vacation ideas

[wcd]

Springfield/Branson, MO has a lot of stuff to do. Silver Dollar City, if you are into amusement parks. Lots of shows to see. You have to go to Lambert's Cafe and have some throwed rolls. Then get down to Springfield and see the biggest Bass Pro Shop ever. Lots of nature if you want it, and some dang great lakes to fish in. If you drive, you can stop in St. Louis and see the Arch. And while you are driving on I-44, don't forget to stop at Uranus Fudge Factory. They always pack the best fudge in Uranus!

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg will be similar, but I prefer Springfield/Branson.

If you are looking for ideas similar to Pelee Island, you might look into Drummond Island, MI. I've never been, but I have several friends who go there every year.

Only way I would recommend Pigeon Forge area would be to rent a cabin and stay in traffic is a real joy. But if you select the right cabin you can really enjoy the view and relax a bit.

We will be looking as well. Seems like it’s getting to be a chore to try and find a little fun now a days.

 

[Haven]

The farmer in the Dell? Hi ho a cherry oh the farmer in the dell? Do I really need to come over and sing it?

I've heard you sing before. I can skip it.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I've heard you sing before. I can skip it.

I'll be over in a bit.

 

[wcd]

If History is of interest Greenfield Village and Henry Ford museum along with The estate. I have not been there in years but I would say to pack your situational awareness if you go.


Mackinaw Island is nice but really pricey.

 

[wingrider1800]

If History is of interest Greenfield Village and Henry Ford museum along with The estate. I have not been there in years but I would say to pack your situational awareness if you go.


Mackinaw Island is nice but really pricey.

The Outer Banks is the same way. We visited but couldn't afford to stay.

 

[Cameramonkey]

The Outer Banks is the same way. We visited but couldn't afford to stay.

Ive heard if you drive through there they require you to stick OBX or salt life stickers on the back of your car. Not happening.

 

[wcd]

The Outer Banks is the same way. We visited but couldn't afford to stay.

I requested some info from the chamber of commerce and my inbox was blown up with offers and discounts which left me wondering where is the discount or special offer?

 

[wingrider1800]

Ive heard if you drive through there they require you to stick OBX or salt life stickers on the back of your car. Not happening.

We were on the goldwing. This was probable 7 or 8 years ago and we would like to have spent a night or 2 but prices were in the neighborhood of 300 a night then. We had been staying at Virginia Beach at a nice beach front room for less than a 100.

 

[wcd]

We were on the goldwing. This was probable 7 or 8 years ago and we would like to have spent a night or 2 but prices were in the neighborhood of 300 a night then. We had been staying at Virginia Beach at a nice beach front room for less than a 100.

How was Virginia Beach?

 

[Magyars]

I am formerly from Northern Virginia.....and the traffic is not for the faint of heart.
Virginia has lots of attractions to offer...Mount Vernon, Williamsburg, Monecello... battlefield s, natural landmarks ( check out crab tree falls ) museums.... mountains and beaches.
If you would like to PM me I can give you a more detailed list based on your interest.

 

[tomcat13]

I'll be over in a bit.

Love that '76 Malibu! One of the Best cars I ever Owned. Wish I had mine back.

 

[eldirector]

Our staples are Michigan and Gatlinburg, both already mentioned. Get a cabin or VRBO off the beaten path.

Lately we have been exploring Kentucky as well. Red River Gorge is next, I think. We are doing sections of the Kentucky Adventure Trail. I'd like to stay on a houseboat on Lake Cumberland sometime as well. I hear they have a little bourbon down that way, too.

Our big trip this year will be Maine (again). Pretty easy and scenic 2-day drive, and we VRBO a little south of Portland. LOTS of history, beaches, parks, scenic drives, boating, etc... Oh, and seafood.

A trip out west is also on our list. Trying to figure out logistics to work 2-3 days / week so we can take an extended trip.

 

[rhamersley]

Many moons ago my first wife and I took our kids to Colonial Williamsburg. The kids still talk about that. Only good if you're a history buff, though.

 

[two70]

A week long vacation, somewhere different, for $1500 or less?

https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/
National Museum of World War II in the Pacific
50+ wineries, breweries and distilleries
12+ State Parks within a short drive
If you finish all that in a week, San Antonio is about an hour and Austin is about an 1.5 hour drive.

 

[wingrider1800]

How was Virginia Beach?

It was nice. We haven't been there since then. Our beach vacations have moved to Daytona. We have found the beach front hotels in daytona alot cheaper than most other places and there is lots of beach.

