Places to stay. Vacations, weekend trips, anniversary ect.

[Reacher]

I second Garden of the Gods and Pictured Rocks. Haven't been to Pictured Rocks but have heard great things about it and plan to go.

28 minutes ago, 5fouls said:

Obviously not something you would do this time of year, but in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is an area called Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  All sorts of outdoor activities, and absolutely breathtaking scenery.  Majestic cliffs up and down the shoreline.  We went a couple of years ago and did a guided boat tour on Lake Superior.  But, for the more adventurous, you can also hike, kayak, etc.

https://www.uptravel.com/outdoors-recreation/national-state-parks/pictured-rocks-national-lakeshore/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=search_2021&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8_yL8avV9QIV4hXUAR25Lg3uEAAYASAAEgJf3vD_BwE

 

 

1 hour ago, dgambill said:

If you like outdoor stuff Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois might be a short trip away and they have plenty of wineries and cabins in the area as well.

 

[mrflynn03]

Harmonie State Park in Posey County is a nice spot that gets overlooked. 

[Billingsley99]

1 hour ago, dgambill said:

Do you gamble in Metropolis or go for the Superman museum? Lived a few blocks from Purple Toad. Nice family. Not sure how often you visit Paducah but if you want a good steak then you might try Doe's Eat Place downtown by the River.

Skip the veggies and stick to the fries...but order the tamales as an appetizer...you will thank me! If you are having breakfast/brunch try the Gold Rush downtown. If you are staying or visiting Kentucky Lake area (Eddyville) stop at the Willow Pond for Catfish and their hushpuppies and fried pickles for lunch! 

Looks awesome thanks you. We have not been to Paducah but in 2020 we had planned to go for wife's birthday.  Thank you for the suggestions 

[Reacher]

I'll divide some of my favorites into two categories- Day trips and vacations.

Day / weekend trips-

MI-  Beach towns, Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes

WI- Door County, Madison, Hayward, Kettle Moraine

IL- Lake Geneva, Starved Rock, Garden of Gods

AZ- Sedona, Grand Canyon, Prescott, Tucson, Payson

IN- Brown County

TN- Nashville, Smoky Mountains

KY- Bourbon Trail

Vacations-

Caribbean cruise

Alaskan cruise

Yellowstone

Canadian Rockies

Yosemite / Big Sur (doing that this summer)

 

In general, wherever I go I'm on the lookout for Brewpubs and doughnut shops. I prefer mountains over beaches and wilderness over cities.

 

 

[Drroogh]

So my son and DIL have a goal of going to all of the National Parks, sounds like they are trying to put together a trip to Olympic park in Washington this summer. 
Anybody ever been there, any recommendations? Restaurant’s, places to visit besides the park?

[Seeking6]

1 hour ago, Drroogh said:

So my son and DIL have a goal of going to all of the National Parks, sounds like they are trying to put together a trip to Olympic park in Washington this summer. 
Anybody ever been there, any recommendations? Restaurant’s, places to visit besides the park?

Not sure if this will help but when we've gone Hurricane Ridge and Hoh Rain Forest were really cool...almost hard to describe. No clue what it's like anymore but we took a ferry into Vancouver/Victoria too. Beautiful part of the country!

[Reacher]

20 hours ago, Drroogh said:

So my son and DIL have a goal of going to all of the National Parks, sounds like they are trying to put together a trip to Olympic park in Washington this summer. 
Anybody ever been there, any recommendations? Restaurant’s, places to visit besides the park?

 

19 hours ago, Seeking6 said:

Not sure if this will help but when we've gone Hurricane Ridge and Hoh Rain Forest were really cool...almost hard to describe. No clue what it's like anymore but we took a ferry into Vancouver/Victoria too. Beautiful part of the country!

I'd second the visit to Vancouver. Add a stop to Vancouver Island.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g181778-d155850-Reviews-Cathedral_Grove-Port_Alberni_Alberni_Clayoquot_Regional_District_Vancouver_Island_.html

 

[Seeking6]

Didn't know where to ask this. Headed down to Bloomington next week. Anyone ever eat at https://www.bedrakcafe.com/menu ? I heard it's a favorite of our coaches and was just curious to the vibe of the place.

