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We want to thank Experience Fort Smith and the local businesses for hosting our visit. rest assured all opinions are our own.

Patrolling the Frontier

The original stockade, built in 1817, was situated on the edge of the western frontier. By the time they decided to move farther west, into what would become Oklahoma, a small settlement had sprung up surrounding the fort. By 1838, the Army decided to return to this site, as the Indian Removal Act was enforced. Fort Smith saw minimal action during the Civil War but gained notoriety at the end of the 1800s. It was the appointment of Judge Isaac Parker (The Hanging Judge) that drew the attention of the nation. His jurisdiction included 74,000 square miles of Indian Territory, which was filled with lawbreakers bent on taking advantage of the Five Civilized Tribes. Parker presided over around 13,500 court cases and dealt out 160 death sentences.

Engaging the Locals

We were enjoying our history lessons but wanted to learn from the locals. A couple of stops on our schedule offered a chance to do that. Miss Laura’s is one of the original bordellos that were frequented by cowboys fresh from the trail. These days it serves as home to the Visitors Center. We were offered a tour and quickly jumped on it. A local character actress, playing the part of Belle Starr, helped fill us in on some of the sordid details. Later, we would run into her at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, when her partners in crime held up our tour. Once the action ended, we were able to chat with the characters. What we discovered was there are a lot of people in Fort Smith who love sharing their city’s stories with visitors.

History Lessons

We had already seen three of the 8 top activities in Fort Smith but were eager to continue learning about this Wild West town. Located just steps from the trolley we found the Fort Smith Museum of History. Inside, we uncovered more details from the past. Not only did we find exhibits about the fort, but we took a stroll forward in time. Just as we’ve discovered in other cities, the local history museum has stories to tell that are complete eye-openers. Have you ever heard of Brigadier General William Darby? We had not, but after reading his tale, we found out he created the Army Rangers unit.

Take a Walk

The weather during our visit was perfect for outdoor exploration. There’s no better way to enjoy a beautiful Spring day than with a walk along the river. The Fort Smith National Historic Site runs along the bank of the Arkansas River. We followed the path and found the walk has some informational plaques that tell about the area. We followed the path to Belle Point, which is the confluence of the two rivers. This excursion was a quiet break from the bustling downtown but soon we were anxious to do more exploring.

Urban Art Abounds

Many cities are finding a rebirth of interest in their downtown corridor. To help spark more activity, urban art has been used as a catalyst to draw visitors and potential new businesses. Fort Smith has done this through the Unexpected Art Project. All around the downtown, you will discover vivid murals created by world-famous artists. They now number around 30 with the list growing each year. Since we enjoy exploring on foot, these murals added a nice surprise during our walks.

Staying Close

To minimize our travel time, our lodging was also downtown. The Fort Smith Downtown Courtyard made the perfect home base for exploring. Located just a block off of the main drag (Garrison Avenue), we were able to enjoy quiet nights and easy access to the downtown corridor. During our walks along Garrison, we found a bunch of plaques that detail stories from Fort Smith’s past. While I captured images of our visit, Crystal was busy making mental notes of the history.

Retail Therapy

It is a rare visit where we don’t carve out time for exploring some of the local shops. Fortunately, there was an assortment of shops located along our path. this made it easy to pop into one or two between our other stops. We even made it to their weekly farmers market on our last morning in town. You can bet that we brought home plenty of souvenirs, as well as some tasty treats. It’s hard to beat the tastes of a new town. You can learn about some of our meals and treats in this Fort Smith foodie article.

8 Top Activities in Fort Smith

As you can see, we had a wonderful time exploring the downtown region. Our visit to the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers left us star-struck with its down-to-earth vibe. The 8 top activities in Fort Smith are just a portion of the long list of attractions in this frontier town. If you’d like to learn more about our visit, you can select from our other Fort Smith articles here. We’d love to hear about your experiences in this city, so drop us a note in the comments section below.

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We want to thank the St. Charles Business Alliance for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Chill Time

Intending to have the best experience possible, we made sure that there was plenty of time allotted for slowing down. This is easy to do, as the vibe of the city is relaxed. The downtown is laid out in a pattern that makes it very walkable. This is perfect for enhancing couple time in St. Charles. After parking our car, we headed to Mt. St. Mary Park, where we strolled through the public art. Situated along the shore of the Fox River, which bisects the downtown, the park offers some beautiful views. There is even a pedestrian bridge that aids in traversing both sides of the river.

Retail Therapy

It’s no secret that we love shopping. We even give bonus points for locally-owned boutique stores. There is plenty to keep a couple occupied between meals. Crystal was enjoying all of the cute clothes she found at the stores. I was happy to see her having so much fun. With so many choices, we had no problem finding some Christmas gifts for family and friends. It’s easy to imagine St. Charles being a good destination for a girlfriend’s weekend. Between salons, shops, and restaurants, this city has something for everyone.

Scary Treat

Some of you guys may be thinking that all of these boutiques aren’t your cup of tea. Don’t worry, they have some unique shops that appeal to us, as well. While strolling along Main Street, we happened upon Ghoulish Mortals. This macabre store is filled with frighteningly fascinating merchandise. As we perused their stock, we found memorabilia from just about every horror movie we have ever heard of or seen. It was the perfect stop to grab some unusual pieces for Halloween and gift giving.

Artistic Outing

Our couples time in St. Charles happened to overlap with their annual Fine Arts Festival. This is just one of many annual events that take place along the Fox River. It was nice to just stroll through the booths and check out the variety of pieces on display. Whether you are an art lover or just into people-watching, these types of events are a perfect fit. We’ve gotten into the habit of picking up small mementos from our journeys and locally made art is one of our favorite choices. Not looking to add to your collection? The art festival even has a section where visitors can take a turn showcasing their artistic talent. Crystal jumped in and added a special touch from us.

Floating the Fox River

The Fox River has a powerful presence in St. Charles. The peaceful water flow downstream bisects the city. At nearby Pottawatomie Park, travelers can mingle with locals as they explore the banks of the river. As we explored the park, we saw groups of people enjoying picnics and parties. The local miniature golf course was packed with participants enjoying the great outdoors. Spotting a paddlewheel riverboat sparked the idea to take a sightseeing cruise. This has been a favorite activity of visitors since the mid-1940s. While the boats have been replaced over the years, the relaxed pleasure of a riverboat cruise is still entertaining.

Hidden Delight

Even on vacation, we still try to stick to our regular dating schedule. After over 40 years, this has helped us keep the spark alive in our relationship. Not all dates are at the same level, as some are extra special. Our visit to Club Arcada certainly attained “extra special” status. This historic theater is still in operation but now has an added feature. After taking the elevator to the 3rd floor, we were snuck into their speakeasy. Talk about a fun way to make dinner extraordinary. We felt like we were stepping back into the Roaring Twenties, complete with all of the Hollywood star power from those days.

Couples Time in St. Charles

When we tell people that we are travel bloggers, we often hear the reply “Where can I get that job?” While the reality is that there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work and expense, it is still an amazing job. It is hard to label it a job, because we are always enjoying ourselves. Our couples time in St. Charles was another chance to meet new people and learn about a new destination. Immersing ourselves in the local scene helps us connect with the roots of the city and feel like we have had a cultural experience. St. Charles is an amazing destination choice for a couple’s escape, family vacation, or girlfriend’s outing. We’d love to hear some of your stories from visits to this “Gem on the Fox River”.

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We want to thank Experience Fort Smith for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Great Starts

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but we take a different approach. Our version of breaking our overnight fast is to start with some caffeine. Our short stay meant there were two mornings to sample the local coffee scene. Who would pass up a coffee shop that is actually named after the city where it is found? Fort Smith Coffee Co. is located in the Bakery District. The spacious shop roasts its beans to perfection and offers up some delectable pastry bites, as well. The Artistic Bean is easily spotted while traversing downtown Fort Smith. It was the perfect location for grabbing a cup of go-go juice, before hitting some of the local shops.

Downtown Brewpub

Our prearrival research made it obvious that Garrison Avenue is the main drag through downtown Fort Smith. After the 4 1/2 hour drive from Kansas City, we were ready for lunch. Traveling eastward from the Arkansas River, it’s hard to miss Bricktown Brewery. This regional chain has locations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and our home state of Kansas. We’ve had the chance to dine in one of their restaurants in the past, so we were curious to see how consistent their menu is in another location. A cold hard cider and a couple of mouth-watering burgers later and we knew they take their business seriously. It was a great way to begin eating our way through downtown Fort Smith.

Fun Settings

As is the nature of the restaurant business, places are fated to come and go. As I was in the process of compiling my notes for this article, it came to my attention that PT’s Manor has closed. It is always a little saddening to see this happen, but it is unfortunately a reality of life. Now we are left with only our memories of a wonderful brunch at this delightfully fun bistro. We weren’t sure what to expect when we arrived but were quickly won over as fans. From their artistically designed plates to the opportunity to dine in an old elevator, this place was impressive. We will be interested to see what others thought of the food at this restaurant. In the comments section below, let us know if you have eaten there in the past.

South of the Border

There were instances where eating our way through Fort Smith brought out some international flair. An example of that was our meal at Rolando’s Restaurante, which transported us to a quaint Central American café. The décor inside the eatery reminded us of trips south of the border and we were anxious to see if the food would do the same. Sure enough, the menu is packed full of delectable Latin American dishes that brought the flavors crashing onto our taste buds. The artistic flair on the walls was reflected in the preparation of the meals, as well. Each plate was a masterpiece of edible enjoyment.

Upscale Eatery

If we were going to truly be eating our way through downtown Fort Smith, we wanted to make sure we covered a broad spectrum of dining options. It would have been remiss to leave out a fine dining selection. Fortunately, it was easy to add The Rialto Restaurant to our list, as it was just a couple of blocks from our lodging. If you are looking for an upscale experience, this place is a great option. From the moment we entered, it was a memorable experience. A local musician was providing a background atmosphere as we savored the creative dishes. While the meal is a lavish treat, the atmosphere did not feel pretentious. This is how fine dining should be presented to the masses.

Eats on the Go

Being foodies is easy for us because we enjoy sampling new flavors. Even on our last morning in Fort Smith, we found a way to add more treats into our travels. The local farmers market was in full swing, as we prepared to head home. We stopped by and perused the stalls for some enticing delicacies we could enjoy along our route. Sure enough, we spotted a vendor selling some tempting baked goods. Many reminded us of our visit to Quebec City, so we grabbed a few for the road. Later, we would make a roadside stop and create an impromptu picnic that would tie us over until we returned home.

Eating Our Way Through Downtown Fort Smith

Over the years, we have learned not to take ourselves too seriously. We have expanded this approach to our dining. The course we take for reviewing meals is a bit more relaxed, which allows us to add some fun to our meals. As we were eating our way through downtown Fort Smith, we soaked up the atmosphere of each location. What we discovered was that Fort Smith presents a casual vibe where diners are focused on savoring the moment. This makes travelers feel welcome and it was easy for us to blend in with the locals. That makes this a great destination for food lovers.

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We want to thank Destination Madison for helping to sponsor our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

2) University Life

We are slowly adding state capitals to our collection, as each has its own unique vibe. Madison is also home to the largest university in the state. Since the mid-1800s, the University of Wisconsin has brought Badger Pride to Madison. After settling in, we made our way over to the campus to see what was shaking. Summer classes were in session, so the attendance was far below the roughly 42,000 students who regularly attend. It was easy to spot the badger mascot, as we made our way to Alumni Park to enjoy the relaxed vibe. The warm sunshine enticed us to grab a seat along the lake and enjoy some people-watching. While our itinerary beckoned us to get back to exploring, we lingered in this scenic setting for a while longer.

3) Leisurely Vibe

The University of Wisconsin is situated on the shore of Lake Mendota. With summer in full blaze, we spotted lots of activity. Sailboats and kayaks floated among the waves. Sunbathing was definitely high on the list of leisure activities. As we enjoyed our time on the patio, we soaked up some of those rays for ourselves. Later we would learn about the many firsts that have taken place at the University of Wisconsin. Some notable firsts are: a magnetic observatory, developing standards for testing milk quality, an experimental breeding program, and the country’s first speech clinic.

4) Free Museums

Being a history lover, I enjoy adding museums to our itineraries. Capitals are usually home to the state museum, which offers a broader perspective than many of the local sites. This helps us get a better feel for how things have changed over the centuries. The idea that museums are FREE makes them all the more attractive. During our visit to the Wisconsin Historical Museum, we were surprised to see their openness about past issues in the state. While peddling political influence has been around for many generations, it has usually been done in secret. Their willingness to face past problems was one of the 7 reasons to visit Madison.

5) Honoring Our Heroes

Just a short walk from the history museum is the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Another FREE attraction, it also has a commanding view of the state capital. This museum showcases the participation of Wisconsin citizens during the past 150 years of wars. We were impressed at the high quality of exhibits found inside this place. So many of the artifacts and images evoke memories that we remember from our younger years. It is a solemn site that reflects on the sacrifices made by so many. The availability of free or low-cost attractions makes Madison an affordable vacation destination.

6) Cheese!

Let’s face it, Wisconsin’s know their cheese. There is a myriad of cheese shops around Madison, but our limited time only allowed us to visit one. Fortunately for us, Fromagination sits on the square that surrounds the capital. This made it an easy destination to visit during our day at the museums. Stepping through the door, our noses picked up the exquisite aromas of tart and tangy cheeses. Once inside, we found ourselves afloat in choices. The staff was more than happy to walk us through their wide variety of cheeses, as well as plenty of accompaniments. We found tons of locally created merchandise, perfect for gift giving. There were even a few specialties that will add some extra zest to our homemade charcuterie boards.

7) Affordable Eats

Travel wouldn’t be the same without the chance to sample some of the local cuisines. We love this part of our job and take the task seriously. Our itineraries are always jammed full of interesting eateries that allow us to get a feel for the restaurant scene. Madison has lots of options and many are quite affordable. Whether you are looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, you will find it here. Along the capital square, we enjoyed burgers from DLux and tacos from The Canteen. As we moved closer to the university, we discovered an amazing breakfast at Short Stack Eatery. Even closer to the school is a street filled with student-friendly eateries, like Parthenon Gyros.

7 Reasons to Visit Madison

Our whirlwind adventure in this university city may have only lasted a couple of days, but we packed a ton of fun into our time. After hitting the ground running, we soon discovered that our exploration would have to be concentrated on the heart of the city. With lodging at Double Tree Hilton Downtown, we were able to park our car and walk everywhere. This is a huge plus in our books, as it allows us to work off a few of the calories we pick up during our exploration. While we are only showcasing 7 reasons to visit Madison, we’re sure you’ll find plenty more. Tell us about some of your discoveries in the comments section below. This will help other readers create a robust itinerary for their next Madison, Wisconsin adventure!

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville and the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Kid-Friendly

Even though we travel without any younger members in our party, we still like to see what a city has in store for families. Bentonville is a city filled with all age groups, so they have seen the growth of businesses that are geared toward the young and young at heart. Our first stop in town landed us at the Scott Family Amazeum. This place may be designed to be appealing to the youngest group, but we had a blast exploring all of the interactive opportunities. If you are traveling with children, this is a great destination to allow them to burn off some excess energy.

Let’s Get Physical

Perhaps your family is into mountain biking. If that’s the case, then Bentonville will be a perfect match. They are the self-proclaimed “Mountain Biking Capital of America” and we believe the title is appropriate. Not only did we discover a myriad of trails and pathways through the city, but they also have created an entire park filled with biking challenges. The Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is designed to get participants off-road and into nature. While we chose not to do any biking, we didn’t feel left out. They have a pleasant paved path that leads through the park. A shady stroll was the perfect way to burn off some of the calories from our many delectable meals.

Fantastic Feasts

Speaking of fantastic feasts, we found lots of culinary options during our stay in Bentonville. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices ranged from casual to fine dining. At each one, we discovered friendly staff that helped guide us through the menus and offered some amazing suggestions. It’s safe to say that the restaurant scene in Bentonville is vibrant and eclectic. Whether you are looking to explore an art-filled space or just relaxing after a morning of mountain biking, there is something to fit the bill.

Fly-in Dining

Once in a while, we happen upon a dining experience that is something completely new for us. During our research, we were in regular contact with the staff at Visit Bentonville. We find the local tourism bureaus are an excellent resource for trip planning. After all, they are living the local experiences every day. Our contact suggested a meal at an airport, which definitely captured our attention. Let’s face it, most airport meals are done out of necessity, instead of being a destination. When we visited Thaden Field, we were treated to a delicious breakfast served up in an exciting atmosphere. After all, how often do you get a chance to dine and watch small aircraft coming and going?

Familiar Names

It is likely that you are aware that Bentonville is the home to Walmart. The Walton family has invested heavily into the city and helped bring in a ton of amenities. In the heart of the downtown, guests can make a visit to the original Walton’s Five & Dime. It was here that Sam Walton began down the path of creating the mega-business that we all recognize today. It wouldn’t be a real visit to Bentonville if it didn’t include a tour of this FREE attraction.

Art-Centric

While Walmart has grown to be an example of a successful business plan, the Walton family has reinvested back into the city in a variety of ways. One that we really appreciate is the inclusion of art. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is another FREE attraction that offers visitors a chance for interactive opportunities. After touring the interior galleries, we headed outdoors to explore their many artwalks. We also discovered that they have a newer art installation, called The Momentary, which highlights traveling exhibits.

Facing the Past

For us, visiting new destinations requires learning some of the city’s history. Bentonville has some unique chances to do just that. One of our stops was at the Museum of Native American History. Here we had a chance to learn about the earliest residents of the area. This FREE attraction welcomes guests to learn about a wide range of Native Tribes who occupied or traveled through northwest Arkansas. If you plan a visit to this interesting site, be sure to set aside plenty of time to truly explore their exhibits.

Interactive Opportunities Abound

It’s always difficult to really capture the various experiences in one overview article. Bentonville is a city filled with interactive opportunities and we only scratched the surface during our visit. We know that a return trip will have to happen for us to gain more perspective about the variety found there. Our hope is that we offered up plenty of reasons for you to plan your own Bentonville vacation. No matter the age range of your group, we know you’ll find plenty to keep everyone occupied and satisfied. So with all that we did, tell us what we missed. We need to begin making a list for our next visit.

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We want to thank Visit Mason City and all of the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Familiar Characters

We parked our car at Central Park, which is located in the heart of downtown. Our research had shown us that this is a very walkable town, which would allow for some up-close views. A visit to Mason City would be incomplete without a stop at the home of a local celebrity. Meredith Willson is a name that is synonymous with The Music Man. The first attraction on our list was the composer’s boyhood home. After our informative tour, we made our way into Music Man Square. This recreation of a 1912 street feels like walking onto the set of the musical. It also includes a museum featuring artifacts from the classic movie.

American Art

Our appetite for art was now primed, so we made our way to stop number two. The Charles MacNider Art Museum is FREE to the public, which is an added bonus for art lovers. Inside, we found plenty of local art from around the Midwest. There were pieces from familiar artists, like Thomas Hart Benton, as well as plenty from people new to us. We enjoyed learning about new-to-us artists who we will watch for in future excursions.

Grassroots Art

Our next point of interest took us down the road to grassroots art. Rancho Deluxe is a collection of miscellaneous artifacts. This stop would end up reminding us of our time in Lucas, Kansas, which is referred to as the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas. This place is easy to spot with the shiny hubcaps and bicycle arch marking the entrance. The inside brought more eye candy into view. Large concrete blocks were decorated with interesting artwork. Weaving through the maze of rocks, we found some recognizable images that brought smiles to our faces.

Fueling Our Exploring

Not all art has to be for viewing. We found plenty of artistic images in the meals we devoured around Mason City. Whether we were just grabbing a quick sandwich for lunch, a light breakfast, or a chef-inspired dinner, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate. The town has quite the collection of dining options and our only regret was only having 24 hours in Mason City. We even squeezed in time for a visit to an iconic local ice cream shop, which has been serving guests since 1931.

Architectural Excellence

We made our way back to Central Park to grab our bags from the car. Our lodging for the night was right across the street, which was quite convenient. The Historic Park Inn has the distinction of being the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This Midwest architect is widely considered the greatest ever to design structures in America. His “Prairie School” style is easily recognized by the familiar geometric shapes and patterns. The Park Inn is a 27-room boutique lodging option that is a delight to experience.

Walking Art

During our 24 hours in Mason City, we learned that it has the nickname of River City. With the Winnebago River cutting a path through the heart of the town, this made perfect sense. The town’s residents have embraced the moniker and we found it repeated in the name of various businesses. They even have an abundance of outdoor artwork that is viewable as the River City Sculptures on Parade. With nearly six dozen unique statues, we had a blast checking as many as possible off of our map. The entire collection encompasses a 1.7-mile walk, so it was quite reasonable to add it to our day’s walk.

24 Hours in Mason City

As you can tell, we spent a very busy 24 hours in Mason City, Iowa. This Midwest town is filled to the brim with artistic endeavors and we only wish we would have had more time to explore. While our time ran out far too soon, you can plan your own escape to the city and be sure to allow even more time for discovery. We are sure that you will fall in love with the small-town charm that is found throughout the city. Make sure you allow opportunities to interact with the locals, who are friendly and welcoming. It’s another great destination for a weekend getaway that’s easy to reach from all over the Midwest.

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We want to thank Clear Lake, Iowa, and the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Lake Centric

Clear Lake has a lot to offer vacationers. Many are drawn to the huge freshwater lake that boasts fun adventures for the whole family. The cloudless day had brought out sport fishers who enjoy the challenge found at this spring-fed body of water. Lying just west of I-35, this watery destination is easily accessible. We parked in the downtown area and worked our way to the shoreline. With holiday activities on the agenda, we needed to stay focused, if we were to complete our itinerary. Our schedule didn’t include time on the water, but it didn’t stop us from checking out the scene. Walking along the seawall, we spotted the Lady of the Lake. This sternwheeler offers visitors easy access to the lake with scenic tours.

