Course Highlights
sWho hasn’t dreamed of traveling cross country, seeing hidden gems of the U.S. up close and personal? While we know the Great American 5000 is virtual, we want to recreate that same feeling of seeing things that feel once in a lifetime, and of experiencing unique slices of Americana that you didn’t know existed. Weird roadside attractions, beautiful state parks, stretches of nothing, booming cities, small mom and pop staples—we want to feature it all. The miles might bring us together, but there’s also a feeling of national pride. These towns, cities, and counties hold so much history and have so many stories —and we want to bring those stories to life. If you have any information that you think we should feature about somewhere along the route please email us at [email protected].
Here are just some of the highlights you’ll encounter along the course!
California
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco
Iconic two-mile bridge that connects San Francisco to Marin County
Mile 0
Start Line
Sea Lion Sculpture
Sausalito
Sculpted by local artist Al Sybrian in 1957
Mile 4.2
Waldo Point Harbor
Sausalito
A view from a lookout point here is where Otis Redding conceived the song “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.”
Mile 6.3
Bothin Marsh Preserve
Mill Valley
This 106-acre wetland is home to diverse waterfowl and some endangered species.
Mile 8
Richmond Bridge
Connects San Rafael to Richmond
Mile 17-20
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
Richmond
Multi use trail network known for its eucalyptus woods and bluff overlooks
Mile 28
Jelly Belly Factory Tour
Fairfield
A self-guided walk along the elevated, ¼ mile long tour lane gives you a bird’s-eye view of the entire operation.
Mile 58
Leisure Town
Vacaville
This city within a city is the perfect place to relax in retirement.
Mile 72
Old Sacramento Waterfront
Sacramento
National historic landmark founded in 1849
Mile 110
American River
Sacramento
Three river forks merge at the Folsom Reservoir which then flows through Sacramento
Mile 111-134
Wild Chickens Roam the Streets
Fair Oaks
A wild flock of chickens — mostly roosters — strut anywhere they please around town.
Mile 131
Eldorado National Forest
Pollock Pines
Its elevation ranges from 1,000 feet to more than 10,000 feet above sea level along the Sierra crest.
Mile 195
Lake Tahoe
Freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Mile 225
Nevada
State Line
Welcome to The Silver State
Mile 226
Nevada State Railroad Museum
Carson City
Dedicated to the preservation of Nevada’s railroad history
Mile 251
The Washoe Club & Haunted Museum
Virginia City
A historic saloon with a seriously haunted past… and present
Mile 260
Republic of Molossia
Dayton
A sovereign, independent nation, located in and completely surrounded by territory of the United States
Mile 270
Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Army post built in 1861 to provide protection for early western settlers
Silver Springs
Mile 287
Pony Express Route
Mail service route in the 1860s between Missouri and California
Mile 289-300
Cold Springs
Fallon
Pony Express Station
Mile 375
Stoke’s Castle
Austin
Built in 1897 by mine developer and railroad magnate, Anson Stokes
Mile 426
Eureka County
Known as “The Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road”
Mile 495
Utah
State Line
Welcome to the Beehive State
Mile 632
Lincoln Highway Bridge
A reminder of the 20th century Good Road Movement and development of the National Highway Program.
Mile 700
Aunt Libby’s Dog Cemetery
Skull Valley
Owners Horace and Libby Rockwell operated Point Lookout, a Pony Express Station, in the 1860s.
Mile 722
Provo Canyon
Provo
Home to the Sundance Film Festival
Mile 787
Deer Creek State Park
Wallsburg
State Park filled with activities along the Provo River and Deer Creek Reservoir
Mile 793
Chicken Creek East Strawberry Reservoir
West Portal
Local area known for its ice fishing
Mile 822
Northern Ute Veterans Monument
For Duchesne
Memorial plaza honoring Ute tribal member military veterans
Mile 900
Dinosaur National Monument
Jensen
The park borders Utah and Colorado, but dinosaur fossils are only visible on the Utah side.
