Monday, April 17, 2017

Chicago to Niagara Falls via Toronto Road Trip

OUR FIRST BIG ROAD TRIP with the Kids..... I am excited about our new future potential adventures. 

In April 2015 we decided for our first big road trip. The kids have been to Indiana plenty of times (Chicago to Indiana, Indiana Dunes Visit, La Porte County Fair Visit, Bug Collecting at Indiana Beaches, Chicago to Michigan and our Jamaica trip - with tips on Air Travel and Packing for sanity while traveling with kids. Of course there is a post on what we locals do here in Chicago.


Below is an outline of our itinerary. I usually plan the trips with 3-ish hours of drive time, thats about all the kids can handle in one sitting and we will have pits stops along the way - before an overnight at a hotel. We try to always include a breakfast and pool because it is just so convenient when traveling with kids.

I love the ROAD TRIP planning process and exploring what the locals do.

The Hotel Plan // Toronto

Staying in Downtown West, entertainment district. There are only 3.5-4 star hotels on this side via priceline and hotwire hot hotel deals. Altho downtown east has more great hotels 3-4 star. And after booking you need to call and request your room type and a high floor or views.

Originally i wanted to stay in the nearby suburbs and drive to town, but similar to Chicago downtown parking is hard to come by and pricey! Also the suburban hotels aren't less expensive then downtown, especially if you get a deal or hot rate on expedia. And aren't better rated or reviewed on Trip Advisor. Then add sitting in traffic for 30+ mins just to get back downtown!! And find parking and have the enthusiasm of my kids and husband....Not worth it! Downtown everything's walking distance and we can walk all day no problem!!

We git a hot rate 4 star hotel for US$100 night - no bidding! We could've had a 3.5 star for $84 or a 3 star for 75$

As for Niagara Falls, I found a hotel with FLOOR TO CEILING window views of the falls. You can stay on the canadian side, or US side. We chose to walk to the US and then back to the hotel. YOU MUST WALK THE BRIDGE! Its an amazing experience and feat of architectural engineering. So we splurged on this hotel, saving on others along the way. 


PACKING // The Clothing Plan for the Trip. Toronto Weather, rainy and cool in early spring.


All kids are getting a backpack of clothes. Early spring weather is 30-40's, so our northface light jackets will be in tow. Plus hoodies underneath.

A bag of hats, gloves and scarves for the car and rain boots for Niagara Falls and the Badlands stop!

Crocs for the car - easy slip on and off - and gym shoes for walking days. We can do a load of laundry in Toronto if needed.

Each kids fun bag for the car will have snacks they can eat WHENEVER they want. Journals and a baggie of crayons and pencils. Ipads w preloaded shows (ive never done this before). On long strectches and while sitting at the border crossing on the return trip will make me glad I did the preloaded shows!!

If its extra cold, our fitted PJs can serve as layers for under jeans on walking days in Toronto and Niagara. On driving days we will wear sweats and comfy travel clothes.

EXCHANGE RATES AND CANADIAN CURRENCY

A little on the basics. We are driving vi Sarnia which is a less busy customs location. 

Exchange is US $0.75 : CDN $1
so Ill be subtracting 25% on every price during the trip.

Here we go ...

Itinerary Toronto // Chicago Road Trip to Toronto, Ontario Canada and Niagara Falls


TUESDAY April 7, 2:00 pm

Chicago Departure, Portage Mi dinner and Overnight at Davison Hotel 


294 S to 94 W 
Paw paw area in Watervliet chicken coop restaurant 

Or
Decatur MI Laura's little burger joint Chapman Burger! 

Or
to Kalamazoo
Sweetwater’s Donut Mill 2138 Sprinkle Road Kalamazoo, MI (269) 388-4613

Or
Drive to Portage Mi. (Approx 2.5 hours ) 5:00 pm
- kids break and dinner Arrive Bella ice creamery, pie restaurant, Noodles
- dinner:
- ice cream parlour
- park: 

Depart: 8:00 or sooner. Drive 2 hours

Arrive 11:00 pm
Drive to Past Flint Mi, Davison MI 
CheckIn: HOTEL

======================================================

WEDNESDAY APRIL 8 

Border Crossing, Badlands and Toronto


Continental Breakfast, on the road by 9:00 am

Drive to Sarnia 1.5 hours, border crossing 


11:00 am Welcome to Canada Center
Bathroom break - Refresh snacks and fruits - Exchange Money

Sarnia lunch - Purdys fish and chips 
or Greek Diner (John's Restaurant) on London Line (off the 402). Homemade food.

