Quad Cities Nesties
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
XP : Winter Getaway 4-6 hours from Des Moines
DH and I want to get away for a long weekend next month and would like to find a desination which is about a 4-6 drive from the Des Moines area. We thought about Chicago, but not sure if it's right for us. All suggestions are much appreciated!
Re: XP : Winter Getaway 4-6 hours from Des Moines
What types of things would you like to do on your long weekend?
DH and I love Chicago. Great shopping, museums, aquarium, zoo (for warmer weather) and amazing food.
Galena would be nice for just the two of you. It's more remote than the city. http://www.visitgalena.org/
I have always liked going to St. Paul/Minneapolis. The Minnesota State Museum is AWESOME. Plus they have Ikea and the Mall of America (and many other stores). You can also check and see if any concerts, sporting events or shows are in town the weekend you are interested in.
See when the auto show is coming to town (I think it's early March though).
I would also suggest Kansas City. I think it is underappreciated in terms of a weekend trip location. Hallmark Factory, Country Club Plaza, tons of new bars, and of course, shopping!
I can also suggest Peoria, IL.
the Civic Center always has things coming around. Check out the 309 Resturant. Historic homes to tour along Moss Ave. Bradley University (and basketball, although a horrible year for the team). Lakeview Museum & Planetarium. Jillian's (adult Chuck-E-Cheese).
In another year or two, we will have a Caterpillar (construction trucks) Museum and Riverfront Museum.
I'd come down from IC for a night or two, depending on what you want to do. It's about a 3 hour drive. You could always eat at the Packinghouse in Galesburg on the way (never been, but I would like to someday since it's on the way to the QC).
The Peoria Zoo also has a new AFRICA! exhibit.
There are alot of Roller Derby events advertised. (I don't know why Roller Derby is enjoyed in this town.)
Grandview Drive (called by President Roosevelt as the World's Most Beautiful Drive) (ritzy homes and the best view of the Illinois River... good picnic spot).
Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria.... go to the Burger Barge next door. Best hole-in-the-wall place for a burger!
Eat at One World (corner of Main & University). It's a little hippy-like, but carnivores and vegans can eat in harmony. I recommend the Cuban Pork sandwich, hummus as an appetizer.
Happy Fish on Main St. for sushi. Or Sushigawa on Sterling Ave (same shopping center as Five Guys!!).
Jukebox Comedy Club
Main Street has the bars. There are a few others downtown as well. Richard's on Main for steaks (or burgers) until 4am
ExplorePeoria.com is the website to go to for ideas. I get an email each week with events (and they don't forget ANYTHING!).
The best hotel ever to stay at (in the area) is the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, on the riverfront. There are also several other hotels in EP that are minutes from downtown Peoria. Hotels up by Grand Prairie (north Peoria) are also good too. I've never thought fondly of the hotels off Sterling and Brandywine... but I've also never been inside those either.
So yes, in a nutshell, I think you and your friend could find enough stuff to stay busy for a weekend. If you are not so sure, just stay Friday night.
PS- The Rivermen games are always fun
I'm incredibly biased (I grew up an hour south of there), but I think Kansas City is awesome. Hallmark's international headquarters is in Kansas City and they have a museum at Crown Center. They also have a zoo, amazing BBQ, and wonderful shopping.
It has lots of other amazing stuff, but I just finished a 12 hour shift at work (CNA at a nursing home) and I am exhausted.
CowboysWife- You'll have to let us know where you end up going.
kmjarvey- let me know if you end up coming down to the dirty south! (Well, technically, it is more "south" latitudinally.)