Philadelphia has so many firsts that there seems to be one on every block. Shane Confectionery has the distinction of being the oldest continuously run candy maker in America. It was by chance that we ended up finding this unique shop. A Sweet Old Store As we strolled down Market Street, on our way to the […]
Historic Sweets At Shane Confectionery Read More »
We were famished after our day of sightseeing in historic Independence, Missouri. The Courthouse Exchange had been suggested to us as a dinner option, and we were ready to test it out. We had seen the outdoor patio used as a beer garden during the Santa-Cali-Gon Festival, but on this cool day it was empty. That
Below Street Level At Courthouse Exchange Read More »
Our visit to the Turn 2 restaurant, in Hollywood Casino, showed us that sometimes the hidden gems are right under our noses. Not only does this place have some delicious dishes, but the views of the track at Kansas Speedway are unparalleled by any restaurant in the city. We want to thank Turn 2 Restaurant for
Turn 2 Offers Dining With Unique Perspective Read More »
The timing for our trip to Philadelphia fell just a couple months after the opening of the new Museum of the American Revolution. This brand new attraction features over thirty audio-visual experiences for visitors. I have to admit that I was over excited when I heard it would be ready in time. Revolution Was In
Join Or Die – The American Revolution From New Perspectives Read More »
The past few years has seen an increase in the localized breweries and wineries. Top Hat Winery, in downtown Independence, Missouri is a prime example. Located at 120 S. Main Street, they are just a stone’s throw off of the historic downtown square. We stopped by on our day trip to check out their offerings. Wearing
Hat’s Off To Top Hat Winery Read More »
Some tourist attractions are easy to spot. They may have bright colors, attention grabbing signage or even one of those costumed characters waving you down. Then there are those places that blend so well into their surroundings that you may never know they exist. This is the case of the 1859 Jail & Marshal’s Home, which
Brush With Fame In The 1859 Jail Read More »
There were a lot of firsts for us during our visit to Philadelphia. A chance to tour the USS New Jersey was certainly a big first. Besides being our first travel opportunity in the Garden State, it was also our first steps on a battleship. To say it is an impressive ship would be an
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We discovered last weekend, that sitting in a vineyard on a hot evening helps lower the temperature a few degrees. The occasion was the Summertime Music Series at Holyfield Winery. We have mentioned this Basehor small batch vintner previously, and even written an article about them, which you can find here. Jazzing up The Vineyard Holyfield
An Evening in the Vineyard Read More »
The Museum of World Treasures is located in the Old Town section of Wichita. The first portion of our visit had us staying just across the street at Hotel at Old Town. Housed in a three-story converted paper warehouse, their collection spans a wide range of topics and time periods. We want to thank the
Uncovering World Treasures in Old Town Read More »
We have made many trips to the historic Independence Square. On a lot of those visits we stopped in to Clinton’s Soda Fountain for a sweet break. Clinton’s sits squarely on the corner of Main Street and Maple, and offers a great vantage point for people watching. Harry’s Home Away From Home Clinton’s building has the honor
Harry Truman’s First Job Wasn’t At Clinton’s, but It was still Sweet Read More »
The Mid-America All-Indian Center, in Wichita, is the only facility solely dedicated to the culture of the American Indians, located in the state of Kansas. Situated on the point of land that overlooks the Arkansas River, a visit to this unique museum was a chance to explore the cultural history of the people who first
American Indians – The True Native People Read More »
A visit to UpDog felt appropriate considering we were in Harry Truman’s hometown. After a few hours of exploring, we had built up an appetite, but we were in need of a quick meal, as we still had lots more to see and do. Hot Dogs – America’s Meal It was a quiet day on the
What Could be More American Than Hot Dogs? Read More »
We were certainly looking forward to our first visit in Philadelphia. I am an amateur history buff, and find the Revolutionary War period to be especially interesting. Crystal is not so much about the battles, as she is about the personal stories. Our hopes were that Philly would provide plenty of things for both of
Meeting A Feisty Betsy Ross Read More »
