Many people are unaware of the integral role that mining played in the settlement and growth of communities in Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. The discovery of lead in the mid-1800s drew miners to the area. Our visit to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum allowed us a chance to learn more about the history […]
Digging The Joplin Mining Museum Read More »
People who journey along the old “Mother Road”, known as Route 66, will periodically encounter some interesting sights. These bites of Americana hearken back to the golden age of automobile travel, and inspire feelings of nostalgia in many travelers. Galena, Kansas sits at the eastern edge of the Kansas portion of the route, which is
Escape The Interstate – Cars on the Route Read More »
Joplin, Missouri has an interesting Route 66 history. The city actually has multiple paths, since the route was realigned a couple of times. While we were making our itinerary for a visit to Joplin, we worked with Carrie Puffinbarger at Visit Joplin. She pointed us toward testing the eats at The Bruncheonette, a local hotspot that rests
Focus On The Food At The Bruncheonette Read More »
Our day trip to Manhattan, Kansas lasted a little longer than some visits, so we needed to make plans for a dinner meal. After reviewing our options, it was decided to sample the small plates at Bourbon & Baker located on the popular Poyntz Avenue. Scoping the Neighborhood Poyntz Avenue is bordered on one end
Bourbon & Baker – A Small Bites Story Read More »
Living in Kansas City means that we have plenty of day trip destinations within a short drive from the metro. Lawrence, Kansas is only about 45 minutes away, but offers a dynamically different vibe. While many make this pilgrimage to witness the KU basketball team play at Allen Fieldhouse, we visited for a more historic
Grotesques to Guerrillas in Lawrence, Kansas Read More »
A few weeks before our visit to Prairiefire, we had been in Manhattan, Kansas. While there, I noticed a restaurant named Coco Bolos and wondered what type of food they served. Our travels that day didn’t allow me to check, but when planning our visit to this Overland Park neighborhood we got a second chance.
Bringing The Heat – Coco Bolos Read More »
Visiting zoos in the Midwest during the winter can be a hit or miss activity. During our day trip to Manhattan, Kansas, we decided to drop in to the Sunset Zoo to see who was enjoying an unusually pleasant sunny day. This smaller zoological park is perfect for a shorter visit, and the lower admission
Seeking Sunshine At Sunset Zoo Read More »
Our visit to You Say Tomato was proof that you should never judge a restaurant by its exterior. We were looking for a breakfast spot close to Crown Center, and being situated at 2801 Holmes made it quite convenient. This place was suggested by some readers, and we have found these tips to be quite
Eclectic Charm At You Say Tomato Read More »
We have visited Manhattan, Kansas many times in the past, but our trips were always concentrated on the local university. Once that association ended, we never seemed to find the time to return. On a warmer than normal winter day, we made the just under two hour drive from Kansas City to the “Gateway City
Digging The Flint Hills Discovery Center Read More »
It is nice to know that Kansas City has a lot of attraction options that can be enjoyed during any weather. On a cold winter day we made a visit to Sea Life at Crown Center. This marine adventure zone offers visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Who’s Viewing Who? A Visit To Sea Life Kansas City Read More »
Our visit to Manhattan, Kansas took a historical side-trip with a stop at the Riley County Historical Museum. This regional history center is a great place to gather a better understanding of the people and events that molded the city of Manhattan, as well as other towns in the area. An added bonus is that
Riley County History Museum – Flint Hill History Read More »
Stepping into Danny Edwards Blvd Barbecue feels like finding a hidden gem in the heart of Kansas City. Tucked into a modest space, at 2900 Southwest Blvd, they’ve has been serving up smoky goodness for decades. With walls lined with memorabilia, it’s clear this isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a Kansas City institution. We arrived
Danny Edwards BBQ – Eat It & Beat It Read More »
Most Kansas Citians have visited Lawrence, Kansas at least once in their life. For us, it has been quite a few times, and especially when our daughter worked at Kansas University. When we decided to plan a day-filled excursion, we knew our daughter would enjoy accompanying us to her old homestead. Our first stop was
KU Museum of Natural History – 4 Floors Of Fun Read More »
Our outing with the grandkids, to Union Station, included a surprise for them. They knew about Science City, which had them all pumped up, but we also would be visiting the Gottlieb Planetarium. This 150 seat theater is housed in the lower level of Union Station, and offers daily shows with a variety of topics.
Seeing Stars At Gottlieb Planetarium Read More »
One of the top destinations in the Midwest is Branson, Missouri. Like many, we have made multiple trips to this Ozark location, but this was our first visit during the Christmas season. A winning bid at a fundraiser silent auction had secured us tickets to Silver Dollar City, and Crystal had been wanting to see
Santa Overload In Branson, Missouri Read More »
Spending the winter months hunkered down in Kansas City may not be the most tropical of destinations. It does offer us a chance to build up a backlog of topics for articles about our hometown. Fortunately, if we run out of ideas, we can simply ask our readers, and get a ton of great suggestions.
