advice on super roadtrip

[calgaryrocks]

My wife and I are planning on going on a roadtrip this summer, but are travelling through areas we have never been before. I am looking for suggestions of routes to take, things to see, places to stop along the way
first off, we have 16 days, but could get back the 17th day if we need to.

keep in mind: we like free/cheap, don't drink much, and she isn't huge into watching sports (other than hockey) so don't need to take that into consideration (unless its a quick stop you really think we should see)
sightseeing is always good
also, we plan on camping lots, so any reccomended campgrounds?

here are the stops:
depart from Lethbridge
1. Mt rushmore/black hills. we plan on spending 1.5/2 days here, doing a mt rushmore tour for a full day (through some connections, free)
- we are going to check out some of the caves of the area as well
2. Chicago - we plan on stopping just to see the "bean" and the free zoo. we are open to seeing other attractions as well
3. Detroit - a maybe, only because its on the way to Toronto, can't think of anything worthwile seeing.
4. Toronto - we plan on doing a day at Canada's wonderland as well as visiting some family for dinner near guelph
5. Possibly Ottawa and Montreal if we have time (I think we will, she isn't sure)
- if we do these places, we would check out parliament, old montreal
6. Minneapolos(sp) - the aquarium in the big mall
7. back to Calgary
thanks in advance!
(oh and yes we could fly to Toronto and do a short trip to mt rushmore, but this is more fun and we like doing roadtrips, plus she doesn't like flying)

[valo403]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

My wife and I are planning on going on a roadtrip this summer, but are travelling through areas we have never been before. I am looking for suggestions of routes to take, things to see, places to stop along the way
first off, we have 16 days, but could get back the 17th day if we need to.

keep in mind: we like free/cheap, don't drink much, and she isn't huge into watching sports (other than hockey) so don't need to take that into consideration (unless its a quick stop you really think we should see)
sightseeing is always good
also, we plan on camping lots, so any reccomended campgrounds?

here are the stops:
depart from Lethbridge
1. Mt rushmore/black hills. we plan on spending 1.5/2 days here, doing a mt rushmore tour for a full day (through some connections, free)
- we are going to check out some of the caves of the area as well
2. Chicago - we plan on stopping just to see the "bean" and the free zoo. we are open to seeing other attractions as well
3. Detroit - a maybe, only because its on the way to Toronto, can't think of anything worthwile seeing.
4. Toronto - we plan on doing a day at Canada's wonderland as well as visiting some family for dinner near guelph
5. Possibly Ottawa and Montreal if we have time (I think we will, she isn't sure)
- if we do these places, we would check out parliament, old montreal
6. Minneapolos(sp) - the aquarium in the big mall
7. back to Calgary
thanks in advance!
(oh and yes we could fly to Toronto and do a short trip to mt rushmore, but this is more fun and we like doing roadtrips, plus she doesn't like flying)

Detroit is a cool city, a lot of great old architecture that is now abandoned, but I'm not sure I'd include it as a stop on your trip. If I was going to stop anywhere crossing through Michigan I'd stop on the lake side near Grand Rapids, or further north if you have time. Absolutely gorgeous area.

If you're planning to hit Minneapolis on the way back you'll likely be passing through Michigan and the Chicago area twice, unless you're going to do the Trans Canada (which is slow going in Western Ontario relative to the US interstates) before cutting south again.

You're going to have some LONG days of driving.

[troutman]

Twin Cities - it is my dream to see bands at First Avenue, the launching pad for Prince, The Replacements and Husker Du.

Chicago - I would try to see a game at Wrigley Field.

[Table 5]

Some quicky suggestions:

If you're in the Twin Cities, you have to try a Juicy Lucy (it's a burger stuffed with cheese in the middle). I had mine at the Nook in St.Paul and it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. It's amazing that places outside of the twin cities haven't caught on to this magical dish.

Chicago is a fantastic place to visit. I would recommend doing one of those architectural boat tours, it's a great way to see the city. Some of, if not the, best architecture in America. Seeing the city from on top of the Hancock is awesome as well. And of course, you have to get yourself some deep-dish....

If you're going to Detroit, I'd recommend the Henry Ford museum, some fantastic cars and trains in that place.

I'd definitely do Montreal if you can. That place is worth a couple days alone. Rent yourself a Bixi bike and ride around the Plateau. Get the Duck in a Can at Au Pied de Cochon.

[valo403]

I'll second the game at Wrigley, particularly if it's a day game. A really cool atmosphere, even if you aren't a big baseball fan.

And the architecture boat tour as well. You don't need to be into architecture to enjoy it.

[GGG]

If you like the outdoors on your way down to the blackhills swing through Glacier National Park and drive the road to the sun highway. Takes a half day to a day with stops, then swing down to yellowstone and spend a day looking at the geysers and a 1/2 day at upper and lower falls.

At the jewel caves if you arent clausterphopic and are below the max size take the advanced spulunking tour. It is really cool. In addition to Rushmore I would also go to Custer State Park and do the needles drive, and wildlife loop and visit sylvan lake.

