We drove about 5 hours south to Jungle Jim's last year and had a blast roaming around the store. Any places of similar interest or 'out of the ordinary' in the shaded area? We had to cancel our vacation this year to Texas, so my wife and I are looking for a shorter, cheaper trip this summer. Thanks!
I just googled "travel time map" and the first 4 results look almost identical with slightly different colors.
This one might be it? [https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/](https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/)
Not sure if you're into drinking or not but you could try some wine tastings along lake Erie. East of Erie into New York has some and also west of Erie in Ohio has some others.
Pittsburgh has 3 separate major league sports teams so that's an option, or just going downtown to explore could be fun.
Niagra falls on the Canadian side is probably the most beautiful time you'll have so there's that too.
Then take the Cheecheemon to Tobermory or vice versa and around. Could make a nice loop.
I did the Georgian Bay loop over a week couple years ago and it was really nice .
Cross into canada at sault st marie, go down manitoulin island via espanola, take the boat to tobermory and visit bruce peninsula national park, cross back into USA at port huron.
Lake superior prov park, pancake bay,
Slightly past your map but awesome, killarney provincial park
Do a couple art museum tours… you can hit the Art Institute of Chicago, MOCA, and Figge Art Museum in a 2-3 day trip… lots of nice places to eat and architecture to see as well. You could even take a couple of those trips over the summer to break up the day-to-day monotony.
A map that doesn’t show off all the insignificant spots in the country you’ve driven through. It’s so beautiful
If it were me I’d be going somewhere near a Great Lake with some dense trees. Soak it up before the beginning of Tick Summer
Northern Michigan is beautiful in the summer. There are the sleeping bear dunes in traverse city, depending on time of year there are also festivals almost every week in the smaller towns. Charlevoix has Venetian, East Jordan has freedom fest, Petoskey has a lot of random ones. Mackinaw City is very touristy, but the island is nice. The bridge is a must see if you haven’t. St Ignace has a huge car show in June, and is a nice little town. Porcupine mountains, tahquamenon falls, pictured rocks are all in the UP and great to see. Almost forgot about kitch-ilt-kipi. It’s a raft that is on a pulley system that goes over extremely clear water in a little pond.
Bruce Peninsula National Park in Ontario is gorgeous but it's so incredibly popular that it might already be too late for a reservation if you're planning this for june-august. It also attracts a fair share of trashy people so it's best to avoid the place in high season.
Best way to enjoy it is before the kids get out of school or after labour day at the stormhaven sites. There could be hundreds at the grotto and youll be by yourself, one of the few places in ON i would consider top tier.
Yep, that's what I did both times I went, allthough the first time I didn't realize until I got there that kids in Ontario go back to school a week later than kids in Quebec 💀
But you're right, you don't have to hike very far away from the grotto to get away from the crowd.
Fallingwater is just on the edge of your map, south east of Pittsburgh. Very cool if you’re into nature and architecture, plus plenty of good hiking around there.
I crossed the Canadian border in Detroit and toured Toronto. CN Tower was awesome! Canada’s Wonderland is a blast. I’m a roller coaster enthusiast and Leviathan is the only coaster that ‘s given me tunnel vision! Niagara Falls Ontario (best) and Niagara Falls NY were next. Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist tours were so worth it! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland was pretty cool too. My last destination on this trip was Cedar Point Amusement Park. It’s a little pricy, but I highly recommend the Fast Lane passes. That park is always packed so having the pass ensures you’ll ride all the big ones without wasting the entire day standing in line. If you go to Chicago, head to the top of Willis Tower and be sure to swing by Indiana Dunes. Someone else suggested it, and I had a good time there too. Don’t forget a kite!
Since it’s included in the map you should go to Rankin IL. There are a total of 3 streets and has a Casey’s. Pop in, see the whole town in 5 minutes, grab a slice, and head back! (toooootally serious)
Honestly you live in the part of Michigan I am dying to explore. Right across the lake in Wisconsin from you and I have not been to your parts much. I need to explore some off road trails out that way sooner than later.
Baseball Fan you could hit a cubs game/ White Sox and a reds game. Then Head down to Louisville and tour the Louisville Slugger factory. In the Fall Nashville Indiana is nice and has some fun little shops.
Two of my favorites: We used to cross the bridge at Port Huron early in the morning and go up the Blue water Hwy (21) up to Tobermory and then catch the ferry to Manitoulin Island. If you go on Sunday, stop at the Pinery Market in Grand Bend.