Being natives of Kansas City, we believe we know a little about barbeque. The opportunity to add Delano Barbeque Company to our itinerary meant a chance to sample one of our favorite cuisines. This restaurant has only been around for a little over a decade, but it has certainly established itself as a Wichita staple in
Pleasant Company At Delano Barbeque Company Read More »
Downtown Independence Square is easily walk-able, but a ride with Pioneer Trails Adventures is a great way to get a new perspective. We have visited this historic locale on many occasions, but never like this time. We had just completed a tour of the old jail, and now we were ready to experience a trail ride. A
Tales From The Trails With Wagonmaster Ralph Read More »
One of our main goals is to uncover those almost hidden places like Public. The hunt can be tantalizing, and the rewards are often far above our expectations. Many times it is the background story that adds an extra layer of mystique to one of our destinations. We want to thank Public for their hospitality. Rest assured
Taking It To The Brickyard Public Style Read More »
One of our first stops in Wichita, was the Sedgwick Historical Museum. We know that a good way to get a quick understanding of a city you are visiting, is by making a trip to the local historical museum. Our arrival was on a bad weather day, so it made for a perfect indoor treat. Palace of
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Our last morning in Wichita brought us to Jimmie’s Diner for breakfast. The owners of the restaurant happened to be there that morning, and we had the pleasure of visiting with them for a while. They made us feel like a couple of the locals, and filled us in on the interesting history of this
Massive Meal at Jimmie’s Diner Read More »
The National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri is dedicated to teaching the history of the three main trails heading West. On a damp Saturday morning, we headed to 318 West Pacific, in historic Independence, to see what this trails museum has to offer. We want to thank the National Frontier Trails Museum for their hospitality. Rest
Which Route Would You Take At The National Frontier Trails Museum Read More »
Visits to places like Cocoa Dolce can be very hard on us. Being travel bloggers means that we spend lots of time testing a wide variety of foods. When it comes to sweets, we try to locate the really good ones, so a small portion will suffice. Of course, If it’s really good chocolate who can
Chocolate Goodness At Cocoa Dolce Read More »
The Sedgwick County Zoo has a history of continuous improvements. Since it’s early days in 1971, this Midwestern zoo has had big dreams, which it strives to fulfill. With almost 300 species, this zoological park has blossomed into a major attraction. We want to thank the Sedgwick County Zoo for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions
Big Addition to Sedgwick Zoo Read More »
Our choice of Monarch for dinner one evening was made based on a single menu item. When I saw they served up a Cuban sandwich, it sealed the deal. The only thing left was to hope it was a good one. Eclectic Decor The restaurant sits on the edge of a roundabout in the Delano section
Munching Monarch Style Read More »
Not too long ago, Sheridan’s (You know the custard people) launched Unforked. You may notice we rarely feature any restaurants that belong to a chain. Oh sometimes we may include one, if it stands out in some particular way. After quite a few people starting suggesting we visit Unforked, we finally decided it was time
Although we usually shy away from showcasing chains, Il Vicino Wood Fired Pizza is one of those exceptions. While the idea of wood fired pizza is no longer a rare occurrence, toss in that the recipes are all determined by a gourmet chef, and now that’s something special. We visited their Bradley Fair location in Wichita, Kansas
Gourmet Pizza Il Vicino Style Read More »
For the past 15 years, Union Station has hosted Celebration at the Station. This annual event occurs on Memorial Day weekend, and honors those who have and are putting themselves in harms way to protect our freedoms. This year was especially significant, as they recognized the 100th anniversary of the United States entry into World
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Egg Crate Cafe was a great find on our visit to Wichita. An early morning appointment at the Sedgwick County Zoo meant that we needed to find a breakfast spot on the west side of the city. Most of what we found in this area were chain spots, and we wanted something more local. Buried Treasure The
Great Variety at Egg Crate Cafe Read More »
In the Delano area of Wichita, we stumbled upon Milkfloat. This interesting dessert shop is only about six months old, but is already creating a lot of buzz around town. We had just finished walking off a magnificent dinner at a nearby restaurant, and decided it was fate that landed us at the doorstep. Why Milkfloat?
