Couples Getaways Archives - On the Road with Family

Why Your Family will Love the Henry Ford Museum

June 27, 2017 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

If you are interested in cars or the history of the United States, then the Henry Ford Museum is a must visit attraction. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, just a short drive from Detroit sits the museum, which is part of a larger complex of Ford related attractions.

When we visited, we only had time for the museum. If you want to check out the Ford plant and Greenfield Village (which I would really like to come back and see) then you should plan a couple days in the area. The museum itself will take up several hours of your day and there is so much to see that you won’t want to be rushed.

The Louisville Slugger Museum is a Hit!

The museum is extremely kid friendly (I took my nephew and my son and they enjoyed every minute…not one time was I asked when we were going to leave…a major testament to the museum if you ask me) but the exhibits are extremely well done and appeal to all ages so this could definitely be a part of your couples getaway weekend. There is so much to see at the museum that a short review cannot do it justice but I will list out a few of the most memorable stops in the exhibit.

1) The Presidential Vehicles – Laid out in the middle of a large corridor are four limousines used by every president from Franklin Roosevelt to George H.W. Bush. There is also a carriage used by President Theodore Roosevelt. Of particular interest is the vehicle that President was riding in when he was assassinated. To my surprise, the vehicle was painted a different color after the assassination and underwent other substantial changes and it was used until 1977.

Still, this vehicle was part of one of the most significant events in twentieth century America and getting a chance to walk around it is worth the price of admission. Sitting in front of the Kennedy limousine is the Lincoln Continental that President Reagan rode to the hospital immediately after the attempt on his life in 1981.

2) With Liberty and Justice for All – This exhibit focuses on the struggle for freedom in America starting with freedom from Great Britain and the modern fight for civil rights. As you walk through this exhibit you will see the chair that President Lincoln sat in in Ford’s Theatre when he was assassinated. Further on is the bus where Rosa Parks made history by refusing to give up her seat to a white person. The bus has been restored to the way it looked when Ms. Parks made her stand. The museum is very interactive and the Parks’ bus is no exception, you are free to board the bus and look around.

3) Driving America – When you think of Ford, you think of cars so it’s only natural that at the heart of the museum is an impressive collection of vehicles encompassing a variety of makes and models. The exhibit not covers the history and innovations of cars but also of the open American road. They have several restored neon signs and commentary about how the car changed travel in America like fast food restaurants and hotel chains. We probably spent more time in this exhibit than any other in the museum.

4) Railroads – The history of the railroad in the US is fascinating and it is brought up close and personal in this exhibit. There is a very well done model train setup but it pales in comparison to the massive locomotives that you will see, one of which is over 700,000 pounds! I spent much of the exhibit wondering how they got these giant trains inside the museum. The kids also enjoyed seeing the snow plow on display from the 1920s.

5) Dymaxion House – This house was built out of aluminum in 1945 and designed to be the “house of the future.” This is the only remaining prototype in existence. The house resembles a spaceship, circular with small windows and silver in color. The house was created for easy assembly and shipment, though none were ever actually lived in.

Again, this list is an extremely brief overview of the many things the Henry Ford Museum has to offer. Tickets to the museum are $21 for adults but you get a discount by purchasing your ticket on their website in advance.

5 Must Do Romantic Things In Vegas

June 20, 2017 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

Las Vegas has so much to offer! You can tailor a weekend there in so many ways. It’s a natural pick for a bachelor or bachelorette party, there are tons of things to do with kids and it’s a perfect place to spend a weekend with your significant other. In an earlier post, we talked about doing the city up on a budget, for this adventure I’d recommend saving up or winning big at the tables.

How to do Las Vegas Cheap

The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas

1) Pick the perfect hotel – There are tons of great places to stay while you are in Vegas so it’s hard to narrow it down to just one, however, if I had to narrow it down, I would pick the Bellagio. The resort was built in 1998 which makes it almost ancient by Vegas strip standards but it is still as classy and awe inspiring. A tip to the front desk clerk should score you a nice room with a view of the fountains and the Vegas strip. A bottle wine while watching the choreographed fountain show from your room is a perfect ending to your night on the town. Honorable mention: The Aria, which is a swanky hotel with awesome restaurants and a great location.

2) Limo rides down the strip – If you are looking to impress, it’s hard to beat a limousine ride through the city at night. Many limos will offer you a bottle of champagne for the ride. If you want to get a little more adventurous you can take the strip tour via helicopter as well.

