Midwest Winter Vacation

[nb06]

Wife and I are looking for some options for a late Jan early Feb getaway for about a week. Planned to go to pCB Florida but she is now terrified of being on a plane etc with recent Covid ramp up.

Looking for something within 8-10 hr drive of DM. Would probably do a VRBO, like local breweries, wineries, good restaurants and neat places to hang out. Doesn’t have to be a ton of outdoor activities.

Let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks!

 

[JimmyChitwood]

Wife and I are looking for some options for a late Jan early Feb getaway for about a week. Planned to go to pCB Florida but she is now terrified of being on a plane etc with recent Covid ramp up.

Looking for something within 8-10 hr drive of DM. Would probably do a VRBO, like local breweries, wineries, good restaurants and neat places to hang out. Doesn’t have to be a ton of outdoor activities.

Let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks!

Nashville

 

[CYCLNST8]

Nashville is ten hours. Had a blast around Eureka Springs last spring, but that was more of an out-doorsy hiking trip. Have you toured any caverns? They have a constant temperature year round.

 

[Scruff]

Drive times sure limit things. We're looking early spring and I only have a 4-5 hour drive radius. Boo

Colorado would be one I'd be looking at with your specifications.

 

[cjmcd97]

Nashville is a great time, but if you're worried about the covid ramp up I'm not sure its the best place to be.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I hear Muscatine is nice this time of the year.

 

[DeereClone]

I have always thought Eureka Springs, Arkansas looked like a cool little town to visit. Just checked the weather and it looks like the average high is about 50 degrees for that time of year. 6.5 hour drive from DSM.

 

[MJ29]

As strange as it sounds, I enjoyed Milwaukee when we visited a few years ago. We went to 4-5 breweries, and there were some fantastic restaurants. We stayed near Miller Park and it was not hard to find things to do or to get around. I'm hoping to go back at some point to check out all the places I didn't get to check off.

 

[LivntheCyLife]

Might be slightly late in the season, but doing some bald eagle watching can be a good Midwest winter vacation activity. I've done it both along the Mississippi river valley north of St. Louis and central Illinois (Starved Rock state park). You can also find some small town/rural AirBnb's that are really relaxing for a couple days and very affordable. Then combine that with a weekend in a larger city with more to do.

 

[carvers4math]

My husband’s only relatives I can stand live on the north shore of Lake Superior, Duluth and Grand Marais. I think it’s a fun area, but we do a lot outdoor winter stuff and that is not what you seem to be looking at.

Grand Marais is a lovely low stress little town with a very active art community, nice little galleries, shops, and restaurants. Could spend a very peaceful weekend there.

Duluth of course has the lift bridge, some solid breweries, miles of easy paved trail, the Duluth Playhouse, a wonderful theater, a maritime museum, a scenic train ride, and many outdoor winter activities.

 

[Clonefan32]

I've heard Kansas City during early March is a nice time.

 

[chuckd4735]

Galena wouldn't be a bad option, but not sure you could make an entire week out of it. If you like to ski, Chestnut is just outside Galena and has a pretty nice resort. Doing that, a trip to Chicago, and a trip to Milwaukee (as someone mentioned above) might fill a week.

 

[CycloneEggie]

Galena wouldn't be a bad option, but not sure you could make an entire week out of it. If you like to ski, Chestnut is just outside Galena and has a pretty nice resort.

I was going to suggest the same option, but it's probably not a full week trip. My wife and I pivoted from a Colorado Trip last Spring Break to a few days in Galena and had a great time. Returned with the kids in the summer and did the alpine slide at Chestnut. It's a good time, but less then a full week is ideal.

 

[PSYclone22]

Vegas if you drive really fast

 

[KnappShack]

I hear Muscatine is nice this time of the year.

Muscatine is nice any time of year

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I have always thought Eureka Springs, Arkansas looked like a cool little town to visit. Just checked the weather and it looks like the average high is about 50 degrees for that time of year. 6.5 hour drive from DSM.

The problem with a trip to Eureka Springs in late Jan/early Feb is the trees won't have their leaves and the natural beauty of northern Arkansas is the real attraction.
It's awesome on a motorcycle, there are brochures that lay out specific routes to ride/drive.

 

[carvers4math]

Muscatine is nice any time of year

Wouldn’t melon season be a better choice or just go there for all vacations year round?

 

[clonefreek]

Wife and I are looking for some options for a late Jan early Feb getaway for about a week. Planned to go to pCB Florida but she is now terrified of being on a plane etc with recent Covid ramp up.

Looking for something within 8-10 hr drive of DM. Would probably do a VRBO, like local breweries, wineries, good restaurants and neat places to hang out. Doesn’t have to be a ton of outdoor activities.

Let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks!

Planes are probably safer than stopping at truck stops and gas stations at this point

 

[dahliaclone]

Door County, WI

 

[carvers4math]

Planes are probably safer than stopping at truck stops and gas stations at this point

Planes, yes; Florida, no.