quick stop ideas along the I75?

[MommyRobin]

We're driving from Detroit to WDW along the I75 in August. We have a 4 year old son and an 8 year old daughter. I'd like to stop as little as possible (other than an overnight in Georgia, stopping maybe around 10ish), but I also know that the kids will need to get out and stretch their legs every so often. I'd like to make these stops maybe about 20 min at a time, so I'm not looking for anything big to see, but I'm wondering if anyone has any little hidden gems along the way that may provide a bit of interest? A nice nearby playground? A weird sight? And due to the short time spent at each stop, the cheaper the better. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In Athens, Tennessee off exit 52 I would highly recommend going to Mayfield Dairy, which sells the best Ice Cream and Milkshakes you will ever want to have. They also have a have nice store and if you want to they offer free tours of how their Ice Cream gets made, however they are closed on Sunday's.

 

[LadyBeBop]

There are a couple of interesting places in the Corbin, KY area worth stopping for. However, one is east of I-75 off exit 29, and one is west of I-75 off exit 25. Perhaps do one going down, and one coming home.

The world's first Kentucky Fried Chicken is in the middle of Corbin, a couple of miles east of I-75 in the middle of town. It's still a working KFC; however there is a museum attached it it.

http://www.corbinkentucky.us/sanderscafe.htm

South and west of Corbin is Cumberland Falls. It's one of the tallest falls east of the Mississippi (I think it's second only to Niagara). Take Exit 25, and go about 15 miles to the park. From the park, it's about 12 miles to I-75 Exit 15.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Falls

If you're there at night, during a full moon, you'll be able to see a rare sight known as a moonbow. I think there are only three places in the Western Hemisphere where a moonbow occurs.

http://www.2geton.net/martin/moonbow/

A must-do (and a family tradition every time we go to Florida) is the Florida Welcome Station. Nothing like stretching your legs, drinking free orange juice and knowing you're in the home state of the Mouse.

BTW y'all, I'm also looking for some playgrounds with swings and slides close to I-75. We probably stop at nearly every rest stop between here and Florida. But we're still looking for a nice playground. A couple of miles off of I-75 is OK. We just don't want to rely on McDonald's Play Areas for my DGD to have fun.

 

[MommyRobin]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I would in particular like to hear about playgrounds other than McDonalds. My son has cochlear implants and the static in the McD's playgrounds should really be avoided. And frankly, some of the grossness that I've seen in them makes me want to vomit . I'll take "real" dirt of outside playgrounds over that any day!

I'm checking out Cumberland Falls. I was also reading about the world's largest peanut in Georgia and I think we'll have to make a stop!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was also reading about the world's largest peanut in Georgia and I think we'll have to make a stop!

A few years ago my family and I stopped to take pictures there and it's nothing more then a plaq with some history about it and the giant peanut.

 

[MidgeD79]

We have driven several times and I would recommend Dave Hunters
"Along I-75".

 

[LadyBeBop]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I would in particular like to hear about playgrounds other than McDonalds. My son has cochlear implants and the static in the McD's playgrounds should really be avoided. And frankly, some of the grossness that I've seen in them makes me want to vomit . I'll take "real" dirt of outside playgrounds over that any day!

Come to think of it, there are a few playgrounds in my hometown, Erlanger, KY that's close to I-75 (Exit 184).

Railroad Depot Park is cool. It's about five minutes from the expressway.

http://www.ci.erlanger.ky.us/content/357/508/791.aspx

To get there:

1) Take the KY-236 W exit (Exit 184...later Exit 184B) toward Erlanger
2) Turn left onto CommonWealth Ave (KY-236)
3) Stay on Commonwealth about 8/10 of a mile. You'll be turning left onto Dixie Highway (US 25/42/127).
4) You'll be on Dixie for a very short time, as you'll be making an immediate left turn onto Erlanger Road
5) Go about 7/10 of a mile. Take the first right (Crescent Street).

The park will be on the right.

If you want a street address to enter into your GPS, it's 3319 Crescent Ave. The Erlanger Historical Center is the same address.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We have driven several times and I would recommend Dave Hunters
"Along I-75".

I agree because we always purchase it when he comes out with a new edition. Plus he also another book for the Interstates in Florida which includes I-75.

 

[MommyRobin]

Come to think of it, there are a few playgrounds in my hometown, Erlanger, KY that's close to I-75 (Exit 184).

Railroad Depot Park is cool. It's about five minutes from the expressway.

http://www.ci.erlanger.ky.us/content/357/508/791.aspx

To get there:

1) Take the KY-236 W exit (Exit 184...later Exit 184B) toward Erlanger
2) Turn left onto CommonWealth Ave (KY-236)
3) Stay on Commonwealth about 8/10 of a mile. You'll be turning left onto Dixie Highway (US 25/42/127).
4) You'll be on Dixie for a very short time, as you'll be making an immediate left turn onto Erlanger Road
5) Go about 7/10 of a mile. Take the first right (Crescent Street).

The park will be on the right.

If you want a street address to enter into your GPS, it's 3319 Crescent Ave. The Erlanger Historical Center is the same address.

This is perfect!! My son in particular will love this - he loves all things transportation. Thank you!

 

[MommyRobin]

We have driven several times and I would recommend Dave Hunters
"Along I-75".

I have the 9th edition and I'm on a list to get the newest one from the library. it has a bit of appropriate things to stop at, but I'm finding most of them won't be appealing to the kids. I'm definitely bringing it along (and I've already read it), but I'm interested in other ideas didn't make it into the book, too.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I have another thought, depending on when you'll be traveling.

The World's Longest Yard Sale is the first weekend of August. This year, it's August 4-7.

It runs from Indiana through Georgia along US 127. Only a small part of I-75 parallels US 127...basicially Northern Kentucky and Chattanooga. But you might see a few bargains. And the sale in Covington is something to see.

Let me know if your travels goes through Northern KY during the sale.

 

[koho]

There is also a small park at the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. There is a picnic shelter and walking path and a small runway. There are also signs alright the park talking about different things on the airport. Plus the park is right across the street from the airport firehouse and next to the control tower.

The park is located at the corner of New Price Pike and Tower Dr.

 

[sam_gordon]

A couple parks in the Central Kentucky Area...

Jacobson park in Lexington. Exit 104, head west (right if you're SB, Left if you're NB). Go about 2 miles and park entrance is on your right. LOTS of green space, playground, paddle boats.

Lake Reba park in Richmond. Exit either #90 or #87. Park is on the East side of interstate. Turn when we get to Outback Steakhouse (L/R depends on which exit you take). Soccer fields, softball fields, baseball fields, lake, swimming pool, playground.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I second Sam's suggestions in Central KY.

Lake Reba is great in Richmond. It's easily accessible from both exits 87 and 90. There is a Kroger/Meijer/Walmart nearby along with other places to grab some lunch and have a picnic.

Jacobson Park is Lexington fits the bill you are looking for too.

Exit 77 in Berea is the KY Artisan Center, voted the cleanest restrooms on the I75 corridor. They are open 8-8.

Exit 62 is Renfro Valley, which is open more toward the weekends for some older style shops.

The KY Horse Park at 120 is nice but can be costly.

One tip, fuel is almost always .25 a gallon cheaper at the Corbin exits 29 and 25.