Vacation/Travel Thread.

[hogan873]

We're planning on going to Cleveland and Sandusky, OH for vacation this year...hit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cedar Point, and maybe even an Indians game.

 

As far as Cedar Point, has anyone stayed at one of the hotels on the property? I like the idea of being right there and getting the packages offered for discounted park admission. But, it seems like a lot of the reviews for those hotels are iffy. Any suggestions?

 

 

[Balta1701]

We're planning on going to Cleveland and Sandusky, OH for vacation this year...hit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cedar Point, and maybe even an Indians game.

 

As far as Cedar Point, has anyone stayed at one of the hotels on the property? I like the idea of being right there and getting the packages offered for discounted park admission. But, it seems like a lot of the reviews for those hotels are iffy. Any suggestions?

Yes, I've stayed on site, and yes the hotels on site were "average" at best. I have not tried the "Sandcastle Suites" property because it's all suites, but never was impressed by Breakers.

 

One option I haven't tried is "Breakers express". It's a very large complex just outside the Causeway entrance that they built more recently than the ones actually on the island/peninsula, and I believe you can get the same package options and possibly early-entrance onto Raptor with it. You still have to drive across the Peninsula in the morning.

 

The last time I was there, the hotels surrounding that weren't affiliated weren't bad at all either. Nothing particularly special though, I just found one that offered a continental breakfast and took it, it worked well as a "Standard hotel room". The packages I saw to be on site weren't anything all that special and there's usually coupons available to get small to moderate discounts on your actual park entrance fees if you look for them, either online or make sure you sign up to receive their mailed pamphlet, there will be entrance coupons on those.

 

Last time I think I bought 2 of the 2-day combo Cedar Point/Soak City passes and thanks to the continental breakfast there wouldn't have been much of a savings compared to staying on site and getting their packages. Maybe like $25 either way but not enough for me to overcome the fact that my family stayed at Breakers once and said never again.

[RockRaines]

We're planning on going to Cleveland and Sandusky, OH for vacation this year...hit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cedar Point, and maybe even an Indians game.

 

As far as Cedar Point, has anyone stayed at one of the hotels on the property? I like the idea of being right there and getting the packages offered for discounted park admission. But, it seems like a lot of the reviews for those hotels are iffy. Any suggestions?

Slyman's Deli. You'll thank me later.

[nitetrain8601]

Yes, I've stayed on site, and yes the hotels on site were "average" at best. I have not tried the "Sandcastle Suites" property because it's all suites, but never was impressed by Breakers.

 

One option I haven't tried is "Breakers express". It's a very large complex just outside the Causeway entrance that they built more recently than the ones actually on the island/peninsula, and I believe you can get the same package options and possibly early-entrance onto Raptor with it. You still have to drive across the Peninsula in the morning.

 

The last time I was there, the hotels surrounding that weren't affiliated weren't bad at all either. Nothing particularly special though, I just found one that offered a continental breakfast and took it, it worked well as a "Standard hotel room". The packages I saw to be on site weren't anything all that special and there's usually coupons available to get small to moderate discounts on your actual park entrance fees if you look for them, either online or make sure you sign up to receive their mailed pamphlet, there will be entrance coupons on those.

 

Last time I think I bought 2 of the 2-day combo Cedar Point/Soak City passes and thanks to the continental breakfast there wouldn't have been much of a savings compared to staying on site and getting their packages. Maybe like $25 either way but not enough for me to overcome the fact that my family stayed at Breakers once and said never again.

 

Soak City is very underrated.

 

[BigHurt3515]

Any suggestions on something to do downtown on a Friday?? Is there any place kind of like a Dave and Busters downtown at all??

[RockRaines]

Any suggestions on something to do downtown on a Friday?? Is there any place kind of like a Dave and Busters downtown at all??

That is an extremely broad question. Where about exactly?

[BigHurt3515]

That is an extremely broad question. Where about exactly?

