Travel advice needed!

[corilannam]

So my BFF chelseafrew and I are heading to Chicago next weekend for a Very Important Wedding. We've been meaning to take a leisurely roadtrip for years, and we've decided this is our opportunity!

We're leaving on Wednesday or Thursday of next week to meander from DC to Chicago by Friday afternoon. We're in Chicago Friday and Saturday for wedding activities, and then at some point we'll be leaving to drive up to Canada through either Wisconsin or (more likely) Michigan. From there we plan to drive around the Great Lakes to Toronto, then down through Niagra Falls and eventually home. We're allowing about a week and a half to do the whole thing.

I know a great number of you know live in these regions or know them much better than I do, so my questions:

* Along that route (more or less), what are the Must See Sights?

* Any advice on the best places to stay (or stay away from)?

* While in Canada, what and where must we eat?

* Anyone want to have coffee/dinner/world domination planning meetings?

This is, of course, all assuming that I can find my passport, which I put in a very safe place....

Comments

[thalia]

Would be happy to see you while you're in Chicago, if there's time!

Personally, I prefer Wisconsin to Michigan, but either way, stick close to the lake. If you go up through WI you could stop in Door County, which is a picturesque peninsula that sticks out into the lake, then drive through the UP and head into Canada near Sault Ste. Marie. On the Michigan front, you have a choice between driving up the west coast to Sault Ste. Marie, or hitting Canada at Windsor, near Detroit. The latter would be quicker but much less interesting--Chicago to Detroit is a really boring drive, but it's only about 5 hours, whereas you could take 2-3 days going the long way around.

Going through Sault Ste. Marie would give you a chance to stop at Mackinac Island. There aren't any cars allowed on it--you'd have to take a ferry--but its Grand Hotel is very famous.

If you're driving near the coast of any of the Great Lakes, you shouldn't have trouble finding little towns to stay in. You might want to track down some lighthouses.

And once you're east of Michigan, I'm no help. [g]

[corilannam]

I'd love to see you! We keep missing each other every time we cross cities. *g* We have Sunday free in Chicago to see people -- what's your schedule like then?

[thalia]

We do have terrible luck! Do you mean this Sunday, the 29th? I have theater tickets in the afternoon but could probably meet up for dinner, if I can ditch my husband. [g]

[corilannam]

Yup, this Sunday. Dinner would be fantastic, if your husband doesn't mind sparing you. *g*

[thalia]

Yikes, I thought I'd replied to this. Must have just done it in my head....

I should be free after 5:30 tomorrow. Or, if you're having lunch with Waldo, I could tag along to that instead--whatever works. Any idea what your plans are? Feel free to e-mail thalia@destinysgarden.net, or call/text my phone--I twitter dm'd you the number.

See you tomorrow, yay!

[corilannam]

Argh, I'm so sorry, but I'm going to have to take a raincheck (AGAIN). :-( I thought all the wedding stuff would be done today, but I just found out I was wrong and we're going to be busy through tomorrow night. Next time?

[thalia]

OK, you have *got* to come to Muskrat Jamboree next year. This is getting silly. If I hadn't met you before I'd be wondering if you actually exist.... [g]

Have a great rest of the trip!