I am planning my next trip. After testing my MINI on trip to Key West I think I am ready to visit Midwest this time. 8 days of vacation is approved, let's the planning begin. Very likely there will be two-car formation all the way from NYC to Milwakee then I proceed alone. My main concern on this trip is Chicagoland. I would like to find the best roads to bypass the megapolis if it's posssible would appreciate any leads. Lookin for some scenic drives around lake Michigan. If there are any local MINI Clubs let's meet for lunch or breakfast as we did in Virginia with HRMiniClub. We will leave Big Apple early Sat, July 24th.

 

If you're concerned about Chicago, one option is to bypass it altogether by taking the Lake Express ferry from Muskegon, MI to Milwaukee.

 

How about US-2 across the UP of Michigan? Not sure of the route through Canada though.

 

How long are you going to be in Oshkosh? I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh a year and a half ago and lived in Oshkosh for 4.5 yrs. I would be happy to point you in the direction of good bars/restaurants/or anything else.

I see that you are leaving NYC on July 24th. That is two days before the biggest airshow in the world starts (EAA Airventure). If you are in Oshkosh anytime between July 26 and August 1st I would highly recommend checking it out. If you plan on staying in Oshkosh call NOW for a hotel as EAA pretty much takes over the city for a week!!

 

Your only interstate option without going to extremes is I-294 around Chicago, which will head you towards Milwaukee and then Oshkosh. Don't go through the city, I-290 is being repaved and is causing traffic delays at the main interchange downtown. Time of day is very important to help avoid traffic issues. Also I-294 is a toll road from the Indiana border to the Wisconsin border. You may want to bring your toll transponder (EZ-Pass?) as I believe that they will work on the Illinois system (I-Pass). That alone will save you time (express lanes) and money (discount for not using cash.) Don't know about construction on I-94 headed into Wisconsin.

 

Hey Vlad knowing your interest in aviation you are probably heading to the EAA aren't you? Anyway have a good trip, hope you find some MINI group to visit on the way, and will look forward to your travel tale, enjoyed the Key West adventure.

Ben

 

I live in Fond du Lac (used to live in Oshkosh; they're a hop, skip and jump from one another.

Definitely swing by the EAA if you're an aviation buff; the musuem is worth the visit--especially if you're interested in WW II aviation. If you come up the lake side, you could also swing down to Road America; if there's something going on there that weekend, it's worth a look too. And there is a great restaraunt in Elkhart Lake--the Paddock Club. Not much else there though.

The ferry is an option--it's a nice trip on a clear day, but it's not cheap.

 

What a great forum NAM is! Lots of good suggestions and tips thank you all.


MarqFlyer what a wonderful idea about the car ferry thanks Seriously considering Badger the competitor

Dave thanks,
I am thinking driving after the show that route not entering Canada. Will stop by the Big M Bridge overnight.


R56 PM sent



Thanks for heads up on 290 and 294. Based on previous suggestions I will take car ferry from Ludington then return via US-2.


Ben glad to hear from you. You guessed right about my probable heading Guess where I would go next year?

cct1 I will have couple of Qs for you. Second crew (a family of three) would like to stay by Fond du Lac airport and we will be looking for a hotel in FdL next week.


I will be based here and MINI will have a nice parking spot. Stop by I will buy you lunch.

 

You can definitely head over in our direction (towards Manitowoc) and drive either north or south along Lake Michigan. I would recommend north towards Door County, you can drive around all day up there with beautiful scenery and some great roads!

 

Yesssir Manitowoc that's where the Badger docks. We are leaning toward checking your area. Any MINI Club meeting/events in your area on Sun July 25th?

 

I don't think so, but we can always make something happen!

 

Best hotel for a family in that spot is going to be the Holiday Inn, it's not bad, has a decent pool too. Microtel is also ok, but for a family, Holiday Inn will be better.

There is a great breakfast place just up the road, on the other side of the highway in Fond du Lac--Schreiner's. Worth a shot; there aren't that many decent restaurants in town, unfortunately. In fact, there are several places you'll want to avoid. On the other hand, if you're willing to drive up to Oshkosh or out toward Elkhart Lake, there are couple of pretty cool places to check out.

Fratello's, up in Oshkosh, about a 25 minute drive from where you're staying, is a kick-butt microbrewery with a pretty good menu, in a very nice location right on the river. You can sit outside by the river--they have a tiki bar out there--if the weather is nice.

 

Happy trails! I will be doing NYC to LA at almost the exact same time. We however WILL be stopping in Chicago for some site seeing. Actually we will be stopping several times thus our trip will take over two weeks. Cya on the road!!!

 

We are READY! Plan is refined. Route is set in stone Ferry tickets on SS Badger reserved. The formation of two cars will depart from Ritz Carlton Hotel in Battery Park NYC early Saturday July 24th. Jbrowland let your roads be smooth and twisty on your way to LA!

 

As of time of typing my MINI and I are steaming across Lake Michigan. Neither coast is seen It is a BIG Lake!
SSBadger has good WiFi for 5$ per hour. iPad came really handy.
The rest of the caravan are happy too...

 

EAA starts monday--definitely worth a trip there if you're even remotely interested in aviation!