Indy people - need help for a long weekend (Nashville: hotel, home)

[Zig'sbird]

Once I get home, the wife and I want to have a long weekend some place. We also want to get out of the Indy area, and are currently thinking of within 6-8 hours drive time from Indy.

What would be a good place to get away to?

Criteria:

Inexpensive
Museums close by
Historical points of interest close by
Decent dining. Not McDonalds, and not a 4 star restuarant

Time frame: Between Thanksgiving and Christmas

So, where would you go?

(Note: Chicago is not on the list. It's too big for what I want, plus I've already hit up a few of their museums)

I might add that this will also be in my readjustment phase after getting back from Iraq.

[domergurl]

How about the Pittsburgh area? I want to go to the Warhol museum ... or the Cleveland area? Rock & Roll hall of fame???

Welcome home soldier and thank you.

[sweetana3]

I love St. Louis for their activities and the zoo. Or possibly Nashville, TN or Asheville, NC. In Ashville is the Biltmore estate and some really lovely B&Bs.
It is gorgeous and the mountain drive is fine.

[domergurl]

I'll second St. Louis too ... Forest Park is beautiful, there's a train that will get you there from downtown. The zoo is free and even if you're not Catholic, the Basilica there is stunning. And, of course, the Arch ... those pods that take you up to the top are a hoot. There's even casinos nearby ...

[rrah]

I would go to Nashville. The weather will be a bit milder than Indy at that time and their is plenty to do there--Parthenon (museum) Country Music Hall of fame, the Hermitage, the Belle Meade Plantation, Opryland, and lots of great places to eat. I suspect you can find a hotel there for any budget. A few years ago I paid about $80 for a Hampton there. I also got a great deal on the Gaylord Opryland hotel there. It was pretty neat to stay for one night. Even if you don't stay, it's worth a stroll through the hotel's amazing gardens.

[indylife]

Another possibility is Grand Rapids, MI. We enjoyed the Meijer sculpture gardens. Nearby Grand Haven, MI has a water and lights show that is supposed to be good. I have always enjoyed Sleeping Bear Dunes Park further north, though it may not meet your stated criteria.

[Maryann25]

I would say Asheville too.

[spyder1375]

Amish country up north can be fun. CHeck out Shipshawana (sp?) and Napanee. Also there is a little historical town down by evansville called New Harmoney that is fun. Also Mackinac Island can be a fun trip.

[Zig'sbird]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Needless to say, I still have not settled on one yet, but it looks like we might be heading down into TN or KY.

[makeme]

I'm going to go with St Louis and Asheville, NC. Takes about 8 hours and if you go you must go to the Biltmore. I'm not a mountain person, but absolutely beautiful scenery.