Formal Help
 

So I am trying to plan a formal for my fraternity for the spring and was trying to come up with a sweet location. I go to school at Miami University (just North of Cincinnati, Ohio). We typically do overnight formals and most fraternities go down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and get cabins to stay together as one group. However, I'm trying to go outside the box and do something different. If you have any ideas that would be no more than a 5 hour drive from Cincinnati it would be greatly appreciated.

Go to Google Earth, stick a pin in your location, and draw a perimeter of your 5-hour window.

Then look for big cities, recreational destinations, etc. Will it still be chilly out, or warm? Try tying that into your formal. Find a wedding/events planner for ideas of "somewhere different", like a "destination wedding" or adventure-related event (For free advice, check their websites - often they will post "success stories" from happy customers).

Know your per-person budget beforehand, come up with some suggestions that has something for everyone, and let the guys decide.