Vacation/Travel Thread.

[EvilMonkey]

When you were a kid, you never wanted to go to Disneyworld?

WHen I was a kid you still had the damn coupons. E tickets anyone? My grandparents had moved down to Tampa so they were not too far. However the one time we went as kids, I got ran over by a bike and broke my lef a month before, so no damn rides for me. It sucked. Took my boys there when they were younger (7 and 12) and they enjoyed it, so it was worth it.

[smalls2598]

I'm looking to take a family vacation to one of the Michigan beaches. We have a 14-month old daughter, so we don't wont to be driving too far (I'm thinking 3 hour max). At the moment, it looks like Holland is the destination, but that's not certain yet. Has anyone been there? would it be a good place to go with a toddler? Would anyone recommend a different Michigan beach town instead?

 

[knightni]

I'm looking to take a family vacation to one of the Michigan beaches. We have a 14-month old daughter, so we don't wont to be driving too far (I'm thinking 3 hour max). At the moment, it looks like Holland is the destination, but that's not certain yet. Has anyone been there? would it be a good place to go with a toddler? Would anyone recommend a different Michigan beach town instead?

Silver Beach in St Joseph has a pizza place, outdoor water fountains to play in, and a carousel/children's museum.

[Buehrle>Wood]

You been to Vegas before?

[EvilMonkey]

I am going to Huntington Beach, Cali the weekend of the MLB Trade Deadline (my girlfriend has no regard for my personal life) and Vegas with the boys in August. Any random tips would be appreciated. Especially towards hotels for Vegas and anything about what to do in Vegas.

Spearmint Rhino. And check out some of the way off strip bars with live music. If you don't have a car might be a bit pricey to get there and back, but live music is almost always good. There is a good place a few blocks behind Ballys called Tuscany Suites that has HUGE rooms at a great price, but a bit of a hike to get to the strip. We just took a cab to the strip.

[Heads22]

Isn't shack in Vegas?

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I am going to Huntington Beach, Cali the weekend of the MLB Trade Deadline (my girlfriend has no regard for my personal life) and Vegas with the boys in August. Any random tips would be appreciated. Especially towards hotels for Vegas and anything about what to do in Vegas.

 

Planet Hollywood has a nice champagne brunch in the morning/afternoon when you wake up. It's like $20 and you can add champagne (basically unlimited while you are there) for just an extra few bucks.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Okay, well you are in for an absolutely incredible time. I've been to Vegas every year since I've been 21 and it's incredible every time. Funnest city on earth by farrrr. I don't know how to explain it other than it doesn't feel like real life.

 

Anyways I've given this advice before in this thread, but I wouldn't plan too much. Take a night, buy a bottle of hard alcohol and just walk up and down the strip (you can drink on the street if you haven't realized that yet).

 

For stuff to do, go to Downtown Vegas (the old strip) during the day daytime. It's all the fun of the strip at none of the expense. They redeveloped the area a few years back and it's really awesome.

 

Night club I recommend Voodoo Lounge at the Rio hotel. It's 50 floors up and outside. Awesome views overlooking the strip makes for an incredible atmosphere. You shouldn't have problems getting in there like a lot of other clubs. The day clubs are supposed to be the best part of Vegas but sadly I still haven't made it to one. But yeah I'd check those out too.

 

Hotels I would not blow your budget on. Go to lasvegas.com and book the cheapest air+hotel package that isn't Spirit Air. You're going to be really tempted to book Spirit, not heed any of the warnings, but it is every bit as bad as people say, and worse. Particularly on the way back you'll probably be hungover and want to kill yourself.

 

I've stayed at Hooters, mgm, venetian, Paris and Harrahs. Couldn't tell you what any of the rooms look like. You're never in them. Paris has an amazing pool and pool party that's about all I remember. Hooters is practically free and the cheapest tables on the strip. Do that if you're on a budget. Location is the most important thing IMO.

