Getaways from Peoria, IL (Alton, Eureka: rent, waterpark, hotel)

[happyindian]

Hello,
Could you guys suggest what a couple of good getaways for the Thanksgiving weekend ? We (2 to 3 couples) are looking to go south of Peoria, IL, any place that is within 500 miles radius. I was looking at the Smokies in TN but that would be good 10 hour drive. We plan to leave on Friday afternoon from Peoria, reach the destination Friday night, spend Sat and half of Sunday there and then come back on Sunday night.



Thanks,
happyindian

[linicx]

Well, 500 miles is ten hours in fair weather. The question is what do you want to do/see when you get there? Civil War historical places?, Native American history, unusual things to see, beautiful scenery? Maybe you like Christmas lights, antiques or museums. Perhaps casino hopping, or renting a houseboat that sleeps six?

Thanksgiving is a Major holiday. It is hard to predict what venues will be open.

[STLCityMike]

Do you like urban attractions? A few cities to think about are St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis .. (not as failiar with Louisville, Indy or Cincy).

I would be a little concerned with weather for outdoor activities, but there is Garden of the Gods in Southern IL which I have heard good things about.

How about Branson MO?

[happyindian]

Originally Posted by linicx

Well, 500 miles is ten hours in fair weather. The question is what do you want to do/see when you get there? Civil War historical places?, Native American history, unusual things to see, beautiful scenery? Maybe you like Christmas lights, antiques or museums. Perhaps casino hopping, or renting a houseboat that sleeps six?

Thanksgiving is a Major holiday. It is hard to predict what venues will be open.

I apologize for throwing out wrong numbers.. we would not like to drive above 8 hours one way... 6 would be ideal.. 8 tops...
Outdoor activities mostly.... not into museums or visiting historical places.... houseboat sounds fun as well any more information on that, also could you please tell more about casino hopping as well?


Thanks!

[happyindian]

Originally Posted by STLCityMike

Do you like urban attractions? A few cities to think about are St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis .. (not as failiar with Louisville, Indy or Cincy).

I would be a little concerned with weather for outdoor activities, but there is Garden of the Gods in Southern IL which I have heard good things about.

How about Branson MO?

I would look into the Garden of Gods.... What about Branson MO, what are things that we can do in Branson, MO?



Thanks!

[linicx]

Branson, MO is home to the old time Country Artists, sometimes a touring Radio City Rockettes Chrismas venue and a general family tourist destination. It is deep in the Ozark Mountains not terribly far from the Arkansas border via Blue Eye. From Peoria it is a good 8-10 hours depending upon traffic, season, and time of day. One of the national tv stations once asked country singer Roy Clark about the summer traffic on MO 65 into Branson. Clark quipped, "It'll be backed up to St. Louis."

There are more interesting things to do in this area. I-71 from the Missouri Border to Hot Springs is the drive through three separate mountain ranges. Hot Springs is a more natural, and quite different destination with its horse racing and public bath houses. It is the only place I've ever been where I can see a mountain cry. From Peoria it is 10-12 hours. Note; The MO border is where the drive-thru Pea Ridge National Civil War Battleground is located. From here you go to the top of the mountain where Eureka Springs was built into the side of the mountain. It is pretty place when it is not filled with tourists. One of the best kept secrets is War Eagle. Located in the mountain bed is a tiny community where you find a water driven mill and stone ground flour. It does have Spring and early Fall Arts & Craft shows, though.

Casino hop
Place bets or play slots all the way down 1-55 from TN to the Gulf and the Big Easy. Stop at Vicksburg, MS and see the CW Monument erected to honor IL., and others, You may also be able to go aboard a CW gunship that is being restored.

One of my favorite destination is Shreveport, LA. not far from the TX,AR,LA border. The the 33 acre American Rose Garden is just inside the border about 5 miles. They string a million holiday lights and open at night. If the fall is mild the roses are still in bloom. The last time I was there they had a huge miniature scale train set up in one of the rooms. It's probably 10-12 from Peoria.

You can casino hop starting at Alton, thence St Louis across Missouri to KC and then south to play in Indian owned casino in SW KS, NE OK and NW AR. Return on I-44 to I-55. If you like a nice wine, and you are on I-44 in MO, don't pass up a quick sidetrip to St. James Winery @ St. James, or the wineries @ Hermann. Built circa 1842, Hermann is a small historic town set in one of the most visually beautiful places on earth. Here you can find a lot of walking and never be lost.

One of the more interesting routes to take in MO is 1-70 to US 54 SW through
Lake Of The Ozarks and end on 1-44. Stop to see Bagnall Dam, stay at a 5-Star resort or rent a houseboat for a day or a week.

A closer trip might begin at Peoria to casinos around Alton north to Jim Jumer's casino at the Quad Cities. From here you might enjoy a side trip into Galena, IL., or a meal at the Amana Colonies off I-80 in Iowa not far from Davenport. The one thing that is a bit of fun is Grizzly Jack's Resort outside of the entrance to Starved Rock State Park. They do have cabins for 6 or more with a complete kitchen (no food), washer/dryer and free passes to the 36,0000 sq.ft. indoor waterpark for overnight guests. Don't forget the walking trails.

My favorite destination, though, is Grand Lake in NE Ok. It is a natural setting and very laid back with a big park with camping and hiking trails. Drake's on Main has an awesome breakfast buffet on weekends. You can see the largest multiple arch dam in world or drive over it and perhaps take a lake cruise. There is one unique church. Splitlog is the only Indian church in America built by an individual with his own money. It is open for one hour on Sunday. Chief Mathias Splitlog built it for his Catholic wife. Grand Lake is 63 miles long with 1200 miles of shoreline. It takes 4-5-5 hours to drive around. If do this you want to stop at Tom Cat Corner for BBQ by the piece, sandwich, or whole rib, loin or chicken. You might also enjoy the Hot Rod Museum on Monkey Island. This is not a tourist destination in the usual sense. It is a water destination April-September. Its 8-10 hours from Peoria.

With the exception of Branson all the other areas are more natural, more rural and less tourist dollar driven. If you really want to get some exercise and do something different you might try your hand at mining for diamonds. You keep what you find. The Little Grand Canyon is a very different experience, but as the locals say, "It's a fer piece" when you talk about distance and destination.

[jillr527]

Hermann, MO is a lovely little German town about 90 miles outside Saint Louis.
Historic Hermann, MO, Heart of Missouri Wine Country

Stay at a bed & breakfast, tour wineries, attend tastings, shop antique stores.

[STLCityMike]

Hermann is an excellent suggestion. Especially if you like the small german village idea and wine country. The area has great bed and breakfasts.

I made an assumption that you preferred southern travel - perhaps in part due to the warmer weather. Branson may seem a touch far given additional user comments. They are really beefing up tourism in the off seasn there.

For scenic beauty, the Lake of the Ozarks may be an idea. Due to the time of year, the water attractions won't be an option, but there is still dining and shopping options, and it is a beautiful area.

For more urban attractions, St. Louis is a wonderful vacation spot. This is a slower time of year, so you will find the attractions less busy. There are the casinos here, sports (hockey and football), museums, shopping, dining, art and theater (check out the Fox Theater, Peabody Opera House, or other wonderful venues). There are always hotel deals downtown, but you could also stay near Clayton, a little more central to the Missouri metro area.

I have heard that Garden of the Gods is beautiful .. I am just not sure what else is in the area there.

[linicx]

If you go to Hermann be sure to take some type of camera.