Roadtrip from Chicago to Niagara.

Ince.esInce.es BCN - Spain Posts: 317
edited June 2011 in All Encompassing Trip
Hi all,

I'm planning a road trip with my girlfriend for 8 days, starting from Chicago on August 23rd and being back in Chicago on August 30th. Then I'll stay a few days in Chicago, Milwaukee, PJ20 and back in Chicago for 3 days.

Here is the route that we are going to drive... (more or less)

thump_6407577ruta.jpg

I would like to ask to you for any city around this route that you can recommend me to spend a day or a night. I have 7 nights and I would like to stay 2 in Toronto, and 2 in Niagara (Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake is the same place?).

Some colleagues talked to me about not going to Detroit downtown and going to Troy area. Then I would like to go to Cleveland to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but should I stay in Cleveland or is it better to go to another small town?

Any suggestions???

Thanks!!!

P.S.: Which is the top speed on roads? I'm renting a car and it'll be my first time driving in America. :D
Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me -> Stupid Mop -> Estúpida Fregona -> www.estupidafregona.net
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • 8181 Needing a ride to Forest Hills and a ounce of weed. Please inquire within. Thanks. Or not. Posts: 58,276
    edited May 2011
    Do you like roller coasters? If so, you want to stop at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio (just west of cleveland). It's generally regarded as the best rollar coaster park on the plant. No joke.

    Persoanlly, i would skip detroit, although the detroit people would disagree. On the interstate, no worries, and generally no worries, but it's not the nicest city around.

    I would have no problem staying in cleveland. It's a blue collar city so don't expect a chicago downtown area.

    I would suggest the Pro Football HOF, but i doubt you watch much american football.

    Toledo has a nice art muesum.

    as for driving speeds, in IL, just go with the flow. 70-80+. Cutting across MI, i believe the speed limit is 70 mph. If you are carrying anything, i suggest staying within 5 mph of the limit. if you are running clean, you can push it to 10 over. good rule of thumb, go with the flow. if everyone is doing 70, you should do 70.

    On your route, Ohio is the most stritct. They do patrol the interstate and will pull you over for speeding. I never do more than 5 over in Ohio.

    Make sure you stay on the canadian side of niagra falls.
    Post edited by 81 on
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  • TuqueTuque Posts: 6
    I hope I can answer a few of your questions:

    The speed limit in Ontario, Canada on most highways is 100 kph which is approximately 55 mph. Be careful not to use electronic hand held devices when driving in Ontario because it is considered a violation of the highway traffic act and you can be fined if caught. They seem to be cracking down in it since it is a recently passed law so I thought I should mention it.

    Niagara on the Lake is a small town north of Niagara Falls sitting at the mouth of the Niagara River next to Lake Ontario. If you want a quieter area to stay then go to Niagara on the Lake. There are a lot of nice bed and breakfasts there you can stay at however it might be quite expensive. Niagara Falls will have more of your typical large hotels and you can stay at the hotels in casino if you feel like gambling or seeing shows there.

    Let me know if you have any other questions or if you need clarification on any of the above.

    Safe travels.
  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    81 wrote:
    Do you like roller coasters? If so, you want to stop at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio (just east of cleveland).

    West

    Tuque wrote:
    Be careful not to use electronic hand held devices when driving in Ontario because it is considered a violation of the highway traffic act and you can be fined if caught. They seem to be cracking down in it since it is a recently passed law so I thought I should mention it.

    Same thing in Illinois and it seems like most states have been passing similar laws.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    Niagara

    The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is significantly more developed than the US side. I would say - unless you are into arcades and such. A full day will do. Niagara on the Lake is not far from Niagara Falls and is a separate atmosphere. It is essentially a small village with a bunch of B and B's ... people like doing wine tours in the area. I would actually recommend visiting the Butterfly Conservatory - it doesn't take long to do but it's pretty cool if you like that kind of stuff and seeing as you are going with your girlfriend (chicks dig it). You can priceline a nice hotel in Niagara Falls which may be cheaper than staying at a B and B in Niagara on the Lake.

    Toronto

    End of summer but still very hot. I would again priceline a hotel downtown and leave the car in the garage. Toronto is fairly accessible using your feet and public transit. Lots to see and do - you'll have to be more specific if you want more advice. There are gonna be lots of shows going on at the time - Cirque du Soleil has a new show and it will be playing while you are here. Also, lots of other live theatre. If you're a foodie - I can point you in the right direction based on your price points.

