Weekend road trip, where to?

[flightsimmer]

Hey guys, I've been thinking of taking a weekend road trip, not thinking of stopping anywhere, just driving to places I've never been, staying overnight and driving back home.
Yeah, I know, gas prices but what the heck.

My neighbor suggested south from Indy to Kentucky and Tennessee, off Interstate, using back roads that many bikers take for cruising. Sounds good, but where to go. Not looking for big towns, just a relaxing drive to enjoy.

Any suggestions?

 

[chezuki]

Are you still driving a van with a jacked up transmission? That may limit you’re road trip options.

 

[flightsimmer]

Are you still driving a van with a jacked up transmission? That may limit you’re road trip options.

No, I'll be driving the 07' not the 02' Caravan, but the 02' is running great, like new in fact. But you know anything can happen to anything anytime.

That trip is what has inspired me to do a similar trip again only shorter. I loved seeing the back country.

 

[flatlander]

Good idea. I'm going to Milwaukee this weekend to visit with my foster family. Haven't been able to do that for over a year.

 

[jerrob]

Land between the Lakes in Kentucky is beautiful.
Couple nice state forests on Indiana side of In/Ky border to change up the ride back home.

 

[flightsimmer]

I just came back from Madison, Wisconsin a few weeks ago, DON'T go through Chicago, I would suggest I-74 to Bloomington, Illinois and I-39 on up then back east to Milwaukee.

I had never encountered a toll road and when I came up on one in Chicago I didn't understand what to do at highway speeds and went on through not knowing. Well I got a ticket last week in the mail for $42.50 so I'll not be going back to Illinois.

 

[Kev]

I am always a fan of the national parks.. have you seen/visited Mammoth Cave or the Smokey Mtns yet? I know the cave itself is not a 'drive' but a destination, yet the drive to the cave was not bad. I did enjoy driving through the smokies... you just need to get through all the tourist traps to get to them. I also enjoyed Brown County areas, Turkey Run state park area. Lots of nice drives and scenic destinations in our great home as well!

 

[indyjohn]

If I was roadtripping this weekend, I'd go here:

Events

www.google.com

 

[flightsimmer]

Land between the Lakes in Kentucky is beautiful.
Couple nice state forests on Indiana side of In/Ky border to change up the ride back home.

I spent a week there camping a few decades back, it rained the whole time.

If I was roadtripping this weekend, I'd go here:

Events

www.google.com

I flew in to that Evansville airport to see it when I was on my way back from Mississippi.

 

[63PGP]

Couple months ago I was driving to Atlanta and stopped to spend the night in Chattanooga, TN. Only stayed over night but the city looked pretty cool. Planning to go back for a couple days. Stayed at the Read House hotel. Cool old hotel and the Chophouse inside the hotel was great.

Chattanooga Luxury Hotels: The Read House, Historic Hotel

Discover the best of Chattanooga luxury hotels at The Read House. Our historic hotel is where modern comfort meets timeless Chattanooga charm.

www.thereadhousehotel.com

 

[flightsimmer]

Couple months ago I was driving to Atlanta and stopped to spend the night in Chattanooga, TN. Only stayed over night but the city looked pretty cool. Planning to go back for a couple days. Stayed at the Read House hotel. Cool old hotel and the Chophouse inside the hotel was great.

Chattanooga Luxury Hotels: The Read House, Historic Hotel

Discover the best of Chattanooga luxury hotels at The Read House. Our historic hotel is where modern comfort meets timeless Chattanooga charm.

www.thereadhousehotel.com

Yes, I came through Chattanooga and spent the night when I came back from Florida then drove up Signal Mountain Rd. headed north, WOW, What a trip.

 

[KittySlayer]

I am always a fan of the national parks.. have you seen/visited Mammoth Cave or the Smokey Mtns yet? I know the cave itself is not a 'drive' but a destination, yet the drive to the cave was not bad. I did enjoy driving through the smokies... you just need to get through all the tourist traps to get to them. I also enjoyed Brown County areas, Turkey Run state park area. Lots of nice drives and scenic destinations in our great home as well!

Mammoth Cave was going to be my suggestion too. You can cruise a little south to see the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. South of Louisville are some distilleries in Bardstown you could tour. Search for the Bourbon Trail.

Toll Roads ~ the I-65 bridge over the river in Louisville is a toll bridge but not like Chicago. There are no toll booths, you simply driver over at highway speed. If you have an EZ pass they automatically bill you $2 (each way). If you don't have a pass they have cameras that scan your license plate and then mail you a bill for $4 (each way). I have been over a couple times without my EZ Pass and still have not seen a bill in the mail but between the government and the USPS it will probably be a few months.

 

[Colt556]

There is an airshow in Dayton featuring the Thunderbirds, weather permitting, and the Confederate Air Force has their B17 giving tours and flights down at the Military Museum in Evansville.

 

[Tactically Fat]

There are some gorgeous areas east and SE of Cincy, too. The Hocking Hills area. Can get into WV and eastern KY really easily from there, too. Some great back road driving.

And how is it that you're such a seasoned citizen and haven't ever encountered a toll road before? Seriously?

 

[BigRed]

Hey guys, I've been thinking of taking a weekend road trip, not thinking of stopping anywhere, just driving to places I've never been, staying overnight and driving back home.
Yeah, I know, gas prices but what the heck.

My neighbor suggested south from Indy to Kentucky and Tennessee, off Interstate, using back roads that many bikers take for cruising. Sounds good, but where to go. Not looking for big towns, just a relaxing drive to enjoy.

Any suggestions?

Madison Indiana and areas along the Ohio are an enjoyable weekend getaway drive.

 

[flightsimmer]

There are some gorgeous areas east and SE of Cincy, too. The Hocking Hills area. Can get into WV and eastern KY really easily from there, too. Some great back road driving.

And how is it that you're such a seasoned citizen and haven't ever encountered a toll road before? Seriously?

I live in Indianapolis, no toll roads anywhere, no toll roads going to Florida. I guess I have always flown over them not driven through them. I have however paid landing fees occasionally.
Yeah, I have seriously considered the Madison, Indiana route.

 

[eldirector]

We day-trip or overnight pretty often. Some favs:

- US31 south as far as you can get in a day.
- Same for SR135
- As mentioned up-thread, tour the Ohio River Lots of neat towns along the way.
- Newport Aquarium - take backroads to and from
- Dayton Air Museum (or whatever it is called). Backroads to and from.
- Amish country in Northern Ohio.
- Auto museum north of Fort Wayne. Again, backroads.

 

[BigRed]

We day-trip or overnight pretty often. Some favs:

- US31 south as far as you can get in a day.
- Same for SR135
- As mentioned up-thread, tour the Ohio River Lots of neat towns along the way.
- Newport Aquarium - take backroads to and from
- Dayton Air Museum (or whatever it is called). Backroads to and from.
- Amish country in Northern Ohio.
- Auto museum north of Fort Wayne. Again, backroads.

The Auburn Museum is a great trip if you are an auto and/or history buff.

 

[KittySlayer]

The Auburn Museum is a great trip if you are an auto and/or history buff.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg museum is very interesting.

Historic Automobile Museum | Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Check out the museum to discover three levels of historic car exhibits and themed galleries. Whether a school group or car enthusiast, this museum is a must-see destination for all!

automobilemuseum.org

If coming to northeast Indiana be aware of the festival going on all week in Fort Wayne. Mostly impacts business downtown area with some other smaller events around the city. If you see something you might enjoy and are interested in attending shoot me a PM and I can give you an address where you can park free in my downtown FW lot (no toll charges).

Three Rivers Festival | Fort Wayne| Indiana

The Three Rivers Festival is the second largest festival in Indiana. The Three Rivers Festival features over 80 events, entertainment, food and fun!

www.threeriversfestival.org

 

[4651feeder]

Sounds like you need to come up to the Shipshewana Flea Mrkt and set in traffic for long good while to scratch that itch to travel this time of year.