Road trip through OH/KY/TN/GA suggestions?

[dublinirish]

hey gang
the wife and I are doing a quick road trip from Michigan to Northern Georgia in the last weekend of December to visit family down there. Anyone got any reccomendations for stops work making in OH/KY/TN? Is Lexington a good place to visit? I do like Bluegrass music

Here's the route:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Fen...c2cac210ae9806!2m2!1d-84.4907621!2d34.2367621

 

[Emcee77]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Cincinnati with family, and there's some cool stuff to do there. I was impressed with the OTR ("Over-the-Rhine") brewery district, for example. Rhinegeist brewery and Findlay Market are great for beer and food. Borders on rough neighborhoods though, so not sure how safe at night. Maybe a Cincinnatian on the board can comment.

 

[wizards8507]

If you're taking 75 through Knoxville, take a quick detour to Pigeon Forge and spend a day at Dollywood. I've never been at Christmastime but it's a blast in the summer and I can only imagine how beautiful the smokies would be in the snow.

You could also change the route up a bit and take 65 instead of 75. This would bring you through Nashville and you could go to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. There's always at least one solid bluegrass group mixed in with more modern country music.

 

[NDRock]

Chattanooga is a cool city, they've really revitalized their downtown/river area. One of the posters on here is from the area (Choo Choo) he may have some good information for you.

Here's a link with some good information, I live about 40 minutes from the city so if you need anything shoot me a PM

Chattanooga, Tennessee Visitors Bureau - Official Chattanooga TN Site

 

[koonja]

Gotta stop in Columbus to meet the koon!

 

[dublinirish]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Cincinnati with family, and there's some cool stuff to do there. I was impressed with the OTR ("Over-the-Rhine") brewery district, for example. Rhinegeist brewery and Findlay Market are great for beer and food. Borders on rough neighborhoods though, so not sure how safe at night. Maybe a Cincinnatian on the board can comment.

I have family in Cincy actually, we might call in and see them on the way back up. Have yet to visit myself but would like to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

If you're taking 75 through Knoxville, take a quick detour to Pigeon Forge and spend a day at Dollywood. I've never been at Christmastime but it's a blast in the summer and I can only imagine how beautiful the smokies would be in the snow.

You could also change the route up a bit and take 65 instead of 75. This would bring you through Nashville and you could go to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. There's always at least one solid bluegrass group mixed in with more modern country music.

Nashville is definitely on my to-do list, cheers!

Chattanooga is a cool city, they've really revitalized their downtown/river area. One of the posters on here is from the area (Choo Choo) he may have some good information for you.

Yeah my wife's cousin describes Chattanooga as a budding Ashville, Portland type city full of trendy folks and lots of promise. It's definitely a place I wanna check out.

Gotta stop in Columbus to meet the koon!

haha! sounds great brah!

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I live in Nashville and can't say enough good things about downtown and the live music off Broadway. Nice detour on the way back north. As far as East Tennessee a detour to Gatlinburg is awesome and if you're wife likes to shop she will love the outlet malls there as well. Gatlinburg during the Christmas season is really nice. Just a little bit crowded.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I would suggest the horse parks in Lexington if you are in to that. At least drive through the Smokies if you can't spend much time in and around Knoxville. Also, OberGatlinburg is pretty neat this time of year. Crowded though.Chattanooga has Ruby Falls, the Incline, Lookout Mtn, etc. In Ga, hit up Calloway Gardens if possible. Great this time of year.

I would go back through on I-65 and hit up Nashville. Great music scene and the Opry is right next door to Opry Mills shopping mall. Then stop in Bowling Green, Ky and visit the Corvette Museum. Worth the price of admission if you like vettes.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Helen, Georgia | Helen - White County Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

[Cackalacky]

Kentucky Horse park in Lexington. Definitely take some time in Chattanooga.

 

[NDohio]

Renfro Valley Entertainment Center - Kentucky's Country Music Capital Live Concerts

Bluegrass!!

 

[NDohio]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Cincinnati with family, and there's some cool stuff to do there. I was impressed with the OTR ("Over-the-Rhine") brewery district, for example. Rhinegeist brewery and Findlay Market are great for beer and food. Borders on rough neighborhoods though, so not sure how safe at night. Maybe a Cincinnatian on the board can comment.

Over The Rhine still has some rough patches, but if you stay in the brewery district you will be fine. Plus there is the new casino right there if you are into that.

If you do the Cinci music scene, you have to check out the pub MOTR(Main/Over The Rhine). A high school friend owns that and they have fantastic live music that is mostly local musicians.

About Us | MOTR Pub

Have a great time. I really miss Cinci ...

 

[kmoose]

If you have ANY interest in this type of thing; the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a must. Not stopping isn't even an option. Plan to spend a whole day there.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

 

[BobbyMac]

If you are a car guy take the west route through Indiana. Stop in Auburn to see the Auburn - Cord - Duesenberg museum

Next, the Indy 500 Museum

Then it's a quick hour off of I-65 to French Lick / West Baden to the historic hotels (and casino) and Larry Bird's home too! The hotels are walking distance to each other.