The central, slightly north part of the strip is the best part. Anywhere on there should be fine. I wouldn't stay south of MGM or north of the Wynn. Definitely stay away from Mandalay Bay and stratosphere.

[EvilMonkey]

First time.

 

 

We're going to say on the trip I guess. Is this Spearmint Rhino a strip club off of the strip?

Yes. While I haven't been to many, that one was by far better than Scores or whatever the big one was called.

 

And like Buehrle said, don't blow all your cash on the room. If you do it right, you won't be there much unless sleeping. As long as it is clean and has a good shower, you are good. Stayed at Harrahs, Casino Royale, Ballys, Hooters, Luxor, Sahara, Tuscany Suites, Terribles and several time shares. All good.

[cabiness42]

My wife and I haven't been to Vegas since before our kids were born. Hoping to make it there next summer. Would love to play in a WSOP event. Wife would probably not be into visiting the Spearmint Rhino.

[bigruss]

I've gone to Vegas the past two years for sweet 16 weekend, you'll have a blast.

 

Best advice: stay on the strip and as mentioned not too far north or south.

 

I've stayed at the Elara Hilton (pretty much connected to Planet Hollywood) and MGM Signature. While you can get dirt cheap suites at the Sig, it was too far off the strip imo (and if you look at the map you would never think that, you really need to be on the strip as it's deceiving how far crap is there). Elara was a great place and extremely affordable, with easy access to Cosmo, PH, Bellagio, Aria, etc, I highly recommend it for a nicer place that doesn't set you back. Only down side was the pool, not a ton of space compared to some of the other places. The Sig had a pool for each tower so we basically drank in the pool for 6 hours a day, people were there but never crowded and we weren't bothering anyone with our shenanigans. We have only gone for suites so far since we've had large groups and would just pile people in and wanted good places to drink/watch games before going out.

 

I'm not a club guy at all so can't speak to that, but PH has dancers until like 1am and is a good time. We usually spent our nights there or going over to Cosmo which is definitely nicer and has better drink service.

 

Hardrock is supposed to have a really nice sportsbook but that place is nowhere near the strip. Caesars was probably the next best sportsbook but we ended up at PH for convenience but they don't have a great one.

 

And make sure to go to one of the In-n-outs while you're out there.

 

 

[southsider2k5]

If you are a nature person, or hiker, get out to Red Rock Canyon. It is a half hour from the strip, and worth the trip.

[StrangeSox]

If you are a nature person, or hiker, get out to Red Rock Canyon. It is a half hour from the strip, and worth the trip.

Yeah, we were just in Vegas a couple of weekends ago for my brother's wedding and took a half-day trip out there. Cool place.

 

Can't really offer too much on top of what the others have already said. We stayed at the Luxor because 1) we had free rooms and 2) the wedding was at Mandalay Bay. If I were to go again, I'd definitely pick something on the strip and closer to the center. The recommendation to not stay south of MGM seems pretty solid.

 

Definitely good advice to stop at a liquor store and make your own drinks/beer ahead of time, that can get really expensive really fast.

 

If anyone wants to earn free nights at MGM properties (or discount meals, show tickets etc), you can check out MyVegas on facebook.

[NorthSideSox72]

Did a week-long road trip to the Dakotas with the wife and 2 young kids. Some highlights to use on your future journeys there...

 

Black Hills area...

--Keystone, the city nearest Rushmore, is trash. Like Wisconsin Dells or worse. Stay in Hill City or elsewhere if you can.

--Rushmore itself is indeed worth seeing, very neat, but also you don't need more than like an hour there.

--Badlands, a ways outside of Rushmore, is very cool.

--Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns was neat, but do NOT do it if you are at all afraid of heights.

--1880 train was fun

--Didn't get to see Crazy Horse, wish we had

 

The rest to and from...

