Bucket lists! Our planned road trip in the summer of 2020 from Rochester, NY, to Austin, Texas would take almost two days nonstop, but instead, we will be stopping in five states along the route. That way we can see more and experience these other states that we’ve never been to.

We’ve been planning to visit Austin for a long time, but being a one-income family our traveling must be spaced out. And I always want to plan times to visit my native Philippines. The Philippine trip costs a lot, especially the plane tickets. So here is our bucket list for our road trip 2020.

The following are the places en route to Austin, Texas:

Cleveland, Ohio

Travel Time: From Rochester, New York to Cleveland Ohio is 4 hours and 2 minutes

 

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. Find a Cleveland Sign at Edge Water Park
2. Ohio City Neighborhood in 25th Street
3. Walk Around Public Square
4. Cleveland Botanical Garden
5. Cleveland Museum Of Natural History

Other Attractions:

1. Cleveland Metropark Zoo
2. Great Lakes Science Center
3. Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame
4. Greater Cleveland Aquarium
5. A Christmas Story House
6. West Market
7. Playhouse
8. Go Ape

Where To Stay?

1. Intercontinental Suites Hotel Cleveland 
2. Tru By Hilton Cleveland Midtown, Cleveland
3. Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown
4. Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown
5. Holiday Inn Express Cleveland Downtown
6. Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown
7. Travelodge By Cleveland Wyndham Lakewood
8. Days Inn By Cleveland Wyndham Lakewood

Where To Eat?

1. Flour
2. Bar Cento
3. B spot
4. Slyman’s Deli
5. Polish Boy
6. Pierogi
7. Lola Bistro
8. Green House Tavern

Note:

We will stay in Cleveland, Ohio, for one night before proceeding on our journey to Columbus Ohio. The highlight of our trip will be the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Columbus, Ohio

Travel Time: From Cleveland Botanical Garden To German Village in Columbus is 2 hours and 15 minutes

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. Newark
2. German Village
3. Columbus Museum Of Art
4. The Wilds
5. Park of Roses
6. Old Man Cave
7. Ash Cave
8. Cedar Falls
9. Tecumseh

Other Attractions:

1. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
2. Cuyahoga National Park
3. Dayton
4. Miamisburg Mound
5. Celebrate Summer at the Ohio State Fair
6. Children’s Garden At Franklin Park Conservatory
7. COSI

Where To Stay in Columbus?

1. Christopher Inn and Suites, Chillicothe
2. Best Western Suite
3. Hampton Inn and Suites Columbus Downtown
4. Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbus/Polaris, OH
5. Cambria Hotel Columbus/Polaris
6. Hampton Inn and Suites Columbus/University Area
7. Staybridge University Area Osu
8. Marriott Columbus University Area
9. Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus/University Area
10. German Village Guest House

Where To Eat?

1. The Thurman Cafe
2. Schmidt”s Sausage Haus und Restaurant
3. Dirty Frank Hotdog Place
4. Buckeye Donuts
5. Pistachia Vera
6. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
7. Katalina’s

Note:

We will be staying two nights in Columbus, Ohio, on our way to Austin, Texas. But before we arrive in the central area of the city, we will stop by Newark to capture a photo of the giant basket. The highlights of our trip here are to visit The Wilds, Hocking Hills, and to watch a movie in Tecumseh.

1st Day

A full day of fun in The Wild and I’m hoping to make it to the Columbus Museum of Art. If we are in the area around Friday and Saturday, we can make it for sure as they are open until 8:00 pm.

2nd Day

Another adventure to the Hocking Hills and hopefully watching Tecumseh.

 

Cincinnati, Ohio 

Travel Time:  From Tecumseh to Cincinnati, Ohio is 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. Fountain Square
2. Cincinnati Art Museum
3. Rosenthal Education Center ( inside Cincinnati Art Museum)

Other Attractions:

1. Taft Museum Of Art
2. Kings Island
3. Natural History Museum
4. Everybody Tree House
5. New Port Aquarium
6. Contemporary Art Center

Where To Stay?

