Widdie Posted June 2 Report Posted June 2 As most of you know MINI Takes the States 2026 is a three-part series that is being held in California, New York, and Florida. Is there any interest in people wanting to caravan to any of these locations? There has been some discussion during the last few runs and most have said they will be attending the New York event. This does not mean that others are not planning on attending either Florida or California. Caravaning is leaving as a group, driving as a group to the location, and arriving as a group. So, we would leave from an agreed-on location in Maryland, DC, or Virginia and drive there together. Simple enough. Further details on caravaning will be discussed if there is any interest. Caravaning could include driving directly there, taking two days, stopping at interesting stops along the way, Interstates, back road highways, returning together, Auto Train, etc. So, initially we would like folks to choice which location(s) they are planning on attending, and if they would be interested in caravaning to the location. This does not lock you into anything. We just want to see if there is any interest. We look forward to reading your responses. Event Information: https://www.minitakesthestates.com/ 02 – 04 OCT26 – California – Monterey to Sonoma to Lake Tahoe 23 – 25OCT26 – New York – Buffalo to Syracuse to Lake Placid 13 – 15NOV26 – Florida – Fort Myers to Miami to Key West What is MINI Takes the States? What began in 2006 as a cross-country journey to commemorate the launch of the MINI GP, has continued for 20 years as a celebration of the MINI Community. We have covered a lot of territory over the years, mixing up the format, exploring new locations, and revisiting some fan favorites. This year's event offers three (3) long-weekend road trips in California, New York, and Florida with roughly three weeks between each event. You can join just one or go all in and attend all three. After a morning Rise & Rally, where you can check out hundreds of modified MINI's and grab a light breakfast, we rally together on scenic roads to the next city stop. Drive days are typically 4-5 hours with time for you to stop and explore along the way. Lunch is on own. But don't worry, no matter where you go; there will be a mob of MINIs in the mix. Each evening, we meet up to share some refreshments and stories from the road. This is the 10th edition of MTTS, and it's sure to be another epic experience. 1
STXMINI Posted June 2 Report Posted June 2 (edited) My fall plans changed this year and I will now be able to attend the NY MTTS, I am no longer doing the FL event. I would be interested in a caravan to NY. EDIT: We're driving straight up on Wednesday, that way we can have all day Thursday to visit the Falls and get some wings at Duffs. Edited July 22 by STXMINI 2
scotty Posted June 4 Report Posted June 4 So both Evelyn and myself are looking at possibly going on this one and we would be all in on everything you had said, sounds like a blast, I just hope I can work it out with my job that sucks the life out of me lol. I know it is in October so I will for sure let you know. 1
1975_mini Posted June 9 Report Posted June 9 Brandy and I willbe attending the NY leg, We will likely be getting into Niagra the day prior. We are still deciding on whether to spilt to trip up into two days. 1 1975 Mini 1000, 998cc A+ w/ K&N air filter, 10" Mamba wheels
2014_Mini Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 On 6/2/2026 at 6:06 AM, STXMINI said: My fall plans changed this year and I will now be able to attend the NY MTTS, I am no longer doing the FL event. I would be interested in a caravan to NY. When we go to Buffalo we usually drive straight there, but I'd be up for an overnight if others wanted to stop at interest points along the way. Or if anyone would like to get to Buffalo a day early to go to Niagara Falls I'd be up for that as well! Hello, I would be interested in the caravan and Niagara Falls the day before! 2
At Bat Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 We are already registered for the NY trip. Plan to leave Arlington late afternoon on the 21st, overnight somewhere in PA, then arrive in Buffalo on the 22nd. We will spend 2 nights in Lake Placid (Oct 24 & 25) before heading home. Never been to Niagara Falls. If we get into Buffalo early enough and there is time, we would be glad to join others to visit the Falls. We are not doing CA or FL. 1
scotty Posted August 4 Report Posted August 4 So we are looking also at leaving on Wednesday so we can have a day to see the falls and maybe meet up with anyone else that would like to do the same. I liked the idea of caravanning but it seems most are going at all different times. 1