--Dickinson, ND is actually a cool little town. Dinosaur museum and pioneer village that the kids liked, some fun cafes. Not a destination, but a very good choice for a stopover.

--Bismarck, ND was... not worth the time (Blake is going to kill me). The state capital looks like a derelict 60s federal agency building.

--Yankton, SD is another good choice for stopover and even spending a day there - lots of hiking trails and bridges, tons of interesting history, I was surprised.

 

None of it was exactly exciting, but it was a good vacation trip especially with kids. You could easily spend a week in the Black Hills area alone and not get bored. We didn't do half the stuff on our list.

 

 

[knightni]

Did a week-long road trip to the Dakotas with the wife and 2 young kids. Some highlights to use on your future journeys there...

 

Black Hills area...

--Keystone, the city nearest Rushmore, is trash. Like Wisconsin Dells or worse. Stay in Hill City or elsewhere if you can.

--Rushmore itself is indeed worth seeing, very neat, but also you don't need more than like an hour there.

--Badlands, a ways outside of Rushmore, is very cool.

--Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns was neat, but do NOT do it if you are at all afraid of heights.

--1880 train was fun

--Didn't get to see Crazy Horse, wish we had

 

The rest to and from...

--Dickinson, ND is actually a cool little town. Dinosaur museum and pioneer village that the kids liked, some fun cafes. Not a destination, but a very good choice for a stopover.

--Bismarck, ND was... not worth the time (Blake is going to kill me). The state capital looks like a derelict 60s federal agency building.

--Yankton, SD is another good choice for stopover and even spending a day there - lots of hiking trails and bridges, tons of interesting history, I was surprised.

 

None of it was exactly exciting, but it was a good vacation trip especially with kids. You could easily spend a week in the Black Hills area alone and not get bored. We didn't do half the stuff on our list.

Did you find Nic Cage's entrance to the City of Gold?

[bigruss]

Did a week-long road trip to the Dakotas with the wife and 2 young kids. Some highlights to use on your future journeys there...

 

Black Hills area...

--Keystone, the city nearest Rushmore, is trash. Like Wisconsin Dells or worse. Stay in Hill City or elsewhere if you can.

--Rushmore itself is indeed worth seeing, very neat, but also you don't need more than like an hour there.

--Badlands, a ways outside of Rushmore, is very cool.

--Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns was neat, but do NOT do it if you are at all afraid of heights.

--1880 train was fun

--Didn't get to see Crazy Horse, wish we had

 

The rest to and from...

--Dickinson, ND is actually a cool little town. Dinosaur museum and pioneer village that the kids liked, some fun cafes. Not a destination, but a very good choice for a stopover.

--Bismarck, ND was... not worth the time (Blake is going to kill me). The state capital looks like a derelict 60s federal agency building.

--Yankton, SD is another good choice for stopover and even spending a day there - lots of hiking trails and bridges, tons of interesting history, I was surprised.

 

None of it was exactly exciting, but it was a good vacation trip especially with kids. You could easily spend a week in the Black Hills area alone and not get bored. We didn't do half the stuff on our list.

One of my best friends lives in Black Hills (went to Black Hills State) and works out there as a Forest Technician now, I should really go out to see him sometime and explore that area.

[NorthSideSox72]

One of my best friends lives in Black Hills (went to Black Hills State) and works out there as a Forest Technician now, I should really go out to see him sometime and explore that area.

I should have added, if you don't have kids or they are older, the other great thing to do out there is all the outdoors stuff. Its like a mini-Rockies. Hiking, fishing, biking, lots of that kind of stuff to do.

 

[SnB]

We did Disney last summer with our then-2 year old. He had a blast and it was great. Magic Kingdom has enough kid rides (the carousel, dumbo, little mermaid, peter pan, aladdin's carpets, maybe pirate of the Caribbean, people mover, etc). Make sure you utilize the fastpasses and the disney app for wait times. One issue you'll have is nap time. Luckily for us our son tired out in the middle of the day and took 1-2 hour naps in his stroller while the wifey and I rotated on roller coaster rides. And if your kid loves disney characters, try to get a character dining experience. Reservations are a must. Try to go through your resort desk if you can't get them online. The restaurant in the Beauty and the Beast area was good if you can't get in anywhere else.

