New Orleans exudes history, which can be found around almost every corner. A visit to the French Quarter opens up a new realm of ages old buildings filled with unexpected treasures. The Gumbo Shop is one of those locations that has stories to tell, if you just take the time to listen. With a menu […]
Gumbo Shop – New Orleans Dining Tradition Read More »
Leavenworth, Kansas is an easy day trip from our hometown of Kansas City. On an unseasonably warm winter day, we made our way to the “first city” in Kansas to see some new sights. A good day of exploring requires some fuel, which we found at Harbor Lights Coffeehouse & Cafe. After a short drive,
Harbor Lights Coffeehouse – A Local Haunt Read More »
Ice cream happens to be one of our favorite treats, so a visit to Cruze Farm Dairy was a welcome stop. Our “foodie” friends in Knoxville, Tennessee had clued us in on this downtown destination. The buzz focused around the farm fresh taste of their products. After our first dinner date in Market Square, we made
Farm Fresh Goodness At Cruze Farm Dairy Read More »
Strolling through the French Quarter, in New Orleans, you can happen upon some unusual sites. While many may be on the quirky side, the French Quarter Visitor Center was a pleasurable way to learn more about the area we were exploring. Tucked away in the notorious French Quarter, this space may be diminutive, but the
Jean Lafitte – New Orleans’ Unlikely Hero Read More »
Learning the history of a destination helps us better understand the principles on which it was founded. In Knoxville, we only had one day to gather all of the historical knowledge that we could absorb. A stop at McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture would certainly assist our endeavor. Located on the campus of
McClung Museum of Natural History – An Educational Museum For All Ages Read More »
On our first visit to the Crescent City, we had the pleasure of sampling Café Du Monde, which we consider a New Orleans staple. Our return coincided with the city’s 300th birthday, and we were ready to help them celebrate. This ages old restaurant has been serving up a simple menu since 1862. The original
Cafe Du Monde – A New Orleans Staple Read More »
This Kansas City winter has brought a rollercoaster of weather. Last weekend we were anticipating our second big snow in two weeks, which fortunately bypassed us. Even with the cold rain falling from the sky, we still planned a stop at Betty Rae’s Ice Cream to check out their treat menu. We had been seeing
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Brings Smiles On A Cloudy Day Read More »
Farm to Table has become a catch phrase used by many businesses these days. During a visit to Market Square, in Knoxville, Tennessee, we had an opportunity to taste what that phrase is designed to represent. Market Square is a fun destination, filled with eclectic shops and delicious eateries. We had scoped out the area
Farm To Table At Stock & Barrel Read More »
2018 was a capital year for us, as it relates to traveling. We were able to visit four state capitals, including Little Rock, Arkansas. In each of these cities, we spent the majority of our time in the downtown areas. Each offered a different experience, but we found a common thread between them. Each city
Downtown Little Rock – Our Top Stops Read More »
There are few dishes that can represent an entire cuisine. Pizza is one of those meals that can easily stand on its own. In KCK, there are a variety of pizza shops, but 1889 Pizza Napoletana stands out from the crowd by delivering classic pies to its customers. We’ve had the chance to visit previously,
Classic Pies At 1889 Pizza Napoletana Read More »
Having an opportunity to learn more about the founding of a city makes our visit that much more special. James White Fort is the birthplace of Knoxville, Tennessee and was located close to our hotel in downtown. While the original arrival of White occurred in the early 1780’s, this site wasn’t restored until almost 200
James White’s Fort – Exploring Knoxville’s Roots Read More »
Little Rock, Arkansas offers visitors many ways to sample the flavors of the city. While the restaurant scene is flourishing, we found that there are some other unique options where you can discover amazing tastes. Our visit only covered about three days, but you will see that during that period we uncovered a wide variety
Sampling The Flavors Of Little Rock Read More »
Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee has a wide range of delicious eateries like Tupelo Honey Cafe. We found this place during our first visit to the Market Square, which was easy walking distance from our hotel. Since the mid-1800’s, this neighborhood has been filled with businesses that attract workers and visitors alike. These days it is a
Tupelo Honey – A Taste of Southern Style Read More »
Little Rock is a city filled with history and we love to learn about the beginnings of the destinations we visit. A stop at the Historic Arkansas Museum was sure to provide a good backdrop for us to find out about the start of the river town. Little did we realize that here we would
Historic Arkansas Museum – Where History Comes To Life Read More »
One of the key goals of Our Changing Lives is to showcase places that are often overlooked as potential destinations. Some are sites that are hidden gems inside of major cities. Others, like Lucas, Kansas, are smaller towns that hold some unique sights that are less known. While many people have never heard of this
Lucas, Kansas – Journey To Grassroots Art Central Read More »
Being at the forefront of the national news is something that many cities would dream of, but not when it is due to public strife. While the conflict at Central High School was 60 years ago, we still see some of the struggles continuing today. Little Rock, Arkansas may have been the backdrop for this particular
Central High School – Conflict In Little Rock Read More »
Whenever we head out for a day full of exploring, we pre-examine the dining options in the area we plan to visit. This was our second Shop Small Saturday event, and we were excited that it was in Parkville, Missouri this year. Picking Stone Canyon Pizza as our lunch choice was a chance to visit
