What is your favorite getaway state?

[chet everett]

People! With towns named like these there is no doubt that Indiana is the ultimate getaway:
French Lick and West Baden Springs, Ind. -- -- chicagotribune.com

[M TYPE X]

I'm in Champaign, so Indianapolis is a day trip and St Louis is a long day trip. In summers, I can take a weekend in Iowa City, Madison, or Milwaukee. I'm going home to Detroit later this week for a few days, which is too much for a two-day weekend, because the drive is 6-7 hours.

I'm thinking about going to Louisville and Cincinnati this summer - both are about 4 hours' drive and can be done over the course of a normal weekend. Any thoughts on northern Kentucky or southwestern Ohio?

[Drover]

Newport and Covington KY are pretty cool. There's a nice riverfront complex in Newport with lots of restaurants and shops and what-not. There's also a genuine (as in Munich-based) Hofbrau Haus in Newport, one of only two in the U.S. There's some good architecture in Cincinnati -- surprisingly east-coast for a (mostly) Midwest city. The gaslight district up by the university is pretty sharp. Great American Ballpark is a pretty nice place to catch a game too, and I bet you can get some real cheap tickets.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Drover

Newport and Covington KY are pretty cool. There's a nice riverfront complex in Newport with lots of restaurants and shops and what-not. There's also a genuine (as in Munich-based) Hofbrau Haus in Newport, one of only two in the U.S. There's some good architecture in Cincinnati -- surprisingly east-coast for a (mostly) Midwest city. The gaslight district up by the university is pretty sharp. Great American Ballpark is a pretty nice place to catch a game too, and I bet you can get some real cheap tickets.

Speaking of cheap seats. Miller Park in Milwaukee has some great promotions. I am sure you know about that though. I went there (Miller Park) for the first time this weekend.

I figured I would let others know.

[sandgirl]

A summer time weekend would be Missouri Ozarks.
A Fall weekend would be Southern Indiana.

[clanaxberg]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Well, I hope it all works out for you.

Thank you Steve-O, we are thinking positive!

[linicx]

I lived in the "Ozarks" for many years. It's about 8 hours from Peoria, but it can be as urbane or as country as you like - depending upon where you go and what you want to do.

If you want to do something a little closer there is St. Louis, Hanibal or Mark Twain forest just cross the Mississippi. The bonus is, if you chose Hanibal, you can meander Illinois byways and still arrive in time for dinner.

I spent a fair amount of time in Iowa too, The Amana Colonies are neat, but overall I like the Quad-Cities better.

But for a short weekend, there are many things to do and see in Illinois - particularly in Peoria if you have naver been there. Seriously.

[Tex?Il?]

I would say for natural scenery: SW Wisconsin (the driftless area and Baraboo Hills). Nothing in the midwest beats the hills, cliffs, and waterfalls of this region. It almost feels like New England.

However for small towns I would go with the west coast of Michigan. Many of the places from Traverse Bay all the way down to Berrien County. Those are the best small country towns in the midwest. They seem more lively and cosmopolitan than other rural areas of the midwest. Especially Saugatuck/Douglas.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Speaking of cheap seats. Miller Park in Milwaukee has some great promotions. I am sure you know about that though. I went there (Miller Park) for the first time this weekend.

I figured I would let others know.

Gotta recommend the $1 Bob Yueker seats, even though some are obstructed-view.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Gotta recommend the $1 Bob Yueker seats, even though some are obstructed-view.

I got Terrace Box (Upper Deck Box up there) 3rd row down the 3rd base line for like 12.25 each with all tax and service charges included...Cant beat that with a stick!