UpTake blogger Tiffany Joyce recently wrote about great road trip destinations from Arizona and Maine. She’s a genius. And she’s inspired me to share a few of my favorite road trip destinations from my own homes. First up – all the places I could (have) traveled to by car when I lived in Iowa!
Iowa may be known for it’s butter cows and corn fields, but it’s just a short car ride away from a few very exciting cities.
Minneapolis is a great Midwestern city with a thriving music scene (it is the home of Prince, after all) and a lot of cultural activities. You can also take in a professional sporting event during football, baseball or basketball season and participate in the champion shopping event known as Mall of America. Save a little money on hotels by staying in nearby Bloomington instead of downtown.
NCAA March Madness Logo (photo courtesy NCAA.com and CBSSports.com)
Zero. That is the collective number of college basketball games I have watched this season. Yet, come next week, I’m sure that I will be counted among the millions of Americans contributing to the estimated $1.7 billion dollar productivity drain (thanks NCAA.com and CBSSports.com) during this springtime basketball tournament frenzy known everywhere as March Madness.
Selection Sunday is March 15 and opening round games are scheduled around the country beginning in Dayton, OH with the “play-in” game March 17. The play-in game pits the 64th and 65th ranked teams against each other. The winner of that game goes on to the regular tournament where in all likelihood they shall be soundly beaten by a far superior team. That’s just how it works.
Here’s the tournament schedule at a glance. Although tickets may be scarce, your best bet for seeing any of the games live would be the first and second rounds or the regionals. Follow the city links below for lodging options in each of the host cities as well as interesting game alternatives while you’re there.
Games will be played at the Greensboro Coliseum. If you’re traveling with the kids, make sure to give them a break and head over to the Greensboro Children’s Museum for a fun filled, hands-on and interactive learning experience.
Games are scheduled at the Sprint Center. Allow some extra time to visit the Kansas City Zoo while you’re there. It was voted one of America’s 60 Best in 2008.
Games will be played at the Wachovia Center of St. Joseph’s University. No trip to Philly would be complete without a trip to Independence National Historical Park to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where our Constitution was drafted.
The Liberty Bell in Independence National Historic Park (photo ushistory.org)
Games will be at the American Airlines Arena of Florida International University. Of course, Miami is a top Spring Break Destination so bring your trunks and floaties. Hit the beach with your downtime. That should go without saying.
Games to be held at the HHH Metrodome of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Two words: Mall of America. (Of doesn’t count.) While there, make sure to see the world’s largest underground aquarium Underwater Adventures.
Regionals: Thursday and Saturday March 26 and 28, 2009
Games will be held at the TD Banknorth Garden, home of the Bruins and Celtics. While in Boston be sure to check out the Freedom Trail a three mile walk through downtown Boston that links 16 historical sites.
The Old North Church Steeple Boston, MA (photo courtesy oldnorth.com)
Games will be at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. I hear the South Mountain Park Scenic Drive is a great way to experience some of Arizona’s beautiful scenery and to boot–it’s free.
Regionals: Friday and Sunday March 27 and 29, 2009
Games are scheduled at the new (in 2008) Lucas Oil Stadium. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ranks as one of the best in the country. It’s a definite if you go to Indy with the kids.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (photo via web public domain)
If your team has made it this far, congratulations. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations again. There’s much to see and do in the Motor City and while the games from here on out promise to be nothing short of spectacular make sure to take a break see some of what Detroit has to offer.
The Road Ends Here Detroit, MI 2009 NCAA Final Four
Oh, and coming off a perfect season (perfect 0 and 16, that is) I’m fairly certain you can get a pretty good deal on Lions Season Tickets while you’re there.
I would never suggest that you visit an airport with your children just for fun. However, if you are stranded at an airport on your way home from holiday travel, let it be known that some of them have incredibly cool features that will help you kill the time and burn off the kids’ energy so they will pass out on the airplane. Just don’t let them visit the ubiquitous airport candy store.
My holiday gift to you is a list, below, of links to the major US airlines and their hub airports. Chances are, if you are traveling across the country, you may have to set foot in one of them, and you may even have to spend many of your precious hours there. To all of our delight, I am sure, the city editors of Being Savvy, a guide for parents of preschoolers, have found interesting ways to kill time with children of all ages at many of these airports.
Do not be intimidated by the links. Find your airline, then find the airport you where you will be sleeping changing planes.
