<p>The UP is pretty, but not really on the beaten path for the types of colleges the OP’s D wants to see. You do have to keep some focus on the colleges (feels pretty silly to come back from a college trip and feel like you didn’t go to the schools you most wanted to see in the area). The camper idea sounds a lot more expensive than either paying a dog walker or renting a car and driving yourself… and a hassle to find campgrounds, leave the dog/friend there for the day, etc. Not sure the friend would like this anyway, assuming she wants to go along for the “fun” stuff.</p>
<p>hahaha, nice idea, Sally, but I think the dog walker would be a little bit cheaper 
Though it could be fun.</p>
<p>I’m looking in to cheaper dog walkers and hoping she might be ok with that . . so far I found one for $16 a walk instead of $25.</p>
<p>Honestly this is a trip I would have chosen to do in fall, when classes are in session and the weather is more pleasant. I know that advice isn’t helpful, sorry for the digression.</p>
<p>The Indiana Dunes Natl Lakeshore is definitely worth a stop. You can stay for a half hour or a whole day. I’ve heard good things about some of the dunes on the Michigan side too but have not visited. For the OH part of the trip, look up the Bass Islands where boating and tourist attractions are available (I personally might not swim in Lake Erie but that’s your call). The Wisconsin Dells are very popular for waterparks.</p>
<p>On a similar trip I was very disappointed to learn that Kellogg’s does not offer plant tours in Battle Creek. Just warning you now.</p>
<p>It might be worth a stop in either Madison or Ann Arbor to see a larger university. I do understand if you’d rather see Binghamton (why visit an unaffordable option?) but driving through those cities on a college trip and not visiting at least one does seem like a waste.</p>
<p>Haven’t traveled with a dog recently but I wouldn’t go without a copy of the AAA PetBook for hotel and other location-specific info. The whole arrangement sounds tough for both you and your friend (you: dealing with dog needs, friend: boring trip if not in the college market). If renting a car is at all financially possible that would be worth considering.</p>
<p>Have a great trip!</p>
<p>Links:
[Find</a> a State Park, Forest, Recreation Area or Trail - Wisconsin DNR](<a href=“http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/findapark.html]Find”>Find a Park | Wisconsin State Parks, Forests and Trails | Wisconsin DNR)
[Official</a> Site for Ohio State Parks](<a href=“http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?alias=www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks]Official”>http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?alias=www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks)
[Cuyahoga</a> Valley National Park - Cuyahoga Valley National Park](<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm]Cuyahoga”>Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service))
[Pets</a> - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore](<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/pets.htm]Pets”>Pets - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service))</p>
<p>It sure would be nice if high schools gave students time off in the Fall to visit schools . . . other than spring break, junior year, I don’t know when kids can go afar to visit.</p>
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<p>I’m going to disagree with this a little. The schools specifically mentioned by the OP–College of Wooster, Kalamazoo College, Beloit, and Lawrence U–all line up one after the other, in that order. It’s a pretty efficient trip to go from Wooster, to Kalamazoo, around through Chicago to Beloit, then north to Lawrence. After that the only college the OP has specifically mentioned is Binghamton. Others have made additional suggestions. But if you stick to the OP’s list, it leaves you in Appleton, WI. From there you can either retrace your steps in the opposite direction, or do something new.</p>
<p>It’s going to be a long haul from Appleton, WI, to Binghamton, NY whichever way you go–minimum 14 hours, according to Google maps. The shortest route, in terms of time, is to retrace your original route, heading south to Chicago then east on Interstate 90 through northern Indiana, northern Ohio, then up across the northwest corner of Pennsylvania and across through New York’s southern tier. That’s a 2-day drive, as far as I’m concerned, but mostly it’s pretty boring (though parts of the southern tier of NY State are pretty), and seeing much of what you’ve already seen going in the opposite direction. It’s also grinding it out through Chicago, which I can’t underscore enough can add extra unplanned hours and a lot of aggravation to your trip–or not, depending on traffic. </p>