Rock ‘N Roll History Lesson

While the beach party vibe is strong in Clear Lake, it’s not the only thing that happens in this city. In days gone by, one would have found ballrooms in most cities and towns across America. While these have mostly disappeared, the Surf Ballroom stands as a reminder of those times. Still in use today, it has hosted a myriad of musical artists from various genres. If the name of this place seems familiar, it’s because it was home to the last concert of Buddy Holly. Shortly after the concert, a plane crash took the lives of Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. You can read more about it in this article that features the Surf Ballroom and nearby 3 Stars Plaza.

Community Pride

With the taste of history in our bloodstream, we moved forward to the Kinney Pioneer Museum. This local attraction does extra duty by covering Clear Lake and nearby Mason City. Like many local historical sites, it is chocked full of historic artifacts. Community pride often leads to exuberant donations from the locals. With so many pieces to display, it took us quite a while to make it through this museum. Our visit was enhanced by time spent with the museum curator. She was able to provide background on many of the unique pieces that are housed in the museum.

Downtown Break

Now that we had a good grasp on the past, it was time to return to the present. Back downtown, we made our way to K&B Emporium for lunch. This combination eatery and retail shop provided plenty of eye candy. We ordered up a couple of the Independence weekend specials and did a little shopping while we waited for our meals to be prepared. Crystal chose the Turkey Ranch Wrap, which ended up being a ton of food. I sampled the BBQ Chicken Sandwich that comes served up on Ciabatta bread. It was all so delicious that we ended up eating a few more bites than we would normally consume. Oh well, looks like some more walking in our future.

Beach Party Vibe

With our lunch consumed, we decided to check out the local retail scene. While Clear Lake only holds about 8,000 residents, the beach party vibe helps bolster the economy to support plenty of locally-owned shops. With the midday heat building, it was perfect timing for some in-and-out exploring. The holiday events had brought in plenty of out-of-towners, so we had lots of company. We checked out various stores for a couple of hours and even spotted an ice cream shop. Unfortunately, our large lunch was preventing us from diving into a sweet treat.

Chilling with the Locals

As we made our way back down to the lake edge of downtown, we found a local vendor sale taking place. The assorted tents and booths were brimming with local art, crafts, and assorted merchandise. With a little time left before dinner, we made a pass through this space and picked out a couple of reminders from our visit. Once that was completed, we headed around a curve in the lake to PM Park. This lakeside resort has over 100 years of history in Clear Lake. We found a full-blown beach party vibe in full swing and couldn’t wait to join in the party atmosphere. As we sat and enjoyed some local musicians, we dined on some of their handhelds. There is something fascinating about relaxing in full view of all of the lake activities.

One Last Stop

After dinner, we decided to take a stroll along the shoreline. Here we could watch the sun swing low into the evening sky. The number of water skiers had died down and many of the boats were returning to the docks. Now was time for the sport fishers to reclaim their stake of the lake. As the waves slowly receded in size, it was time for us to think about moving on. Our schedule required us to be in Fairmont, Minnesota by bedtime, but there was one last stop to make.  On our way to PM Park, we had noticed an old-fashioned ice cream shop shaped like a cone. While we weren’t extremely hungry, we knew better than to pass up a second chance for a sweet treat.

Lake Lovers

Our time in Clear Lake had drawn to an end, but we departed filled with their beach party vibe. While the Fourth of July is certainly plenty of reason to celebrate, it’s not the only event to draw crowds to this Iowa town. When talking with the staff at Clear Lake, we found out that they almost always have something going on in or around town. There are plenty of reasons for us to make a return visit and some very unique activities. You’ll want to check out their calendar of events and find the perfect ones to squeeze into your vacation plans. We are betting you’ll enjoy the fun atmosphere that you find there. When was your last lake trip?

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We want to thank the Louisiana River Parishes and these local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Stately Views

Our first taste of the Louisiana River Parishes was our stay at Houmas House. It didn’t take long for us to discover that elegance is a key word when talking about the historic plantations. While many of these estates have been lost over the years, there are a few examples that visitors can tour. This particular plantation also has lodging options, which we were honored to enjoy. They gave us access to the grounds, which are filled with a variety of outdoor artwork. It seemed that no matter where we wandered, we found ourselves with amazing views.

Life in a Different Time

Our stay at Houmas House included a tour of the home. It is actually occupied by the new owner. The staff has decorated each room to reflect the personality that would have been found there in days gone by. Much like the outside grounds, each time we looked around, we were greeted with wondrous sights. While we would only have time for two plantation tours, it was clear to us that Houmas House is the crown jewel of the territory.

The River Runs Through

It was the Mississippi River, and its fertile delta, that drew the original peoples to this land. As the river snakes through the region, it deposits the silt drawn down from northern areas. All of this rich soil makes prime ground for the indigo and sugar cane crops that brought prosperity to the plantation owners. The river also served as a navigable highway for traffic to travel into the region. While the golden age of steamboat has passed, these days you will still see some plying the waters.

Life Along the Mississippi

Before departing Houmas house, we took time to visit the Great River Road Steamboat Museum. Inside we found loads of history about the area. While the main focus is on the steamboats, they also have a lot about other subjects. It’s safe to say that the museum does attempt to stay within the borders of the land that flanks the Mississippi River.

Dual Details

Our original plans had us visiting a third plantation, but the area had recently seen flooding rains. This is a condition that the people of the Louisiana River Parishes have learned to accept as part of life. When one of the stops dropped off, we replaced it with a visit to the 1811 Kid Ory Historic House. This dual focus museum tells the story of the slave uprising in 1811 that ended poorly for the enslaved people who participated. The story showcases how when pushed to a breaking point, people will lash out in whatever fashion they can manage. A second subject tells about the dawn of jazz, which came from Kid Ory. This Louisiana born musician pioneered sounds that would cement his place in history.

A Different Perspective

Each of the plantations, in the Louisiana River Parishes, has its own stories to tell. Our second one focused more on the life of the enslaved workers. Destrahan Plantation played an important role in the history of this region. The successful sugar plantation was the site of the first actions taken during the 1811 Slave Revolt. We learned that the region was separated by original ownership, and this plantation followed French codes. The enslaved, while still only considered property, were afforded a few slight benefits over other places along the river.

History Lessons

This guided tour took us into sights that are sometimes overlooked, when telling the story of plantation life in the Louisiana River Parishes. The living conditions of the enslaved is a sharp contrast to the plantation owners. It helps visitors, like us, gain a better perspective of the harsh realities of their lives. We highly recommend that a visit to the Louisiana River Parishes include tours of multiple plantations. This will allow you to build a complete picture of life during those tumultuous times.

Embracing the Louisiana River Parishes

It was a pleasure visiting the Louisiana River Parishes. While we had to dodge high water a couple of times, we easily found alternate routes. One thing that really stood out was the kindness and welcoming spirit of the people of this region. Everywhere we traveled, we were greeted like family. This certainly made it hard to leave, when our time ran out. You can bet that we will be including this territory in future excursions, as there was so much more to see and do. We hope that you find the area appealing and be sure to let us know some of your favorite stops in the comments section below.

The post Louisiana River Parishes – Exploring The River Road appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank Louisiana River Parishes and all of the local businesses that hosted our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Andouille Trail

Being from the Midwest, we had a lot to learn about the native cuisines. In the River Parishes, Andouille is a word that we heard frequently. This flavorful pork product uses coarser ground and special seasonings than Midwest sausage. It has the unique flavor of the French and German cultures that permeate this region. La Bon Boucon is home to some of these fabulous smoked meats. We stopped in and chatted with the owner about what makes a great Andouille. It begins with lean meat, which is combined with savory ingredients and seasonings. This mixture is stuffed into casings and then hung to cure out in a smokehouse setting. The combination of ingredients and choice of woods for smoking make a huge impact on the finished products. We decided to grab a variety of options to use for gumbo and jambalaya back at home.

Historic Eats

The River Parishes have a long history that includes many ethnic cuisines. Creole and Cajun are often mistaken as the same thing. In reality, they are titles for the descendants of people who came from different areas. Creole refers to a person born in this region even though their family origins may be French, African American, Native American, or European. Cajun people originated as French immigrants from Nova Scotia. Both cultures have retained many of their traditions, especially with the foods they prepare. Creole cuisine could be likened to “city cooking”, which embraces native ingredients. Cajun meals are usually heartier, one-pot dishes that could be considered homestyle cooking. When we arrived at Nobile’s Restaurant, we could tell that there was a lot of history held within their walls.

Mile High Flavor

To say that Nobile’s has history is really an understatement. The beginning of their story goes way back to 1894 when Lawrence Nobile first arrived in Lutcher, Louisiana. Finding a busy logging town, he saw the opportunity for a bustling business. While the building has served a multitude of purposes, it has always been based on hospitality. That is exactly what we found during our visit. We decided to sample some local favorites, like the Shrimp PoBoy, which is served with Zapp’s Chips (made in nearby Gramercy, La.). A mixed plate of fried catfish, rice, and creamy gumbo added another collection of flavors. Dessert was a mile-high slice of Ba Ba, a sweet yellow cake. This historic treat is stacked with layers of cake, custard, coconut, and a meringue topping. Every bite was light and fluffy and tasted like heaven on earth.

Bounty of the Sea

Our visit to the River Parishes wouldn’t be complete without sampling the bounty of the nearby waters. There is no doubt that the people of this region are proud of their native recipes. At every place we dined, we were treated to an assortment of local flavors. A stop at B&C Cajun Restaurant would provide plenty of the flavors that have come to be a local legend. The chef wanted to serve up a collection of flavors that included alligator, rabbit, crab, shrimp, and crawdads. Toss in Boudin balls, hush puppies, oyster, and clam strips to make the meal protein-packed. It seemed like each bite brought a deeper appreciation for the tastes of the region

Italian Delights

While the flavors of the Gulf abound, it isn’t limited to Creole and Cajun cuisines. Just about every restaurant has found a way to incorporate local ingredients into its menu. One of our dinners landed us at Petra Restaurant, in the Louisiana River Parishes. This fine-dining eatery is tucked away in a strip mall and proves that good things can be found in out-of-the-way locations. Here again, we explored some of the coastal tastes. An appetizer of Fried Calamari got our taste buds revved up for the main courses. I sampled the Pasta St. John, which is filled with chicken, andouille, mushrooms, and peppers all served up in a cream sauce. Crystal selected the Shrimp Scampi that is concocted with fresh herbs in a brandy butter sauce. There was no hiding the huge gulf shrimp that gave this dish its name.

Sweet Start

It would have been easy to sleep in, especially with all of these heavy meals. We didn’t want to miss a moment of exploring, and knew that we could rest when we returned home. Mornings are made for coffee, so on one of them, we shot off to The Donut Hole. This local favorite has spent the last 30 years serving up their fried confections to locals and tourists alike. We were saddened to find out that the latest hurricane caused damage that was beyond belief to this site. They have closed their doors, but we couldn’t let our experience pass without mention. The sugary cakes that they would serve up rivaled any we have enjoyed throughout our travels. We want to wish the family and friends the best as they move on to new adventures. Their cheerful faces and sweet starts to the day will be missed.

Modern Twists

We were finding that the collection of flavors available in the River Parishes cover a vast array of cuisines. Our preconceived notions were that everything would revolve around the Andouille Trail. It didn’t take long for us to realize that there is a myriad of tastes to be found in this region. The traditional dishes are plentiful, but we also added in a few eclectic eats to the mix. One such stop landed us at Truck Farm Tavern. This newer eatery has a different take on farm-to-table by incorporating the flavors of fresh ingredients in common dishes. Whether it’s a colorful summer salad or their twist on a Cuban sandwich, their dishes are delectable and artistic, to boot.

Smoky Goodness

Being from the self-proclaimed “Barbecue Capital of the World”, there was a 100% chance we would find some smoked meats during our visit. Sure enough, when we spotted Wayne Jacobs Smokehouse, it was a given that we would be visiting. When we showed up for lunch, we knew it was going to be good. The tell-tale sign was an overloaded parking lot. Stepping out of our car, we could smell the smoky goodness hanging in the air. Our meal ended up being a collection of flavors that represented a cross-section of the menu. Each bite led to more and more taste bud satisfaction. The meats were so delicious that we had to get some for our “take-home” cooler.

Collection of Flavors

It goes without saying, but I will anyway, that we were well-fed during our Louisiana River Parishes excursion. The collection of flavors that are available in this region are unbelievable. We only scratched the surface, but hopefully, we gave you some ideas for your own Gulf Coast visit. Besides the amazing tastes that await you, you will also find friendly people willing to help guide you to even more options. Be sure to make a couple of stops along the Andouille Trail and pick up the meats for making some southern dishes when you get home. We are betting you will be glad you did.

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We want to thank Visit Mobile and the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

1) Begin the day with Beignets

Our coffee had kept us going during the drive, but our tummies were telling us they wanted something more substantial. There are plenty of ways to fill a void, but few are as satisfyingly sweet as a visit to Mo’Bay Beignets. Their fluffy pillows of dough are enrobed with a dusting of powdered sugar. Wait, did I say dusting? This is more than a gentle sprinkle. In fact, they pile on the sweet stuff and even offer up some delectable dipping sauces to boot. With our sugar rush in full effect, we were ready to set out exploring.

2) Changing of the Guard

You can’t truly say you have explored a destination unless you have learned its history. We wanted to ensure we got a good dose of Azalea City’s past, so we set off to find the roots of the downtown. Fort Conde is where Mobile originated way back in 1711. What started as a French colonial site would see plenty of action. This region was viewed as prime land for gaining a foothold in the New World. Over the years, ownership would sway between France, Spain, and Britain. Once America had won its freedom in the Revolutionary War, it didn’t take long for this site to fall under American control.

3) Making History

Now that we were in a history-seeking mood, we headed a couple of blocks over to the History Museum of Mobile. This impressive institution fills in the gaps in the balance of the city’s history. We found exhibits on everything from the early native tribes to the modern days. Mobile is a city that does not shy away from its past. As with almost any metropolitan area, there have been good and bad events in the past. From the long-ago days of slavery and the Civil War, the city has moved forward into brighter times. Showing how the citizens were able to alter their future makes this one of the 7 sensational stops in downtown Mobile.

4) Eclectic Eats

Our sugar rush from breakfast was wearing off, so it was time for something to fill the void. We headed up Dauphin Street, one of the key boulevards in downtown Mobile. This main corridor is filled with shops and eateries, enveloped in southern charm. There are plenty of dining options, but when we spotted Squid Ink, we knew it was a place to check out. Stepping through the bright blue façade, we found full-blown quirkiness inside. The funky décor told us that we were about to enjoy some unique eats. They certainly didn’t disappoint and it was obvious by the steady crowd that this place is a hopping joint.

5) Party Central

Would it surprise you to find out that the American version of Mardi Gras didn’t start in New Orleans? Well, it certainly shocked us to discover that this annual celebration originated right here in Mobile, Alabama. In fact, they still have their yearly party with parades and revelry. As we made our way through downtown, we were reminded of Mardi Gras on almost every block. A visit to the Mobile Carnival Museum would teach us all about the rich history this city has with the well-known celebration. Way back in 1703, the early French settlers were observing Mardi Gras on the banks of the Mobile River. These days the crowds fill the streets in anticipation of catching a Moon Pie being tossed from floats. We learned that prior to 1970, it was boxes of Cracker Jacks that were being thrown.

6) See the Shops

No visit to a new destination is complete until we have sampled some local shops. We were looking for some small tribute we could take home as a reminder of our visit. There are plenty of options in downtown Mobile. Local vendors and creators stuff the shops with merchandise of all types. We found everything from haunted bookstores to historic nut roasters. It seemed like just about anything you could imagine was found in one of the stores. In the end, we gathered some nice souvenirs, gifts for friends, and even fresh roasted nuts to enjoy on the road.

7) A New Fan Favorite

After spending half a week in the Louisiana River Parishes, we were ready to sample tastes beyond Cajun/Creole meals. We decided to try some south-of-the-border flavors to round out our 7 sensational stops in downtown Mobile. One of the newer restaurants to grace Dauphin Street is Roosters. The owners have decided to bring the tastes of Latin American cuisine into the heart of the city. After a busy day of exploring, we were ready to chow down on street tacos and enjoy one of their craft margaritas. The fresh flavors of their dishes were as amazing as they were appealing.

7 Sensational Stops in Downtown Mobile

One of our main goals for the day was to prove to ourselves that Mobile has a walkable downtown. All of our stops are easily accessible and from start to finish, we walked just over two miles. Of course, we did add a few more steps when we found ourselves backtracking at times. Some sights were just too beautiful to be taken in with one viewing. In the end, we were pleased that we could squeeze these 7 sensational stops in downtown Mobile all into one visit. With our first foray into Alabama a rousing success, we knew we would have to plan more excursions into the Cotton State. Now, which of these stops intrigued you the most?

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We want to thank Visit Pella and the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Eating Local

Let’s not dawdle getting to one of our favorite parts of visiting a new destination, the food. Having a limited background in Dutch delicacies, we were anxious to see what we would find. My research turned up a lot of bakeries and a healthy number of meat and cheese shops. It was looking to be a great visit. After all, who doesn’t enjoy the opportunity to assemble the ingredients for a delectable charcuterie board? Of course, we can’t pass up a chance to sample festival food, especially when prepared by local organizations. During Tulip Time, you might find longer lines than normal, so be sure to visit your top picks early.

Dutch Dining

With so many delicious bites to sample, and so little time, we went quickly to work checking out the local fare. Treats like Dutch bologna, Gouda cheese, and Poffertjes were top on our list. We also sampled some of the local pastries, including the much sought-after Dutch letters. It’s hard to know just how authentic everything was, but suffice to say it was all delectable.

The Early Days

Festivals are a great time to explore the history of a city. Most of the attractions will be open and ready for visitors since the number of volunteers swells for such events. During a walkabout town, we came upon the Tuttle Cabin, which is the oldest building in Pella. Its origin hails back to 1843 when it was constructed by settlers, This is actually before the Dutch immigrants arrived. It seemed to be a popular stop for others attending the Tulip Time festival, as well.

Let the Fun Begin

While anytime is prime for visiting Pella, attending Tulip Time brings an elevated level of excitement and an atmosphere of frivolity. The main event is the show in the town square. It’s easy to find your way as the 65-foot tall Tulip Toren marks the heart of the festivities. It is not the first Toren built on this site, as the original was a wooden version constructed in 1940. This reinforced concrete version came about in 1968 and has served as the backdrop ever since. Each spring, this three-day festival is overseen by the local Burgermeister. He serves as a Dutch master of ceremonies for the event.

It ain’t Easy Being Cheesy

The daily exhibition roared into gear with a history lesson on the Dutch cheese market. While a variety of cheeses originated in the Netherlands, the two most familiar are Gouda and Edam. As the assembled crowd watches, the story of the markets unfolds. As with many parts of Dutch life, traditions are essential. The uniforms have been consistent for many generations. Cheese Guild members join the “Cheese Father” in the weighing square. Samplers inspect the cheese wheels before they are transported to the scales. By the way, the transports can carry over 280 lbs. of cheese at a time.

Community Pride

To have a successful Tulip Time requires a concerted effort by a slew of locals. It appeared that they take pride in being a part of the festivities as everyone was so welcoming. While not all dressed in traditional Dutch garb, many were strutting the designs of the various provinces across the Netherlands. As the festival celebration unfolded, we learned that there are twelve distinct provinces. Many of the residents are direct descendants of the original colonists who came from their motherland. It was interesting to see the various historical outfits that are associated with each section of the country.

Kicking It Dutch Style

With our history lesson complete, it’s time for some local entertainment. A throng of dancers makes their way front and center to the sound of a rhythmic clacking of wooden clogs. While we watched in amazement, the dancers performed a series of traditional steps. During a visit to the Pella History Village, we had watched this unique footwear being made. At that time we wondered how uncomfortable these would be to use. Here in front of us, we were watching dozens prancing around with ease.

Super Soakers

The dancers left the street and it was time for the most unusual activity we have witnessed. On one end of the festival bleachers, a swarm of traditionally dressed residents had assembled. Local councilmembers had deemed the streets in despicably dirty shape, so they needed a good cleaning. A signal was given and the throng of residents began their due diligence. An assortment of water bearers and scrubbers proceeded along the street, much to the delight of the audience. Even the little ones got into the action under the watchful eyes of their parents.

Parading Tradition

With the streets back in acceptable condition, it was time for the annual parade. Covid was still playing a part in the activities, even though the restrictions were being lifted. The town planned a shortened version that would satisfy the crowds without jeopardizing their safety. We watched as a group of costumed vendors wheeled their wagons to market. These brightly colored vehicles had also been viewed in the Pella History Village. Now we could better understand their use.

Lap of Luxury

To capture a good understanding of the Tulip Time festival means at least a one-night stay. Pella is home to an assortment of lodging options. One that keeps you in the heart of the action is The Amsterdam Hotel. Located right off the main square, it afforded us a spot for a quick break from the action, when needed. It also allowed us a restful night’s sleep without traversing the traffic around town. It also features a top-notch in-house restaurant named Liberty Street Kitchen.

Tulip Time Trek

We actually found a short escape from the crowds on the street with a relaxing dinner at the hotel eatery. A refreshing cocktail recharged our senses and we were soon back in the mix. Two days of festival time gave us a great overview of Dutch history and traditions. Learning about other people’s cultures helps us gain an understanding of their views of the world. This helps us piece together the tapestry of lives that make up our melting pot called America. Are you convinced to give Tulip Time a try now?

