This spring, I will be traveling down to Phoenix, Arizona, for WordCamp. My tentative road trip schedule looks like the following:

Day 1

After dropping off my wife and child at Kansas City International Airport. I’ll be hitting the road for a road trip to Arizona and a 3-hour drive to Wilson, Kansas.

I will finally get to stay the night at the Midland Railroad Hotel & Restaurant, something I have wanted to do for a while but haven’t been able to. The Midland Hotel is reportedly haunted by an orphaned girl who can be heard down the hallway on the third floor. Another spirit said to haunt the location is Sheriff Bart, who was lynched in a room on the third floor.

I am hopeful to get some good evening and night photographs of the Midland Railroad Hotel and the world’s largest Czech egg before turning in for the night.

Day 2

Friday has plenty of windshield time ahead of me as I leave Wilson, Kansas, and drive 5 and a half hours to the town of Clayton, New Mexico. The highlight of today on my road trip to Arizona will be staying the night at the Eklund Hotel and Restaurant. The Eklund is a place I’ve been wanting to visit since 2006.

The Hotel and Restaurant is said to be haunted by the ghost of a maid named Irene, who is associated with making the floor creak in room 307. In 2015, paranormal investigators claimed that the hotel was also home to another spirit, a sassy older unnamed woman who is said to enjoy playing practical jokes on guests.

Day 3

On Saturday, I’ll be hitting the road from Clayton, New Mexico, and heading towards Capulin Volcano National Monument, where I’ll spend an hour exploring extinct volcano. The road trip continues with a two-and-a-half-hour journey to Pecos National Historical Park and a one-and-a-half-hour drive to Petroglyph National Monument. The night will be spent in Albuquerque, getting ready for another day of adventure as I continue my road trip to Arizona!

Day 4

Sunday morning, I’ll hit the road and explore some wild and historical destinations. First up, I’m setting my sights on the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, a two-hour drive from Albuquerque. Next, I’m headed to the Wild West, to Lincoln, New Mexico, where the infamous Lincoln County War broke out and where Billy the Kid made his mark.

Next stop on the list, I’m taking a trip to the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico. I’ll fuel up in Roswell with a delicious cup of joe at Stellar Coffee Co. before heading down to Carlsbad, New Mexico.

While in Carlsbad, I’ll be staying at the Trinity Hotel and Restaurant, allegedly haunted by a female spirit known as Ruby. Her presence was captured on surveillance camera in 2010 in the hotel lobby.

Day 5

On Monday morning, I’ll hit up Java Nick’s Coffee Hut for a fresh cup of joe and set off towards Carlsbad Cavern National Park. I’ll embark on a tour of the magnificent caverns, exploring every nook and cranny of this underground wonder. Next up, I’ll make my way to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where I’ll take in breathtaking views of towering peaks and rolling hills. And then it’s off to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where I’ll stay the night.

Day 6

Tuesday morning, I’ll fuel up with a delicious cup of coffee from Mad Coffee before making my way to McGinn’s PistachioLand. I’ll lay my eyes on the World’s Largest Pistachio and be amazed by this massive monument to the humble nut. Then, it’s off to White Sands National Park, where I’ll wander through fields of pure white sand and soak up the otherworldly beauty. But that’s not all! I’ll also visit the World’s Largest Chile Pepper, the recycled Roadrunner Sculpture, and stop at Prehistoric Trackways National Monument. At this prehistoric location, I’ll step back in time and follow in the footsteps of ancient creatures. Finally, I’ll end the day in style by staying the night at the classic Art Deco Murray Hotel in Silver City.

Day 7

On Wednesday, I’ll head out to Gila National Monument and tour the cliff dwellings, immersing myself in the rich history of the area. Then, I’ll hit the road and make my way to Tucson, where I’ll spend the night at the Haunted Hotel Congress. Will I brave a ghostly encounter, or will I sleep with one eye open?

If this adventure interests you, read about other haunted locations I have visited or browse through other adventures I have been on.