Great Fall Drives: Chicago to Denver

Further along Interstate 30 takes you into Dallas. Thanks to the riches from the oil and cotton industry, Dallas offers a wealth of cultural amenities, including the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

The concert hall, located within the arts district of downtown Dallas, is the permanent home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Dallas Symphony Chorus.

Looking for history? Stop off at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Focusing on the life, times and legacy of President John F. Kennedy, the museum exhibits use film, photographs and artifacts to document the events of JFK's assassination.

Dallas' nightlife is something to behold. Do not count out this city and its respective hot spots. The Joule is a five-star Starwood Hotels (HOT Quote) property that features a striking rooftop pool and bar that cantilevers over the easement below. Get some rest, relaxation and fresh air at this exceedingly contemporary, trendy hotel -- you will not regret it.

Putting the pedal to the metal, dash north to Amarillo, Texas. Home to one of America's greatest roads, Route 66, Amarillo is known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas."

Likely, much of this driving has you and your passengers craving a calorie-rich meal. If so, The Big Texan Steak Ranch is where you want to grab a bite to eat. The infamous Texas King is a 72-oz. steak, which comes free if an individual can eat the entire meal in less than one hour. Come with a serious appetite or suffer the consequences of a $72 dinner.

Following U.S. Highway 87's wandering tarmac into New Mexico, the scenery changes. Soon, you find yourself in a setting that resembles an introductory drawing class' three-dimensional drawing. You know, the one where the road and telephone poles fade into the horizon.

However, do not get too wrapped up in the captivating landscape and miss the Capulin Volcano. Soaring into the skies at 8,182 feet above sea level, a windy road spirals up to the volcano's rim. If you are feeling lucky, take a hike to the crater floor.

10 minutes is all it takes to reach Capulin Volcano's top.

Hopping onto Interstate 25 leads to your endpoint, Denver. The Mile-High City offers a combination of quaint shops, friendly locals and unique cafés.

An exceptional stopover is The Downtown Aquarium, a complex that houses an aquarium and a restaurant (owned by Landry's (LNY Quote)). The aquarium is distinctive because it focuses on American river habitats. Holding about 1.2 million gallons of freshwater and marine aquaria, The Downtown Aquarium is the largest between Chicago and California.