Check out the charming coffeehouses or top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area. The visit really opens my eyes to a whole new world that I have not touched before. 10:00 am start in Chicagodrive for about 2 hours, 12:14 pm eat at Triple XXX Family Restaurant TCM also shows their entire sinkhole collection and history of everything. So many all original cars in this collection. We were fine with a light jacket. Main St. in the Central Business District, the museum is the highest-rated museum in Louisville, boasting 4.5 stars out of 358 reviews on Yelp. Select one of our regions to start your journey. Thank you for being open to the public. Peg Leg Porker BBQ It combines 2 things that Lias terrified of but Jeremy loves: spelunking and ziplining!. Indiana Dunes National Park is a beautiful park with lots to see! With close to 50 varieties of ice cream to choose from (some flavors may be seasonal), you will not be limited on your ice cream flavor choices. Also, be sure to take a picture out front next to the world's tallest bat. drive for about 50 minutes. They create a welcoming and grateful environment for baseball enthusiasts. You don't need a reason to visit this place, just show up and there is plenty to be engaged in. All of the plants are real - including the miniature Lily pads. Learn all about American thoroughbred horse racing at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Check them out here: Yes! The old favorite food places are there too. The home of the Kentucky Derby is the Churchill Downs racetrack. This is a facility where these famous bats were made and is a great place for those who are interested in baseball and its history. My step dad did the spirits tasting and I'd love to try some of their cocktails. And more often than not, it is incited when you catch a glimpse of the Louisville Slugger. Such a cool experience! Each ticket to the museum and factory includes the tour and access to exhibits. There are a lot of activities held at the park depending on the timing or season. How long is the drive from Chicago to Gatlinburg?. Here the Lost River, only 400 feet long, flows through a deep and lush valley before disappearing into a vast chasm, filling a blue hole more than 430 feet deep. When you aren't on a boardwalk or steps, the trail is deep, dry sand which makes it difficult to hike on. and answers related to Tennessee. I think those main tour doors needed to be construction orange or green with a big clear enter sign enter sign . Get the reverse directions for a and i didnt even mention the best part, All roads lead to Nashville! The Derby Museum takes you on a walk through history (and the kids will love it.) Opened in 1985, the museum lets you see the fascinating history of the Kentucky Derby, fit for all horse racing enthusiasts. Expansive farm with fruit & vegetable picking, plus wine tasting, vineyard tours & a bakery. Museum with period details in an elaborate, circa-1889 home built by a local entrepreneur. It is surrounded by rolling farmlands and offers the best homemade ice cream in Kentucky. If you like having wife open spaces and access to some other park amenities, the Parklands is perfect. I did not know that they had a cave collapse that wrecked eight cars. There are also several themed exhibitions: HerpAquarium with bats, snakes, reptiles, Glasier Run with seals, sea lions, polar and grizzly bears, etc. Absolutely love this place, the best chocolate pecan caramel patties you could find!! Tons of walkable trails We saw some of the best concerts ever here. I like this place but I honestly expected more from it. I purchased our tickets online and there are a few benefits of that. Source: 1,220 miles. Seriously, this app does it all! If you feel so inclined, you can take Interstate 70 from Effingham to do a detour to St. Louis, which is sprawling with attractions like City Museum LLC and the Gateway Arch. Take an actual tour through the factory and museum to see firsthand how the bats are made and also hear a brief history of the Louisville Slugger. Its worthy!!! Your email will not be provided to third parties. is exactly how the art is showcased in this place. We got our tickets when we arrived which ended up costing us a third of the price. This place is awesome. The 470-mile road trip from Chicago to Nashville takes 7 hours 10 minutes on the road. A nature lovers paradise, The Parklands is made up of four different sections (as well as The Strand). 9750 Indiana Pkwy, Munster, IN 46321, USA. 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. Big hats, fast horses and mint juleps: everyone loves the famous Kentucky Derby the most exciting two minutes in sports!. If you are looking for a wonderful family experience and a great day out, make sure you pay a visit to Louisville Zoo. It covers 470 miles and takes around 7 hours 10 minutes to drive, and it'll take you all the way through Indiana and a decent chunk of Kentucky. But, wonderfully put together. Via: Where should I stop along the way? There are picnic tables for your enjoyment and lots of wildlife to see. 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, USA. Around 20 miles south of New Glarus and a little closer to Chicago is the city of Monroe. The park itself was nice and clean. Located next to Churchill Downs, The Kentucky Derby Museum prides itself on preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby. You cant leave town without getting a glimpse of the horses or trying on a hat or two. Loved Purdue! It has approximately 100 acres. Was hoping it was bigger but hey its a cave! Whether youre an automotive fan, history buff, or neither, a stop at the 55-acre National Corvette Museum is definitely an enjoyable learning experience. AAA Photo. A 120-foot, exact-scale replica of Babe Ruth's 34-inch Louisville Slugger bat rests against the wall of the building. I made my way over and when walking into the underground welcome center was warmly greeting by seven or so staff. Ranked #1 on TripAdvisor's list of things to do in Louisville, this is one of those activities you can do any time of the year-- rain or shine, winter or summer, because it's 60-degrees in the cave all year long. See time and distance between places, and optimize your route to get the most of your day. The Zoos collections which include botanical gardens are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Love that you can visit the cows and that they have a playground outside for the kids to enjoy. BOOK HERE: General Admission to the Kentucky Derby Museum. 