Skip the big mall in minni, it is just west ed, much better shopping in chicago

[Canada 02]

in Chicago, go to the Hancock Tower instead of the Sears Tower. Better view. You can do it free if you have lunch or a meal at the Signature room

http://www.signatureroom.com/Home

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

in Chicago, go to the Hancock Tower instead of the Sears Tower. Better view. You can do it free if you have lunch or a meal at the Signature room

That also applies to the Calgary Tower btw. It's a great way to get a good cheap meal since you're going to spend that money just to get up anyway.

[macker]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

in Chicago, go to the Hancock Tower instead of the Sears Tower. Better view. You can do it free if you have lunch or a meal at the Signature room

http://www.signatureroom.com/Home

And Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, Grant Park etc.etc.

[GoinAllTheWay]

That is a TON of driving to do over the course of 16 days. It can be done but be prepared to spend a lot of time behind the wheel. My g/f and I just did a trip through the US starting here, driving down central US to Las Vegas, over to LA and up the coast back home. The last several days was drive for 8 hrs, find a hotel, sleep, rinse and repeat till we got home.

[GreenLantern]

http://www.onoir.com/TO/frames.htm

I've heard this place is quite the experience.. staff is entirely blind, and you eat in the dark. I have never been, but have a few friends who have.. said the food was great and the experience was even better.

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

That is a TON of driving to do over the course of 16 days. It can be done but be prepared to spend a lot of time behind the wheel. My g/f and I just did a trip through the US starting here, driving down central US to Las Vegas, over to LA and up the coast back home. The last several days was drive for 8 hrs, find a hotel, sleep, rinse and repeat till we got home.

Yeah I did a two week road trip down to Tennesee and back....never again.

[NuclearPizzaMan]

65 hours of driving in 16 days (so says Google maps, without Ottawa or Montreal as stops). Sounds brutal. Maybe if you have a sweet ride and/or you are a trucker and used to it, otherwise...

[CaptainCrunch]

Drive to Seattle, rent a boat and sneak up behind Bill Gates house and pee on his dock

[GreatWhiteEbola]

On the road trip make sure to NOT drink the night before you leave and take Imodium with you. Coeur D'alene will always conjure haunting memories for me...

[Regulator75]

Perhaps a bigger picture is needed.

[gargamel]

I've done this trip a few times and agree with everything Table said. From west to east, I'd do:

South Dakota: Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Hills and the Badlands

Chicago: Johnnie's Beef (Italian beef dipped with peppers, and a lemon ice), deep dish pizza (I like Giordano's, but Gino's and Lou Malnati's are good too), hot dogs, architectural boat tour, Wrigley Field and the Shedd Aquarium

Cleveland: Rock and Roll Museum, West Side Market (beef jerky at Czuchraj Meats)

Buffalo: Duff's wings

Niagara Falls

Toronto

Montreal

If you have time on the way back, you can swing through Detroit and Minneapolis, but I wouldn't cut out any of the other destinations to make time for them.

[Deegee]

We just did a road trip to Mt. Rushmore and I posted the following post:

Originally Posted by Deegee

I just got back from South Dakota on Saturday. We drove this way on the way there and it was super boring! Made it to Billings the first night. http://goo.gl/maps/kV4j6

On the way back we drove this way http://goo.gl/maps/2bwOx and it was awesome. We got to stop at Devils Tower and also got to see some beautiful scenery. We were pleasantly surprised after being really down on how boring Montana was that the western side offered a very scenic drive and well worth the additional time in my wife and I's opinion (at this time our son just wanted to go home). We left really early from Rapid City on the way home (around 6:00AMish - we felt refreshed so it was time to go) and made it to Great Falls the first night.

That doesn't help you get into the States, but it lets you know a way into Montana to avoid.

Anyways, I highly recommend you plan your trip so you can check out Devils Tower on the way down to Mt. Rushmore. You can click the second link in my own post I am quoting to see where about it is in Wyoming.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Some quicky suggestions:

If you're in the Twin Cities, you have to try a Juicy Lucy (it's a burger stuffed with cheese in the middle). I had mine at the Nook in St.Paul and it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. It's amazing that places outside of the twin cities haven't caught on to this magical dish.

A good alternative to The Nook is Shamrock's (in Saint Paul on West 7th). Same owner but larger venue so less waits. The original Nook burned down, anyway, so it's really six of one and half a dozen of the other.

If you're going to Nook or Shamrock's, get the cheese curds as well.

Other things you could do on the route:

- Target Field! I've been to 26 ballparks and it's my favourite. Really nice new park.
- Breakfast in Saint Paul at Mickey's Diner (you might recognize it from Mighty Ducks).
- If you drive through Fargo, go to West Acres Mall and the free Roger Maris Museum in there because, hey, why not.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by gargamel

Buffalo: Duff's wings

If you're going to Buffalo, go to Mother's Restaurant. Just the coolest place ever. It's open until 4 a.m. They also serve food until 3 a.m. and it's quality food. Handwritten menu, new every day.