Mile 935
Colorado
State Line
Welcome to The Centennial State
Mile 952
Town of Dinosaur
Town located just south of the Dinosaur National Monument
Mile 954
Steamboat Springs
Yampa Valley
The city’s geothermal hot springs are said to have therapeutic properties and, oh yeah, they’ve got world class skiing, too
Mile 1,082
Hot Sulphur Spring
Parshall
Mile 1,153
Pioneer Village Museum
Sulphur Springs
Features a skiing exhibit which depicts how the now booming industry began
Mile 1,153
Winter Park Resort
Winter Park
This destination resort receives over 326 inches of snow annually and offers 166 different runs for skiers of all levels.
Mile 1,178
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden
35 miles of trails and several campsite areas – you can even stay in a yurt!
Mile 1,210
American Mountaineering Center
Golden
Home to The American Alpine Club, Colorado Mountain Club and the American Mountaineering Museum.
Mile 1,225
Coors Brewery
Golden
Open since 1873, this is the largest single-site brewery in the world!
Mile 1,225
Confluence Park
Denver
Kayak down the South Platte River before heading into the city.
Mile 1,237
Larimer Square
Denver
Historic area known as Denver’s First Block
Mile 1,238
Colorado State Capital
Denver
The Colorado State Capital features Corinthian architecture, constructed with Colorado white granite, and a gold dome, which was added in 1908 to commemorate the Colorado Gold Rush.
Mile 1,239
Denver
As a long-time participant in the Sister City International program, Denver has been linked to Brest, France since 1948.
Mile 1,239
High Plains Raceway
Deer Trail
Amateur road racing facility that is owned and operated by local racing clubs.
Mile 1,298
Last Chance
This now ghost town used to be a last stop when leaving Denver.
Mile 1,314
Kansas
State Line
Welcome to The Sunflower State
Mile 1,400
St. Francis
Cheyenne County
Most populous area in Cheyenne County
Mile 1,416
South Fork Republican River
Follow along the river as you traverse Kansas
Mile 1,421-1,438
Nebraska
State Line
Welcome to The Cornhusker State
Mile 1,438
Swanson Lake and Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area
Swanson Lake
One of the largest recreation areas in southwest Nebraska
Mile 1,470
Indianola
This tiny town is home to only 256 households.
Mile 1,506
Nebraska Prairie Museum
Burlington
The museum celebrates Nebraskan history and is home to the annual Nebraska State Hand Cornhusking competition.
Mile 1,567
Pioneer Village
Minden
Old western town which prides itself on its extensive ‘Americana’ collection.
Mile 1,590
Tabor Hall
Dorchester
Serves as the social hub for Saline County
Mile 1,688
Stagecoach Lake
Hickman
This 195-acre lake is the perfect destination for a day on the water.
Mile 1,714
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trails and Visitors Center
Nebraska City
Focuses on the flora and scientific discoveries recorded by the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Mile 1,762
Missouri River
The longest river in North America.
Mile 1,762
Iowa
State Line
Welcome to The Hawkeye State
Mile 1,762
Oskaloosa
The small town in mentioned in the Johnny Cash song “I’ve Been Everywhere”
Mile 1,964
William Penn University
Oskaloosa
The school was founded by Quakers
Mile 1,964
State Theater
Washington
Guinness World Record holder for longest continually running cinema theater
Mile 2,015
Bix Fest
Davenport
Site of the annual jazz festival and of the Bix 7 road race, both commemorating musician Bix Beiderbecke
Mile 2,085
Illinois
State Line
Welcome to The Prairie State
Mile 2,086
Mississippi River
This great waterway flows through 10k states – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Mile 2,086
Great River Trail
Moline
Paved trail that stretches 60 miles along the Mississippi River
Mile 2,086-2,089
Hennepin Canal Locks
This canal was built to link the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The majority of the locks and aqueducts are still in place.
Mile 2,100-2,159
Pecumsaugan Creek-Blackball Mines Nature Preserve
North Utica
Known for its abandoned limestone mine and bat colonies.
Mile 2,180
Illinois River
This 273-mile river flows west to join the Mississippi River near Grafton.
Mile 2,182
Illinois and Michigan Canal
Morris
Follow this 96-mile trail which weaves through numerous state parks and historical sites.
Mile 2,214
HellsGate Haunted House
Lockport
A must see adventure in October!
Mile 2,241
Willow Springs Woods
Willow Springs
Forest preserve
Mile 2,260
Ping Tom Memorial Park
Chicago
Named after civic leader, Ping Tom, who formed the Chinese American Development Corporation.
