Road Trips and Secret Spots Every Travel OT Should Know

Turn Every Assignment into an Adventure with this Traveler-Approved Google Map 

One of the best parts about working as a traveling occupational therapist? The freedom to turn any corner of the country into your own backyard. Your life isn’t just about shifts and schedules—it’s about mornings spent watching sunrises over unfamiliar skylines, weekend hikes in hidden parks, and those local diners where they remember your usual by the time you come back. This lifestyle is all about discovery, and no one gets that better than the OT travelers who live it every day. 

So we reached out to our community of travel therapists to share the places that made them pause and breathe. The cozy cafés tucked off the main road, the scenic drives that helped clear their heads, the parks where they found a moment of calm, and the quirky spots that brought a smile after a long day. What came back is a living, breathing Google Map packed with their personal road trip routes, off-the-beaten-path finds, and can’t-miss experiences all across the U.S. Whether you’re gearing up for your next assignment, taking the scenic route there, or carving out joy between shifts, consider this your invite to explore like a local—with guides who’ve already been down the road. 

Uncovering Local Treasures 

Some of the best travel moments come from unexpected discoveries—those places you stumble upon without planning. As a travel occupational therapist, you have more opportunities than most to find these hidden treasures. It might be a peaceful trail to unwind after a shift, or a local café where the staff remembers your favorite order by the time you return. These little finds turn ordinary assignments into meaningful experiences—stories you’ll carry with you long after your contract wraps up. Here’s a glimpse of just a few of these gems on our map: 

• Burney Falls, Shasta County, CA: “I took 3 weeks off and did a 2000 mile road trip from Montana to California! Burney Falls was by far the most beautiful place I saw! I sat at this spot for 2 days straight admiring the beauty! Also, the campground at the falls was also one of the cleanest spots!” - Rebekah 

• The Denver Central Market, Denver, CO: “Cute market with lots of food choices and the best bakery!” - Noreen 

• Camp Coffee Roasters, Blowing Rock, NC: “Adorable and outdoorsy coffee shop located downtown Blowing Rock has the best lattes, coffee, and delicious bakery items.” - Adrianna 

• The Sands Beach in Port Royal, SC: “Sands is a great place for a short walk on the beach! A ton of shells and you can even find shark teeth.” - Kristen 

These aren’t simply suggestions—they’re an open door. An encouragement to explore without a strict plan. To stay curious about the everyday moments that don’t make the guidebooks but somehow leave the biggest impression. It’s those quiet corners and unexpected stops that often become your favorite parts of the journey. 

Road Trip Favorites from Fellow Travelers