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Started By
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Long road trip through the heart of the country
Posted on 5/16/21 at 7:18 pm
Posted on 5/16/21 at 7:18 pm
Let me preface this by saying, the wife and I have taken our last 3 trips out west for Natl Parks in Washington, California, Colorado, Arizona. We’ve flown, we’ve driven, we’ve hiked, and spent some time in cities like Seattle, San Diego, Denver.
We want to do something different, and the pandemic seems like a nice time to take a road trip to some non-hotspots.
We are starting in Corpus Christi, then driving up toward Little Rock to get far out on day 1. Then we will be going to St Louis to see the Arch. She wants a day in Chicago to sightsee and whatnot, then we will head east to Detroit. I want to add a new baseball stadium to my list, and Comerica Park will be it. I’m also fascinated by American ruins, and I think Detroit would offer some of that with a rebounding downtown to boot.
From there, we will go to Cleveland. I want to catch an Indians game since they are unfortunately my favorite team. We may check out the R and R hall of fame. Then we will head south and check out Mammoth Cave, maybe the Louisville Slugger Museum, and some distilleries in the area.
We will conclude by interstate hopping to Nashville, Memphis, then back home. There’s a couple of cool things I can find to do in Tennessee as well.
I know these are not the most desirable places to go, but we both ‘want to see everything’. I’ve been to all of these places at one time or another, and felt relatively safe with the exception of St Louis and Memphis. I certainly don’t plan on hitting up the hoods. I’ve navigated some shitty places before on my own, but I’m naturally going to be more cautious with my wife. She’s a bit concerned, so I will be taking my Glock.
I guess my question is, am I just asking for something terrible to happen? People see ballgames all the time at these places, eat at famous restaurants, see museums, etc.
We want to do something different, and the pandemic seems like a nice time to take a road trip to some non-hotspots.
We are starting in Corpus Christi, then driving up toward Little Rock to get far out on day 1. Then we will be going to St Louis to see the Arch. She wants a day in Chicago to sightsee and whatnot, then we will head east to Detroit. I want to add a new baseball stadium to my list, and Comerica Park will be it. I’m also fascinated by American ruins, and I think Detroit would offer some of that with a rebounding downtown to boot.
From there, we will go to Cleveland. I want to catch an Indians game since they are unfortunately my favorite team. We may check out the R and R hall of fame. Then we will head south and check out Mammoth Cave, maybe the Louisville Slugger Museum, and some distilleries in the area.
We will conclude by interstate hopping to Nashville, Memphis, then back home. There’s a couple of cool things I can find to do in Tennessee as well.
I know these are not the most desirable places to go, but we both ‘want to see everything’. I’ve been to all of these places at one time or another, and felt relatively safe with the exception of St Louis and Memphis. I certainly don’t plan on hitting up the hoods. I’ve navigated some shitty places before on my own, but I’m naturally going to be more cautious with my wife. She’s a bit concerned, so I will be taking my Glock.
I guess my question is, am I just asking for something terrible to happen? People see ballgames all the time at these places, eat at famous restaurants, see museums, etc.
14
Posted on 5/16/21 at 8:05 pm to TexasTiger08
If you have any interest in music history, you'll be in three areas that are full of history (other than Cleveland). Detroit - Motown, Nashville - Country, Memphis - Elvis/early rock & roll and if you make a dogleg between Nashville & Memphis - Muscle Shoals in north Alabama. Been to all and each has its own character. The studio tours are interesting.
We might do a similar trip from BR. Have friends outside St. Louis and a nephew in Chicago.
We might do a similar trip from BR. Have friends outside St. Louis and a nephew in Chicago.
Posted on 5/16/21 at 8:10 pm to TexasTiger08
quote:
am I just asking for something terrible to happen?
100 people are killed every day in the US in automobile accidents. I doubt if very many tourist are killed (in non auto accidents) each day but terrible things can happen anywhere.
I-95 Road rage shooting
This lady was killed in April on I 95 near Lumberton, NC because of road rage.
quote:
Julie Eberly was shot through the passenger door as she and her husband, Ryan Eberly were traveling on I95 South, according to officials. Ryan Eberly was not injured. Immediate medical assistance was rendered until being transported to UNC Southeastern where she later died.
The investigation revealed a road rage incident developed after the victim’s GMC Yukon came close to the suspect’s Chevrolet Malibu during a merge into a lane. Reports claim the suspect then pulled to the victim’s passenger side, rolled down his window and fired multiple shots into the passenger door.
This post was edited on 5/16/21 at 8:14 pm
Posted on 5/17/21 at 8:45 am to TexasTiger08
America is not the frightening place the TV news wants you to believe it is. Posters on this very board live and work in all of the places you mention visiting.
What, exactly, are you afraid of?
What, exactly, are you afraid of?
