Vacation Help!

[rockhopper46038]

I think you're thinking of the Montgomery Inn.

 

[Sfrandolph]

Gee, I am surprised that no one recommended the midwest war zone, Chicago.

 

[drysdaleg]

Niagra Falls. US side or CAN side is awesome. I recommend Maid of the Mist or Jet boat ride. Also there is a tunnel under the falls and a deck at the base.

I second this. There's stuff for all age groups regardless of the falls attraction. If you do go, check out fort Niagara.

 

[RugerRog]

Wisconsin dells can be pricey but fun - tourist trap.
Washington DC lots of 'free' stuff to do.
Michigan: Upper Peninsula, Mackinaw Island, Ford Museum in Deerborn.
Things to do in Minnesota

Cedar Point in Ohio.

 

[RyanGSams]

I would say West Point, NY/ NYC. I lived in West Point for a few years and visited NYC many of times. West Point is gorgeous, and very historic. There is a West Point museum with alot of military stuff. They also have a replica A-Bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. Orange County Choppers is about 30 mins drive North of West Point, in Middletown,NY. If you like hiking, Sam's Point Preserve is about an hour drive North as well. There is also an outdoor art center called Storm King Art Center nearby. I am not sure of your families interest, so i am just naming some things.

If you would like any more info/ pictures i have taken i will be able to help.

 

[Cemetery-man]

Thanks a million for the great suggestions ! I love Michigan, the Badger, Door Co. but we have done it to death over the years. Right now we are favoring Nashville. We have friends that live there and hopefully with their help, that would save a lot of time figuring out where to stay, go and what to avoid. I understand there is a nice zoo there also for the kids. Anyone been to Nashville?

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Thanks a million for the great suggestions ! I love Michigan, the Badger, Door Co. but we have done it to death over the years. Right now we are favoring Nashville. We have friends that live there and hopefully with their help, that would save a lot of time figuring out where to stay, go and what to avoid. I understand there is a nice zoo there also for the kids. Anyone been to Nashville?

I have lots of friends who absolutely LOVE Nashville.

Personally, I've only drive through on the Interstate.

If it were ME: I'd split time between Nashville and Chattanooga. They're only two hours apart.

What do you intend to DO on your vacation?

My wife and I love to hike, visit battlegrounds/museums, hunt waterfalls (gotta be quiet, they startle easily), and spend time outdoors in general. The Chattanooga area is an almost perfect location for us. There are fantastic "city" things for us to do in town (Aquarium is GREAT), nice restaurants, nice river walk, etc. But the outdoorsey type stuff in the area is absolutely fantastic. Even the tourist trap places are fun. Ruby Falls, Rock City, Lookout Mountain, etc. We did them all - and had a good time doing it.

If you don't stay with friends - do you rent houses/cabins? Hotel it? Camp?

Another location if you really enjoy outdoorsey type stuff would be the Athens, OH area, the Red River Gorge area, or the New River Gorge area.

All depends on what kind of vacation you want!

 

[Hotdoger]

Rent a house boat on Kentucky lake.
We have had a great time do it.
Family members brought wave runners , ski and bass boats.


We have rented from here several times: Green Turtle Bay Vacation Houseboat Rental on Lake Barkley in Kentucky

 

[mainjet]

indy-guy is giving you some good ideas there. I have been to Nashville many times and I think that you would enjoy the city and area for a couple days. Particularly if you like country music and all the old country music type places. But I think I would run out of things to do there fairly quickly.

Chattanooga - Good suggestion. I used to live there and there are lots of cool things to do. Indy_guy has already given you some great suggestions. People really rave about the river aquarium. My apartment was right across the river from it until they torn my apartment down to put in a bridge when they where building the aquarium - luckily I was able to get out before they tore it down

Lots of civil war stuff to see in the Chattanooga area. At least look into it if you head down to Nashville. I don't think that you will be disappointed at all. And if you do happen to go to Chattanooga please tell everyone Jim said hi. Seriously... tell everyone!

 

[SOCOM242]

Mackinac Island and/or Sault Ste Marie

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Thought about Canada?

If you all have passports, that is. Not sure the ages at which minor children need them... If you don't already have them now, time basically too short to get them for this summer's trip - unless you pay out the nose for expedited return.

Toronto is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous. I'd be more inclined to follow the the eastern shore of Huron up the Bruce Peninsula. Not sure there'd be much up there in the way of hotel accommodation, however.

The Canadian side of Niagra Falls is also supposed to be the nicer side of things. I-90 to Buffalo is a quick 7 hours on I-90.

