There aren't a lot of dining options in Death Valley, so start your day with breakfast at Cottonwood Station. The charming spot is a favorite for hikers, bikers, dog walkers and nature lovers. It's also the only restaurant in Blue Diamond, a quiet residential community that developed near a mining operation.
The family-owned restaurant serves pastries and coffee in the morning and wood-fired pizzas, panini sandwiches, wine and beer later in the day. Grab a seat on the outdoor patio and appreciate the cool elevation before heading toward the depths of Death Valley.

After passing through Pahrump (your last reliable chance to fill up on gas), you'll reach Death Valley Junction, a quaint intersection known for the Amargosa Opera House. The historic hotel and theater was built in the 1920s and survived in its remote location for decades.
It still hosts occasional small-scale events. Tours are held twice a day and by special appointment, allowing guests to enjoy an up-close look at the opera house, learn about its legacy and see the hand-painted murals that line the walls. A small café serves dishes made with local produce, including an all-day breakfast.
Call them to inquire about hours and availability before paying a visit.

Welcome to Death Valley National Park. As you continue to travel State Route 190, you'll pass by colorful rock formations so striking, they appear to be from another planet. While taking a detour to Dante's View can be tempting, go with Zabriskie Point as your scenic vista point for snapping photos. It's much closer to the main road and the views of the surrounding badlands are incredible. You'll see why it's been used as a filming location for numerous movies over the years.

Badwater Basin is one of the main attractions at Death Valley. The lowest point in North America was an ancient lake that evaporated long ago, leaving behind more than 200 square miles of salt flats. A long boardwalk extends out onto the flats from the parking lot, offering the opportunity for some truly surreal photographs more than 280 feet below sea level. Telescope Peak, the tallest mountain in Death Valley, is to the immediate west, nearly overwhelming Badwater Basin with the sudden, dramatic shift in elevation.

As you head back toward the main road (State Route 190), take a nine-mile detour along the Artists Drive Scenic Loop. It's named after the colorful rock formations that come alive, much like paint on a canvas, due to excessive mineral deposits. Shades of pink, purple, red, blue and green appear in gorgeous rainbow patterns with the effect especially strong in a stretch of rolling hills dubbed Artists Palette.

If you plan to spend the night inside the park, the Inn at Death Valley provides the most luxurious resort accommodations. However, when passing through on a day trip, drive about another mile to the Ranch at Death Valley, a more casual sister property with Old West charm.
Order steaks and ribs at the Last Kind Words Saloon, enjoy dessert at the ice cream parlor and play a round at the lowest-elevation golf course in the United States. The ranch is steps from the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center, a great resource for tourists with a short film and exhibits. It's also where you're expected to pay the park fee, which is accepted on an honors system.

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are one of the most identifiable destinations inside Death Valley. Spend a few minutes here and snap some photos or invest a little more time to hike among the imposing hills of bright, white sand. Some even sled or "snowboard" down the slopes. These aren't the largest sand dunes in the park, but are the easiest to reach with accessible parking. The dunes should look familiar to Star Wars fans, since they were used as a filming location to simulate the desert planet Tatooine.

Exit Death Valley National Park and head toward Beatty, an old Nevada mining town that now bases most of its economy on Death Valley tourism.
While approaching the town, pay a visit to the free Goldwell Open Air Museum, a bizarre collection of art installations in the desert. It's within walking distance to Rhyolite, a ghost town with an old bank, saloon, train station and other buildings left in ruins for an eerie post-apocalyptic feel. You'll take some of the coolest (and strangest) photos of your road trip here.

After arriving in Beatty, have a casual dinner at the Happy Burro, an old cowboy saloon that's like a trip back in time. The walls are overcrowded with posters, photos and old antiques with wood furnishings, rickety bar stools and an outdoor patio with a boardwalk.
The chili is the specialty of the house. Tested in regional cook-offs and made with a top-secret family recipe, the dish tastes great on its own, packed inside a Frito Pie or scooped on top of a hot dog. Any of those options pairs well with an ice-cold draft beer.
The trip back to Las Vegas is a relatively routine drive on U.S. Route 95. Just make sure to stop at the Area 51 Alien Center, a quirky gas station and convenience store that pays tribute to Nevada's ongoing U.F.O. obsession.