Jedi624

I am planning a drive from Toronto to San Antonio. I would like to make some interesting stops along the way, perhaps break it into a 3 day drive, staying two nights along the route.

A quick look at Google maps show the shortest route to be about 2700Km or about 25 hrs driving time.

( http://goo.gl/maps/ObH6T )

It takes me through Memphis, Indianapolis but I wonder if I am missing anything or should I make a side trip along the way. I have about 2 weeks to play with in mid July. I intend to stay in hotels as well.

Does the forum community have any suggestions? I also think that my return trip should take a different route to maximize my exposure to American culture. Is there a better suggested way to get back home?

Thanks!

jent103

There are a few different ways you could go that make sense. Others will have other suggestions, I'm sure, but a few things off the top of my head:

1) It'd be fairly easy to cut across to Chicago from Toledo, then take I-55 from there, or go even further west and visit St. Louis as well. Whether you want to deal with Chicago traffic is a different question.

2) Memphis is definitely worth a stop, but you could also go straight south from Indianapolis through Nashville, then either a) go west to Memphis or b) keep going south to Birmingham for civil rights history, then go west through Mississippi.

3) If you stick with going through Arkansas, Hot Springs would be nice.

Austin is a lot of fun.

BigRuss

The basic route you have from Google shows the shortest trip, but kinda blows: Detroit is a dump, Fort Wayne and Toledo are rust belt husks. If you go via Niagara Falls you can see the Falls (although you probably have), visit Cleveland (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and revived waterfront), go through part of Kentucky and onward and add only about 55 miles (90 km) to the trip.

Hot Springs is pretty dumpy and dated.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is in . . . Kentucky and will go east to west through a good part of that state.

When are you going? That could help ferret out more suggestions.

Jedi624

Thanks for the feedback! Sorry to take so long to reply, been busy with work. So I have discussed this trip in more detail with my wife and have figured that we don't want to make this a long haul grind. So the thought is to aim for Nashville (I've been there before on business and stayed at the Opryland hotel) spend a day there, and then continue on.

The timing is approx July 7 through July 19. At first I was comfortable with the costing, but yesterday the dollar took a beating against the American buck, losing 4 cents Hopefully by the time we leave it will climb back to parity. regardless, your cheap gas prices and low-tax restaurant meals still make the trip attractive

We did the RRHF in Cleveland last year (unfortunately premature for the admission of Rush into the museum) and BigRuss, you are correct in assuming that we've been to Niagara Falls (every time we have visitors...) I like the concept of a whisky tour and broadening my palette to include bourbon.

Jent103, I'll take a look at the hot springs on the net and Birmingham would interesting as well. I've been to Austin on business and really like the vibe of the town. We could pass through it on the way to San Antonio.

I just need to plan the route home now, that would provide more coverage of your countryside.

jent103

One thought on Nashville - the Opryland Hotel is definitely something, but unless that's all you want to see, I'd stay downtown instead. The Opryland area is a good 20-30 minutes from anything else touristy. If you stay downtown, you're in walking distance of the Ryman (the backstage tour is great), the Country Music Hall of Fame (also great - and I don't like current country radio), the symphony, RCA Studios, the honky-tonks, etc. Plus parking downtown is expensive if you stay somewhere else.

Austin or Memphis would beat Birmingham or Hot Springs for me for sure, but they could all be fun stops. If you go through Arkansas, there's also the Clinton Library in Little Rock, if that's your thing.

MargaretandTony

Hi Jedi,

Please ignore "BigRuss" - I doubt if he could find Toledo or Detroit on a map, let alone actually know anything about them. It sounds like you enjoy music - if you could go into a bit more detail on what you enjoy seeing perhaps I could give you a few suggestions. Good luck.