I need some ideas for a honeymoon

[jonwings]

So I am getting married on July 31st and over the past week or so I have been searching some cool spots to go to. Here is the rub, she does not like to fly and due to circumstances at work I can only take off a week (and maybe a day or two) after the wedding. So essentially where ever we go has to be kind of close, I am thinking 15-17 hours driving distance. We are in the northern burbs of Chicago, so that would be our starting point. I have looked at a number of places, but sometimes it just seems like I am looking for a needle in a haystack. Lately, I have been looking at the Mackinaw Island/City area in Northern Michigan and some places in Maine. After finding the Greenbriar resort in W. Virginia, I thought I had found the place, but they are not taking reservations that week since it looks likethey are hosting a PGA tournment the previous weekend.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it.

 

[luvmysuper]

Take advantage of the City that you live near.

Chicago has some fantastic hotels, restaraunts and shopping.

Most folks who live around Chicago never go to the restaraunt at the top of the John Hancock Building (fabulous view) or the world class museums.

Plenty to do there, and with summer up, a stroll along the lake and some shopping on the Gold Coast will put a twinkle in her eyes.

 

[BladeRunner001]

That will depend...Are you guys into the outdoors, like to do touristy stuff, city life...this will define what you can do. But as Phil eluded to, there's a lot to do in and around Chicago, regardless of what you are into

If flying was not an issue, I would have suggested flying to Vancouver, going to Vancouver Island for a few days, renting a car and driving to Kelowna (Canada wine country), staying there for a couple of days and heading out to Banff (Lake Louise, etc) or Jasper. My wife and I loved this trip in Oct.

-Robert

 

[Romanster]

What about Toronto or Montreal? Fun things to do, great food.

 

[Commander Quan]

I would love to stay in Chicago for a week, but if you tow want to get out of town you could check out Put-in-bay in Lake Erie
http://www.putinbay.com/

 

[WastedResources]

Why not travel by train. Get yourself a sleeper car and some champagne. See a little bit of the country that you've never seen before. You might have as much fun on the train as you will at your destination.

 

[mdevine]

If you were looking at Greenbriar, Nemacolin in Western PA is about the same distance. It is an upscale resort with similar amenities and I think it is AAA 5 star. They also sell some great Jack Black shaving supplies in the spa gift shop. Stop at Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water if you go there as it is near-by. The Traverse City area in Northern Michigan is very nice. Finally, there is a lot to do in Nashville, especially if you are a country music or BBQ fan.

 

[Confuzius]

Take advantage of the City that you live near.

Chicago has some fantastic hotels, restaraunts and shopping.

Most folks who live around Chicago never go to the restaraunt at the top of the John Hancock Building (fabulous view) or the world class museums.

Plenty to do there, and with summer up, a stroll along the lake and some shopping on the Gold Coast will put a twinkle in her eyes.

Ferris Beuller's Honeymoon!

 

[jonwings]

Thanks for the all the ideas.

Unfortunately, hanging around downtown Chicago is a bit of a dealbreaker for me. I take the train downtown everyday for work so it does not seem like a vacation to me.

We have been to Traverse City a couple different times and we both love it. That is actually where we got engaged. I know we will be going backthere again. I love Northern Michigan and that is why I was looking around Mackinaw Island.

I like the idea of the train. I had looked in a scenic train ride to Seattle, but when I mentioned it, it did not get a great response.

I had forgotten about Nemicolin. I'll have to look in to that. We spent Christmas in a cotage their one year a while and I remember it being very nice.

And looking at that link for Put-in-bay, I think I went there a few summers when I was in the Boy scouts. I'll be sure to give that a look.


I have always wanted to go to Toronto.

 

[raisindot]

Ya in Chicahgo?

Well, dere's only one place you'd wanna go t' if you can't fly nowhere. Maybe about a t'ree-four howa drive.

An' dat would be dat magical honeymoon place


WISCONSIN DELLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If ya go dere, make shore ya don't miss da Topsy Turvey house!