1.  Hyatt Regency Hotel Cincinnati
2. Best Western Plus Hannaford Inn and Suites
3. Hampton Inn & Suites Cincinnati / Kenwood
4. Best Western Plus Cincinnati Riverfront Downtown Area
5. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Cincinnati

Where To Eat?

1. Skyline Chili 
2. Boca
3. Taft Ale House
4. Gold Star
5. Graeter’s Ice Cream
6. Montgomery Inn BBQ Sauce
7. Milk Shakes At United Dairy Farmers
8. Buckeyes
9. Orchids at Palm Court
10. The Turf Club

Note:

We will stay overnight in Cincinnati on our way to Austin, Texas. The highlight of our trip is to try their famous chili cuisine as my hubby enjoys eating chili. Our itinerary will depend on what time we arrive in the place.

Louisville, Kentucky

Travel Time: From Cincinnati, Ohio is 1 hour and 46 minutes

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. 21C Museum Hotel Louisville
2. Walk Through Old Louiseville
3. Big Four Bridge

Other Attractions:

1. Navitat Canopy Adventure
2. Lost River Cave
3. Fourth Street Live
4. Louisville Zoo
5. Muhammad Ali Center
6. Frazier International History Museum

Where To Stay?

1. The Seelbach Hilton Louisville
2. Fairfield Inn and Suites Louisville Downtown
3. Embassy Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown
4. The Galt House A Trademark Collection Hotel
5. Spring Hill Suites Louisville
6. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Louisville Downtown
7. 21C Museum Hotel Louisville

Where To Eat?

1. Mark Feed Store BBQ
2. Wild Eggs
3. Jeff Ruby Steakhouse
4. Mojito in Havanah
5. Proof on Main

Note:

Gatlinburg Sky Lift is 4 hours and 30 minutes’ drive away from Louisville, Kentucky. We will be spending two nights in the area and visit other attractions that are nearby before we proceed to Louisville Kentucky. We will be staying in Mountain House Inn

Nashville Tennessee

Travel Time: From Louisville, Kentucky to Nashville Tennessee is 2 hours and 38 minutes

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. Smale Riverfront Park
2. Frist Center for the Visual Arts
3. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
4. General Jackson’s Show Boat
5. Opryland Resort
6. Nashville Shores
7. Country Music Hall Of Fame
8. Cumberland Park
9. Broadway Street
10. Nashville Street Art

Other Attractions:

1. Bicentennial Mall Capital State Park
2. Burgess Falls State Park
3. Centennial Park & The Parthenon
4. The Adventure Science Center
5. Nashville Zoo
6. Grand Opry
7. Aquarium Restaurant And Underwater Adventure
8. Tennessee State Museum
9. Adventure Works

Where To Stay in Nashville?

1. Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown
2. The Capitol Hotel Downtown, Ascend Hotel Collection
3. Towneplace Suites Nashville Airport, Nashville
4. Glo Best Western Nashville Airport West
5. Opryland Resort
6. Nashville Shores

Where to Eat?

1. Hattie’s B Hot Chicken
2. Goo Goo Shop
3. Butcher Town Hall
4. Acme Feed and Seed
5. Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant
6. Robert’s Western World
7. Mas Tacos Por Favor

Note:

If you are following our journey, you know that both Keira and Kyle have artistic talent. So I made sure to include Frist Art Visual Center as our primary goal in visiting the city. Of course, Country Hall Music of Fame to see the famous artists who live in the city is also a must.

Memphis Tennessee

Travel Time: From Nashville Tennessee to Memphis, Tennessee is 3 hours and 2 minutes

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. Go Ape
2. Sun Studio
3. Crystal Shrine Grotto
4. A. Schwab’s
5. Graceland
6. Beale Street
7. Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum

Other Attractions:

1. Ride a Trolley
2. The Pea Body Duck
3. Memphis Zoo
4. Stax Museum
5. The Summer Drive Inn
6. Mud Island River Park

Where To Stay?

1. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Memphis, Downtown Memphis
2. Shellcrest Apartments Downtown Memphis
3. Comfort Inn Memphis, Downtown Memphis
4. The Peabody Memphis
5. Lauderdale Courts (#328)
6. Madison Hotel

Where To Eat?

1. Brother Junipers
2. B.B King Blue Club
3. Beauty Shop
4. Gus Fried Chicken
5. Gorge At Central Barbecue
6. Malt Bar
7. Silky’s O’Sullivan
8. The Arcade Restaurant
9. Flying Fish

Note:

The highlight of our trip here aside from the famous Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum will be the Crystal Shrine Grotto. Other attractions will depend on our time and what’s accessible to us.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Travel Time: From Memphis, Tennessee to Arkansas is 2 hours and 4 minutes

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. Adventure Works
2. Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
3. Hot Spring National Park
4. Crater of Diamonds State Park
5. Buckstaff Bathhouse

Other Attractions:

1. Garvan Woodland Gardens
2. Anthony Chapel
3. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
4. Blanchard Spring Cavern
5. Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel
6. Buffalo National River
7. Petit Jean State Park
8. Beaver Lake
9. Eureka Spring

Where To Stay?

 

1. Gold Inn Hot Springs
2. Best Western Winner Circle
3. Hampton Inn Hot Springs
4. The Hotel Hot Springs
5. Comfort Suites Hot Springs
6. Courtyard by Marriott Hot Springs
7. Embassy Suites By Hilton Hot Springs
8. Hot Spring Tree Houses

Where To Eat?

1. Whole Hog Cafe North Little Rock
2. Fisherman Wharf
3. The Pancake Shop
4. Bleu Monkey Grill
5. Ohio Club
6. Superior Bathhouse Brewery
7. Rocky’s Corner

Note:

The tourist attractions that interest us most are located near Hot Springs. So I decided to look for accommodations in that area. Our main highlights in this small city are to see the Hot Springs National Park and to visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Be sure to stop by and take a bite of a yummy smoked barbecue in Whole Hog Cafe in North Little Rock. This place is 59 minutes away from Hot Springs National Park, so be sure to get some barbecue here before proceeding to your next destination.

Dallas, Texas

Travel Time: From Arkansas To Dallas, Texas, it is 5 hours and 16 minutes, depending on which route you take.

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. Crow Collection Of Asian Art
2. Stare into the Giant Eye Ball
3. Deep Ellum Murals
4. Klyde Warren Park

Other Attractions:

1. Dallas Museum Of Art
2. Geo Deck At Reunion Tower
3. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
4. Dallas World Aquarium
5. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
6. Texas Horse Park At The Trinity River
7. Sundance Square- in Fort Worth, Texas

Where To Stay?

1. Wingate By Wyndham Dallas Lovefield
2. Crashpad Downtown Dallas
3. Hyatt Regency Dallas
4. Hilton Anatole
5. Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown
6. Lyric at 300 N. Akard St.

Where To Eat?

1. Peacan Lodge BBQ
2. The Lot
3. El Fenix Famous Mexican Restaurant
4. Tolbert’s
5. Keller’s Drive-In
6. Mariano Hacienda’s Dallas
7. Texan Station
8. Mi Cocina
9. The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

Note:

We will stay one night here on our way back to Rochester, and the main highlight of our trip is to try the original frozen margarita by Mariano Martinez’s Dallas. The Mexican accomplishments will be perfect to go along with it. Another food to look forward to when in Dallas is to try Frito Pie in Texan Station. I can’t wait to try it! I am excited!

Austin, Texas

Travel Time: From Dallas, Texas, to Austin, Texas, it is 2 hours and 46 minutes, depending on which route you take.