 

Just trying to find something do on Friday night when we are come to Chicago besides just go to dinner. I know the NCAA tournament is going on.. Probably would like to go to a place where we can have the games on and have something fun to do.. Like I said, a Dave and Busters type of place

[SoxFan1]

Just trying to find something do on Friday night when we are come to Chicago besides just go to dinner. I know the NCAA tournament is going on.. Probably would like to go to a place where we can have the games on and have something fun to do.. Like I said, a Dave and Busters type of place

There's a Dave & Busters on Clark between Oak and Maple. Looks huge.

[BigHurt3515]

There's a Dave & Busters on Clark between Oak and Maple. Looks huge.

Well hot damn lol.. Any other fun restaurants/bars kinda like it?

[southsider2k5]

There's a Dave & Busters on Clark between Oak and Maple. Looks huge.

 

It is very big.

 

These are the times I miss ESPNZone though. That was a blast.

[The Gooch]

I'm heading to Vegas again in April. Staying at the Wynn, gonna try to see Avicii at XS or Encore Beach Club. Somebody always has some Vegas tips no matter where you ask, so anyone recommend anything? We are traveling 4 guys deep, so anything from nightclubs/bars to strip clubs, etc.

[justBLAZE]

I'm heading to Vegas again in April. Staying at the Wynn, gonna try to see Avicii at XS or Encore Beach Club. Somebody always has some Vegas tips no matter where you ask, so anyone recommend anything? We are traveling 4 guys deep, so anything from nightclubs/bars to strip clubs, etc.

 

Sounds like a party.

 

Im suppose to be there June 19-23 for EDC.

[The Gooch]

Sounds like a party.

 

Im suppose to be there June 19-23 for EDC.

 

That sounds fun. I went to EDC Chicago last year, I'd like to check out Ultra in Miami at some point. A couple of my friend went to EDC Vegas last year, they said it was fun, but it's a hell of a trip from the strip

[justBLAZE]

That sounds fun. I went to EDC Chicago last year, I'd like to check out Ultra in Miami at some point. A couple of my friend went to EDC Vegas last year, they said it was fun, but it's a hell of a trip from the strip

 

That's why I might only do it one of the nights and focus on Vegas itself, a little bit of everything.

[Ozzie Ball]

It's costing us more but with a lack of public transportation there we were forced to do that if we wanted to do it. Figured we probably werent going back to that area (if we do it'll be a long time) so it was worth the extra money to do it.

 

Our plan is looking like this:

 

Scotland/whiskey tour

London

Dublin

Prague

Paris

Belgium

 

Filling in a lot of places that we didnt see in our last trip out.

Sounds like a good trip. Dublin aside I have visited all these places, and have lived in London, so if you're looking for any recommendations just let me know, especially for places to eat. Where in Belgium are you planning to go? Brussels, Ghent and Bruges are all very beautiful, though Bruges was crawling with tourists (almost to the point that it wasn't enjoyable).

[SoxFan1]

I totally fell in love with Phoenix.

[RockRaines]

I totally fell in love with Phoenix.

Next time go back in July.

[bigruss]

Sounds like a good trip. Dublin aside I have visited all these places, and have lived in London, so if you're looking for any recommendations just let me know, especially for places to eat. Where in Belgium are you planning to go? Brussels, Ghent and Bruges are all very beautiful, though Bruges was crawling with tourists (almost to the point that it wasn't enjoyable).

Yea I've been to a few places on that list, but most of them are new.

 

I went to Brussels and Bruges when I was studying abroad, I liked Bruges enough to go twice (only 3 nights total). It wasn't packed at all either time, had great times there.

 

We'll be spending one night Ghent and then one night in Brussels. Let me know if you have any recommendations for any of the places, we haven't really planned out what to do yet for a lot of them.

[Buehrle>Wood]

I'm heading to Vegas again in April. Staying at the Wynn, gonna try to see Avicii at XS or Encore Beach Club. Somebody always has some Vegas tips no matter where you ask, so anyone recommend anything? We are traveling 4 guys deep, so anything from nightclubs/bars to strip clubs, etc.

I love the newish downtown vegas. Go there if you got an afternoon to kill. It'll also save you a pretty penny since everything over there is ridiculously cheap compared to the main strip.

[bigruss]

I love the newish downtown vegas. Go there if you got an afternoon to kill. It'll also save you a pretty penny since everything over there is ridiculously cheap compared to the main strip.

