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The Zanesville, Ohio, Y-Bridge spans the confluence of the Muskingum and Licking Rivers, just west of the city’ s downtown area. From the east, riding west, go right if your aim is the nearby Tom’ s Ice Cream Bowl.
6. ZANESVILLE’ S“ Y” BRIDGE: Zanesville, OH Looking for a quick diversion from the miles of Ohio’ s I-70? A short distance south of the freeway in Zanesville, you’ ll find the only“ Y” bridge in the U. S. This is one of those rare places where you can drive to the center of the bridge, make a left or a right, and not end up in the river. The current bridge, the fifth version with the famous“ Y” design, is where Main Street and West Main( also U. S. Route 40, the National Road) meet Linden Avenue.
From Atlas Obscura, I learned aviator Amelia Earhart remarked it made Zanesville“ the most recognizable city in the country.”
Not far away, following Linden Avenue to the north, make a quick left turn onto McIntire Avenue, and a few buildings west, you’ ll find Tom’ s Ice Cream Bowl, once named by USA Today the top ice cream shop in America. The place is a throwback to times long past. Although there have been upgrades over the years, it still has the same nostalgic feel.
It’ s not Mayberry, it’ s Zanesville! It’ s one of the places you’ ll tell your friends about when you get back home. Continue up McIntire, and at the crest of the hill, turn left for easy access to nearby 1-70.
7. THE WIGWAM MOTEL ON ROUTE 66: Holbrook, AZ and Rialto / San Bernardino, CA Call them old school, retro, a novelty. Believe me, from my experience, staying in a tepee is a downright hoot. On what was old Route 66, only two of the original seven Wigwam Motels remain. The original Wigwam Motel in Cave City, Kentucky, is also still in operation. On top of that, my stay in both locations seemed competitively priced. The nearby street noise seems well buffered. I might question their choice in wall decor, but that’ s nitpicking. Reservations are a good idea, but there were rooms available when I happened by in both locations.
Few lodging experiences are as memorable as spending the night in a teepee-shaped room at one of the historic Wigwam Motels.
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / SEPTEMBER 2026 / 37