Things To Do That Interests Us:

1. See the bats at Congress Avenue Bridge
2. Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk Trail
3. Tour The Capital
4. Catch some great live music performances with Austin City Limits Radio at the Grove
5.  Visit the Hope Outdoor Gallery
6. Governor Mansion
7. Texas State Capitol
8. Cover Park Mount Bonnel
9. The Mohawk

Other Attractions:

1. Bullock Texas State History Museum
2. SoCo District
3. Waterloo Records
4. South Congress Avenue
5. San Antonio River Walk
6. Magnolia Market
7. Historic Market Square- City Of Antonio
8. Sea World- San Antonio, Texas

Where To Stay?

1. DoubleTree by Hilton Austin
2. Hyatt Place Austin Downtown
3. Days Inn by Wyndham Austin University/ Downtown
4. Crowne Plaza Austin
5. Hyatt Regency Austin
6. Courtyard Austin University Area

Where To Eat?

1. Amy’s Ice Cream
2. Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
3. Franklin BBQ
4. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
5. The Oasis on Lake Travis
6. Uchi
7. Terry’s Black Barbecue
8. Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue
9. Jack Allen’s Kitchen
10. Boudro’s
11. Iron Cactus Mexican Restaurant and Margarita Bar
12. Magnolia Pancake Haus
13. Hula Hut
14. Magnolia Table- Waco, Texas
15. Salt Lick BBQ
16. Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse- San Antonio, Texas
17. Rosario’s Mexican Cafe Y Cantina- San Antonio, Texas
18. Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery

Note:

The main goal for this trip in visiting Austin, Texas, is to see my sister-in-law. We do not need a hotel because we will be staying with our relatives. But I included accommodations that others have recommended if you happen to visit the area. We will spend several days here. I put all the attractions that interest us in one section because we might be able to visit them all. We’ll see.

 

Itinerary:

 

Road Trip Stops:

I divided travel and rest between the following states and cities along our journey to allow for both relaxation and exploring time.

 

Rochester, New York to Austin, Texas

• Cleveland, Ohio (1N)
• Columbus, Ohio (1N)
• Cincinnati, Ohio  (Day Trip)
• Nashville, Tennessee (2N)
• Arkansas (2N)

Austin, Texas To Rochester New, York

• Dallas (1N)
• Memphis (2N)
• Louisville (2N)
• Cleveland (1N)

Note:

The total number of nights we will be staying in Austin is (5N).

Tips:

• Always remember to allocate enough time for the museums or each attraction so that the kids will have time to interact and play at least 3-4 hours.
• When visiting the zoo, always research the location and area ahead of time. I recommend allocating one whole day, so you enjoy your visit. 
• Planning a road trip from one city to the other can be exhausting. For you to enjoy the planning process, always check ahead of time from point A to Point B. From there, you’ll have an idea which cities are en route to your final destination.
• After figuring out the following cities, you’ll find the attraction that the place is known/famous for. Or whatever you like to see in the area. Take note of it. 
• Next will be putting everything into the map, so you will know what makes sense for your travel. In doing this, you avoid crisscrossing or going back and forth. It will save you time, money, energy, and gas.

Summary:

Road tripping is a lot of fun, especially if you can enjoy the places along the journey. Always remember that traveling with children is different than traveling with teens and or adults. Make sure to give enough time for stops and let the kids enjoy the journey. If you need a hotel to stay hotels.com will be the perfect place to look for great budget hotels plus they give you $50 off click here

 

Here is our road trip from last year

 

Smithsonian Zoo In Washington DC ” How To Maximize Your Time Here? “

River Inn Riverside Washington DC ” A Cozy Place To Stay”

Mount Vernon: Three Hours In George Washington Mansion With Family

Virginia Beach: How To Spend Quality Time With Your Family

Rode’s Road Trip: Family Fun Stop in Fairfax, Virginia

Road Trippin: Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Virginia

 

 

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