Just attended the 8th Annual History Trail here with my 3 and 5 year old. It would be impossible to list everything there is to see, but be sure to check out the following places: You can do the road trip from Chicago to Nashville almost any time of year and find something to enjoy, although Nashville's peak season is unique in that it lasts over 6 months. This is the only museum in the world to be devoted to a single car model, which also happens to be the longest-running model in Americas history. So much to do at this place. Part of the lakefront scenery since 1996 is this immense riverboat-style casino, managed by Caesars Entertainment and employing 2,200 people. From Champaign, do a detour to Allerton Park & Retreat Center, or continue along the interstate through Mattoon and Effingham. We enjoy eating ice cream in the play area with the grand kids. We didn't get to see the private collection, and I wish they had some sign at the check-in desk that have the hours of when they are open. Tours are available from 9 am throughout the day I made my way over and when walking into the underground welcome center was warmly greeting by seven or so staff. Although Lost River Cave isnt entirely a natural cave system, it is a man-made cave with natural features that deserves exploring. The woodwork is beautiful and the decor is of the period. Bring your fishing pole and your road bike, there are plenty of areas to enjoy both. Whether you're eating at the restaurant or enjoying a drink at the bar, every evening at this hotel feels like a business meeting in the best possible way. Shout out my tour guide Skeeter! Really all the staff from the gift shop to the guides are super friendly and helpful. Have heard owls and other nightlife talking. Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Tour the factory and watch how bats are made, visit the Bat Vault and see the bats used by baseball's most legendary players and view branded autographs of thousands of players who signed contracts with Louisville Slugger. In this man-made cavern, you'll find a variety of options to keep the family busy. Baseball is celebrated at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, where Major League bats are produced and a giant baseball "slugger" marks the entrance. Big hats, fast horses and mint juleps: everyone loves the famous Kentucky Derby the most exciting two minutes in sports!. Nice view, 2 br, 2 bath. Visitors can step up to the plate themselves head into the batting cages and grab a replica slugger model, or create a customized bat at the end of the tour. The bills are part of Gov. Im not much of a gambler, but once in a while I like to come here. Housemade ice cream & sandwich spot set on a working dairy farm offering tours & events. Now it is a driving tour, adventure area, zip line tour, light show and even commercial storage. Similarly, art is performed at this place. The Kentucky Derby, also known as The Run for the Roses, is one of the most prized traditions in the state. Why would I have any interest in visiting a museum about horse racing?. Tours include the track itself and the museum which details the journey of a race horse from birth to the finish line. Tennessee Warbler, Oven Bird, Towhee couple, and a gnat catcher and that's just at the first trail by the Visitor's Center! My husband and I being non-smokers, my husband an ex-smoker we really would like to see casinos really expand their non-smoking areas. Regardless of the time of year, however, a visit to Louisville isnt complete without a stop at the Kentucky Derby Museum, where you can learn all about the history of this thrilling annual event. You could easily spend an entire day here, and it's great exercise! or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. When we were there in late winter there was not much to be seen in the way of wildflowers, but the trails were very quiet and pleasant. The cavern is human-made and stretches 17 miles beneath the city. Amusement Parks (All Ages)798 Beech Bend Park Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101MoreLess Info. 10/10, must visit! If you have ever wanted to get behind the wheel of a sports car, this may be your chance. Entertaining for all ages, this family friendly museum has kid zones, interactive exhibits, guided tours and much more to be seen. Another viable alternative could also be winter, assuming you don't mind the constant 50-or-so degrees. Kids might get a little bored on the tram. I registered, purchased tickets, and signed wavers all online and via digital delivery. The new owners have done a great job restoring the park. We had so much fun on our visit to Lost River Cave. 2. stay for about 4 hours and leave at 6:43 pmdrive for about 1 hour, Triple XXX Family Restaurant 1. to double check the weather. If you you baseball and its history, this is a place you must visit! She loved it! Rides are great! Besides its production line, there is an amazing collection of baseball memorabilia for visitors to enjoy with interactive displays and exhibits dotted about. There are a lot of activities held at the park depending on the timing or season. I cant recommend it enough! They create a welcoming and grateful environment for baseball enthusiasts. Located at the Churchill Downs racecourse, its floors are packed with artifacts and exhibits that look at everything from the breeding and training of young foals to illustrious owners, age-old traditions and winning horses and jockeys. When Josh mentioned we would be visiting the Kentucky Derby Museum I yawned. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. You can go ziplining underground in this massive underground limestone quarry!. Brentwood 48F. intense!). Trip 101 lists Beech Bend Park as a great day out for the whole family. According to the United States Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion County in 2020 was 977,642. Home to the Churchill Downs racecourse, Louisville has become known for its world famous Kentucky Derby. Chaneys Dairy Barn is a family-friendly restaurant in Bowling Green, KY. A key attraction in the Louisville region, more so for horse racing enthusiasts, the Kentucky Derby Museum is established on Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Races take place all day. Click the button below to explore more questions A very Beautiful place to visit. If that isnt enough to sell you on a visit, theres also a ropes course, e-bike rides to the furthest depths of the caverns, and a MEGA TRAM tour. Situated in an area known as Museum Row in Louisville, this museum and factory is a great place to enjoy a tour. There is a HUGE open lawn with a trail around it. Learn about the life of jockeys and gape at the flamboyant hat collection. Fun is basically guaranteed, no matter if you want to gaze at the majestic waterfalls of Broad Run Park, cool off at the splash pad at Beckley Creek Park, or hike through the Big Beech Woods at Pope Lick Park. Get inspired for your trip to Chicago with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Nashville, Tennessee 7 hours 15 mins from Chicago (480 miles) We stayed a few hours and enjoyed the change of scenery from the Utah deserts we came from. Delicious!! Cedars' of Lebanon is a really nice state part. Down-to-earth casino complex with a horse racing track & slot machines, plus dining & live music. I loved it there yesterday,it was fun. The line to get into the park was extremely long but the beach area and lake itself was just beautiful and refreshing. They also have some beautiful gardens that are worth walking around. Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Chicago. It was neat because you could walk around to a couple of food trucks, purchase some drinks, dance to the live music, and then go watch the horse races. The charming resort town of Traverse City, located at Michigan's northern tip, offers plenty to do for nature enthusiasts. Sipped his black raspberry bourbon liqueur and it was delicious. There's much more than lions, tigers and bears at the Louisville Zoo, also known as the "State Zoo of Kentucky." Home to a huge array of animals, the excellent Louisville Zoo can be found in the citys Poplar Level neighborhood. Our tour guide was super funny and made it so much more enjoyable as she educated us on the natural history of the area. Mist. 2-4-1 . We were a little short for one or two rides. they have a playground area for each age group, plenty of swings to go around, a rock wall, a handful of slides different heights You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving The price was $21.94 and the tour lasted a little over an hour. Pet friendly as well! They also have a good selection of food and their pizza is great! Also the cafe was closed (closes at 3p) when we went and I was looking forward to doing that too but they weren't open. It is an amusement park with a good selection of family rides, as well as plenty to keep thrill seekers happy. The museum exhibits a lot of balls of different kind of games, and if you are a baseball lover, you get to see the various finishes of the baseball. Birmingham Route. Take Interstates 90 and 94 south to Roseland, and from there, hop onto Interstate 57 and follow it out of Chicago, past Kankakee River State Park. You can, of course, find: sloths, polar bears, elephants, and many other fun animals at this zoo, along with many other cool animals from around the world. If the kids weigh at east 55lbs, you will not want to miss taking a ride on the worlds only fully underground ropes course at Louisville Mega Cavern. Youll learn a lot about baseball at this museum and see some interesting videos. questions about Indianapolis: Dont mess with the long lines and the high prices of the huge theme parks; at Beech Bend, you get free parking, free sunscreen, and free inner tubes all day, every day!. Once you're good and tired, take advantage of the concierge service and enjoy an