Make Mine A Milkfloat Read More »
When we started looking for breakfast locations in Wichita, the Beacon Restaurant kept rising to the top. After hearing all of the repetition, it was obvious that this was a place to try. Since it was close to our hotel, it seemed that a breakfast run would fit perfectly. We visited on a Tuesday morning,
Breakfast for the Masses at Beacon Restaurant Read More »
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is not exactly what we think of when we hear the word zoo. Although visitors can have a zoo-like experience, they can also choose to dive deeper into the world of animals. The owners wanted to help guests gain a more personal interaction with the wonderful creatures, that the zoo cares for on
Tanganyika Wildlife Park – Unique Name, Awesome Experience Read More »
Our original research identified TJ’s Burger House as a good option for one of the locally-owned restaurants to visit. Sadly, time restraints forced us to cut it from our final list. When the day to head out arrived, unseasonably low temperatures in Wichita forced us to make a last minute itinerary change. We quickly reinserted TJ’s
We love a good Happy Hour, and are always searching for new places. A visit to Paulo and Bill, located at 16501 Midland Drive in Shawnee, was an opportunity to check out their specialty menu. We hadn’t been to this location in quite some time, so we were eager to see what changes had taken place.
Enjoying Happy Hour at Paulo and Bill Read More »
For too long travelers have looked at Springfield, Missouri as the last rest stop before Branson. We decided to schedule a trip to showcase some of the “hidden gems” in this Oasis. The plan was to fill a three day weekend with as many places as possible, without total exhaustion. Come along as we highlight some of
16 Reasons To Visit Springfield, Missouri Read More »
Trail Ridge Road is the name of the heavily traveled highway that passes through Rocky Mountain National Park. Aptly nicknamed “Highway to the Sky”, this oversized two lane road covers 48 miles between Estes Park and Grand Lake in Colorado. This road includes more than 10 miles of drive above the tree line (about 11,500
10 Miles Above the Trees on Trail Ridge Road Read More »
Making a lodging selection is usually one of the hardest parts of planning a trip. For Springfield, we quickly determined that the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center would be our first choice. Its location along the original Route 66 was certainly a key point. Their location also offered convenient access to the main arteries for travel throughout
Discovering an Oasis in Springfield, Missouri Read More »
Los Alamos Market y Cocina sits in the middle of the Westside area in Kansas City, Missouri. Located at 1667 Summit Street, it is within walking distance of downtown or the Crossroads District. Since 2001, Los Alamos Market has occupied this corner. Nearby residents and visitors enjoy a variety of locally owned restaurants and shops.
Warm Welcome at Los Alamos Market Read More »
Creative Escape Glass has developed a unique niche in Springfield, Missouri. Over the past few years there has been a resurgence of places offering visitors a chance to create their own art. Most of these have involved painting of some sort. It seems to have started with shops that allowed customers to paint ceramics. Lately, there
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Fantastic Caverns is one of fifteen caves that visitors can tour in Missouri. This number is small in comparison to the approximately 6500 known caves in the state. Because of it’s immense size, Fantastic Caverns has the unique distinction to offer guests a ride-thru experience. The cave is located just north of Springfield, Missouri at the end of
How 12 Women Changed Tourism in Springfield, Missouri Read More »
Families visiting Springfield, Missouri will be happy to know that Discovery Center offers tons of hands-on exhibits. Here is a great place for kids of all ages to learn about a wide range of topics. Be prepared to be there for a while, as they are packed with four floors of exhibits. We want to thank
Get Your Hands-On Discovery Center Read More »
Black Sheep Burger is a prime example of why Springfield, Missouri is a food lovers destination. This city has an amazingly wide variety of dining options. We were told that many restaurateurs will use this city as a testing market for new ideas. That means diners have first shot at some of the best foods around.
