Recommendations for Road Trip from Des Moines

[twa5786]

The recent thread about North Shore, MN has us feeling like we need to schedule a 4-5 day road trip this summer. Problem is, I try do this every summer, and get intimidated once I start trying to search through seemingly hundreds of different towns with lakes in MN and elsewhere.

We’re looking for something within 4-6 hrs of Des Moines. Have done all the KC, Chicago, MPLS trips countless times so are looking for something more rustic and low key. Just the wife and I and a 3YO & 1YO. Would love to find some lake house or cabin-ish place/resort that we can start a tradition of visiting every summer. Used to be Estes Park, but the drive would probably be too much for our boys at their ages.

Any recommendations on a location with some low key things to do (beaches/lakes, trails to hike or bike, etc.)? Hoping to limit budget to $100-$150 a night. Will probably just take what I’ve learned in the other thread and head to North Shore if I don’t learn of another place.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Brainerd, MN area is one of my favorite spots. Alexandria is another nice area. It’s nice to have a “home town” to be able to go to with a grocery store/wal mart/golf courses.

Another great area is the area around Chippewa Falls, WI. Just book it and book it. Can’t really go wrong.

 

[aauummm]

Ludington, Michigan is a nice, low-key town with lots to do. Family oriented, reasonable cost. Very clean, safe area. We've done it a couple of times with the granddaughter and loved it. About 8 hrs from Des Moines.
https://www.visitludington.com/

I can recommend P. M. Steamers as a great place to eat:
http://pmsteamers.com/

 

[Gonzo]

Ludington, Michigan is a nice, low-key town with lots to do. Family oriented, reasonable cost. Very clean, safe area. We've done it a couple of times with the granddaughter and loved it. About 8 hrs from Des Moines.
https://www.visitludington.com/

I can recommend P. M. Steamers as a great place to eat:
http://pmsteamers.com/

I was going to suggest Michigan as well. There are some places south of Ludington as well... Saugatuck, South Haven, that aren't as long of a drive and have lots of cool family stuff to do.

 

[MeanDean]

Ludington, Michigan is a nice, low-key town with lots to do. Family oriented, reasonable cost. Very clean, safe area. We've done it a couple of times with the granddaughter and loved it. About 8 hrs from Des Moines.
https://www.visitludington.com/

I can recommend P. M. Steamers as a great place to eat:
http://pmsteamers.com/

If you go to Ludington you might as well ride the car Ferry across Lake Michigan one way or the other. Saves driving through Chicago area and that way you're not driving the exact same roads coming and going. Leaves from Manitowoc WI and arrives in Ludington MI. Called the SS Badger.

 

[BCClone]

I would check to see what is open and operating where before you go.

 

[madguy30]

Northwoods WI has lots of places but most is likely outside of your drive time range.

 

[twa5786]

Northwoods WI has lots of places but most is likely outside of your drive time range.

Agreed! Lots to do up there. We have family up there, so we’ve spent a lot of time in that region.

 

[NodawayRiverClone]

Check out Dubuque - about 3.25 hours from Des Moines.

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark - waterpark is open. National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Fenelon Place Elevator. Dubuque Arboretum. Mines of Spain Rec Area - park, hiking. Lock and Dam. Eagle Point Park. 2 casinos - Diamond Jo and Q. Drive to Galena, Illinois.

 

[kcbob79clone]

Madison Wisconsin. On the way there you can drive through NE Iowa which does not get enough credit for beautiful scenery. There are lakes near Madison that I'm sure you can find a cabin. I'm not much help on lodging, now RV parks I can help lol

Madison tips
- eat at ella's deli & ice cream parlor
- eat at francie's casual cafe, try the pot pies
- eat at the mariner's inn for steak and seafood
- eat at nau-ti-gal
- eat at smokey's club for steaks and homemade soups
- olbrich botanical garden
- Saturday morning, check out the Dane County Farmers Market, downtown around capital square
- tour state capitol, exterior dome is world's largest granite dome
- eat at paisans for pizza, merikay and craig say could be best ever
- the old fashioned for mac-n-cheese
- National Mustard Museum

Depending on your route there are potentially many things to see and do along the way.