Drive to Toronto 2.5 hours

402 > to 401 > to 403
See woodland cementary off 403 and route 6  near royal botanic gardens

North to restaurants. 
Lunch: Cafe Polonez: Between wright and fern 
195 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R, Canada +1 416-532-8432

Polish community restaurants - 

Polish rest. Sorauren and then wandered up and down Roncesvalles. Eat first or monuments and walk?

Park at southern end of Roncesvalles Avenue and Queen St W.

Queensway and Roncesvalles streets, two monuments are erected in memory of two events in Polish history. A large monument in memory of the massacre of Polish prisoners of war during World War II, and especially the mass graves of officers found in Katyn forest. Fresh wreaths are placed there regularly. Next to it is a memorial to thousands of Polish citizens deported to Siberian labour camps during the Second World War.

Checkin Hotel // Toronto (we used a trip advisor deal, any hotel in the district we wanted 4 stars and up was $99)

Get walking path map form hotel and Request double beds and high floor and views

Walking tour - west or east
Walking path system - largest underground system of shops. 

WEST
Walking Path to CN Tower
Ride elevator in CN tower ($100 for 4 of us to tour)
CBC broadcasting
Skydome where Toronto Blue Jays play
Old City Hall Architecture 60 Queens St West

Dinner: EAT elephant and castle pint and pizza 212 king st w
WE DID EAT AT ELEPHANT AND CATLE AND IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. LOTSA LOCAL BRITS and hearing there accents was super fun. Since mommy always immitates accents I was a brit the rest of the day.

EAST
Walking Path to Hockey hall of fame
Amazing views in Toronto! Toula for Lava Cake and Gelato!
St lawrence market

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO // Toronto Sites and Things to Do with Kids.

Polish rest. Sorauren and then wandered up and down Roncesvalles. Polish community

St lawrence market

Ride elevator in CN tower ($100 for 4 of us to tour and see views). Instead we will visit one of four restaurants with amazing views in Toronto! We picked Toula for Laca Cake and Gelato!

St clair street car line

Walking path system

Timmys local fast food

Hockey hall of fame

Skydome where Toronto Blue Jays play

Queen st, yorkville and distillery district are nice to visit

Old town toronto

Harborfront & Ward Island Ferry


#1 of 9
Point Pelee, southeast of Windsor - The southernmost point in Canada and has a beach area and it's a stopping point for migrating birds and butterflies.

Straford - it's well known for its theatre productions but probably not for your kids. But you can rent a paddle boat to cruise around the river.

St Jacobs - a nice small village

Elora - another small village with a small waterfall

Cheltenham Badlands trail in Caledon - has very unique landscape, this once large river is now exposed and eroded queenstone shale, caused by bad farming practices of the 1930's. Red color is caused by iron oxide deposits ... I WISH WE DID THIS! 

Frankemuth Michigan - german stop - WE DID THIS ON THE WAY BACK TO CHICAGO.

Madison Manor Boutique Hotel

Walter, Peter and I love cities. And our four nights in Toronto were the perfect introduction to that cosmopolitan yet friendly gem on Lake Ontario. We visited the vertigo-inducing observation deck of the CN Tower, gorged on poutine (French fries with gravy and cheese curds), strolled through artsy West Queen West, took the subway to High Park and hopped the ferry to the Toronto Islands beaches, where the water's chilly.
As a counterbalance, we spent time in more manageable towns, too, including Niagara-on-the-Lake, a Colonial-era Napa whose vineyards produce some of the world's best ice wines. With a main street that's just blocks long, it was easy for the kids to scope out their favorite bakery, which displayed faded photos of Queen Elizabeth's visit in 1973.

