Weekend travel suggestions item:

I have trouble getting time off work, unless I get fired, so I'm
always looking for places to go on weekends.  Most travel agents
are limited to suggesting Chicago, Toronto, and Las Vegas.  I'd
like to hear something better!  Who has some ideas or experience
with short getaways.  Three or four dayers also work for me 
because I can get Monadays and Fridays off if I ask nice and
use a creative excuse.

52 responses total.

Depends on what you like, I guess.  A couple of possibilities:

  o Disney World
      -but beware the crowds.  Off-season is best.  (On the other hand,
       we were there the Saturday after Thanksgiving, weather was beautiful,
       and the place was practically deserted, relatively speaking.)

  o New England bed & breakfast tour
      -fly in to someplace like Montpelier Vermont, rent a car, and do a
       3- or 4-day tour of Vermont and New Hampshire, seeing the sights
       and overnighting at b&b's.  Don't miss the White Mountains!
       (This is best done in the spring or fall.)

r
thanks for the suggestions, i already have plans to visit disney
world at end of this month.  I also spent a year in New Hampshire
one week.  The bars are too far apart for my liking.  But the
scenery is wonderful.  I am actually hoping someone will come
up with some off the wall things.  I considering going to some
of the internet get togethers this summer.

Have you ever been to Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky. Its borderline not too far 
to go by car in a weekend. If you've never been you should go at least once.

You want off the wall?  Okay, visit Vevay, Indiana during their summer
arts & crafts festival.  Be sure to sample the native cuisine, it's a 
real kicker.

I've been to Mammoth Cave it cool.  Sorry, remmers, i'm not allowed
in Indiana.  I am curious about the native cuisine ???

Well, there's this drink (non-alcoholic) called a "shakey" or something
that the guy mixes before your very eyes by shaking the container
vigorously.  And various yummy pastries.

Another suggestion:  If you're into architecture of the rococo variety,
take a 2- or 3-day auto trip through the county seats of southwestern
Ohio and southern Indiana (oops, you're not allowed in Indiana, oh well)
and view the county courthouses.  They tend to be very well preserved,
no two are alike, and *extremely* ornate.

you're just a regular party animal aren't you!  i do appreciate the
suggestions.  i'm off to St. Louis tommorrow.

St. Louis?  I recommend the arch and the zoo.

Dave Barry says that the best time to visit Disney World, if you want to
avoid the crowds and long lines, is 1962.

Indeed, and at the right season, there'd be lots of oranges to pick
too!

(Though our experience last November was strange -- Saturday of
Thanksgiving weekend, beautiful weather, and the the place was
practically a ghost town, comparatively speaking.  No lines for
anything in the morning, short lines by afternoon but nothing
excessive.)

just got back from St. Louis, unfortunately i left before reading
the advice about the arch and the zoo, but i did find a couple of
really neat bars.  i especially liked hooters, the beanhouse, and
a couple of unspeakable places in east st. louis.  

in downtown st. louis, they have converted the old train station,
know as union station, to a hotel/entertainment/shopping thingy
much like detroit's trapper's alley.  its very nicely done and
should better when an elavated rail system links the downtown
with the airport.

seventeen days until tampa!

Tampa, eh?  Hmmm... lemme think...

Nope, nothing interesting to do in Tampa.  I suppose you could hang
out at the airport and listen to the arrival/departure announcements.

Oh wait a minute!  There's the Busch Gardens!!  (Sounds like a natural
for you...)

Gee, Chaz, I didn't see your post about St. Louis until today.  Too bad.
I would have suggested the St. Louis Brewpub.  Dave Miller is the brewmaster,
I've got two of his books, and I hear he does a fabulous job with lagers.

Where is this Brewpub?  I get to St. Louis fairly frequently and I've
never heard of it.  

re #12:  how many puns in the last sentance ?  Actually, I'm probably
going to visit Epcot, I'm flying into Orlando but flying out of Tampa.
The only other firm commitment i've made is a beachfront hotel the day
before i leave tampa.  i need some beach!!!

Dave Miller's brewpub is called the "St. Louis Brewing Company."  I don't
have the address, check the phone book on your next trip.  I recommend
his book, "The Complete Handbook of Homebrewing" only to brewers who have
some experience.  It is detailed, complicated, and wonderful.  I received
his "Brewing the World's Great Beers" as a gift this past Xmas; it is
designed more for the beginner, yet it still has great recipies in it.

I've never tasted his beer, but I've found his advice invaluable.  Have
a great time on your next trip.

