Vacation ideas, from Ohio, 5-7 hour drive

[shortbun]

I want to wedge a short vacation in before both my husband and I start our new jobs. We'll go the end of July for 4-7 days. We want to drive and it's us with our 17yo son. It needs to be fairly accessible due to my arthritis. No more than 7 hours in the car. We like scenery, sightseeing, good food. We also need to have comfortable accomodations-apartment or at least two sleeping rooms with King beds. I'm searching the Smokies and we've already been there twice so someplace else would be preferred. Looking at Chicago but we'd need accomodations that were large. We like to spread out and lounge.

 

[low-key]

Do you ever go up to Put-In-Bay, I never have but here about it all the time

 

[Magic Mom]

I want to wedge a short vacation in before both my husband and I start our new jobs. We'll go the end of July for 4-7 days. We want to drive and it's us with our 17yo son. It needs to be fairly accessible due to my arthritis. No more than 7 hours in the car. We like scenery, sightseeing, good food. We also need to have comfortable accomodations-apartment or at least two sleeping rooms with King beds. I'm searching the Smokies and we've already been there twice so someplace else would be preferred. Looking at Chicago but we'd need accomodations that were large. We like to spread out and lounge.

I vote for Chicago, I took a trip there with my mom and my DD and we had a blast. The Fairfield Inn Downtown is newly renovated and in a perfect location, right in the middle of everything. They have suites if you want the larger room, plus free breakfast.

 

[*JoGo*]

I love Chicago. Or Niagara Falls.

I've recently looked at Put in Bay or Kelley's Island and they primarily do week long rentals all summer, cheapest being around $1500 for a house.

Pittsburgh is nice, lots to do there and you can stay outside the city cheaper.
Cleveland...
Amish country/ Sugar Creek?

It depends on what you want to do- shopping, museums, relax?

 

[charming23]

We have a lake house on Kelley's Island and it is a beautiful place for relaxing. You can also take a short boat trip over to put in bay for the day.

 

[emma'smom]

How about renting a house at Lakeside?

Canada? Niagra on the Lake is beautiful wine country....

 

[shortbun]

Lakeside was something we had talked about but not discussed. We've done the Amish area to death because we camped there for weeks every summer when our DS was little for a Blue Grass Festival. We also love The Inn at Honey Run but it's kind of a couples spot. We are going to look at Chicago, will check out the Fairfield Inn. Put-in-Bay is the scene of many a raucous weekend with our friends and is pretty much a drunken free for all so not really family oriented. Might check out Kelley's Island. DH is from northern Ohio, not far from Lake Erie. Our passports expired last winter when I was sick and I still haven't renewed them so Canada is out this year. Thanks for the great ideas!! I'd love to hear more if anyone out there has some ideas. We are also going to look at Pipestem and Oglebay Park. Anyone know about Nemacolin?

 

[ttfn3]

How about Pittsburgh with a visit to Kennywood? Lots to see in the area. You could also venture to Fallingwaters.

Another idea is Louisville. We took a long weekend trip here. Visited Churchill Downs/Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville Slugger Museum (saw wooden baseball bats being made), Frazier History Museum, Muhammad Ali Museum (really cool!), 4th street, Bardstown Road etc. Fun short getaway.

 

[minniebeth]

I was going to suggest Nemacolin~ we have not personally gone there but have a lot of friends and neighbors that have. They love it. Along that line, is Woodloch resort in Pa. too. We have friends that go there every year and also love it.

Similar is The Greenbrier Resort in W. Va. it's really pricey but very, very nice with lots to do. The sulphur springs there in the spa are amazing and would be great for your arthritis. The food is awesome too. I think it's about a 5 hr. ride.

Way farther than you want, but on our list is the Big Cedar Lodge near Branson. Lots to do and very nice! We look forward to trying it sometime.

We love Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, but it sounds like you have done that. I like to try new things too. Have you been to Asheville? Not much further from there and that's a really nice trip.

If you love to sightsee, perhaps DC? 7 hours exactly and obviously lots to do with great retaurants.

Let us know what you decide to do!

 

[Carriemel]

I'll throw it out there - Western PA/Mercer County

1. Daffins' Chocolate factory and candy store - the world's largest.

2. Quaker Steak and Lube - has been voted best wings in the world several times.

3. Grove City factory outlets.

4. New Wilmington Amish, Cheesehouse

5. Pymatuning Deer Park and Spillway

6. World's only free public golf course (yes, you can play there)

Going to give several websites for you now.

http://www.daffins.com/
http://quakersteakandlube.com
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=85
http://www.pymatuningdeerpark.com/
http://www.buhlfarmpark.com/

The only place I didn't have a website for is the Cheese House, probably because it's Amish-run, and they don't do a whole lot of online stuff.

There's quite a few hotels in the area, most are really inexpensive.

This is a link to the county's website: http://mercercountypa.org/

I grew up in this area - and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

DC would be my vote, but I also want to give another option that hasn't been mentioned. Perhaps something in Canada - Niagara Falls, Toronto?

 

[smitch425]

Saint Louis! DH and I were just there two weeks ago. It is a very easy drive. Some places off the top of my head...

The Missouri Botanical Gardens-- They have a Chinese Lantern Festival going on right now and it is absolutely STUNNING!-- www.mobot.org

The St. Louis Zoo--huge and free--http://www.stlzoo.org/

Grant's Farm--http://www.grantsfarm.com/

We have stayed in both O'Fallon, IL and Fairview Heights, IL. Both of these areas have lots of dining and shopping options, as well as a variety of hotels.

No matter where you end up, have a great trip!

 

[sparklynails23]

I like Oglebay in WV, but there isn't a whole lot to do in Wheeling except gambling. You can see pro soccer nearby. There's a spooky old prison tour. At Oglebay, you can swim and golf, plus there is a nice spa. The old rooms aren't too great, but the newer ones are very nice and offer views. They have some suites and cabins. There's an old mansion and a glass museum on property and a trolley that runs from the main hotel to all activities.

Nemacolin is interesting because Ohiopyle is nearby with waterfalls, canoeing, and a great bike path. Down the road is Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater.

Oh, Oglebay is in WV, and Nemacolin is in PA.

You could go up to Erie. Many people vacation along the lake, so there must be plenty to do.