Best of all, the town is a tranquil 20-minute drive to the adrenaline rush of Niagara Falls, best viewed from the Canadian side. We skipped the whirlpool jet boat rides in favor of the classic Maid of the Mist, which noses its way toward the falls, drenching anyone standing on deck.


======================================================

Thursday, April 9

Checkout and put bags in car
Walking tour Toronto
Get snacks for badlands

Breakfast: 5 min walk --- YES THis was excellent and yummy! 
Cafe crepe, 9:00 am - 11noon

OR Nadege patisserie 120 Adelaide st


See opposite of yesterday EAST or WEST

Lunch options Walk from hotel (east bound)
Hokkaido ramen santouka ltd 91 dundas st e
Lunch en route to Badlands: red onion 14010 Hurontario st Caledon off hwy 10
40 mins off hwy by gas station

Leave Toronto 12: Noon 

to Cheltenham Badlands 1 hour 15 mins

Cheltenham Badlands trail in Caledon - has very unique landscape, this once large river is now exposed and eroded queenstone shale, caused by bad farming practices of the 1930's. Red color is caused by iron oxide deposits.

There is a viewing area with limited parking on the south side of Olde Baseline Road, between Creditview and Chinguacousy Roads, west of Hwy 10 in Caledon.  Visitors are asked to stay at the top of the Badlands and keep off the humps sloping into the valley.  This will help to preserve the site.
There are no hiking trails connected to the Badlands viewing area.  Access to the Bruce Trail can be found to the east and to the west of the Badlands off Old Base Line Road.  There is limited parking at the access points to the trail.

Leave by 3:30 pm

Drive to Niagara Falls 1.5 hours

Dinner options:
Smokes Pountinerie - Canada's loaded fries must have! WE DID THIS at the Elephant and Castle, they were yummy and worth a try. 
5869 Victoria 
11:a- 3:am

Check in arrival 5:00 pm

At leisure, Walk the falls area at night. 

We did not walk thru the "wisconsin dells" of niagara. Many arcades, unpside down attractions and the like. Gatlinburg tennessee also looked like this, as did Pigeon Forge area. We did let the kids see one or two stores and then we walked the falls.... after all is is what we were there for. 

======================================================

Friday, April 10

Check out leave bags in car

Breakfast
Easy street sandwiches and treats
Or 
Joe and Linda 
8:-1:00
8674 lundys lane (1 main streets n. Of easy st. Rest.)

Helicopter ride w coupon, sadly these were closed for the season in early spring. 

Maid of the mist

MUST DO Noon lunch::

Queens tea room, 10:-7:00 (food at 11:)
5689 main st, excellent British tea experience

We took the Blue Water Car Ferry and Customs !!! Its awesome!!! 

Head back to Sarnia border OR
Bluewaterferry.com faster then border wait (20 mins between boats) 7:am-10:30 pm
Take ferry from Sombra Ontario to Marine City MI $7 per car
Just south of Sarnia

Eat on road?

Hotel in Davison  - 4 hours
Hotel in Saginaw - 5 hours

Frankenmuth Michigan


 - german stop - great town to walk around in, see the sites and get a feel of old town germany. Christmas time is insane here with many shoppers and activities. WE DID THIS ON THE WAY BACK TO CHICAGO.


======================================================

Saturday, April 11

Continuing our Japan travels at home, we had an authentic Japanese tea ceremony experience. Shockingly while in Japan we didn't do this. The green tea was earthy. Baby girl was not impressed, but she liked the cookie treat. As you leave a gift is a paper oragami shape boxes, fish and the like. 

Japanese cultural center 

Arrive noon
2:00 authentic tea ceremony - Scott confirmed reservation
8$ per person

DRIVE BACK HOME TO CHICAGO.

Arrive Chesterton (overnight)



Happy and Safe Travels! 

Road Trip along the Mississippi River from Chicago PART 2

Our family has completed the second leg of our travels this April 2017 along the Mississippi River along Illinois. Our goal, since earlier this year form a spontaneous "let's go see Iowa" trip to now plotting sites to visit along the Illinois edge hugging the Mississippi River. As in the previous journeys, I love to write an itinerary for our trips. I am a planner at heart and a Marketing project manager in real life, so I take this outline of our goals to accomplish on the trip seriously.

