Needing road trip suggestions About This Page:

[GoofyMom]

We're planning another Great American Road Trip and are trying to decide where some good places are to stop along the way. I read Meggera's trip report and we think that we might like to take the Jelly Belly tour in Wisconsin. Dan enjoyed our tour of the Budweiser brewery in St Louis so much that he's interested in touring another brewery this time. Any suggestions on another great brewery tour (big national brewery or micro brewery, doesn't matter)? What about other interesting places to stop? We're looking for suggestions between Philadelphia and Maine; and then from Maine to Niagara Falls (hmmm, winery tours??), south around the Great Lakes, and then up through Minneapolis.

We're also thinking of bringing our golf clubs. Any suggestions for "duffers" courses would be welcome too.

[Carousel96]

Jelly Belly is fine if you're in the area, but it's really just a warehouse with a train.
There are plenty of breweries in the Milwaukee area. And great German restaurants.
If you want a small brewery, I believe Leinekugels near Chippewa Falls has tours. It would be on your drive from Milwaukee to Mpls. Stop for pie at Norske Nook in Osseo WI.

You have to go to Ella's Deli in Madison. I'll see if I can find a link and PM it to you.

If your travels take you through Cleveland, I'd suggest the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Great Lakes Science Center. Great Lakes Brewing Company still has bullet holes in the wall from an Eliot Ness raid. A bit south, Canton has the Football Hall of Fame and Akron one for Inventors. If the weather is lousy, the Cleveland Zoo has a nice rainforest building. If you like history, there are a number of Presidents houses in Ohio -- Garfield in Mentor and Hayes in Fremont (?) would be fairly close to the turnpike driving route. There are also wineries in Ohio -- east of Cleveland on the Lake in the Geneva area, and on "the Lake Erie Islands" near Sandusky.

Then there's Cedar Point near Sandusky. As you go west on 90, Indiana has a large Amish community, Notre Dame (gotta see "Touchdown Jesus" if you're a college football fan) and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Chicago -- too much to see to even try to go into it here. The locals can do much more justice than I. But be sure to plan a good stop here.

I know the Mall of America is on most people's Minnesota to-do list. You probably should see it because of it's scale. But ultimately, it's a Mall. I recommend the Mill City Museum and Fort Snelling to get a better idea of Minnesota history and culture. The Science Museum of Minnesota (in St Paul) is getting an exhibit on Star Wars this summer. Just a few blocks away is Great Waters brewery -- which we love.

And since you'd be driving northward home, I suggest you stop at Lake Itasca state park, just so you can say you walked across the Mississippi. I think every family in MN has a photo by the "headwaters post" or the Paul Bunyan statue in Bemidji.

[Carousel96]

Depending on your route on the east coast, I recommend Newport RI (the "cottages" -- actually summer homes of the turn of the century rich -- are amazing. I could put my whole house in hte foyer of one!) Also Mystic Ct -- the seaport and aquarium. We moved from the area in 2003, so I don't know that our favorite restaurants are still around. When we lived in CT, we always took visitors to Newport, and the Indian Museum at Foxwoods (the village alone is worth the price of admission).

[WDWfan]

On your way from St. Louis to Chicago you might want to stop in Springfield, Illinois, If you like history at all it is filled with Lincoln sites, New Salem is just outside of town and is a rebuilt community that Lincoln lived in filled with log cabins. They frequently have people acting the parts of actual citizens of New Salem. It is a great stop on a beautiful day. Springfield itself has Lincoln's Home, Lincoln's Tomb, the Old State Capital where he laid in state (I spent a summer in college as a tour guide there!), and the new Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. I visited there last fall. It is really cool. There are 2 exhibits that rival Disney, Springfield also has my favorite Donut shop - Mel-O-Cream. and is home to the Horseshoe sandwich - an open faced sandwich with fries on top and then smothered in melted cheese. It's a heart attack waiting to happen,

Chicago has so many things to do. If you want to come here let me know and I can make some suggestions. Anything you want to do you can find here. I live in Arlington Heights and we have a beautiful horse race track in town. It's a great place to spend a summer afternoon. If you're going to be in the area (Springfield to Milwaukee) I'd love to meet up and I'd even be willing to play tour guide for a day or 2. Let me know.

