Boston to Chicago

Hi all!

We're coming from Scandinavia to visit the US this summer. We are visiting some friends in Boston and also in Chicago, so we decided to try that great American tradition and make a 1-way roadtrip between them.

We plan to leave Boston in mid-July and arrive in Chicago about 5 or 6 days later. We have 3 small children in row (all under 5), so we were thinking of stopping in a 2-3 places for a night or two each. It would be really nice if we could find some cabins or relaxed resorts, ideally places where we have the option to self-cater but where sheets, towels, etc. are provided and we don't need to worry too much about cleaning. We would also like to try to visit Niagara Falls on the way.

We will really appreciate your hints and tips for places to stay! Also, looking at the map it seems that we would go round Lake Erie. Any thoughts about going round on the northern Canadian side vs. the southern US side?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Velkommen! / Välkomnande! / Tervetuloa! (Whichever is appropriate.) Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

In general, although I am a fan of hitting as many different places as possible on a RoadTrip, I would argue against going over to Canada to follow the north shore of Lake Erie, just because of the number of things to see and do on the south shore. For your trip, you should first get some ideas by reading through the discussions linked to here. They will give you a good idea of some of the best venues available. From your specific requests, I would look for some lakeside cabins on Great Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks for your first night's stop, maybe around Edinburg or Northville NY, Then (I would spend the second night somewhere in or around Cleveland. Although that may be a bit more urban than you're looking for, it has a number of great things for the kids including a world-class Natural History Museum and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The kids may be a little young for the classic amusement park, Cedar Point, in Sandusky, but they might appreciate a ferry ride out to one or more of the Bass Islands from there. After you've had a chance to get a bit more of an idea of your plans, be sure to stop back for more specific advice. One place where you definitely should go over to Canada is at Niagara Falls where the Canadian side is distinctly different from the American side.

AZBuck

Many thanks for your help. I'll check the links you mention and come back. Thanks!

Hi again,

I've been reading through and have started to form a plan. Lake Sacandaga looks great, we will take your advice and have that as our first stop.

Then we go on to Niagara Falls, and my thought is to go to stay that night in Letchworth State Park. However I have been checking accomodation options there, but it seems that the cabins inside the park have a one-week minimum at that time of year. Are there any family-friendly options you can recommend for us to stay around there for a night or two as a base to explore from? With the kids being so small we will be chicken-y and looking for a reasonably comfortable place (i.e. heated, running water, toilets and all that jazz!)

Third stop: Cleveland sounds great from your description. It seems like the Intercontinental has larger family-friendly suites so we'll aim for a room there.

Still planning what comes next... thanks so much for all your help!

Have you looked at the Glen Iris Inn?