Below is an outline of our itinerary. I usually plan the trips with 3-ish hours of drive time, thats about all the kids can handle in one sitting and we will have pits stops along the way - before an overnight at a hotel. We try to always include a breakfast and pool because it is just so convenient when traveling with kids.

I love the ROAD TRIP planning process and exploring what the locals do. 

To my pleasant surprise, every time we leave the city, and I have travel our highways extensively for work and personally, we always discover something new!! We do not usually visit the "jump zone, trampoline park, shopping" instead we search out nature and exploring historic references and relevance on our trips. And great places to eat!


GOOGLING IT MATTERS

I often google WHAT THE LOCALS DO and come across mommy blogs, local tips, and comments on what to see and do off the beaten path. National Geographic America and travel shows are also good guides with great comments and reviews. I am a night owl and love to read when everyones in bed -- later dreaming about our adventures.

Included in our itinerary are stops along the way that I googled for restaurants and local things to do. I copy and paste the info into an email (to myself) listing all the hotel information, restaurant options and stops along the way. Very often we skip some of these simply because we prefer to walk longer along the river, see a sight, or hang out in a cool restaurant. I am not rigorous in doing everything listed. If we ever visit a place again we have the details right here to continue exploring.

We frequently stay just outside of the main town for hotel options, since these are usually less expensive and a little more quiet then in town hotels. We are on vacation but like to relax, and sleep in when possible.

This trip was in April, 2017 from Chicago, Illinois to Leclaire, Iowa (yes again, the beir staube weinerschnitzel was the last meal before heading home) via Springfield IL, Litchfield IL, St. Louis MO, Nobe Il, Pittsfield IL, Hannibal IA, Quincy IL, then north along the Mississippii Great River Road and taking side road up to Koakokee IA, Muscantee, Davenport to Leclaire.


ITINERARY // Chicago, Illinois via Springfield, IL and St. Louis, MO North to Leclaire, Iowa



SUNDAY //Take 55 Stevenson from Chicago to - non-stop



ARRIVAL SPRINGFIELD //
1. Breakfast / Lunch
2. See Lincolns Home Tour
3. See Springfield State Capital


BREAKFAST options.

RITZs Lil Fryer - always busy
"Horse shoe is good"
GRANDVIEW EN ROUTE TO SPRINGFIELD
2148 E N Grand Ave
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone number(217) 528-0862


Charlie parkers 187 reviews
Amer Harvest eatery - 137 reviews
Obed and Issacs 342 reviews <<< YES!!! 

Must Do Lunch in Springfield. 

WE DID THIS ONE at Obed and Issacs. We Ate outdoors and right across the alley in clear sight of us our kids could play OVERSIZED connect four, checkers, corn hole bags, and other fun games. Great food, kid friendly during the lunch hour visit, and great beer. All within site of Lincoln's Springfield home walking tour! 


Lunch was walking distance to the Abraham Lincoln Visitors center which is just down the street from the museum and library. Just behind the visitors center is Lincoln's home where he spent most of his life. Did I mention that I sat facing his home during lunch. I got very emotional and the coolness of it all. Like the stars aligning .. anyway, we did a visitors center tour (see a horse hair chair lining that feels like silk, old wooden children's toys and a full scale map of the town from Lincoln's Day. Then take the visitors center free tour, we did our own, to walk and see this historic neighborhood. 

Seeing how everything was so close together - we impromptu chose to walk to the State Capital. It was 7 ish blocks away from Lincoln's home. We took pictures, talked about how government works with the kids. We are living thru year number two of NO BUDGET in Illinois. Every year we do not have a budget it costs tax payers $1 millions dollars in penalties and expenses. Having a deep tie to Chicago Public Schools, this years political non sense includes no state funding for our city schools.  the Implications at our school will be painful at year end. Additionally the Governer Rauner DID HAVE an agreement to pass a funding bill and stubborn infighting stopped him from allowing it to go thru. So in frustration ... and in the moment ... 

... I took some steps towards the main entrance, and near a statue (which turned out to be Stephen A Douglas) and I stood with my arms open and yelled (On a Sunday) "PASS A FUCKING BUDGET."