STeve, Marcus and their boss will be going to Salt Lake City for a business 
eminar shortly.  Because of some strange things with the Airlines they will
save much mulla by going on Saturday evening instead of Sunday evening.  What
is there to do for 3 computer nerds in Salt Lake City on a Sunday?  I have
already suggested that they could go listen to the Morman Tabernacule Choir
(but Mom says that you can't go into the Tabernacule during services (which
is when they sing, of course) unless you are Morman).  STeve thought they
could search out the local Jewish or Islam sections of town (in Salt Lake
City??!!) and see what is going on there.  Any other, more constructive
ideas for the poor boys?

Maybe rent a car and go for a drive in the mountains?

Skiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!  They could go skiing!!!

or they could pickup an extra wife or two.

They could explore the old lakeside pavilion, scene of the 1960's
horror movie "Carnival of Souls".  (probably been razed by now
though...)

If you like cities, go visit Minneapolis, Minn.  It's a wonderful
city.  Yes, even in the dead of winter, because you can travel
the entire downtown area indoors <Cat walks and the like>

I've heard Minneapolis is major party town.  Who'd have thunk it?

 
Minnesota:
 
"Minnesota has more than 10,000 lakes, which has earned it the proud
nickname: 'The Gopher State.'  The major industries are (1) cows and
(2) trying to get cars started, which is very difficult because the
entire state is located inside the Artic Circle.  The largest and most
dynamic city is Minneapolis (nickname: 'St. Paul'), which boasts culture
and some nice malls.  Also there is a state fair where people make
realistic sculptures entirely out of butter.  And while you're in Minnesota,
be sure to take the whole family on the tour of the world-famous Mayo
Clinic, where every visitor receives a free 'take-home' souvenir spleen
transplant.  Minnesota's Official State Office Supply is staples."
 
     -Dave Barry

I used to go to Minneapolis quite a bit.  I always found it to be
an amusing place.

Don't forget Lake Wobegon, where all the kids are above average.

Went to Taylortucky tonight.  Most of them are below average.  I really
felt at home.  Any tips on who to see or do in Tampa ?  Or Chicago.
What about Mt. Pleasant?  How long before daylight ?

Right in the middle of Ohio (perhaps a little east) is the largest Amish
community in the USA.  Its a three-four hour drive from Ann Arbor but
what a great place to unwind, visit antique stores (if you're into that
sort of thing) look at Amish Crafts, sleep in a great B&B, eat good Amish
home cooking and go back in time.  I know a couple of terrific places to stay
that are not too expensive if youre interested.

Also, I like Saugatuck in the spring, summer and fall.  Also about a three
hour drive, great B&B's and country Inns, good beach and two great restaraunts.

   Gosh, Audrey, we were right in that area when you wrote #26.  What
are the places to go and see?  It sounds rather interesting.

Which area STeve?  Ohio Amish Country or Saugatuck?  If its Amish Country,
let me enrich your life. . .Drive to Wooster, Ohio.  Then south on country
roads to Millersburg.  You will already be passing horses and black buggies
on the road.  Call ahead (reservations desperately needed for summer
weekends) to the Inn at Honey Creek-right outside of Millersburg and darn
hard to find because its hidden away.  Leave the kids at home.  This is a
place for grownups.  The rooms are lovely, filled with Amish quilts and
funriture, yet modern with all conveniences, even a fruit basket delievered
to your door when you arrive.  Many cats, dogs, birds, animals all over the
place.  A feeling of being in the woods (cause you are) with nothing to do
but read, rest, smell the flowers, hike through the woods, eat great
Amish food, spend the evening in front of a roaring fireplace.  When you feel
like moving, get into the car and wander the back roads, stopping to talk
to any Amish person by the road, or wander into their home offices (they have
signs on the roads when they create a product for sale) and talk to them
about how and what they make and sell.  Stop and buy a beautiful, handmade
quilt or some Amish Cheese or even some wonderful oak furniture (with no
pressed boards either).  Send to the Wooster Cgamber of Commerce for a 
list of homes to stay in or for a list of other country Inns.  Most of
all, find the tiny hamlet of Charm, Ohio, park the car and wander.  Let me
know how you like it.

   We were near the Amish country.  We saw a couple of Amish folk but
we wern't really looking.  This is close enough that an quick weekend
trip could give a taste of it.

Has anyone been to Chesaning, Mi?  There is one main boulevard lined
with old houses that have been turned into shops and restaurants.
A great place to stay is the Bonnymill Inn.  It's a bed and breakfast
right on the boulevard.  It used to be an old grainery.  Every room
has it's own unique decor and name.  There are several restuarants
to consider.  The Heritage House is affiliated with the Bonneymill
and is quite nice.  The basement of the Heritage House is a bar called
the Rathskeller.  Great deep dish pizza!  
There are also several festivals.  One during Thanksgiving, one for
Christmas.  They have candles lining the sidewalks, hot apple cider,
choirs and horse drawn carraiges.
The Showboat is what Chesaning is known for.  They invite one 
known "star" usually a singer or comedian and then also have local
talent.  It runs for a full week in July.
There is enough to see in Chesaning for a weekend!

