The long and winding road to Lockn

Yes, we'd like to know as well since we're probably traveling a similar route.

So here are a couple of ideas.
In Cleveland, Great Lakes Brewing (2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113) is a cool place for lunch. If you want to sample Eastern European fare try Sokolowski's University Inn (1201 University Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113) or Seven Roses Polish Delicatessen (6301 Fleet Ave, Cleveland, OH 44105) but you’re coming from Chicago so that probably won’t impress. I liked Michael Symon’s restaurant Lola (2058 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115) when we went but that was 10 years ago at least. The Cleveland Metro Zoo was cool and there was a Jerry Garcia quote on a sign going into the Rainforest exhibit. The R&R HoF really is awesome. Leave and drive by Nelson Ledges Quarry Park (12001 Nelson Ledge Rd, Garrettsville, OH 44231) just to check out a great fest site.

The Andy Warhol Museum (117 Sandusky St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212) is a trip. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium are excellent too (7340 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206). Church Brew Works (3525 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201) is an old Catholic church converted into a brewery. Do shots in the confessional for a true burgh experience. That or go have a brew up on Polish Hill at Gooski’s (3117 Brereton St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219). Primanti Bros (46 18th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222) is the classic P'burgh sandwhich served with fries piled on the sandwich. If you happen to be inn Pittsburgh on Sunday morning go to Grand Concourse (100 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219) for brunch. Old train station converted into a restaurant. I think it is pretty upscale for dinner but they do lunch as well so that might be a little more reasonable. Heinz Chapel (4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260) on the Pitt campus is a sight to behold and it is not far from The Original Hot Dog Shop (3901 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213) or The Dirty “O” as it is known. Head south and stop and see Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece set in the PA countryside. (1491 Mill Run Rd, Mill Run, PA 15464).

When you leave Lockn, go west over the ridge into the Rockfish Valley and check out the breweries along 151. There’s a bunch. While in the valley head a bit southg and check out Crabtree Falls (10438-, 10636 Crabtree Falls Hwy, Tyro, VA 22976). Charlottesville, home of UVA, is a beauty of a small southern college town. Monticello, Jefferson’s home is just outside of town. Michie Tavern (683 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902) is just south of town and is on the National Historic Landmark Whatever. It is a tavern from 1784 and you can eat lunch (9-5) there at the not totally amazing buffet. BUT! They will bring you just a bowl of gravy if you ask for it. The fried chicken is pretty killer. Good breweries in C;ville and surrounding areas including Starr Hill in beautiful Crozet.

From there you could head thru Staunton VA and up 250 to Monterey, VA and the Blue Grass Valley. Stunning scenery. Turn left at Monterey on 220 and go to Jefferson Pools. A natural hot springs in Warm Springs, VA. Built in 1761 and the buildings look it. A total trip to sit and relax in a warm spring visited by Tom himself. Get a room in Warm Springs at The Inn at Gristmill Square and have a lovely dinner at The Waterwheel Restaurant next door (124 Old Mill Rd, Warm Springs, VA 24484). Next day head up into WV and check out the Green Bank Telescope. It is the largest radio telescopein the world and is the largest independently moveable land object in the world.

That’s what I’ve got off hand.

good list Mcjeff and also let's add Lexington, Va--lots of history and beautiful small town, plus breweries. cheap motels as well as B&B's there. Lots of lockn folks overnight there on the way in.

go to/from Lexington to Warm Springs by way of the Goshen Road (32) one of the most beautiful drives in the USA. It's similar to I-64 along there but it follows the river and is far better. But you are right about Monterey, Highland County (Buddy's home)and Bath County are stunning.

To/from Lexington (or interstate 81) go over Rte 56 via Steele's Tavern then to Crabtree Falls--great winding road for daylight. And of course the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Virginia Distillery for a great Virginia Highland single malt just a few miles from Lockn and Starr Hill (brewery) in Crozet between Lockn and C'ville.

The best map book for the small roads, even the dirt roads, is the Virginia Gazetteer. They are all topo maps so great for hiking, biking, camping and other exploring. Found me a back door to lockn with it!

That whole area of Virginia is great for driving around and there are lots of long and short loops to make, and easy to find a state road parallel to the interstates.

Yeah I even hesitated putting GLBC on there but last time we were in Cleveland it was still a great place for some local beer and a good lunch. I have no doubt there are much better beers in Cleveland now but don't have any first hand knowledge. Thanks for the recommendations.

And I agree about Mexican. Pretty much everywhere has an outstanding Mex place these days. Unless it is really wacky, like Casa Bonita in Denver, I prefer local ethnic. By the way, Casa Bonita food is cafeteria Mexican and not very good but the place is worth going to just to see it. They have cliff divers inside. I don't see Polish/Hungarian/Eastern European restaurants in Raleigh so that is what I would be attracted to in Cleveland. And BBQ. Always interesting to try local BBQ.

Thanks for the suggestions. Going to have to work those in.

Driving home we usually stay in this little Hippie town named Yellow Springs Ohio. It's half way between Chicago and lockn. They have great restaurants, shops, and a great record store. Even got a sweet dead tattoo there last year.

On our way home we usually stop in centerville at Warm Glow Candle Outlet. Sounds cheesy but they literally have the best smelling candles ever and we stock up for a year.

And we usually stop in Merrillville, Indiana @ the Albanese Gummy Factory for best gummies ever.

And Three Floyd's brewery for lunch to end the trip.

Scott and I are coming from Chicago too.  What route are you taking exactly?  We made the mistake of going through hours of mountains in West Virginia and then through Lexington last year pulling an RV for the first time.  Stayed in Lexington, which was great, but gonna come from the north this year instead.  Whatever you do, when leaving the fest, do not go south on 29 if pulling an RV!   Two lane winding road with no guard rails and logging trucks blasting head on.  Terrifying! With being tired and hungover, both of us had panic attacks and only made it an hour and checked into a hotel in Lexington again.   Next day we each took a Xanax, did the 3 hours of WV mountains, pulled over and passed out an hour.  Took us days to get home.  Lol!  Definitely doing the Cleveland, Pittsburgh way this year.  On a side note, in Cleveland a couple years ago, went to Lola restaurant the night before a TTB concert.  I was explaining to a couple at the bar who TTB was.  A guy elbowed me and said, "Hey, I'm in that band."   It was Saunders Sermon.  Partied with him and his girlfriend and the next night, he brought us to the bus and got Derek out to meet us!  So cool. I miss Saunders and Maurice.  Anyway, have a great trip!