3) Dinner at the Top of the World – I have eaten at a lot of great restaurants around the country but nothing tops the experience of the Top of the World restaurant at the Stratosphere. Be sure to make reservations in advance and I would recommend that you get a table a little before sundown. The restaurant sits at the top of the Stratosphere Tower and revolves. You will take in breathtaking panoramic views of the strip as well as the mountains. If you are seated shortly before sundown you’ll be able to watch as all the lights come on throughout Las Vegas. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.

4) Take a stroll through Paris – Paris may be the most romantic stop in the world but the Paris Hotel and Casino is a nice substitute when in Vegas. Enjoy brunch at Mon Ami Gabi and take a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a scenic view of the city. Honorable mention: If France isn’t your thing, the Venetian, further down the strip, can give you a taste of another classic European city. There’s plenty of shopping and you can even take a gondola ride while being serenaded.

5) Spend an afternoon at the Valley of Fire – The Valley of Fire State Park is about 50 miles from Vegas close to Lake Meade. You can take a few hours away from the hustle and bustle and spend some quality time walking where the dinosaurs once roamed. The surroundings are breathtaking so it’s a great place for taking photos of nature or provide the perfect backdrop for that romantic selfie.

Most of all enjoy Vegas together and have a wonderful time!

Tunica, Mississipp: The Las Vegas of the South

January 1, 2017 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

If you are like me, you love spending time in Las Vegas but if you live in the Mid-West it’s not always cost-effective to hop a plane to Sin City. Don’t fear, there’s a reasonable substitute just south of Memphis, Tennessee: Tunica, Mississippi.

Now let’s be honest, there’s only one Vegas and it’s impossible to replicate that experience anywhere else but Tunica brings a lot to the table and in some ways, it’s a better gambling experience. Let’s break down what it’s like to visit:

1) THE LAYOUT – There is no main “strip” in Tunica but several casinos are grouped together, in a couple areas, giving you the ability to easily walk between a few casinos at a time. There is not much else to do or many places to eat outside the casinos so it’s not the ideal spot to stay if you are looking for “touristy” things to do. Earlier this year, I spent a couple of nights there with the kids and loved eating in casino buffet (unlike some states, in Mississippi it’s ok for kids to walk across the casino floor to get to the restaurants) and enjoying the pool. That being said, if you bring your kids for more than a day or so you should be prepared to spend some time in Memphis where there are plenty of entertainment destinations for all ages.

2) THE GAMES – With the obvious exception of sports betting, if you can find it Vegas, you can find it in Tunica. Almost every casino has a wide variety of slot and tables and plenty of low limit tables for those of us on a budget. The Tunica Roadhouse offers $5 single deck blackjack and it’s not hard to find $5 craps or roulette. I have had a great experience with the dealers and found them to be extremely friendly. In my last visit, I spent time at four casinos and enjoyed my experience at the tables.

3) THE COMPS – To me, the comps in Tunica blow away any other place I’ve been too and are certainly better than strip casinos in Vegas. In my last visit, I played the tables at Resorts, Hollywood, Sam’s Town and Roadhouse and drink service was excellent at all hours of the day. If you are playing your drinks are totally free (a comp which used to be standard almost anywhere but is dying out in much of the country).

It also doesn’t require you to be a high roller to qualify for food comps. While playing craps at Resorts, my friend and I were offered free lunch and we were at the table playing $10-$15 games for about an hour. I’m not a high roller and in all of my years of playing casino games, I had never had a casino VOLUNTEER to give me free food.

At most places in Tunica if you are playing an hour or so, be sure to ask for a food comp. I have never been turned down. In my last two trips there, I haven’t paid for a meal. My friend gambles in Tunica a few days a year and regularly gets offers in the mail for free rooms. With comps, don’t forget to get a players card and show it when you start playing or put it in the slot machine. It’s the only way the casino knows how to track your play and without it, you likely won’t get comped.

4) THE FOOD – Every casino offers several food options and most have a buffet. All of the buffets that I went to were good but none were spectacular. For the best value, I would go for an early lunch where you still have some good breakfast options like made to order omelets. I didn’t go on my last trip so I’m not sure if it’s changed but Sam’s Town always had a good buffet that offered a variety of barbecue options like ribs and pulled pork. They also offered free beer as a drink choice.

Several of the casinos have a high-end steak house if you are in the mood for something a little more upscale for your night out. If you aren’t in the mood for either, I would recommend the bar at the Roadhouse. It had one of the best cheeseburgers that I’ve ever had and the price was right. I picked up a couple for the kids and they agreed, they still talk about the cheeseburger they ate in Tunica!