[tdhoosier]

38 minutes ago, Seeking6 said:

Didn't know where to ask this. Headed down to Bloomington next week. Anyone ever eat at https://www.bedrakcafe.com/menu ? I heard it's a favorite of our coaches and was just curious to the vibe of the place.

Looks like a place you where you wouldn't run into any Little 5 pre-partiers. That's all I can offer. 

[JaybobHoosier]

On 1/28/2022 at 2:09 PM, dgambill said:

If you like outdoor stuff Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois might be a short trip away and they have plenty of wineries and cabins in the area as well.

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky can be fun and there are ziplines etc for the adventurous. We mostly take "active" trips as you can tell.

I also like eating at "The Hill" area in St. Louis when we go there for zoo or other activities. Some of the best Italian food I've had was there.

Lamberts is unique and yummy in Sikeston MO, and I already mentioned Patti's in Grand Rivers, KY. Also took 3 day drive trip through Ohio that was fun....could hit up the Rock n Roll hall of fame, Football Hall of Fame, and either Kings Island or Cedar Point amuesment parks...lot's of other things you could plan out on that trip as well...but it drove well.

 

Southern Illinois has some good places to visit (from that area), and live in St. Louis. The Hill is a fun historic place to go eat some really good Italian food. My favorite is Anthonino’s Taverna (spelling might be off), amazing steak spiedini dish! 
 

One of my favorite vacation spots is Gatlinburg, TN. Love that area and all the trails it offers. Very good moonshine distilleries, with Old Forge being my favorite being the Old Mill restaurant. Make an amazing coffee moonshine. 
 

Wife and I just went on our first ever cruise last month through Royal Caribbean, and we LOVED it. Did a 5 night western Caribbean cruise and can’t wait to go back. Love all the stuff on the ship and our ports. Highly recommend doing a cruise! 

[Steubenhoosier]

 

Looking Glass Fals, Pisgah National Forest. Part of the Vanderbilt holdings. Beautiful and easy to get to 

[Seeking6]

Any of you guys ever do cruises? We did one several years ago but honestly I felt like I was cattle the whole time. Off and on off and on. This one is with inlaws, kids and inlaws kids....something called Oasis of the Seas? Newark to Bahamas and back in July. Just was curious of what to expect.

[Lostin76]

10 minutes ago, Seeking6 said:

Any of you guys ever do cruises? We did one several years ago but honestly I felt like I was cattle the whole time. Off and on off and on. This one is with inlaws, kids and inlaws kids....something called Oasis of the Seas? Newark to Bahamas and back in July. Just was curious of what to expect.

Never have and the first reason is your second sentence.

What to expect? 

 

[5fouls]

58 minutes ago, Seeking6 said:

Any of you guys ever do cruises? We did one several years ago but honestly I felt like I was cattle the whole time. Off and on off and on. This one is with inlaws, kids and inlaws kids....something called Oasis of the Seas? Newark to Bahamas and back in July. Just was curious of what to expect.

Only one I've ever been on was my honeymoon, 20 years ago this coming June.  I personally enjoyed it.  

Some highlights

- Topless sun deck

- Private beach at port city

- Topless sun deck

- Snorkeling

- Topless sun deck

- Swimming with stingrays

- Topless sun deck

- Dancing on table in Mexican bar

- Topless sun deck

- Climbing jungle pyramid in Belize

- Topless sun deck.

 

Edit:  I will say this.  I absoltely HATED  the formal dining nights.  Dont like to get dressed up.  Dont like fancy food.  Dont like meeting strangers (unless they were on topless sun deck).

Edited February 2, 2023 by 5fouls

[Seeking6]

30 minutes ago, 5fouls said:

Only one I've ever been on was my honeymoon, 20 years ago this coming June.  I personally enjoyed it.  

Some highlights

- Topless sun deck

- Private beach at port city

- Topless sun deck

- Snorkeling

- Topless sun deck

- Swimming with stingrays

- Topless sun deck

- Dancing on table in Mexican bar

- Topless sun deck

- Climbing jungle pyramid in Belize

- Topless sun deck.

 

Edit:  I will say this.  I absoltely HATED  the formal dining nights.  Dont like to get dressed up.  Dont like fancy food.  Dont like meeting strangers (unless they were on topless sun deck).

