Great Lakes - Cool places within 500 miles of Champaign, IL?

I only have limited time to tour, but I figure that with the time I have I can cover 500 miles. ^^ Here's where I am:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Champaign&state=IL

The thing is that touring is just as much about the destination to me as about the journey, and I want to be rewarded at the end with an awesome destination. Chicago is out, I've been there too many times. The midwest doesn't seem to have too many famously fun cities... does it? Help! :3

starved rock state park? 118 miles. I've never been, but heard good things.

If I was doing it I would put together a Civil War tour. Ride to Fort Henry and Fort Donaldson, continue down to Shiloh (and might as well hit Corinth just to get more and another state). Head back through Stones River/Murpheesbourgh (sp?) if you've got the time.

Madison, WI.

It's more like "infamously" fun.

Thanks for the suggestions. ^_^ I'm not much of a civil war buff though, and I don't plan on camping or anything either... I'm gonna be couch surfing my whole tour, and motels if I have to.

I'm thinking Wisconsin Dells would be a good option. Yay waterparks.

What about the big cities? Does anyone know what the city/nightlife is like in Detroit or Columbus or whatnot? Any other exciting things I can do if I'm there?

Edit: Haha, I went to undergrad in Madison, so I drop by there often. :)

Mississippi River? or southern Indiana / northern Kentucky?

Bloomington, Inidana is a must at some point and I'm sure there's something to do at night as well. :lol:

New Orleans. If it's too far, AMTRAK part way on the "City of New Orleans" (goes right through Champaign), then ride the rest. Or train down, then ride back, or vice versa.

Iowa City is a lively college town. Usually good for a fun night, fwiw.

I wouldn't mind hitting up Bloomington. Might consider Iowa City, but since I just went to undergrad in Madison and am now doing grad school in Champaign, two very robust college towns, I feel like I've seen the most of it ^_^

I do really, really want to visit New Orleans. I would love to bike there and take a train back, but where would I put my bike then?? o_O It's sorta big...

bikes on amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1080080554487&pagename=Amtrak%2Fam2Copy%2FSimple_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy)

Oooh that is so awesome. I am totally hitting New Orleans up.

But I don't think the person I'd be traveling with can afford the train though. :[ We're trying to go super duper budget, and $106 for one way on the Amtrak would be too costly. The budget is less than $200 per person - food, living, gas, entertainment and all - and that's for 10 days. Hopefully that's feasible. We'll be couch surfing and buying food from grocery stores.

But I did figure something out. ^_^
We're gonna drive my car to somewhere in Tennessee or whatnot, then bike to New Orleans, stay for a few days, and then bike back to the car and drive home.

Yay.

Mississippi River Road http://www.mississippirivertrail.org/

Don't go to the Dells! They are not what they once were.

Since you are in Champaign, go get some Papa Dells for me. I miss it so much.

but, but....it's Chicago.

I estimate that 500 miles due north of Champoo-Banana is Calumet, Michigan -- on Lake Huron. It would likely be "cool" there.


Likely have to make your own fun, though. :roflmao2: