Vacation places that inspired you!

[coastertux]

Originally Posted by robochik52

I went to yellowstone national park in wyoming two summers ago. Being able to see all of the animals and the natural wonders of the world was absolutely incredible. The scenery was beautiful and the stars at night were absolutely gorgeous. The best part was it took me away from civilization for a few days.

Yellowstone made me look at nature and develop an appreciation for the natural world...

I totally agree, I love vacations out in nature. The past two summers I have been to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks to go hiking. This summer I am going up to the Canadian Rockies in the Banf/Jasper area!

[Alan Anderson]

I've gone camping in the mountains of Wyoming every two years for the past quarter century. Getting up out of the soup that most people call air in Indiana is a wonderful way for me to recharge my spirit. You can get lost in the sky up there at night!

[Joe J.]

The Henry Ford as a whole is really amazing, the museum, village, IMAX, and the Rouge Tour. Though I don't consider it a vacation, its less than a half hour away.

Mackinac Island / Bridge
Philmont Scout Ranch, been backpacking there twice.

[lukevanoort]

It's a bit out of the way, but the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada has some absolutely amazing scenery. (Warning: not for those who fear mountain driving)

[EricH]

-the Air Force Museum (OH)
-Yosemite--backpack on one rim or the other. The valley is overrun in summer (but winter is nice and open)
-USS Midway-Permanently moored in San Diego. Maritime Musem is nearby and also good.
-Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

[Kim Masi]

Originally Posted by EricH

-USS Midway-Permanently moored in San Diego. Maritime Musem is nearby and also good.

I've been on there as well. One of the most awe-inspiring aircraft carriers. I learned so much about life at sea, and I'm a history buff so yeah I really enjoyed it.

[Robocat1]

Ohio's not a big state, so you can do all of this with a max. of three hours drive between each:

-Youngstown (near PA border, on Rt. 80) - Steel Museum, Children's Museum, Mill Creek Park - Old Mill
-Go west on Rt. 80 & north to Cleveland - Great Lakes Science Center (team party for Buckeye Regional this year - soooo much fun stuff to do!) and, of course, The Rock&Roll Hall of Fame (next door to each other)
-West to Sandusky - Cedar Point (best rollercoasters in the world, I think), or South/East to Aurora, Geagua Lake (more rollercoasters). Both sponsor Physics Days so I'm pretty sure if you call ahead you can get a park employee to give you a behind the scenes overview. The have FIRST teams display there every year to display on Physics day (coordinated by Cleveland NASA). And there's another hugh amusement park in Cincinnatti but I forget the name because Geagua Lake and Cedar Point are sooo awesome that I haven't gone there in at least 15 years!
-South to Columbus (COSI, state capital, the Horseshoe at OSU, etc.)
Of course, lots of really big malls and shopping everywhere!

And, there's much more (boating, train rides, water parks, camping, Amish areas, River Boats - go a little further south to the souther boarder - etc.)

And don't forget baseball, football, soccer, hockey...

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by Robocat1

And there's another hugh amusement park in Cincinnatti but I forget the name.

Kings Island. Home of the world's greatest wooden roller coaster. Not quite as coaster-crazy as CP but a great park in its own right.

[billbo911]

OK, an update. I visited my favorite National Park this past week. Here are some more recent shots. By the way, the snow runoff was AMAZING!!!

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by billbo911

OK, an update. I visited my favorite National Park this past week. Here are some more recent shots. By the way, the snow runoff was AMAZING!!!

It's hard to think of a place I'd rather be than Yosemite, especially with the waterfalls flowing and a bit of snow still here and there. I haven't done the Half Dome hike in over 15 years, but your pictures had me looking for my boots up on the closet shelf.

[Rich Wong]

Originally Posted by billbo911

OK, an update. I visited my favorite National Park this past week. Here are some more recent shots. By the way, the snow runoff was AMAZING!!!

WOW! Yosemite in on my plans for 2007.

[Alexa Stott]

I think that perhaps one of the best things to do for a vacation is to visit another country for a week or two. Just to spend time there, learning all about a different culture can be a really great experience.

I'm not sure if anyone has heard of it, but there is the student ambassador program, People to People. I participated in that back in 7th grade (about 2 years ago) and went to Australia for 3 weeks. On the trip, we stayed with an Australian family for 3 days, where we lived the lifestyle of the average Australian. Programs like that, if you can get in, are really great to participate in.

[RoboMadi]

I'd like to mention Madame Tussauds in London.
Mix with the famous at the world famous collection of realistic wax figures in specially designed settings which include The Garden Party, 200 Years, Superstars, Sports Heroes, Famous Actors, The Grand Hall, The Chamber of Horrors and The Spirit of London. Also special exhibitions from time to time.
They also have a lot of celebrities figure and etc.
They all look just soo real; its amazing

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by billbo911

OK, an update. I visited my favorite National Park this past week. Here are some more recent shots. By the way, the snow runoff was AMAZING!!!

Hope it's not too late. Looks like the main road into Yosemite valley will be out of commission for a while.

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by Richard

Hope it's not too late. Looks like the main road into Yosemite valley will be out of commission for a while.

There are still three more entrances you can use. Hwy 120 when coming from anywhere north of Manteca/Stockton. Hwy 41 when coming from the south, say Fresno. In between, flip a coin. If you are coming from the east side of the park, the Hwy 120 entrance off Hwy 395 may be open soon. They are still clearing snow, so check first.
Hwy 140 has been open and closed so many times, I can't even remember. The land shifts that have caused concern have been going on for a couple months. I wouldn't plan on using it at all this summer.