360-acre oak preserve offering formal gardens, trails through diverse landscapes & events. There are several restaurants in the grounds too. Beech Bend Park is one of the best things to do near Bowling Green. Photo by Tracy Burch Photography. The shortest roadway distance between the two cities is approximately 582 miles. Has a parking lot concession stand for food drinks and a gift shop. Louisville Zoo has over 1,700 animals in 8 exhibits at any given time; The Islands, Africa, Glacier Run, Australia, South America, HerpAquarium, Gorilla world, and The Cats of the Americas. Any suggestions on how to prep? Since it was only a 30 minute tour, we didn't go far from the museum, but we did get to see the track and the winners circle under the twin towers! So call before you book to avoid issues. This area also happens to be 5 minutes away from where I grew up, and Im still getting used to the idea that a giant park replaced the tiny one whose empty parking lot was where I drove a car for the very first time in my life. Lying along one side of the road to the nearby Franklin, it has mouthwatering homemade ice cream, sandwiches and burgers to try. Louisville MegaCavern Not too crowded. For more information and hours of operation, please call 502-637-7097. Mega Tram excursions take visitors on guided underground expeditions that cover geology, mining, green building technology, and recycling, as well as the history of the cavern. If you you baseball and its history, this is a place you must visit! The Kentucky Derby Museum is the exclusive provider for the famous Churchill Downs Race Course. Bill Lee's plan to fund Tennessee highway work as the state says it needs $26 . Happening craft brewery & pub with an edgy vibe & inventive small plates, plus facility tours. I visited here years ago and glad that I revisited recently. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Tennessee. Just attended the 8th Annual History Trail here with my 3 and 5 year old. You could check out Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park, or the always popular Horseshoe Hammond! | Photo courtesy Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. For a taste of the underground, the Mega Cavern is justifiably one of the most popular things to do in Louisville. They also have a good selection of food and their pizza is great! sOoo much to do!! Ken. Northeastern Rustic LLC, 2761 U.S. Rte 2, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780, USA. I loved it there yesterday,it was fun. Offering a very interesting insight into how the famous baseball bat is made, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory can be found alongside Museum Row. Search for RV campgrounds. Chocolate covered gummy bears and every kind of chocolate covered berry and nut. More than 150,000 people attend the event, the energy and of the crowd is part of the experience. Love love love! Entertaining for all ages, this family friendly museum has kid zones, interactive exhibits, guided tours and much more to be seen. Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. Churchill Downs opened its gates in 1875 and has been home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby horse race ever since. Came here for the Luke Bryan, Dylan Scott and Runaway June concert. Ive never been interested in horses. Right down the road is Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby. Definitely must try it for yourself. Take the family on an outing to Beech Bend Park during your trip to Bowling Green. If you are looking for something to do with your family, you should add Beech Bend to your list of things to do in Bowling Green!. The bugs were ferocious and didnt give a damn about my Off. Wear a helmet it's short at the beginning. Hattie B's Hot Chicken - 19th Ave There's a lot of ground to cover during the trip, so continue reading until the end to make sure you don't miss a thing along this epic journey. One of the most magical and memorable things to do in town is take an epic underground boat tour through the Lost River Cave. Traverse City, MI. The price was $21.94 and the tour lasted a little over an hour. Kids might get a little bored on the tram. When you visit this popular attraction you can look forward to seeing a wide variety of animal species as well as exciting new exhibits such as Penguin Cove. used under CC BY-SA 2.0. Gatlinburg is a nice little town nestled in the mountains and you can walk up and down the strip.There are some great restaurants,good . I did check out the brick engraving and that's $125 to do that, but gets shared after a while due to weather. Make sure to stop by their 360-degree immersive Derby exhibit you'll feel like you're part of the races yourself. Temperatures in November hover around 60 degrees, and hotel rooms come really cheap too. What once began as a massive limestone quarry in the mid 19th-century is now one of Louisville's top attractions. Our exhibits will take you through the journey from the birth of the foal to the winner's circle. Similarly, art is performed at this place. 