[WeatherTed]

Donna, wow lots of things to see and do on that route! Cape Cod and the Islands, Boston and Mt. Washington (in New Hampshire) to name a few. Upstate New York has wineries near the Finger Lakes (between Ithaca and Rochester).

Oh, if you stop in Boston, you might want to stop here:
Samuel Adams – America’s World Class Beer

Have fun!

[iamgrumpy]

Hey Donna,

Here are places I have been to personally or have heard about and feel comfortable recommending. Not sure what routes you were taking but gave you most of New England since we have traveled Many times via Camper!

Maine:

Ogunquit- Ogunquit.org

We love this area the pictures we have gotten, the memories, the shops, the beaches, just the smallness of it makes it a great place to stop and spend a few hours or a few days. From Ogunquit you can visit Perkin’s Cove and take a charter out or go on a tour to pull up lobster traps. Small antique shops, souvenir shops and seafood restaurants are staples here. Would look into staying over night near here at a bed and breakfast or hotel on the water what a way to relax.

Wells Maine/Wells Beach Vacation Bests of Wells Maine and the Southern Maine Coast

We love to drive along and stop and walk the beach here, they have a lot to offer and its one of our favorite spots.

Kittery Maine: SHOPPING, and more SHOPPING! The Kittery Outlets


They have a ton of shopping (did I mention that yet?) outlets, and more outlets. Kittery Trading Post is the most unique and reminds me of a smaller LL Bean or Cabela’s but people love it.

Freeport Maine is the birthplace of LL Bean Visit L.L.Bean at Our Freeport, Maine Stores

I haven’t been yet but thought it might be worth mentioning!


New Hampshire:

For a Brewery Tour Budweiser has a brewery in Merrimack NH Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour - Merrimack Brewery Tour

Have taken it with my parents and remember the smell and that I was a kid and not to interested but now that I am older and can partake in the festivities I wouldn’t be against visiting it They do let you see the Clydesdales which was fun!

In the White Mountains area there is Clark’s Trading Post Clark's Trading Post - Trained Bears, White Mountain Central Railroad, Antique Museums and the best in family entertainment
Which is a neat stop where you can see the bears they have trained and there is a train ride and a nice gift shop. It is where I got my first Teddy Bear and holds fond memories for us. If you are near by its worth stopping at!


There is a lot of Hiking, and kayaking and outdoors sports to do in New Hampshire while its not my thing you may find it enjoyable and hopefully others will have an idea of where to go for that!

Massachusetts

Depends on which route you take and what you would like to see.

Via Boston/Cape Cod area

Fenway Park The Official Site of The Boston Red Sox: Ballpark: Fenway Park Tours
(ok so being a red Sox fan this is going to be first on the list for me!) they give tours and if you can manage getting tickets to a game it’s a fun park to do so in regardless of what team is playing. Of course you have to have a Fenway Frank!

Quincy Market - Faneuil Hall Market Place

Lots of little shops, and great dining very historical and nice to stop and peek in at we have been a lot over the years and we never grow tired of it!

Cheer’s Bar on Beacon Hill Cheers Boston

This is the original inspiration for the TV show Cheers! While it is small and waits can be long it is just so neat to say you ate where everyone knew your name! They have a gift shop upstairs and a lot of mementos from the show. While they have one at Faneuil Hall this is the original and worth the trip!

There is a lot in Boston to see and Do and others will chime in (didn’t want to say it all in case others have different ideas and views!)


Cape Cod- Well it’s a small strip of land but there are many small towns with little shops and great little hotels to stay at and the beach is fun but you can also take a ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard which is a nice day trip as well!


Now VIA- Western Massachusetts

Deerfield Mass. Has the original Yankee Candle shop ( Yankee Candle) and is a nice half day stop. There are bed and breakfasts in the area with great hiking and antique shops near by. They have a butterfly farm near there but haven’t been to that so not sure on the location!