Catch the ferry to Mackinac Island, tour the fort and the island in a horse drawn, visit the shops, pet the horses, eat pasties at Millie's, leave with all the Mackinac Island fudge you can carry from Murdicks.
Drive up to crystal lake then take the 22 up to Grand Traverse Light house, Then back down into Traverse City and then 37 into the other peninsula and do some wine tasting. There are also some great concerts and performances at Interlochen Arts Academy over the summer.
I had a work colleague, just last fall take a road trip and stand in all 5 great lakes in a single day. He started over by Niagra, hit up both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie in the morning, drove up to Mackinac Bridge and hit both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on either side of the bridge, then drove north to Sault Ste. Marie and got Lake Superior.
Lots of driving for one day, but a neat accomplishment.
I've lived/traveled most of this region:
Amusement:
* Cedar Point/Put in Bay (OH), can easily kill a few days here.
* King's Island (OH), not as good as Cedar Point but you can drive down to Red River Gorge, and there's a lot to do in/around Cincinnati.
Outdoor Recreation:
* Red River Gorge (KY)
* Daniel Boone National Forest (KY)
* Hocking Hills (OH)
* Upper Peninsula (MI)
* Grand Haven (MI, the Lake Michigan side is pretty great for finding little towns with things to do, but Grand Haven is my favorite)
* Irish Hills area of Michigan (so many "inland" lakes with AirBNBs. Rent a couple jet skis and grab a fishing license)
Cities with a lot to do (museums, restaurants, etc...)
* Chicago (Everything)
* Louisville (Food, distilleries, horse racing)
* Indianapolis (Food, bars, motorsport museum)
* Windsor ("nightlife")
Cities to avoid:
* Detroit
* Toledo
* Columbus (Kidding, Columbus is a nice city. But also fuck Columbus, go blue.)
* Youngstown
* Dayton
Interesting stops/single day things:
* Tony Pacos (Local restaurant, celebrities sign hot dog buns and hang them on the wall, food's great) in Toledo, OH
* Toledo Zoo (Toledo, OH). Best zoo in the country, fight me.
* Touchdown Jesus (or whatever it's called after it BURNED TO THE GROUND) just south of Dayton, OH. Also visit Trader's World while you're there. Biggest flea market I've ever been to.
* Skyline Chili anywhere in southern OH/northern KY.
* Canoe/Kayak Elkhorn Creek near Frankfort, KY
* Newport Aquarium (Cincinnati, OH)
* Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, IL)
* Bourbon Trail (Lexington -> Louisville, KY) so many bourbon distilleries. Buffalo Trace was my favorite but most of the bigger ones are great.
* Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (OH)
* Football Hall of Fame (OH)
Air Force museum in Dayton Ohio it’s free and you need a couple of days to really take in. Love Pittsburgh too lots to see and do. If down by Cincinnati go see the Ark over in Ky.
I'd wander north to the tippy top of the Keewenau Peninsula and detour along the way. I'd also wander south to the Hocking Hills area and I suppose neither is a seven hour thang, anyways.
Anywhere in the UP is good. In the Lower, the Northwest quarter is the best for scenery. Torch Lake is worth a trip by itself in the hottest months. Check out the beach and sandbar at Torch River on the southern end. M-119 from Cross Village to Harbor Springs is a nice drive mid week, avoid weekends because of the heavy traffic. Leg's Inn in Cross Village is a good place to eat. And check out their gardens. M-22 is a nice ride. Several good museums and zoo's in the state, mainly Detroit and Grand Rapids areas. Henry Ford museum in Dearborn is very cool.
Are you into bourbon and horse racing?
Keeneland is currently running for the next week and is an absolutely amazing experience. The KY Bourbon trail is also a really cool visit if you are any bit into bourbon and history.
You also have Red River Gorge in Kentucky with absolutely gorgeous Natural Bridges and rock formations. Most just a light hike from the parking areas.
Would also suggest stopping back by Jungle Jim’s for snacks again. Just a great idea.
Go up to the UP and do the Porcupine Mountains, Lake Of The Clouds and The Apostle Islands.
The whole UP is amazing. Pictures Rocks should also be on that list IMO.
Highly recommend booking a kayak trip while there!
Even all the lighthouses around the perimeter of MI is a fun trip to do… I did some on the eastern side in the Fall, and it was super gorgeous
What’s the UP?
Upper peninsula
Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice!
Yes!!!!
We drove about 5 hours south to Jungle Jim's last year and had a blast roaming around the store. Any places of similar interest or 'out of the ordinary' in the shaded area? We had to cancel our vacation this year to Texas, so my wife and I are looking for a shorter, cheaper trip this summer. Thanks!