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We want to thank the Mahaska Chamber and Oskaloosa Main Street for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

First Feelings

Oskaloosa is roughly a 4-hour drive from our home in Kansas City. Heading off after a day of work meant that we wouldn’t arrive until well after dinnertime. When we rolled into town, we were anxious to explore. Unfortunately, the failing daylight signaled that most of the businesses were closed for the day. Having just spent the evening in our car, we still wanted to stretch our legs, so a walk around the square was in order. Here is where we spotted the statue of Chief Mahaska, which is where this region gets its name. His leadership, during the settlement of Iowa, became a symbol of the possibility for peace between the natives and settlers.

Finding Plenty of Local Love

Being early risers, we were anxious to start our day downtown. The area chamber had arranged for us to stay at a new Airbnb located on the downtown square. This made our exploration all the more convenient. Just a short walk away we found our morning breakfast stop. Julie’s Homestyle Café was already hopping with business when we arrived. We could see immediately that this was a hangout for the locals. What a great way to start our day.  After a hearty breakfast, we spent time chatting with some of the locals, including Julie herself. This is one of our favorite parts about exploring downtowns. Getting a chance to learn about the history and culture of the places we visit from the people who live it every day.

Exploring Osky Alley

Now that our bellies were full, it was time for a little more coffee. On our way to our next stop, we happened upon the Osky Alley. Throughout the downtowns we have visited, we have seen a repeating theme. The cities that truly embrace their space are always looking for creative ways to recapture it. In Oskaloosa, they have completed a beautification project that turned an ordinary alley into a destination. To make sure that visitors and locals know the history of the city, they have added plaques that tell the story behind each of the historic structures found around the downtown.

Unexpected Find

Moving into the Alley, we discovered that they have decorated the space with a mix of local art and historic displays. What an amazing way to engage with those visiting the space. When you visit Oskaloosa, be sure to set aside some time to explore this place. It really helps give a base background on the city. They have also included a good selection of seating, which pairs perfectly with the nearby coffee shop.

Caffeine Crew

Even with our bellies full from breakfast, we were still in the mood for some more java. Smokey Row Coffee was the perfect place to satisfy our urges. The inside of this place has a fun vibe and their drink selection is impressive. After making our choices, we headed out to do some exploring of the park across the street. The sunny day was quickly heating up, so we decided to pop in some of the locally-owned shops.

Shopped ’til we Dropped

Around the downtown square are a collection of boutique-style shops. Whether you are looking for the latest styles, some new shoes, cosmetics, or even home décor, you will find a place that has it. We loved the variety we found and every shopkeeper was so inviting. It is this opportunity to talk with the locals that make this portion of our day downtown extra special.

Grand Repurposing

While each shop had its own special touches, it was Book Vault that caught my attention. First off, I love to peruse bookstores. The only thing that can make it better is when it has an interesting backstory to the building. Well, this place hits it out of the park with uniqueness. The idea of repurposing an old bank into a bookstore was genius. Not only does the grandiose structure make a great backdrop, but they have even incorporated three vaults into their design.

Our Needed Sweets

It will probably come as no surprise that we sniffed out some sweet treats during our day downtown. When we landed in Oskaloosa, our path took us past a local ice cream stop that had drawn quite a crowd. Always on the lookout for a creamy delight, we pulled in and took our place in line. Sure enough, the delectable treats were well worth the wait and we felt they were a fitting reward for our recent drive. The next evening we changed it up a bit and sampled some fresh slices of pie at Tasos’ Steakhouse on the downtown square.

Close Comfort

Our lodging kept us right in the thick of our day downtown. This new Airbnb sits right on the north side of the square, so we were literally steps away from loads of eats, shopping, and entertainment. It made our excursions by foot so simple and we found the lodging had all of the necessary conveniences for travelers. The access to free parking was an added bonus.

Visiting the Outskirts

While our day was mostly dedicated to exploring the downtown, there was a stop that had to be seen just north of town. The Nelson Pioneer Farm pays homage to one of the early families to migrate to the Mahaska region. Having an opportunity to tour this complex of historic buildings was made all the more special with a guide in period dress. When you make your visit to Oskaloosa, you will want to bring the whole family to this stop. There is so much to see and learn about that it will provide plenty of road trip conversation material.

A Day Downtown

Exploring Oskaloosa reminded us how many great stories there are to uncover with a day downtown. We were excited to find some fun selfie spots, as well as a nice selection of local murals. While we only had one day to do our discovery, we feel like we were able to get a good feel for the vibe of the town. As we often find during our trips, the thing that made this visit so special was the locals. It never gets old meeting all of the kind souls that make up the fabric of a community. We are sure you will find the same results when you do your own exploring.

The post A Day Downtown – Exploring Oskaloosa, Iowa appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Meet America’s Favorite Flyer

If you plan to see Atchison in one day, you will definitely need to set aside time to learn about the city’s aviation darling. You can find nods to Amelia Earhart all around town. Statues and artwork show off this daring pilot. To get a better backstory, we made a visit to the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. At this home on a hillside, the young aviator developed her explorer spirit. Although she spent time in many cities during her lifetime, she always considered Atchison her hometown. Her birthplace holds an amazing array of artifacts from her life. A tour of the home provides some interesting stories about this female flier and her rise to fame. Admission is low for this family-friendly attraction, so bring the whole family.

Dive into the History

While Amelia is a shining star, there were others who also left their mark on Atchison. In the heart of the city lies the Atchison County Historical Museum. This FREE museum offers a glimpse at the past and the people who have called this area home. A tour of the space begins with the Kanza Indians, who once roamed the hills of northeast Kansas. As we walked through time, we learned how the city changed to meet the needs of its citizens. We also learned that Atchison has seen its fair share of hometown heroes who have helped spark changes in the world around us.

Hanging with the Locals

To truly sample Atchison in one day, we knew that we would need to spend some time where the locals gather. Obviously, a day trip almost always requires at least one meal. For this particular excursion, it wound up being a late lunch. There are plenty of good choices in downtown Atchison, so we went looking for one that was near some of the local shops. After all, we also wanted to check out the retail scene. Seeing a busy parking lot at Maria Authentic Mexican Restaurant was a positive sign.

South of the Border Flavors

Stepping through the doors, we found ourselves transported to a Mexican cantina setting. Our server walked us through the menu and suggested one of their delicious housemade margaritas. We don’t mind if we do. Wanting to sample the menu, we chose dishes off of the appetizer section of the menu. Instead of our usual cheese dip, we chose the Queso Flameado, which includes melted cheeses and chorizo. We added the Botanas Platter that has a bounty of flavors. This yard-bird combination serves up chicken taquitos, chicken fajita quesadillas, and grilled chicken nachos. They toss in some guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheese dip to add even more flavor. We were going to need to do some strolling after this meal.

Retail Therapy

Fortunately, the shops are relatively close to our lunch stop. There is plenty to check out along Commercial Street, which is the main shopping corridor in Atchison. The sunshine had broken free from the clouds as we popped in and out of the various boutique-style shops. There are lots of treasures to be found whether you are looking for art, clothing, or home accents. The old-school pedestrian mall is being revamped, so many of those shops were closed for the time being. We will certainly have to return to see how the transformation looks when completed.

Atchison, Kansas in One Day

As we were wrapping up our tour of Atchison in one day, we happened upon an ice cream shop. It seemed a fitting way to celebrate our accomplishment, and we enjoyed a cone before heading back toward home. Depending on your starting point, Atchison will be around an hour’s drive time from Kansas City. If your visit occurs during warmer weather, you may want to plan some extra time to take in some views of the Missouri River. It’s easy to do with a visit to the Atchison Riverwalk. Enjoy your trip and check out more of our day trip destinations from Kansas City.

The post How To Sample Atchison, Kansas In One Day appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Day Trip Destination

The Amtrak has a route that runs through Kansas City, our hometown. Looking at the possible destinations, Hermann seemed a logical choice. This Missouri town is steeped in the German tradition. Our timing would allow for a visit during their annual Oktoberfest. An early morning start had us waiting in anticipation for the start of our trip. Before long, we made our way to the cars and found ourselves all alone in the business class section. We quickly determined that it was a worthwhile upgrade that allowed us more room to explore. About four hours later, our Amtrak escape pulled into the station in Hermann.

Food First

After the long ride, we had two things on our minds. The first was to really stretch our legs, which came immediately upon stepping off the train. Our Amtrak escape had deposited just a block off of the main drag through town. This made for an extremely convenient starting point. Having visited Hermann in the past, we already had a firm grasp on the lay of the land. Just a short stroll away, we discovered our lunch destination. While this town is filled with plenty of German cuisines, we were anxious to sample a newer restaurant named Doxie Slush. The unique combination of frozen cocktails and chef-inspired dishes worked its wonder on us. By the time we left the restaurant, we were ready to do some major exploring.

Exploring Hermann

Hermann, Missouri is certainly an out-of-the-ordinary experience. It may not be a huge town, but it is packed with fun and friendly people. We followed the steady stream of visitors who were checking out the local shops. While our ability to carry a lot was limited by our mode of transportation, we still like to spread tourism dollars whenever possible. Hermann has some cute boutique-style shops that offer a wide range of products, so we had no problem finding a few new treasures. As we stepped out of one shop, we found this pair waiting on a bench. The warm fall day was perfect for sharing a snack (or a selfie) with a friend.

Hermann Heritage

I had researched the town and determined a path that allowed for maximum pleasure in our five-hour window. The Amtrak schedule can be a little loose, so it is wise to return to the station on time. Even with these limitations, we found plenty of time to enjoy the local history museum. We enjoy finding places like this because it gives us some additional background on the destination we are visiting. This particular museum is filled with stories of the German heritage that permeates the community.

Oktoberfest to Remember

Our Amtrak escape was designed to happen during Oktoberfest for a reason. In the past, this annual event would find the town swarming with visitors. Any plans for an overnight stay required months of advance preparation. Since this was just a day trip, we were confident that the traffic would be more manageable. Little did we realize just how much of a damper the pandemic would put on the celebration. Even though the restrictions had not completely been implemented, the growing concern had obviously kept droves of potential partiers away.

The Best and Wurst

With the thinner crowds, it allowed us more room to roam. Our past visits have always fallen outside of the town’s festivals. Even an average summer weekend can draw astonishing crowds. While Hermann was abuzz with festival activity, we realized that it was still an off-year. This meant that we almost had run of the place, and made popping in and out of various shops fairly simple. Two of the main draws are the readily available wines and German cuisine. Even though the departure hour was approaching, we still had plenty of time to do some sampling of the wine and wurst available for purchasing. Of course, not having a car limited the amount of product we could carry home.

Down by the Station

Time was winding down, so we started back to the Amtrak station. Having it so close to downtown is very convenient. I had downloaded an app on my phone that allowed me to see how the train was doing on its schedule. Obviously, it had run into delays at another station, so we found ourselves with a little extra time on our hands. Just behind the station is a riverside park, so we wandered over for a look-see. It was a nice diversion from just standing around with the others and since we had business class seating, we knew there would be no rush on our seats.

Parting Ways

Watching as the day waned, we thought back to the time we had spent in Hermann. The fall day was turning toward evening and the chill air began to descend. Our hope had been that we would see the beauty of the changing seasons, but it seemed to be lagging this year. Still, here and there we would spot some colors poking through and we knew the chillier evenings were fast approaching. We are betting that this town is beautiful when the fall colors are in their prime.

Amtrak Escape

Even before we heard the whistle of the approaching train, the crowd began working their way toward the gate. It was apparent that others were using the Amtrak app, as well. We saw no reason to rush since the train wouldn’t be leaving until everyone was on board. Sure enough, once we climbed back aboard, we found plenty of open seating in our car. There were a few others, which we had picked up about halfway across the state. We listened to their stories, as the train lurched down the tracks. The final portion of our ride was spent in solitude, just watching the passing lights and darkening landscape beyond the windows. Our inaugural Amtrak escape went swimmingly, so who knows what the future will hold.

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Road from Rolla

During the Dust Bowl days, many would follow this path west to California. By the late 1950s, interstate highways were sounding a death knell for these types of leisurely travel corridors. These days, many scurry down the highway rushing to their destination. It seems like fewer and fewer of us take the time to enjoy the journey. Maybe the current conditions call for us to rethink our idea of the perfect vacation. A Route 66 road trip is a good way to maintain social distancing and still explore the countryside.

Route 66 Road Trip

While large swaths of the Mother Road vanished with the installation of the interstates, travelers can still find plenty of the original path. Many of the sights along the route carry fantastic names that just beckon to be seen. On a stretch between Uranus and Rolla we discovered Devil’s Elbow Bridge. Offering a pass across the Big Piney River, the views of the surrounding cliffs are inspiring. We even had an opportunity to watch a local fisherman try his luck.

Stonehenge, Missouri?

A sight that we would have never expected to find in the middle of Missouri is a Stonehenge replica. When we saw it listed  in Rolla attractions, we knew a few minutes had to be carved out in our itinerary. After all, you don’t pass by one of these everyday. This unusual attraction is located on the campus of the Missouri University of Science and Technology. It is half-scale of the original, and only represents a partial reconstruction. Built out of granite, the stones were cut and carved using high pressure water jets. The original would have taken many years to complete, where this one was carved in a month. It is truly a testament to technology.

Fun Diversion

Since we were beating around Rolla looking for diversions, we decided to head downtown. This Midwest town embraces its Route 66 heritage. Those looking to “get their kicks” will find some interesting eateries and fun shops to explore. After some local shopping, we were ready to cool down with a refreshing treat. We located an old-fashioned soda fountain and popped in for a look-see. We could tell from the steady stream of customers that this place was a local hit.

Cooling Off

What began as a stop for a cone turned into a real adventure. You probably have noticed that we love ice cream, so it’s no surprise to see us pick a scoop shop. Over the years, we have found some amazing creamy creations. Soda & Scoops was ready to raise the bar with their own unique concoctions. Our choice was a homage to Independence Day named “Baby You’re A Firework”. It started with a strawberry cheesecake shake and took off from there. The addition of vanilla frosting, sprinkles, whipped cream and a sucker really got it going. Oh, and let’s just shove a Bomb Pop in for good measure. Yeah, it was freaking awesome!

Slow Death

When they added I-44 to Missouri, much of it fell right on top of the Route 66 corridor. These days, the original path is almost like a frontage road running parallel to the interstate. As we traversed it, we spotted signs of the glory days. Many of the gas stations, motels, and motor courts have been abandoned. Those that remain are staying alive by multi-tasking their business plans. Often you will find a combination, fuel stop, antique store, and eatery wrapped into one location. In almost all cases, they wear the badge of Route 66 with pride.

Set Your Sights on Route 66

The format of vacationing certainly changed quickly in 2020. Almost overnight, the world looked differently at the notion of large gatherings on beaches or at events. The changes affected us, as well, but mostly through the shuttering of museums and other public spaces. Our style of trips revolve around in-depth looks at the stories behind a cities growth. The interaction we have with others will usually be restricted to just a few people at a time. That made us feel more comfortable about the idea of exploring during a pandemic. A Route 66 road trip is a good way to get back out in the world, while still limiting your exposure to others. Aren’t you ready to hit the road?

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Home Sweet Home

Our visit to Hannibal was a return from many years past. During our first trip, we had our children in tow, so our energies were spent corralling them. On this turn, the time would be spent refreshing ourselves on the life and times of one of America’s most well-known authors. There is no better place to start than at the beginning. A stop to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum would provide us plenty of background and dust off the cobwebs since our last visit. Samuel’s younger days were filled with illness (from being born prematurely), but this didn’t prevent him from testing his mother’s patience. While good-natured at heart, the boy was prone to mischief.

Girl Friend or Girlfriend?

Across the street from the Clemens’ home sits the house of Laura Hawkins. Samuel drew life for his literary characters from people he had met in real life. Laura was Sam’s classmate, playmate, and even childhood sweetheart. He would immortalize her as the character of Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He would even name one of his characters in The Gilded Age by Laura’s given name. Clearly, she made a lasting impression on him.

Tight Times

Sam’s father, John Marshall Clemens, was an accomplished attorney and judge. He also happened to be a bit of a gambler, but his game of choice was investments. He began various retail business ventures, but all ended in failure. In 1846, due to financial difficulties, the Clemens family was forced to leave their home on Hill Street. A family friend, Dr. Orville Grant, offered the family a place to stay at his home across the street. Being in a tight spot, they took him up on his offer. As we toured the home, which is on the second floor of the pharmacy, we wondered how they could have all fit in this cramped space.

A Short Childhood

At the age of 11, Samuel’s father would pass away from pneumonia. With an already strained financial situation, this loss pushed them to the edge. Sam would leave school and begin a long string of various careers. Time spent as a typesetter put him in touch with the literary world, which he would visit time and again. Growing up along the river’s edge is where Twain meets his true passion. It’s not hard to imagine that a young boy wouldn’t become enamored by the riverboats plying the waters. Such was the case for Sam, who would fulfill his dream of becoming a steamboat pilot.

Where Twain Meets

After paying a fee to learn the ropes, he began his study of the Mississippi River. While the caption of one of these vessels had great responsibility, it was the pilot who commanded more esteem. To be a successful pilot, one had to become acquainted with every snag and sunken tree along the waterway. When piloting along the river, depth checks would be shouted out to the pilot. A level of “Mark Twain” meant that the water was 12 feet deep, which was a safe amount for a steamboat. Hearing this phrase was where Twain meets the pen name that he would use for many of his literary works.

Conflicting Signals

During Samuel’s youth, the country was still split between slave-holding states and free states. Living in Missouri, slavery was a norm that he grew up with. His witness to the brutality of it left him with a disdain for the unfair treatment doled out on all people of color. During our stay in Hannibal, we had an opportunity to visit the Huck Finn Freedom Center, which focuses on the plight of slaves in this region. With the guidance of director Faye Dant, we learned about the wins and losses that have been seen by the black community over the years. This eye-opening attraction helps piece together the journey that an entire race of people have made as they incorporated themselves into the heartland.

Fast-Forward in Time

Lest you think that Hannibal is solely about where Twain meets his future, there are also plenty of other things to capture the attention of visitors. Perhaps you are one of those road-warriors who wandered off of Route 66 looking for adventure. You will certainly be wanting to drop in Karlock’s Kars for a peek at his collection of classic vehicles. This eye-popping emporium is also home to a vast array of pop culture items that we immediately recognized from our youth. We are betting a visit here will open the floodgates of nostalgia for many of you. Of course, if you have your kids (or grandkids) in tow, there may be a lot of explaining to them about the significance of the pieces.

Historic Sights

While the downtown is filled with memories of where Twain meets his now-famous characters, there are some other sites worth checking out around town. To get a bird’s eye view of Hannibal, we journeyed up to Lover’s Leap. From that vantage point, visitors can watch the Mississippi River roll by on its way to the Gulf. The Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse is another great place to get some great views. While you are still on the Twain Trail, be sure to check out some of the hidden spots where his characters came to life. The Old Baptist Cemetery will have you picturing Tom Sawyer skulking around the gravestones.

Where Twain Meets Eats

All of this exploring certainly left us with an appetite. Fortunately, Hannibal is filled with plenty of edible options. During our visit, we enjoyed a meal at the town’s oldest restaurant, as well as a couple of more recent additions. Your taste buds are sure to be pleased with the variety of cuisine choices that can be found. All of the places we dined at were within easy walking distance of the main city’s attractions. There were plenty of other places to dine, but you know we can only eat so many times a day.

Cast of Characters

Exploring downtown Hannibal was like a walk back in time. The spirit of the characters from Twain’s stories still resides in the buildings and streets of this river town. While the days of Samuel’s youth are long gone, it is easy to see how the rolling Mississippi would certainly capture the imagination of the boy. Perhaps the next great American author is awash in the imagination of childhood, even as we write this article.

Get To Know Twain’s Hannibal

Hannibal, Missouri is filled with the memories of the characters brought to life by Mark Twain. Almost every building has some connection with his stories, so it was easy to completely immerse ourselves in this past. It certainly took us back to our younger days and gave us moments to pause in childhood play. We hope that you have an opportunity to visit this town to walk the paths that were trodden by Samuel Clemens and his band of childhood friends. Who knows, you may even want to take a turn at whitewashing Tom’s fence.

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Gearing Up for the Hunt

Not everyone looked at the buffalo the same way. Native Indians were familiar with the importance of this creature and relied on it for food, clothing, and even housing supplies. The railroads saw it as a nuisance that held up progress. Others saw these huge creatures as an opportunity for sport. Hunting trips for celebrities and dignitaries were commonplace by the late 1870s. In 1872, George Armstrong Custer arranged an outing for a Grand Duke from Russia. A visit to the Fick Fossil Museum, in Oakley, allowed us to learn more about some of the celebrities that have graced this area. While hunting history, we even got to see how we compared to Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill Cody.

Life on the Plains

New settlers to the region found that life was no picnic. Many were resigned to living life in a sod house, much like the one we found at the museum in Oakley, Kansas. We would not want to imagine the number of bugs that resided in the walls and roofs of one of these homes. Plenty of varmints, like field mice, would also call the dwelling home. Of course, where you find mice you will also find snakes. Rainstorms would bring at the least a muddy floor and even a potential roof collapse from the weight. Dry spells brought their own issues, as it meant dirt pieces would rain down on the inhabitants of the home with each gust of wind.

