, shops, and gorgeously built houses. This picturesque peninsula will really give you the charming coastal vibes that everyone loves so much about the east coast.
After that, we drove down to our Airbnb, explored the area, watched the sunset, and awaited for the music festival the next day.
Below are some photos from our short time in Boston. It’s a beautiful city and I’d love to explore it more someday.
That concludes my complete 4 day itinerary for a one way road trip starting from St. Louis, Missouri to Boston, Massachusetts.
If you’re planning a trip on this route I hope you were able to take some inspiration from this post. As always thank you so much for reading!
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