Where to go the end of March?

[sam_gordon]

DW and I are in Central Kentucky. We're looking to go somewhere the last weekend in March for 3-4 days, probably < 4 hours drive time. My main concern right now is the weather can be VERY unpredictable. We've been at soccer games in the past in late March/early April that have been absolutely miserable (cold, wet, windy). Which means any where we go should have indoor options in case the weather is bad.

We enjoy sight seeing.
We enjoy stage shows.
We enjoy "walks" (well, I do), but not "hikes".
We enjoy eating (but are not "foodies").


We considered Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Dollywood, but the weather concerns come up. 3-4 hours is roughly Indianapolis (will avoid because NCAA regional is being hosted there that weekend), Columbus, SE Tennessee, Nashville.

What I DON'T want is to go somewhere and then just sit in a hotel. If we're going to do that, may as well stay home and save the money.

So, any suggestions?

We looked into flying to Florida or Vegas, but flights are ~$350 to fit into the schedule we want.

Any ideas/suggestions/thoughts?

 

[Karalee402]

We're in KY, too! Hello, neighbor! I feel like I'm always googling "3-4 hour weekend trips from KY," so I'm excited to read what people come up with you for you! I know you said Gatlinburg weather can be tricky, and it can be, but we went for a few days in March a couple of years ago, and the crazy weather made it even more beautiful. The national park was foggy and almost spooky; my kids LOVED it! And with those gorgeous cabins there, you can enjoy a hot tub, family games, etc. at probably half the price charged in the summer months, so I wouldn't necessarily count it out.
Nashville is another fun city or maybe even going up 65 to Chicago? Again, weather is tricky and drive is a bit longer, but my kids love exploring the city. There's SO much to do there!

 

[kdonnel]

Wife and I just booked a long weekend trip to New Orleans, Wednesday to Saturday. We have never been before. Found round trip flights for $98 total for the two of us.

Rental car is cheap as well at only $125.

Using points for the hotel.

 

[sam_gordon]

Wife and I just booked a long weekend trip to New Orleans, Wednesday to Saturday. We have never been before. Found round trip flights for $98 total for the two of us.

Rental car is cheap as well at only $125.

Using points for the hotel.

My hotel points are are little low right now. I can get a car for free. I'll take a look at flights! Good idea!

 

[Travel60]

I second Nashville. Stay downtown. Make reservations at The Listening Room, Bluebird Cafe (if you can get them) and the Loveless Cafe. Tour the Grand Ole Opry and get tickets to a show.

New Orleans is great too and you really don't need a car. Rideshare to/from the airport, stay in or near the French Quarter and just walk everywhere.

Have fun!

 

[sam_gordon]

No cheap flights to NO.

 

[4Hawks]

Atlanta! A little more than 4 hours, but so much to do. And the weather is very nice in March (right before the pollening). Blue Ridge is also very nice, but more for hikers or outdoorsy people.

Chattanooga is another favorite of mine.

 

[TippyThomas]

@sam_gordon Does your wife have an interest in aviation like you do?

If so, to piggy back on the Atlanta recommendation, I hear Delta has a pretty amazing museum at/near the Atlanta Airport that might be fun to check out. Wasn't sure if that was her thing too, so take it for what it's worth. Pretty sure they offer the ability to purchase time on a motion simulator as well.

 

[sam_gordon]

@sam_gordon Does your wife have an interest in aviation like you do?

If so, to piggy back on the Atlanta recommendation, I hear Delta has a pretty amazing museum at/near the Atlanta Airport that might be fun to check out. Wasn't sure if that was her thing too, so take it for what it's worth.

She doesn't, she just tolerates flying.

I went through the museum last year. Interesting if somewhat small.

 

[TippyThomas]

She doesn't, she just tolerates flying.

I went through the museum last year. Interesting if somewhat small.

That's good to know actually. I'd thought of detouring through Atlanta on my trips down south in the RV to check it out, but I'm not interested in RV'ing in that Atlanta traffic if the payoff isn't worth it. Figured it'd be worth it, but driving through/around Atlanta seems like quite the event, especially in an RV. I guess I'll go if it's ever convenient, but I don't think I'll go out of my way.