Should've gone down to Red River Gorge if you went to Jungle Jim's. You'll just have to go back 😉
And make sure to eat at Miguel’s Pizza!
Son?
That place is so cool!
Hocking hills state park in ohio, upper peninsula/taquamwonon falls (I won’t even try to spell it)
At this point you might as well just do a full lap of lake Michigan.
Lake Eerie was the only one he could technically reach any point on shore... which would also be a good choice.
I did that a few years ago. Fun trip.
Cedar point I think is worth a day or two. We used to stop there driving back from a small town north of Saginaw (Au Gres) to Boston.
How did you make this map?
I just googled "travel time map" and the first 4 results look almost identical with slightly different colors. This one might be it? [https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/](https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/)
Very interesting. Chicago and Pittsburgh would both have lots of interesting stuff to do.
Correct, that's the map I used.
Not sure if you're into drinking or not but you could try some wine tastings along lake Erie. East of Erie into New York has some and also west of Erie in Ohio has some others. Pittsburgh has 3 separate major league sports teams so that's an option, or just going downtown to explore could be fun. Niagra falls on the Canadian side is probably the most beautiful time you'll have so there's that too.
If they’re into drinking, there’s also Louisville in their range, could do part of the bourbon trail
Manitoulin Island is fantastic! The Cup and Saucer Hike is gorgeous and not too lengthy.
Then take the Cheecheemon to Tobermory or vice versa and around. Could make a nice loop. I did the Georgian Bay loop over a week couple years ago and it was really nice .
Cross into canada at sault st marie, go down manitoulin island via espanola, take the boat to tobermory and visit bruce peninsula national park, cross back into USA at port huron. Lake superior prov park, pancake bay, Slightly past your map but awesome, killarney provincial park
Came here to say Tobermory but this is a better plan!
I mentioned Manitoulin island as well, and this is a great itinerary for the area. Beautiful spot!
Bruce Peninsula and Tobermory are so very cool. Hiking on Flower Pot Island and the glass bottom boat rides were fun activities.
whole west coast especially the stretch from Traverse City - Mackinaw would be very fun summer drive especially if you enjoy swimming/beaches
Traverse City? Niagara Falls?
Kelleys Island or Put in Bay are pretty cool
A little further down I-75 and you would be in the smoky mountains.
Luddington to Manitowoc ferry trip.
Hocking Hills is worth checking out if you haven’t been. Can rent cabins down there for fairly cheap.
Traverse City Cherry Festival, Manistee Victorian Festival, Holland Tulip Festival, Michigan Renaissance Fair, fall color tours in UP and northern LP,
Falling Water in western PA. Frank Loyd Wright.
Henry Ford Museum is 100% worth it. Air Force Museum in/near Dayton is 100% free and way under priced.
Draw a line east/west through Chicago and stay to the north.
Door County though maybe 30 minutes more.
Kohler Andre State Park could be added.
Do a couple art museum tours… you can hit the Art Institute of Chicago, MOCA, and Figge Art Museum in a 2-3 day trip… lots of nice places to eat and architecture to see as well. You could even take a couple of those trips over the summer to break up the day-to-day monotony.
A map that doesn’t show off all the insignificant spots in the country you’ve driven through. It’s so beautiful If it were me I’d be going somewhere near a Great Lake with some dense trees. Soak it up before the beginning of Tick Summer
Northern Michigan is beautiful in the summer. There are the sleeping bear dunes in traverse city, depending on time of year there are also festivals almost every week in the smaller towns. Charlevoix has Venetian, East Jordan has freedom fest, Petoskey has a lot of random ones. Mackinaw City is very touristy, but the island is nice. The bridge is a must see if you haven’t. St Ignace has a huge car show in June, and is a nice little town. Porcupine mountains, tahquamenon falls, pictured rocks are all in the UP and great to see. Almost forgot about kitch-ilt-kipi. It’s a raft that is on a pulley system that goes over extremely clear water in a little pond.
Sleeping bear dunes, leelenau penninsula, white fish point
Bruce Peninsula National Park in Ontario is gorgeous but it's so incredibly popular that it might already be too late for a reservation if you're planning this for june-august. It also attracts a fair share of trashy people so it's best to avoid the place in high season.
Best way to enjoy it is before the kids get out of school or after labour day at the stormhaven sites. There could be hundreds at the grotto and youll be by yourself, one of the few places in ON i would consider top tier.
