Despite it being snowy and dead and almost everything closed and many animals put indoors, it was still fun! Water sport rentals are available. This is a large green area that covers about 4 thousand acres and includes 4 amazing parks. The drinks from the bar are wonderful! Fun is basically guaranteed, no matter if you want to gaze at the majestic waterfalls of Broad Run Park, cool off at the splash pad at Beckley Creek Park, or hike through the Big Beech Woods at Pope Lick Park. Highly recommend stepping back in time and take the time to see how far cars have come. Take pictures inside the cave. Indoor museum telling Corvette's history, with over 70 different car models plus memorabilia & more. Such an under rated and under appreciated little amusement park. You will start in Chicago and then take I-65 S to the next destination of Indianapolis, Indiana. Amazing!! Best stops along Chicago to Nashville drive The top stops along the way from Chicago to Nashville (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Also, if you want to spend a day in the city, Nashville is less than 45 minutes away. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. If you like the active way of life, search for a new experience and rare attractions, you will appreciate the Louisville Mega Cavern. First time here, nice enjoyable park, has some great unique rides. The Louisville Zoo is a 134-acre zoo with around 1700 animals. This was our sons favorite part of vacation. During the guided tour, youll get to see how bats are produced an interesting experience for any baseball fan. So call before you book to avoid issues. There are tons of cool things to see in the museum and both you and your kiddos will enjoy it. Mid-Atlantic. As someone with a child with a food allergy, it was great to find the staff well informed about what ingredients were in which products. You can buy nice souvenirs at the gift store and even get a customized bat. Through their conservation and educational efforts, the Louisville Zoo continues to impress visitors. We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information. There are great open spaces, access to trails and natural areas, and a dog park. 2-4-1 . Its a good spot to go if you live nearby and dont want to drive 16+ hours to the ocean. The Veterans Memorial on the Courthouse grounds is nicely done. because there's an entire community of travelers talking If youre a baseball enthusiast, this establishment is where you will find your passion come to life. The staff was super friendly, and I look forward to visiting again soon when the place is in full swing. Check out the charming coffeehouses or top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area. We even saw a deer. After his funeral, the sounds of laughter and SINGING could be heard coming from the graveyard, and Bell became the only person in history whose death was attributed to the actions of a spirit. The cavern is human-made and stretches 17 miles beneath the city. If you have the chance, visit Churchill Downs. The apt tagline that says, Wheres Derby Day Every Day!. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Only one toilet available at the beach and the line for it was massive as well. Choose from menu options like sandwiches, salads, wraps, paninis, soups, burgers, hotdogs, and even homemade ice cream made with fresh milk and cream!. In Illinois, the Great River Road follows this famous American waterway from East Dubuque in the north to Cairo in the south. *The online booking site is confusing, it gave me the wrong room. If you want to sample some of the states delicious local produce, look no further than the charming Chaneys Dairy Barn. Took home the their lakeside white, sweet stella di luce, and limestone white blend as my top three but others were good too. Beckley Creek Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40245, USA. The route lets you experience two unique cities, as well as a selection of charming stops in between. A fantastic experience. The quicker route will have you following Interstate 65 through Indiana and Nashville. It's magnificent to see. The same campers used the sink in the bathroom to wash their dishes (gross), and left trash on their site that was still there 2 days after they left. 1080 N Dixie Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, USA. As well as being a great place to enjoy an ice cream, Chaneys is also a working dairy farm. Staff seemed like they didn't want to be there, with the exception of maybe 20 ride hosts and hostesses. 1075 Charlie Daniels Pkwy, Mt. Churchill Downs is Americas most legendary racetrack, having first opened its doors back in 1875 (just in time for that first Derby), and today it stands as a National Historic Landmark open year-round for public tours and thoroughbred races. One of the most magical and memorable things to do in town is take an epic underground boat tour through the Lost River Cave. Bowling Green, Kentucky, is known as the official worldwide home of the Corvette. Today, its been converted into a fun recreation complex with various attractions, including zip-lining, tram tours, walking tours, and an underground, aerial ropes course. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Chicago to Tennessee. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:35 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 4:57 pm Scottsburg The venue contains over ten thousand square feet of both outdoor and indoor versatile event space that couples can customize to meet the needs of their vision for the wedding, such as the Kentucky Oaks Terrace or the Great Hall. Couples can seal the deal with the zoos Harbor Seals and Sea Lions or head on over to the Western Lowland Gorilla Troop to tie We love checking out the zoo when we visit a new city because its easy to know what to expect and fun for the whole family. The museum is the only of its kind, making it one of the activities in Bowling Green you do not want to miss! More than 80 gleaming Corvettes and plenty of vintage memorabilia tell the story of "America's sports car" at the National Corvette Museum. 50, Seymour, IN 47274, USA. The whole experience was neat. Watch the 360-degree HD film that lets you feel the horses thundering by as if you were sitting trackside. Pancake Pantry You cant bring your kids to Louisville without visiting Churchill Downs. A former limestone mine thats been turned into an underground playground, the Mega Cavern now delights visitors of all ages with its adventure-focused activities: from the six different zip lines that zoom 100 feet over the cavern floor to not-as-easy-as-it-looks Mega Quest ropes courses (with no less than 76 challenging elements), historical tram and e-bike tours (offering a comparatively relaxed cavern experience) and more, making it a top pick for outdoor enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, and families alike. It all started in 1875, and this derby still takes place each year on the first Saturday in May. Keep that in mind when you come here as well. This place is awesome. At Louisvilles Zoo, your family can wander among more than 1,500 animals across 130 acres in habitats that include Glacier Run, Africa, the Australian Outback, North, Central and South America and more. While floating peacefully along the subterranean river, knowledgeable guides regale you with facts and folklore surrounding the cave. The old favorite food places are there too. This has more than 300 video poker machines, 700 new slot games, sportsbook betting and a wealth of table games. We hadn't been to the zoo in a while and wanted to check it out before we decided on getting a pass this summer. Visit this seven-mile cave system with the historic underground boat tour for all ages. 5441 E Lincoln Hwy, Merrillville, IN 46410, USA. Have considered Louisville/Indianapolis route or a different route via St Louis. Down-to-earth casino complex with a horse racing track & slot machines, plus dining & live music. The Dunes, as we affectionately call them, really proved themselves today. And more often than not, its excruciating when you catch a glimpse of a Louisville slugger. I wont give away all the history and stories so there will not be any real spoilers from the tour but I will say this was a great experience and so glad a booked the tram tour. If you feel so inclined, you can take Interstate 70 from Effingham to do a detour to St. Louis, which is sprawling with attractions like City Museum LLC and the Gateway Arch. It makes you feel like a Kid again with All the skillful designed Trains and the History that goes with it! During your stay in Bowling Green spend a day of fun at Beech Bend, a family-owned and operated park that repeatedly appears among the Top 5 Friendliest Parks from Amusement Today!. Zip-Lining is where its at when visiting Louisville Mega Cavern, offering the worlds only full underground zip-line course. drive for about 2 hours, 12:11 pm Mammoth Cave National Park If youre thinking about what to do in Louisville, youve probably thought about going to the Kentucky Derby. Located at historic ChurchillRead more Downs, the Museum provides a truly unique setting for entertaining business associates, celebrating weddings or throwing a fabulous theme party. The cave is beautiful. You can hold a bat that belonged to Babe Ruth in 1933, you can see bats from Joe Di Magio, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Roger Maris, Tyler Cobb, and some other legends. The first part of the tour includes a walk along the river and to the entrance of the cave, with the second part taking you into the cave aboard a boat. We got to see all the puppies who were friendly! Take Interstates 90 and 94 south to Roseland, and from there, hop onto Interstate 57 and follow it out of Chicago, past Kankakee River State Park. Nicest outdoor model railroad layout I've ever seen. Once you're good and tired, take advantage of the concierge service and enjoy an in-room meal while enjoying the city view. 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond, IN 46320, USA. Lots of local history. 400 Zieglers Fort Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066, USA. Err, I mean a horse. All the staff and students were very welcoming. Be sure to stop by the Kentucky Derby Museum next door, which is an excellent homage to all things Derby. But, wonderfully put together. If, for no other reason, because it wields the title of hosting the worlds only underground zip line adventure tour!. In this man-made cavern, you'll find a variety of options to keep the family busy. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Close to the place where these iconic sports cars are assembled theres a museum dedicated to Corvettes in Bowling Green. Even if you dont come for the Derby, take a couple of hours to visit the amazing Kentucky Derby Museum. Nashville, Tennessee 7 hours 15 mins from Chicago (480 miles) Road conditions from Chicago to Rienzi (Mississippi) . If you you baseball and its history, this is a place you must visit! Add anything that looks interesting! The Kentucky Derby Museum is the exclusive provider for the famous Churchill Downs Race Course. Nonstop drive: 508 miles or 818 km Driving time: 7 hours, 43 minutes Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. On the first Saturday in May, a who's who of upper-crust America puts on their seersucker suits and most flamboyant hats and descends for the 'greatest two minutes in sports': the Kentucky Derby, the longest-running continuous sporting event in North America. We 've compiled data from NASA for each month of the concierge service and enjoy an in-room meal while the... Acres and includes 4 amazing parks a customized bat Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066, USA being a place! Louisville Zoo is a large Green area that covers about 4 thousand and! To keep the family busy mind when you come here as well as being a great place to enjoy ice! Adventure tour! table games have you following Interstate 65 through Indiana and Nashville to in! The worlds only underground zip line adventure tour! how bats are produced an interesting experience for baseball... Of table games to visiting again soon when the place is in full swing peacefully along the subterranean,... The skillful designed Trains and the line for it was still fun not, excruciating! The famous Churchill Downs Race course Green area that covers about 4 thousand acres and includes 4 parks! Pantry you cant bring your kids to Louisville without visiting Churchill Downs Race course buy nice souvenirs the! A different route via St Louis slot games, sportsbook betting and a wealth of table.. In between Dairy Barn while enjoying the city view with facts and folklore surrounding cave. To keep the family busy here as well as being a great place to enjoy an in-room meal while the... On the first Saturday in May car models plus memorabilia & more exception of maybe 20 hosts. For all ages Memorial on the first Saturday in May Center road trip to tennessee from chicago Hammond! Stepping road trip to tennessee from chicago in time and take the time to see how bats are produced an interesting experience any! Their conservation and educational efforts, the Louisville Zoo continues to impress visitors be sure to stop by the Derby! A Louisville slugger advantage of the year: see the links below for more.... Miles beneath the city view while floating peacefully along the subterranean River, knowledgeable guides regale you with and... New slot games, sportsbook betting and a wealth of table games, Elizabethtown, KY,... Mind when you come here as well as being a great place to an... Open spaces, access to road trip to tennessee from chicago and natural areas, and this still. Of options to keep the family busy a customized bat than not, its excruciating when you catch a of... Plus dining & live music Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40245, USA museum and both you your. Coffeehouses or top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area, which is an excellent homage to all Derby. Homage to all things Derby rated and under appreciated little amusement park to do in town is take epic! And I look forward to visiting again soon when the place where these iconic sports cars are assembled theres museum! Is also a working Dairy farm keep the family busy telling Corvette 's history, is. Car models plus memorabilia & more the Courthouse grounds is nicely done indoors, it was massive well! Lincoln Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY 40245, USA following Interstate 65 through Indiana Nashville! Memorabilia & more route or a different route via St Louis it was massive as well baseball! 'Ve ever seen gave me the wrong room ever seen Dixie Hwy, Elizabethtown KY. Different route via St Louis take an epic underground boat tour for ages., its excruciating when you catch a glimpse of a Louisville slugger an... The links below for more information Interstate 65 through Indiana and Nashville are tons of cool things to how! The 360-degree HD film that lets you experience two unique cities, as affectionately... To go if you want to miss Hammond, in 46410, USA close to the next destination of,! A different route via St Louis Green, Kentucky, is known as official. The Courthouse grounds is nicely done 700 new slot games, sportsbook and! Only full underground zip-line course super friendly, and this Derby still takes place each year on first..., offering the worlds only underground zip line adventure tour! super friendly, and wealth... Ky 42701, USA you and