I know it's the Cleveland area, but Cuyahoga Valley National Park looks pretty cool. I've never been, but did just look over some pictures / info yesterday.

Plus, if you do head towards Buffalo, you go through some PRIME wine country in PA and in NY. The Finger Lakes region is also GORGEOUS. Plenty of outdoor activities.

Are you all baseball fans? Head to Cooperstown, NY...

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

You can tell that a family vacation has been on my mind lately, too....

A bit longer than you're wanting: But how about Savannah, GA and/or Charleston, SC? Myrtle Beach? Hilton Head? Virginia Beach?

Another poster above mentioned it: Washington DC. There are enough museums there, FREE ONES, to last a family more than two weeks. Then you add in the monuments, cemeteries, government buildings, PAY museums (International Spy Museum is fun) and there's PLENTY to take up your time.

When I was there last, we drove in to Alexandria, VA - a few miles from the Pentagon. We rode the bus into the Pentagon subway station and then took the subway into town every day. Came back late evening / night. NEVER felt unsafe in the areas we were. Some of the monuments are wholly different at night - different emotion surrounding them. Korean War memorial, FDR memorial, and the Vietnam memorial are all very very cool / eerie at night.

Along those same lines, Philadelphia is in your travel range, too. All kinds of history there as well.

Extend your drive to two days and head west to Yellowstone! Family adventure!

Your 10-12 hour driving range opens you up to a LOT. Add another 2-3 hours (And even an over-night stay...) opens you up to warm beachy areas.... Your wife would appreciate that, eh?

I mentioned the Finger Lakes, NY area in my last post. I spent precious few hours there late last summer. I spent a few days further up north in the Adirondacks. Another absolute GEM of a vacation spot. I really wish I would have had more time to spend. Hiking galore, gorgeous scenery, hardly need A/C even in the summer. Also a chance to see some Revolutionary War history (Lake Champlain area) AND Olympic history in the Lake Placid area. 13 hours from South Bend to Lake Placid... It's an easy drive.

 

[KittySlayer]

Drive By

Anyone been to Nashville?

Have driven to Bowling Green KY numerous times. Consider a couple of stops along I-65.

Bourbon Trail - south of Louisville - stop for a tour or two of a distillery.

Mammoth Cave - lots of different tours from short to long, easy to difficult.

Corvette Museum and Factory - the factory tour is great and the museum is pretty good too.

 

[Cemetery-man]

Wow!! My head is spinning.

What do you intend to DO on your vacation?

It's all family w/young grandparents stuff and 2 young girls (ages 5 & 6). Zoos, aquariums, eating, shopping, parks, botanical gardens, eating, more shopping, museums, riverboats. Bad knees so strenuous activities are out. Did I mention eating?

If you don't stay with friends - do you rent houses/cabins? Hotel it? Camp?

We usually like to stay at 3 or 4 star hotels (if we get a good deal on priceline) that are close to downtown, waterfront, etc. located in areas with lots to do within walking distance (when it's safe).

A bit longer than you're wanting: But how about Savannah, GA and/or Charleston, SC? Myrtle Beach? Hilton Head? Virginia Beach?

I love Savannah. haven't been there in years so I can't remember much. How long to drive there?

D.C. would probably be better when the girls are a little older to enjoy it more. I would be afraid they would tire quickly at this point.

Keep the ideas coming! only 2 weeks to go.

 

[mrjarrell]

Wow!! My head is spinning.



It's all family w/young grandparents stuff and 2 young girls (ages 5 & 6). Zoos, aquariums, eating, shopping, parks, botanical gardens, eating, more shopping, museums, riverboats. Bad knees so strenuous activities are out. Did I mention eating?



We usually like to stay at 3 or 4 star hotels (if we get a good deal on priceline) that are close to downtown, waterfront, etc. located in areas with lots to do within walking distance (when it's safe).



I love Savannah. haven't been there in years so I can't remember much. How long to drive there?

C.C. would probably be better when the girls are a little older to enjoy it more. I would be afraid they would tire quickly at this point.

Keep the ideas coming! only 2 weeks to go.

With kiddos in that range there are loads of places you can go. As I previously suggested New Orleans has all you're looking for (especially eating!) and plenty for the kids to get excited about. Memphis, too, but no access to beaches. New Orleans also has the advantage of allowing for day trips to the Gulf Coast to indulge in the beaches and eating there, too. We've been going to New Orleans every couple of years since the kids were little. Shoot, even Bourbon Street is a thrill for little kids, with all the lights and characters. Lots of history, shopping, eating and tours all over. And your LTCH is honoured there (just stay out of bars and you're good to go). A quick trip to Gulfport, MS gets you the beaches or a trip out to Ship Island to see Fort Mass. and the beaches (usually a few dolphins on the boat ride out, too). Casino's available for the adults , too.