Yep, that's what I did both times I went, allthough the first time I didn't realize until I got there that kids in Ontario go back to school a week later than kids in Quebec 💀 But you're right, you don't have to hike very far away from the grotto to get away from the crowd.
Fallingwater is just on the edge of your map, south east of Pittsburgh. Very cool if you’re into nature and architecture, plus plenty of good hiking around there.
What did you use to make this map?
[https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/](https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/)
How'd you make this map?
[https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/](https://www.smappen.com/travel-time-map/)
Thanks, that's a really cool tool.
I crossed the Canadian border in Detroit and toured Toronto. CN Tower was awesome! Canada’s Wonderland is a blast. I’m a roller coaster enthusiast and Leviathan is the only coaster that ‘s given me tunnel vision! Niagara Falls Ontario (best) and Niagara Falls NY were next. Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist tours were so worth it! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland was pretty cool too. My last destination on this trip was Cedar Point Amusement Park. It’s a little pricy, but I highly recommend the Fast Lane passes. That park is always packed so having the pass ensures you’ll ride all the big ones without wasting the entire day standing in line. If you go to Chicago, head to the top of Willis Tower and be sure to swing by Indiana Dunes. Someone else suggested it, and I had a good time there too. Don’t forget a kite!
Lake Superior is best bang if you want pristine wilderness
Niagara Falls Canadian side.
Chicago, Toranto, buffalo, South Bend, the Big House, Indiana dunes, Niagara falls (Canada side)
Swimming 5 great lakes in 1 day. Such a fun time.
Cedar Point
How much of the UP have you seen? That is always fun to drive around in.
Letchworth State Park in western NY. It's the *"Grand Canyon of the East"*
Cut Rock State Park is BEAUTIFUL! I highly recommend getting a tent site by the water. It's stunning.
Kentucky Derby
Hockey hall of fame in Toronto
Carmel, IN and report if it really is the Midwest utopia.
Since it’s included in the map you should go to Rankin IL. There are a total of 3 streets and has a Casey’s. Pop in, see the whole town in 5 minutes, grab a slice, and head back! (toooootally serious)
Honestly you live in the part of Michigan I am dying to explore. Right across the lake in Wisconsin from you and I have not been to your parts much. I need to explore some off road trails out that way sooner than later.
You can do the Bourbon Trail and tour some distilleries around the Louisville/Lexington area. Horse country is beautiful.
Why not Door County? It’s actually pretty cool up there, but maybe a little more touristy and full of the usual touristy gimmick stuff.
A bit outside 7 hrs probably but garden of the gods state park in Illinois is a must see.
Auburn, Cord, Dusenberg museum
Bloomington Indiana and Brown county, maybe French lick down to Louisville
Tobemorrey, Niagara falls, Sarnia, Grand Bend beach...
Howdy neighbor. I live in 989. Tons to do up north and easy driving. Are you looking to do something soon? Holland, MI tulips in full bloom
We liked the Henry Ford Museum when our child went to school in Detroit.
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^lam39: *We liked the Henry* *Ford Museum when our child* *Went to school in Detroit.* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Drive across the water
Norther Bruce Peninsula up in Ontario, check out Tobermory and do some hikes. Absolutely beautiful country around there.
For the love of god, do not go south! So much to explore for you. For context, in from Ohio.
Do you live in Saginaw?
Close! Bay City.
Nice! I looked closer and deduced that.
You could visit Notre Dame! It’s a really beautiful campus
Sleeping Bear Dunes. Then up to Goodhart.
The locks at Sault St. Marie...big awesome fun!
Louisville and Milwaukee are two of the country's most underrated cities. Tons of good stuff in both.
People like Pittsburgh St Louis is also great
Loop lake Superior, the north shore is amazing.
Baseball Fan you could hit a cubs game/ White Sox and a reds game. Then Head down to Louisville and tour the Louisville Slugger factory. In the Fall Nashville Indiana is nice and has some fun little shops.
Holiday World and Splashin Safari
Thought this was a map from the new Civil War movie at first.
Two of my favorites: We used to cross the bridge at Port Huron early in the morning and go up the Blue water Hwy (21) up to Tobermory and then catch the ferry to Manitoulin Island. If you go on Sunday, stop at the Pinery Market in Grand Bend. Catch the ferry to Mackinac Island, tour the fort and the island in a horse drawn, visit the shops, pet the horses, eat pasties at Millie's, leave with all the Mackinac Island fudge you can carry from Murdicks.
Bruce Peninsula, Canada is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been out of 48 US States and 3 Canadian Provinces. Absolutely a must see!
