DC to Chicago with two little ones
August 30, 2015 10:32 AM Subscribe
Our family (two adults, two kids under 3) is driving between the DC area and Chicago this September. Where should we stop along the way to stay overnight?
We would like to stop somewhere that's more or less on the way (no more than 8 hours from either endpoint) and has something for kids to do. Ideally, we would do a fun kid activity, eat dinner at a good local place that's reasonably kid-friendly, and maybe stay in a hotel with a pool. We're going to visit friends in Ann Arbor in one direction, but we're not sure about where to stop in the other direction.
Also, any ideas for lunches/stops on the road?
We would like to stop somewhere that's more or less on the way (no more than 8 hours from either endpoint) and has something for kids to do. Ideally, we would do a fun kid activity, eat dinner at a good local place that's reasonably kid-friendly, and maybe stay in a hotel with a pool. We're going to visit friends in Ann Arbor in one direction, but we're not sure about where to stop in the other direction.
Also, any ideas for lunches/stops on the road?
Response by poster: I should also mention that walking around a historic downtown would be a fun activity for my kids.
posted by Ralston McTodd at 10:56 AM on August 30, 2015
posted by Ralston McTodd at 10:56 AM on August 30, 2015
On a similar drive as a kid we stopped at Hershey, Pennsylvania. Cedar Pointe is another fun amusement park on the way. A college town like Oberlin would be fun. This is out of the way, but my family also often visited South Haven, Michigan, which has a nice beach on Lake Michigan.
posted by three_red_balloons at 12:15 PM on August 30, 2015
posted by three_red_balloons at 12:15 PM on August 30, 2015
I haven't been there, but I'd imagine Columbus would be a nice stopover. It's home to (the) Ohio State University, as well as the state capitol. Nice sized city with kid-friendly attractions. Visitor's Bureau link.
posted by hydra77 at 2:09 PM on August 30, 2015
posted by hydra77 at 2:09 PM on August 30, 2015
If you're coming up I-65 from Indianapolis, and you need an excuse to get out of the car closer to Chicago, you can check out Fair Oaks Farm. It's a working dairy farm, with tours and kid stuff. There's food there too, and some run-around outdoor space. Please don't forget to eat an Italian Beef while you're in Chicago too. They're delicious (assuming you're an omnivore).
posted by hydra77 at 2:17 PM on August 30, 2015
posted by hydra77 at 2:17 PM on August 30, 2015
If you are taking I-65N be aware that the interstate is (or was ) closed recently due to an unsafe bridge around Lafayette. It's causing hellacious delays.
posted by COD at 7:43 PM on August 30, 2015
posted by COD at 7:43 PM on August 30, 2015
Roscoe Village is a small town that was a stop on the Wabash Erie Canal. The website has really great pics of the area during festivals and recreation events. But when I visited it was very quiet. The street is quaint, and the actual area of the older buildings is small. There is a Blacksmith that has the forge going when he is open.The canal is gone, just a shallow ditch running along the roadside. It was a great spot to take a short break when I was traveling. http://www.roscoevillage.com/
http://www.amishacres.com/ Is in Indiana very near the Toll Road. We took or kids when they were young. They especially loved the buggy ride and that is what they remember 15 years later.
I am sorry about the links, I messed up on adding them.
posted by moonlily at 7:20 AM on August 31, 2015
http://www.amishacres.com/ Is in Indiana very near the Toll Road. We took or kids when they were young. They especially loved the buggy ride and that is what they remember 15 years later.
I am sorry about the links, I messed up on adding them.
posted by moonlily at 7:20 AM on August 31, 2015
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posted by oceano at 10:43 AM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]