Spectacular mountains, hanging valleys, gorgeous wildflowers, glaciers, waterfalls, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black or grizzly bears - all viewable from a road barely wide enough for two cars in places - a rock cliff going up as one road shoulder and a sharp drop-off (you can't see the bottom of) as the other... ah, the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. It has to be one of the top 10 drives anywhere in the US.
Built back in 1932, the Going to the Sun Road is a 52 mile visual gem you won't soon forget. You start down "low" on either end traveling past gorgeous lakes and forest (on the western side you get to meander through the 2006 wildfire area - still burning in places while we were there). It isn't long before you start climbing (3000') - and realize how the road got its name. The road gets narrow - the scenery gets spectacular - the sun gets closer. There are several pull outs you should use for photo ops. These often have signs explaining what you are seeing from a geology perspective.
At the top you reach Logan Pass - and the Continental Divide. Take advantage of the visitor center here (great view, nice displays, a small store, and the all important restrooms - no food) - as well as one of our top 10 hikes - Hidden Lake Trail (see journal entry). Reach this spot early as the parking lot fills quickly and the visitor center isn't open late.
There are a couple of "notes" with this road. First, you can't take anything larger than 21' long and 8' wide on it... Once you've been over it you'll completely understand why... and marvel that it truly is built for two car widths as your eyes will tell you, "no way" in spots! Second, some folks aren't comfortable driving it... If you fall into either of those categories, by all means, check into car rentals or the red bus tours and let them do the driving for you (narrated tour). This road is too beautiful to skip.
There sometimes are areas they need to fix... we had to stop for a couple that were being repaired from a winter avalanche... so don't be in a hurry. Relax and enjoy the view. We spent our time wondering about the frequency of rock falls, avalanches, etc., while we waited, but that's us and our sense of humor. Don't do that if it would scare you (or your kids)!
For weather reasons, this road is only open mid-June to mid-Oct. I'm told if you come in June you'll still see snow in places. Come in August (as we did) and the wildflowers are incredible. Wildlife can be seen at any time. We saw bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, and a black bear all from the road - not to mention the countless little critters scurrying across in places. Enjoy!