Mile 2,279
Agora
Grant Park
Modern sculpture comprised of 106 headless 9-feet cast iron figures.
Mile 2,280
Museum Campus
Chicago
Public park near the business district which is home to the city’s three most notable museums: Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History, and Shedd Aquarium.
Mile 2,282
Indiana
State Line
Welcome to The Hoosier State
Mile 2295
Valparaiso Popcorn Festival
Valparaiso
Celebrating our favorite snack and former resident, Orville Redenbacher
Mile 2,328
Amish Country
Nappanee
Mile 2,384
Mid-America Windmill Museum
Kendallville
Over 50 historic windmills. A real eye-catcher on a breezy day.
Mile 2,422
Ohio
State Line
Welcome to The Buckeye State
Mile 2,448
Dum-Dums Lollipop Factory Tour
Spangler candy company offers a trolley tour of the factory(!)
Bryan
Mile 2,461
Napoleon
The 4000k mark on the course
Mile 2,485
National Tractor Pulling Championships
Bowling Green
Mile 2,509
Huntington Beach
Bay Village
Mile 2,605
Cleveland Script Sign
Cleveland
Mile 2,618
The West Woods
Novelty
Mile 2,640
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
Fremont
His is the first presidential library, built in 1916
Mile 2,682
Pennsylvania
State Line
Welcome to The Keystone State
Mile 2,682
Black Moshannon State Park
Rush Township
The highest point along the course east of the Mississippi River (2,400 ft.)
Mile 2,835
Grange Fair
Centre Hall
Since 1874, where people pitch tents and sleep on site at the fair
Mile 2,864
Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park
Centre Hall
“America’s only all-water cavern & farm-nature-wildlife park”
Mile 2,852
Bucknell University
Lewisburg
Mile 2,908
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Bloomsburg
America’s largest free admission amusement park
Mile 2,932
Giant Rooster
Nescopeck
You’ll pass by a giant rooster statue outside a laundromat on your right between Mercer and Broad Streets.
Mile 2,946
New Jersey
State Line
Welcome to The Garden State
Mile 3,020
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
West Orange
The former home and laboratory of the state’s most famous. See where such breakthrough technologies as movie cameras, sound recordings, and batteries first saw the light of day.
Mile 3,073
George Washington Bridge
Crossing the Hudson River into NY
This double decker span is the busiest motor vehicle bridge in the world. Just don’t get stuck in one of Chris Christie’s traffic jams.
Mile 3,093
New York
State Line
Welcome to The Empire State
Mile 3,093
Little Red Lighthouse
Lafayette Plaza
The Jeffrey’s Hook lighthouse sits beneath the George Washington Bridge
Mile 3,093
Coogan’s Bluff
Highland Park
Once the site of the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants baseball team. You’ll also see Yankee Stadium off to your left across the Harlem River.
Mile 3,095
Harlem
Borough of Manhattan
Internationally known as the Black Mecca celebrating African American culture
Mile 3,097
Central Park
Manhattan
The busiest urban park in the U.S. and the backdrop to countless iconic movies
Mile 3,099
Balto the Dog Statue
Central Park
Heroic sled dog that helped relay medicine over 700 miles through blinding snow and subzero temperatures to save children during a diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska in 1925
Mile 3,101
Fifth Avenue
Manhattan
One of the most expensive and elegant streets in the world. Do you keep running or stop and take time to window shop?
Mile 3,101
The Museum of Modern Art
Manhattan
Holds one of the largest collections of modern art in the world.
Mile 3,101
Empire State Building
Manhattan
Visitors can see 80 miles into N.Y., N.J., Conn., Pennsylvania and Mass. on a clear day
Mile 3,102
Flatiron Building
Manhattan
Uniquely shaped triangular building designed by Daniel Burnham in 1902
Mile 3,103
Union Square Greenmarket
Manhattan
Outdoor food and flower market open four days a week
Mile 3,103
Williamsburg Bridge
Manhattan into Brooklyn
Carrying rail, trolley and roadways for carriages and pedestrians, it was one of the last major bridges designed for the horse and carriage
Mile 3,106
Finish Line
You made it!
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