Vacation advice wanted

[redsfanmia]

My wife and I are off next week and are looking for somewhere to go for a mini vacation within driving distance of Indianapolis, we are going to the Paul McCartney concert on Thursday so that is where we want to end our trip. Any advice/ideals would be welcome.

[Red in Chicago]

Chicago

[SunDeck]

Second that, Chicago is a wonderful place to spend a few days. Provided it's not 98 degrees.

[medford]

It all depends on what you guys enjoy. Looking for someplace to relax, pehaps hit a spa, play some golf? Belterra casino in southern Indiana would make a nice stop on your way into Cincy for the concert. Looking for spills and thrills? Kings Island or Cedar point offers those up in spades. Want the big city life, shopping and world class eating, Chicago will suite your fancy. Perhaps combine a bit of both.

You could always spend a few days at the Greenbrier in West Virginia if you have the coin to afford such a place, then work back to Cincy. Nashville's just down the road, and is a fun city to visit, especially if you like country music. Or head over to the Tennessee mountains and hit up Gatlenburg for a few days. A lot is going to depend on how far you're willing to drive (I assume) or fly.

Assuming you still live in Indy, Chicago seems like a close enough trip that you could head up there any weekend on a whim if desired. If it were me, I'd be looking heading down to Nashville or over to the mountains in Gatlenburg, but that's my taste if I had a few days in the middle of the week.

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by medford

It all depends on what you guys enjoy. Looking for someplace to relax, pehaps hit a spa, play some golf? Belterra casino in southern Indiana would make a nice stop on your way into Cincy for the concert. Looking for spills and thrills? Kings Island or Cedar point offers those up in spades. Want the big city life, shopping and world class eating, Chicago will suite your fancy. Perhaps combine a bit of both.

I haven't exactly heard great things about Belterra. I heard it was ok but out in the middle of nowhere. I have heard very good things about the casino and resort in French Lick. My uncle just got back and said it was a very nice destination weekend. They had several hiking and bike trails. They had done a nice job revitalizing the downtown area, and the casino/spa was nice as well.

[medford]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

I haven't exactly heard great things about Belterra. I heard it was ok but out in the middle of nowhere. I have heard very good things about the casino and resort in French Lick. My uncle just got back and said it was a very nice destination weekend. They had several hiking and bike trails. They had done a nice job revitalizing the downtown area, and the casino/spa was nice as well.

I have heard great things about French Lick as well. You're right, Belterra is in the middle of no where, well other than by the race track that's used a handful of times a year. I personally like it the best of the 3 Cincy area casinos. Hollywood is huge, but I've found it overly crowded in the past. Grand Victoria is OK, but I just like Belterra better. Golf course is fun, don't know about the spa personally, but my wife has never complained. They've got a Jeff Ruby place down there that has the best items from each of his restaurants. The casino isn't huge, but it rarely seems over packed, not that I make it there all that often, 1x or twice a year. Louisville also has a casino, but the couple of times I've been there its seemed kind of dirty and run down. Perhaps since the Horseshoe took ownership from Ceasar's its improved.

Belterra would only be an option if you were looking to spend a day and a half, perhas hit a spa and/or golf during the afternoon, get a nice dinner at night, hit the casino for a time then leave the following day for the concert. Sounds like French Lick would be a better option if you're planning to spend 3-4 days somewhere.

Of course some people will automatically pass on any idea involving a casino. "they don't build those things on nothing" which is logic that can't be argued with.

[RBA]

Nashville, and Pigeon Forge, TN

[oneupper]

Wow. What do you guys consider driving distance?

It's 3hrs plus from Indy to Chicago and something similar (or more) to Nashville.
I think he's looking for something for a one or two day trip.

I was recently in Indy with the same dilemma. We went down to Bloomington and Monroe Lake. Unfortunately the beach at the lake was closed (flooded), so we couldn't get in the swim we wanted. Not sure it was a good idea regardless.
Crazy weather. It was 100 degrees in Bloomington, but 70F when we got to the lake.

[medford]

I'd consider 3 hours well w/n driving distance, assuming you weren't trying to get there and back in the same day. Get up and on the road at 9:00 in the morning, get to your desitination around lunch time. You have all day and all day the next to enjoy your destination, then pack up and leave early in the morning to make another 3-4 hour drive to Cincy for the concert.

[RBA]

I just assumed the off days would include this weekend... Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thursday (PM Concert).

Out West, Driving Distance is about 8 hours.

[Boss-Hog]

Originally Posted by medford

You're right, Belterra is in the middle of no where, well other than by the race track that's used a handful of times a year. I personally like it the best of the 3 Cincy area casinos.

I agree, though I've never been to Grand Victoria. I haven't always had the type of service you'd expect from a Ruby restaurant (not to mention for the price) at Belterra, though.

[redsfanmia]

I think we are looking at Gatlinburg or possibly some place in Michigan, I want to stay with in 4-6 hours working my way to Cincinnati for the concert. We want to leave monday and come back after the concert Friday morning. Thanks to everyone for the advice.