| Author | Message | ||
     Froggy |
Hello all, I'm making plans for my trip to see the races at the Springfield Mile next month. Rather than just driving out there and back just for a day of races, I'm trying to plan things out for the return leg of the trip. I've been looking around online on various sites like tripadvisor and roadtrippers, and quite frankly it seems to be pretty sparse with attractions along the way. I know the Badweb is full of people that have ridden and found the hidden and not so hidden gems along the path. I haven't settled on a route to get home, the default path would be to just take I70 from Springfield to Columbus OH, then I71 and I80 until I get home. I was thinking of instead heading north from Springfield towards Chicago, maybe hitting Detroit, and northern Ohio before heading home. One thing that complicates it would likely be Memorial Day, a lot of things will be closed. I debated doing the Buell Homecoming, but by time it happened I would already have to be closer to home. I will have my special someone with me, I don't believe we will be riding, and I doubt I will have a bike in the back of my truck either. So what do you suggest? | ||
| Crusty |
If you're going up to Detroit, go to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. It's a very interesting place. Plan on spending a full day there. From there, cut across Ontario and visit Niagara Falls. Take the elevator down and go through the tunnels to behind the Falls. Since you'll be in Canada, you'll need to have your passports with you. The Falls are amazing. Stop in Syracuse on your way home for some BBQ at the original Dinosaur. And, of course, ride over to the Niagara-Mohawk building and say hello to Iron Mike. That's still one of my favorite buildings and it's only a couple of blocks away. | ||
| Court |
>>>Since you'll be in Canada, you'll need to have your passports with you. FYI - I opted for the addition of a Password CARD in addition to the traditional BOOK. Cost just a couple bucks, lamented wallet card, great for I.D. (UNITED STATES PASSPORT) and is good in Mexico (sí) and Canada (Eh?) | ||
| Xbduck |
The Ernest Warther Museum & Gardens in New Philadelphia, Ohio, if you take a short side trip. He was an amazing wood carver. Sorry, that is in Dover, Ohio, I just always remembered it as New Philly. (Message edited by xbduck on April 19, 2019) | ||
| Jaimec |
No mention of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland??? How about Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, then? | ||
| Ebutch |
Curtiss Museum in the Finger Lakes Upstate ny. https://www.facebook.com/CurtissMuseum/ Before That Floes Diner Home of The 10 cent Coffee www.flosdiner.net   | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I've been aching to get to that Curtiss museum for a good number of years now. | ||
| 86129squids |
Trying to remember if Wheels Through Time has one of those. It's about time for me to head back over there, make a day trip through Western NC. Good thread- I'd like to know a few points of interest heading north from Mur-vil TN. Surely a BBQ joint or something anyway. Hoping Vern can roll up with me.  | ||
| Zac4mac |
Yay Frank! Will be good to see you and meet the missus. Feels like it's gonna be a good year. Z <edit> Not sure I like the idea of an acetylene projector headlamp on top of the GAS TANK!!! (Message edited by zac4mac on April 19, 2019) | ||
| Ourdee |
Stay on the Canadian side. Ride the Maid Of The Mist boat to the base of the falls. That passport card is nice. Or you could visit Indianapolis. Lots to do in Indy. | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
I can second the Warther museum. Also, just outside Columbus in Pickering OH is the AMA Motorcycle Museum. I hit it every 3 or 4 years. Upstairs of AMA museum is basically the history of dirt bikes. They have them all lined up chronologically so you can the improvements over the years. They had a little more flat track stuff the last time I was there. In fact, last time they had Indian's FTR 750 full scale mock up that had been 3D printed....still in raw white plastic. Just seems like something you would like. Can't guarantee that it's still there though. Downstairs is more street oriented. | ||
| Crusty |
How could anybody pass this up? | ||
| Ourdee |
You do realize I deliberately did not say..... | ||
| Aesquire |
The terrain of the Finger Lakes region is roughly North-South valleys with roads on either side of a lake, inevitably named East or West Lake Road. There are no bridges across the many lakes, so you pass North or South of them. Nice twisty roads either way. Not far north of that is the N.Y. Thruway, a flat boring slab that runs through a mosquito and insect preserve between Rochester & Syracuse. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/montezuma/ You will want to stop and clean your face, neck, and face shield after traversing the refuge. Maybe even hose down at the boring thruway rest stop. Seriously. You might see a bird. Not my recommended route. The Curtis museum, ( great ) Watkins Glen, ( nice leg stretch ) and hilly, twisty, roads are along the South side of the row of lakes. A slow, but fun route. You will see many birds, from Golden Eagles to Giant Blue Herons the size of dinosaurs... because they ARE. You then have a choice between The Dinosaur in Syracuse ( nice, great restaurant downtown ) or down to Corning, ( Glass museum! ) a much shorter route.... Along the South end of the Finger Lakes. West of Syracuse your route choice is Thruway slab to Albany, ( desolate farmland, boring ) then South along the Hudson. ( nice but deer packed ) OR, South to Binghamton on 81 then through the woods along the NY/PA border on 17. My strong suggestion is to take the southern run through New York, it's slow & twisty, and full of character. Museums, great little diners, deep valleys, you will see wild life, maybe a hang glider, bikes, and sooo many deer. Gorgeous. The northern Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, endless straight line to Albany run is faster, cruise control at 75 in a 65 zone, boring, ( an outlet mall & 2 casinos ) and full of blind tailgating idiots and trucks. Tedious. Ymmv. | ||
| Aesquire |
From Niagara Falls, my suggestion is 90 East , then either down 63 from Batavia ( thruway exit ) or if you prefer expressway, Rochester exit down 390. Both to/ past Genesseo. 390 to Bath ( Curtis museum up the road ) 86/17 to Binghamton, 17 through the Adirondacks. NYC. That's the nice run through New York State. Corner to corner. Expressway, yes, but not that boring. With diversions as desired. By all means plan a few, and plan for the unexpected. "America's Oldest Biggest Ball of Rubber Bands!" Etc. (Message edited by Aesquire on April 20, 2019) | ||
| Jaimec |
Well, if you're passing through Pennsylvania you'll HAVE to cross the Susquehanna River, so you might as well pick up a Susquehanna Hat... | ||
| Sifo |
While in the Chicagoland area, I would suggest either finding a Nancy's pizza place or a Portillo's Italian beef/hot dog place. Nancy's has, IMO the best stuffed pizza to be found. Portillo's is famous for their Italian beef sandwiches. Both are local chains. Both have been missed greatly since leaving the area. You could substitute Portillo's for Bona Beef or Zippy's. If at Zippy's I would suggest a cheesy garlic beef. Pro tip... You can get a beer at Portillo's! | ||
| Zac4mac |
If you have to traverse Chicago... Look to see if "My Pi(symbol);" is still around. Ate there a couple of times in the late 70s - best pizza I have ever eaten. period. Was around Loyola. | ||
| Jaimec |
Zac, they're definitely still in business, and like you I found them far superior to Pizzeria Uno. https://www.mypiepizza.com/ (Message edited by jaimec on April 21, 2019) | ||
| Gregtonn |
Things to see between NY and IL With a bit of sarcasm; States that honor my AZ CCW permit. I'll be heading up to Iowa for my sisters funeral this week fortunately all states between here an there honor my CCW permit. G | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Once you get south of Chicago enjoy the corn and beans because that’s all there is between Chicago and Springpatch. | ||
| Froggy |
Thank you, still planning things out. Neither of us have passports, and with the time it takes to get one I don't think that is going to happen. We might be able to get it faster with the expedition fees, but even that isn't a sure thing. Neither of us have guns so carry laws won't affect us though  |
