Keegan-Michael Key is known for laughs, but he’s full of wisdom when it comes to travel

Keegan-Michael Key is known for films and shows like the Emmy and Peabody award-winning “Key and Peele.” He’s brought to life memorable characters like Mr. Garvey, a substitute teacher with a flair for names, and President Obama’s anger translator, Luther.

In recent years, the actor, producer and writer has adopted another role, as brand ambassador for Choice Hotels. It’s a natural fit for someone who spends roughly half his time working on the road.

“It is a rare and fortunate occasion when I get to actually shoot somewhere near where I live,” he said.

Even so, he still loves to travel, as he shared with USA TODAY.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Question: Do you have a favorite travel memory?

Key: I do remember this trip that we took to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where we went horseback riding. The thing I like about horseback riding – which I think would be a heck of a way to travel the country if you had five months – is that you’re off the beaten path.

That’s something that I really, really enjoy. And that’s something a person can do, whether they’re in a car or on horseback … I really enjoy being out in the wilderness and having a really terrific guide.

I’m a big history buff. I like hearing about ‘And then this happened over here or Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, the Hole-in-the-Wall gang, was here,’ and those kinds of things.

Also, I remember a trip years and years and years ago, when I went to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was driving across the country, and I went up to Taos and I went to the Taos Pueblo. It’s amazing when you get an opportunity to see some of the Native settlements in our country.

I remember shopping for souvenirs that were crafted by Native Americans, and there was a lady – she was in one of these like round dome homes – and I asked her, ‘How old is this building?’ And as casually as she could, she just goes, ‘Oh, I don’t know. It’s 1200, 1500, 1200 years old.’

Wow. That’s a memory that sticks with me. Like I said, I’m a history buff. It’s really fun to go to places where history began for our country. That’s something that just captures my imagination.

Is there anywhere you’d like to visit for America’s 250^th anniversary?

It’s funny, you can go anywhere, can’t you? We haven’t been to Philadelphia in a while.

I’ve never seen the Liberty Bell. I’d like to see the Liberty Bell. That would be a good way to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation.

What is your preferred way to travel?

If I’m vacationing, my preferred way would definitely be by car, because that’s how you find the nooks and crannies in our country. There’s something about actually seeing all of the space that you’re moving through, as opposed to just flying over it.

And it’s interesting in regard to the partnership that I have with Choice Hotels, because across our nation, there are like 4,000 Choice Hotels that are within a mile or two of an interstate.

You just have a little home base for a minute while you’re trying to explore a small off-the-path town. That’s really fun to me, to drive around the country and see those little, small out-of-the-way places that you wouldn’t if you were flying.

When you fly, are you a window or aisle seat person?

I am an aisle person. I have very long legs, like 3/4 of my body is legs. I’m pretty tall, and so I like to have just a little bit of scooch room out into the space of the aisle.

Window or aisle? Why Chef Richard Blais takes the middle seat on planes

Do you have a particular memory tied to a place that you discovered en route to somewhere else?

I remember traveling and staying in a hotel – I think it was a Choice Hotel – somewhere near Zion National Park, and waking up in the morning and looking out the window, and there’s just simply a mountain. It’s like you’re driving and there are no mountains, and then you fall asleep, and your parents kind of pick you up and they put you in the room like that. And then you wake up in the morning and you’re surrounded by mountains.

I love watching the topography change like that.

Speaking of your partnership, what do you look for in a hotel?

One of my favorite things, which is a trademark of Choice Hotels, is they have their waffle bars at breakfast. I really enjoy a hotel where you can have kind of a simple breakfast, just so you can fuel up before your day. And that’s one of the most important things to me.

Also, sometimes I like having a conversation with the other people that are sitting there. ‘So where are you from? Oh, Missouri. OK. I’m from Florida. I’m from Michigan.’ That’s some of my favorite parts of traveling, the people, the strangers that you meet. You make quick little connections with people before you go out and explore.

Story continues below.

Is there anything you like to splurge on, on vacation?

I love sports, so if I can go to a sporting event, if there’s an iconic stadium or something like that, then I like to go to that. I’m big into athletics.  When possible, we try to get to games – football games or a soccer game or a tennis match – especially if the town is known for sports.

Also, some cities have a particular sports culture. If I can experience that culture and be part of that culture, I’d love for that to be part of the travel experience.

Someday, if I have the time, I would love to do a stadium road trip. Like going to 20 ballparks or 20 famous college football stadiums or professional stadiums or something of that ilk would be an ideal vacation for me.

Do you have a travel must-have when you travel?

I don’t have any must-haves, really. I like to be as present as I can be.

I don’t need my headphones. I don’t necessarily need a book. I’m pretty simple.

Do you have any travel pet peeves or any unpopular opinions when it comes to travel?

No. It’s all an adventure to me. Every step of it is an adventure. So, whatever comes up, then you got a new story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Keegan-Michael Key has jokes, but not when it comes to travel