 

[PGRChaplain]

Head for Front Royal Virginia. Skyline Drive starts there in Shenandoah National Park. Head South when it ends the Blue Ridge Parkway begins. Keep heading South, it ends in Cherokee N.C.

 

[Cozy439]

You mentioned Mt Rushmore. If you like the outdoors, history, scenery, etc, I recommend that area - The Black Hills area. Many trails to walk, especially in Custer State Park. Trails for horseback riding and side-by-sides/ATVs/UTVs are all over the area (we love Andy's Trail rides out of Lead SD. and have good luck with a few ATV rentals). Scenery of the Black Hills is great and it gets better as you get off the main roads. The impressive majesty of Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse carvings is impressive. A decent number of wineries (Prairie Berry or Naked wineries are the best - 1/4 apart in Hill City) and breweries (the reopened Dakota Shivers in Lead is my fave). Custer, Keystone and Hill City all have assorted tourist activities for all ages. Deadwood has history, gambling and more. Devils Tower is also an easy drive from there. So are many small towns with various attractions - Aladdin has a general store, Sundance has museums, so does Hullett. The city of Spearfish and Spearfish Canyon both have sights and attractions to try. If you want to drive a little farther West there is Gillette, Buffalo and Sheridan. We have had fun in all of these towns. Or to the East is Rapid City and it has Ellsworth AFB, a museum and other attractions. Between Deadwood and Rapid City is Sturgis - If Harley's mean anything to you, you know whats here. We have had fun in all of these towns. We have started vacations in Custer, Rapid City and Buffalo/Sheridan. We have spent numerous day or nights in all the other locations and we always end our trips with 2 or more nights in Deadwood. We are days away from deciding if the Black Hills will be our destination this year or somewhere a little closer. PM me for any specific questions - we do love it out there.

 

[Route 45]

You mentioned Mt Rushmore. If you like the outdoors, history, scenery, etc, I recommend that area - The Black Hills area. Many trails to walk, especially in Custer State Park. Trails for horseback riding and side-by-sides/ATVs/UTVs are all over the area (we love Andy's Trail rides out of Lead SD. and have good luck with a few ATV rentals). Scenery of the Black Hills is great and it gets better as you get off the main roads. The impressive majesty of Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse carvings is impressive. A decent number of wineries (Prairie Berry or Naked wineries are the best - 1/4 apart in Hill City) and breweries (the reopened Dakota Shivers in Lead is my fave). Custer, Keystone and Hill City all have assorted tourist activities for all ages. Deadwood has history, gambling and more. Devils Tower is also an easy drive from there. So are many small towns with various attractions - Aladdin has a general store, Sundance has museums, so does Hullett. The city of Spearfish and Spearfish Canyon both have sights and attractions to try. If you want to drive a little farther West there is Gillette, Buffalo and Sheridan. We have had fun in all of these towns. Or to the East is Rapid City and it has Ellsworth AFB, a museum and other attractions. Between Deadwood and Rapid City is Sturgis - If Harley's mean anything to you, you know whats here. We have had fun in all of these towns. We have started vacations in Custer, Rapid City and Buffalo/Sheridan. We have spent numerous day or nights in all the other locations and we always end our trips with 2 or more nights in Deadwood. We are days away from deciding if the Black Hills will be our destination this year or somewhere a little closer. PM me for any specific questions - we do love it out there.

AND there's free ice water at Wall Drug Store.

 

[femurphy77]

Not so much a destination as an idea for an excursion; research dark skies, find something in that area to entertain your family during the day and introduce them to the "billions and billions of stars" that aren't visible to us in central Indiana. If you've never experienced a dark sky you have NO idea what you're missing right over our heads. I've been talking about it for some time with my wife and we'll probably be making that trip ourselves this year.

 

[KittySlayer]

Natchez Spring Pilgrimage although I would guess it may be jacked up with COVID rules. Also probably need to book hotels a year in advance. Lots of history and impressive homes.

String together a series of smaller museums/destinations and take a touring Road Trip hopping from town to town, driving a couple hours and then moving on to the next attraction. Can be loosely planned and then adjust as the mood strikes.

Some ideas although you would want to take a map and pick a group of attractions that fits your desired driving distances and tastes.

• Tour of the Corvette manufacturing plant and museum
• A couple good bars/bands on Nashville's Music Row
• Tour of a bourbon distillery in Bardstown
• Hit some local festival(s)
• Civil War battlefields/museums/reenactment
• Mammoth Cave
• Elvis's Graceland museum

Other states/regions could offer a similar batch of options.