5) THE ENTERTAINMENT – Several of the casinos have theaters where they bring in big name talent. It’s not like Las Vegas where there are headliners nightly but most weekends you can find an excellent concert or comedy show. Being in the south, the entertainment tends to be more country oriented but not always. During the week many casinos will have live music in the casino.

6) THE HOTELS – If you want to gamble and especially if you plan to drink, I recommend staying in one of the hotels on the casino property. I have never had a bad experience staying in a hotel in a Tunica casino and I’ve stayed in most of them. I would recommend Hollywood and I’ve stayed there on my last two trips. The rooms are clean and the service is very efficient. Nearly every casino hotel offers cheap rooms during the week so it’s not unusual to pay $50 or less a night and even though they are starting to tack on “resort fees” they are cheap compared to Vegas prices. During the weekends, the rooms can get pricey so you should plan ahead. There are plenty of non-casino hotels nearby which are affordable. If you just want to spend a few hours at the casinos and do things elsewhere, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Memphis and your lodging options there are virtually unlimited.

How to Do San Diego in a Weekend

August 17, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a great weekend trip, it’s hard to beat San Diego, California. The weather is a perfect 70 degrees, almost all year long. If you have a hard time finding things to do, here are a few of my favorites. You can do all of these things in San Diego in a weekend!

1) USS MIDWAY – The Midway was an aircraft carrier in use for the United States military from 1945 until after the first Gulf War. It now serves as a museum on the San Diego Bay. Admission is a very reasonable at $20 and you could spend hours walking around and taking in all of the exhibits. I spent three hours aboard and could easily have spent another two. The tour is self-guided but you are given headphones to listen at each exhibit. The headphone tour makes it very special because you hear about the different aspects of life on the ship from the people who lived there. While touring the Midway you will see what life was like for the sailors who lived there. At times housing approximately 4,500 soldiers, the carrier was like a city at sea. You will see the barber shop, multiple dining areas, the chapel, various sitting areas, a dentist office, the sick bay, the brig and even an operating room. The stories from the soldiers really bring the museum to life.

On the other decks, you can see many of the aircraft that were in use on the Midway and some you can even board. There are flight simulators and a movie you can also watch. I also enjoyed that they had some World War II veterans at various areas on the ship to greet visitors, answer questions and tell stories.

2) VISIT OLD TOWN – Old Town San Diego State Park gives you a taste of what San Diego was like in 1850. There are several museums, like the First San Diego Courthouse and the School House, to see as well a wide range of shops. Old Town is also a great place for authentic Mexican food. After you eat there is live entertainment including a fantastic mariachi band. You could easily spend several hours exploring Old Town.

3) ENJOY THE GAS LAMP DISTRICT – The Gas Lamp district is approximately 16 blocks in San Diego known for the great food and entertainment. If you have your kids with you then you’ll want to stop at the New Children’s Museum or catch a baseball game at Petco Park, home of the Padres. If it’s a couple trip enjoy an evening of live music and drinks in one of the areas many pubs. If you’re hungry, you’ll want to enjoy the weather by dining on the sidewalk in one of the great restaurants. We enjoyed great food at Gaslamp BBQ.

4) TAKE A STROLL THROUGH CORONADO – You can take a ferry to Coronado from Harbor Drive in San Diego or drive across the bridge. If you want to spend time at the beach during your weekend, Cornodao has been acclaimed for having one of the best beaches in the nation. After you take a walk on a beach, walk through town which homes to many theaters and great shopping. Don’t forget to stop at the Hotel del Coronado which has had an impressive guest list over the year ranging from US Presidents to superstar athletes and actors. The movie Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe was filmed there as well.

5) GO TO THE ZOO – San Diego Zoo frequently rates at the top of any list of best zoos in the country. You could spend all day enjoy the wide variety of species on display and with the great weather in the city you will love seeing everything the zoo has to offer.

There is a sky ride and a bus tour that are included as part of your admission. If you want to get an up close and personal experience at the zoo, plan in advance through their website where they offer a variety of options.

6) HAVE A DRINK AT THE BAR FROM TOP GUN – If you ever saw the movie, then you’ll remember Tom Cruise singing “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling.” That scene was filmed in Kansas City Barbecue. Although a fire badly damaged the restaurant after the movie was filmed, it still makes for a fun time to grab some food or a drink.

