1

The Loneliest Road, Nevada

Nevada is a state that offers plenty of wide, ample, and uncrowded places, for sure. The US Route 50 cuts through the heart of the state, offering solitude and stark desert beauty. The name "Loneliest Road in America" was bestowed upon this route by a 1986 Life magazine article claiming that there was not much to see—but that claim couldn’t be further from the truth.

Route 50 has plenty of ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, unsurpassed recreational opportunities , and a selection of authentic Sagebrush Saloons.

2

Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, California

Yes, the Pacific Coast Highway, stretching along the coast of California, is one of the most famous and beautiful road trips in the world. But, as evidenced by the diverse landscapes of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, the Golden State has so much more to offer.

Alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and desert expanses make up a jaw-dropping panorama all along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range . The elevated mountainous terrain also offers breathtaking views of Mono Lake, whose famous salt waters are visible from miles away.

3

The Blues Highway, Tennessee, and Louisiana

It may sound like the title of a movie, or an album but, in this case, at least, the Blues Highway is a real road, stretching from Nashville, Tennessee, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Also known as Highway 61, this iconic route passes through Delta Blues landmarks, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the historic jazz legacy of Preservation Hall.

As for natural beauty along the way, the Mississippi’s Natchez Trace Parkway offers a look into the area’s Native American history, as well as features stunning views of southern cypress swamps.

4

The San Juan Skyway, Colorado

A spectacularly scenic high-elevation drive, the San Juan Skyway loop provides breathtaking views and access to historic mining towns. The route goes along U.S. Route 550 from Durango to Silverton, Ouray, and Ridgway, and then along Colorado State Highway 62 to Placerville, Colorado State Highway 145 to Telluride, Rico, Dolores, and Cortez, before completing the loop back to Mancos and Durango via U.S. Route 160.

Along this 236-mile journey, which takes about six hours to drive, you'll encounter, subalpine forests, historic mountain towns, expansive cattle ranges, and prehistoric Native American ruins.

5

High Peaks Scenic Byway, New York

The drive along the Adirondack Mountains is not named High Peaks Scenic Byway for nothing. This upstate New York route is a short, but stunning slice of nature. Coming in at just under 30 miles long, the byway begins in the town of Keene and runs to Lake Placid, leading travelers along the highest peaks of the Adirondacks, by breathtaking bodies of water such as Chapel Pond and Roaring Brook Falls, and through charming towns and dense forests.

There are plenty of places to pull over and take in the fresh air and scenery along the drive, as well as numerous trails for those seeking more active adventures such as canoeing, biking, fishing, or cross-country skiing.

6

The Black Hills, South Dakota

There is so much more to the Black Hills than Mount Rushmore. This isolated mountain range in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming covers an area 125 miles long and 65 miles wide. It encompasses rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, otherworldly buttes, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and intricate cave systems.

The name "Black Hills" originates from the Lakota term Paha Sapa, meaning "hills that are black." Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear dark, almost black.

7

North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota

The Great Lakes boasts countless scenic drives, and the North Shore Scenic Drive is among the most spectacular. Stretching approximately 154 miles from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Canadian border, the route offers unparalleled views of the northern shores of Lake Superior .

The drive takes travelers through charming towns and rugged coastal landscapes , with plenty of opportunities to stop for food and drink while also taking in expansive forests, cascading waterfalls, and beaches studded with colorful agate stones.

8

Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, New Mexico

The Trail of the Ancients is a scenic byway winding through the rugged landscapes of the Four Corners region, where the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah meet. The byway unveils ancient cliff dwellings, underground constructions, and intricate rock art, providing a glimpse into the ancient culture that once thrived in the area.

At the heart of the trail lies New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park, known for its intricate stone ruins of what was once a major gathering place for the ancestral Puebloans.

9

The Finger Lakes Loop, New York

The Finger Lakes region in upstate New York has plenty of wineries, waterfalls, and charming villages waiting to be discovered. Visitors can explore the area by car, spend the day on a bicycle, take a hike in the woods, paddle on kayak adventures, or tour the many wineries— offering endless opportunities for exploration.

This four-season playground is framed by some of Mother Nature’s finest work, with eleven freshwater lakes fanning out like fingers across the region.

10

Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway, Wyoming

Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway is a section of US 14A that ends just west of the boundary for Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. At 27 miles, the steep, two-lane stretch travels among soaring mountain peaks, high-altitude deserts covered in grass and sagebrush, as well as conifer and aspen forests.

