Chicago to ? in May
Oct 20th, 2011, 11:29 AM
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Chicago to ? in May
Hi all, we are in the USA in May for a convention in Chicago, and was wanting to do a drive for about a week after the convention to ? and back to Chicago.
I have visited your lovely country a few times but i have never ventured out in a road trip style, would appreciate it if any one could give us pointers on a great road trip from Chicago and back that would take about a week and cover some of the beautiful sights, sounds and tastes your fantastic country has to offer. We are quite widely travelled, and currently reside in the UK, having spent time in Africa, and Europe.
I would like to thank all of you who take the time to help us.
T & K
I have visited your lovely country a few times but i have never ventured out in a road trip style, would appreciate it if any one could give us pointers on a great road trip from Chicago and back that would take about a week and cover some of the beautiful sights, sounds and tastes your fantastic country has to offer. We are quite widely travelled, and currently reside in the UK, having spent time in Africa, and Europe.
I would like to thank all of you who take the time to help us.
T & K
Oct 20th, 2011, 12:14 PM
#2
Would you consider riding on Amtrak trains? Chicago is a hub for Amtrak. My thought-Chicago to Memphis spend 24 hours then on south to New Orleans. If you like the train, you could leave NO on the Crescent and ride all the way to Washington DC.
Leave Washington on the Capitol Limited back to Chicago.
Without a rental car you could fly back to the UK from Washington or New York
Leave Washington on the Capitol Limited back to Chicago.
Without a rental car you could fly back to the UK from Washington or New York
Oct 20th, 2011, 12:21 PM
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2 questions:
1) Where have you visited in your previous trips to the U.S.?
2) Are you open to flying and beginning the road trip from somewhere other than Chicago?
My first thought was for you to drive from Chicago to New Orleans, roughly following the Mississippi River down to New Orleans, then head east along the coast and drive back to Chicago through Alabama or Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Some places to visit are St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, and Louisville (particularly if your trip coincides with the Kentucky Derby). Lots of great food, music and beautiful scenery along the way and it shouldn't be too hot/humid in the south just yet, especially if you're going in early May as opposed to late May.
My second thought was a drive around Lake Michigan and part of Lake Superior to Duluth, Minnesota, down to Minneapolis/St. Paul and back to Chicago.
Beyond that, I would lean towards flying out west and driving up/down the California coast, perhaps a trip to Utah/Arizona starting from Las Vegas, or a trip along the Washington/Oregon coast plus Mt. Hood/Ranier starting in either Seattle or Portland.
It really depends on where you've been before and if you're willing to fly to another city.
1) Where have you visited in your previous trips to the U.S.?
2) Are you open to flying and beginning the road trip from somewhere other than Chicago?
My first thought was for you to drive from Chicago to New Orleans, roughly following the Mississippi River down to New Orleans, then head east along the coast and drive back to Chicago through Alabama or Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Some places to visit are St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, and Louisville (particularly if your trip coincides with the Kentucky Derby). Lots of great food, music and beautiful scenery along the way and it shouldn't be too hot/humid in the south just yet, especially if you're going in early May as opposed to late May.
My second thought was a drive around Lake Michigan and part of Lake Superior to Duluth, Minnesota, down to Minneapolis/St. Paul and back to Chicago.
Beyond that, I would lean towards flying out west and driving up/down the California coast, perhaps a trip to Utah/Arizona starting from Las Vegas, or a trip along the Washington/Oregon coast plus Mt. Hood/Ranier starting in either Seattle or Portland.
It really depends on where you've been before and if you're willing to fly to another city.
Oct 21st, 2011, 08:39 AM
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The drive from Chicago around Lake Michigan to Michigan and up the west coast of Michigan is very nice. You could go as far as Traverse City or Mackinaw Island. Michigan is beautiful in the spring. Depending on time and interest, perhaps a stop in Detroit. We have several nice museums, such as, The Henry Ford and the Detroit Institute of Art.
Oct 23rd, 2011, 08:46 AM
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Guys and Girls , many thanks for the responses, i will be looking into all of them, the circumnavigation of the Lake sounds good, does any one know if there is a ferry crossing on the Lake?
Many thanks once again, we will keep you posted in our decision making!
T&K
Many thanks once again, we will keep you posted in our decision making!
T&K
Oct 23rd, 2011, 03:24 PM
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For a week, I would go all the way around Lake Michigan without using the ferry, however, there are 2 and they start operation in May sometime:
http://www.ssbadger.com/home.aspx
http://www.lake-express.com/
but keep in mind the top half of the lake is by far the most interesting. Also, the parts of the lake in Indiana are industrial but the dunes are pretty.
It is hot farther south so I would not send you down that way in May.
Things to do web searches on:
Door County
Mackinac Island and Bridge
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Traverse City (vineyards, mission peninsula, leelanau peninsula)
Petoskey
Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Indiana Dunes
Holland, MI
and be sure to visit an Indian Community, there are about 10 within an hour of the lake, on all sides.
http://www.ssbadger.com/home.aspx
http://www.lake-express.com/
but keep in mind the top half of the lake is by far the most interesting. Also, the parts of the lake in Indiana are industrial but the dunes are pretty.
It is hot farther south so I would not send you down that way in May.
Things to do web searches on:
Door County
Mackinac Island and Bridge
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Traverse City (vineyards, mission peninsula, leelanau peninsula)
Petoskey
Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Indiana Dunes
Holland, MI
and be sure to visit an Indian Community, there are about 10 within an hour of the lake, on all sides.
Oct 24th, 2011, 03:27 PM
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Just to clarify, my suggestion to drive around Lake Michigan and part of Lake Superior was a route from Chicago around the southern end of Lake Michigan. Then up the east coast of the lake, cross into the Upper Peninsula via Mackinac Bridge, then head up and drive along the southern shore of Lake Superior while going through the U.P. Would be your choice to either continue along Lake Superior to Duluth or just head back down the west coast of Lake Michigan through Wisconsin.
I wouldn't recommend the ferry across Lake Michigan, I don't think it will save you much time overall.
I wouldn't recommend the ferry across Lake Michigan, I don't think it will save you much time overall.