 

 

1 hour ago, Lostin76 said:

Never have and the first reason is your second sentence.

What to expect? 

 

Thanks gang. It's one of those trips you kind of have to do. The good news is I found out they have a casino and somehow a sports book on there. Make the best of it and be thankful I guess but man....8 days including to and from NYC. Not what I usually like to sign up for. Especially right when my tomatoes should be coming in. 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Seeking6

[Naturalhoosier]

1 hour ago, Seeking6 said:

Any of you guys ever do cruises? We did one several years ago but honestly I felt like I was cattle the whole time. Off and on off and on. This one is with inlaws, kids and inlaws kids....something called Oasis of the Seas? Newark to Bahamas and back in July. Just was curious of what to expect.

Our family of 4 went out of Galveston this past summer on Carnival. I loved it.  It stopped at a couple places in Mexico (Cozumel and Costa Maya). I have a 15/13 yr old and there was something for everyone. We were able to break out in different groups and do a variety of things. My son and I did a sports trivia contest (we came in 2nd), my wife and I took in the evening shows, my daughter and I went to the comedy show. The kids made friends at the teen clubs. I hung out and read either on the balcony or in the atrium where there was always live music. The food. All day long food. We had a great time. I would love to do it again. 

[Seeking6]

13 minutes ago, Naturalhoosier said:

Our family of 4 went out of Galveston this past summer on Carnival. I loved it.  It stopped at a couple places in Mexico (Cozumel and Costa Maya). I have a 15/13 yr old and there was something for everyone. We were able to break out in different groups and do a variety of things. My son and I did a sports trivia contest (we came in 2nd), my wife and I took in the evening shows, my daughter and I went to the comedy show. The kids made friends at the teen clubs. I hung out and read either on the balcony or in the atrium where there was always live music. The food. All day long food. We had a great time. I would love to do it again. 

I'm kind of looking forward to it I think....like I said earlier my first cruise was just a 5 day cattle run. This one seems better. Plus Grandma/MIL is wanting to a big trip with everyone. She thinks she's dying so a trip with 20 or so of us is her big gift to us all. 

[5fouls]

54 minutes ago, Seeking6 said:

 

 

Thanks gang. It's one of those trips you kind of have to do. The good news is I found out they have a casino and somehow a sports book on there. Make the best of it and be thankful I guess but man....8 days including to and from NYC. Not what I usually like to sign up for. Especially right when my tomatoes should be coming in. 

I realized after I typed my list, I forgot to mention the casino.  I did not care for it.  The house odds were a little higher than usual, and the quality of play at the blackjack tables from other patrons was not very good.

[Steubenhoosier]

1 hour ago, 5fouls said:

Only one I've ever been on was my honeymoon, 20 years ago this coming June.  I personally enjoyed it.  

Some highlights

- Topless sun deck

- Private beach at port city

- Topless sun deck

- Snorkeling

- Topless sun deck

- Swimming with stingrays

- Topless sun deck

- Dancing on table in Mexican bar

- Topless sun deck

- Climbing jungle pyramid in Belize

- Topless sun deck.

 

Edit:  I will say this.  I absoltely HATED  the formal dining nights.  Dont like to get dressed up.  Dont like fancy food.  Dont like meeting strangers (unless they were on topless sun deck).

This was exactly my experience on a cruise.

 I have not done it yet, but I am interested in the Viking cruise line and the smaller ships they have. I like the itineraries they offer and their destinations.

Also would consider an Alaskan cruise 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Steubenhoosier

[Drroogh]

1 hour ago, 5fouls said:

Only one I've ever been on was my honeymoon, 20 years ago this coming June.  I personally enjoyed it.  

Some highlights

- Topless sun deck

- Private beach at port city

- Topless sun deck

- Snorkeling

- Topless sun deck

- Swimming with stingrays

- Topless sun deck

- Dancing on table in Mexican bar

- Topless sun deck

- Climbing jungle pyramid in Belize

- Topless sun deck.

 

Edit:  I will say this.  I absoltely HATED  the formal dining nights.  Dont like to get dressed up.  Dont like fancy food.  Dont like meeting strangers (unless they were on topless sun deck).