Agawam Mass- Six Flags New England ( Six Flags New England ) it’s a small amusement park keeping in theme with other Six Flag Properties and has a water park that is open in the summer. In the fall they have haunted theme nights and is a nice day stop. (let me know if you are going to stop and go there I have family in the area that can give me more tips)

Depending on when you are going if its like the 2-4 weeks of September the Big E will be going on and is a day trip to try out foods, see items from different states in the state buildings and they have lots of items for purchase but also have rides and animal shows, and tractor shows etc. The Big E


Rhode Island- Visit Rhode Island :: Welcome :: VisitRhodeIsland.com


Providence-

I would recommend parking at the Providence Place Mall (talk about shopping like 3 floors and a million stores) and doing some shopping if your into that. If not then head downstairs and outside. The Bus Depot/Trolley stops are 1-2 blocks over and I love taking the trolley around.

Take it up to Thayer Street where you can have coffee or a bite to eat at one of the Trendy Café’s or shop in one of the eclectic shops there. If you like Hot Wings there was a place under a stair well in the bottom floor of a building called Wings to Go and they had like 100 types of wings and coatings! Yummo!

Then hop back onto the trolley or take a walk down the hill towards Providence College and Brown and it’s a great place to take photos of old buildings. But I would take the trolley and head down and go over to Federal Hill, they have little Italian bakeries and markets where you can get fresh made pasta, pastries, and specialty products but if you want a good Italian Meal this is the area to find it.

Now if you want a nice upscale meal and you have the time then The Capital Grill is one that I have heard great things about and is located in Downtown Providence. The Capital Grille Restaurant Steakhouse


But if you like new flavors, and trendy dining then Fire and Ice is my suggestion! Its located on the outside of the Providence Place Mall and is very interesting! FiRE + iCE Improvisational Grill

Now if your in Providence on a Saturday between May and September/October ish then check and see if they are holding Waterfire. it’s a show they do on the canal with fire pits and if you stroll along close to Brown University and Providence College they have different performers, booths and items for sale and has a fun vibe to it. WaterFire

Newport RI- Welcome to Go Newport - The Official Site for Newport RI offers all the information you need

The Mansions are gorgeous, the dinner train is popular and the view along the coast is great! it’s a small town but the history and the things to do there are plentiful! Take a tour of the mansions some are guided some are self guided with listening devices but all are great to visit!


Connecticut-

Well for southeastern CT there is a lot of nautical history and things to do such as Old Mystic Village, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Pizza (from the movie)

My recommendation is the Seaport, Aquarium both are great places to see and if you only have a couple days or a day to do it then this is where I would spend my time in this area. Mystic Aquarium & Institute For Exploration and Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea™ : Home

My opinion is take a walk through the downtown area of Mystic where Mystic Pizza is Take photographs of the building but stay away from the food, it was not good either time I have gone there and if you want a good meal (non seafood) then Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant is right near there and is great especially the Fried Ice Cream! (this is not Jimmy Buffet’s restaurant it’s a small local chain)


There are 2 Huge Casino’s near Mystic one is Foxwoods and the other is Mohegan Sun. If you like to gamble then there is plenty to do at both places. I really am not a fair judge of either. I work for one and I gamble at the other. Personally if I didn’t work for one, I would prefer it over the one I don’t work for because I like the décor, the size is smaller but gives me more unique dining experiences. But since I work for them you may feel my feelings are Biased.

The Museum at Foxwoods is worth taking some time to see if your in the area and would like to stop in to see it!

Now if your going to be near Springfield Mass then there are a few things in the Northern Central park of CT that would be close by and worth taking a day to see them.

First is the Trolley Museum in East Windsor, CT ---CT.TROLLEY MUSEUM HOME PAGE--
They have a ton of old trolleys and I think this would fit into a half day.

The other is the Air Museum at our local airport New England Air Museum Home Page they have a lot of different planes and I think a half day would be good here too!

