Carmak Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 (edited) I am taking a family vacation this summer through parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, The UP of Michigan and Wisconsin (see map below). I am looking for model car / slot car related places to stop along the way. This would include good antique shops that may have models or slot cars. Thanks. Craig Edited July 19, 2022 by Carmak Better define title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 If you're nearby on a weekend, there's some decent 1:1 car and bike shows most weeks here in Valparaiso (just north of the bottom of the lake there). I like Hawker Hobbies in Schereville, IN for the scale stuff that you actually asked about - good selection of car kits and a HUGE range of paint, and it's right next door to a cool little diner with a model railroad running all round the building. Worth stopping for a burger and to buy a engineer's hat or souvenir whistle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 (edited) Try adjusting your journey to include Milwaukee area, Model Empire in West Allis is amazing, then Hartford has John's Hobbies and Mayville has The Tinker Shoppe (not a lot of models but some) Plus Fond Du Lac has Focus right downtown on main street. Not open on Monday. There are antique shops in Waukesha that have models. Antiques And Uniques on 250 W. Main and Metropolitan Antiques 259 W. Main. Cal's Collectibles and Mantiques. He has vintage models and old slot cars. There is a slot track in Milwaukee called Bob's Raceway on 5822 W Forest Home Ave which is not far from Model Empire. stop by me in Theresa and I will show you my stash. Who knows, you might go home with some. Edited July 19, 2022 by lordairgtar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmak Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 18 minutes ago, lordairgtar said: Try adjusting your journey to include Milwaukee area, Model Empire in West Allis is amazing, then Hartford has John's Hobbies and Mayville has The Tinker Shoppe (not a lot of models but some) Plus Fond Du Lac has Focus right downtown on main street. Not open on Monday. There are antique shops in Waukesha that have models. Antiques And Uniques on 250 W. Main and Metropolitan Antiques 259 W. Main. Cal's Collectibles and Mantiques. He has vintage models and old slot cars. There is a slot track in Milwaukee called Bob's Raceway on 5822 W Forest Home Ave which is not far from Model Empire. stop by me in Theresa and I will show you my stash. Who knows, you might go home with some. I tried hard to include Milwaukee and/or Madison but I lost . I do occasionally do business in the Milwaukee area so I will keep your list. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62SY4 Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 ModelCave in Ypsilanti. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muncie Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 Thers are a lot of great (car) museums big or small worth a stop and look in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raoul Ross Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 Madison Hobby Shop 6622 Mineral Point Rd Madison, WI 53705 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincen47 Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 I second Model Cave in Ypsilanti Michigan, located right on your proposed route. Looks like it’s already marked as a stop, but a great destination you could easily spend a day or more visiting, The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. Honestly, there are so many automotive-related stops you could make in Michigan, let us know a little bit more of your specific interests, and there’s probably something for you on your route. As a family trip visiting “The Soo” might I suggest adding Whitefish Point and Tahquamenon Falls. They’re not too far off your path, and definitely worth the time to visit while in the eastern UP. The list goes on and on, but I’ll leave it there for now. It’ll be a fantastic trip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robberbaron Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 (edited) From your map it looks like you will be taking I-80/94 through Northwest Indiana. I highly recommend visiting G&G Hobbies in downtown Griffith. It's less than 10 minutes off 80/94. It's a classic old-school hobby shop with a great kit selection (almost the entire east wall is kits, and mostly automotive), been in business for decades. Downtown Griffith has quite a variety of shops and is pretty happening, so the rest of your family could easily find something to occupy their time while you hit G&G. They also have a couple micro-breweries and several great independent restaurants if you're getting off the highway to eat. Edited July 20, 2022 by Robberbaron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 (edited) 23 hours ago, Carmak said: I tried hard to include Milwaukee and/or Madison but I lost . I do occasionally do business in the Milwaukee area so I will keep your list. Thanks!! That's cool. You won't be far from me in Theresa. I see you will be close to Fond Du lac and I'm 17 miles south of FDL. Also Hartford has a great car museum. Lots of Kissel cars as they built them there. Pro tip when travelling...never eat at chain restaurants, eat local. Edited July 20, 2022 by lordairgtar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul alflen Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 Do the Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, Mi and the Stahl's automotive museum in Chesterfield, Mi. Also Empire, Mi has great sand dunes on the left side of the state if you have extra time! the museums are on your route! also the last Hudson Dealership museum in Ypsilanti, mi! Do model cave and then the Hudson dealership. The wife can antique shop when you go in there! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul alflen Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 (edited) If you do Stahl's auto museum, then do Great Lakes hobby and train in Utica , Mi. The 3rd Friday of the month , is the Downriver Model Cars meeting from 6 to 8 Pm in Dearborn, Mi ,If you are in the Detroit area at that time . Lots of kits and parts for sale at the meeting! Call Paul ( this is not me)the slot car guy when you are in Detroit 248 760 6960. He always has stuff to buy or sell! If you are near Canton , Mi ,stop in the bar called Club Canton and see the owner Emmett. He is into slot cars too! Edited July 21, 2022 by paul alflen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr moto Posted July 21, 2022 Share Posted July 21, 2022 It's not models, but the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, IN is a must see. It will knock your eyes out and amaze anyone who likes cars even a little. Located in the original ACD corporate headquarters and palatial showroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmak Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 On 7/21/2022 at 6:44 AM, paul alflen said: Do the Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, Mi and the Stahl's automotive museum in Chesterfield, Mi. Also Empire, Mi has great sand dunes on the left side of the state if you have extra time! the museums are on your route! also the last Hudson Dealership museum in Ypsilanti, mi! Do model cave and then the Hudson dealership. The wife can antique shop when you go in there! I will try to his the model cave and the Hudson Museum. My wife is very much into 1:1 cars but not as much into scale cars. She is already all in for the Hudson Museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Let us know how your trip goes, Craig. BTW the Model Cave Ypsilanti is Tim Boyd's Home Hobby Shop.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul alflen Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 Also hit up the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, IND . Looks like you are going right through there too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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