Interesting, I'm going later this month, any specific recommendations for over there?

[Buehrle>Wood]

Interesting, I'm going later this month, any specific recommendations for over there?

I'm going too for the first round of the tournament.

 

 

As for downtown vegas you just start at one end and walk to the other and see where it takes you. A lot like the main strip but a lot tighter (entrances on the street, no 5 minute walkups) and they now closed off the streets running though it so it's just one giant path way. There's stuff like 2.50 minimum tables, 50 cent beers at certain places. It's a blast. Golden Nugget is the biggest casino along with Binions. They also got a light show that constantly goes on when it's darker and a zip line where you can zoom across the street. Google pictures of new Freemont St andyyou'll see what it's all about. They just redid the whole thing a few years back. Anyways weve gone each of the last two years and had a lot of fun spending 4 or 5 hours over there, particulary St. Patricks day last year. Definitely plan on going back over there.

[RockRaines]

I'm going too for the first round of the tournament.

 

 

As for downtown vegas you just start at one end and walk to the other and see where it takes you. A lot like the main strip but a lot tighter (entrances on the street, no 5 minute walkups) and they now closed off the streets running though it so it's just one giant path way. There's stuff like 2.50 minimum tables, 50 cent beers at certain places. It's a blast. Golden Nugget is the biggest casino along with Binions. They also got a light show that constantly goes on when it's darker and a zip line where you can zoom across the street. Google pictures of new Freemont St andyyou'll see what it's all about. They just redid the whole thing a few years back. Anyways weve gone each of the last two years and had a lot of fun spending 4 or 5 hours over there, particulary St. Patricks day last year. Definitely plan on going back over there.

5 min walkup is being nice. The monorail on LVB has made it better but damn its near impossible to walk anywhere at times unless you are city center or across the street. I remember telling a friend I would meet him at MGM (I was at TI) and I gave up halfway and just stayed at Ceasars. The damn driveway took me 15 min.

[southsider2k5]

I'm going too for the first round of the tournament.

 

 

As for downtown vegas you just start at one end and walk to the other and see where it takes you. A lot like the main strip but a lot tighter (entrances on the street, no 5 minute walkups) and they now closed off the streets running though it so it's just one giant path way. There's stuff like 2.50 minimum tables, 50 cent beers at certain places. It's a blast. Golden Nugget is the biggest casino along with Binions. They also got a light show that constantly goes on when it's darker and a zip line where you can zoom across the street. Google pictures of new Freemont St andyyou'll see what it's all about. They just redid the whole thing a few years back. Anyways weve gone each of the last two years and had a lot of fun spending 4 or 5 hours over there, particulary St. Patricks day last year. Definitely plan on going back over there.

 

Seconded. Freemont is very cool.

[witesoxfan]

Just booked plane tickets for St. Louis on May 8th, going to be there the 8th-11th. Primarily there for the Draft...it's going to be like 6 football psychos in the same room (and I do plan on doing my drunken live blog again).

 

It can't come soon enough.

[Chi Town Sox]

I'm heading to Vegas again in April. Staying at the Wynn, gonna try to see Avicii at XS or Encore Beach Club. Somebody always has some Vegas tips no matter where you ask, so anyone recommend anything? We are traveling 4 guys deep, so anything from nightclubs/bars to strip clubs, etc.

 

I spend a lot of time in Vegas for work, for dining check out Wazuzu (Encore) and Public House (Venetian), great food at both. XS is amazing, never been to EBC but I have been to Marquee Day Club which has the best selection of women I have seen in one space. Personally, I would go see Steve Angello at XS on the 19th, I just think he's the better DJ. If you are in true party mode, you could do EBC for Avicii during the day and follow that up with Steve Angello at XS but that would be tough.

 

You might want to see what's going on at Hakkasan and Light, two new superclubs as well that are both supposed to be incredible.

 

Just looked: Calvin Harris is at Hakkasan that weekend, I would strongly suggest doing a pool party no matter where it is at though. If you aren't buying a table, make sure you buy tickets ahead of time.

Edited March 5, 2014 by Chi Town Sox