<p>But once you’re as far north as Appleton, it’s almost as easy–maybe easier–to go east across the UP, cross at Mackinac, and from there take I-75 and I-69 to Port Huron, MI, cross over to Sarnia, Ontario, and shoot across to Niagara Falls. That route to Binghamton clocks in at 16 hours, just 2 hours more than the Chicago route, according to Google maps, which I’m quite sure is not accounting for Chicago traffic. It’s much prettier, you’re seeing new things including some spectacular Lake Michigan shoreline in the UP, breathtaking vistas of both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron from the Mackinac Bridge, a last and quite lovely glimpse of Lake Huron at the Bluewater Bridge going into Ontario, the charming Niagara region of Ontario, Lake Ontario (which now means you’re seen 4 of the 5 Great Lakes), and Niagara Falls.</p>
<p>Google maps also suggests a third route; Appleton to Milwaukee, Lake Express fast ferry across to Muskegon, then across lower Michigan on I-96 and I-69 to Port Huron, from there following the same route as the UP route. That one clocks in at 15 hours, one hour longer than the Chicago route, one hour shorter than the Mackinac route. I’d rate the scenic value in inverse order to the speed, and the difference in speed is negligible. I’d also say the Mackinac route is the most dog-friendly (if the dog makes the trip) because there are so many roadside parks where you can just pull over and romp with the dog for a few minutes. Also maybe also the most driver-friendly (though that break while the ferry does the work is nice).</p>
<p>I have no stake in this; I don’t really care which route the OP takes, but any of those 3 suggested routes from Appleton to Binghamton doesn’t add colleges or subtract colleges from the list the OP identified. It’s probably easiest to add more colleges with the Chicago route, but since she’s already coming that way on the outbound trip, they could just as easily be added on the front end of the trip as at the back. </p>
<p>I know many people are accustomed to thinking of the UP as being located on the other side of nowhere, but once you’re as far north as Appleton, you’re very nearly in the UP, just 90 minutes away from it, and once you enter the UP you’re heading east before turning to the southeast across lower Michigan, then east again across Ontario. That’s slightly longer than heading due south to Chicago, around the southern end of Lake Michigan, then east, then northeast. But only slightly.</p>
<p>Totally agree bcclintonk, like I said earlier my S interned one summer in Osh Kosh and we live in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. It was within 20 miles whether we went through Chicago or the UP. </p>
<p>The one time we went through Chicago it took hours longer. Between the traffic and the toll booths every 10 miles it was considerably longer and we got through Milwaukee in good time. </p>
<p>The trip we and our S took every other time was through the UP. The traffic was great, no tolls except over the bridge! The scenery is so beautiful and it would be much more dog friendly. </p>
<p>I don’t really care what route is taken through Michigan to Wisconsin, it doesn’t matter to me. Do what you want. I’m saying what my preference is and what I think is the easier driving route. But then I’d rather look at forests and Lake Michigan any day. Boy I am cranky :)</p>
<p>how about if you and daughter (and friend, only IF she can leave little Precious behind) took the family car and rented a teensy car for hubby to use for the week or so you are gone? That option shouldn’t be too expensive, plus you could probably get some tips here on how to find great car rental deals!</p>
<p>Traveling with the dog would be a huge hassle. (And don’t even get me started on how obnoxious it is when people’s dogs in hotels disturb the peace and quiet of other customers. ARGH!)</p>
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<p>Spring break sophomore year, summer before junior and senior year. Our whole state also gives the kids a 4 day weekend (teacher training time) in October every year, and most seniors (and some juniors) take an extra day off for college visiting. Private school my kids attend also have a four day weekend in April, useful for juniors and seniors. We managed to visit 20 schools each with two kids by weaving them into vacations, camp pickups, trips to the grandparents or to visit older sibling, etc. I think both kids might have missed a total of 2 days of school for visits prior to applying to colleges.</p>