What a nice idea.  Thanks for posting it.  How far is it from Ann Arbor? (I
could ook it up on a map but I'm too busy sitting at this computer.)

Chesaning is about 1 hour and 45minutes form Ann Arbor (if you drive like my
husband).  You can take us-23 North to I-96 west to M-52 north. than turn right
on M-57 and your in ch on M-57 and you'll be right in town!

If anyone likes vacations with an historic theme, I recommend a trip to
Springfield, Ill. and Hannibal, Mo. At the first you get to tour Abraham
Lincoln's home, law offices, and the old State Capital that opened in
the 1840's. Then Hannibal, the childhood home of Mark Twain is less than
90 minutes to the west by freeway--a straight shot. You see his home there, and
walk  and walk the streets dropping into all the antique shops, or you can 
visit the caves featured in TOM SAWYER. And of course there is the Mississippi
to ponder. This was one of my most pleasant vacations, and I highly recommend
it.

One of these years I hope to hit Missouri and do the Scott Joplin
Festival in Sedalia.  I would love to see Springfield and Hannibal
as well.

I really enjoyed Hannibal when I visited there last summer.  I felt like 
I was walking into a Mark Twain book, visiting Becky Thacher's house, and
taking a ride on a Mississippi paddle wheel boat.  There's also a great view
of the river from the old light house on the outskirts of town.  And lots of
fresh fried catfish for all you catfish lovers!

Back to Minnesota...Minneapolis is GREAT!  (Especcially Lake & Hennipen AVes.)
And 1 hour (or so) south is Winona, MN...check out Mingles Nightclub!  :)
(tee hee...memories!)

For anyone who might venture upon this...this weekend (May 27-29) is Highland
Festival in Alma, MI.  Lots of Scottish fun to be had!

Weekend Travel suggestions from my neck of the woods--I'd love to spend
some weekends out on the coast in the winter [here in NC] as well as up
in the mountains.  Back in September I spent a couple days at the coast,
down in the southern part of the state.  I'd love to go back and do more
exploring in the Outer Banks, as the weather wasn't cooperative when
I was there in early May. Granted, there are parts of the banks that have
been built up [like in the Nag's Head area] but there's also lots
of beach areas and such that are left untouched!  

re #33  I grew up (and still live when home on breaks from college) about
10 minutes from Springfield, IL.  It's not a bad place, BUT keep in
mind that a trip to Springfield should be a one-day trip....there are
the Lincoln sites, the Dana Thomas house, and the old State Capital.
However, that's it!!!  It is a nice place to stop on a vacation for 
one day, though...Springfield is a pretty safe place to be!  St. Louis
is a wonderful midwestern city (I go to college 25 minutes outside of
St. Louis...McKendree College).  Once these sports strikes get over,
you can go see the Cards and the Blues, as well as the Ambush (indoor
soccer), the Stampede (Arena football), or even the Vipers (Roller
Hockey).  St. Louis just finished the Kiel Center...the new home for the
Blues.  It's a great facility, although the color of the seats just
doesn't scream hockey!  The Sceince Center and the Zoo are free, and of course,
you can head to the ARch.  Uniion Station is great, and also Laclede's
Landing (directly to the north of the Arch) has some great eating 
establishments, bars, and shops.  It's a great place to walk around!
Plus, if you're into amusement parks, Six Flags over Mid-America is about
35-45? minutes west of the city...however, it isn't as great as Great
America.
        However, I still think Boston is the best place to visit in the U.S.!
I lived about two hours south of Boston (in Waterford, CT) during last
summer and I took Amtrak to Boston three times....jumped on the subway,
and took off to wander Boston...the Commons were great...found the bar
that was the prototype (is that the right word?) for Cheers..wandered
through Quincy Market!  I still didn't see everything I wanted because 
on one trip, a freind of mine and I (on a whim) grabbed teh train on a 
Sunday morning and found Fenway (1st time I'd ever been to Boston)...it
was a game that wasn't one the original schedule so no tickets were reserved.
When we got into the stadium, people were shoving each other out of the
way in the mad rush to get the good seats.  Despite the pandemonium, it
was a wonderful experience at Fenway..the fans were so obnoxious...but
that's what made it fun!  Harvard also had me in total awe!

(was this response TOO long?

No - because I agree with you about Boston! ;->. It was my favorite city,
and I walked around most of it when I was going to MIT in Cambridge. I've
been back, and it has gotten more crowded.

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