Stone Canyon Pizza – Fueling Our Shop Small Saturday Read More »
We are pretty sure that most of you have heard of the Garden of Eden, but did you know there is one in Lucas, Kansas? When we first found out about this uniquely Kansas attraction, we knew a visit was in store. Samuel Dinsmoor, the creator of this site, built his masterpiece at an age
Garden Of Eden – The Vision of S.P. Dinsmoor Read More »
“I have to go to the bathroom!” It’s amazing the amount of dread that these seven words can create in a parent. How many road trips are interrupted in a mad pursuit of an acceptably clean public restroom? In Lucas, Kansas, the influx of tourists wanting to view the “Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas” created
Taking Bathroom Selfies To Another Level At Bowl Plaza Read More »
In the past few years we have been seeing more and more small businesses gaining a foothold in communities. This is certainly a change from the long stretch we saw of big business edging out smaller competitors. While we know that bigger business platforms offer economy of scale, it’s the smaller business models that bring
Cracking The Top 10 – Rock Town Distillery Read More »
We are betting that many of you have heard of the TV show Rare Visions & Roadside Revelations, which airs on public television. The dynamic trio searches out unique sights across the nation, but in Lucas, Kansas we found a collection that was the subject of one of their stops. At The World’s Largest Collection of
Like many of the cities we visit, Little Rock offers a vibrant downtown. The area we focused on was near the River Market district, which includes the Clinton Presidential Library, an amazing river trail, and a local farmers market. On a beautiful Saturday morning, we left our hotel in search of coffee, before hitting up
Powering Up At Nexus Coffee Read More »
For those who haven’t followed us long, we enjoy a nice glass of wine. Of course, we find that the reason they make so many varieties, is because everyone has their own preferences. Fortunately, we both are fans of wines on the sweet side, so it’s not hard for us to find a bottle we
An InstaTasting At Rowe Ridge Vineyards and Winery Read More »
Our first knowledge of Lucas revolved around how artsy this Central Kansas town is known to be. With only this in mind, we began planning our visit. A “must see” we discovered is the Grassroots Art Center, which is located on Main Street. Opened in 1999, this unique attraction occupies the space of three historic
Grassroots Art Center Draws The Folk To Folk Art Read More »
We hail from a river city, so visiting Little Rock, Arkansas gave us an opportunity to see how they have handled their waterway. With the Arkansas River bisecting the city, it becomes a focal point for transportation and recreation. While cities must always be aware of potential flooding possibilities, we like it when we find
Why You Should Visit The Little Rock Riverwalk Read More »
When you hear the name Oklahoma, many people immediately think of the namesake musical. While farming and ranching still exists in much of the state, Oklahoma City has grown into a thriving metropolis. Our three day visit was chocked full of fun attractions, delicious dining, and unique shopping districts. This overview article highlights some of
12 Top Experiences In Oklahoma City Read More »
You all know how much we enjoy being able to park for the day and walk to multiple stops. The River Market District in Little Rock, Arkansas is one of those kind of destinations. Sitting along the Arkansas River, we expected to catch views of plenty of wildlife. A stop at the Witt Stephens Jr.
Back To Nature At Central Arkansas Nature Center Read More »
Every city and town we visit has a variety of stories to tell. These range from entertaining to amusing and at times horrific. We had no idea what to expect when we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Most everyone is aware of the bombing that took place on April 19, 1995, and
Survivor’s Spirit – Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Read More »
Our visit to Little Rock had a few surprises that we had not expected. One of them was with our visit to The Root Cafe. The plan had been to have lunch there on our first day, but an opportunity to appear on the hit show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives meant that they had to
Lining Up To Try The Root Cafe Read More »
When we visit a new destination, we try to mix plenty of cuisine choices in our meal plans. One choice we almost always slip in is a burger joint. Tucker’s Onion Burgers had such an interesting backstory that it just had to be included. Our friendly followers in Oklahoma confirmed that an onion burger was
Local Flavor At Tucker’s Onion Burgers Read More »
A chance to visit the oldest science center in the state of Arkansas was not something we planned to miss. While the Museum of Discovery was relocated to their current River Market location in 1998, they have existed since their founding in 1927. With its location being in the heart of the area we were
A Passion For Science – Museum of Discovery Read More »
Most everyone enjoys a vacation, but only has the opportunity to take a handful at most per year. In between these longer trips, it is fun to have a few day trip options in your back pocket. We have lots of small to medium size towns and cities within a two to three hour drive
Sweets, Treats, and Surprises In Chanute, Kansas Read More »
Old dogs may not be able to learn new tricks, but humans are never too old to have new experiences. This was certainly the case when we visited Riversport Adventures OKC for an afternoon of fun and thrills. With three locations, one of our biggest choices was which site to visit. Since the majority of
Facing The Challenges At Riversport Adventures OKC Read More »
Our visit to Little Rock, Arkansas required a little more driving than some of our downtown destinations, but there was still a large portion that was within walking distance of our hotel. The River Market District offered us a chance to mingle with locals, while shopping and dining in some unique spots like Stickyz Rock-n-Roll
