I'm going to drive to Austin for the USGP. I was going to go straight there and back but changed my mind and am leaving early. I'll be leaving Sunday from near Harrisburg PA and planing to get there Wednesday night or Thursday morning. What do I want to see on the way or a bit out of the way? It's unlikely given how late in the year it is but if I could end the day at a race somewhere that would be a plus.
I'm into visuals so here is a map sample of the direct route that might help people suggest things near.
The blue route above will take you through Knoxville, TN. Just south of there is Deals Gap and the whole Tail of the Dragon Route. I have not done it but others say it's a great drive, especially on a less crowded week day.
All routes above converge at Nashville and I have not been but would like to go to Lane Motor Museum in metro Nashville. The Lane site says closed Tues and Weds.
I'd visit this:
In reply to John Welsh :
I went to Nashville and the Lane Museum a couple years ago, if you're ever in the area it's worth checking out we had a great time.
Enjoy Wally. I'll be flying down to Dallas Tuesday night and driving down from there.
If you don't have your tickets already, ping me. My buddy who was going to use my worker guest pass had to cancel.
Lane is closed Tuesday and Wednesday unfortunately. If you are an American motorcycle fan, Dale's wheels through time is a must stop at in western NC https://wheelsthroughtime.com/
I took my kids and Dad to an IMSA/WEC race years ago there and we took one morning and went to the Alamo. Deals Gap is worth a drive on if you have the time.
Alpine coasters while in the Smokies (around pigeon forge)
Buc-ees once in Texas
If taking the Vette a detour to Bowling Green would be worthwhile.
If you take the northern most route there is the USAF museum in Dayton, I did a quick tour through there in about 6 hours on my way south one year and would like to stop in again. The price is right (free) if you are into that sort of thing (starts at the dawn of aviation and goes through to today, really great presidential aircraft display and X planes among everything else).
I would pick up Route 66 in St. Louis and take that to Tulsa before breaking south.
Edit: I just checked that on Google and it only adds an hour (if you took the highways). So add in whatever it adds to take the old road, maybe a day. There are a lot of cool museums and Americana stuff. You can always hop back on the highway if you get to a less than stellar stretch (like going through a major city).
adam525i said:If you take the northern most route there is the USAF museum in Dayton, I did a quick tour through there in about 6 hours on my way south one year and would like to stop in again. The price is right (free) if you are into that sort of thing (starts at the dawn of aviation and goes through to today, really great presidential aircraft display and X planes among everything else).
The Vette Museum (Bowling Green, KY) is just off the gray route, north of Nashville by about 1 hr.
The route through WV and KY is more scenic and far less patrolled than going the long way through VA on I81.
Sonic said:The route through WV and KY is more scenic and far less patrolled than going the long way through VA on I81.
Dunno about the patrolled thing since I never speed, but I-81 through Virginia is mostly sub-par interstate with no real shoulders. It's also for the most part only two lanes, and is heavily infested with trucks. You ever come up on a rolling roadblock where one tractor-trailer pulls out to pass another one, going up a mountain grade and it takes him ten minutes to complete the pass? Happens a lot on I-81. Not fun, unless you happen to be into that sort of thing.
Here are some places in Texas.
obviously doing Virginia to Arkansas Off-road is the answer here.
I have a race ticket, and Billy Joel ticket as I'm required to.
In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :
If had wasn't lazy and put the lift and tires on the Renegade it would be tempting. I'm looking at avoiding VA, probably Memphis, maybe Bowling Green, and the WW2 museum in Louisiana. I thought of hitting Gilley's and Billy Bobs once I hit Texas but the websites look more like concert venues and catering halls than bars.
In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :
There are some interesting ones on there. I'm going to see where they are on the map.
There are a lot of big dirt late model races across the south right now, if that's your thing. I've been watching on YT, Floracing. I don't have a schedule though.
Hill Country in Texas is really nice. How much spare time do you have?
yupididit said:Hill Country in Texas is really nice. How much spare time do you have?
Where is the hill country in Texas. I've always heard the term, but don't know what it refers to.
Steve_Jones said:
I am barely an Elvis fan. I've been to Graceland 3 times. There is something about the place that just speaks to me! I would have also built a jungle room that required tearing a hole in the wall to fit a big chair if my music career had taken off.
On the way down 35 from Dallas and just before Waco is the little town of West. A German settlement.
Stop at Slovaceks for kolaches and a little shopping. The best dessert kolaches are to be found just across the freeway inside a Pizza place. They are unbelievably heavy and good!
Just about a pee break away is Buccees and that is a must stop. The biggest gas station, rest stop, food stop, BATHROOM BREAK, shopping store around.
After the race follow the toll road on down to San Antonio (about an hours drive) and stay at the Menger Hotel next door to the Alamo (the most haunted hotel around) and look at all the FDR and Rough Rider memorabelia then saunter on down to the Riverwalk. Go to MiTierra's anytime day or night for some good Mexican food and sweetbreads
In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :
The WWII museum in Nola is incredible. We're 90-minutes east of there & have plenty of room if you need a place to stay.
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