Pancake’s Fancy Brother – Chez Elle Crepes Read More »
The majority of the time Crystal and I travel by ourselves. Recently, we took a day to do some exploring in Kansas City, and were joined by our grandkids, as well as a close friend of the family. Our destination was Union Station, and one of the most anticipated stops was at Science City. It
Seeing Science City Through Kid’s Eyes Read More »
If you are planning a visit to the Branson, Missouri or Eureka Springs, Arkansas areas, you may want to consider adding a stop at Top of the Rock, in Ridgedale, Missouri. We were made aware of it by one of our Kansas City readers, and loved the pictures they shared from their visit. Although we
What We Found At Top of the Rock Read More »
We have visited Eureka Springs, Arkansas many times over the years, and each trip we have had an enjoyable time. This laid-back community is nestled in the Ozark Mountains, which offers an interesting terrain to explore. This was our first time to see the town through the eyes of travel bloggers. What we found was
Couples Time In Eureka Springs, Arkansas Read More »
With winter’s grip firmly on the Midwest, we thought it would be a nice time for a more temperate article. We happened to have overlooked this visit to the Ward Meade Botanical Garden in Topeka, Kansas. It was during a visit to Old Prairie Town that we stumbled upon this 2.5 acre park, which offers
Dreaming Of Spring At Ward-Meade Botanical Gardens Read More »
Like many couples, we are always on the lookout for restaurants to add to our list for special occasions. We enjoy a good steakhouse, and have a small list we fall back on, when a birthday or anniversary arrives. Finding a new one that rises to the top of the list is a rare feat,
A Cut Above At Final Cut Steakhouse Read More »
Tulsa, Oklahoma is a city of many stories. From the forced move of the five civilized tribes to the oil booms of the early 1900’s, many events helped shape the past of this Midwestern city. What began as a frontier town, blossomed into a boomtown complete with art deco skyscrapers. Our itinerary was designed to
15 Reasons to Visit Tulsa, Oklahoma Read More »
Our November trip to Branson, Missouri was filled with firsts for us. Among these, was our first experience at Dixie Stampede. Branson is home to a wide array of entertainment options, and many of these are evening shows. Dixie Stampede kicks it up a notch by adding dinner to the schedule, so that guests can
Christmas Magic At Dixie Stampede Read More »
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When we are preparing for a day of exploring, we like to start with a solid meal, that must include coffee. While we enjoy a good eggs and meat meal as much as anyone, we also like to test out new dishes when
Blue Bird Bistro Offers Local Flavors Read More »
Our most recent visit to Branson, Missouri was scheduled to see some of the Christmas season attractions. After the four hour drive from Kansas City, we were ready for lunch at White River Fish House. First we stopped by our hotel to drop off our things, and park our car. It was nice staying in
Dockside Dining At White River Fish House Read More »
Silver Dollar City is a top attraction in the Midwest. Each year it draws throngs of visitors to the Ozarks, so they can experience a mix of old-time crafts and new-age rides. We, like many of you, have visited on multiple occasions, but we have never been to the Old Time Christmas Festival. Each Fall,
Silver Dollar City Knows Christmas Lights Read More »
Eureka Springs, Arkansas is the kind of destination where visitors have a chance to slow their pace, and just relax. Even us travel bloggers find an opportunity to just go with the flow. This meant that when we heard about the Blue Spring Heritage Center on the western edge of the city limits, we had
Hidden History At Blue Spring Heritage Center Read More »
This year we decided to make Bonner Springs our Shop Small Saturday destination. This was planned as research for our final article of 2017 for Visit KCK. We arrived before the shops opened, which gave us the opportunity to check out Third Space Coffee located at 226 Oak Street. We had to park a couple
Third Space Coffee – Bonner Springs Knows Coffee Read More »
Our most recent visit to Branson, Missouri will be one that we will remember for many years to come. This was our first trip during the Christmas season, and we were excited to see the sights. After the four hour drive from Kansas City, (We may have stopped along the way.) our first destination was
Historic Lodging In The Branson Hotel Read More »
Our first day in Branson included some time to check out the shops downtown. Our hotel was within walking distance, and the weather was very agreeable for November. We decided to head directly to the Branson Landing, which is an outdoor shopping center that sits along the water’s edge. One of the most unique shops
Warming Up The Holidays At Smith Creek Moonshine Read More »
We have visited Pegah’s Family Restaurant in the past, but it was only for breakfast. While these have been good, we never seemed to have our camera on hand when we visited. It was high time we rectified this oversight, and decided to make a lunch stop during a day of exploring. They have four locations,
Homestyle Dining At Pegah’s Family Restaurant Read More »
When we are in the planning phase of a trip, I like to leave a little room in the schedule for unexpected destinations. It never fails that many of the locals will point out some of their top spots, and when one gets mentioned multiple times, we try to squeeze in a visit. In Tulsa,
Caz’s Chowhouse Delivers Down Home Eats Read More »
Our survey of readers had brought to light a small breakfast spot in the heart of downtown Eureka Springs. We had walked past Nibbles Eatery during our shopping excursion, and decided it would make a great stop for our last morning in town. Had we known what we were about to experience, we would have eaten
Nibbles Eatery Delivers Big Flavor In A Small Space Read More »