Most of my recommendations would involve more outdoor type places so I'm probably not much help in that regard.

 

[kdonnel]

No cheap flights to NO.

That’s too bad. We are flying Spirit while we still can take advantage of their cheap fares.

 

[kdonnel]

Pretty sure they offer the ability to purchase time on a motion simulator as well.

For one of my son’s birthday we bought a couple hours in the sim. He had a great time.

 

[sam_gordon]

That's good to know actually. I'd thought of detouring through Atlanta on my trips down south in the RV to check it out, but I'm not interested in RV'ing in that Atlanta traffic if the payoff isn't worth it. Figured it'd be worth it, but driving through/around Atlanta seems like quite the event, especially in an RV. I guess I'll go if it's ever convenient, but I don't think I'll go out of my way.

Most of my recommendations would involve more outdoor type places so I'm probably not much help in that regard.

My former TV station had a 30' Winnebego we outfitted as a production control room. We took it to various locations in downtown Atlanta one week for the SEC basketball tournament. Guess who drove it.

 

[TippyThomas]

My former TV station had a 30' Winnebego we outfitted as a production control room. We took it to various locations in downtown Atlanta one week for the SEC basketball tournament. Guess who drove it.

The driving I do has always been almost completely very, very rural in nature. Even most of the campgrounds I go to down south and around me are in the middle of nowhere. I do get on some interstates, but even those are more of the less popular and much less busy than 75. The thought of driving through or around Atlanta with my skill level of driving scares me to death. Probably a good thing though, so I don't tempt myself.

 

[sam_gordon]

The driving I do has always been almost completely very, very rural in nature. Even most of the campgrounds I go to down south and around me are in the middle of nowhere. I do get on some interstates, but even those are more of the less popular and much less busy than 75. The thought of driving through or around Atlanta with my skill level of driving scares me to death. Probably a good thing though, so I don't tempt myself.

Yea, I did not like driving that thing. Nice to say I did it, but not the easiest.

 

[kdonnel]

My former TV station had a 30' Winnebego we outfitted as a production control room. We took it to various locations in downtown Atlanta one week for the SEC basketball tournament. Guess who drove it.

One year I rented a 32’ class C RV.

I picked it up and drove it home, 15 or so miles on surface streets. No real issue.

The next morning we left at 4am to beat the traffic through Atlanta on our way to WDW. Didn’t realize we would be on the road with all the semis also beating the traffic.

The RV was brand new and only had 300 miles on the odometer but was cheap. I could turn the steering wheel almost a 1/4 turn in either direction and not change which way the RV traveled.

That first hour of driving before the sun came up was scary. I would come up on underpasses with a semi beside and behind me. The semi passing would push the RV way to the right towards the bridge supports while I fought with the steering wheel.

I figured I was going to end up in an accident that killed my family and the 4 extra kids I had with me. Then the sun came up and I got more comfortable with the wacky steering.

Parking in downtown must have been interesting.

 

[soccerdad72]

I really enjoyed Nashville a couple years ago - we did a driving trip: spent a couple days in Louisville first, then down to Nashville for like 3 days and worked our way back home from there with one night at a casino in Indiana.

 

[hertamaniac]

No cheap flights to NO.

Unfortunate. I've been there many times, and it can be a great experience if you know where to stay and what to do.

It's a shame that Savannah is outside your driving limit(s). It offers so much to see/eat via walking and the trolley tour.

 

[sam_gordon]

Unfortunate. I've been there many times, and it can be a great experience if you know where to stay and what to do.

It's a shame that Savannah is outside your driving limit(s). It offers so much to see/eat via walking and the trolley tour.

I'd like to see Savannah, but with only four days to play with, doesn't make a lot of sense to spend two days on the road (round trip)

 

[sam_gordon]

Parking in downtown must have been interesting.

That's putting it mildly. Especially when one of our locations was on a corner, no parking on one side, the other was one way the wrong way (because we needed the door and cable access at the curb). I remember parking it facing the wrong way, don't remember how I did it though. Lol