Meet the Resties of the Southwest: 5 Pit Stops Worth Stopping for on Your Next Road Trip

The first time I went road tripping in the Southwest was in college. My photography class took a 2-week trip to New Mexico over winter break, and it was a life-changing experience, to say the least. The vast desert, the quirky towns, and the majestic mountains had quite an effect on me, and I longed for more. We drove all over the state from Santa Fe, Taos, and Acoma to White Sands, Truth or Consequences, the Very Large Array, and Las Cruces.

This trip gave me my first real taste of this part of the country. Fast-forward a year, and I was back in the Southwest, this time on an Arizona road trip with my aunt, and fascinated with the landscape yet again. And now, years later, I live here.

The open roads of the Southwest call my name, and I am more than happy to hop in my car and oblige. There's nothing quite like driving miles through the desert, mountains, and canyons with endless miles of pavement in front of me. On any road trip, stopping along the way is a must; it's a big part of the adventure, after all, and we are here to celebrate it.

Introducing the Resties! With nominations by five content creators who have been road-tripping full-time for years, let's discover the best pit stop bites, quirky attractions, stop-worthy views, uncommon overnight stops, and fuel stops in the Southwest region.

Best Quirky Attraction: Eiffel Tower, Paris, Texas

What to discover one of the best quirky attractions in the Southwest? Your judges, content creators Abi and Nikki Rodriguez of Let's Play Ride and Seek, love checking out unusual roadside attractions on their camper van travels. They have been road-tripping full-time for over 6 years.

People travel from all over the world to Paris, France, to see the Eiffel Tower, but did you know that there's a Paris with an Eiffel Tower of its own right here in the U.S.?

"The Eiffel Tower replica in Paris, Texas, is topped with a 3.5-foot-tall red Stetson cowboy hat, and at night, it lights up with the colors of the Texas flag. This is a truly hilarious and photo-worthy road trip stop. Bonus, it’s free, pet-friendly, and open 24 hours."

Best Pit Stop Bite: Miller's Smokehouse, Belton, Texas

Your judges for the best Pit Stop Bites Resties are Jesse and Rachael Lyons of the Taste for Adventure Instagram account. Since 2018, their RV adventures have taken them to nearly every state and over 40 national parks. What they love to do is discover the best food and brews along the way.

"Texas is the most iconic state for highways and barbecue. If you're traveling through the Lone Star State, stop at any roadside barbecue shack or trailer to be rewarded with tender brisket, homestyle sides, and a slice of white bread to mop it all up. There's a lot of arguing over who serves the best highway barbecue, but Miller's Smokehouse, near the intersection of Interstates 14 and 35, is a contender. Stop in for brisket, pulled pork, and sausage, but don't forget to stay for dessert."

Best Stop-Worthy View: Riverbend Hot Springs, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Are you ready to discover the best Stop-Worthy Views nomination? Creators and judges for this category, Katelyn and Howard Newstate of the Newstate Nomads, have been traveling both internationally and through North America (via RV) for 7 years. Through their social media channels, including Instagram and YouTube, they share the best RV stops and activities you just can't miss along the way. When traveling through North America, they bring their three dogs, Ella, Piper, and Scout, along for their adventures.

"With a name like Truth or Consequences, you know there’s going to be some fun things in this town! If you’re looking for an incredibly beautiful place to stop and also #treatyourself… look no further than Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Just 3 miles off Interstate 25, you could stop for an hour (or even the night) and indulge in a quick soak in some of the most beautiful natural hot springs we’ve ever seen!

Offering geothermal soaking pools of varying temperatures with stunning views of the Rio Grande and surrounding mountains, it’s one of our all-time favorite places to stop. Riverbend Hot Springs also offers private soaking options, a hotel, and RV camping onsite. Talk about a win, win!"

Best Uncommon Overnight: 7F Lodge, College Station, Texas

If you want to discover some of the most fascinating, quirky, and uncommon overnight stays throughout the Southwest, meet our judges for the Uncommon Overnights category, Margaret and Corey Bienert of A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour. They've traveled to more than 30 states and spent their nights in some fascinating places along the way.

"7F Lodge is a romantic bed and breakfast with private cabins nestled in the woods. Here, you won’t find a cave room or nightclub, but instead their cabins are all themed in ways that feel appropriate to their surroundings like the Barn, which is as rustic as it sounds but also so comfortable and luxurious enough to have a heart-shaped tub, Sugar Shack, which has a little bit of 70s spice to it, or Hill Country, which is a quaint getaway complete with a jacuzzi tub on the screened-in porch. This place feels simple but sophisticated at the same time, with all the privacy you could want, but also the amenities that make it an incredibly cozy stay."

Best All Fuel Aside: Czech Stop, West, Texas

With her pup Honcho in tow, Deyana Walker of The Skoolie Teacher has been traveling in a converted school bus throughout North America for 3 years while working as a virtual special education teacher. She's become an expert at roadside travel stops, so she is the perfect judge for the All Fuel Aside category for the best spots to fuel up.

"The Czech Stop in West, Texas, is a beloved roadside destination renowned for its authentic Czech pastries and warm hospitality. Established in 1983, this family-run bakery offers a diverse selection of kolaches—fluffy pastries filled with sweet fruits, creamy cheeses, or savory combinations like sausage, jalapeño, and cheese.

With its rich Czech heritage and commitment to quality, the Czech Stop has become a cherished landmark for those traveling along I-35.

The Little Czech Bakery, open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., ensures freshly baked goods are available throughout the day, attracting travelers and locals alike. Beyond kolaches, the bakery also offers strudels, pies, cookies, and unique treats like honey gingerbread cookies and buttermilk pie, making it a must-stop for dessert enthusiasts."

The Resties celebrate the best of roadside America; you can view all of the winners here. Want to nominate your favorite pit stops? Fill out the nomination form.