<p>We also drive the UP route fairly often, and it pretty much always does take longer… you get stuck behind some lumbering RV on Highway 2 in northern Michigan and you can really lose time. Sorry, but a good GPS that tracks traffic will get you around Chicago with minimal fuss, although we do try to time to miss the traffic if we can. We make the trip from the Twin Cities to the Detroit area about four times a year (and have for 25 years), so have tried every route/ferry/option there is multiple times.</p>
<p>If you have an IPASS or equivalent, take it on this trip. If you are not sure if your toll device works everywhere you are going, check it out online before you go.</p>
<p>Find doggie day care in some of the towns you’ll be visiting? Otherwise, the friend may just hang out with her dog, rather than spend much time on tours and so on. </p>
<p>I have done some of this trip in reverse, WI to Michigan for Kalamazoo College. We took the hydrofoil from Milwaukee, and rented a car in Michigan. It was cheaper than paying for the car both directions. Car rental was right in the Lake Express terminal and was reasonable in price. </p>
<p>Beloit parent here, and yes, the town is not exactly a hot spot, but pleasant enough. However there is a little farmers market, and I always liked [Bushel</a> & Peck’s Local Market](<a href=“http://www.bushelandpecks.com/index.php]Bushel”>Home | Bushel & Peck's)</p>
<p>Walking down by the river is pleasant, as are the on campus museums. </p>
<p>Sheboygan is one of my favorite towns, and heartily second the Kohler museum. Some also like the wall of toilets, and bath design place in nearby Kohler. The factory has tours, if reserved in advance. Kohler Andre State Park is south of town and has a lovely walk along the dunes, the cord walk, as well as plenty of beach. </p>
<p>Madison might be the highlight of that part of the trip. Go to the Memorial Union at U of WI, get ice cream, and sit out on the terrace contemplating the contrast between LAC and the Big 10. There are all sorts of smaller museums in Madison, as well as the Capitol and of course farmer’s market.</p>
<p>This is all so helpful: I am so grateful.</p>
<p>You’ll have to let us know how it turns out!</p>
<p>One advantage of taking the dog: letting him pick up a few black or golden squirrels as souvenirs. :)</p>
<p>Hahahaha. Or I’ll start a blog on squirrels across the midwest</p>
<p>We drive from Maryland to Colorado every summer for DH to collaborate with fellow research scientists in Boulder. Until her passing, we’ve always brought along our beloved furry child - our cockapoo. We quickly learned which hotel chains are pet friendly. Laquinta is the tops - no extra pet fees - grassy areas outside the hotel for dog walking - no seems to mind a bark or two (they ask that you leave your cell phone with the front desk in case they need to call you back - never happened to us over many years of traveling) When the boys were young we always traveled route 70 out to Colorado. When older son went off to Oberlin, we switched to route 80. He is now in Chicago - a city I love to visit - and there is a pretty fancy Laquinta in downtown Chicago - (fancy by LQ standards - ymmv) There are so many great restaurants to eat at in Chicago but one of my personal favs is Ann Sather for brunch - the swedish pancakes are yummy. Have a great trip!</p>
<p>^ Good ideas, need2learn. My brother frequently travels with his dog and he loves La Quinta. They’re not fancy places, but they tend to be clean and well-maintained, and they’re extremely pet-friendly. (Well, almost all of them; a few have pet restrictions, so it’s best to check in advance).</p>
<p>I also second the idea of breakfast/brunch at Ann Sather. Swedish pancakes are great, cinnamon buns are delicious. I’m partial to the original Andersonville location, in the old Swedish neighborhood (“Andersonville” . . . get it?).</p>
<p>On the subject of squirrels, if you have time, check out the squirrels on the Diag, the University of Michigan’s central quadrangle. They’re enormous, probably because there’s an entire student organization dedicated to feeding and watching them.</p>
<p>[The</a> Squirrel Club?University of Michigan, Ann Arbor](<a href=“http://www.michigansquirrels.com/]The”>http://www.michigansquirrels.com/)</p>
<p>If you’re heading through Ohio, you can stop at Oberlin and see their albino squirrels!</p>
<p>I love the UP and used to live not far from Appleton but I would never drive up that way except with the North Woods or the UP as a destination. The traffic, two lane highways and small towns would make me nuts. Only if you really want a leisurely trip should you go that way in the summer.</p>
<p>You can drive pretty fast in the UP between the towns.</p>
<p>Another quick tip, I-90 is under construction. If you are traveling from Michigan it may save time for you to take I-294 to I-88 to I-39 to I-90.</p>
<p>Thanks! I appreciate it.</p>
<p>There are 4 or 5 pet friendly hotels in Beloit. The Beloit Inn, Fairfield, and Hampton Inn to name a few.</p>