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather is something the residents of Oakley, Kansas have learned to deal with. Heavy winter snows race down out of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to bury the western plains. The howling winds will add to the issues by drifting the piles into deep banks. Most people are aware of the Dust Bowl that engulfed the Central Plains in the 1930s. Oakley was in the area that had some of the hardest-hit lands. Many times the dust clouds were so dense that daylight would become near-total darkness. Travel was impossible and the choking dirt would find its way into every home.

Monument Rocks

Our quest to hunt history took us back to prehistoric times. Eons ago, the western side of the Kansas region was a huge inland sea. As creatures came and went, layer upon layer of silt was deposited on the seabed. As the land rose up, the seas were drained from the area. More time passed and erosion did its work slowly carving the chalky soil into amazing structures. South of Oakley, Kansas we found Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark. These fossil-filled silent sentinels rise above the rolling plains. While they are impressive to see from a distance they are even more so up close.

Kansas Badlands

As much as Monument Rocks grabs the attention from a distance, the exact opposite can be said for the Kansas Badlands. One of the state’s newest parks, Little Jerusalem State Park is a collection of chalk outcroppings that have remained fairly hidden for ages. The approach to the site brings visitors in from the southeast, so this canyon of natural wonders lies below the horizon. It wasn’t until we began hiking the park trails that we finally caught sight of the formations. It is a reminder that the wonders of nature aren’t always easily visible and require a little effort.

Hunting History in Oakley, Kansas

We have often heard people remark that there is nothing in western Kansas except miles of flat terrain. Those who explore this region know just how far that is from reality. The western plains are filled with history, natural wonders, rolling hills, and friendly people. Throngs of settlers passed through these lands, as they made their journeys toward the west. The hardiest of those decided to call this place home. We invite you to see all of these wonders for yourself by planning your own exploration trip to hunt some history in Oakley, Kansas.

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We want to thank Visit Hays and all of their local partners for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Before Man

While it may not be necessary to go this far back in time, we found our visit to the Sternberg Museum very enlightening. Exploring the formation of our state helped us gain a better understanding of things we have seen at many other destinations. The layer upon layer of silt, that formed during the days of the sea, are evident when visiting nearby Monument Rocks. It also makes for perfect fossil hunting, which is apparent in the numerous displays at the museum. As we explored the various exhibits, we found ourselves being drawn back to the earliest days. This place is a great family-friendly attraction to add to your itinerary.

On the Edge

Moving forward in time, our date with history took us to the frontier days. As settlers were migrating west, it was imperative that new cities sprang up to offer safety and rest stops. A visit to Fort Hays Historic Site gave us a peek into life for the soldiers and families that were stationed here. The town had a rough and tumble reputation that came with being on the edge of the frontier. The early citizens included buffalo hunters, speculators, gunmen, and even outlaws. Hays, Kansas would be home to the original “Boot Hill”, which would later be overshadowed by the one in Dodge City. Soldier life was a juxtaposition between hard labor and unstructured free time. Often, a soldier would find himself in the guardhouse for breaking one of the post rules.

Making a Life on the Plains

As time marched on, the lawlessness would subside. Now came the period for new emigrants to build a city that would prosper and flourish on the open plains. At the Ellis County Historical Museum we saw a replica of an early German residence. The influx of new residents brought important trades and skills that allowed businesses to develop. Saloons and brothels were replaced with livery stables, blacksmiths, and harness shops. Progress was marching forward in Hays, Kansas. During our date with history, we had learned how this prairie town moved into the modern age.

Easy Eats

Now you can’t expect us to do all of this research without a few food stops. One of our favorite activities in new destinations is scoping out the local restaurant scene. During our visit to Hays, we had enough time to sample a few options. For those looking for a quick meal, we stopped into two good choices that offer plenty of choices for the whole family. Taco Shop has been serving the local community for decades. They offer up affordable meals that draw in the university crowd. A relative newcomer to the restaurant scene is Tiger Burgers. Housed in an old gas station, this burger joint has some interesting flavor combinations. Be sure to check out their Burger of the Month.

Local Life

Sometimes we enjoy lingering over a meal, so we added a couple of places that really made us feel at home. The morning that would find us on our date with history began with breakfast at Pheasant Run Pancake House. Hanging with some locals was a great way to start our day of exploring. We also had a nice meal with one of our hosts. Janet joined us for dinner at Gella’s Diner and filled us in on what was happening in Hays. While the food was exceptional, it was the evening of conversation that made it extra special.

Retail Therapy

What we learned from Janet was Hays has seen a ton of redevelopment in their downtown corridor. This is a scenario that we have found repeated in many of the cities that we visit. That meant we needed to check out the retail scene for ourselves with a couple hours of shopping. We loved how many of the local businesses had repurposed existing historic buildings, instead of razing them to build something new. It adds another level of charm to a boutique when we can feel the age of the city in its bones. Of course, I think Crystal was more focused on the cute clothes and accessories she was finding in the boutique shops.

Don’t Forget the Guys

Many times, this portion of the visit leaves me meandering around a little, but Hays had a couple of surprises. There are always a couple of things for men, but usually they are mostly minimal, as us men are used to finding. In Hays, not only did I find a nice selection at one of the larger boutiques, but there is an entire clothing shop dedicated to us. It was one of those rare times that the roles were reversed and Crystal was the one watching me shop.

Sweet Endings

Here is when we need to gush a little about our hosts at the Hays CVB. (Convention & Visitors Bureau) When we dropped by their offices to meet the staff, they surprised us with a bouquet of beautiful hand-decorated cookies. These were produced at Augustine’s Bakery, which prides itself in fresh made pastries. These treats made a perfect accompaniment for our morning coffee at our hotel. We were so impressed with the cookies that we had to drop by their shop to thank them in person.

A Date with History

Too often we hear people lament about the long drive across the state of Kansas. Our time in Hays proved out the belief that there are great things all around us, we just have to look. Our hope is that you will enjoy our articles about this city of the plains and it sparks you to make your own visit. We are confident that you will find plenty of family-friendly activities to help fuel your own date with history. Just make sure you stop in and get some of those cookies!

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We want to thank Visit Marysville and all of the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

History Lesson

For us, there is no better way to start a new visit than to get some background on the destination. This meant a visit to the Marshall County Museum, which is located in the historic courthouse building. The beautiful structure makes the perfect home for the museum and they have even preserved the courtroom just like yesteryear. At this stop, we met Dixie, who would be a shining example of the kind spirits that permeate the town. As she led us through a tour of the museum, she shared a collection of stories that showcased why Marysville is so special. Sitting along a major trade and migration route means that the city would play host to travelers for generations.

Back to the Basics

In the mid-1800s, pioneers and prospectors were looking for routes to the west. One of the biggest hurdles that these travelers faced was crossing the rivers that barred their way. One of these is the Big Blue River, which runs to the west of present-day Marysville. Seeing that providing a solution could be a lucrative enterprise, Frank Marshall established a ferry. This crossing was called “Independence Ford”, as a nod to the trail which had its start in Independence, Missouri. We dropped by Historic Trails Park to see the monuments for all of the trails that passed through this region. It also gave us a photo opp at the full-sized replica ferry.

Riding into History

The Pony Express, while short-lived, embodied the wildness of the frontier. Young riders would be charged with riding about 100 miles, while only stopping to quickly change mounts. Once their long stretch was complete, they would arrive at a Home Station, where they would hand off the mail pouch to the next rider. In downtown Marysville, you can still visit one of these stations, that now holds the Pony Express Barn Museum. While it has closed for the balance of the 2020 season, we are hopeful that it will be ready for visitors in 2021.

History on the Move

As you may have noticed, Marysville is tied to transportation of all types. To commemorate this they have added an art installation in downtown. Seeing the Living History Tiles firsthand was definitely high on our list of things to do. Created with an interesting technique, these art installations simulated movement when the viewer passes along them. We tried to capture the essence of it on video, but you really need to see them for yourself.

Life on the Plains

During the research phase of our Marysville visit, we found a site that has been called “the Most Beautiful House in Kansas”. Now, this certainly piqued our interest, and we had to see it for ourselves. A stop at the Koester House Museum would satisfy our curiosity and prove to be an amazing sight. Not only is this 1875 home in immaculate condition, but it is still furnished with the original owner’s belongings. It almost felt like we had dropped by while the family was out for the day. We hope you get John as a tour guide, as he imparts his own twists on the story of this landmark.

Fueling Our Passion

We couldn’t go far without stopping to refuel. Marysville has plenty of good dining options and a lot of them are within easy walking distance of the downtown corridor. This makes a visit to town convenient, as well as delicious. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are readily available and we found some really nice choices. Perhaps you will want to select one of the spots we sampled (You can see them all here.) or head out on your own to explore one of the other options. No matter your preference, you are sure to find some tasty bites and a welcoming spirit all around town.

Furry Friends

Does your town have its own mascot? Marysville does and it was one of the things that grabbed our attention. During our research, we noted that the town is nicknamed “The Black Squirrel Capital of Kansas”. Now we have seen lots of gray squirrels and even quite a few of the red variety. On occasion we have even spotted a white tree-hugger, but we had never seen a black one. While it was not the driving force for a visit to Marysville, the idea of spotting one of these elusive creatures was on our “to do” list once we arrived. You can bet that we made sure we had some black squirrel sightings during our visit. Speaking with locals, it was obvious that it is easy to fall in love with black squirrel watching.

Destination Downtown

The invention of big-box stores has made a huge impact on the Mom & Pop boutiques across America. While the ability to get everything in one place is tempting, we still enjoy meandering through locally owned stores. In many of the smaller cities these types of businesses have really been hit hard. We were happy to see that the downtown heart of Marysville has a nice variety of these stores available. You can bet that we took home some fabulous finds from the local shops. After all, each time we use one of the pieces we found it will remind us of our visit to Marysville, Kansas.

Fall in Love Lodging

The kind of visit we do can wear us out. Once we hit the town, it feels like we are moving non-stop. Fortunately, there are some great options to rest up in Marysville. Our connection at the tourism bureau hooked us up with this charming choice just a block from the city park. Trailhead Suites is a newer option that pays homage to the local history. Located in a quiet neighborhood, it proved to be just what we needed to refresh before another day of exploring.

Fall in Love with Marysville

As you have probably noticed, we had a “fall in love” time in Marysville, Kansas. It always seems to amaze us at how fun and friendly our visits are in these smaller sized cities. The residents are always eager to welcome guests into their town and truly enjoy showcasing their hometown’s features. This makes for a win-win scenario, as the city gets the added tourism and the traveler gets a wonderful experience. We are betting that if you try a few of these types of destinations, you will also become an advocate for them. What are some of your favorite small cities?

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We want to thank Go Boonville for supporting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

True Pioneer Spirit

While we were merely day-tripping in Boonville, many came before us who planted their roots. In fact, one of the first settlers in the territory was Hannah Cole. This woman embodied true pioneer spirit. After she and her husband moved to the area in 1810, he was killed by native Indians. She was left to raise their nine children by herself. Instead of packing it up and heading back east, she toughed it out and became the stuff of legends. Her house was used as a fort during the War of 1812, which provided safety for nearby settlers. In 1816, she was granted a license to operate the first ferry across the Missouri River between Franklin and Boonville. Talk about making your mark.

Keeping the Peace

As the land opened up, transportation became a big business in Boonville. The start of the Santa Fe Trail was just across the river on the banks of what was once Franklin, Missouri. River trade flourished, as new towns popped up farther upstream. The railroad came to town and challenged the river as the transportation method of preference. With so many ways to move cargo, Boonville was a sought after location during the Civil War. The city was growing and with it came the necessary support system. The local jail was kept busy by rowdy trails-men and even some notorious outlaws. Frank James, of James Gang fame, spent some time in the Cooper County Jail. Of course, we had visited another jail in Missouri that had him for a guest. Seems like he was well-known around these parts.

Paths Converge

When we first hit town, during our day-tripping in Boonville, we headed to the River, Rails, and Trails Museum. This place is filled with tons of information about the history of the city. It’s a great place to start your exploration. Inside, we found that as time marched forward, transportation migrated from the river, to wagons, and on to trains. Each of these modes of travel are represented in the museum. It also includes some interesting details about some of the other famous people to have visited or stayed in Boonville.

Transportation Advancements

We are all aware that the advancements in travel didn’t end with the railroad. While it did have an integral role in westward expansion, even this would be pushed to the side eventually. The days of the automobile were looming in the shadows. Giving people the control over when and where they traveled opened up new freedoms. By the turn of the century, motorized vehicles were making huge bounds on replacing the locomotive for independent travel. A slew of automakers were found across the nation, but some offered vehicles that were considered the “cream of the crop”. We had a chance to see many of them up close during a stop at the Mitchell Car Museum.

Keeping It Simple

Before beginning a driving tour of the beautiful homes found in and around the city, we decided to stop for a quick bite. Day-tripping in Boonville had worked up our appetites and we were fortunate to find Taylor’s Bake Shop ready to serve. It was a little too late for coffee, so we traded up to sandwiches and salads. During this stop, we met some locals and had a pleasant conversation about traveling. We love being able to connect with the residents of the destinations that we visit.

Day-tripping in Boonville, Missouri

After taking in some of the architecture from the 1800s, it was time for us to head on down the road. Day-tripping in Boonville had reminded us of the progression of travel that happened over the course of a short period. When we think about how our forefathers had to cross the prairies in wagons in the mid-1800s, it was only a half-century until automobiles made their appearance. There are many cities that did not see as many modes of transportation being used, as they have in Boonville. Clearly this city was meant to be on the move. Doesn’t this look like a great day-trip destination?

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A Thorough History Lesson

Our first stop was the Arrow Rock Visitor Center, so we could get some background information on this village. Inside we discovered the rich history that makes up the Boone’s Lick region of Missouri. The native tribes were aware of the riches that the land offered centuries before European explorers arrived. As we made our way through the visitor center, our travel took us through time. After the period of ownership by Spain and France, the Louisiana Purchase opened it up for pioneering Americans. Our history lessons continued, as we moved through the Civil War and right up to present day.

Marking the Way

The Village of Arrow Rock has a number of historic sites for visitors to explore. Stopping in the shops on Main Street allowed us a chance to grab one of their town maps. While the village is not overly large, it has quite a few points of interest. Finding them is as easy as following the map and referencing the appropriate number to the information in the handout. It makes learning some history lessons as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Temporarily Silenced

Sitting on a hillside not far from Main Street we came upon the Lyceum Theater. This 1872 structure began life as a Baptist church. In 1960 it was converted into a professional repertory theater. It has hosted a variety of Broadway-style shows. Its popularity required the addition of a large auditorium that was completed in 1993. As we passed by, the building sat in majestic silence. The pandemic has created the need to curtail all shows for the present time. We hope this will change before long, and the performances can return.

Call for a Cure

Our visit to Arrow Rock was unexpectedly appropriate. We had made the trip because we were searching for safer destinations to explore during the pandemic. One of the stops along the town map led us to the Sappington Museum. Here we discovered that one of the town’s early residents was instrumental in helping slow the spread of malaria. As we read the information boards inside the family home, it reminded us that there are many out there working hard to solve today’s medical issue.

“The” Missouri Artist

The title above may bring to mind a variety of names. Every famous Missouri artist had their moment in the sun. George Caleb Bingham earned this distinction during the mid to late 1800s. Growing up in a challenging situation, he learned to paint from an art teacher at his mother’s school. His gift for portrait painting led him to St. Louis, where he started his first studio. Later success would carry him to a lucrative career on the East Coast.

Midwest Life

By the age of 34, he was ready to return to the Midwest. In 1848, he would be one of just a few artists who has ever been elected to office. He served as a Missouri delegate during the period of the Civil War, where he supported the Union. One of our surprise history lessons was learning that Bingham would become the first President of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. These days visitors can arrange a tour of his Arrow Rock home.

The Silent Residents

In 1995, an archaeologist from the McClung Museum, in Knoxville, came to Arrow Rock to study the life and culture of the town’s African-American residents. His teams excavated a variety of sites that showcased the changing impact that these people had made in the village. Some of the information they uncovered is included in the African-American Experience Museum. Housed in the Arrow Rock Free Will Baptist Church, the museum helps explain some of the issues that black residents faced from the earliest days through the 20th century. This space is not to be missed when you make your visit.

Lunch Break

All of these history lessons had created quite an appetite. It was just a couple of short blocks to Catalpa Restaurant. From the moment we arrived, we knew it was going to be a good meal. Since our visit occurred during the Covid time-frame, dining was restricted to tables set up on the lawn. Of course, there was plenty of shade, which made for a fun setting. Our sandwiches were spot on delicious and tossing in a specialty shake supplied our sweet treat.

Going Old School

With all of these history lessons swirling in our brains, it was time for a little less serious exploring. Arrow Rock has a few unique shops that really stand out. While most are on Main Street, we located Thunder Lodge Trading Company just down the street from our lunch stop. They tout themselves as a home goods store, but it is so much more. While it does offer some interesting artistic accents for the home, it also has some that are out of the ordinary. A selection of black powder horns is one of these, as is the assorted fur pelts that hang from the wall. If you are looking for that one-of-a-kind gift for the person who has everything, you are sure to find it here.

Shopping Time

As we were leaving Thunder Lodge we ran into a couple who was also visiting from Kansas City. It’s surprising just how often this happens to us. The really unusual part was that the gentleman grew up two doors behind me in KCK. What an interesting turn of events. After we spent some time catching up, we bid our goodbyes and headed back to Main Street. The historic porch covered boardwalk looks like something straight out of a movie. Many of the shopkeepers were enjoying the pleasant weather and had set up shop on the boardwalk. As we shopped, we chatted with them about the history lessons we had found in Arrow Rock.

New Trading Post

At the far end of the row of shops, we came to the Arrow Rock Trading Post. Being in such an antique-style setting, we weren’t exactly sure what we would find inside. To our surprise, this space was performing double duty as a boutique and home accents shop. While Crystal browsed through the whole store, I focused my attention on some of the interesting foodstuffs. We both enjoyed the variety of products that this place had in stock. It was hard to believe how much they offered since all of the spaces looked much smaller from the outside.

History Lessons Achieved

With a day full of history lessons complete, it was time to start heading back to Kansas City. While the pandemic may be making travel more complicated, it has forced us to take a renewed look at destinations we missed in the past. Many of these smaller towns and villages are the perfect destination for a casual day trip or overnighter. We have found that they offer a safer atmosphere and the business owners are so thankful to see visitors. It looks like 2020 will be filled with these types of adventures, but we are finding that they can make for some of the most memorable excursions.

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Western Waterway

Located along the western edge of the state, Weston retains its river-port charm. In the mid-1800s, this growing town had become the second-largest port on the Missouri River. At one point, the population had swelled to nearly 5000 citizens. That made it larger than St. Joseph or Kansas City, at that time. A series of floods, fires, and the Civil War dwindled the number to just over 1000. The railroad soon surpassed river travel as the main way to move freight, and Weston would never regain its economic stronghold. Fortunately, it has been able to retain its antebellum charm, and a major portion of the downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rural Mecca

These days people are drawn to Weston for a variety of recreational options. The gently rolling hills are the perfect choice for a scenic bike tour. A variety of historic sites are the perfect addition to a walking tour of the city. A collection of orchards and wineries offer tempting tastes for all ages. Weston has a large draw during the Fall when families make their way to the nearby farms for seasonal produce. Of course, one of our favorite pastimes is shopping, which is also prevalent in downtown Weston. There is plenty of reason to escape the city for a day of relaxed enjoyment.

Safely Quaint

This particular day trip included plenty of time set aside for perusing the local shops. Since most are family-owned and operated, you can easily begin to feel a connection with the community. In downtown Weston, you won’t find any big box stores, but instead, you’ll experience boutique-style shopping. The shops hold a wide range of merchandise, so eventually, you’ll find something for everyone in the family. We loved exploring each shop, and the shopkeepers were extremely inviting. With the lockdown still progressing, this was one of the first weekends for the shops to be back open. It was obvious that, while being wary, the return of shoppers was a welcome sight for the area. We appreciated the extra steps that everyone was taking to help make our experience safe and enjoyable.

Unexpected Treasures

When we go shopping it is hard to say what we will bring home. I’m sure that a lot of you may have this same issue. (I will not call it a problem.) As we wandered from shop to shop, we collected a small sampling of trinkets along the way. It was at Beverlin’s Statuary where this took a major turn. With the whole pandemic shutdown, we had refocused our efforts on home beautification, much like most American homeowners. Our backyard was the main area of attention, and we adopted an Asian theme. As we wandered around the statuary shop, most of what we found was country or English Garden. In the back, we happened upon a pagoda piece that was a perfect fit for one of our landscape beds. This is why we try to wander through every shop we find open. You just never know what treasure you will discover.

National Silk Art Museum

It is almost embarrassing to say that we overlook hidden treasures as much as anyone else. We cannot say how many times we have walked the main drag of Weston. On each previous visit, we have failed to recognize the gem hiding just beyond this storefront. It finally dawned on us, and we stepped inside the National Silk Art Museum for a gander. Once inside, we were treated to an introduction to the world of silk art from the museum’s founder. As we wandered through the galleries, we were amazed at the amount of detail to be found in these works of art. Even when we escape the city, we find ways to learn new things.

Lunch Break

You all know that we rarely visit a destination without making at least one culinary stop. What kind of foodies would we be if we failed to check out the local cuisine? Don’t worry, there are plenty of options in Weston, so our biggest challenge was picking just one. Fortunately, we located the perfect spot right on Main Street. Avalon Cafe is an American cuisine dining destination housed in a 170-year-old home. With so much character and charm, we were anxious to check it out. A meal on their elevated outdoor deck offered us a chance to enjoy the fresh air and wonderful views. It was the perfect break during a day of exploring.

