Vintage Vacations: Summer Road Trips Through Postcards. There’s something magical about a summer road trip with the windows down, the hum of the highway, and unexpected roadside attractions that beg to be remembered. In a time before smartphones and travel blogs, the best way to share those adventures was with a postcard.
In this post, we’re taking a nostalgic road trip across mid-century America using real vintage postcards. Each one is a tiny time capsule of the places people once loved to visit — motels, natural wonders, quirky attractions, and bustling downtowns.
Stop #1: Florida Coastline & Classic Motor Inns
Imagine cruising into a breezy Florida beach town, pulling up to a pastel-painted motel with swaying palms and a glowing neon sign proudly boasting air conditioning and color TV.
Daytona Plaza Hotel FL — Featuring golfers on the front lawn.
These motels weren’t just a place to rest — they were part of the experience. Their flashy signs, kidney-shaped pools, and promises of “Heavenly Food!” made them postcard-worthy.
Stop #2: National Wonders & American Beauty and The Notes on the Back Tell the Best Stories
Next up? Natural beauty. Families snapped photos at places like Rainbow Falls Manitou Springs, Co often picking up a postcard at the souvenir stand.
As fun as the front is, sometimes it’s the handwriting on the back that steals the show. A quick hello, a weather report, or “Having a grand time, wish you were here!” — these fragments give us a peek into someone else’s summer decades ago.
Rainbow Falls Colorado Postcard, Posted 1909
Stop #3: Small Town America
Road trips weren’t just about nature — they passed through thriving little towns, each with its own charm. A courthouse square, a local café, or even this Copper Mine is postcard-worthy.
Main Street Bingham Canyon Utah
These cards tell stories about everyday life and civic pride — a reminder that every stop was special.
Stop #4: Roadside Attractions & Eateries
Let’s not forget the weird and wonderful roadside attractions — diners shaped like teapots, reptile farms, and trading posts. Postcards captured it all.
Key West Florida Depot and Conch Tour Train
Back then, a good postcard was half souvenir, half marketing tool — and 100% Americana.
Want to Take This Road Trip Home?
Many of the postcards featured in this post are available in my Etsy shop — perfect for collectors, scrapbookers, or anyone who loves a bit of mid-century charm..
FunkyVintiques Postcards on Etsy
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Final Thoughts
Vintage postcards aren’t just paper. They’re preserved moments from the open road — snapshots of vacations gone by. Whether you’re a collector or just love a good story, they let us travel without ever leaving home.
Nancie
Happy treasure hunting!
📍 Find us in person at:
📌 Sugar Mill Antiques & Vintage Depot
📍 13788 Pacific Circle, Mead, CO
🛍 Booth #58 – Center Aisle, 2nd on the Left
You can also browse our finds in our FunkyVintiques Etsy store or LafayetteAntiques Etsy Store