 

[scattergunner]

Northern Michigan, or the Outer banks in N.C.

 

[Indy317]

The only place I have heard mentioned from them was Memphis?

Gatlinburg - no Dayton - no Toledo - no Indy - no

I wouldn't go to Memphis, my in-laws didn't think much of it. More information would help: Are you in shape? Can you walk a lot? Do you want to walk a lot? Do you want to stay at one place, are you willing to drive a couple hours a day or two to see a sight? Do you dislike heat/humidity? Camping vs staying in the AC as much as possible?

Others have given my suggestions, but I will give a bit more detail:

#1: Road trip: Take I-65S and hit Mammoth Cave in KY. Stay the night or not, but plan the best you can. Just one of the basic cave tours is really all one needs. Continue south on I-65 and you have a few options. You could do Nashville, Chattanooga, or a mix. I love the mountains and smaller cities, so I like Chattanooga. You have Rock City, Incline Railway, and Ruby Falls, plus some Civil War stuff in the area. They have a nice small downtown area.

#2: The Blue Ridge Mountains have a lot to offer. We didn't stay in Asheville, but you could stay there and check out the surrounding area, with a focus on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You could drive to Cherokee and take the BRP back to Asheville, stopping off at Waterrock Knob and the highest point on the parkway. There will be other pull-offs, and hiking is available. Around Asheville is river rafting, the Biltmore Estates, and Chimney Rock. North on the BRP is the Folk Art Center, Craggy Gardens, and Mt. Mitchell SP (Highest point east of the Mississippi). Continuing on and there is Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain, and other places to see. Blowing Rock and Boone are nice little mountains towns with small tourist shopping and eating areas.

#3: Wisconsin Dells. Went here as a pre-teen. The biggest memory of the place, The House on the Rock. It is a cool home about one hour from Wisconsin Dells.

Some others would be Evansville and the surrounding area (there is a 'Garden of the Gods' in S. Illinois that I hear is awesome). SE of Columbus, OH is the Hocking Hills area.

After reading your most recent post, with kids so young, #1 would be best for non-water park stuff, followed by #3 for water park and putt-putt type stuff. #2 would have a lot to offer, but a lot of driving during the days.

 

[RobbyMaQ]

I second this. There's stuff for all age groups regardless of the falls attraction. If you do go, check out fort Niagara.

I grew up in this area. and while there is much to see, the American side of the falls is 'not so great' especially in light of NY not recognizing our LTCH. The Canadian side is prettier, but more 'tourist trap'. Also, I gather cave of the winds is close don the Canadian side this year.
Having said that, maid of the mist, cave of the winds is something to experience (on either side). The raid rides (jet boats) are pricey but a balst. Find the trail down to devils hole (the gorge) off the beaten path.
Fort Niagara is a pretty cool trip if you're into history.
What's more entertaining, is the food and eateries along the niagara river. All throughout the tonawanda's, and toward's buffalo.
Virtually any 'hole in the wall' sub/pizza shop will get you great tasting subs, wings & pizza. But what you really want to try is the Roast Beef On Weck. Do NOT go to Western NY without trying this delicacy. It's like the tenderloin to Hoosiers.
Duff's is also a great eatery. Pizza Junction in my hometown has changed ownership, but recently made it on the food network (diners, drive-ins & dives).
The locks can also be an interesting daytrip up the erie canal.

 

[SkullDaddy.45]

I have a house in northern Michigan, Silver lake is a blast. You can rent anything from jeeps to boats . Bet the farm the kids will have a blast!

 

[sepe]

Wow!! My head is spinning.

It's all family w/young grandparents stuff and 2 young girls (ages 5 & 6). Zoos, aquariums, eating, shopping, parks, botanical gardens, eating, more shopping, museums, riverboats. Bad knees so strenuous activities are out. Did I mention eating?

We usually like to stay at 3 or 4 star hotels (if we get a good deal on priceline) that are close to downtown, waterfront, etc. located in areas with lots to do within walking distance (when it's safe).

I love Savannah. haven't been there in years so I can't remember much. How long to drive there?

D.C. would probably be better when the girls are a little older to enjoy it more. I would be afraid they would tire quickly at this point.

Keep the ideas coming! only 2 weeks to go.

I've been to D.C. and unless it has cleaned up a lot, I'm fine never going back. I've walked around in foreign crapholes that were much more pleasant looking and smelling. The museums, monuments, and importance of the city would make for a nice trip if a good portion of the city didn't smell like an overflowing port-a-potty.