Posted on 5/17/21 at 9:20 am to TexasTiger08
I live halfway between Memphis and STL so I frequent both of them often. Short of going to the hood or walking around at 2am alone, there isn't much to worry about. Yeah, you will have people begging for money but highly doubt you'll get held at gun point.
Hit up Busch Stadium in STL or check out the Cardinals minor league team in Memphis.
Hit up Busch Stadium in STL or check out the Cardinals minor league team in Memphis.
Posted on 5/17/21 at 9:36 am to hungryone
quote:
What, exactly, are you afraid of?
It’s mostly my wife. And in this glorious era, I have no idea what has been impacted by riots and the like. For example, I was reading that crime in The Hill in St Louis has gone up exponentially over the past year.
Posted on 5/17/21 at 9:50 am to TexasTiger08
I've recently been to most of these places, and you should be fine if you follow some fairly basic policies.
1.) If going to somewhat sketchy areas, do so late morning. All of the criminals are sleeping.
2.) Before getting to the city, know the general areas to avoid. On a real map. Don't rely on your GPS.
3.) If it feels sketchy, it is. Get the frick out.
You can easily see some ruins in Detroit in generally safe areas, it really is a cool city to explore...but know when not to stop the car.
Cleveland is also great, don't miss their Little Italy, awesome historic buildings, and West Side Market.
If bringing a firearm, pay attention to local laws and find a way to secure the weapon when you're not in the car (biggest thing I'd worry about).
1.) If going to somewhat sketchy areas, do so late morning. All of the criminals are sleeping.
2.) Before getting to the city, know the general areas to avoid. On a real map. Don't rely on your GPS.
3.) If it feels sketchy, it is. Get the frick out.
You can easily see some ruins in Detroit in generally safe areas, it really is a cool city to explore...but know when not to stop the car.
Cleveland is also great, don't miss their Little Italy, awesome historic buildings, and West Side Market.
If bringing a firearm, pay attention to local laws and find a way to secure the weapon when you're not in the car (biggest thing I'd worry about).
This post was edited on 5/17/21 at 9:51 am
Posted on 5/17/21 at 9:51 am to TexasTiger08
Just north of The Hill could get dicey late at night. Chase Park Plaza is really nice in STL fwiw.
Posted on 5/17/21 at 9:55 am to TexasTiger08
memphis has a lot to offer in a short burst:
1) stay at the peabody
2) right across the street is the memphis redbirds stadium (awesome place to see a game)
3) across the street from there is the redezvous for ribs
4) graceland across town
5) gus's fried chicken
thats a great day and a half
1) stay at the peabody
2) right across the street is the memphis redbirds stadium (awesome place to see a game)
3) across the street from there is the redezvous for ribs
4) graceland across town
5) gus's fried chicken
thats a great day and a half
Posted on 5/17/21 at 9:58 am to TexasTiger08
quote:
I guess my question is, am I just asking for something terrible to happen? People see ballgames all the time at these places, eat at famous restaurants, see museums, etc.
all of these cities are the same in regards to crime
meaning 95% of the crime is/will be isolated to very specific areas
Posted on 5/17/21 at 10:07 am to TexasTiger08
quote:
It’s mostly my wife. And in this glorious era, I have no idea what has been impacted by riots and the like. For example, I was reading that crime in The Hill in St Louis has gone up exponentially over the past year.
“Riots” did not really make much of an impact on the cities you mention. Again, turn off the TV. You say it’s your wife’s worry, but you mention that you’re reading about crime going up in one specific area of STL. If it makes you/her feel better, avoid that area. Don’t attempt to buy recreational drugs during your trip. Don’t get drunk and wander around stumbling. Use street smarts and don’t linger in deserted areas after dark. Use well lighted parking garages connected to businesses over free street parking in dark or semi deserted downtowns.
Re: Memphis, it has tons of sketchy folks on the streets downtown, but they’re mostly drunks and street people as opposed to wanting to do you any harm.
Also just looked up the stats on Corpus Christi, and it has more violent crimes per capita than 90% of US cities. If you don’t quiver in fear to visit Corpus, you should be just fine in the Midwest.
CCL permit holder here, and I emphatically do not travel with a gun. But that’s a whole different discussion.
Posted on 5/17/21 at 12:03 pm to TexasTiger08
We have not been to Detroit yet but I have been told that the Ford Museum is fascinating. Allow at least a half day
Posted on 5/17/21 at 12:20 pm to TexasTiger08
The driving is the most dangerous part of your trip
Posted on 5/17/21 at 6:10 pm to hungryone
quote:
Also just looked up the stats on Corpus Christi, and it has more violent crimes per capita than 90% of US cities. If you don’t quiver in fear to visit Corpus
Really? Stats I see say it’s about 40th most dangerous out of the 100 largest cities.
This post was edited on 5/17/21 at 6:10 pm
Posted on 5/17/21 at 6:12 pm to hungryone
quote:
You say it’s your wife’s worry, but you mention that you’re reading about crime going up in one specific area of STL. If it makes you/her feel better, avoid that area.
