Hey there friend!
I hope you're doing great because it's time to get going to our next destinations on this road trip! The next stop on the trip was through some snowy roads in Ohio and a road trip is not just about driving, driving, and more driving, it's about stopping at some random places along the way.
So, let me start by saying that I'm a big fan of pastries and sweets, the limit does not exist if it's something sweet. And, I had my heart set on exploring Cleveland after it had been 20 years since I was last there and what's important to know is that Cleveland is one of the most Hungarian-populated cities in the US. Being Hungarian-American (or American-Hungarian) you come to appreciate those little gems where you feel at home in another country, whether that be finding Hungarian things in the US or finding American things in Hungary. You always feel at home wherever you are. In any case, it would have been a little taste of home for me (pun intended)! But alas, my travel partner didn't find it as significant, and we decided to go with the flow.
Sidenote, road trips and traveling are all about tasting the different foods of that culture or state. It's how you get to know a place! Food is more than just food, it's emotional, it's cultural, it's part of what makes up a place! But more on that later.
No stops in Cleveland, instead, we stumbled upon an enchanting winter wonderland town called Chagrin Falls. Located conveniently on our way to Toledo, Ohio, it felt like a hidden gem. The town was adorned with twinkling Christmas lights still, cozy shops, and a charming waterfall. It was no Niagara Falls, but it was still pretty charming! The vibe was just perfect for a picturesque winter stroll. Not much to it but it was a nice little stop to sum it up.
Next up, Toledo. Toledo may not be bursting with attractions, but it turned out to be an excellent choice to break up the drive. Little did I know then that booking in Detroit would have been a more intriguing option but it is what it is!
You see, as considerate as I am, I asked for everyone's opinion during the initial planning. I got the "OK" and that was that. I just wanted to break up the distances and time between locations. Lesson learned, next time I'll be more adamant when asking if this works for everyone. But no worries, we still made it over to Detroit!
Detroit meant a stop at the Ford Museum and the Ford F150 factory, and let me tell you, it was worth it! Heading into the Ford Museum, was like stepping back in time to witness the iconic milestones in automotive history. From the presidential cars to the race cars and everything in between, a very well-put-together (and informative) museum!
And the best part? The Ford factory itself! Trust me, even I have to say that seeing those massive machines in action was pretty mind-blowing. It's a petrolhead's paradise! But even seeing the test track where they take out the newly put together F150s and then the entire assembly line with the workers right there in front of you is pretty interesting (but of course, could not take any pictures inside the factory)! Arriving at opening allowed us to have a good chunk of the day to immerse in this automobile haven. Honestly, you can easily spend an entire day there, but it was time to get going by lunchtime.
But first, a quick pitstop in downtown Detroit which was a ghost town! I don't what it was but it was dead. As in not a single person on the street during the day. It was weird! Probably the quickest stop of all stops, and then we were getting going. More adventures were awaiting us!
We finally headed towards the windy city itself – Chicago! The thought of deep-dish pizza, the magnificent skyline, and the vibrant music scene had my spirits high. The drive may have been a bit longer, but that didn't dampen my spirits one bit. I had planned to have two nights in Chicago to be able to have a full day to explore the city.
Next up, time to spill the (Chicago) beans on the adventures in the city of Chicago. The mouthwatering food, stunning architecture, and new friends - because what would a trip be without meeting new people?
Hotel for Night 2:
Tru by Hilton Perrysburg Toledo - easily booked through the Hilton Honors app and overall the stay was easy, accessible, clean, and perfect for a quick pit stop before getting back on the road the next morning. The gym was well equipped too! Just because you're on a road trip doesn't mean your habits have to go out the door too!
Comments