in-room meal while enjoying the city view. With its legendary interior design, the swankiest resort in town would have to be The Brown Hotel. Louisville Zoo commits to better the bond between the people and the planet through their excellent care for animals. It makes you feel like a Kid again with All the skillful designed Trains and the History that goes with it! You can enjoy learning about history and science as well as taking in the wonders of this huge man-made cavern. Outside is a six-story bat that leans against the museum and billed to be the worlds largest bat. There was not anyone else really around and even though there were signs I didnt know what to do. Fun facts: Is there anything more iconically Louisville than Churchill Downs?. Make plans to spend a day here because there are plenty of things to do, including:. There are several restaurants in the grounds too. Louisville is home to one of the largest caverns in the world dont miss your opportunity to visit Louisville Mega Cavern!. Stayed in the Beach Club Cottage #10. The Kentucky Derby Museum is the exclusive provider for the famous Churchill Downs Race Course. There is plenty of hiking in and around the park. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. There genuinely isn't a definitive road trip route from Chicago to Nashville. Another option is to add 30 miles to the drive by taking Interstates 57 and 24 through Illinois and a chunk of Kentucky. If you are going to visit, I highly recommend the $35 package! . Illinois' Great River Road. Zip-Lining is where its at when visiting Louisville Mega Cavern, offering the worlds only full underground zip-line course. Other popular stops include National Corvette Museum, Churchill Downs, and Indiana Dunes State Park. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to A superb museum with everything you need to see and know about Corvettes. Any portion of the road between East Dubuque and Nauvoo is perfect for Chicagoans or tourists renting a car at Midway airport. We often pick random things to do in our city or surrounding area. Very comforting place. As one of Kentucky's only underground boat tours, the non-profit Lost River Cave provides a unique experience riding the current of a subterranean river. If, for no other reason, because it wields the title of hosting the worlds only underground zip line adventure tour!. Munster 29F. | Photo by Steve Fuhrman. We even saw a deer. The Kentucky Derby Museum puts its importance into an even greater perspective. The museum is in Churchill Downs, and visitors experience a guided, 30-minute tour of the stadium. Located on the grounds of Louisville's iconic Churchill Downs you'll find this museum celebrating the history of the racetrack and its horses. Our guide was so knowledgeable and had great dad jokes! Have considered Louisville/Indianapolis route or a different route via St Louis. There are great open spaces, access to trails and natural areas, and a dog park. Lots of local history. The kids loved everything! We like hiking or taking a walk at these locations too, so be sure to explore them. We'll certainly be back to explore the Bird Trail. You can drive from Chicago to Nashville. If you're looking for beefed up muscle cars he has a few but if you're looking for some classic cars that are beyond beautiful this is the place. is exactly how the art is showcased in this place. With thrill rides, family rides and child rides available at Beech Bend Park, all ages are welcome, and its encouraged to partake in the excitement. They have a variety of food and snacks, I got a slice of cheese pizza from connies it was good just not real hot. Bowling Green, Kentucky, is known as the official worldwide home of the Corvette. 1080 N Dixie Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, USA. The direct drive from Chicago to Gatlinburg is 579 mi (931 km), and should have a drive time of 9 hrs 30 mins in normal traffic.. They always have tons of "oops" gummies that are heavily discounted as well. If you have real young ones then maybe just head out on the Mega Tram for a tour of this enormous underground facility that was once designated as a bomb shelter in case of a nuclear strike. If youre a baseball enthusiast, this establishment is where you will find your passion come to life. Id have stayed longer, but a thunderstorm chased me out. next trip! 1075 Charlie Daniels Pkwy, Mt. Take the family on an outing to Beech Bend Park during your trip to Bowling Green. The short walk back up the hill is worth it! Eureka Springs is a vacation town that has a unique Victorian feel, and . The zoos Glacier Runs Bear Habitat was one of our favorites, with sea lions, seals, polar and grizzly bears. These spots can be found between Gary, Indiana and Nashville along Interstate 65 southbound. Hattie B's Hot Chicken - 19th Ave The shortest roadway distance between the two cities is approximately 582 miles. 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