Finding Funky Vibes At Stickyz Rock & Roll Chicken Shack Read More »
Like many metropolitan areas, Oklahoma City is a collection of neighborhoods and business districts. Each one has its own distinct flavor and atmosphere. Automobile Alley is an area that once held many of the city’s car dealerships and still has recognizable features from that era. Today it is going through a transition that is breathing
Iguana Mexican Grill – Getting Our Happy Hour On Read More »
Little Rock, Arkansas has a lot of unique features, but one really stood out during our research. The Esse Purse Museum is one of only three brick and mortar locations dedicated to the history of one of women’s most interesting accessory and the only one found in the United States. This may not seem like the most
Esse Purse Museum – One Of A Kind In Little Rock Read More »
Throughout our lives we learn so many important historic names, but our guess is that most of you are unfamiliar with Octave Chanute. When we planned our visit to Chanute, Kansas it never occurred to us how the town had picked its name. A visit to the Chanute Historical Society Museum would help us better
Octave Chanute Makes His Mark In Kansas Read More »
Our visit to the Oklahoma City Zoo was a chance to experience an amazing opportunity for us. We have found that many zoos around the country are embracing the idea of helping their visitors have a more enriching experience. Zoos have guest speakers lecture about the environments that certain animals inhabit. Overnight camp outs can
Hands On Experience At Oklahoma City Zoo Read More »
When we were planning our escape to Little Rock, Arkansas, the first restaurant that I selected was Big Orange in Midtown. From the moment we first saw the menu, it was a sure bet that this was a place that needed to be experienced. The photos we saw of their food looked incredible, and we
Beautiful Burgers At Big Orange Midtown Read More »
We both enjoy watching nature programs and seeing animals in their native environments. Like most people, the only time we see many of these creatures in real life is at a zoo. A visit to Chanute, Kansas opened our eyes to the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum. It’s fun to consider the experience of an
Untold Adventure Awaits At The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum Read More »
We love museums of all types, so when we are planning our trips we keep an eye out for unique stops. Oklahoma City is home to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This attraction is filled with stories and artifacts about Western history. When I first reached out to the museum regarding our visit,
Explore The Wild West: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Read More »
If we had a dollar for every time we have heard people remark that there is nothing to see in the middle of the country, we would be rich. While we will usually rebuke their claim, there are times we almost want to keep all of these special places to ourselves. What many don’t realize
13 Unique Reasons To Visit Dodge City Days Read More »
Have you ever been researching dining locations and came across a place that is a “must visit”? When we were planning our Oklahoma City trip we stumbled upon Hatch Early Mood Food and knew it would be a breakfast stop. With our close proximity to Automobile Alley, this place was well within walking distance. When
Morning Rush At Hatch Early Mood Food Read More »
When we first started the planning for our Dodge City visit, our heads were filled with pictures of gunfighters, cattle drives, and other Wild West scenes. Even though we live in the 21st Century, we were hopeful to have a chance to see some nostalgic recreations. The opportunity to time our visit during Dodge City
Rootin-Tootin Time At Dodge City Days Read More »
These days it seems that some of the best little eateries are tucked in out of the way places. Such is the case for Oishi Japanese Cuisine at 12220 Shawnee Mission Parkway. Situated in the 10 Quivira Plaza Shopping Center, we would only see it when we ventured into the parking lot. We remembered a
Plate Presence At Oishi Japanese Cuisine Read More »
One of our favorite types of places to visit are ones like Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. These large scale attractions are a great place to spend large amounts of time and be able to entertain all ages. While they are designed to engage the younger crowd, most have taken steps to make sure
Expand Your Mind At Science Museum Oklahoma Read More »
We can always count on one thing happening when we release a restaurant article in Kansas City. It will create a lot of conversation among the KC Foodies, which almost always results in a list of more restaurants to add to our “Need To Visit” list. Such was the case for Blind Box BBQ, which
Pleasing Presentations At Blind Box BBQ Read More »
Sometimes some of the best things are right under your nose. In Oklahoma City, our stay at the Ambassador Hotel put us right next door to Waffle Champion. This breakfast and brunch eatery specializes in serving up an eclectic menu with an interesting spin on an old classic, the Waffle! This place ranked high with
New Twist On An Old Favorite – Waffle Champion Read More »
Have you ever visited a dual topic museum? We have been to a few, but none like the one we found in Dodge City, Kansas. At the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame, we discovered a mix of teachers and lessons learned. They say we learn from history, and this place is filled with some interesting
Two For One – Kansas Teachers’ Hall Of Fame & Gunfighters Wax Museum Read More »
Some of you will remember back in the day, when shopping was done at small shops owned locally. Over time these were squeezed out by the “big box” department stores. We have noticed that lately there is a sort of renaissance revival of smaller shops happening here in Kansas City, as well as the other
The Changing Landscape Of Shopping Read More »