Glory Days

While Weston has a history dating back to the mid-1800s, there are other eras to visit during your time in town. While it is not an actual museum, Hiatt Motors has constructed a small shrine to the 1950s-era filling stations. Being fans of Route 66, the old-fashioned facade caught our attention, as we meandered down Main Street. The bright orange Phillips 66 logo and gas pumps are hard to miss. Outside the storefront we discovered a couple of guys just hanging out, enjoying the beautiful weather. Everything about this place spoke of days gone by.

Step Back in Time

We asked the gentlemen if we could check out the interior and discovered them to be extremely welcoming. Once we stepped through the door, we were whisked back to our youths. The interior was chocked full of artifacts from the glory days of full-service gas stations. Everything about this place reminded us of road trips with our families. They even had an old pinball machine and some cool neon signs. It took a second and even third look to catch all of the memorabilia contained in this small space.

Cheese Heads

As we were heading out of downtown, we decided to make a short stop at Green Dirt Farm. As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed guests enjoying a mid-afternoon snack in the shaded area out front. The casual atmosphere of Weston extends itself to this business and makes a stop even more inviting. It certainly appeared to be a popular stop, so we were excited to find out what made it such a draw. The countryside around Weston is filled with farms and orchards that make great destinations for a day trip to escape the city.

Unexpected Education

This locally-owned creamery produces a variety of cheeses made with cow, goat, and sheep milk. Each version has its own characteristics, which are imparted in the final product. Green Dirt Farm doesn’t just sell cheese. Behind the counter we found the staff working on preparing sandwiches, pizzas, and even ice cream treats for customers. In a nearby alcove, wine tastings were taking place. If we had not already had lunch, this would have been a perfect place to get the making for a charcuterie board picnic.

Weston Bend State Park

After leaving Weston proper, we still had one more stop in mind. Weston Bend State Park offers over 10 miles of hiking trails designed to entertain all skill levels. The thought of shaded paths that skirt the river’s path sounded extremely inviting. While we were limited to our time in the park, we still enjoyed hiking one of the most popular trails. We also ended up discovering a spot with an amazing view of the Missouri River Valley.

Get Away for the Day

Even though we have made many day trips to Weston, we still enjoy visiting. Each time we go we can feel the busy pace of the city fade away. Our pace slows and we find ourselves relishing the tranquil moments. Conversations flow easily with the shopkeepers and locals who are proud to call Weston home. While there are shops in Kansas City that offer comparable merchandise, the atmosphere of this river town is unmatched in the metro. Perhaps it’s time for you to plan a day trip to escape the city and enjoy some time in Weston, Missouri.

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We want to thank Quebec City Tourism and the various businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

1) Lots of Stairs

With our lodging situated in Upper Town, we loved taking in the views from high atop Cap Diamante. That is the name of the promontory that overlooks the St. Lawrence River some 195 feet below. Getting down to Lower Town will usually involve the navigation of stairs. We found ourselves climbing a lot of stairs during our visit. Of course, we looked at that as a good way to counter all of the delicacies we were devouring. Being forewarned about the stairs is definitely on our list of 15 reasons to explore Lower Town, in Quebec City. That being said…

2) There is an Alternative

With so many visits to Lower Town, there were times our legs just weren’t ready for scaling the cliff one more time. Fortunately, there is an alternative method for scaling the heights. While we were exploring Rue du Petit Champlain, we noticed the lower entrance to Quebec City’s famous Funiculaire. This custom railway is designed to carry passengers between Lower Town and the boardwalk far above. We took a few rides along the rails and loved the views of the river and the surrounding area.

3) You May Recognize Place Royale

As we continued exploring Lower Town, we found ourselves strolling the quaint cobblestone streets. On a side street off of Rue de Petit Champlain, we found a small square. As we entered it, we noted a stone church that occupied the center of the square. There was an immediate feeling of deja-vu, but the reason was not coming to us. Later, we would realize that this church was used during the filming of ‘Catch me If You Can’ starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo Dicaprio. Here was more proof that Quebec City is the “Most European City in North America”.

4) The Royal Battery was Built to Keep Out the British

Near the end of the 1600s, England was on a mission to conquer the New World. British colonists from New England began an offensive to take over New France to the north. When Major William Phips arrived at Quebec City, he demanded its surrender. After an unsuccessful assault in 1690, the French constructed the Royal Battery along the river’s edge. It was designed to help protect the growing city from attacks that came by way of the St. Lawrence River. It saw use in 1759 but was destroyed during the bombardment of the city by British forces.

5) Lower Town is Growing

Did you know that you can plot the growth of Lower Town by flagstone markers on Rue Saint-Antoine? Over the centuries, the St. Lawrence River has slowly receded into its deep channel. Paule Bergeron, from Quebec Cite Tourism, pointed this out during an evening of exploration. As we made our way toward the shoreline, we spotted these markers, which are highlighted by waves of colored cobblestones. Standing at the marker for the 1600 shoreline, we realized that it is over 800 feet from where the river sits today.

6) Learn About Quebec Culture

If you have found the markers, then you should reward yourself with another historic visit. The building that sits right next door houses the Musee de la Civilization. This happens to be the most visited museum in all of Quebec City and for good reason. The combination of permanent and temporary exhibits is astonishing. During our half-day visit, we barely scratched the surface of what this space has to offer. We found artifacts from the earliest residents of the region, which include the eleven original tribes. Plan to spend plenty of time learning all about Quebec culture.

7) You Can Travel the St. Lawrence River

We couldn’t compile a list of 15 reasons to explore Lower Town without including a way to get up close to the region’s major waterway. Flowing from the Great Lakes, it is the primary drainage path to the Atlantic Ocean. Samuel de Champlain used the St. Lawrence River as a route to explore the North American interior. These days it is used for commercial transit, as well as recreation purposes. Sightseeing cruises can be found along the piers near the Royal Battery.

We boarded an AML Sightseeing Cruise, which takes passengers on a tour up the Quebec coastline. The views from onboard gave us a new perspective of the beauty of Quebec City. Seeing the skyline, as we moved along the river reminded us of fairy tales we heard in our youth. When we spotted Montmorency Falls, all of the passenger’s attention moved to the natural beauty of this sight. 

8) or Walk with a Ghost

While the daylight uncovers the natural beauty of the city, the shadows of nightfall hold tales of their own. During our research, we found that there are multiple options for ghost tours in Canada’s oldest city. We chose the Le Promenades Fantomes, which is hosted by a historic spirit. As she led us through the darkened streets of Lower Town, we learned unique bits of history from the early days of the city. It puts an unusual spin on ancient history.

9) It’s a Great Evening Destination

After sundown is not only reserved for ghosts and ghouls. In many sections of Lower Town, we found tourists and locals gathering to enjoy the quiet beauty. Street musicians serenade passersby, while others rest their legs before heading back up the hillside. The stores and restaurants are illuminated by incandescent lights, which add a soft glow to the evening. This is the time when Quebec City becomes even more romantic than words can describe.

10) Shopping Galore

Speaking of those stores, there are enough to keep even the most avid shopper satisfied. Whether you visit during the day or evening, you will find a steady stream of customers searching for that perfect gift. Each boutique shop holds treasures just waiting to be discovered. Since our luggage was all carry-on, we knew we would be limited on purchases. That didn’t stop us from exploring as many of the cute shops as possible. In the end, we found space to squeeze in a few special purchases that we made for friends and family.

11) Unexpected Treasures

It would be easy to stop our list right here, but it would leave so much unsaid. The 15 reasons to explore Lower Town have to include some unexpected treasures. Not all of these are easy to spot, as the others. A street covered in brightly colored umbrellas is sure to catch your attention. Of course, there are also little treasures hiding in plain sight. Shopping along Rue du Petit Champlain, we were surprised to spot these cute little animals gracing the spaces outside of the boutiques.

12) Great Dining Options

All of our exploring sure worked up our appetites. It’s a good thing there are plenty of dining choices to be found in Lower Town. American tourists can often be a little fickle about their meal choices, but you will be happy to know that just about any cuisine can be found. On a day when we were pressed for time, we popped into a local diner for a burger and poutine. If you have never tried this Quebec classic dish, then you are in for quite a treat. It combines all the flavors that Americans love; French Fries, gravy, and cheese curds. This carb-filled dish had us coming back for more.

Being just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean means that there are lots of great places to sample some seafood. One of our favorites is a good plate of Fish & Chips. Living in the middle of the United States makes it difficult to get a fresh version, but that problem is solved by living along the coastline. After our river cruise, we stopped by Taverne Louise for a delicious lunch just a couple of blocks from the Port of Quebec. Listening to the gulls flying nearby made this lunch a special experience.

As we said before, you can find just about any cuisine in Lower Town. One of the most delightful meals was also one that we shared with a new friend. Paule Bergeron was our contact with Quebec Cite Tourism and invited us to join her for a dinner at Ristorante Il Matto. This upscale Italian restaurant serves up family recipes in a modern space. As we cemented our newfound friendship, the staff brought out dish after dish of incredible flavors. Speaking of the staff, their service was like an orchestrated performance fit for the finest dining establishments in the world.

13) They Didn’t Forget the Sweet Treats

You all know that we rarely pass up an opportunity to savor some sweet treats. Thankfully, we didn’t have to make the steep climb to find them. Ice cream ranks very high on the list of our all-time favorites, and in Lower Town we found a new flavor to try. The Quebec region produces over 70% of the world’s maple syrup. It makes perfect sense that this unique flavor would be incorporated into almost every aspect of Quebec City life. Our introduction to maple-flavored ice cream ended up being quite a pleasant addition to our trip. Be sure to get you a sample (or two) when you visit.

14) The Views are Amazing

If you have read our article about Upper Town, then you know we found some fantastic views from the high ground. During our time in Lower Town, we discovered that there are plenty of amazing sights from this angle, as well. Having an opportunity to see Chateau Frontenac from this direction made it look like a European castle nestled upon a hillside. Along the shoreline, we could watch the ferries criss-cross the St. Lawrence River as they carried passengers to the other side. Strolling the cobblestone streets offered us up-close views of the various architectural styles that are found in Lower Town.

15 Reasons to Explore Lower Town in Quebec City

The final and most important thing to know about Lower Town is that you will find yourself wanting to spend more and more time there. With every step of our explorations, we grew to feel like there was more to discover around the next corner. Our visit was limited to five days, but we would have loved to have a full month or more. With so much to see and do, Lower Town became strangely comfortable. Whether visiting during the day or night, we always felt safe and secure as we traversed the streets. We can’t imagine a better place to get a European experience, without crossing the Atlantic. We encourage you to make plans to explore Quebec City for yourself and then drop us a line to let us know your favorite experience.

The post 15 Reasons To Explore Lower Town In Quebec City appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Picture yourself cruising down the highway. A warm breeze blowing in the window as the miles of pavement roll by under your tires. Each new town and city brings another chance to explore the wonders of America. This is just the kind of experience you get when traveling along the path of the old Route 66. We have chosen to digest this 2448-mile path a little at a time, which allows more freedom for in-depth study. During our 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma, we found educational attractions, delectable dishes, and plenty of friendly locals.

First Taste of Weatherford, Oklahoma

Cruising the road can create quite a hunger. It’s easy to get distracted by all of the eye candy one finds along the Mother Road. By the time we rolled into Weatherford, we were famished from a morning of exploring. Our first stop was Lucille’s Roadhouse, which has existed since 1937. In 2006, they relocated from Hydro, Oklahoma to their current location. The creation of the interstate highway system marked a slow death for many roadside stops along the original Route 66. Fortunately, some, like Lucille’s, have found a way to survive. It certainly made us feel like we were stepping back in time to the golden age of road-tripping.

History in the Heartland

Speaking of the golden age, our visit to Heartlandthe of America Museum offered us a peek back in time to a variety of ages. While a lot of the artifacts were familiar to us, there were just as many that were completely foreign. We have to think way back to remember some, and others are just part of stories that we heard from earlier generations. These types of history collections are slowly losing their audience, so it’s important to help support them. Perhaps we will see a revival of the days when you would stop by the local drugstore for a sundae at their soda fountain.

Stafford Air & Space Museum

With only 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma, it meant that we had to make the most of our time. One of our main purposes for selecting this city, was a chance to see the Stafford Air & Space Museum. We weren’t sure what we would find, but seeing an aerospace museum in a city of 10,000 residents certainly intrigued us. From our research, we knew that they had some unique exhibits on-site. It’s not everyday that you have an opportunity to see some of the artifacts found in this space. Walking beside a Titan II missile helps put its size in perspective.

Studying the “Space Race”

Many of us can remember learning about the “Space Race” between Russia and the United States. At the Stafford Air 7 Space Museum, you can see a V-2 Rocket from World War II. This is the first long-range guided rockets, which reached into space in 1944. Once the military war ended, the “Cold War” began ratcheting up. Inside this Weatherford museum, we found a nice selection of exhibits about this new age of travel. What began with the launch of satellites, soon progressed to the goal of putting a human on the moon. You can learn all about this race in this museum.

Little Italy Comes to Town

As the day drew toward evening, it signaled the time for the attractions to close. We drove around the downtown area and checked out a few of the shops. Much like we find in many small to mid-size cities, the majority of the commercial outlets are found on Main Street. We popped into a couple of boutique shops and antique stores. Soon it was time for these to close, as well. We realized that dinner time had arrived and made our way to a local Italian cuisine destination. Luigi’s Italian Restaurant is popular with the locals, who happily welcomed us into their space. After so much exploring, we had worked up quite an appetite, but this place offered plenty to satisfy it.

A Comfortable Stay

Now that we had full bellies, we were ready to check into our lodging for the evening. Just off Main Street we located the Comfort Inn & Suites. They were currently changing from their ownership, but it didn’t really impact our stay. We chose this location because it offered a place near downtown and it has a pool. We both enjoy taking a dip but rarely get an opportunity during our blogging sessions. Forgoing any evening entertainment, we chose to stay in and check out this amenity. Once we finished our dip in the pool, we were ready to hit the sack for a good night’s rest.

Breakfast with the Locals

Our 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma were running low, but we still had time for a couple quick stops. We know that breakfast sets the tone for the day, so we try to have a hearty meal when traveling. With more roads to explore, we chose to keep in our Route 66 mode by visiting Jerry’s Restaurant. This chain grew to fame in the western states starting in 1964. Walking through the door, we knew it was a hangout for locals. After sizing us up, they warmed to our visit. It can be interesting to see how they react to a couple with a camera. Of course, being a Mother Road attraction means that they are used to being in pictures.

Fueling Our Morning

Our morning dining choice came with a slew of options. Benedicts, scrambles, omelets, French toast, pancakes, and even more choices were making it hard to select. Our server pointed out that everything is cooked to order, so the whole menu is delicious. With little guidance, we just pointed and picked our breakfasts. We discovered that she was right, as my Eggs Benedict was delectable. Once again we had replenished our body fuel and were preparing to head back out on the open road.

Our final stop in Weatherford was at The Cup. (pictured at the beginning of this article) We had spotted this cute boutique coffee shop during our exploration on the previous day. Since it was past coffee time in the evening, we chose to double back for a morning visit. We chose a couple of specialty lattes for the road and said our goodbyes to Weatherford.

24 Hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma

As you can see, there is plenty to fill 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma. It’s in cities like this that we find some of the most unexpected surprises. With just under half of Route 66 under our belts, we are curious to see what the other half has to offer. The open road is fun to explore and really brings the feeling of Americana to life. If you are looking for some nostalgia, you will definitely find plenty along Mother Road. Make sure to plan plenty of extra time for unexpected excursions, as there is so much to see and do. Have you ever explored portions of Route 66? We’d love to hear some of your favorite stops along the way.

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We want to thank Visit Amarillo and all of the local businesses for hosting this amazing visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Girasol Cafe & Bakery

There’s no better place to start than with breakfast. An early morning stop at Girasol Cafe & Bakery had us going green. Their dedication to fresh ingredients and wholesome touches on their dishes made our morning meal special. It is worth noting that breakfast is not the only meal that they serve. Rumor has it that they bring out the “Wow” factor at lunchtime, as well. We have perused pictures of some of their midday meals and wish we had taken an opportunity to drop back by for a second meal. Oh well, we will just let you all tell us about it. Drop a note in the comments section below, if you’ve had lunch at Girasol Cafe.

Youngblood’s Cafe

While not every place that we visit will end up with its article, we still like to bring attention to them in these overviews. A case in point was Youngblood’s Cafe, which we visited the morning we were leaving Amarillo. The life stories we find in each city we visit never cease to amaze us. The owner of this eatery is an Amarillo native who has worked in the restaurant business for decades. Wanting to increase his knowledge and culinary skills, he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America after 20 years in the industry. For us, that says a lot about his determination to always be his best.

Texas Eats

After working at some upscale establishments in New York City, he finally returned to his hometown to bring his knowledge to bear for his neighbors. The return to town gave him a chance to go back to creating delectable Texas-style dishes that fill up hungry guests. Dining on the Panhandle means enjoying down-home meals served by people who care. Their location in the stockyards means you may see people in cowboy hats and spurs at the next table. Welcome to Texas!

Calico County

It was clear that many of the restaurants we visited had a long history in their community. A morning meal at Calico County proved that even after 35 years, people still flock to a good breakfast stop. From the moment we approached the barn-red structure, we had an overwhelming sense of down-home country food. Once our meal was served, we were not disappointed. From the freshly baked cinnamon rolls to the mason jar-shaped waffles, it was all delightful. Just the kind of filling meal we needed to fuel a day full of exploring.

Bracero’s Mexican Grill

One of our reasons for starting our Texas travels in Amarillo is their history of residing on Route 66. The Mother Road has been part of our lives since our youngest days, so we just had to explore some of the most notable sights. On the inner-city stretch of America’s first Highway, we had a chance to stop for lunch at Braceros Mexican Grill & Cantina. What a delicious way to brighten our day. The use of color in their dishes made for a memorable meal. It was also a chance to sample a dish that we had never seen before.

Coyote Bluff Cafe

Dining on the Panhandle will offer plenty of opportunities to meet the locals. It was not unusual to be sitting next to a table filled with high plains cowboys. Coyote Bluff Cafe would be the kind of place that many would pass by without giving a second look. Unfortunately, they don’t know what they would be missing. Inside this tiny eatery, we found some massive burgers that come with a variety of toppings. The menu is designed to satisfy Texas-sized appetites, after the morning of riding the range.

Dining Outdoors

In Amarillo, we discovered that not every meal needs to be eaten indoors. During our day at Palo Duro Canyon, we had a chance to visit the Texas Outdoor Musical. Before the show, they offer up a chuckwagon-style meal that will satisfy even the biggest appetite. After passing through the serving line, we joined our new friends at the outdoor picnic tables for a meal under the Texas sky. If you have never tasted Texas-style barbecue then you are in for a real treat. They do it up right at this event and even throw in a serving of cobbler to top it all off.

The Big Texan

Maybe your idea of dining on the Panhandle would include challenging yourself to finish off the 72 oz. Steak Challenge at The Big Texan. If so, you would be in good company, if you can accomplish the task. Suffice to say, there was no way that either of us was going to attempt this gut-busting trial. Even though no one was up for the task during our visit, we still found the ambiance of the place to be amazing. If you enjoy having plenty to see, while you dine, then this place should be at the top of your list. Make sure you save some time to explore the common areas outside of the dining room, as well.

Public House

With all of those engaging dining opportunities making your minds rush, perhaps there will be a moment that you just want to unwind. Might we suggest taking in a meal at Public House? This upscale eatery has a relaxed atmosphere that’s the perfect fit for a break from the rush of exploring. With an eclectic assortment of menu items, it’s easy to find plenty that sounds scrumptious. We also found that they are quite adept at creating craft cocktails.

Dining On The Panhandle

While it may seem that we spent our entire visit eating, we realize that we missed lots of other dining options. Amarillo has lots of eateries across a broad spectrum of cuisines. Discriminating diners will find upscale chophouses and even a fun speakeasy. Families can find a variety of restaurants that have something to offer everyone in the group. While we hope that you test out some of the places we have shared in this article, we’d also love to hear about other eateries you uncover. Drop us a note in the comment section, so that we can begin creating our list for the next time we are dining on the Panhandle. Bon Apetit!

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We want to thank Visit Amarillo and all of the businesses we visited for hosting us. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Alibates Flint Quarries

Visiting Amarillo in the summertime is a great opportunity to enjoy some outdoor activities. The landscape of this region is fun to explore and offers some beautiful views. We found that playing in the Panhandle can include some interesting lessons. On our way into the city, we made a stop at the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. Located north of Amarillo, it sits beside Lake Meredith. The visitors center has exhibits that walk visitors through the lives of early inhabitants in the area. After examining the displays, and watching a short video, it was time to explore the grounds. Hiking trails of various lengths are available for exploration and they even have ranger-guided tours.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens

Experiencing high plains means seeing a lot of native grasses and flowers. Of course, there is also plenty of cactus to be found. The growing conditions in this region can be difficult, but not impossible. When we visited the Amarillo Botanical Gardens we found plenty of species that were flourishing under the care of local volunteers. As we wandered the tranquil gardens, it gave us a few moments to take in their peaceful setting.

Sod Poodles Baseball

While the peaceful setting is beautiful to behold, it’s fun to balance it with a little excitement. Watching a baseball game can be quite a lot of fun, and finding out that it is the first season for a new team made it extra special. It didn’t seem like it could be topped, but a behind-the-scenes tour took it to a whole new level. While you may not get one of those, you can still enjoy watching the Amarillo Sod Poodles playing in the Panhandle. Bring the whole family and make an evening of it!