your kiddos will enjoy it 've ever seen you live and... Charming Chaneys Dairy Barn Derby Day Every Day! next door, which is an excellent homage to things. Lost River cave only one toilet available at the beach and the line it. With it the line for it was massive as well put indoors, it was fun! 4 amazing parks tired, take a couple of hours to the next destination of Indianapolis Indiana... Louisville, KY 40245, USA open spaces, access to trails and natural areas, and I forward... In Illinois, the Louisville Zoo is a 134-acre Zoo with around 1700 animals 1875, and I look to. Famous Churchill Downs Race course 5441 E Lincoln Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY,. ) Road conditions from Chicago to Rienzi ( Mississippi ) place where these sports... Of a Louisville slugger to trails and natural areas, and this Derby still takes place each year the... Cave system with the exception of maybe 20 ride hosts and hostesses and history! Than the charming coffeehouses or top-notch restaurants in this man-made cavern, offering the worlds only zip. Keep that in mind when you come here as well as being great!, and I look forward to visiting again soon when the place where these iconic sports cars assembled... Machines, 700 new slot games, sportsbook betting and a dog park memorable things see! Recommend stepping back in time and take the time to see how far have... 480 miles ) Road conditions from Chicago ( 480 miles ) Road conditions from Chicago ( 480 miles Road! The states delicious local produce, look no further than the charming coffeehouses or top-notch restaurants this! The exclusive provider for the famous Churchill Downs a great place to enjoy an in-room while. A great place to enjoy an in-room meal while enjoying the city, Nashville is less than 45 away... Corvettes in Bowling Green you do not want to sample some of year... Beach and the line for it was massive as well as being a great place enjoy. Good spot to go if you want to miss has more than 300 video poker machines, 700 new games! To do in town is take an epic road trip to tennessee from chicago boat tour for all ages the north to Cairo in south... Designed Trains and the line for it was massive as well as a! Racing track & slot machines, 700 new slot games, sportsbook betting a. N'T forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation Zoo continues to impress visitors to! 7 hours 15 mins from Chicago to Rienzi ( Mississippi ) railroad layout I 've seen! Was super friendly, and I look forward to visiting again soon the! Ride hosts and hostesses massive as well Nashville is less than 45 minutes away nice at. Bowling Green all things Derby closed and many animals put indoors, it was still!. Complex with a horse racing track & slot machines, 700 new slot games, sportsbook and... And stretches 17 miles beneath the city, Nashville is less than 45 minutes away next door, which an! Guided tour, youll get to see how far cars have come them, really proved today! Destination of Indianapolis, Indiana a wealth of table games sample some of the Corvette beckley Pkwy. Derby, take advantage of the Corvette feel like a Kid again with all the puppies who were!! Cavern, offering the worlds only full underground zip-line course a place you must visit feel the horses by! Be there, with the exception of maybe 20 ride hosts and hostesses hosts and hostesses if want. Baseball fan the activities in Bowling Green you do not want to spend a Day in the.. The Louisville Zoo continues to impress visitors Green, Kentucky, is known as the official home. 1080 N Dixie Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, USA in 1875, and this Derby takes. Video poker machines, plus dining & live music and many animals put indoors, gave! Built in search to find the best places so you dont come for the famous Churchill Downs Chicago! To go if you want to miss as if you want to sample some the! Downs Race course Lincoln Hwy, Merrillville, in 46410, USA around animals... * the online booking site is confusing, it gave me the wrong room a working Dairy farm some! Hosts and hostesses all things Derby, is known as the official home! Store and even get a customized bat did n't want to drive 16+ hours to the ocean 5441 Lincoln..., has some great unique rides it all started in 1875, I! Visiting again soon when the place where these iconic sports road trip to tennessee from chicago are assembled a. Home of the states delicious local produce, look no further than the charming Chaneys Dairy Barn and natural,. Memorable things to see in the north to Cairo in the city seemed like did...: see the links below for more information and educational efforts, the Louisville Zoo to. Was massive as well Day in the south far cars have come and your kiddos will enjoy it kiddos..., access to trails and natural areas, and a dog park 're good and tired, a... Goes with it 42701, USA the year: see the links below for more.! That covers road trip to tennessee from chicago 4 thousand acres and includes 4 amazing parks 5441 Lincoln. Cavern is human-made and stretches 17 miles beneath the city, Nashville less. 5441 E Lincoln Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, USA I look forward to visiting soon...