How to do New York City in a Weekend

August 9, 2016 by John Hayden 2 Comments

You could probably spend a month sightseeing in New York City and still not be able to see everything the city offers and most of us are lucky if we have even had a full week to go on vacation. So if you want to go to NYC but don’t have much time, here are a few highlights that you won’t want to miss. This trip would be great for a couple or with kids, especially tweens and teens! There are so many educational things to see in the city! Here is how to do New York City in a weekend.

1) National September 11th Memorial & Museum – If you’re an American old enough to remember 9/11, you probably know exactly where you the minute you heard the news.

San Diego in a Weekend

A Weekend in St. Augustine

That moment and the following days are etched in the minds of everyone in the US. The museum is intense and extremely moving as it tells the story of how the day unfolded and how it transformed the city and the nation. The museum tells the story of the victims (sometimes in their own words through frantic voicemails) and the courageous first responders, many of whom lost their lives as well. The artifacts are extremely moving and sometimes hard to look at. This is no ordinary museum and its impact will stay with you for a long. If you could only do one thing in New York City, this should be it. Allow yourself at least three hours in the museum.il

2) Take a Water Taxi to see the Statue of Liberty – We took an evening cruise past the Statue of Liberty and it was a great way to spend an hour. The views of the skyline are breathtaking at night and while the water taxis won’t take you to the statue, you will get close enough for some fantastic pictures. We found a tour on Groupon at a very reasonable price and it included a drink. The tour guide on the boat was very helpful. Be careful before booking though, my wife and I had a great time when we went but she returned to NYC and took a cruise through a different company she said it was not nearly as well done. I recommend reading reviews before making your final choice.

3) Eat Some Pizza –Everyone has an opinion on whether New York or Chicago has the best pizza. There’s only one way to find out and you should grab a slice while you’re in the Big Apple. There are so many different pizza places to choose from and there are plenty of debates on the best but I would recommend trying Totonno’s for a slice of
authentic New York pizza.

4) Times Square –Times Square is iconic and you should check out all the lights. It is a great place to people watch and there are all types of characters there (both literally and figuratively). While you are walking around, stop in the giant Toys ‘R Us.

5) Central Park –Take a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city with a stroll through Central Park. There is a zoo on site, concert performances and great views everywhere. I especially enjoyed Strawberry Fields with the tribute to John Lennon.

6) Coney Island –The amusement park rides at Coney Island are a throwback to simpler times. The rides are independently operated so you only have to pay for the ones that you want to ride but its free to walk around and take everything in. During the summer months, the rides are open every day and there are fireworks on Friday nights. Nathan’s hot dogs are a New York staple and there’s no better place to enjoy one than its Coney Island location. While you are at Coney Island, take a walk on the beach and enjoy the Ocean views.

7) Fraunces Tavern –This is the oldest structure in Manhattan and was where George Washington gave his farewell address to his officers. There is an onsite museum but it is still an operating restaurant and bar. The food was very good and the prices were reasonable.

8) See a Broadway Show –Nothing compares to seeing a Broadway Show in New York, I highly recommend that you check one out while you are in town. I’m not a huge fan of plays but went to see Jersey Boys and was blown away. The atmosphere is fantastic and is a much different experience from seeing a Broadway show in your hometown.

Must See Attractions in Memphis

August 6, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

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Memphis is a great place for a vacation or a long weekend, here are some of my favorite things to do when I’m in the home of the blues. These things are what I would consider must-see attractions in Memphis!

1) GRACELAND – You don’t have to be an Elvis fan to enjoy the King’s castle. Graceland is one of the most visited homes in the United States and well worth a stop when you are in Memphis. The Graceland experience begins with a tour of the mansion where you can see Elvis’ living room, kitchen, the famous “jungle room” and more.

Tunica, the Las Vegas of the South

Memphis Barbecue

After leaving the house, you will tour a museum housed with Elvis’ many awards, hundreds of gold records and many of his signature suits. The mansion tour is supplemented with an iPad which allows you to see videos and hear stories about Elvis told by himself and his family. Elvis’ love for cars is on full display with a car museum on site featuring many of Elvis’ cars and motorcycles including his famous pink Cadillac.

In addition to a couple of smaller museums, you can also board two of Elvis’ private planes. Allow yourself about three hours to see everything at a leisurely pace. If you want to gear up for the trip, the book Inside Graceland is an interesting read as you learn about what it was like to live in Graceland told by Elvis’ maid. After I read the book, it made the tour so much more interesting. The book is called Inside Graceland: Elvis’ Maid Remembers and is well worth it!