Inscription on Stephen A Douglas statue base which unfortunately still applies today: "Tell them to obey the laws and support the constitution of the United States." 

(Douglas dying message to his children June 3, 1861)




Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum

112 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701
Guests should anticipate spending 2 — 2½ hours visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum. Depending on your level of interest, some guests will spend all day at the Museum. Please note our Museum hours. 9-5pm
Adult (16 - 61 years of age)                $15.00 
Senior (62 years of age and up)           $ 12.00 
Children (5 - 15 years of age)              $ 6.00 
Military (id required)                           $ 10.00 
Students (school/college id required)     $ 12.00 
Child (under 5)                                  No Charge
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum parking ramp is off 6th Street between Madison and Mason streets. The rates are .75 cents per half-hour or $9.75 per day.



HEAD To the HOTEL
-- 12 miles south of springfield is a sign "start the day with pork."
-- 1/2 mile later is a giant tribute to A Lincoln. as a statue.

LITCHFIELD HOTEL >


MONDAY, DRIVE TO ST LOUS //


ST LOUIS // 
1. -- Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. (Near hotel) look on the map.
2. -- See ARCH walking visit. Park 3-4 blocks away in downtown and pay at a meter.
3. -- Go get RIBS - 3 tops restaurants // google link. EAT AT PAPPY's!!!

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First we went to see the arch. We walked around and went in the visitors center to potty. We parked in downtown using paid meters. We walked around the arch. Touched it, took some cool photos and headed down the street to Pappys ribs to eat. YUMMO! 


Other things to do //

SEE 1st ILLINOIS SETTLEMENT TOWN? Monroe County is just a 30-minute drive south of downtown St. Louis. 

SEE CAHOKIA (ALSO SOUTH) OR 1st State County Settlement
Farther north the Colonial Cahokia State Historic Sites complex features a number of sites such as the Cahokia Courthouse to experience the colonial era. Visitors to the Great River Road region of St. Clair County will find a variety of historical and entertaining things to do. A trip to the Colonial Cahokia State Historic Sites complex will reveal how the county’s early French roots. St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville is the largest cathedral in the state of Illinois and is modeled after the Cathedral of Exeter, England and its English Gothic style of architecture. Also in Belleville is the recently opened William & Florence Schmidt Art Center. greatriverroad.com invites to visit this interesting and vibrant region.

We discussed the relevance of Ferguson MO in recent months and years related to news stories since we were nearby. 


DRIVE BACK TOWARDS HANNIBAL //

-- Chain of Rocks Bridge, Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137 (CLOSED, but we pulled over and took pics)

Mapquest to Orchard MO
Continue on 94 N to GOLDEN EAGLE CAR FERRY back to IL (go online and check for operation hours and dates)

3. The Brussels ferry is located one mile west of Grafton and crosses the Illinois River linking Illinois Route 100 to Calhoun County, near Brussels.

BRUSSELS TO LODGE = 1 hour
Take the Illinois River Road as the Mississippi river road is TOO BUMPY. Birchwood is a small town where we crossed over (mom took a wrong turn). Small restaurant and Corner grocery store. I mean SMALL!! but Quaint. Gives big city living a whole new meaning. 

Harpole's Heartland Lodge 

Drive to LODGE
Eat Before you arrive
BRING SNACKS! + Quick Breakfast

TUESDAY // PITTSVILLE + HANNIBAL


PITTSFIELD
GO TO PIKE COUNTY AND PITTSFIELD, IL The County has strong historical ties with Abraham Lincoln, who practiced law and made campaign stops in the area. Today the landscape is dotted with many quaint towns and villages, including the first town in the United States to be settled by an African American

PITTSFIELD ABE LINCOLN’S TALKING HOUSES Stop in Visitors Center for a brochure of the tour!  

Tune your radio and listen to the “talking houses” as they tell the stories of Lincoln in Pittsfield. There are 15 buildings in all and yard plaques mark each site. The tour may be started at the Visitors Center (do not go to the Antique Shop - they do not have the brochure!!)  2 2 4 W WA S H I N G T O N PITTSFIELD | 217.285.2971 pikelincoln.com | FREE
Visitors center has many great ideas for a fall color trip in the area and many more lincoln related options. Inside, if someone is there to open the door there are artifacts of the town and its history. 

