Guide 001: Americana
If you’re looking for a cross-country all-American road trip covering significant ground in six days, this is all you. Here's the reference I wish existed — the exact route, exactly how it went down. A guaranteed core memory.
Our Spotify playlist is live and linked here. Happy listening.
*Note that this trip ran from 11/30/23-12/5/23, and that this route may not be safe to do at certain times of the year due to dangerous weather/road conditions
STOPS (DAYS)
- LOS ANGELES, CA > LAS VEGAS, NV
- LAS VEGAS, NV > MOAB, UT
- MOAB, UT > DENVER, CO
- DENVER, CO > KANSAS CITY, MO
- KANSAS CITY, MO > CHICAGO, IL
- CHICAGO, IL > NEW YORK, NY
ROUTE
DENVER ROUTE
DAY 1: LOS ANGELES, CA > LAS VEGAS, NV
STAY
3275 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109
SIGHTS
255 Sands Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89169
As soon as we got to Vegas, we dropped our bags, changed, and went to the Sphere. It wasn’t open, but we got to see it from the outside. Pretty boggling, and pictures simply don’t do it justice.
3600 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Made it to the Bellagio baked in a blue Tesla. Uber drivers here are unhinged in a guilty and sinful, Vegas-kind-of-way. We hit the main entrance, banged a right and took the skybridge to the Palace.
3570 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Paradise, NV 89109
We played no slots. I think John and I made an unspoken pact to not gamble out of fear of becoming Palace zombies. Prime people watching though, especially with a gin martini in hand. Stiffest martini ever, yet the most sobering experience. I’m not complaining, I just needed more olives. Not a clock in sight, it’s a total maze and 2am on a Tuesday.
770 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, NV 89101
We didn’t get to swing it this time around since we got into Vegas around 11:30pm. (It closes at 10pm.) It’s a nighttime-or-nothing experience, it’s the only way to see the signs in full effect.
DAY 2: LAS VEGAS, NV > MOAB, UT
STAY
147 N 300 East, Moab, UT 84532
SIGHTS
36 S 100 West, Moab, UT 84532
Get the bacon-wrapped dates (we made the mistake not to). Duck confit and the chicken was unreal. It’s an ever changing menu using high-quality ingredients and served by a high-energy staff. (Note that they close for the season in early December and reopen in February.)
147 N 300 East, Moab, UT 84532
Woke up swapping records, we’re playing Mamas and the Papas. Innkeeper Naomi was the warmest, sweetest human. Chats on channeling your inner child, a personal favorite. She set the tone for the whole day. Kindness is contagious.
78 N Main Street, Moab, UT 84532
Dope baristas, doper trucker hats. The best coffee in Moab. It’s an old garage turned coffee shop, and the back room is filled with a fully stocked bar decorated with tasteful trinkets and vintage objects unique to Utah. Appeals to the eccentric and loved by locals. You’ll probably leave this place wanting to get a tattoo.
83 N Main Street, Moab, UT 84532
Back of Beyond Books is the oldest book store in Moab, and they have an extensive and impressive archive of maps tucked in the back. It’s where I spent most of my time. You’ll want to touch everything. Copped a first edition of Invisible Scarlet O’Neil, an American comic strip that ran from 1940-1956. It now lives on the entry table of my Brooklyn apartment.
38°43′41″N 109°32′24″W / 38.72806°N 109.54000°W
Thirty dollars per car, but a priceless experience. One road in, one road out. You can’t get lost, though I kind of wish we did. We made it to the Windows, snow flurries, tongues out. A freeing feeling.
DAY 3: MOAB, UT > DENVER, CO
STAY
Airbnb in Congress Park
SIGHTS
U-128 to I-70
We took the solo road that runs along the Colorado River. It's an utterly gorgeous drive you’ll spend in the company of cows. We passed the ghost town of Cisco, and hit a winter storm 2 hours shy of Denver. Frozen wiper fluid and freezing in Frisco. We got gummy bears to compensate, and somehow made it to Denver unscathed.
4337 Tennyson St #300, Denver, CO 80212
Res required, and an Omakase occasion. Neither of us had the energy to look at a menu after that gnarly drive through Denver. Befriended bartender James who wore a double jigger tattoo on his right forearm. Kind eyes, and a generous soul. (He gave me the recipe for the Vesper I ordered, and I think he might’ve let me make it behind the bar had I been ballsy enough to ask.)
THE BEST VESPER RECIPE EVER
1.5 oz St. George Dry Rye
.5 oz Navy Strength Gin
.5 oz Cocchi Americano
3/4 oz Delore Blanch Armagnac
1/4 tsp MSG Solution
9 drops of 20% saline
2 dashes of orange bitters
DAY 4: DENVER, CO > KANSAS CITY, MO
STAY
Airbnb in Brookside
SIGHTS
1617 Genessee Street, Kansas City, MO 64102
Gritty and grungy European bistro in the middle of America. French onion soup was off the chain, and I can’t untaste the blueberry creme brulee. Bistro clinks and lots of chatter, playing Air’s Moon Safari album on vinyl. Warm and fuzzy spot that makes a mean drink. We love a good juxtaposition.
Neighborhood bike ride
The Airbnb offers a tandem bike. Take it around the historic Brookside neighborhood, such a cute neck of KC tucked right next to Country Club Plaza.
4771 Jefferson Street, Kansas City, MO 64112
We stop for iced coffees and smoothies. It’s 35 degrees out and we’re starting to question our sanity.
4706 Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64112
Old town charm with wholesome locals. Every square inch of this place is wrapped with Christmas lights during the holiday months. Expect Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce memes at every coffee shop.
604 W 48th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112
Best cheese and wine shop in all of KC. Hand-drawn cheese cards by the staff, you could spend hours in this place. They also have imported teas from Japan, they’ll cost you $40 a tin. Oops.
DAY 5: KANSAS CITY, MO > CHICAGO, IL
STAY
66 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
SIGHTS
2207 N Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
Forever indebted to deep dish pizza. They come pan-styled at Pequod’s, piping hot with a caramelized crust so good a single bite would have sufficed. Nothing fancy, but screams Chicago. If only these walls could talk. Ranked #5 in the country and opened in 1970.
113-125 North Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607
We made it to Soho just before they closed, and immediately hit the rooftop to take in the views. We spent the rest of our time getting lost in the hotel halls.
113-125 North Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607
The only bar open and conveniently attached to the Soho lobby. Had they been open, we would’ve hit The Allis bar. Fox Bar had a classy yet divey feel which, in my biased opinion, never works unless you’re Chez Jay. We sipped and dipped.
DAY 6: CHICAGO, IL > NEW YORK, NY
STAY
My place (sorry, you can’t stay here)
SIGHTS
777 Starkweather Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
We stopped in Cleveland for lunch at Lucky’s Cafe. It’s Guy Fieri's go-to (if that's your vibe). We arrived 2 minutes before they closed (I kind of hated us for this), but the staff was so warm and accommodating. John slammed the pastrami sandwich and I got the four-cheese grilled cheese. 10/10.
433 E 6th Street, New York, NY 10009
A perfect intro to the city and cap to the trip. Not going to bother describing this place. Highly recommend putting your name down and grabbing a bite somewhere nearby. Definitely worth the wait, and you'll want to hold off on getting a cocktail anywhere else— they're that good.
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If you made it this far, I hope you had fun and felt like you were right there with me. Always a blast archiving memories. Hoping to share and document my experiences more often.
If you have any q's or want to hear more about the trip, say hey ash@artistsdontschool.com. Would be killer to hear from you!
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ASH