Can You Handle Black Sheep Burger? Read More »
The story behind Askinosie Chocolate, in Springfield, Missouri, is as complex as the flavors of the products. The small batch bean-to-bar chocolate factory has raised an eyebrow of the chocolate making industry. Owner Shawn Askinosie has brought an interesting twist to his relationship with customers and suppliers. Time for a Change We once visited a gentleman in Wyoming
Bean to Bar at Askinosie Chocolate Read More »
Fun Acre is one of the old time miniature golf courses that were so popular in the 60’s and 70’s. The kind that featured lots of hand crafted statues dotting the various holes of play. Most have been removed, and only remain in pictures and memories. Every once in a while you happen across one, and
Played Any Cheesy Mini-golf Courses Lately? Read More »
The Dickerson Park Zoo, in Springfield, Missouri, faces the same struggles that many zoological parks are facing these days. With the number and variety of competing attractions increasing, the travelers options become larger. Zoos, as well as many museums, face stiff competition for tourism dollars. This doesn’t mean that smaller market zoos don’t still have the
Get Up Close At Dickerson Park Zoo Read More »
Cafe Cusco is not what we would normally pick for dinner. When I was researching options that are local hot spots, this one kept popping up on my radar. I finally decided that it was time for us to taste what the Peruvian cuisine has to offer. The restaurant is located on Commercial Street in Springfield,
Peruvian Delights at Cafe Cusco Read More »
During our visit to Springfield, Missouri, we just had to make a point of trying Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe. During my research, I reached out to them to arrange a good time for a visit. When they found out we were planning a Saturday, their response was, “the earlier, the better”. We want to thank the Gailey’s
Early Risers at Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe Read More »
Kansas City, Kansas has the distinction of being known as “The Melting Pot of the Midwest”. A visit to the Strawberry Hill Museum, at 720 North 4th Street, showcases the contribution that Slavic nations have had on our growing city. The area was originally named Splitlog Hill after the wealthy mill owner, Mathias Splitlog. He parceled out the land
130 Years on Strawberry Hill Read More »
Downtown Kansas City has gone through many phases over the past 150 years. The Historic Garment District Museum focuses on the period when Kansas City played host to numerous garment manufacturers. The museum is located at 800 Broadway, in the area that once held a thriving garment industry. This FREE museum is open on Wednesday through
A Stitch in Time at Garment District Museum Read More »
Getting a Hurts Donut in Springfield, Missouri is a little different than what you may be thinking. A lot of us conjure up memories of a sibling preparing to hit us, when we answered the question. Instead, at this eatery you get sugary delights. A Native Chain Hurts Donut is a Springfield based business started by
Would You Like a Hurts Donut Read More »
A short stay in Chicago, Illinois offers travelers tons of options. Our trip was focused on the City Center area. We were hoping to enjoy the museums and shopping possibilities. From Kansas City, we were only looking at a 1 1/2 hour flight, so it’s a great destination. Our Temporary Home in Chicago We chose to forego a
Hitting Some Highlights In Chicago Read More »
The Field Museum is Chicago’s own museum of natural history. It happens to rank as one of the largest of its type in the world. With over 24 million specimens in its portfolio, anything less than all day is just a cursory look. The Natural World Our schedule only allowed for a short visit, so
Quick Stop at The Field Museum Read More »
Pierpont’s Restaurant is a premier seafood and steak house located in Kansas City’s Union Station. A visit to this restaurant is like a step back in time to when the station was built in 1914. The architecture is awe-inspiring, and there are many hidden gems tucked inside. The expectations for a dinner at this type of establishment are
Perfect Presentation at Pierpont’s Restaurant Read More »
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