2) BEALE STREET – Elvis learned a lot about music and fashion by spending time on Beale Street. Today Beale Street is still alive with music and you should spend some time down there listening to the many different singers that call the street home. In addition to that, you can sample some of the greatest barbeques in the world. At the end of Beale Street is the FedEx Forum home of the Memphis Grizzlies, NBA basketball team.

3) MEMPHIS ROCK ‘N SOUL MUSEUM – This museum is located on Beale Street right across from the FedEx Forum. It takes you on a journey of the musical progression of Memphis and the American south. The tour is self-guided and you are given headphones for the tour and to listen to the many songs that make up the rich musical history of Memphis from Elvis, Ike Turner, Issac Hayes and much more.

4) NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM – This museum is located at the site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The museum recently underwent a lengthy renovation, so if you have been previously, it is worth another visit. The museum tells the story of the American Civil Rights movement in a powerful way. Dr. King’s room has been preserved since the day of the death and you can view it on the tour. Additionally, there are replicas of the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and the Supreme Court room where Brown v. Board of Education was heard. There is so much information and history at this site, allow yourself about three hours to visit.

5) SUN STUDIO – Sun Records is best known as the record company where Elvis Presley first recorded but there is much more to it. Sun Studio owner Sam Phillips was interested in African-American musicians and began recording them in his Memphis studio, first as a studio for other labels and then on his own label, Sun. Phillips recorded what many consider to be the first rock and roll record, Rocket ’88. Later he would record Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lewis and a host of other singers. The tour includes an upstairs museum as well as a chance to stand in the studio with an “x” marking the spot where Elvis stood to record his first song. As a bonus, the tour guides are always a lot of fun and make the experience even more enjoyable.

6) TUNICA, Mississippi – While not in Memphis, Tunica is a relatively short driveway and makes for a great place to stay cheap at quality hotels. Tunica is home to many casinos and if you enjoy gambling, Tunica’s casinos offer low minimum bets, great comps and the prices of rooms (especially during the week) are hard to beat.

The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas

August 3, 2016 by John Hayden Leave a Comment

You may have heard it on the news, one of the most over-the- top, irreverent, restaurant in the United States…The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas, Nevada. The restaurant has gained notoriety for encouraging overeating, free meals for anyone over 350 pounds and for patrons actually having heart attacks inside. This place isn’t for everyone so if you’re easily offended or have your kids with you, I’d pass on this one but if you are looking for something unique, it’s an interesting way to spend your lunch hour.

Before you walk in you will notice a large scale for anyone who wants to accept their free meal offer for patrons over 350 pounds (don’t worry, they won’t make you get on the scale). When you go inside, you are dressed in a hospital gown before being escorted to your seat by waitresses dressed as nurses. There are tv screens that play a loop of the news coverage the grill has received among other décor paying homage to their theme.

The menu is unlike anything you have probably seen before, there are no diet drinks, they serve Mexican Coke and a variety of beers and hard liquor (served in a pill bottle), oh and you can order a pack of smokes too. The menu prominently features the prices and the fact that there is an 8.1% sales tax “for our wasteful government to squander.”

The food choices are fairly simple hot dogs (called coronary dogs) or hamburgers (referred to as bypass burgers…single through octuple bypass available) you can also add up to forty slices of bacon. For sides, they offer “flat-liner fries” and onion rings. If you still have room, they have a shake available that they proudly proclaim has “the world’s highest butterfat content.”

I opted for the double cheeseburger and fries (pro-tip: don’t order more than you can eat because you can receive a spanking by one of the nurses with a wood paddle…I saw it happen to one guy while I was there). The burger was pretty good and priced reasonably by Las Vegas standards (about $11). A trip to the Heart Attack Grill is more about the experience than the food in my opinion which makes is worth checking out.

HOW TO DO LAS VEGAS…CHEAP

August 1, 2016 by John Hayden 2 Comments

Las Vegas is one of my favorite places to visit but if you are not careful your week in the desert could end up breaking the bank. There are many ways to do Las Vegas on a budget! Here are ten ways to offset some of the losses you’ll have in the casino.

1) RIDE THE MONORAIL AND WALK – I always choose a hotel near a monorail stop, this will save you a lot of money on taxi fares and will minimize the time you’re in the scorching sun. The monorail only travels on the Las Vegas strip so you will need to plan other transportation if you want to visit off strip sites like Fremont Street or the Hoover Dam. I recommend buying a multi-day monorail pass before you leave for your trip. Sometimes a quick Google search will turn up a monorail discount and you can save even more.

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