Wonderland Park

Speaking of family fun, how about a day at the amusement park? When we discovered that Wonderland Park was located in Amarillo, we knew a visit would be required. Their mixture of thrill, water, and kid rides means that there will be plenty to keep every family member occupied. Don’t forget to challenge each other to a round of mini-golf, before scoping out great views of the city on their sky-high overhead tram.

Panhandle-Plains Museum

A visit to the Panhandle is also a good chance to learn more about this unique portion of America. The history of the lands and the people who have settled it is filled with memorable stories. Many of these can be found by exploring the Panhandle-Plains Museum. In Texas’ largest history museum, you will find exhibits from the age of dinosaurs, through the western migration, and right up to the present. We couldn’t believe just how large this place is until we tried covering it all in half of a day. Big mistake! You will want to block off longer if you really want to explore.

Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo has the distinction of sitting squarely on the old Route 66 path. This historic tie brings thousands of Mother Road travelers through town every year. For those familiar with the history of “America’s first highway”, you know that it was lined with unique stops and oddities. These days there are still plenty of fun spots to see and explore. The Cadillac Ranch has to be near the top of unusual places to leave your mark on the world. Be sure to bring a can of spray paint and some gloves. (Just make sure you haul your trash back out with you.)

Jack Sisemore RV Museum

With such a famous roadway in the area, travel is obviously an important subject. Would you believe there is even a place to see vintage camping vehicles? When we dropped by the Jack Sisemore RV Museum we weren’t sure what we would find. It was actually a very interesting place to wander through. It’s filled with classic campers and recreational vehicles that we remember from our youth. As we explored the space we could imagine how many kids spent their youths playing in the Panhandle during family vacations.

Palo Duro Canyon

If you are going camping in the Panhandle, there isn’t a better destination than Palo Duro Canyon. Just south of Amarillo, travelers will find the second-largest canyon in America. While the photos show beautiful countryside filled with remarkable landscapes, they still lack in showing the absolute wonder. Visitors will find an abundance of hiking trails that help them get back to nature. campsites are available inside the park, so you can really immerse yourself in the Panhandle-Plains.

Palo Duro Creek Ranch

While RV’s offer a comfortable lodging option, they won’t get you up and down some of the wild roads found in the backwoods portion of the canyon. For that, we visited Palo Duro Creek Ranch. This locally-owned company offers jeep tours through the heart of the landscape. With such a large canyon area, some of the property is privately owned. This means you can have an amazing adventure under the watchful eyes of an experienced guide. It is a memory that we will not soon forget.

Palo Duro Canyon Adventure Park

Speaking of memorable activities. Would you be willing to zip-line across part of the canyon? While Crystal chose to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground, I made the climb up the tower. Once I was all strapped in, it was time to whoosh across the great divide that laid out below me. The feeling of exhilaration is amazing, and almost matches the views from this angle. Now we have heard that they added a bigger and longer zip-line option. Looks like we need to return to take on that challenge.

Texas Outdoor Musical

Are you a live theater lover? Would you believe that Palo Duro Canyon even has this covered? The canyon is home to Texas Outdoor Musical, which is a long-running live performance. Imagine all of the grandeur that can be accomplished when you have the great outdoors as your stage. The staff at this unique attraction have embraced nature and use it to help tell the story of life on the Panhandle-Plains. Once the lone rider gallops across the bluff behind the stage, it’s time to settle in for an evening of entertainment. We are betting you will find yourself toe-tapping along with the rousing score that accompanies this fun event.

Playing in the Panhandle

As you can see, there are plenty of things to fill a family vacation. The options are limitless and include: sports, theater, history or just spending time in nature. Our late July visit found us playing in the Panhandle during the summer heat, but the lower humidity makes it much more manageable. With all of these choices, (and more that we didn’t have time to visit) you are sure to build an itinerary that will have the whole family engaged. Now that we have cracked the seal on Texas cities, look for additional destinations to be covered in the future.

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The local CVB’s are an integral partner for us, as they are the main sponsor for our visits. There are no bigger cheerleaders for a community, and their hometown pride shines through during our correspondences. For Jefferson City, we had the pleasure of working with Brittney Mormann, who met us when we arrived in town. After a short visit, we were ready to launch into a schedule filled with places that intrigued us, and some that Brittney had suggested. 

We want to thank Visit Jefferson City and the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

More Than a Dome

Our first stop was a chance to see the dome. We have been on a kick of late, and realized that we have visited a slew of state capitals in the past couple of years. I guess this is something we have just grown into, since we never really did many tours in the past. Now that we know just how amazing they are, you can bet we will look forward to more of them, as we continue our travels. We may even find a pair of capitals again, like we did in Springfield, Illinois. The capitol in Jefferson City was under renovation, on the outside, but still available for tours. We chose to forego the tour and just explored on our own.

Inside the building we found the home of the Missouri State Museum. Here we walked through the history of the state, from past to present. In Jefferson City, you will find some interesting details about how the city was chosen to be the state capital. The museum also holds many artifacts about the state’s citizens involvement in defending our country. Be sure to save time to walk the halls in the capitol. The artwork that we found there was so beautiful and adds to the story-line of the state.

Rolling on the River

To see the history from past to present, in Jefferson City, meant that a visit to Jefferson’s Landing was a requirement. Located near the riverfront, this historic building has seen life as many types of business. We enjoyed meandering through the displays, where we learned about life in Jeff City during the early days. This place is certainly kid-friendly, and includes a scattering of interactive exhibits that we explored. The curator on duty is happy to explain to visitors the history of the site, as well as giving additional insight into life back in the 1800s.

Luscious Lunch

Now that our morning coffee was wearing off, our appetites were calling out to us. Time to head downtown and scope out a lunch location. We enjoyed finding that the downtown business district was located in sight of the capital. This makes exploring the past and present, in Jefferson City,  a foot-friendly destination. For our Noontime meal, we had determined to sample The Grand Cafe. Sandwiched in the middle of the shopping district, it makes a great refueling station. The food is a nice selection of American dishes, with interesting twists. The freshness of their ingredients was apparent in the tastes and we loved having a ringside view of shoppers strolling the sidewalk outside.

A Little Retail Therapy

While we dined, we reviewed our day, and were glad that we had saved some free time for exploring. The shop-lined street piqued our interest, and we decided to spend some time looking for treasures. After all, we had a little more than an hour, before our next stop. Walking up and down High Street, we found a nice assortment of choices. Besides finding toys, apparel, and home furnishings, we also spotted an assortment of coffee shops and eateries. Everything you need for a day filled with retail therapy.

Holiday Preparations

Our visit to Jefferson City fell in the back half of November, so many shops were preparing for the upcoming holiday season. We spotted plenty of Christmas cheer being hung inside and out of the stores in the area. Crystal really fancied this shop and even requested that we stop for a quick selfie with the decorations.

A Little Retail Therapy

We continued our treasure search and made a few small purchases during our visit. It is our belief that spreading some tourism dollars, in destinations we visit, is a positive way to impact the local economy. This is especially true when frequenting locally owned shops. Besides, it is always fun seeing the unique finds that can be spotted in these boutique-style shops.

Scary Stories

One of the stops that had not been on our original itinerary was the Missouri State Penitentiary tour. During our planning period, Brittney suggested this attraction. She arranged for us to take one of their two-hour history tours. Little did we know, this visit would be an excellent accent to our history research from past to present, in Jefferson City. While we have heard of sensationalized places, like Alcatraz, we never realized a more notable prison was found in our region. As we walked the cell blocks of these ages old structures, we could only imagine how fearful it would have been to be held there. There is a good reason it was referred to as “the Bloodiest 47 acres in America”.

Bring on the BBQ

With the completion of our tour, we had finished exploring attractions in Jefferson City. It was time for a good dinner, before hitting the road for home. Back to High Street, for another downtown restaurant option. Being from the Midwest, you know we have a love for barbecue. During our walking tour of the shops, we saw a good stream of diners filing into Sweet Smoke BBQ. All of that activity piqued our interest in sampling some of the smoked meats that we could see through the windows. Oh man! This was a really good choice and we were happy to find a sampler platter on their menu.

Local Landmark

I’m sure if we told you that we visited an ice cream shop, you wouldn’t be surprised. On this trip, we were trying to paint a picture of history from past to present, in Jefferson City. So when I tell you that we visited Central Dairy, it was really a research visit. Okay, it may have included some ice cream, but we had to verify the historical facts. This Central Missouri dairy has been in business since 1920, and introduced their ice cream counter in 1934. We needed to find out the secret of their longevity.

Sweet Endings

Since we were preparing to drive for almost three hours, we decided a sweet treat would be the perfect way to end our visit. Stepping through the front door, we found that the place was packed with locals. By the way, if you want to attract attention to yourself, just start taking photos inside of a place like this. As we waited our turn in line, we watched treat after treat being scooped up for anxious guests. Deciding on just one menu item each was putting a lot of pressure on us. Best to leave it to the professionals.

When our turn came, we introduced ourselves to our server. We explained the purpose of our visit, and told them about our decision making predicament. After thinking for a minute, she came up with a couple of great suggestions. She went to work creating our treats, while I captured a few more images of the space. She handed us our creamy dishes, and we found a spot to enjoy them. As we ate our ice cream treats, we watched the steady line of customers file along the ice cream counter. It proved to us that this is the kind of place to spend on evening on the town.

Past to Present in Jefferson City

Even though we only spent one day in Jefferson City, we feel like we gained a good feel for the history of this destination. It confirmed to us, once again, that there are lots of great day trip destinations in the Midwest. Being centrally located between Kansas City and St. Louis, it’s a perfect place to spend a day. We hope our articles inspire you to seek out even more hidden gems in Missouri’s capital city. Now we just have to know, would you be willing to take the penitentiary tour?

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During our previous visit to Oklahoma City, we saw the construction work being done for the soon-to-be transit system. After experiencing the convenience of our hometown system, we hoped to have a chance to sample the OKC Streetcar. When a Route 66 road trip took us through the region, we found our opportunity. Working with Visit OKC, we planned a 24 hour stop in the heart of downtown.

We want to thank Visit OKC and the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Beginning in Bricktown

Once we arrived, our first stop was in Bricktown. This entertainment venue is home to the American Banjo Museum, which was a stop we missed on our previous visit. Growing up on shows like Hee Haw, we had seen and heard plenty of picking and grinning. This was a chance to learn about the history of this unique instrument. You can imagine our surprise to find that the museum holds hundreds of banjos. It also tells the background of some familiar musicians.

Pops of Color

It seems that since beginning our travel blog, we have become more aware of all of the colorful landscapes that can be found in North America. This is especially the case for me since I spend a good deal of my time looking through a camera lens. Downtown Oklahoma City is filled with a myriad of colorful buildings, many of which are associated with the growing art community. We discovered that this expanding tribe of artisans is coloring a new downtown, and the OKC Streetcar is helping connect the dots.

Factory Obscura

Oklahoma City was the first destination where we made a return visit, since starting our blog. During our first visit, we had the pleasure of meeting Tabbi Burwell, from Visit OKC. She was such a great resource, that we couldn’t wait to see her again. This visit would offer a chance to meet Meg Cathey, who is on Tabbi’s staff. Working with the two of them, we were able to hammer out an itinerary that would include a nice cross-section of experiences. Knowing our desire to stay close to the downtown sector, they suggested we visit a brand new attraction called Factory Obscura.

This art-based collective was just kicking off during our visit, but we could already see that it would be a huge hit. Mix-Tape is the moniker that they have applied to their 6,000 square-foot experience. With a rotation of art installations, it’s hard to say what you will find there. During our visit, the piece was named The King’s Mouth. After removing our shoes, we crawled into the mouth and enjoyed a relaxing and unique audio-visual experience. We will certainly need to visit again just to see what new fun we find.

Let’s Do Lunch

Right across the street from our art experience is S&B’s Burger Joint. We had arranged to meet Tabbi and Meg for lunch at this eclectic rock & roll eatery. With a menu filled with namesake burgers, as well as some delectable sides, we knew it would be an amazing meal. Sure enough, we all picked unique choices, and I tossed in one of their over-the-top shakes. It may have been a lot of calories, but I knew we had a lot of walking in our future. As we dined, we took in the quirky and colorful vibe of this place.

A Friendly Face

During our visit in 2018, we had stayed in the Automobile Alley section of OKC. This strip is filled with historic buildings that housed car dealerships, as well as businesses that supported them. As we explored the area, we saw workers heavily concentrated on preparing the street for the OKC Streetcar, which was to come. We saw a few shops that were hanging on during this construction period and decided to check them out. We are so glad we did because it gave us a chance to meet Traci Walton.

Traci is the owner of Plenty Mercantile, which is such a cute shop. Filled with quirky gifts and artistic pieces, we found ourselves finding so many pieces we just couldn’t live without. It’s a good thing we travel by car since it allows for plenty of purchases. While shopping, we were introduced to Traci, and we had a long discussion about the changing landscape of downtown. When we returned in 2019, we had to drop by to see how she was doing. We were shocked that she would readily remember us, but it goes to show just how welcoming people are in the Central U.S.

Coloring a New Downtown

After a short chat at Plenty Mercantile, it was time to make our way to a nearby OKC Streetcar stop. As we walked up the street, I saw this brightly colored bison in a window. Being quite unabashed, I stepped in to ask if I could grab a photo of it. The staff was quite accommodating, and we chatted as I worked. Back outside, I joined up with Crystal to complete our walk to catch the next streetcar.

Colorful Colcord

We rode the OKC Streetcar back to where we had parked our car. It was late enough in the afternoon for us to check into our hotel, which was just a couple of blocks away. The Colcord Hotel is a boutique-style lodging option located in close proximity to Bricktown. We knew a return visit would be coming later, but for now, we wanted to check out the hotel.

After finding our room, we explored what we would later find out is OKC’s first skyscraper. At twelve stories tall, it must have been quite a sight when it was built in 1910. It has had multiple upgrades, but still contains much of its luxurious charm. With all of this exploring going on, we had worked up our appetites. Time to enjoy an amazing dinner at Flint Restaurant, which is located inside of the Colcord. Wow! This is what luxury dining is all about. Now to head out for more exploring.

Bring on Bricktown

From our hotel, it was a short walk to the heart of Bricktown. We made our way down to the river level, where we watched the tour boats passing by. All around us people were dining or enjoying drinks and conversation on outdoor patios. Our attention was directed to a group of people stepping into a local winery. We decided to follow them and made our way to Put A Cork In It. Inside we found a few groups enjoying tastings, so we thought that sounded like a good idea, as well.

John, the owner, showed us to a table and brought us sampling menus and a couple of glasses. A short conversation focused on determining our wine preferences. Fortunately, we both agree, for the most part, so John started bringing out some varieties for us to sample. there were some really good flavors going into our glasses, and each variety he served was slightly sweeter than the previous. Crystal and I thought the use of animal crackers to cleanse the palette between samples was quite clever and fun.

Rolling Into the Evening

With a slight buzz going, we thought it would be a good idea to grab some fresh air. Back to the riverwalk for some more sightseeing. A crowd was waiting in line to play miniature golf, so we decided to forego that activity and instead check out Hey Day. This bowling and arcade heavy attraction looked like a fun place to spend some time. Neither of us was in the mood to bowl, but we loved the use of color and lights in this space.

Colorful Competition

We moved up to the second floor, where we discovered a small arcade. We both knew that things were about to get competitive. A couple of rounds of racing allowed us to show off some skills. We went looking for air hockey but came up empty. No problem, our second favorite game is SkeeBall. Once again we found the use of lights and colors to add to the entertainment factor. I can’t remember who won, but I know that we both had a great time.

Calm Reflection

We departed Bricktown on the OKC Streetcar and watched as the city lights passed by. Riding the loop, we saw many of the familiar landmarks of downtown OKC, except now they took on an ethereal tone. While the streetcar made all of the expected stops, we found that most people seemed to have the same idea as us. We all sat in silence and just took in the night scenes.

During our first visit, we toured the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. This memorial had left quite an impression on us. While the horrific event that occurred there will never be forgotten, neither will the survivor spirit of those that came to the rescue of their neighbors. When the OKC Streetcar stopped nearby this spot, we decided to step off for another view. As we made our way through this space the stillness of the night surrounded us. It definitely added a new level of solemness to this site.

Coloring a New Day

We strolled back to our hotel, which was only about four blocks away. Our busy day was catching up with us, and we were ready to catch a good night’s sleep. The next morning we had planned to have breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Having the OKC Streetcar right outside the hotel’s front door was certainly handy. Four short blocks away we arrived at Kitchen 324. This downtown dining experience was hopping with business. With a menu full of amazing eats and delectable treats, it was no surprise.

OKC Streetcar

After breakfast was our last opportunity to ride the OKC Streetcar. Back at our hotel, we packed up for our return to Kansas City. We still had a couple of stops in Oklahoma City, but these would take us out of the downtown region. As we waited for the valet to retrieve our car, we took another look around the area. A passing streetcar confirmed that this transportation option is coloring a new downtown in Oklahoma City. If you haven’t visited downtown OKC in a while, perhaps it’s time to plan your next getaway. There is so much to see and do, and they have the streetcars to help get around downtown.

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We want to thank Travel Dubuque and the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are ours.

Howdy Partner!

A big part of a successful blogging trip includes establishing a working relationship with the local tourism bureau. Travel Dubuque helped us identify key destinations, that would be a perfect fit for our audience. After a quick stop at their downtown location, we had all of the information we needed for a successful visit. Always remember to check out the local visitors’ center for brochures, tips, and even coupons for local businesses.

Iowa’s First City

As we began to explore Dubuque sights, we discovered that it is not just the oldest city in Iowa. In fact, it is one of the oldest settlements west of the Mississippi River. This river city was built by hard-working immigrants, who came to the region in search of a better life. While early commerce focused on mining, the city would later become an industrial mecca. Some of the main industries were logging, mill-work, meat packing, and even button making. We found out that this particular industry derived from the mother-of-pearl that was harvested from shells gathered from the nearby river.

Getting Back to Nature

Since the best way to discover Dubuque history is from the beginning, it just makes sense that we head to the Mines of Spain. This area was originally inhabited by the Mesquakie tribe. Evidence shows that they were working lead mines prior to the Revolutionary War. They also dealt with fur trading with French trappers who visited the region. The area is covered with hiking trails and offers a chance to get back to nature. A visit to the Mines of Spain also brings with it plenty of amazing views from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. While we were in the neighborhood, we decided to add a visit to Crystal Lake Cave. This spelunking venue was accidentally discovered by a lead miner in 1868. A brief history of the cave can be found in one of our previous articles, along with some photos from the underground. (Explore the cave here.)

Bird’s Eye View

Now that we had explored the underground world on which Dubuque lies, it was time to see it from a different perspective. A visit to the Fenelon Place Elevator offers an opportunity for a historic ride up the bluffs. Touted as the “World’s Shortest Railway”, we found that it is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike.  We have to say that the views found above are fantastic. From the top, we could see out across the downtown area and over the Mississippi River Valley. You definitely want to include this stop on your itinerary. (Take a ride here.)

A River Runs Through

With all of these wonderful views of the water, it was time to get a little closer perspective. A visit to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium would give us an inside view of our nation’s waterways. This Smithsonian affiliate complex is filled to the gills with exhibits and artifacts. Be sure to block off some extra time, so that you can explore all of the buildings, as well as the extra exhibits out back. (Explore the River Museum here.)

Slowing Our Pace

With all of this running around, we needed a chance to slow down for a bit. A visit to the Dubuque Botanical Gardens was the perfect solution. This volunteer-run attraction offers tranquil settings and peaceful places to relax. During our time there, we noticed others must have had the same idea. We even saw some local artists painting landscape scenes in the gardens. (Take a walk through the gardens here.)

Historic Lodging

Speaking of getting some rest, let’s discuss finding the perfect overnight lodging location. Hotel Julien was a great solution, as it allowed us to stay right in the heart of all the fun. This historic hotel has been the temporary dwelling of some big names, through the years. As we explored the spaces, we imagined that we were walking in the same steps as Abraham Lincoln and Al Capone. We were beginning to discover that Dubuque has been a hot spot for visitors for decades. It was definitely an experience that we will remember. (Explore Hotel Julien here.)

A Fresh Start

While breakfast at the Hotel Julien was a convenient way to start the day, we also wanted to sample the local flavors of the Millwork District. Located near the downtown, it is an area that is seeing a flurry of revitalization, much as we have found in other downtowns. We visited this cute coffee shop, which offers a tranquil, relaxed way to ease into the day. Inspire Cafe is certainly well named, as it inspired us to discover Dubuque districts outside of downtown.

A Nod to the King

The task of researching potential itinerary stops allows us to envision the flavor of a new destination. What that can often lead to, is the struggle with paring down our choices that can be visited in the time allowed. This really comes out when the subject is dining. It never fails that we find tons of interesting eateries, but we can only eat so many meals. When we found a spot that offers a PB&J burger, at 1st & Main, well it jumped up to the “must try” list. (Check out 1st & Main here.)

Cutting Edge

We always look for at least one stop that is on the cutting edge of the local social scene. In Dubuque, we chose L. May Eatery, and we were not disappointed. The locals flock to this urban eatery for cocktails, consumables, and conversation. Located in the heart of downtown, it offers indoor and outdoor seating options. We would soon discover Dubuque is a great choice for people watching. (Step inside L. May here.)

One of the Family

Since we had the people watching spot covered, we wanted to find a dining option that brought some comfort food to the table. When we spotted Vinny Vanucchi’s, it immediately caught our attention. The idea of dining in a family atmosphere should elevate comfort to the highest level. When we arrived, it went well beyond dining with family and ended up feeling like they adopted us into their clan.  (Check out Vinny’s here.)