STXMINI Posted August 4 Report Posted August 4 5 hours ago, scotty said: So we are looking also at leaving on Wednesday so we can have a day to see the falls and maybe meet up with anyone else that would like to do the same. I liked the idea of caravanning but it seems most are going at all different times. We're thinking of planning a DCMM dinner on Thursday evening (We figure everyone will be tired from all day driving on Wednesday) but would also like to do a group Niagara Falls run on Thursday. 2
scotty Posted August 4 Report Posted August 4 That sounds great and I know we still have time before this event so we can keep everyone updated on plans that would be great. 1
At Bat Posted August 5 Report Posted August 5 A group dinner sounds good, but we will probably not arrive in time for a Niagara Falls run. 2
STXMINI Posted August 20 Report Posted August 20 (edited) If anyone is comfortable sharing your hotel info, it would be nice to see if anyone is in the same hotels: We're at: Courtyard Marriott Niagara Falls-900 Buffalo Ave Courtyard Marriott Syracuse-6415 Yorktown Circle Lake Placid Inn-2617 Main St * * Edited August 20 by STXMINI 1
scotty Posted August 22 Report Posted August 22 Evelyn was doing the hotel searches and I know we are not at Marriot but the one we did get was about 8miles away from the starting point in Buffalo and Syracuse and Lake placid we tried to find ones close enough. I will update once I talk to her and find out which ones they are. 1
STXMINI Posted August 22 Report Posted August 22 10 hours ago, scotty said: Evelyn was doing the hotel searches and I know we are not at Marriot but the one we did get was about 8miles away from the starting point in Buffalo and Syracuse and Lake placid we tried to find ones close enough. I will update once I talk to her and find out which ones they are. Being close to the event venues are the best choices. Great job by Evelyn! 1
scotty Posted August 22 Report Posted August 22 I do want to put it out there that we are going to be leaving VA very very early morning Thursday, we wanted to leave on Wednesday but our lady that is watching our fur babies for us her schedule only allowed for the Thursday- Sunday, we will with all luck though be there in time to attend the dinner if you are still planning on trying to put that together. 1
scotty Posted August 22 Report Posted August 22 So we are staying at The best Western summit inn 9500 Niagara falls blvd 20min Buffalo Econo lodge inn 5396 south Bay road 7min saracuse Prescott house 129 Franklin ave saranac lake and it's roughly 8miles away lake placid 1
Laura H Posted August 23 Report Posted August 23 However I’m doing Minis take Vermont the weekend before and will be in the area for a few days prior to MTTS. I will be there. haven’t decided when I’ll be in NY yet. I’m good for meeting for dinners/wings and Niagara Falls we are staying at: InnBuffalo off Elwood Staybridge Suites Syracuse Laurel Lake Placid Are we doing magnets for our vehicle like in ‘24? 1
At Bat Posted August 23 Report Posted August 23 We will be staying at the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, Buffalo Amherst University, 3880 Rensch Rd, Amherst on 10/22; Aloft by Marriott Syracuse Inner Harbor, 310 W Kirkpatrick St, Syracuse on 10/23; and Marriott Grand Adirondack Hotel, 2520 Main St, Lake Placid on 10/24 & 25. We will not arrive in Buffalo in time for a run to Niagara Falls, but hope to be there for an evening get-together. 1
STXMINI Posted August 29 Report Posted August 29 Ok, since Mike and I have been to Niagara Falls a million times we'll probably scratch the run to the Falls since we may be the only ones arriving a day early now, but we'll still try to set up a dinner. I'll ask for a head count closer to the event time. 1
scotty Posted August 29 Report Posted August 29 That sounds great and we do apologize as we really wanted to be able to get there earlier for that falls run but you know how it can be when it comes to our little ones and getting them squared away. So ahead of time obviously our count is 2.
STXMINI Posted August 29 Report Posted August 29 1 hour ago, scotty said: That sounds great and we do apologize as we really wanted to be able to get there earlier for that falls run but you know how it can be when it comes to our little ones and getting them squared away. So ahead of time obviously our count is 2. Hey! No worries at all, the only reason we're going up a day early is so that Mike can have dinner with friends from the old neighborhood. We've got a 16 year old fur baby at home so we know!! 1
2014_Mini Posted Sunday at 06:59 PM Report Posted Sunday at 06:59 PM Hello, We are planning to leaving early Wednesday morning and will be staying at the Niagara Falls/Fallsview Marriott, Ontario. We are planning to go to Niagara-on-the-Lake Thursday morning before heading to the New York side of the falls. We will be availabel for dinner Thursday and still working on the rest of the reservations. 1
