Car stuff worth seeing in the northern US & canada?
Discussion
In the early stages of planning a road trip to break the new truck in and see some sights once I'm settled. Currently thinking 2500-3000 miles over 10-14 days and hoping to be hitting the road in late feb / early march (would like to catch the last of the winter weather for various reasons).
I'll be taking the missus, and while she's totally happy to go along with whatever I want despite not being big into cars, I don't want to torture here with non stop car stuff.
That being said, it would be nice to find some interesting places to take in with an automotive theme - be it museums, exhibitions, shows, tuners, places of historical interest, anything goes really. I know it's a crappy time of year for it, but hopefully there's something worth checking out along the way. I don't much fancy detouring to detroit as I like being alive, but happy to deviate from the rough route we've got mapped so far for something good.
Just scouting for suggestions really, would appreciate any you might have, even if it's just somewhere to stop for a bite or a photo
Here's a really, really rough idea of the route we're thinking of taking (Starting in OH, clockwise through indy, full circle - not sure on NY but the OH really wants to go).
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/4180...
Cheers
I'll be taking the missus, and while she's totally happy to go along with whatever I want despite not being big into cars, I don't want to torture here with non stop car stuff.
That being said, it would be nice to find some interesting places to take in with an automotive theme - be it museums, exhibitions, shows, tuners, places of historical interest, anything goes really. I know it's a crappy time of year for it, but hopefully there's something worth checking out along the way. I don't much fancy detouring to detroit as I like being alive, but happy to deviate from the rough route we've got mapped so far for something good.
Just scouting for suggestions really, would appreciate any you might have, even if it's just somewhere to stop for a bite or a photo
Here's a really, really rough idea of the route we're thinking of taking (Starting in OH, clockwise through indy, full circle - not sure on NY but the OH really wants to go).
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/4180...
Cheers
Without doubt, it is a crappy time of year for it - you may encounter some very difficult weather in Quebec and New England at that time of year.
I'm guessing that the IMS Museum is a given - but a southerly detour to Bowling Green KY for Corvette Museum and plant tour is worth it, in my view.
Additionally the Harley Davidson Museum at Menomonee WI is an interesting (cultural as well as mechanical) experience.
I hear your concerns re Detroit - but am then perplexed by your inclusion of Flint MI in your plan - have you ever been to Flint? It is a singularly unpleasant, desolate, Godforsaken, depressing and dangerous place - go around, or don't stop. Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are all nice Michigan towns. Toronto is ace.
I'm guessing that the IMS Museum is a given - but a southerly detour to Bowling Green KY for Corvette Museum and plant tour is worth it, in my view.
Additionally the Harley Davidson Museum at Menomonee WI is an interesting (cultural as well as mechanical) experience.
I hear your concerns re Detroit - but am then perplexed by your inclusion of Flint MI in your plan - have you ever been to Flint? It is a singularly unpleasant, desolate, Godforsaken, depressing and dangerous place - go around, or don't stop. Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are all nice Michigan towns. Toronto is ace.
Nothing to add to the US part, but I will say that Montreal in March tends to = lots and lots of snow.
Mmm...snow by Flying Badger, on Flickr
More snow... by Flying Badger, on Flickr
Enjoy
Mmm...snow by Flying Badger, on Flickr
More snow... by Flying Badger, on Flickr
Enjoy
Lemay museum for sure, it's just had a new building as well, iirc it's the worlds largest car museum!
http://www.lemaymuseum.org/
Actually Washington state is probably too far...
http://www.lemaymuseum.org/
Actually Washington state is probably too far...
Edited by Silent1 on Wednesday 31st October 01:40
Thanks all.
Graham: Snow is definitely on the agenda, it's pretty much my main reason for going that far up, well that and loving Toronto and Montreal.
Anyway, onwards and upwards.
Matt: Thanks for the suggestions, was hoping you'd have a hat to throw in the ring. Bowling green is a bit too far in the wrong direction this time round as we're starting from Xenia / Dayton, I've got to drive down to Texas later in the year so I'm thinking a detour for the corvette museum will fit in nicely then. Indy is a dead cert.
HD museum is a great idea too, didn't know they had a museum, should make a decent stop off point.