Hope this helps,

 

[NodawayRiverClone]

Google Lakewood Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. Resort faces Lake Ozark at the Grand Glaize Bridge. Offers a fishing dock and a swimming pool. Must be OK with steps. Golfing and Putt Putt in the area. Can prepare all your own meals - shop at Hy-Vee or Dierberg's. Rent movies from the office.

 

[madguy30]

Madison Wisconsin. On the way there you can drive through NE Iowa which does not get enough credit for beautiful scenery. There are lakes near Madison that I'm sure you can find a cabin. I'm not much help on lodging, now RV parks I can help lol

Madison tips
- eat at ella's deli & ice cream parlor
- eat at francie's casual cafe, try the pot pies
- eat at the mariner's inn for steak and seafood
- eat at nau-ti-gal
- eat at smokey's club for steaks and homemade soups
- olbrich botanical garden
- Saturday morning, check out the Dane County Farmers Market, downtown around capital square
- tour state capitol, exterior dome is world's largest granite dome
- eat at paisans for pizza, merikay and craig say could be best ever
- the old fashioned for mac-n-cheese
- National Mustard Museum

Depending on your route there are potentially many things to see and do along the way.

Hope this helps,

All good places but their 'openness' right now can vary and likely will as the county has had a spike lately.

And Ella's closed a couple of years ago.

 

[ISUConE]

My family really likes going to Lake Geneva, WI. It’s about 5 hrs from Des Moines. Lots of hotel options and resorts with pools and other amenities. Neat downtown with tons of shops and restaurants. Nice beach on the lake next to downtown, lake boat tours, walking trail around the lake next to lots of huge houses. We try to make a trip every year.

 

[cybychoice]

All of Northeast Iowa, especially Decorah there are a lot of little things to keep you occupied especially if you use Decorah as a launch point and don't mind driving another hour from there to do other things. Otherwise the Dells are a 5 hour drive. The western part of South Dakota is a really nice place to go but is 8 hours, plus the drive is awful unless you don't mind reading "wall drug" a thousand times before you get there.

 

[DeereClone]

Madison Wisconsin. On the way there you can drive through NE Iowa which does not get enough credit for beautiful scenery. There are lakes near Madison that I'm sure you can find a cabin. I'm not much help on lodging, now RV parks I can help lol

Madison tips
- eat at ella's deli & ice cream parlor
- eat at francie's casual cafe, try the pot pies
- eat at the mariner's inn for steak and seafood
- eat at nau-ti-gal
- eat at smokey's club for steaks and homemade soups
- olbrich botanical garden
- Saturday morning, check out the Dane County Farmers Market, downtown around capital square
- tour state capitol, exterior dome is world's largest granite dome
- eat at paisans for pizza, merikay and craig say could be best ever
- the old fashioned for mac-n-cheese
- National Mustard Museum

Depending on your route there are potentially many things to see and do along the way.

Hope this helps,

I know Madison is a good party town but for a family trip you have essentially listed eating, touring a capital building, walking through a farmers market, and a mustard museum.

 

[spierceisu]

I like going to Galena for a trip. It is a pretty area. Lots of shops to check out. It not too far from Dubuque.

Another cool place that is farther is Door County WI. It is so pretty up there and lots to do.

Both of these places might be a bit higher than your budget, but really cool places to go.

 

[kcbob79clone]

All good places but their 'openness' right now can vary and likely will as the county has had a spike lately.

And Ella's closed a couple of years ago.

You never really know even in good times if a restaurant will still be open the next time you're in the area. Pandemic has made it worse. Thanks for the info on Ella's, I'll update my list.

 

[kcbob79clone]

I know Madison is a good party town but for a family trip you have essentially listed eating, touring a capital building, walking through a farmers market, and a mustard museum.

If you are going to be snarky at least be good at being snarky, you forgot the botanical garden

 

[kcbob79clone]

I like going to Galena for a trip. It is a pretty area. Lots of shops to check out. It not too far from Dubuque.

Another cool place that is farther is Door County WI. It is so pretty up there and lots to do.

Both of these places might be a bit higher than your budget, but really cool places to go.

Thought of Door County but outside proposed driving range

 

[twa5786]

Thought of Door County but outside proposed driving range

Agreed, Door County is great. We’ve been there a few times. Unfortunately, the 3YO is toilet training and we’d probably turn it into a 10 hour drive!