The Hangout Fest road trip: i65

The best way to start a journey on i 65 is ironically to hop on i-80. Because if you're like most people who visit the Fest, you're staying off grounds and picking up local beer along your drive should be a no brainer. 3 Floyds Brewery is located off 80's exit 1 in an industrial park off, but their approach to brewing is anything but corporate. The beer geek mecca keeps it local only distributing in the midwest, so grab a six pack to impress your friends and head on your way. Heck, you might even get lucky and snag some "Zombie Dust" -- their godly Pale Ale.

Keep on towards Gary, Indiana, which might look a bit "derelicte" these days, but is home to none other than Michael Joe Jackson. You'll see modest granite memorial just off exit 10 which is bound to give you the cred you need for road tripping 14 hrs to a music festival.

So you're back on 65 and probably getting hungry. Triple XXX Family Restaurant is Indiana’s oldest drive-in and the perfect greasy diner to grab a dish that will hold you over until dinner. Don't take our word for it, Guy Fieri agrees.

I'll be about ready for a coffee fill up at this point, and I'm dying to try Coal Yard Coffee in Indy's historic Irvington. Get a leg stretch down the gravel laden Bonna Ave while you try to find this coffee nerd's dream. I've been told the Coal Yard gets confused for an abandoned mechanic's shop with palette couches and a small sign leaning against the entrance as the only indicators of life.

I'll be slowing it down at Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant, where you can devour smoked BBQ in a community'-style kitchen to the tune of foot stompin' bluegrass. Yes please.

The Loveless Cafe is a landmark breakfast joint, made famous by their backbreaking biscuits. I hope you're here on a Thursday morning because they're serving Watermelon Ribs.

If Nashville was too fratty for your taste, Franklin Tennessee is a southern soul outpost just off Exit 65 with some equally historic breakfast options. You could easily spend a day here nerding out on Victorian architecture and antique gems, but if you've only got an hour we suggest treating yourself to some quirk at the little shop called Carpe Diem.

Or catching the area's oldest drive-in down the road for a movie. (If you're following this guide exactly that might be ill timed. But I who doesn't love a drive in movie!?)

And then there was Alabama. Huntsville, AL is another road trip town with some unexpected offerings. Space nerds will get a kick out of the US Space and Rocket Museum (Home of Space Camp), but we'll keep it safe and gear our recommendations for the artsy type.

The Lowe Mill Arts center has a perfect picnic lawn. The refurbished textile mill is home to more than a 100 working. Visitors are encouraged to snag some food at one of the restaurants and stroll through the artist studios. If you find yourself in Huntsville at night, check the schedule for live performances at their venue.

Ok I lied. It's a safe move to recommend a visit to the rocket museum even if you don't get off to a starry sky. It's home to one of the 3 remaining Saturn V rockets along with 27 other missiles/rockets. Don't plan on a quick stop here though because witnessing the world’s only space shuttle (complete with boosters and external fuel tank) is a surprisingly welcome time suck.

Send it to Birmingham for a photo worthy lunch experience at Post Office Pies. The former post office converted to a restaurant has wood-fired pizzas that go pretty darn well with a beer from the local Avondale Brewing Co.

Or hit Bottletree Café the vegan/vegetarian restaurant that's more hip than hippie. I'll be snagging the Real Deal sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. It all goes down smooth to the sound of live music.

Then off to the Jazz Hall of Fame to get some elementary education before I dive into the weekend's neo-soul acts. The AJHoF has been open since the '70s and is as famous for its tours as it is for the concerts and student all-star band it supports.