HANNIBAL 

Begin your self-guided tour of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum at 415 N. Main St.  

-- CAMERON CAVE // MARK TWAIN CAVE MUST SEE! 
-- Drive back from Cave visit LOVER LEAP Overlook of Hannibal. Just a few minutes of a stop with an amazing view. 
-- Mark Twain Riverboat is a must-stop. One-hour sightseeing cruises: CHECK SCHEDULE (April only Weds) (it was sold out :-/ )
-- Walk thru town, loved Java Chip for Lunch
-- Get chocolates, great coffe and antique in the shops.


Other things to do //

The Huck Finn Freedom Center, 
If you haven't been to Hannibal lately, check out a new museum honoring the legacy of the character Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In 2013, Faye Dant created a display of the history of slavery, reconstruction, JIm Crow, and civil rights in the river town and the surrounding area of northeast Missouri. The effort has been supported by an impressive board of directors, and help from the city of Hannibal and the Missouri Humanities Council. Historical items include the story of African-Americans fighting in the military, the African-American business community, the black churches, and school life before and after the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Admission is free, and donations are welcome, but hours are very limited. See the website for details May-Oct. JimsJourney.org


GO TO QUINCY IL

Other things to do //


SEE MAINE STREET if you want to just drive thru....
14th - 24th Ten blocks of magnificence. Majestic, immaculate and tree-lined with a stunning architectural presence. Note the 1931 Collegiate Gothic style Quincy Jr. High at 14th, en route to the iconic 16th & Maine inter - section. National Geographic named it one of the most architecturally-significant corners in the U.S.

UNDERBRINKS Authentic german bakery
1627 COLLEGE | QUINCY 217.222.1831 | tues -fri 7am-3p m | sat 7am -noon underbrinks.com

DOLL HOUSES T HEN & NOW MUSEU M 
123 N 4TH | QUINCY 217.222.1153 | 217.228.0088 $3 ADULTS | $2 CHILDREN TUES, THUR, FRI 10-1 & 2-4
Over 75 doll houses

D R R I C H A R D EELLS HOUSE 
415 JERSEY | QUINCY 2 1 7 . 2 2 3 . 1 8 0 0 | $ 3 MAR-NO V : SAT 1-4 P M
The oldest standing 2- story brick house in Quincy and a station on the Underground Railroad. Dr. Eells is credited with helping several hundred slaves make their way North to freedom. 6 D

LOCK AND DAM #21
909 w lock & dam rd (off hwy 57) | quincy 217.222.0918 | FREE

WOODLAND CEMENTARY
1020 S 5TH | QUINCY 2 1 7 . 2 2 2 . 2 4 1 2 
Among the most beautiful cemeteries in the Midwest, Woodland is the proud set - ting of ancient hardwoods and panoramic Mississippi views. It was planned by Quincy’s founder John Wood and opened in 1846. A stately mausoleum with floor-length stained glass windows graces the site where a Civil War hospital once stood. Annual tours Nov 1.

DRIVE NORTH 3 HOURS //

(I would recommend staying the night in Hannibal, it was a long day. We did not visit Quincy. We will head back to see hannibal and quincy in the summer. 

Davenport Beir Stube for Lunch next day
2.5 hours

TUESDAY NIGHT HOTELLeClaire or Davenport

-- Davenport sky bridge
-- Take pics of old railroad tracks along Great River Road

ARRIVE LECLAIRE //
BEIR STUBE DINNER.

Davenport to Chicago 2.5 hours

WEDNESDAY - Drive home i-80


FUTURE TRIP 

Blue Heron Eco Tours + 2 nights at Rock Creek Cabin
- Cabin Fever! Weekend ~ Rock Creek

OTHER FERRYS 
1. CALHOUN County Fairway $8
2. GO TO FERRIS St Charles-Grafton Ferry Dr, Portage Des Sioux, MO 63373
OPENS MID SPRING APRIL 28))

QUAD CITIES AREA riverboat tours


Happy and Safe Travels!