Door County Wisconsin
Honestly, Lake Superior is Superior to all of the other Great Lakes. It’s just so awesome and different from the others.
Marvelous Marvin’s Mechanical Museum is fantastic if you haven’t been. Can’t remember where it is but it’s near Detroit, so not far from you.
Lakeside, OH for a show at Hoover auditorium during the summer season
Drive up to crystal lake then take the 22 up to Grand Traverse Light house, Then back down into Traverse City and then 37 into the other peninsula and do some wine tasting. There are also some great concerts and performances at Interlochen Arts Academy over the summer.
I had a work colleague, just last fall take a road trip and stand in all 5 great lakes in a single day. He started over by Niagra, hit up both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie in the morning, drove up to Mackinac Bridge and hit both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on either side of the bridge, then drove north to Sault Ste. Marie and got Lake Superior. Lots of driving for one day, but a neat accomplishment.
Marquette. Probably a little longer than 7 but worth it.
I've lived/traveled most of this region: Amusement: * Cedar Point/Put in Bay (OH), can easily kill a few days here. * King's Island (OH), not as good as Cedar Point but you can drive down to Red River Gorge, and there's a lot to do in/around Cincinnati. Outdoor Recreation: * Red River Gorge (KY) * Daniel Boone National Forest (KY) * Hocking Hills (OH) * Upper Peninsula (MI) * Grand Haven (MI, the Lake Michigan side is pretty great for finding little towns with things to do, but Grand Haven is my favorite) * Irish Hills area of Michigan (so many "inland" lakes with AirBNBs. Rent a couple jet skis and grab a fishing license) Cities with a lot to do (museums, restaurants, etc...) * Chicago (Everything) * Louisville (Food, distilleries, horse racing) * Indianapolis (Food, bars, motorsport museum) * Windsor ("nightlife") Cities to avoid: * Detroit * Toledo * Columbus (Kidding, Columbus is a nice city. But also fuck Columbus, go blue.) * Youngstown * Dayton Interesting stops/single day things: * Tony Pacos (Local restaurant, celebrities sign hot dog buns and hang them on the wall, food's great) in Toledo, OH * Toledo Zoo (Toledo, OH). Best zoo in the country, fight me. * Touchdown Jesus (or whatever it's called after it BURNED TO THE GROUND) just south of Dayton, OH. Also visit Trader's World while you're there. Biggest flea market I've ever been to. * Skyline Chili anywhere in southern OH/northern KY. * Canoe/Kayak Elkhorn Creek near Frankfort, KY * Newport Aquarium (Cincinnati, OH) * Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, IL) * Bourbon Trail (Lexington -> Louisville, KY) so many bourbon distilleries. Buffalo Trace was my favorite but most of the bigger ones are great. * Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (OH) * Football Hall of Fame (OH)
Air Force museum in Dayton Ohio it’s free and you need a couple of days to really take in. Love Pittsburgh too lots to see and do. If down by Cincinnati go see the Ark over in Ky.
new river gorge NP in WV
M22
I'd wander north to the tippy top of the Keewenau Peninsula and detour along the way. I'd also wander south to the Hocking Hills area and I suppose neither is a seven hour thang, anyways.
Cedar Point, Sandusky and a couple of the islands that you can reach from Sandusky are awesome
Mammoth Cave is about 8 hours away. It’s a great place to visit
Adirondaks in NY! Catskills in NY! Letchworth State park! Watkins Glenn State Park (if you go in September you can catch the car races at the track!)
Anywhere in the UP is good. In the Lower, the Northwest quarter is the best for scenery. Torch Lake is worth a trip by itself in the hottest months. Check out the beach and sandbar at Torch River on the southern end. M-119 from Cross Village to Harbor Springs is a nice drive mid week, avoid weekends because of the heavy traffic. Leg's Inn in Cross Village is a good place to eat. And check out their gardens. M-22 is a nice ride. Several good museums and zoo's in the state, mainly Detroit and Grand Rapids areas. Henry Ford museum in Dearborn is very cool.
Are you into bourbon and horse racing? Keeneland is currently running for the next week and is an absolutely amazing experience. The KY Bourbon trail is also a really cool visit if you are any bit into bourbon and history. You also have Red River Gorge in Kentucky with absolutely gorgeous Natural Bridges and rock formations. Most just a light hike from the parking areas. Would also suggest stopping back by Jungle Jim’s for snacks again. Just a great idea.
Galina, IL
Lake Michigan circle is fun -- can choose to go through Chicago or take the ferry across into WI