Detrioit to Niagra Falls in Spring 2015????

[LarryJM]

I'm in the process of planning out spring 2015 "road trip" to the Detroit, MI and then to Niagra Falls and am looking at sometime in the mid April to Mid May time frame with about a week in the Detroit area and about 10dys to 2 weeks in the Niagra Falls area. We will be coming from the Wash D.C. area and returning to the same. Time is not an issue nor is cost if that would change anyone's recommendations/thoughts.

While nothing is guaranteed I'm wonder what in general the weather snow wise mainly we might be facing and would like to hear from some long time natives around those two areas what in general the weather might be like say from 15-30 April in Detroit and 1-15 May in Niagra Falls. This recent "snowmagedon" NY thing sort of has us spooked right now, but we realize this is NOT NORMAL at least as far as the magnitude goes.

Major plans area to hit the Ford museum complex in Mi and of course all the Niagra Falls things. We have passports and are also considering maybe working in things like the AF museum in Dayton and anything in the Cleveland, Columbus region. We are more the museum types and not the outdoors, hiking, etc. types. So any tidbits or recommendations things especially unique around the potential areas of our planned road trip would be appreciated.

Oh we do have our passports for Canada, but won't tow there because of the food/weapons restrictions so our travels as far as RVing goes has to stay on this side of the border. Day trips are fine.

TIA,

Larry

[RoadAbode]

Here's another one - Niagara on the Lake is a nice town to tour, maybe a little pricey. But close to there is Insikillin Winery - Great Tour and really learned a lot about ICE wine, which the region is known for. Inniskillin pioneered Ice wine in the area.
Inniskillin Winery

[LarryJM]

RoadAbode wrote:

DrewE wrote:
The Corning glass museum (on the way back towards DC) is well worth visiting.

The George Eastman house in Rochester is also quite good. There's also the annual lilac festival in Rochester, in 2015 it will be May 8 - May 17 (in Highland Park, mainly).

X2 agree with DrewE on Corning Glass Museum. Science, History and Art museum (and cool store) all in one. Also close by is Watkins Glen beautiful and easy hike (take shuttle to top and hike down) and also in that area, the wineries around Seneca Lake are lots of fun. Here are Posts about the area from our blog

Great ideas and we can easily add in things in the general area or even travel like a day out of our way if there is enough to do since we have all the flexibility and time needed to add/subtract/modify as needed.

Keep the ideas coming and one thing we do enjoy is finding unusual out of the way places to eat a light lunch ... usually nothing fancy, but did like the local "lobster roll" popular hole in the wall place in Key West and the one IIRC near the LL Bean store in Freeport when we went to Maine several years back. We're not big go to meeting dinner types, but do enjoy the "unusual lunch" fares as long as they're no to heavy or fancy.

Larry

[RoadAbode]

DrewE wrote:
The Corning glass museum (on the way back towards DC) is well worth visiting.

The George Eastman house in Rochester is also quite good. There's also the annual lilac festival in Rochester, in 2015 it will be May 8 - May 17 (in Highland Park, mainly).

X2 agree with DrewE on Corning Glass Museum. Science, History and Art museum (and cool store) all in one. Also close by is Watkins Glen beautiful and easy hike (take shuttle to top and hike down) and also in that area, the wineries around Seneca Lake are lots of fun. Here are Posts about the area from our blog

[Kampinkate]

It will still be chilly. We did the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls this summer and found it spectacular. Your biggest problem might be finding campgrounds open that early. Have fun!

[michigansandzil]

ericsmith32 wrote:
Thanks for bringing this up. We're planning a similar but longer trip next March. Starting at KC skirting the south edge of Chicago on to Elkhart IN to Detroit and then to Niagara Falls. Also will have to keep on the US side. We've talked about the weather as a no go possibility. Will most likely wait till a couple weeks before hand on if we need to go south. We always go south ready to go north once for a change!

Detroit in March? Not if you want it warm.
We ski in March!

[ericsmith32]

Thanks for bringing this up. We're planning a similar but longer trip next March. Starting at KC skirting the south edge of Chicago on to Elkhart IN to Detroit and then to Niagara Falls. Also will have to keep on the US side. We've talked about the weather as a no go possibility. Will most likely wait till a couple weeks before hand on if we need to go south. We always go south ready to go north once for a change!

[lbrjet]

We spent five nights there a few years ago and would have stayed longer if time permitted. The power plant self guided free tour is very interesting and the Erie Canal boat ride out of Lockport is worth the money. Visit Fort Niagara and every viewing point on the falls, both sides. Of course the maid of the mist can't be missed. State parks and beautiful scenery when you get out of town.

[Tripalot]

We are Canadians and cross the border several times a year without incident. Know the simple rules and abide by them. I always enter the US with a full fridge and freezer but I have a list of what meat and produce I have on board and don't bring any of the banned foods (citrus, tomatoes, lamb, etc.) Coming home, no need to do this - Canadian inspectors are not that interested in food - only alcohol, tobacco and firearms.

Stop worrying about food, fill your tank before the border and bring your allotment of alcohol. If you have a pet, bring food in its original container. This is more for returning to the US.

[GaryWT]

This will I90 be open or still buried in snow, feel bad for the area.

Have not been for about 18 years. What are the rules for bringing your own food to Canada for a week. Do they take it away now? We brought stuff in and coming out they could not believe we only bought a hat and a couple t-shirts.

[Greydennyhawk]

The only problems with the Canadian side, are :
A. Price of gasoline , fill up before you go
B. Price of beer/ alcohol/ wine etc. , fill up before you go
C. Price of Butter, coffee, meat etc at the supermarket. I really do not know how the folks there can afford to live there. Everybody there is wonderful and the outdoor facilities like campgrounds, boat launches, picnic areas are fantastic.
Truthfully the only difference between the two countries is that in the US, you can buy a politician, in Canada, you can only rent one.

[michigansandzil]

If you're going to Cleveland, we toured the USS Cod (submarine) and the William Mather freighter and enjoyed both of those very much. You can walk from the rock and roll hall of fame to the freighter.

[bigred1cav]

AF museum in Dayton and anything in the Cleveland, Columbus region. We are more the museum types

Columbus has several Museums and one 1880's living farm, Slate Run an actual working farm where re-enactors do daily chores and routines of 1880 farm life.

State camp grounds i Ohio are beautiful few full hookups but wonderfully maintained and not so expensive. Old Mans Cave is nice but walking to see the cave.

Columbus has COSI Jack Nickolas Hall of Fame. A fine Art Museum. Of course one needs to look at Woody's Cathedral in a drive by at a minimum on 315. The Columbus Zoo is very nice. I personally don't care for jack he is a phoney. The Zoo is very nice.

[bigred1cav]

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is a good tour.

Divert 60 miles and go to NFL Hall of Fame, Canton.

[DrewE]

The Corning glass museum (on the way back towards DC) is well worth visiting.

The George Eastman house in Rochester is also quite good. There's also the annual lilac festival in Rochester, in 2015 it will be May 8 - May 17 (in Highland Park, mainly).