Pigeon Forge, Tn

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If you're headed to Pigeon Forge, TN I would recommend staying in a cabin rather than a hotel. There are plenty of cabins in the area not to far away and yet you feel pretty secluded. Our family and a couple of friends of ours went in on a 5 bedroom cabin. The price ended up being about the same as a hotel but with better amenities. We had a awesome view of the mountains, a whole floor dedicated for a game room with a pool table, 2 full size video games, 52" TV with PS3 and plenty of games. We had a full size kitchen, huge living and dining room and 3 floors with balconies. The place had so much room you wouldn't even know that there were 12 people staying there. http://www.hickorymist.com/ This is the company we booked ours through. There are plenty of things to do in pigeon forge, alot of go-kart tracks, video arcades, amusement park rides for all ages, gem mining (you buy a bucket of dirt and mine for gems, my kids love it), putt-putt golf, cavern tours, white water rafting. If you cruise down 441 you just pick whatever attraction you like. There is a theme park, Dollywood and also a water park, Splash Country. Dollywood is pretty lame for the price you have to pay. Save your money and go go-kart riding. Haven't been to Splash Country so I can't help you there. One more thing, you can not buy alcohol in Pigeon Forge. You have to go to Gatlinburg which is only a few miles away.

http://www.mypigeonforge.com/

Things to do: Pigeon Forge Gem Mining, Professor Hackers Lost Treasure Golf, Smokey Mountain Speed Park, The Track (gaming center/go-karts), tons of shopping outlets

Places to eat: Huck Finn's Catfish Chicken and Steaks, Log Cabin Pancake House, Alamo Steakhouse, Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que
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Niagara Falls, NY

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On our way to New York City we stopped at Niagara Falls. What a natural masterpiece. We were there for only a couple of hours so I don't have alot of info. You can view the falls from the visitor center and they also have a parking lot closer to the falls with quite a few viewing spots that you have to walk to. It would have been really nice to have seen the falls from the Canada side but we didn't have time. It was still great to have been there. It is definitely a must see.

http:///www.niagarafallstourism.com

Things to do: Maids of the Mist, Journey behind the falls (hiking)

Places to eat: We ate in the RV

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Sandusky, Ohio

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This was our first stop on our road trip. We only had one thing in mind traveling to Sandusky, yep that's right, Cedar Point Amusement Park, the roller coaster capital of the world. It definitely lived up to its name. If you're traveling by RV you get front row parking. Just like any theme park get there early because it fills up quick. This park is amazing. Plenty of roller coasters for everybody and all ages. If you're in the area you have to check out Cedar Point!! We were in Sandusky only for the day so we didn't eat at the local restaurants or stay at the hotels so I don't have any advice for you about the city itself. I think Sandusky is only a day trip to go to Cedar Point but I highly recommend going there.

http://www.cedarpoint.com/
http://www.ci.sandusky.oh.us/

Things to do: Cedar Point Amusement Park

Places to eat: We ate in the RV; typical theme park food
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Detroit, Mi

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Well, I haven't been there officially for a vacation but I've been through there 3 times. Twice to start our road trips and once for a wedding. Our family lives right outside of Detroit and I would say I will never go there again. The only thing in Detroit that still has life are the casinos. Our family that we visited lives outside of Detroit and we didn't feel it was worth it to venture into the city. While driving through the city it was desolate with abandon cars on the road, shops and restaurants with plywood on the windows but were still open for business, trash all over the place, just a miserable place. Sorry to say but I don't recommend visiting Detroit as a place to go but if you do decide to visit I would stay at one of there casinos.

http://www.visitdetroit.com/
http://www.mgmgranddetroit.com/

Things to do: We stayed out of Detroit

Places to eat: Same as above

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New Orleans, La

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Whether your going to Mardi Gras or just visiting, this is a fun place to go for adults . We tend to go about two weekends before fat Tuesday. There's alot of things to see during the day, guided tours, walking around the French Quarter sightseeing, Riverwalk and Harrahs casino. At night during Mardi Gras you have parades and of course Bourbon St. If you're looking for a place to stay that's alot cheaper than the other hotels, half a block away from Bourbon St and right in the middle of the strip, than this hotel is for you. Its the St Ann/Marie Antoinette http://www.stannmarieantoinette.com/. I have to warn you, if you're looking for hotel with the likes of a Marriott Inn or Ramada Inn, this is not for you. This hotel is rustic and old but nice. Face it you're not going to Mardis Gras to sleep and its within walking distance to everything plus a liquor store right around the block. You don't need a car. The parking fees are outrageous. You're better off taking a taxi if you fly. We've been there pre-Katrina and post-Katrina. Since the hurricane most of the best local restaurants have closed. Our favorite is Acme's Oyster House and thank god they haven't closed. The food is awesome!! You'll definitely have to go there and the prices are reasonable. Then of course you have the Hard Rock, Bubba Gump Shrimp and Margaritaville for the touristy places. As far as saving money, everything there is pricey. We will be going there for the fourth of July so I'll update about New Orleans then. New Orleans is a fun place to be. This is a favorite vacation spots for us. (adults, no kids during Mardi Gras but any time else is fine).

http://www.neworleansonline.com/
http://www.mardigras.com/

Things to do: Guided tours through post-Katrina and/or cemeteries; Bourbon St (our favorite is the Bourbon St Blues bar); Harrah's casino; Riverwalk - If you like shopping; Jackson Square - arts & crafts, musicians & tarot card readers; touristy spots - Margaritaville, Hard Rock; trolley (Canal St) and horse & buggy rides (Jackson Square).

Places to eat: Acme Oyster House, Cafe Beignet, Margaritaville - when we were there last alot of local restaurants we liked were closed. We mainly ate at the tourist spots.
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Orlando, Fl - Nick Hotel

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A great place to go is the Nick Hotel if you are in Orlando. A cheaper way to stay is by using the AAA discount. You can book online and they never ask you for the card. (at least not yet, in my case.) If they do ask, try telling them your other party member has the AAA card and is on there way and they'll probably give you the room anyway. ( I have not tried this, let me know how it works.) Using AAA discount saved us an extra $80 a night. Another way you'll save some money and saving some trips back to the hotel room is that they allow coolers by the pools. Fill it up with some drinks and snacks for the kids and you're set. It beats paying the higher prices at the snack bar. If you don't like standing in line waiting to check in, sign up for the choice privilege rewards card. They have their own check-in line. I definitely recommend the Nick hotel.

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
http://www.nickhotel.com/

Things to do: Nick studio - fun for the whole family; slime time by the pools - every couple of hours; character meet and greets - time varies: Friday night is movie night by the pool on a 60' screen, pool table, basketball courts and of course the waterparks

Places to eat: Character breakfast (pricey but worth it if its your first time), don't forget to make reservations or you won't get in; Dinner buffet (pricey but great food, every night is a theme food); Pizza Hut, Subshop, Burger joint (fast food style); breakfast buffet; snack bars by the pools

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