French Lick:

West Baden:

If you are into horses, stop at the Kentcky Derby museum in Louisville


Next stop, the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY


Last on my list would be a stop at the Opryland Hotel in Nasville to see the Christmas lights

.

 

[nsisk157]

To iterate what has been said....Nashville!

Must eat: Nashville Hot Chicken Restaurant - Nashville, TN | Hattie B's Hot Chicken

I recommend the "Hot" level of spice. I was just there and was able to sample all levels of heat.

Mild: Like regular fried chicken with a little kick
Medium: decent spice (My wife enjoyed this level)
Hot: I thought was perfect blend.
Damn Hot: I like it on a tender but for a full order, may be too much.
Shut the Cluck up: Had one tender. Lingering heat.

Sides were meh overall, but the chicken is so perfectly cooked that it is worth the trip.

 

[IrishLion]

OTR in Cincy is awesome, but yeah, surrounded by a few rough patches. Just gotta be smart at night like any downtown area. Great food options (fried chicken from The Eagle is my personal favorite). Rhinegeist Brewery is a good place to hang out and drink good beer; they brew their own beers in house, and you hang out in a big open space right next to all of their equipment. They've got picnic tables for sitting and talking to friends, but they also set up cornhole boards and some other stuff to provide some fun. It's actually a short drive to the rest of the OTR area, though. Neon's has my favorite beer selection. Can't really go wrong with anywhere in OTR if you're just exploring though.

I wholeheartedly endorse a trip to Findlay Market if you're going through Cincy during the day. All kinds of awesome food options and a cool atmosphere overall. Make sure to grab a fresh, hot waffle from the Taste of Belgium vendors.

 

[ND NYC]

just drive straight thru Dublin...

I kid I kid

 

[Cackalacky]

Renfro Valley Entertainment Center - Kentucky's Country Music Capital Live Concerts

Bluegrass!!

Hell yeah. My hometown is like right there.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Road trip through OH/KY/TN/GA suggestions?

If you like bourbon/whiskey, stop by the Jim Beam distillery, it's about 30 min from Lexington.

 

[dang227]

Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton is a no brainer


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Irish Insanity]

Honestly, I'm not sure there is a single place that's good to stop along the way. If I were you I would start just after dinner time and drive straight thru. The further, and sonner, you can get from Michigan the better.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

The bourbon trail in KY is worth a stop. You could do the Frankfort/Lexington distilleries from I75 and the Bardstown area distilleries from I65. Also Mammoth Cave National Park is about 20 miles north of Bowling Green, KY on I65. Well worth a stop. It's the world's largest cave system and they offer some fantastic cave tours and there is good hiking in the woods as well.

 

[ulukinatme]

If you're coming down 75 towards Georgia, I assume you are, there's a tiny ass town called New Riegel in Ohio. The only restaurant in the town is the New Riegel Cafe. Stop in after 5 for some of the best BBQ ribs or chicken that won't break your wallet. It's a small mom and pop owned place, where they serve the food in paper boats. It's delicious (As a heads up, they don't take credit). It's not far off the high way, maybe 20 minutes or so through the corn fields.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I'm going through GA/AL/MS/LA/TX/OK/NM/AZ/NV/CA. Currently in Oklahoma right now.

 

[dublinirish]

Guys, thanks for all the reccomendations, we really appreciate it, definitely looking forward to the trip now. I will drive anywhere for good BBQ haha If any of ye are ever over this side of the pond then give me a shout for sure!

 

[Irish4Life09]

I would suggest the horse parks in Lexington if you are in to that. At least drive through the Smokies if you can't spend much time in and around Knoxville. Also, OberGatlinburg is pretty neat this time of year. Crowded though.Chattanooga has Ruby Falls, the Incline, Lookout Mtn, etc. In Ga, hit up Calloway Gardens if possible. Great this time of year.

I would go back through on I-65 and hit up Nashville. Great music scene and the Opry is right next door to Opry Mills shopping mall. Then stop in Bowling Green, Ky and visit the Corvette Museum. Worth the price of admission if you like vettes.

Could not have said this any better.Reps.

 

[kmoose]

Guys, thanks for all the reccomendations, we really appreciate it, definitely looking forward to the trip now. I will drive anywhere for good BBQ haha If any of ye are ever over this side of the pond then give me a shout for sure!

So much for the "quick" part of the "quick trip", huh? We've given you enough to do and see, that you will probably need a month to do and see it all.

 

[dublinirish]

So much for the "quick" part of the "quick trip", huh? We've given you enough to do and see, that you will probably need a month to do and see it all.

Haha yeah you guys are a classy bunch, nobody reccommended any dodgy all you can eat buffets and the likes. Really appreciate all the replies you're good people folks.