That sun deck, is that where you met your other wives?

[Reacher]

I'm a big fan of cruises. I was talking with a client yesterday who went to an all inclusive in the Dominican last month. Personally, I get too bored sitting in one place , even if it is a gorgeous beach, for too long. You can explore the island a bit and then what. If you want to golf everyday or sit on a beach, I guess that works. With a cruise, you get the benefits of  the boat and then a day in a bunch of different ports to sample the various locations. 

My first cruise was on Carnival. Central Caribbean. Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curacao and the Turks. Loved it. I didn't gamble in the casinos. You don't have to dress up on the "formal" night. My teenage daughter went with and loved it. Barely saw her as she met a lot of people. I liked sitting by the pool and reading, hopping in the hot tub, the FOOD, shows and nightlife. During our stops we did excursions. Went to a private island beach for an afternoon, snorkeled, swam with dolphins, walked through the city and ate / shopped. Never came close to getting bored.

My second cruise (6 or 7 years ago) was on Royal Caribbean to Alaska. Bucket list event. Scenery was incredible. Mountains, whales and glaciers. Went charter fishing, walked through cool towns, hiked on a glacier and watched grizzlies up close. 

This June, wife and I are doing Celebrity to the Eastern Caribbean. British Virgin Islands. Will go snorkeling again. Caribbean has some world class snorkeling. Most looking forward to a simulated race on the Americas Cup winning Stars and Stripe where you participate as part of the crew. 

With all that said, there is a science to cruising. When to book, which cabin and location on the boat, what to do, etc. You can go pretty cheap or spend a lot. Add ons and excursions can really drive up the cost. Really is up to you what you get out of it.

Cruises are popular for extended family get togethers because there is something for every age and interest. You can work out or be pampered at a spa. Stay on the boat or explore.

There is a way to minimize the crowds and waiting in line. Getting up early, going for meals early, etc. I try to avoid the cruise sponsored excursions for that reason as well. You can do the same excursions on your own, often for cheaper, and not be part of a big crowd. Just have to make sure you can get back on the boat in time! Other than boarding the boat, can't say crowds were ever an issue. The boats are so big, there is plenty of space for everyone and you can easily find quieter spots if that is what you want. Great people watching too.

Edited February 3, 2023 by Reacher

[Reacher]

20 hours ago, Steubenhoosier said:

This was exactly my experience on a cruise.

 I have not done it yet, but I am interested in the Viking cruise line and the smaller ships they have. I like the itineraries they offer and their destinations.

Also would consider an Alaskan cruise 

Someday, likely when I'm retired, the plan is to do a European river cruise and/ or Baltic or Mediterranean one. Have a little time to figure that out. Maybe even Iceland.

[Steubenhoosier]

13 minutes ago, Reacher said:

Someday, likely when I'm retired, the plan is to do a European river cruise and/ or Baltic or Mediterranean one. Have a little time to figure that out. Maybe even Iceland.

Just talked to a friend who returned from Iceland. Did the hot spas and other typical touristy stuff. Said the food was good, and they drive on the right hand side, which made him happy. Unfortunately, he said it was overcast the entire time so he didn't get to see the Northern Lights.

Said he'd go back, though.

[IUFLA]

1 hour ago, Steubenhoosier said:

so he didn't get to see the Northern Lights.

Ah, a fond memory...

Nothing like seeing the Northern Lights for the first time when you have a Volkswagen Vanawagon (NCO Club taxicab) packed with assorted Danes and Greenlandics whose alcohol low level lights are flickering, and all are screaming at you to get your arse back in the driver's seat so they can get busy with a vodka-juice...they've already seen that wonder a 1,000 times...

😁

Edited February 3, 2023 by IUFLA

[mrflynn03]

I drive everywhere I go. For one, I don't like someone else being in control of my ride. But if I didn't drive I would miss out on a lot of cool stuff. Like my half day detour to everglades national park or petting key deer in the Big Pine key nature preserve. 

Or the hooker I picked up my trip to Memphis when I was 18. I thought it was a lady that just needed a ride. She wasn't dressed like the ones in the movies. I said no thanks when I figured it out and sent her on her way. Stupid friends didn't say anything to help me out.