    The drive back is pretty uneventful especially through to Sarnia and crossing over at Port Huron.
  • 8181 Needing a ride to Forest Hills and a ounce of weed. Please inquire within. Thanks. Or not. Posts: 58,276
    DewieCox wrote:
    West


    :lol:

    you are correct sir.

    he could also hit up the RV HOF. :lol:
    81 is now off the air

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  • Ince.esInce.es BCN - Spain Posts: 317
    First of all, thank you very much for your quick response!!

    I was asking about speed limits, just to calculate the time it could take us to drive from place to place. Don't worry about speed violations ;)

    I was thinking about Detroit area because it's a long trip from Chicago to Toronto (521 miles), and we want to stop halfway, no matter where but we prefer a nice/beautiful/safe place.

    About Toronto, I would to see the most important places in the city, like CN Tower anything else? :oops: Not enough time and money for shows like Cirque du Soleil. We'll probably stay at HI Toronto (76 Church Street). Any cheap & good place to eat something is always welcome :)

    I think we'll stay at Niagara Falls on the Canada side, but if you say that Niagara on the Lake is a nice place probably we'll go on a trip. Probably staying at HI Niagara (4549 Cataract Avenue)

    From now, I must stop at Cedar Point. I love roller coasters!! I've been checking the website and I'll stay 1 day for sure. Thanks!! I think that I'll stop at R&R Hall of Fame and the sleep close to Sanduski :D

    I have tickets for a Cubs game in Chicago so my girlfriend will have enough sports dose, and I'm not very into American football, so I'll skip this.

    My girlfriend's family have a RV, but I will omit her this advice. :lol:
    Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me -> Stupid Mop -> Estúpida Fregona -> www.estupidafregona.net
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    if you're on a budget ... in toronto, i would just walk around the neighbourhoods as there lots to see and do ... the Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario are nice but if you're from Spain - maybe you don't want to see so much of that kind of stuff ...

    i would suggest packing a picnic and going over to the islands if the weather is nice ... you can get cheap tickets to theatre shows the day of ... do you guys ride bicycles? ... i think the best way to see the city is on bike ... if you don't mind riding bikes in a city - i can give you a nice day planned seeing a bunch of neighbourhoods ... contact me when your trip is closer and i'll tell ya all ya need to know ...
  • 8181 Needing a ride to Forest Hills and a ounce of weed. Please inquire within. Thanks. Or not. Posts: 58,276
    If you go thru Detroit on your way to canada, Windsor (just across the river from Detroit) is a nice place to chill for a night. They have casino and a nice downtown. It's a small city, but i've always enjoyed my time there.

    we did the point edward crossing once and stayed in the hotel just across the border in that town (or maybe it was london). don't recall much about it, although we did get mooned on the 402. :lol:
    81 is now off the air

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  • LikeAnOceanLikeAnOcean Posts: 7,718
    Honestly, you are best off planning most of your time in Chicago and Niagara. Their isn't much in between. I can't speak for the Canadian route, but I've driven the southern route and besides some beautiful forrests in Pennysylvania, it's a very boring drive.

    No offense to people from these cities, but Detroit and Cleveland don't have much and driving through Indiana and Ohio is one of the most boring drives ever.. I stopped halfway for about 30 minutes and I think it took 11 hours each way, but we hit some traffic, so maybe 10 hours each way if you don't hit any traffic.
  • 8181 Needing a ride to Forest Hills and a ounce of weed. Please inquire within. Thanks. Or not. Posts: 58,276
    Gob wrote:
    Honestly, you are best off planning most of your time in Chicago and Niagara. Their isn't much in between. I can't speak for the Canadian route, but I've driven the southern route and besides some beautiful forrests in Pennysylvania, it's a very boring drive.

    No offense to people from these cities, but Detroit and Cleveland don't have much and driving through Indiana and Ohio is one of the most boring drives ever.. I stopped halfway for about 30 minutes and I think it took 11 hours each way, but we hit some traffic, so maybe 10 hours each way if you don't hit any traffic.


    it is a boring drive....until you hit the IL/IN boarder, than all hell breaks loose. :lol: sometimes when i go home, i take state highways west thru nw ohio and ne indiana just to mix things up. I80/90 is a snooze.

    i read once in some rv survey that Ohio was the most boring state to drive thru. i can't really disagree. it's all flat farm country unless you are in the SE corner of the state. :lol:
    81 is now off the air

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  • Ince.esInce.es BCN - Spain Posts: 317
    Thanks for your encouragement :lol:
    Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me -> Stupid Mop -> Estúpida Fregona -> www.estupidafregona.net
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