1st Family Vacation...from Midwest to???
Well, I am finally going to do something this summer w/ my husband and younger daughter (12). We NEVER go anywhere as a family as in a vacation. We are in St. Louis, MO and just bought a new SUV...:)
We both work fulltime and this would have to be around my daughter's summer break from school.
We were thinking July-August.
Me and hubby drove to New Orleans before so we know how we are together on the road, and all very compatible...besides, there's always the Gameboy and DVDs.
We like the road, nature, animals, photography, zoos, historic sites etc...
Not sure where to go. We were thinking of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone...but that's all we know.
Any ideas? We can take off about 7-10 days.
Thanks so much for any info!!!!
Crystal in St. Louis
State tourism site search
AZ Buck gave you some great ideas!
Personally, with only 7-10 days and little experience road-trippin', I'd contact the state tourism agencies for all the states near you. Heck, even call your own state's agency. Request their free travel guides. After they arrive pour through them and see what jumps out at you. There are so many things to see in each state and, often even in your own state, that people haven't seen that you don't always have to travel far to have an adventure.
Anyway, as folks who don't have much experience with this and with your limited time, I wouldn't travel far. Maybe no more than 600-700 miles from home. After you've gotten this trip under your belt, if you like it, than expand your horizons next time.
I hope that you'll return here after you've gotten some ideas so we can help you with more specifics about the area you're traveling to, routes, any other must-see things near your destination, hints on lodging, etc.
Hope this helps!
Welcome to the Neighborhood!
I'd say you'd made a mighty fine choice, although I may be a little bit biased, since I live about 5 miles outside of New Glarus.
New Glarus is where the Swiss Village is, its also just a nice little town. While you are there, you should do a tour of the New Glarus Brewery, Spotted Cow is their most popular beer, but I prefer the Fat Squirrel.
New Glarus Woods State Park is also just outside town, which offers camping, although it is one of the smallest of the Wisconsin State Parks. Yellowstone Lake State Park, just 30 miles or so away, however, is an exceptionally nice state park and is my favorite place for a quick weekend getaway. I will advise that all most every Wisconsin state park camping site gets filled up during the summer weekends, and reservations would be a very good idea if you are planning to camp.
Along the same lines as the Swiss Village, is Stonefield, a replica of a 1900-era farming community. I remember visiting it on an elementary school field trip, and had a great time. Its also just across the street from Nelson Dewey State Park, another great place to camp on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. If you head in that direction, you can also take a ferry across the river, and be just 15 miles or so from the Field of Dreams Movie site in Iowa.
Personally, I would avoid House on the Rock. That is another spot I visited growing up, and I was extremely disappointed. Basically my thoughts were summed up as, I could have gone through my grandmother's basement and seen the same junk, without spending $20 on a ticket.
However, the Dells is a great area to spend a few days. Obviously, the waterparks are the biggest draw (Noah's Ark is my favorite, although they've been building so many of them lately, its hard to keep up.) but there are also lots of Mini-Golf/Go-Cart/Bungee Jump places, Duck Boat rides, and other touristy things that are a fun way to spend some time. The Circus World Museum in Baraboo is also nearby and falls into the same touristy fun category.
As far as Zoo's go, the Milwaukee Zoo is the best one in state, although the Hendry Vilas Zoo in Madison isn't a bad place to spend a few hours. If you do visit Madison, I'd try to take a tour of the State Capitol Building, and visit either the state historical museum or the childrens museum, both which are right by the capitol building.
Finally, if you haven't stopped yet, I'd highly recommend visiting the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. I spent several hours there on the way back from my last trip to St. Louis and was very impressed.
That's if for now, I'll let you digest all of those ideas. But certainly let me know if you've got questions.
