For road trip addicts, Thanksgiving is a great time to rev your engines and go down south where you still have fall-ish weather and plenty of family-friendly activities for creating bucketload of memory dividends (my favorite concept from the must-read Die with Zero book by Bill Perkins).
So, in order of rising travel time, here goes the coveted list:
1. St Louis (Missouri) and Springfield (Illinois)
Distance: 270 miles.
ETA: 4+ hours.
Trip Duration: 2-3 days.
The full blog for the vivid St Louis trip is here.
Why visit?
St Louis is an all-season travel destination for Midwesterners thanks to a plethora of family-friendly activities, amicable weather and short-ish ride from Chicago. The most eminent of these monuments being The Gateway Arch, of course.
The Gateway Arch
Another must-visit attraction in St Louis is the City Kids Museum, also called Monstrocity; it is brimming with exhibits constructed from many eccentric products. Kids or even adults – would absolutely adore this one, highly recommended!
Monstrocity, photo by Laurie Skriva, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
You can also merge St Louis trip with Springfield and see Illinois landmarks like The State Capital, Lincoln Museum and a lot more.
The centre dome at the Capitol of Illinois
If the underground caves are your thing, Meramec Caverns are a must visit. It offers ziplining opportunities as well.
The Stalactite formations at Meramec Caverns
2. Louisville and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Road Trip
Distance: 300 miles.
ETA: 5 hours
Trip Duration: 2-3 days.
The full blog for my trip is here.
Why visit?
For any bourbon connoisseur pondering over an ever impending bucket list trip to Kentucky Bourbon Trail with their best buddies, two words – Do It! It is totally worth the hype AND a lot more.
Using a whiskey thief, at Bardstown, Courtesy Bardstown Bourbon
You could stay at Louisville downtown and go for the tours:
Rickhouse Barrel Thieving Tour at Bardstown Bourbon Co, Bardstown.
Makers Mark Tour at Makers Mark, Loretto.
Four Roses is widely acclaimed for its alluring, Spanish-style distillery.
Wild Turkey is located atop the rolling hills, giving you an incredible view of the ravishing KY River.
Here’s what to expect:
You get to stroll around some of the most ravishing landscapes in Kentucky…
And get the best bourbon samplers to test. Below is at Makers Mark:
You also get to see the iconic Makers Mark sealing process live.
Courtesy MakersMark
Kentucky Derby Museum is a very noteworthy monument to visit.
Courtesy: Kentucky Derby
So is Louisville Slugger iconic Baseball Museum.
Walk of fame at the Slugger Museum, Courtesy Slugger Museum
Nothing beats an Old Fashioned at the Bourbon Capital
3. Memphis
Distance: 550 miles.
ETA: ~ 8 hours with couple of short breaks.
Trip Duration: 3-4 days.
Why visit?
Memphis, Home of the blues and Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, needs no advertising. Music, food, revelry, mild temps, family-friendly touristy activities, it’s got all!
Some recommendations:
Big River Trail – 70-miles of gorgeous biking trail across the Mississippi levee.
Picturesque Big River Trail for the biking enthusiasts
Big River Crossing – a mile-long sky bridge walk on Mississippi cutting through Tennessee and Arkansas with stunning views of the river.
Shelby Farms – Vast public urban park sprawling across 4500 acres, home to bison herd as well. Starry Nights event with dazzling 3.5 million lights is a major attraction during holiday season.
Beale Street – one of the top tourist attractions of Tennessee State – be it food or live music or outdoor activities, this is a huge hit all year.
Graceland – Elvis’s Presley actual home, converted into a museum now.
Lastly, you would find ravishing views of The Mighty Mississippi, all around Memphis, that alone is worth the visit!
