Looking for vacation info.... Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri

[captpete]

I want to start by saying I'm NOT looking for turkey hunting info. My wife and I are going to be taking a 2-2 1/2 week vacation. We will be leaving Iowa in a couple of weeks and looking for info. We have no itinerary, just going to kind of wing it...if we notice something we want to see, we are going to stop and see it...no real schedule. 

What are the must see things in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois(not Chicago) and Missouri(been to the Arch)? 

We like being outdoors and enjoy hiking(nothing strenuous or long). We are already planning on seeing Nashville, looking for diamonds in Arkansas, visiting a couple distilleries/ breweries, possibly Grace Land(not interested in DollyWood), the Bass Pro shop in Springfield, Mo. and possibly Branson.

[ScottTaulbee]

If you like hiking then the Red River Gorge in Ky is incredible. Beautiful country. I live about 30 or so minutes from there. Cave Run lake is not far from there and is a sight to see as well.


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[10th Legionaire]

I've been to the Arch in St Louis many times. Gone up in it? There ain't enough tea in China

There's always a chance at a Cardinals game if you're there.

There's the bourbon trail in Kentucky.

In Indiana we have The Dunes National Lakeshore up north. There's French Lick/West Baden down south. The Springs hotel is really cool. It was built in the 1800's and was the largest free span dome in the world until the Astrodome was built.

[NOmad]

Spend a couple days in one of the cabins at White River Trout Club in Flippin, Arkansas. If you like to fly fish, it is a great place for it. If you don't like to fly fish, you are right in the center of a couple cool small Ozark towns with a strong outdoors culture and good eats. The cabins sit directly on the White River and have plenty of privacy.

Check out Bear Creek Winery in Walnut Shade, MO outside of Branson. I got married there, great little cabins with a winery on site and fantastic pizzas. There is an outdoor deck that sits on a big, wooded bluff with a magnificent view of the Ozarks rolling out for miles.

Swing north into Kentucky and check out Mammoth Caves National Park.

Another vote for the Bourbon Trail as well.

[Vintage]

Mammoth cave in Ky. Must see.

[captpete]

Thanks for ideas!! We'll check into to them.

[arkrem870]

Make sure to tour the wonders of wildlife museum at bass pro in Springfield.

On the way from the diamond mine to Springfield you will drive thru the ozarks. Could stop in Gilbert along the Buffalo River. Maybe lunch in downtown Leslie and work your way north toward the flippin area mentioned above. Branson is a tourist trap but some people love it. Outlet malls etc.

Big cedar lodge outside Branson is very nice and brunch or sunset dinner at Osage is great but it'll cost some serious $

[mdmitchell]

Illinois - garden of the gods

Indiana - Hoosier national forest has a lot of cool  stuff

KY - red river gorge, Cumberland gap, etc

All of these are are within a few hours of each other ^

I'm from southern IN - feel free to PM me for more details

[ScottTaulbee]

Hoosier is a nice place, I took my first out of state hunting trip there last year. Picked the worst day to go, poured rain all day


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[Lcmacd 58]

In Kentucky you could route your trip up the Land Between the Lakes. If your hungry the porkchop at Patties settlement will fill you up.