The byway gets its name from the Medicine Wheel, a sacred and historic limestone circle that sits near the summit of Medicine Mountain. American Indians constructed the wheel in stages sometime over the last 1,000 years, and still use it for ceremonies today.

1

Sliced bread

Image: Laura Ockel

Not even the best of inventions are safe from odd bans. In 1943, the U.S. government temporarily banned pre-sliced bread as part of wartime resource conservation .

Thankfully, the ban only lasted a few months. Housewives, bakeries, and even newspapers complained, arguing that sliced bread was a necessity. The ban was lifted quickly due to public backlash.

2

Pinball machines

Image: Louie Castro-Garcia

Believe it or not, from the 1940s until the mid-1970s, pinball machines were outlawed in several major cities, including New York and Chicago. Officials claimed the machines promoted gambling and corruption .

Machines were confiscated and destroyed. The ban finally ended when it was proven that pinball was more skill-based than luck, leading to its revival as a popular arcade game.

3

Yo-Yos

Image: Eric Prouzet

During the 1930s, some U.S. towns banned yo-yos, believing they caused bad luck and distracted children from schoolwork . The fad was seen as both frivolous and superstitious.

Though short-lived, the bans show how something as harmless as a toy could spark moral panic and strange local laws.

4

Christmas

Image: Erwan Hesry

In the 1600s, the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony banned Christmas , claiming it was rooted in pagan traditions and encouraged rowdy behavior .

Anyone caught celebrating risked punishment or fines. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that Christmas gained widespread acceptance in the U.S.

5

Dancing after midnight

Image: Scott Broome

At different occasions during the 20th century, some cities enforced laws that restricted or outright banned late-night dancing . New York City’s "Cabaret Law" limited dancing to licensed venues only.

Authorities argued it was about maintaining order, but many saw it as cultural repression. By the 1990s, these laws faced strong opposition, and most have since been repealed, allowing nightlife to thrive.

6

Comic books

Image: Waldemar

Comic books have been a scapegoat for different things in different periods. For example, in the 1950s, they came under fire, accused of corrupting America’s youth . Parents, educators, and politicians believed violent and horror-themed comics encouraged delinquency.

Entire towns banned sales, and even public book burnings took place in different corners of the country.

7

Yellow margarine

Image: Marine Le Gac

Being a substitute for butter, margarine was heavily lobbied against by dairy farmers in the late 1800s. Several states passed laws banning margarine dyed yellow to resemble butter .

As a result, margarine was sold plain white, or consumers had to mix in dye packets themselves. These odd restrictions lasted well into the mid-1900s before finally being repealed.

8

Men’s long hair

Image: Siri louis

During the 1960s and 70s, schools across the U.S. cracked down on boys with long hair . Beatles-inspired styles were viewed as rebellious, unclean, and disruptive.

Some students were suspended or expelled over hair length. These policies reflected the cultural clashes of the era.

9

Left-handed writing

Image: Anna Savina

For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, left-handed students were forced to switch hands . Teachers tied their left arms or punished them until they wrote with their right hand.

This practice was based on superstition and prejudice, with left-handedness considered "wrong" or even sinister.

10

Bathing suits above the knee

Image: Brett Jordan

In the early 1900s, strict laws dictated swimwear modesty at public beaches . Bathing suits that rose above the knee could result in fines or even arrest by "beach police."

Photographs from the time show officers measuring swimsuit lengths with rulers. The bans slowly disappeared as fashion and social norms shifted.

11

Coffee

Image: Jakub Dziubak

In the late 1600s, in Boston, coffee was briefly banned for being considered dangerous and unproductive . Authorities feared it encouraged idleness and vagrancy.

Coffeehouses were seen as gathering places for gossip and dissent. The ban didn’t last long, and coffee soon became a staple of American culture, eventually surpassing tea in popularity.

12

Velvet Elvis paintings

Image: Susan Mohr

In the 1970s and 80s, velvet Elvis paintings became a kitschy art craze. Some towns, embarrassed by the trend, tried banning their sale, calling them indecent or tacky .

Though the bans were rarely enforced, they reflected how taste and morality sometimes crossed into law.

1

"How you doin’?" – Friends

Image: Malavika Pradeep

Friends gave us a lovable group of New Yorkers navigating life and love. But it was Joey Tribbiani’s cheesy yet charming "How you doin’?" that stole the spotlight. This flirty greeting, delivered with a confident grin, became a pop culture gem and Joey’s signature move. It’s the kind of line that can’t help but make you smile—even if you’re not on a date at Central Perk.