It’s the People

Speaking of family, we found the most amazing chocolate maker, while exploring Dubuque, Iowa. Betty Jane has been a Dubuque landmark for many years. When it changed hands, some people were worried that the original recipes would be replaced. No worries here, the new owners have focused their energy on making the brand recognizable worldwide. After some taste testing, we knew that their sweet treats were too good to be kept a Dubuque secret. Besides, the new owners are amazingly friendly folk, that welcome the chance to show off some Iowa products. (Read more about Betty Jane here.)

Farewell for Now!

Our visit had allowed us to discover Dubuque treasures, that are fun for all ages. With all of these memories in the bag, it was time for us to make our return to our hometown. As we made our last trip through the downtown, we took the last chance to check out all of the cool wall murals. Our time in Iowa’s first city had opened our eyes to a wide variety of entertainment and dining options. We didn’t get to see all of the places we had researched, but we were happy to have an opportunity to savor a taste of Dubuque. Which of these stops would you add to your vacation itinerary?

The post Discover Dubuque – Iowa’s First City appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank Visit Lindsborg and all of the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Our First Taste of Lindsborg

With Lindsborg being so close to our hometown, we decided to start our visit on a Friday evening. Crystal had the car all packed for a hasty departure after work. After a pleasant drive through the Flint Hills, we arrived just in time for dinner. Located in the heart of downtown, we stopped in Farley’s Bar & Grill. As soon as we walked through the door, we knew we were in a local hot spot. The place was packed with people socializing over dinner and drinks. Even with a wait, there was no way we were going to pass this place up. It ended up being a perfect “first taste’ of Lindsborg.

A Real Home Away From Home

With our bellies full, we were ready to unwind for the night. Our lodging was arranged at a local AirBnB called Lavendel House. Our host, Mark Galloway, happened to be there when we arrived. He showed us around our “home away from home”, which is a four-bedroom farm-style house. It certainly was much larger than we would need, but we appreciated the hospitality. This place even has a tree-house loft, which Mark was in the process of completing. When finished, it will make for a cute little couple’s escape destination on the edge of Little Sweden USA.

Decisions, Decisions!

With a full day of exploring on the horizon, it was time to crash for the night. The Lavendel House had plenty of sleeping options and would be perfect for a big family. With a full kitchen and even a large family room to watch TV, it made for a good home base. By the way, we opted not to sleep in the bunk beds. After a refreshing night’s sleep, it was time to get our Saturday started. Our itinerary was packed with sights all through the town. Lindsborg is home to around 3500 residents, but the number swells significantly during the school season, with the arrival of Bethany College students.

Re-purposed Restaurant

During the summer, you may find the numbers larger from an influx of tourists. When we arrived downtown, we found a car show set up on the main drag. We took a quick peek at a few, before heading into Blacksmith Coffee for breakfast. We love exploring spaces that have had a new breath of life brought to them. This building once served as one of the town’s blacksmith shops. To this day, you can still find signs of the previous use scattered around the space. With our coffee fix taken care of, it was time to move along. (Read more about Blacksmith Coffee here.)

Swedish Tradition

What would a visit to Little Sweden be without a stop at Hemlöjd? This cute shop has been a staple of Main Street since 1984. Once inside, we found it filled with colorful items that can be immediately associated with the Scandinavian culture. Their name means handicraft, which is appropriate when you see all of the interesting pieces. The ones that caught our eye were the Dala horses. It is a well-known Swedish souvenir, and we just couldn’t leave the store without picking one up for our home office. (Read more about Hemslöjd here.)

Take a Walk

Lindsborg is a perfect place for pedestrian visitors. The landscape is relatively flat, so it’s also popular with bicyclists. Our friends at the Visitors Bureau clued us in on the Välkommen Trail. (The word means welcome.) This 3.25-mile trail was developed from an abandoned railway path. It cuts right through the middle of town and has a collection of informational boards scattered along the way. It gave us a chance to learn more about the history and culture of the people of Little Sweden USA.

Milling Around

After a delightful stroll on the trail, we ended up near the southern end. From here, we could see our next stop, at the Old Mill Museum. Wherever we travel, we love immersing ourselves in the history of the destination. At the Old Mill Museum complex, we were able to see a broad spectrum of historical artifacts. The namesake mill is open to visitors but only runs for special events. There is also a historical museum, as well as a grouping of buildings across the street. This portion of the complex is called Heritage Square and includes the Swedish Pavilion built for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. So much to see here, that you will want to set aside plenty of time for exploring. (Read more about the Museum Complex here.)

Russian Connection

Another pleasant walk led us back into the downtown portion of Little Sweden USA. Since we were visiting in late July, we were ready to quench our thirsts, as well as our growing hunger. What better place than Ol Stuga, which translates to the alehouse. Stepping through the door, we were greeted by a gathering of locals. This bar and grill are not just known for their ice-cold drinks, they also serve up a historic dish. While we waited for our meals, I did a little exploring around the space. You can imagine my surprise when I found out that Mikhail Gorbachev had visited this place.(Read more about Ol’ Stuga here.)

A Little Retail Therapy

With our late lunch complete, we were ready to check out some more of the downtown shops. Little Sweden USA draws quite a few visitors from around the world. While we were there, we saw a busload of tourists wandering around the downtown. This has helped maintain a good variety of boutique-style shops in Lindsborg. We wandered through stores that offer apparel, handbags, toys, and home furnishings. We even dropped by a fair trade shop that features items made by artisans from around the world.

A Stitch in Time

Stepping through the door of The Ivory Thimble, we found an interesting mix of apparel and accessories. We also discovered that this is the shop of the lady who produces many of the costumes for the local theater productions. As we looked around, we saw hints of what was to come during our evening entertainment. We knew the name of the show, but really very little else. For now, we were getting clues of what it may involve.

An Evening Under the Stars

Dinnertime was drawing nigh, so we ran over to The Brickhouse Grill for one of their delectable pizza pies. The visitor’s bureau had arranged for us a wonderful “date night”, which included dinner and live performance. As we were leaving our dinner destination, we noticed a local grocer next door. Inside, we found some Swedish sweet treats to share later in the evening. Now it was time to head to the park. Lindsborg has an active theater troupe, which puts on a live performance each year. We joined our host, and her daughters, for an evening of frivolity. (Read more about our date night here.)

Coffee for the Road

Our evening’s show had kept us out late, but it was well worth it. The next morning, we packed up our car in preparation for more travel. Before we departed Little Sweden USA, there was still one more stop. Breakfast and coffee are imperative for a good start, so we stopped in The White Peacock. This coffee shop serves some interesting dishes for breakfast and lunch. I sampled their Swedish Pancakes, which include lingonberries. This tangy Swedish berry adds a layer of flavor to the crepe-like cakes.

Little Sweden USA

Our time in Lindsborg was short, but we packed it full of entertaining attractions. This central Kansas city is a great destination for Kansas explorers and is perfect for a weekend excursion. You will want to visit their tourism site for more places to check out. (Find it here.) You may also want to consider visiting one of their many annual events. You will find something for just about everybody in the culturally rich destination. Who knows, you might just come home with your own Dala horse. (You can read our Travel Kansas article about this trip here.)

Share with Kansas Explorers!

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We want to thank Visit Springfield and the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

The Lincoln Connection

If we are going to write an article about historic dining options in Springfield, Illinois, we have to include Wm. Van’s Coffee House. With a history that spans over 150 years ago, this former home has a direct link to Abraham Lincoln. These days, it has been moved to its new location and serves the locals and visitors who frequent this unique coffee house. (Read more about Wm. Vans here.)

Bringing a French Influence

We would love to write an article about every place we visit, but sometimes it just isn’t feasible. This is one of the reasons we produce these overview articles. It gives us a chance to show some other wonderful options that can be found in the cities we visit. A good example is Incredibly Delicious. This French bakery and cafe serve up some delightful baked goods and flavorful dishes. Everything was so tempting that we even had a slice of their sinful chocolate cake with our breakfast.

Historic Dining Options in Springfield, Illinois

When it comes to historic dining options in Springfield, Illinois, Maldaner’s Restaurant has been around for 135 years. With that many years under their belt, we knew the meals would be memorable. After all, this place has been serving Route 66 diners since the very beginning of the nation’s first highway. (Read about Maldaner’s here.)

Mother Road Eats

Speaking of Route 66 iconic eateries, let’s talk Cozy Dogs. This unique eat has quite a colorful, and debatable, history. There are a few stories of the origin of this cornmeal coated snack, and the one that surrounds Cozy Dog Drive-In is just as plausible as any. While we were raised calling them corn dogs, you won’t want to make that slip up when ordering at this Springfield classic.  (Check out Cozy Dog here.)

New Classics

With so many historic dining options in Springfield, some may begin to think there are no new options. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. This capital city has plenty of new tastes to sample, and we couldn’t wait to give some of them a try. Long Nine Junction was definitely a “must try”, as it has seen tons of positive press. It had piqued our interest and once we tasted some of their specialties, we couldn’t get enough.

Tacos with a Twist

What happens when a seasoned chef decides to strike out on his own? Everyone wins, as the city gets a new restaurant, serving up authentic Mexican street dishes. This is exactly what has happened at Tacology 101. A meal of street tacos, Queso and chips, and some yucca fries were more than enough for the two of us. It reminded us of dining in our hometown, which is filled with amazing Mexican food destinations.

Springfield Specialty

During our explorations of this fun Midwestern city, we kept getting asked about the “horseshoe”. It seemed like everyone “in the know” was familiar with the city’s signature dish. Obviously, there was no way we were going to miss sampling one. Our visit to Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery was the perfect opportunity. Once again, we found a dish that had a little mystery around its origin. It was interesting hearing the various stories, but it was the dish that was the real winner. It is definitely carbalicious.  (You can read more about horseshoes here.)

Sweet Treats

No visit to a new destination is complete without checking out the sweet treat scene. (At least in our opinion!)  While our schedule was jammed packed with tons of attractions, we did squeeze in a visit to Pease’s Candy. This long-running candy maker has been in business in Springfield since the 1930s. After teaming up with Bunn Gourmet, they now offer a wider range of specialty sweets. We found their shop to be over the top and was a perfect match for the exquisite treats.

Friendly Competition

Candy isn’t the only sweet snack found in Springfield, Illinois. As we explored the shops along 6th Street, (The original Route 66) we came to a pair of specialty popcorn shops. What we found was a story of old and new working to bring options to the people who visit the area. Del’s Popcorn has been an Illinois icon for generations and expanded to Springfield in 1980. Pittman’s Popcorn is a relative newcomer but has its own niche on the popcorn business. With over 70 unique flavors, it’s gaining ground on its iconic neighbor.

Hanging with the Locals

Our visit to this capital city proved to be a culinary success. We found an amazing number of historic dining options in Springfield, Illinois. What made the visits extra special was the opportunity to meet so many locals. A common theme that we find throughout our visits, is the kind and welcoming people. Be sure to engage with the people that you meet in new destinations. They can provide the best insight into places to visit and things to do. Besides, it’s a great way to make new friends.

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We want to thank Visit Kenosha and the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Dinosaur Discoveries

Kenosha is visitor-friendly, as it has a nice selection of museums that are FREE to the public. When you add in the low-cost streetcar, all ages will enjoy exploring the downtown region. We liked riding this refurbished transportation option, which runs on a two-mile loop that carried us right by many of these attractions. At one stop, we were delivered by the Dinosaur Discovery Center, which is small but filled with wonderful specimens. It certainly got me in the mood for seeing more prehistoric history.

Back to the Present

Following the streetcar route toward the lake brought us to the Kenosha Public Museum. This is another free stop and tells the story of this region before immigrants arrived. We picked up on the dinosaur story and proceeded to move forward in time. We discovered that mammoths once roamed this region, and were hunted by the natives who occupied the lands. The historical timeline kept pushing us forward until we arrived at the local trading post that would have been found around the area. (You can read more about these two museums here.)

Growing a City

As we do in many cities, we like to get the background early in our visit. A tour of the Kenosha History Center offered us a view of how the city developed. Getting a personalized tour by the executive director certainly helped us get a better grasp of some changes that have occurred over the years. Little did we know, but Kenosha was a major player in the automotive industry for decades. Armed with a better understanding of the city, our escape to Kenosha was rolling along. (You can learn more Kenosha history here.)

Lighting the Way

No matter how many times we see Lake Michigan, its size never fails to impress us. The use of lighthouses along the shoreline is an obvious choice, especially in a city that was a major port. A visit to the Southport Light Station Museum sheds light on the history of Kenosha Harbor. While the landscape has changed since the early days, there is still a lot of fascination surrounding this 150-year-old structure.  (You can read more here.)

Unheralded Heroes

Not all museums in Kenosha are limited to the history of Wisconsin territory. At the Civil War Museum, the focus is on a group of states in the Upper Midwest. Stretching from Iowa to Ohio, the participants from this area had mixed feelings about the war. Even with these reservations, an almost unending supply of supplies and soldiers would flow out of these states. (You can read more about the museum here.)

Historic Dining

“Visit Like a Local” is more than just a motto for us. Whenever we travel to new destinations, we like to seek out all kinds of businesses that support local life. Most of these are easier to identify because the patrons are all from the nearby region. This is especially true for our dining choices. Breakfast at The Coffee Pot was an easy decision and finding it was a breeze, thanks to the retro neon sign. Once inside, it was obvious that this is a local hangout. (You can see our breakfast here.)

Massive Meals

Another good indicator of local life is longevity. During our escape to Kenosha, we found that there are many restaurants that have been in business for years. Frank’s Diner has been serving up massive plates of comfort food for over 90 years. You don’t get that kind of reputation without doing something right. This diminutive diner is tight on space, but loose on serving sizes. You will want to bring your biggest appetite when visiting this Kenosha iconic landmark. (Read more about Frank’s here.)

Chew-Chew Train

We may not be traveling with children, but sometimes the two of us can be the biggest kids in the room. This was certainly the case when we stopped by Choo-Choo Charlie’s for lunch. Located right by one of the stops along the streetcar route, it was the perfect dining option after riding the rails. This train-themed restaurant offers up family-friendly meal choices that include some outrageous shakes. We picked the S’Mores galore, which provided plenty of sugar rush for our afternoon of discovery. To top it all off, our meal was delivered by model train.

Lakeside Dining

Every trip has to start with a first taste, and for us, it came at the Boat House Pub & Eatery. Located next to a marina, we could hear the gulls as we headed inside. We met up with our new friends, from Visit Kenosha, who were perfect hosts. With four meals to photograph, we were able to capture a nice cross-section of the menu, in our article on this local favorite. It also gave me my first walleye dish in quite some time. (You can see the other meals here.)

Getting Our Irish On

Crystal may have the Irish blood in our marriage, but I’m just as fond of the cuisine. After spending some time outdoors, on a blustery day, we were ready for some heartwarming comfort food. No need to worry about finding it at Ashling on the Lough, this place has a menu filled with plenty of good options. Toss in some Irish drinks, and an owner with a great Irish accent and this was turning into quite a celebration. (You can read more about it here.)

Historic Home-base

No stay is complete without the perfect lodging. Our escape to Kenosha gave us a chance to check out The Stella Hotel & Ballroom. This newly opened boutique lodging option is gushing with ambiance. Located in the heart of downtown, it is easy walking distance to just about everything. If your feet are tired, the streetcar line is just a block away. Our room was amazing, and the hotel also boasts a superb in-house restaurant. (You can see much more about The Stella here.)

Other Tastes of Kenosha

We are betting that some of you think we eat a lot when we travel. Well, you don’t realize just how much energy it takes to complete an action-packed itinerary like ours. This means that between meals, we will sometimes need a little boost, which was easy to find in downtown Kenosha. There are some cute specialty shops that serve up interesting, and delectable treats. Whether you are looking for a diminutive dessert pie, uniquely flavored popcorn or an unusual cone for ice cream, you can find it here. By the way, this is why we walk everywhere!

Saying So Long

By now, it should be obvious why we chose Kenosha as our first Wisconsin city. The place is packed full of fun for all ages. With so many cheap or free attractions, you can keep everyone satisfied without breaking the bank. That will leave you with plenty of cash for those special treats you find between meals. Speaking of meals, you won’t go hungry, since their Midwest hospitality shines through at mealtime. Isn’t it time for you to start planning your own escape to Kenosha, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan?

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We want to thank Visit Springfield and all of the Springfield businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own. 

Seeing Double

With a pair of capitol buildings, Springfield offers up a view of the old and new. The Old State Capitol has the distinction of being the place that Abraham Lincoln presented one of his most iconic speeches. “A house divided against itself cannot stand…” has been heard by millions and rings true even today. This speech was delivered by Lincoln during his campaign for U.S. Senate. While he will lose this race to Douglas, two short years later he will be elected President of the United States. In 1877, the Illinois legislature would move to its new home in the current State Capitol. Topped with a 405-foot dome, the building is quite a sight to see. You will certainly want to reserve some time to tour the inside and see the amazing details.

A Capitol View

We love finding cities that can be explored on foot. Springfield has a fairly level topography, so we knew that our journeys would be easy to navigate. With so many of the sights being in and around the downtown, we needed a home base that allowed easy access to this district. The State House Inn fit that bill perfectly and offered some amazing views of the current capitol building.

Getting It Wright

History buffs and Frank Lloyd Wright fans flock to Springfield to visit the Dana-Thomas House. Where most of Wright’s houses were built from the ground up, this one was actually a renovation. A rich socialite of Springfield met Wright in the early 1900s, and soon a plan was developed to transform the Italian mansion into a massive masterpiece. The house does have one special feature, as the owner wanted to preserve one room in remembrance of her parents. It was certainly a night & day kind of experience to suddenly happen upon a Victorian designed parlor in the midst of this beautiful home. (You can read more about the house here.)

Kidz Rule

While the Dana-Thomas House may be more appealing to adults, don’t fret that the children will be too bored. A stop at Kidzeum will certainly rev their motors. This children’s science center is designed to educate, while they play. The focus is on the human body, but there are also plenty of displays that focus on other aspects of life. Be aware that adults MUST be accompanied by a child to get in. This is one place that focuses heavily on making sure kids have an amazing visit. (You can read more about Kidzeum here.)

Connecting the Pieces

In almost every city or town we visit, we will root out the local museums. These spots give us access to better understand the history galore of the region. In capital cities, like Springfield, we will usually find the state museums. Places like the Illinois State Museum expand the focus to cover the entire state. From the earliest prehistoric times, right up to today, there are exhibits that show how Illinois came to be. This all-ages attraction is a great place to visit after touring the State Capitol next door. (You can read more about the museum here.)

Land of Lincoln

Now that we had a good grasp on the general history, it was time to do a deeper dive into one of Springfield’s most well-known citizens. Abraham Lincoln may not have been born in Springfield, but it is where he owned the only home he purchased. A visit to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site gave us a chance to tour the family residence. There are other historic homes that can be explored, throughout the neighborhood. (You can see more about the Lincoln home here.)

Difficult Decisions

Now that we had learned a little about the home life of the 16th President, it was time to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. This museum was built about 140 years after Lincoln’s death, but perhaps it took that long to truly capture the story of this man. As we made our way through the exhibits, we tried to put ourselves in his shoes. The hardships that he faced, and the decisions he was forced to make wore heavily on him. We have had the opportunity to visit many presidential museums, and this one is certainly one of the best. (You can see why here.)

A Nation Mourns

Our exploration of the Land of Lincoln would not have been complete without a stop to pay our respects at Lincoln’s Tomb. From his humble beginnings, he rose to greatness and led our country through one of the most tumultuous times in its history. Even after his death, there were devious acts that prevented his body from resting at peace. Springfield was providing us history galore in almost every corner of the city.  (You can learn more about that here.)

Evening Entertainment

While Lincoln and his family finally are able to rest, the stories of their days in Springfield still resonate with locals and visitors alike. We joined Springfield Walks for a ghostly tour of downtown Springfield. Our animated host led us through the paths that would have been used regularly by Abraham Lincoln. As he told us stories, of days long gone, we held on to every word. This tour is a great family activity, as it offers an interesting look at Springfield after dark. (You can read more here.)

Retail Therapy

Even though we pack our itineraries full of attractions and dining choices, we always leave a little time to explore other local businesses. Peppered throughout the downtown, we found a collection of cute boutique shops. As time allowed, we would pop into some to check out the merchandise. Downtown Springfield has a good number of art shops, that offer an eclectic mix of styles. We love the bright colors that these bring into our days, and they certainly caught our attention as we explored the region.

Couple Goals

When traveling, our late evenings are usually reserved for catching up on social media or prepping for the next day. There are occasions that we find some free time to do a little extra exploring. Since we were walking everywhere, we had an opportunity to check out some adult entertainment options, like Floyd’s Thirst Parlor. This downtown venue does double duty as a bar and an arcade. After grabbing a hard cider, we headed upstairs to check out some games. We spent quite a bit of time playing Skeeball, air hockey, and a couple of rounds of darts. Afterward, it was a short leisurely walk back to our hotel.

History Galore in downtown Springfield

While we only had three days to explore Springfield, Illinois, we were able to make the most of it by finding so much nearby. Whether you are a Lincoln fan, a Route 66 cruiser or a Civil war buff, you will find history galore in this Midwestern Capitol city. Even if you are bringing a family filled with adults and kids, there are plenty of options for everyone to have a great visit. Like many of the other cities we have explored, Springfield shows just how much can be found in the central part of our country.