There are many malls to shop at but none are overly spectacular to take any time out to visit but a lot of the Dining I find are close to these areas so you will find plenty of chain restaurants, and in smaller towns find more home cooking/diners etc.

At the West Farms Mall though they do have a Rainforest Café so if you want something Disney Related on your trip and you pass through Hartford and are heading through West Hartford you could always stop in!




Hope this at least gives you some where to start to research where you would like to see and visit.

[Carousel96]

Wow! Fire and Ice is still in business! We only ate there once but liked it a lot.
I agree --skip Mystic Pizza. They didn't film the movie there anyway. Did like two scenes outside.
Much better pizza at the Recovery Room in New London.
Hartford also has Mark Twain's house and Harriet Beecher Stowe's house if you're into history.

[wheatenwalker]

Donna, there are lots of vineyards on the Canadian side near NF- let me know if you want to do that

[disney_duke]

One more suggestion for Milwaukee - Sprecher root beer brewery. They brew beer too, but their root beer is sooo yummy. I was in San Diego at a nice restaurant and ordered a root beer float for dessert (I know, I know, stupid...) but I love root beer and it said it was root beer from a micro-brewery. So I order the $6 root beer float and they bring me a bottle of Sprecher root beer!! I flew 2000 miles for a $6 root beer float that I can buy a 4-pack for $3 at home! And the brewery is 15 minutes from my house!!!

Anyway, there's lots and lots and lots to do in the Milwaukee/southeastern Wisconsin area. If you come during June-August, there's a festival going on at the lakefront every weekend. Miller brewery is also right here. Door county is beautiful and I believe there's a winery there too. And lots of beautiful golf courses abound all around us. Duffers welcome, believe me! If you decide to plan any stops around here, feel free to PM me for more info!

[Carousel96]

Oh -- another stop N of Madison -- Circus World Museum in Baraboo. Certainly not a fancy place, but it's one of those "pieces of Americana" that you can't find anywhere else. The old circus wagons are beautiful.

[RobDVC]

Hi Donna!

Philadelphia checking in here:
There's lots for you to see and do in the City of Brotherly Love and it's surroundings.

Philadelphia:
-Liberty Bell
-Independence Hall
-Italian Market ("Rocky" ran through here)
-Art Museum ("Rocky" ran up the steps here)
On the other side of the Delaware River in Camden is the Adventure Aquarium and The Battleship New Jersey.

Surroundings:
Valley Forge
Lancaster County - Amish Country
Hershey - Chocolate Factory and HersheyPark Amusement Park

You could tour America's Oldest Brewery, Yuengling, in Pottsville, Pa. Yuengling Tour - America's Oldest Brewery

There are also some very nice daily-fee golf courses in and around the city.... Cart & Greens fees run in the $50-$60 range at most places.

Let me know if you want me to expand on these suggestions.....

[chezp]

My goodness, what great suggestions so far - I can't wait to see what you decide to do.

[twoWDWfools]

In Northern IN not too far from Notre Dame is also the RV Hall of Fame. Brand new building and exhibits. Neat to see how they've changed over the years. Amish country there is also quite nice. Great bakeries, butchers and delis.

I'm SW of Chicago and agree there is just so much to do here. Museums, zoos, the lakefront itself and so much more. Definitely let us know what you'd like to do.

Liz

[GoofyMom]

These all sound great so far! The problem with this trip is that, unlike last year's road trip where a good chunk of the trip was territory I've been in before, this is completely new to both Dan and myself. We have no idea what is worth spending a few hours at, a day at, or driving 100 miles "out of the way" for.

I've been doing a bit of research on the New England States and I think maybe some covered bridges and lighthouses would be worth stopping to see. I just don't know which ones! There's so much to see and do in New England and the northern states that I don't know where to even start researching. <overwhelmed>

So please... keep those tips and suggestions coming!!

[iamgrumpy]

There is a Covered bridge near my house that also has some nice hiking around it Comstock Bridge

and there are a lot of bridges that are nice to photograph and do some hiking around in New England!

Let me know when your thinking about hitting the area I can try and find out if any special events are going on at any of them or anything.