2

"You got it, dude", "How rude!", and "Have mercy" – Full House

Image: H031175

Full House warmed hearts with its family-centered humor and wholesome charm. Michelle Tanner, the tiny powerhouse, gave us "You got it, dude," and "How rude!"—adorable comebacks with surprising sass. Meanwhile, Uncle Jesse’s "Have mercy" was his smooth, rock ’n’ roll way of reacting to… well, just about anything worth swooning over.

3

"Well, isn’t that special?" – Saturday Night Live

Image: Asit

With sketches that parodied everyone and everything, SNL gave us the ultra-judgy Church Lady. Dana Carvey’s purse-lipped creation mastered the art of sarcasm. You didn’t need to be holy to recognize that smug tone.

4

Fonzie’s "Aaaay" – Happy Days

Image: Robbie Noble

Arthur Fonzarelli, aka Fonzie from Happy Days , made leather jackets cool and jukeboxes come to life with a single punch. His signature "Aaaay," complete with thumbs-up, said it all—cool, confident, and just a little bit rebellious.

Whether he was fixing a motorbike or schooling Richie on life, Fonzie’s catchphrase became a national symbol of laid-back swagger.

5

"Did I do that?" – Family Matters

Image: White.Rainforest ™︎ ∙ 易雨白林.

Steve Urkel from Family Matters was the lovable nerd who left a trail of chaos behind him. Whenever a plan backfired—and we all know they usually did—he’d pop out with his nasal "Did I do that?" It was part apology, part mischief, and it made Urkel a household name. That clumsy charm was irresistible, even when he turned the Winslows’ house upside down.

6

"Yada, yada, yada" and "Newman" – Seinfeld

Image: Dilip Ale

Seinfeld , the "show about nothing," gave us plenty of quirky phrases. "Yada, yada, yada" became shorthand for skipping the boring parts—or hiding juicy gossip. And then there was Jerry’s exasperated, drawn-out "Newman" whenever his nemesis neighbor appeared. Both lines are still used today. Sometimes, saying very little says it all.

7

"Dy-no-mite!" – Good Times

Image: J Williams

J.J. Evans from Good Times had a big personality and an even bigger catchphrase: "Dy-no-mite!" He’d shout it with such enthusiasm that you couldn’t help but laugh. It captured his upbeat attitude in a show that balanced humor with tough realities. That one word became a rallying cry of fun and energy in every episode.

8

"And that’s the way it is" – CBS Evening News

Image: appshunter.io

Walter Cronkite signed off each evening with calm, steady authority: "And that’s the way it is." It wasn’t flashy, but it became iconic because it felt real and trustworthy. In a time when Americans gathered around the TV for the news, that line gave a sense of closure and comfort after a long day.

9

"Come on down!" – The Price Is Right

Image: Kenny Eliason

The Price Is Right turned everyday folks into instant game show stars with four exciting words: "Come on down!" Bob Barker’s booming voice (and later Drew Carey’s) invited contestants to race down the aisle and guess the price of, well, just about everything. That line still gets hearts racing for bargain hunters and lucky guessers alike.

10

"Yabba Dabba Doo!" – The Flintstones

Image: papazachariasa

Fred Flintstone’s caveman cheer, "Yabba Dabba Doo!" from The Flintstones was pure cartoon joy. Whether he was sliding down a dinosaur’s tail after work or just in a good mood, that prehistoric phrase made everyone’s inner child want to shout it too. It was goofy, energetic, and unforgettable.

11

"Norm!" – Cheers

Image: Quan Nguyen

Whenever Norm walked into Cheers , the whole bar would greet him with a booming "Norm!" It wasn’t just a greeting; it was a welcome from friends who felt like family. That running gag captured the cozy, familiar vibe of the show, where everybody really did know your name.

12

"Nip it in the bud" – The Andy Griffith Show

Image: Glenn Carstens-Peters

Barney Fife, the overly enthusiastic deputy from The Andy Griffith Show , had his own way of handling trouble: "Nip it in the bud!" He meant to squash the problem early, though his methods were often hilariously over the top. The line became a comical mantra for over-preparing and overreacting—Barney style.

13

"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" and "Oh, my nose!" – The Brady Bunch

Image: Bruna Araujo

The Brady Bunch gave us sibling drama in its purest form. Jan’s jealous cry of "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" captured classic middle-child woes, while Marcia’s anguished "Oh, my nose!"—after getting hit with a football—was a dramatic moment that still gets laughs. Both quotes are etched into the memories of anyone who grew up watching the blended Brady family.