Hidden gems for vacation within a 2-day drive
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Anonymous
| This is OP, thanks so much to everyone (except grumpy first poster)! We've been talking about possibly Detroit or Chicago and UP, so it's nice to see so many recommendations for that! I also talked to the kids about Nova Scotia. I'd really like to do that but they weren't sure about doing Canada two years in a row. We've been to Chicago a couple of times so maybe Detroit is the way to go. Does anyone have other places/things to do in Detroit or the UP to recommend? What do you do on Mackinac Island? Thanks! |
Anonymous
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Pittsburgh on the way...Carnegie Museum dinosaurs, Warhol museum, submarine tour, Pitt Nationality Classrooms
Chicago and Pittsburgh...water cruises on tourist boats. Chicago-Wendella boats, Navy Pier sailing ship. Pittsburgh - Gateway Clipper. Chicago - architecture walking tours Detroit Ford Rouge F-150 factory tour is very interesting Cleveland - on way - Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame |
Anonymous
| Most of these are not hidden gems. Do you know what that term means? Charleston, Kiawah, Chicago,Detroit? |
Anonymous
| Vermont. So cool and sweet. |
Anonymous
Lol, when I lived in the DMV, as a native Pittsburgher, people who had just discovered Pittsburgh for the first time were common. Just because it's on the map doesn't mean someone's been there or been told good things about it. My personal obscurity is Hocking Hills, which is a cool park in Southern Ohio. Pittsburghers never talk about it but Detroiters are familiar. |
Anonymous
The rude person is here again. every single post has this kind of reply- probably same few people responding rudely. Why do you feel the need to answer a question if you think it is dumb ? Just scroll on.. that is not rocket science. |
Anonymous
I'm someone that recommend the UP but I also LOVE Vermont. it is my happy place and we road trip there most summers. You could do Burlington which is a small but great city and then lots of other fun outdoor things. I think I didn't recommend it because it is kind of a similar route to what you did last year. And I'm not sure it is a hidden gem, but definitely a gem. Delicious food, good vibes. |
Anonymous
Northern Michigan (Traverse City area) is beautiful and great but the drive there is long and particularly ugly/boring. No point on visiting Detroit IMO. |
Anonymous
| This is OP. We've never done Vermont but I've thought about it. What would you recommend doing there? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Cleveland and Cuyahoga valley national Park |
Anonymous
| Hilton Head and Savanah. |
Anonymous
My boys are 6 and under so I haven't done some of the things I would when they are older, but will also share things I plan to do when they're older. I would drive up Rt 100 starting in the south, stopping in towns on your way up. You could make a stop in woodstock which is a little out of the way but a classic Vermont town but there are plenty of cute towns. Worthy Kitchen in Woodstock is a great spot for dinner or if you pass Worthy Burget - yum. Also love Maple Soul in Rochester. There are so many delicious restaurants even in small towns, it is surprising and fun. Depending on what time of August, as you make your way up rt 100 we absolutely love blueberry picking at Goshen. It depends on the year whether there is a lot, last year there were a TON of blueberries. https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1565072 Continue up 100 to Waterbury/Stowe. Visit Waterbury, stay in Stowe. Waterbury has the Ben and Jerry's factory which is fun, cideries and all sorts of things. Stowe has restaurants, a paved family bike path that is a lot of fun - Stowe rec path, tons of hiking, mountain biking etc. Things you could do during your stops: Hike to waterfalls/swimming holes (Warren Falls and others) Get mountain biking lessons as a family (I know Stratton bike park does this and I'm sure places in Stowe) Get a fly fishing lesson or go white water rafting depending on kids interests Go to a lake - plenty all over. Lake Dunmore is a big one, there is a smaller lake near Woodstock if you stay there. Most are state parks and you can just pay for the day and then rent kayaks etc. Get a maple creamee (vermont soft serve) rail trails if you're into biking Then from Stowe it is an easy trip to Burlington. Restaurants, lots of places to bike along the water here as well. The ECHO leahy center here is fantastic, but can't remember your boys ages/remember if they would be too old. Church street marketplace. Shelburne farms, again probably depends on ages. More ideas: https://backroadramblers.com/route-100-vermont-road-trip-itinerary/ |
Anonymous
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aww it makes me so happy to know that you went to Tadoussac based on recommendations on here!! I've made many recommendations on here to go there so I LOVE that someone actually took my advice lol!!! I haven't been back since my oldest was 2 years old but we were considering it for this summer (we would NOT pick a campsite next to the cliff, even with the fence because my 6 yr old is a serious climber and that gives me intense anxiety). It was gorgeous though.
I've never been to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan but it sounds lovely! I love the Adirondacks, Vermont is beautiful, and I've heard New Hampshire is terrific. Maine is always a good idea, but best to go mid July-end of August vs. late June/early July with the rain/cooler temps/bugs. Acadia national park is amazing and Stonington/Deer Isle is wonderful. |
Anonymous
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My kids' best friends' family took them on a weekend trip to Luray Caverns. They had a rental for the weekend that was a cabin with great scenic views. They visited Luray Caverns one day and then hiked in the Shenandoah mountains the next day and had a great time out there. It helped that the cabin they rented had three video arcade machines that were set up for free plays and the kids really enjoyed that for the times they were home. One of the family friends also brought one of the Boston Robotics robots and the kids also loved that. My kids had a great time.
My wife has also been talking about us going up to the NY finger lakes for a long weekend. Day trips to Rochester and/or Buffalo plus lots of great outdoors. |
Anonymous
We live just outside of Detroit, there are a surprisingly a lot of things to do here - definitely Henry Ford, also a Tigers game is really fun in the summer, exploring the Detroit Riverfront, Belle Isle, Eastern Market, Dequindre Cut (rent bikes to ride around the riverfront, etc.). A ton of great restaurants right downtown. If you want make it a big circle drive and come across Canada, you can see Niagara Falls and then go west to Detroit. Head to Traverse City area the next day, go to Fishtown and the Sand Dunes, then go down the west side of the state. Drive into Ohio and go to Hocking Hills and then Cleveland for the Rock and Roll Museum. Have a fun road trip! |