Mesmerizing Mississippi views on the Big River Trail. Photo courtesy, Big River Crossing
#MildlyInteresting – You hit the AR-TN state border half-way through the Big River Crossing
The Mighty Mississippi – As seen from the Riverfront Park in December
Beale Street – Live music, food and festive spirits all year
Shelby Farms: A must-visit dog-friendly public park for all ages. Courtesy: Shelby Farms
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms – Dazzling 3.5 million holiday lights. Courtesy: Shelby Farms
4. Chattanooga (Tennessee)
Distance: 600 miles.
ETA: 10 hours with couple of short breaks.
Trip Duration: 4 days.
Check out the full blog for more details.
Why visit?
Chattanooga is a terrific catch-all destination for family – be it the Rock City, famous for the rare 7-states lookout point or the iconic Ruby Falls or the gorgeous Lookout Mountain (known for the epic Civil War battle) or the touristy Incline Railway (one of the steepest funicular railway incline in the world, you cannot go wrong with Chattanooga. It is always a big hit with both kids and adults.
Not to mention, the sweeping views at the Scenic Overlooks –Sunset Rock Viewpoint, Incline Railway Top Station.
Scenic Overlook, Courtesy southeasttennessee.com
You gotta stay at the cabins to relish true Southern hospitality. Courtesy: Evolve
The swanky pool table at our cottage. Courtesy: Evolve
Ravishing cityscape and the Tennessee River, as seen from the Lookout Mountain
The Rock City is definitely the marquee point of the trip – the mile long hike with gazillion props, expansive views of the lookout mountain, a fun wobbly rope bridge, the constricted pathways; a sublime place for the photo-ops.
Scenic point near the waterfall at the Rock City
One of many many queer props at the Rock City
You have to squeeze through many cramped pathways at the Rock City
Ruby Falls – an underground waterfall with stalactites, Stalagmites, Capillary Tubes attract bazillion tourists each year.
Chattanooga also houses one of the steepest funicular incline railways in the world, would highly recommend the fun ride.
5. Hot Springs (Arkansas)
Distance: 650 miles.
ETA: 10 hours with couple of short breaks.
Trip Duration: 3-4 days.
The full blog for the nature-fueled Hot Springs Road Trip is here. I also find this link helpful to plan your travel.
Enroute to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Why visit?
The geothermal natural waters of Hot Springs have been drawing crowds from the time of native Americans. Use this link to find out more about the natural waters and bathhouses as well.
Geothermal Hot Spring, Courtesy nps.gov
Hot Springs National Park itself boasts of numerous biking and hiking trails. Lake Katherine Waterfall is one of my favorite ones.
The city also boasts of a dedicated baseball trail featuring the activities of baseball legends like Babe Ruth.
View from our Hot Springs VRBO rental
Other attractions are Talimena Scenic Drive; Ouachita National Forest – a must-visit for Ziplining, Hiking, Biking and Waterfall enthusiasts and finally, Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
Some great hiking options on Talimena scenic drive.
Coveted coffee/beer bar on the way to Talimena
Tip: The drive, around 10 hours, is a bit of a stretch if you are not used to long drives but it is actually quite gratifying once you get out of Illinois, especially when you navigate through Mark Twain National Forest (that’s what motivated me for Ozark Camping Trip few months later).
6. New Orleans (Louisiana)
Distance: 950 miles.
ETA: 15 hours with a few breaks.
Trip Duration: 4-5 days.
The full blog for the amazing NOLA trip is here.
NOLA’s spooky image is quite justified
Why New Orleans or as it is known affectionately, ‘Big Easy’?
Jazz Music – NOLA is arguably, the mecca of Jazz; music embodies heart and soul of the city.
Revelry and Architecture – Bourbon Street, French Quarters, Jackson Square, Southern Plantation Tours.
A Nature Lover’s Eden – Abundant in swamps, bayous, levees, marshy trails brimming with wildlife sightings including gators and exotic birds.
Food – Café Au Lait and Beignets offered by iconic Café Du Monde, Po’ boys, jambalaya, gumbo.
That’s it, hope this kindles the desire to take your next memorable Thanksgiving Road Trip.
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