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. Nashville is generally bustling and active while the weather is pleasant - mid-spring to mid-fall is when many of the local music festivals take place, attracting major crowds. The wedding of your dreams awaits at a stunning space inside one of Louisvilles most historic and iconic buildingsRead more located on historic West Main Street. The staff were courteous and knowledgeable. Excellent tour with our tour guide Skeeter. If you have the chance, visit Churchill Downs. 400 Zieglers Fort Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066, USA. If so, for a touch of this most famous localevent, you should pay a visit to this museum. If you have kids bring them it's is worth the price to get in.. A fascinating place for baseball fans as well as those with just a passing knowledge of the game. Want to plan the trip back? The Parklands is composed of four connected parks with separate addresses. First time here and all staff and rangers have been very nice. You will also be able to take in the plant life at the zoo, which is an added bonus for those with an interest in horticulture. We went right after a big storm and got to see the water frozen pretty high! Meanwhile, star forward Patrick Kane, who began the road trip on . Blending the Southern charm of old fashioned Louisville with the storied elegance of the museum architecture, the Kentucky Derby Museum can make for an unforgettable wedding location for horse racing fans and museum lovers alike! There is also a restaurant on the premises. Go Boilermaker! Louisville is the most popular city on the route it's 5 hours from Chicago and 3 hours from Nashville. Bowling Green is a city in southern Kentucky. Tennessee Road Trip | From Chicago to the Smoky Mountains Xhynet Useinovski 2.55K subscribers Subscribe 3.3K views 2 years ago Summer is coming to an end and we really wanted to get one. It doesnt get any fresher than this when it comes to farm-fresh dairy-made ice cream. My daughters first trip to the Zoo for her 3rd birthday. The museum is in Churchill Downs, and visitors experience a guided, 30-minute tour of the stadium. Get to know the A to Z of the Louisville Slugger baseball bats and the sheer history which the brand has made for itself!. but a tree growing out of the top of courthouse. Loved taking my walk there. The drinks from the bar are wonderful! We'll be back to see the Christmas decorations. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests. The building architecture is a mix of brick and modern. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Scottsburg A moderate sized Zoo, the Louisville City loves the place for its wide variety of animals taken care in its premises. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:11 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:43 pm Nashville 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. In Illinois, the Great River Road follows this famous American waterway from East Dubuque in the north to Cairo in the south. The tour guide driving the boat does a great job relating the history of the cave and underground waterway, as well as the surrounding "blue pools" of the area. The reason I gave it four stars though is because I'm a semi truck driver and there's no parking for us at all so you have to walk about a mile from the truck stop to get to it. Down-to-earth casino complex with a horse racing track & slot machines, plus dining & live music. For instance, Louisville summers tend to be on the rainy side, while St. Louis' hotel prices skyrocket around June. 798 Beech Bend Park Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA. The staff was so helpful and very well organized. Click on any question to see answers from the community! There are a couple of routes you can take during the road trip from Chicago to Nashville, and they have virtually no overlap. Have considered Louisville/Indianapolis route or a different route via St Louis. Tours of the farm are available and you dont need to make a reservation in advance. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests. Family-friendly setting with playgrounds, plus tennis, basketball & sand volleyball courts. Visit with friends and family and enjoy a day at the races and take in the history of the iconic twin spires. It's magnificent to see. The views of the lake were splendid, and everything was so pretty. We really enjoyed our visit today! The Kentucky Derby Museum exhibits the derbys history, fine arts, trophies, photographs, racing artifacts and much more. So much to do at this place. As someone with a child with a food allergy, it was great to find the staff well informed about what ingredients were in which products. Edit: added a few pictures from our trip the next day, and it was still so fun, even got to see baby Fitz! The wine tasting was fabulous and you get to pick six wines or you also had the option to taste the spirits. It changed elevation often. I couldn't stay as long as I wanted, but I'll be back SOON!! The Mega caverns place caters to people of all ages from ages 3 to 60 (and more). During the guided tour, youll get to see how bats are produced an interesting experience for any baseball fan. They have a zoo, water slide, baseball field and all the amenities for a fun day out with the kids. 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. At this magnificent museum, visitors can learn all about the rich history, culture and heritage of the exciting event. We loved the tour and hearing the history. Re: Road Trip : Chicago to Smoky Mountains (Gatlinburg) The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is beautiful and there is so much to do and see in the area.I would recommend staying in a chalet in Gatlinburg. While the thrilling spectacle is undoubtedly the venues biggest draw, countless other warm-up races and competitions take place at the track throughout the year. Start with a tour of the factory and see they make 1.8 million bats a year!.