Like most couples, we have our list of favorites. While we love trying new places, at times we tend to gravitate back to our tried and true picks. When it comes to a nice Happy Hour, one of our tops is found at the Hereford House at 17244 Midland Drive, in Shawnee. An added bonus
Hereford House Happy Hour Read More »
We always make an itinerary for our research trips, since it helps keep us on track. While many of the attractions are the base for our visit, we try to be a little more fluid with our restaurant plans. While I will certainly select a few “must try” locations, some of the others are open
Tacos Don Francisco – Hole In The Wall Dining In Tulsa Read More »
A visit to Eureka Springs, Arkansas offers a chance to slow down from the hectic pace of everyday life. This quaint town in the Ozark Mountains is more geared toward leisurely pleasures, and we certainly were looking for some to sample. The Eureka Springs Train hosts a lunch ride that looked perfect for a romantic
Dining In Style On The Eureka Springs Train Read More »
When we find a restaurant that adds live music to the mix, we know it will be popular. Jazz Louisiana Kitchen certainly falls into this category. What started just over 25 years ago, has grown to include six locations in four states. We dropped by their KCK location, which is found on the west end
Dinner And All That Jazz Read More »
We are baby boomers, and when we launched this blog, we expected that people our own age would be the only ones to read it. We couldn’t have been more off base. The analytics show that our largest age group of readers are actually in the 25 to 35 age span. We hope this is
Tulsa Children’s Museum Offers Entertaining Education Read More »
One big advantage to living in Kansas City is the wide range of cuisines available throughout the metro. It seems that no matter which area you are in you can find a good selection of restaurants. Some of the “local chains” have locations scattered around the city, so we can enjoy our favorites wherever we
Trying New Dishes At Margarita’s Read More »
Have you ever eaten at a restaurant that sources it’s ingredients locally? Did you notice how much more flavor the dishes have? We had that opportunity during a visit to Dilly Diner, in Tulsa, as we checked out their breakfast menu. We were happy to find out the restaurant was within walking distance of our hotel. A scenic
Taste The Freshness At Dilly Diner Read More »
Our arrival in Eureka Springs, Arkansas was not met with grand fanfare. Actually, we just slid in down Main Street, and located a parking spot near downtown. After a drive filled with exploration, the first thing on our minds was lunch. We had polled our readers for restaurant ideas prior to our departure, and Local
Testing The Local Flavor Cafe Read More »
When we pass the Grinter House, in Kansas City, Kansas, I try to imagine the life of the Grinters. Being one of the first homes in the area, they surely faced long periods of isolation. Built around 1857, it served as the home for Moses and Anna Grinter. A trail nearby led to the Kaw
Grinter House – The House On The Hill Read More »
Did you know that Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to the largest collection of art and artifacts of the American West? The Gilcrease Museum holds this vast array of objects, as well as a significant amount of Native American material. Located on the northwest corner of the city, it fit in perfectly after a morning visit
The Largest Collection Of American West Art – Gilcrease Museum Read More »
When we decided to visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas there was a specific type of lodging that we have always wanted to experience. We have stayed in some of the local cabins in the past, but the chance to hang out in the treetops seemed like an extra special treat. When Treehouse Cottages offered to host
Canopy Dwelling At Treehouse Cottages Read More »
We are honored to have so many of you follow us on our journeys, and enjoy all of the interaction we have with people. While traveling can be exhilarating, we try to have just as much fun when we are at home in Kansas City. There are so many options to enjoy in our city,
For those that follow our travels, and especially the eateries we frequent, it is probably obvious we are huge pizza fans. When visiting a new city, we always try to scope out a possible candidate for a meal. In Tulsa, we found Bohemian Pizzeria, in the East Village area near downtown. During research prior to our
Squeezing In To Bohemian Pizzeria Read More »
Have you ever been to a restaurant so well designed that you immediately fall in love with it? The kind of place you want to explore in depth. That is exactly what we found at Mud Street Annex in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This newly opened offshoot of the original Mud Street Cafe has tons of charm
Why We Fell In Love With Mud Street Annex Read More »
For as long as they have been around, surprisingly we had never visited Spin Neapolitan Pizza restaurant. During a bout of shopping, hunger overtook us, and we stopped by their location at 14230 W. 119th Street in Olathe, Kansas. What we discovered at this locally originated pizzeria has created a couple of new fans of
Neapolitan Style Pies At Spin Pizza Read More »
Visiting an aquarium in the middle of the United States may seem odd to some, but we were looking forward to this unique experience. The Oklahoma Aquarium is a great place for a family destination, and offers a nice selection of activities, along with some beautiful exhibits. We dropped by on a Saturday morning, and while we
Oklahoma Aquarium Brings Sea Life To The Southwest Read More »
It is said that Eureka Springs, Arkansas is one of the most haunted cities in America. If that is true, then the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa must be Ghost Central. We surveyed our readers, while making our itinerary, and the Crescent Ghost Tour ranked high with many of you. This certainly wasn’t a normal attraction
Haunted History at the 1886 Crescent Hotel Read More »