As for Flint, it's just where Google's thrown the lines down. I really want to see some of the car stuff in Detroit but I just can't be chewed, so it'll be whichever gets us past that armpit of MI and across the border fastest, and we certainly won't be stopping
My OH has family on michigan's UP so we're thinking of spending a night or two up there or even detouring to sault ste marie or something. Apparantly I'm not allowed a snowmobile because it's overkill for a 2 week holiday. My argument was it'll inspire us to take more winter breaks and maybe buy a cabin in the next few years. Unfortunately she saw right through that one, as well as the one about them being an appreciating asset if I buy before winter
Oli - Washington would probably get me divorced before I'm married! That being said, the Lemay museum looks brilliant. Definitely one to go on the 'sometime' list. ;
Graham: Snow is definitely on the agenda, it's pretty much my main reason for going that far up, well that and loving Toronto and Montreal.
Anyway, onwards and upwards.
Matt: Thanks for the suggestions, was hoping you'd have a hat to throw in the ring. Bowling green is a bit too far in the wrong direction this time round as we're starting from Xenia / Dayton, I've got to drive down to Texas later in the year so I'm thinking a detour for the corvette museum will fit in nicely then. Indy is a dead cert.
HD museum is a great idea too, didn't know they had a museum, should make a decent stop off point.
As for Flint, it's just where Google's thrown the lines down. I really want to see some of the car stuff in Detroit but I just can't be chewed, so it'll be whichever gets us past that armpit of MI and across the border fastest, and we certainly won't be stopping
My OH has family on michigan's UP so we're thinking of spending a night or two up there or even detouring to sault ste marie or something. Apparantly I'm not allowed a snowmobile because it's overkill for a 2 week holiday. My argument was it'll inspire us to take more winter breaks and maybe buy a cabin in the next few years. Unfortunately she saw right through that one, as well as the one about them being an appreciating asset if I buy before winter
Oli - Washington would probably get me divorced before I'm married! That being said, the Lemay museum looks brilliant. Definitely one to go on the 'sometime' list. ;
Having checked the map out I strongly recommend you revise your Michigan plans. If you are coming from Toronto, head down to Windsor and cross at the tunnel into Detroit. You could plan to stay at The Dearborn Inn (historic Hotel that Henry Ford built in Dearborn, has had a recent refurbishment) and then visit The Henry Ford museum which is just down the street. You could also get a tour of the Dearborn truck plant, which the museum offers. Both are very worthwhile.
From there I would head over to Grand Rapids and then along the coast of Lake Michigan up to Traverse City which is also very nice. You could ski at Boyne which is nearby - clearly it's not skiing in the rockies, but you are right there and could take advantage of the situation.
From there when you cross the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula you should consider a visit to Mackinac Island (pronounced Mack-in-awe).
I would look at getting the AAA books on the states you are visiting to ensure the rest of the trip is well planned and safe.
I would feel comfortable sending anybody to the above places, but not comfortable in Flint or Saginaw, FWIW.
From there I would head over to Grand Rapids and then along the coast of Lake Michigan up to Traverse City which is also very nice. You could ski at Boyne which is nearby - clearly it's not skiing in the rockies, but you are right there and could take advantage of the situation.
From there when you cross the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula you should consider a visit to Mackinac Island (pronounced Mack-in-awe).
I would look at getting the AAA books on the states you are visiting to ensure the rest of the trip is well planned and safe.
I would feel comfortable sending anybody to the above places, but not comfortable in Flint or Saginaw, FWIW.
thole, be forewarned. Stu R said:
Here's a really, really rough idea of the route we're thinking of taking (Starting in OH, clockwise through indy, full circle - not sure on NY but the OH really wants to go).
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/4180...
Cheers
Hi Stu, http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/4180...
Cheers
I am a classic car nut. We split our life between three continents but make our home in Canada. Of all the museums we have seen..the first would be the famous Schlumpf Museum in Mulhouse, France..the Buggati lovers paradise. The other, which takes the world cake for autombile museum munificence is a real find. It is almost on your route in an obscure town called Auburn, Indiana (about 150 miles west by south west from Detroit.
It is the home of the Auburn Cord Dussenburg Museum http://www.automobilemuseum.org/Pages/default.aspx It is a shock. Good will alone has restored the famous factory and that is the site of the museum..housing to most magnificent cars I have ever see..easily on a par with Rolls and Hispana Suisa. You will never forget the experience for your life.
I found it by chance years ago. I was asked to be a guest speaker and Concours Chairman at a car event. The banquet was held in the middle of the Museum in the evening after it had closed.
P.
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