Jeff in Boston (nee Milwaukee)

 

[dklaiman]

If you are into the outdoors at all, you can do a great Boundary Waters trip in Northern MN. It's not luxurious, but it can still be really romantic. Which, on a honeymoon, might be a good thing. It might be pushing the driving time limit, though.

 

[sklegg]

Cape Cod is at the top end of your driving limit but it's so relaxing and the weather should be awesome in August.

 

[poppi]

Another vote for The Dells. Lovely place with lots to do when you're not otherwise engaged. Not far from Baraboo which I believe has a bunch of circus stuff.

 

[davecmu]

Another vote for Toronto. It is one of the greatest cities on Earth, and filled with delicious, cheap food. Great public transportation, shopping, touristy things (CN Tower, Medieval Nights, Casa Loma), outdoorsy stuff. One of my favorite places!

Mackinaw Island is nice for about two days, but you will quickly run out of things to do or enjoy. The Grand Hotel can only offer so much, but is a nice place to stay.

What about South Haven, which is just a couple of hours around the bottom of the lake for you guys? Stay at a B&B on the beach, stop by Bunde's Bakery on the North Shore, visit Fennville for wine country and Saugutuck for shopping, tons of antiquing to be done, and laying on the beach or renting a boat for downtime. Not too shabby, and likely to be VERY affordable.

 

[EvilGobi]

How about the honeymoon capital, Niagara Falls. I have never been to the US side, but the Canadian side is fantastic.

 

[Gruder]

Denver and environs are an option at that driving distance. The Beaver Creek Lodge would be an outstanding place for a few nights of your trip.

If you were thinking Greenbriar, you could also make it to the DC area. Check out the Inn at Little Washington (though it might be too late to book that one).

Whatever you choose, warm congratulations on the upcoming nuptials!

 

[Uncle Erik]

How about renting a cabin somewhere in Montana or Wyoming? You can really get away from it all and be alone for a week.

If you can catch a flight somewhere, try LA or Florida and catch a cruise to the Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera. Cruises are cheap right now and you can have a grea time for $70-$80 a day per person. I've been on both and they're a blast. I prefer Mexico, but the Caribbean was a good time. Flights out of Chicago tend to be reasonable, too. A cruise will give you plenty of private time in your cabin, your food will be paid for, and you'll get to see a few exotic places.

 

[ALL HANDS WORKING]

How about a severe storm chasing trip to the northern plains? It is a very exciting way to spend a few days, all driving, and you stay in a different hotel each night--perfect for a honeymoon.

www.tessa.org

 

[Lynchmeister]

If you are into the outdoors at all, you can do a great Boundary Waters trip in Northern MN. It's not luxurious, but it can still be really romantic. Which, on a honeymoon, might be a good thing. It might be pushing the driving time limit, though.

What? Blistered hands, sunburn, and mosquito bites not luxurious?

I keed, I keed!

Another vote for The Dells. Lovely place with lots to do when you're not otherwise engaged. Not far from Baraboo which I believe has a bunch of circus stuff.

Not to mention, Richard's home away from home - Ho Chunk Casino!





All kidding aside, the North Shore of Minnesota from Duluth all the way on up to Grand Marais and beyond really is quite beautiful and full of activities and resorts from rustic to luxurious.

Congratulations on the big day!

 

[jonwings]

Wow, there are a bunch of great ideas, keep them coming.

The Dells is not a good option. I rented a cottage right on the river up there a few years back and we had a lot of fun, but we haven't been back and there might be a reason for that. I can highly recommend the Bird House if anyone is looking for a place to stay up there.

I think we want to go some place we have not been before, which is one of the reason we are ot going back to Traverse City, even though we love it there.

I did look at South Haven, MI and that looked very tempting. I think that hit a good deal of the things we like to do.

I'll have to look into that part of Minnesota.

Thanks to everyone here, I am starting to feel not quite as overwhelmed by my search.