We are definitely going up the Arch. I’d also like to check out the Busch facility and the Clydesdales, and Forest Park if we have time. Basically, we will have a full day there. It’ll be a packed day, but I think we can make it work.
Posted on 5/17/21 at 7:02 pm to TexasTiger08
As for St Louis I can help with a few things.
St Louis when the cardinals are at home is night and day compared to when they're not. Downtown st louis is buzzin', people everywhere etc. When the cards are out, its more less a ghost town. Regardless, its PERFECTLY safe.
St Louis is also pretty spread out.
Downtown really only offers the Arch and busch stadium(ballpark village).
For nightlife you would go to Soulard. For Dinner you have to head to "the Hill". The Hill is an italian neighborhood which is very popular to out of towners, rightfully so. Both are perfectly safe, and both are minutes from downtown.
While you're here, you should also look into a brewery tour of AB.
St Louis when the cardinals are at home is night and day compared to when they're not. Downtown st louis is buzzin', people everywhere etc. When the cards are out, its more less a ghost town. Regardless, its PERFECTLY safe.
St Louis is also pretty spread out.
Downtown really only offers the Arch and busch stadium(ballpark village).
For nightlife you would go to Soulard. For Dinner you have to head to "the Hill". The Hill is an italian neighborhood which is very popular to out of towners, rightfully so. Both are perfectly safe, and both are minutes from downtown.
While you're here, you should also look into a brewery tour of AB.
This post was edited on 5/17/21 at 7:03 pm
Posted on 5/17/21 at 7:08 pm to TexasTiger08
quote:
e Hill in St Louis has gone up exponentially over the past year.
it's petty things. They're building a bunch of new homes, and there has been issues with things getting stolen from homes under construction. Thats the type of crime that happens. Nothing like robbery or shootings.
Posted on 5/17/21 at 7:10 pm to TexasTiger08
Grants farm is a good choice, no one ever knows about it.
Forest Park is the cities gem, it'll be packed if its a weekend.
look into the ferris wheel at union station.
Forest Park is the cities gem, it'll be packed if its a weekend.
look into the ferris wheel at union station.
Posted on 5/17/21 at 7:22 pm to TexasTiger08
I did a 35 state, 17 day road trip last summer.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely Wisconsin-Northern Michigan. If you are going to Cleveland I would highly recommend trying to at least get to Northern Michigan to visit Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. The best food I had on the trip was in Eau Claire, the cheese curds I had were amazing. Also good ice cream.
I also really liked upstate New York. I had an overnight stay in Saratoga Springs. Completely different contrast from New York City.
The trip was a mix of old and new. I visited plenty of places I had been to before like Baton Rouge, New York City, Cape Cod, Colorado, Las Vegas, Omaha, Minneapolis, and Sioux Falls.
I also visited many new places like Eau Claire, Mackinaw City, Kennebunkport Maine and the Appalachia part of West Virginia/Tennessee/North Carolina.
One major disappointment was Cedar Point, it was open but I decided not to go because I didn't want to have to deal with the mask and social distance crap. That's not a factor anymore, so if you are going to Cleveland I would highly recommend Cedar Point. I went in 2018 and it was worth every penny, just make sure you get the fast pass, its well worth it.
Here is the route I took. If you have any questions let me know. The whole trip was fun, although my AC went out when I was in Cleveland, and started to become a problem once I got into South Carolina and ruined the final few days of my trip because all I wanted to do was get to my final destination and do nothing else as it was too hot to drive around.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely Wisconsin-Northern Michigan. If you are going to Cleveland I would highly recommend trying to at least get to Northern Michigan to visit Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. The best food I had on the trip was in Eau Claire, the cheese curds I had were amazing. Also good ice cream.
I also really liked upstate New York. I had an overnight stay in Saratoga Springs. Completely different contrast from New York City.
The trip was a mix of old and new. I visited plenty of places I had been to before like Baton Rouge, New York City, Cape Cod, Colorado, Las Vegas, Omaha, Minneapolis, and Sioux Falls.
I also visited many new places like Eau Claire, Mackinaw City, Kennebunkport Maine and the Appalachia part of West Virginia/Tennessee/North Carolina.
One major disappointment was Cedar Point, it was open but I decided not to go because I didn't want to have to deal with the mask and social distance crap. That's not a factor anymore, so if you are going to Cleveland I would highly recommend Cedar Point. I went in 2018 and it was worth every penny, just make sure you get the fast pass, its well worth it.
Here is the route I took. If you have any questions let me know. The whole trip was fun, although my AC went out when I was in Cleveland, and started to become a problem once I got into South Carolina and ruined the final few days of my trip because all I wanted to do was get to my final destination and do nothing else as it was too hot to drive around.
Posted on 5/18/21 at 9:13 am to goldennugget
That looks both amazing and awful at the same time. Not sure how you could last in a car that much.
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