 

It's insanely busy and overpriced, but at Downtown Disney there's a dinosaur-themed restaurant that my son loved (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/downtown-disney/t-rex/). There's a "meteor shower" every 15 minutes or so and all the dinos (animatronic, and there are a lot) move around and roar. 20 month might be to young if he/she scares easily though. Reservations are also key or you'll wait forever.

 

Never been to Universal. Seemed to be geared more towards adults than kids.

We rode dumbo 6 times - she had a blast. Luckily, she napped in the stroller at about 2, which bought us a few more hours. Worked out great.

 

Universal had Dr. Seuss land, which she enjoyed. We came back later that day after we left her w/ grandma and granpda and had a blast. The harry potter world is crazy good and I'm not even a fan.

[Jenksismyhero]

We rode dumbo 6 times - she had a blast. Luckily, she napped in the stroller at about 2, which bought us a few more hours. Worked out great.

 

Universal had Dr. Seuss land, which she enjoyed. We came back later that day after we left her w/ grandma and granpda and had a blast. The harry potter world is crazy good and I'm not even a fan.

 

Good to hear. How were the crowds? Was it insanely packed? We went in mid-Sept when the crowds were 2 or 3 out of 10. It was still packed, but not terrible.

 

We might try Universal this year. And Legoland, which is somewhat close by.

[SnB]

Good to hear. How were the crowds? Was it insanely packed? We went in mid-Sept when the crowds were 2 or 3 out of 10. It was still packed, but not terrible.

 

We might try Universal this year. And Legoland, which is somewhat close by.

Not crowded at all. I think the most popular rides had wait times of 30 minutes, with everything else under 15. We were riding dumbo without a fast pass and had no wait.

 

It was over 100 both days we were at parks though.

[The Gooch]

I heading to Louisville and Nashville at the end of July. Going to tour a couple bourbon distilleries and then hit up Nashville. I've been to Nashville several times, but wanted to see if there is anything I should do down there that I haven't already. I've been to Bluebird Cafe (and may go again this time). Also been to most bars on the strip. Anything I am missing? Specifically looking for BBQ restaurants, but anything else to check out would be appreciated as well.

[fathom]

Good to hear. How were the crowds? Was it insanely packed? We went in mid-Sept when the crowds were 2 or 3 out of 10. It was still packed, but not terrible.

 

We might try Universal this year. And Legoland, which is somewhat close by.

 

If you're taking little kids to Universal, I'd highly recommend the Barney/An American Tail area. It's hidden in the back of the park, but there are a ton of things to do and it's never crowded. Great splash park type area in that section. It's close to the ET ride.

[cabiness42]

I heading to Louisville and Nashville at the end of July. Going to tour a couple bourbon distilleries and then hit up Nashville. I've been to Nashville several times, but wanted to see if there is anything I should do down there that I haven't already. I've been to Bluebird Cafe (and may go again this time). Also been to most bars on the strip. Anything I am missing? Specifically looking for BBQ restaurants, but anything else to check out would be appreciated as well.

 

Let me know if you want any other recommendations for Louisville.

[NorthSideSox72]

I just want to say (and may have said it before), if you have kids and want to do long road trips, a rear entertainment/movie setup for your vehicle is worth every penny. Lifesaver.

 

We don't use it locally, just on the long treks, but still worth it.

 

[southsider2k5]

I just want to say (and may have said it before), if you have kids and want to do long road trips, a rear entertainment/movie setup for your vehicle is worth every penny. Lifesaver.

 

We don't use it locally, just on the long treks, but still worth it.

 

This is exactly what we do, and agree 100%.