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Keeping Our Rhythm

We were hitting our stride for visiting pancake restaurants. This morning, we dropped by Log Cabin Pancake House for our morning flapjack fix. If a restaurant has cabin and house both in its name does it make it extra special? Well this place certainly had some unique topping combinations. Crystal was sticking with her berry heavy choices, but I still wanted to test the waters. A plate of Caribbean Pancakes was certainly out of the ordinary. The pancakes had slices of bananas cooked into the batter, and then topped with more of them. It was also sprinkled with coconut, powdered sugar, and chopped pecans. These were certainly the most unusual variety of hot cakes I sampled.

Selfie Stops

With breakfast done, it was time to head out of town. Today’s schedule had lots of car time, but we left space for stops, as often as wanted. Passing through the park, on our Smoky Mountain Road Trip, we were enjoying the rushing water from the recent rains. It seemed like every curve we rounded offered another good selfie opportunity. After a while, we decided to get back to the main purpose of today’s drive.

Above the Clouds

With the sun threatening to make an occasional appearance, we headed off to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway. This Appalachian roadway leads travelers along a path from Cherokee, North Carolina to Afton, Virginia. The 469 miles of scenic wonders were too much for our schedule, so we chose the section that leads up to Asheville, North Carolina.  Our path led us through multiple tunnels and past amazing overlooks. The 80+ miles of our route took us around 3 hours with stops. We limited our stops this direction, since we had decided to come back the same way.

Duck, Duck, Beef

With hunger setting in, we pulled in to Asheville to scope out a lunch stop. We saw plenty of familiar names of places on our itinerary, since many restaurants are regional chains. Our final destination brought us to Biltmore Avenue, where we tested out the dishes at White Duck Taco Shop. This place offers some interesting flavor combinations and is clearly a local favorite. (You can read about Blue Ridge and Asheville here.)

Scaling Heights

Our return trip saw the sun beginning to escape from the clouds. With the return of the light, we decided it was the perfect chance to scale Clingmans Dome. We had passed the turn-off earlier in the week, but the rain prevented a visit. This time we found that many visitors had the same idea as we had. We joined the line of hikers making their way up to the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains. Soon we were looking out over the beautiful blue mountains. (You can read more about Clingmans here.)

Da’ Bears

Even though the climb was a challenge, we couldn’t imagine anything that would top it. As we made our way down the mountainside, we came to a small pull=off parking lot, that is near a trail head. Earlier in our trip we had spotted a black bear running across the road ahead of us. It was thrilling and really excited Crystal. If you were following our Instastory, you probably saw her video clips during our Smoky Mountain Road Trip. You can see the clips in our Smoky Mtn. highlight reel on our Instagram profile page. (Connect to our Instagram account here.)

Say What?

As we sat there watching the mother and two cubs interacting, we were amazed to see them grazing on the native grasses. While we knew that they were omnivorous, it was a surprise to see how much grass they consumed. Soon a larger crowd appeared, and we witnessed the reason there are so many warning signs posted around the park. While we sat in our car and watched, others were getting out of their vehicles for closer views. It was a surprise that the mother didn’t get upset, as some people approached within less than thirty feet. It wasn’t long before the bears disappeared into the nearby woods.

Testing Our Skills

Back in town, we dropped our car at our lodging, before heading to dinner. We picked a fairly nondescript Italian restaurant along the strip. With the new influx of visitors for conventions, we noticed most of the restaurants were doing good business. After a meal filled with discussing the bears, we were ready to go explore some more of the strip. Just a short walk from our dinner location, we happened upon the Guinness World Records Adventure. This place was a cross between a museum and an arcade. It had tons of informational areas that taught us the background on some amazing feats that have been performed by average people. Mixed in, there are exhibits designed to allow visitors to attempt to set their own world record. While we may not have broken any standing records, we did get a chance to top our personal bests. (You can read more about our World Record attempt here.)

And Now For Something Different

Our last full day in Gatlinburg dawned with an air of anticipation. While we had enjoyed so many great activities during our Smoky Mountain Road Trip, our time was drawing to an end. The schedule for our day included spending the majority of it in the national park. A hearty breakfast was needed to fuel our activity. Crockett’s 1875 Breakfast Camp was highly rated by many of our readers who have visited this area. While the plan was to vary from our pancake tour, we ended up having Crockett’s version of a flapjack. (Check out the meal we had at Crockett’s.)

Falling For You

Now that our hungers had been satisfied, it was time to get ready for a day of adventure. We stopped by a local deli to pick up the makings of a good lunch, which we packed in our cooler. On this pass into the park, we tried to soak in all of the nature. We found a small waterfall behind the Sugarland Visitor’s Center, but knew we could do much better. Our path for the day had us heading toward Cades Cove, which is one of the most popular sections of the park. We didn’t have time to do much hiking prior to this day, so when we arrived at the trailhead for Laurel Falls, we made sure to stop. The hike is along a paved path, so we saw all ages enjoying this view.

Horsing Around

Once we arrived at our destination, our first stop was the Cades Cove Riding Stables. Crystal and I had an opportunity to go riding in the Rocky Mountains, so we were looking forward to this experience. The previous experience had us in a string of horses passing through the hills. This time our group was limited to just the two of us and our tour guide. What an amazing opportunity to get to spend some one-on-one time learning about life in this part of the country.

Big Wheel Keep On Turning

After our ride, we ate our lunch in the picnic area nearby. Just being in nature was extremely enjoyable and relaxing. Once we finished our meal, we started the auto route that follows the one-way road around Cades Cove. Along the way, there are some pull-offs and stopping points to explore. An old homestead with working grist mill was certainly one of the highlights. (Read more about Cades Cove here.)

A Day in the Life

With our day waning, we wanted to squeeze out every minute of our time on this Smoky Mountain Road Trip. Back in town, we decided to enjoy more of the the day without rain. A stop at  Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf was another chance to challenge our skills. While Crystal was in the lead so far, I was holding out hope of catching her. At this attraction you can spin a wheel to determine what odd manner you will need to putt from. As we played along, we saw lots of familiar cartoon characters.

Dining Nawlin’s Style

We felt like we had tested most of the mountain cuisines, so this final Gatlinburg dinner needed to be something out of the normal. Tucked away in a shopping alcove near our lodging, we found New Orleans Sandwich Company. Earlier in the summer, we had traveled to NOLA, so a chance to gobble down some gumbo sounded appealing. Boy, were we surprised at how good the food was at this place. By the end of our meal, we felt like we had just dined in the French Quarter.

Elevated Play

With the sun getting close to setting, we had time for one more round of miniature golf. Hillbilly Golf  was recommended by a close friend, so we were sure that we would enjoy it. We started our round by riding an incline train up a mountainside. Once up top, you play the course working your way down the hill. It reminded us a lot of being in the Ozark Mountains, which is one of our favorite regions to visit. This round I won, so in the end I decided to call it even. Since we don’t keep scorecards, it’s mostly just a gut feeling of who played each course the best. In the end, we just enjoy spending time together.

Our Final Flapjacks

In the morning, we packed our car to head west. We said our goodbyes to Gatlinburg, and made one last pancake breakfast stop, before leaving the area. This time, we went all out with our hot cakes of goodness. Smoky’s Pancake Cabin has a menu filled with some interesting flavor combinations, like the Blueberry-Lemon version that I had. Now that we were all pumped up with sugar, it was time to head to Knoxville.

Gateway to the Appalachians

It’s only about an hour from Gatlinburg to Knoxville, so we were pulling in just as the day was getting going. Knoxville sits just west of the Appalachians and we watched the mountains shrinking in our rear view mirror. This is the 3rd largest city in Tennessee, but it is easy to navigate. Since we were only in town for 24 hours, we focused our visit in the Market Square district. From this location, we could easily walk to all of the sites we would be touring. We found this World’s Fair city to be filled with some unique historical attractions, delectable dining options, and interesting outdoor art. (Check out our Knoxville adventure here.)

Making Memories

With our Smoky Mountain Road Trip winding down, we were relishing in our memories of pancakes, mountains, and bears. In just about a week, we had so many unbelievable moments to remember. Trips like this can be exhilarating, but require a good level of planning. We hope that by showing you the places we visited, and including plenty of photos, it might make your planning a little easier. Check out some of articles and let us know what you think. Do you see something we could add to our coverage to make it more helpful? Toss us a note in the comments section below and we will see what we can do. In the meantime, travel safely!

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We want to thank Main Street Parkville for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

The Early Days

Parkville had a simple enough start, as a steamboat landing site. In 1838, a land speculator named Col. George S. Park relocated to the area and built his home on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. He had plotted out the town of Parkville and by 1850 it was a thriving community. At that time, the town had a beautiful stone hotel, which was constructed near the river landing. This frontier facing river port thrived from the movement of hemp and other products. Steamboats, like the Arabia, moved goods from town to town, and served as transport on the “water highway”. You can see some of the goods that were common for the era at the Arabia Steamboat Museum. (Learn more about the Arabia Museum here.) For a period, Parkville was growing faster than neighboring Kansas City, to the south. From the earliest mention of the area, by a French trader, until the days leading up to the Civil War, Parkville seemed to be a city on its way up. This boom of growth would be curtailed by violence associated with the “war between the states”.

History

In 1853, Col. Park established one of the earliest newspapers in Platte County. The Industrial Luminary was produced with an abolitionist spin, which angered many of the pro-slavery folks in the region. In the Spring of 1855, a proslavery mob raided the newspaper office and threw the printing press in the river.  During the war, violence was commonplace in the region, as attested by the phrase “border war” used in this area. In July of 1864, Confederate guerrillas, including Frank and Jesse James, invaded and occupied Parkville for two days. The end of the war did not curtail the political bitterness in Parkville, which had stopped commercial growth. The city of Parkville would remain a quaint river town on the banks of the Missouri River.

Activities

These days, you can make your own history in this downtown district. When we made our itinerary for an overnight stay, we looked for some interesting activities to enjoy. It wasn’t difficult to more than fill our couples escape in Parkville, Missouri. Budding or inspiring artists will find opportunities to hone their skills at one of the galleries. If you are looking for some time outside, perhaps a round of mini-golf or a stroll through the Farmers Market is more to your liking. Those needing some extra relaxation may want to drop by the yoga studio for a session. With so many activities, you may have to stay a couple extra days. (You can see more activities here.)

Dining

Everyone has to eat to survive, so why not enjoy your meals? Main Street Parkville has a few eateries to choose from. On the west side of the street we sampled dishes from three different restaurants. Each one offers unique atmosphere and experience. You can test the cuisine choices that run the gamut from pub food to fine French dining. So, you may ask yourself what falls between those two points? Well that would be a long established Italian eatery that’s popular with visitors and locals alike. (You can find the individual dining articles here.)

Adult Beverages

Of course, the east side of the street has some dining options, as well. The local pizzeria is a good place to enjoy an adult beverage with your meal. A popular spot for people watching would be the local coffee shop, Parkville Coffee.  With plenty of hot or cold drinks being served up, the delicious smell of coffee can be intoxicating. If it’s breakfast time, why not grab a sandwich or pastry to accompany your beverage of choice. Finding good food and drink makes a couple escape to Parkville, Missouri memorable.

Shopping

We would be remiss, if we failed to point out the delightful shopping opportunities in downtown Parkville. Whether you are looking for some new duds or accessories, you have some nice options. It’s a great destination for hunting that special something for a friend’s birthday. While you are there, you might as well pick up a little something for yourself, as well. Satisfy your sweet tooth, tune up your guitar game or just stroll the sidewalk, while window shopping. (You can read more about the shops here.)

Friendly Faces

One common theme that seems to repeat itself every place we visited was the friendly welcome we received. Whether it was the owners of the local B&B (You can read more about this lodging option here.), the staff at the coffee shop or just some people enjoying a glass at the local wine shop. That Midwest warmth permeates the area and is contagious. It will help you feel like a local during your own couples escape to Parkville, Missouri.

Plan Your Couples Escape in Parkville, Missouri

You can see why we love our visits to Parkville. Over the years, we have watched our metropolitan area change, yet this quaint river town has maintained it charm. Places like this offer visitors a chance to get away from their daily duties and just relax. This is one of the main reasons this area is so popular with couples and families alike. Isn’t it about time for you to plan your own couples escape to Parkville, Missouri? We know that they will welcome you like an old friend.

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Hitting the Road

While some would opt to fly to Gatlinburg, from Kansas City, we choose to drive whenever feasible. Knowing that we would be on the road for around 11 hours total, we decided to break up our drive into manageable pieces. Heading out after work on a Friday, we logged the first leg of the trip and spent the night in Illinois. Cruising a northern route, allowed us to pass through southern Indiana and into Kentucky. The sunshine had our spirits high, as we stopped to pick up some research material for potential future destinations. After many scenic stops, and a slow progression through Pigeon Forge, we finally arrived in Gatlinburg by Saturday evening.

First of Many

The next morning we woke to find that the rains had arrived, as well. Our lodging was just a block off of the main strip, so we had tons of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment. From our research, we had noticed an amazingly high number of pancake restaurants. It was decided that it would be fun to see how many we could sample, so our first breakfast was at Pancake Pantry. Since the early 1960’s, this flapjack house has been serving up stacks to customers from near and far. This was a great start to our Pancake Tour of Gatlinburg. (You can see more of our pancake stops here.)

Local Shops

The rain was fairly light, and we were well prepared for it. After spending so much time in the car, we wanted to stretch our legs for a bit. We decided to explore some of the strip. Window shopping is fun for a while, but fortunately many of the shops open up on Sundays. We popped in a few and explored their inventories. Most of the people we met were in a positive mood, even with the weather. We were settling into a relaxed state, and knew it was time to get going on our itinerary.

Rainy Days and Fun Days

Midday was approaching, so it was time to head to lunch. Even though the rain had increased in intensity, we were still impressed with the beauty of the region. Having the Great Smoky Mountains as a backdrop seemed to make Gatlinburg magical. As we made our way toward lunch, we watched some birds in Le Conte Creek.

Brightening Our Day

When life serves up a gray day, we have found that visiting a colorful restaurant will brighten our mood. No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina is a local chain with three locations. A survey of people on some East Tennessee Facebook groups identified this as a good option. Wanting to mix up our cuisine choices, we picked this one to be our Mexican food destination. Since this day was completely dedicated to pedestrian activities, we decided to enjoy a couple of adult beverages. In the end, this place ended up being a great choice for affordable food and drinks, and bonus points for being located within walking distance. (Read more about Jose’s here.)

Rainy Day turned Fun Day

Since we were already open to suggestions from our connections, our next choice was an easy one. Just across the street from lunch is the Ripley’s Aquarium. This looked like a great place to spend some quality time and get out of the rain. While there is plenty of moisture on the inside, it’s reserved for the specimens on display. We enjoyed exploring all of the exhibits and touch tanks. There were even a couple of surprises awaiting us. (You can read more about the aquarium here.)

More to Explore

We spent quite a while in the aquarium, and by the time we left the rain had subsided. Strolling down the strip, we happened upon a quiet alcove filled with shops. Avoiding puddles, we kept our umbrella handy just in case. Downtown Gatlinburg is very family friendly, and filled with plenty to explore. It seemed like we kept finding these little sets of shops tucked away from view, so be sure to investigate fully.

Get Mellow

By dinnertime, the showers had started again. While they weren’t hard enough to drive everyone inside, they were still a nuisance. Now seemed like a good time to head back indoors and grab some dinner. Mellow Mushroom caught our eye with their groovy color scheme. Inside, we clambered up the stairs that led to their second story location. Here, we had another chance to dabble in some adult beverages. I had just finished sampling some of the local moonshine, so we passed on this opportunity. We ended up discovering some really good pizza at a restaurant chain that we will be able to visit during other road trips (You can read more about Mellow Mushroom here.)

Startling Discovery

Once again, the rain had subsided, but the skies were threatening to open back up at any time. We decided to look for a little indoor entertainment, as we strolled down the strip. About a block away, we happened upon Circus Golf. This multi-attraction site looked promising for a silly time. Inside, we found that the mini-golf course is illuminated with black light, which made for some colorful fun. After playing a round, we decided to add a try at their Shoot’em Up Cinema. This attraction had us mounting up to try our skills at a modern day shooting gallery. While Crystal may get the upper hand at miniature golf, I have a dead-eye aim when it comes to shooting games. Score one point for each of us.

Rinse and Repeat

While the rain may have had us dodging in and out of shops, it made for great sleeping weather. We rose the next day to gray skies, but the rain seemed to be holding off. Breakfast meant another round of hot cakes, this time at Atrium Pancakes. It quickly became apparent that we would run out of mornings, before we ran out of pancake options.

Our First Smoky Excursion

The forecast still called for showers, so our jumbled itinerary had a day that would be perfect for intermittent rain. With a window of two or three hours before the rain, we decided to enjoy our first cruise into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. After a quick stop at the welcome center, we made our way toward Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the way, we enjoyed the amazing views that come with a Smoky Mountain Road Trip.

Just Dropping In

The average time to pass through the park is estimated at around one hour, but we were in no hurry. The plan was to see some of the sights that were along the way. If you follow our Instagram account, you probably saw Crystal’s excitement when we spotted our first black bear. (You can follow out our Instagram account here.) Once we made it into Cherokee, we decided to stop for lunch. We weren’t sure how long our museum visit would take, but we didn’t want hunger to interfere. We found this family owned deli just a few blocks from our destination. Front Porch Cakery & Deli offers some interesting twists on many standard dishes. It was definitely a good find.

Getting to the Roots

Ever since we began planning this trip, a visit to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian had been high on our list. While I am unsure of any Native Indian in my bloodline, Crystal’s is a little easier to identify. Her family bloodline has a significant amount of Cherokee, so this stop was especially poignant. As we explored the museum, we found ourselves walking through the history of this proud people. Even through all of their trials, they have survived. It was an honor to have the opportunity to visit this museum. (You can read more about this museum here.)

Smoky Mountain Road Trip Discoveries

After our tour of the museum, we spent a little time exploring some of the shops in Cherokee. The road back to Gatlinburg gave us another look at the national park. Cruising through the winding roads, we noticed the numerous creeks that run within view of the road. Many of these were swollen from the recent rains, which made them all the more beautiful. We stopped at a couple points that offered easy access to the water’s edge. There are certainly tons of selfie spots dotted all through the park.

Run Forrest

Back in town, it was time to pick a dinner spot. Since this trip wasn’t quite like our other destinations, we were allowing ourselves to pick our dining spots on the fly. Our trip was designed to have us in Gatlinburg during weekdays in the middle of September. We assumed this would be less busy, since schools had started back up. When we arrived back in Gatlinburg, on this Monday evening, we noticed a slew of tour buses delivering crowds at the nearby hotels and lodges. It looks like we weren’t going to have the city to ourselves. Spotting a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, we realized that we had only dined at the one in New Orleans. It seemed like a good time to test this place out again.

You’re Unbelievable

To avoid the swelling crowd, we had dined earlier than normal. This left us plenty of time for some evening exploring. The Gatlinburg Strip stays busy until around 9:30, when the crowds begin thinning. We had seen the unusual structure for Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and decided to stop by for a visit. Inside we found lots of oddities and interesting factoids. This place has quite a few interactive exhibits, so we found ourselves acting like a couple of kids. (You can see some of the exhibits in this Ripley’s article.)

Putting Around

After our Ripley’s visit, we headed back out onto the strip for some more exploration. We passed by another moonshine outlet, where inside we saw plenty of people bellying up to the bar for their free samples. The shops were filled with souvenir shoppers looking for mementos to remember their own Smoky Mountain Road Trip. For us, we were just soaking in the rainy days and fun days that we were experiencing in this mountain town. We dropped into another one of the indoor mini-golf attractions that dot the strip, and played a quick round. By now, we weren’t worrying about keeping score, but just enjoying our time together. With a third of our trip concluded, it was time to get rest up for more adventure.

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Starting the Day NOLA Style

New Orleans is certainly a place for foodies to get their fill of a multitude of cuisines. Many of the meals that we have enjoyed were certainly calorie heavy, but we knew that walking would be our mode of transportation. This certainly made a sugary breakfast treat a little easier to digest. It wouldn’t be a true Crescent City experience without at least one stop at Cafe Du Monde. Sharing an order of beignets and chicory coffee really makes us feel like locals. While there are a variety of restaurants that offer this southern treat, why not visit the original. (Read more about Cafe Du Monde here.) Some days of exploring require more of a protein based start. Our first day of walking uncovered a quaint little eatery in the heart of the French Quarter. Cafe Envie not only offered up a hearty breakfast, but later we dropped by for a true southern dessert.

The Flavors of New Orleans

The spirit of New Orleans can be found in their passion for food. With a wide range of influences, a person can eat a new cuisine style each meal for days. We decided early on that we would not try to capture every meal during our visit. Sometimes we just want to savor the meal and the moment. A dinner at GW Fins fulfilled our seafood desires, while lunch at Johnny Po’Boys made us feel like locals. Spending an evening enjoying the live music and southern dishes at House of Blues was certainly a highlight of our trip. One stop that had to be recorded was a late lunch visit to Gumbo Shop. Here we shared a large platter of Creole staples that just screamed New Orleans.

Back to the Beginning

Our visit to NOLA happened to land on the city’s 300th birthday. This is an accomplishment that is uncommon in the Central U.S. To commemorate the experience, we decided to gain a better understanding of the history of The Big Easy. We started with a stop at The Cabildo, which tells the story of the earliest days of the city. One of the largest parts of the exhibits feature aspects of the War of 1812. It was interesting learning how such a diverse group of people came together to defend their home. Since we were already at Jackson Square, it was only a little walk to the 1850’s House. I felt that it was only fair that all of the time I had spent learning about the war should be equaled with time for Crystal to study the personal stories of the early residents. While I wandered the house taking photos, she immersed herself into the details of life during the “Golden Age” of the Victorian Era.

It’s So Tiny!

There are people who have a bucket list to visit every national park in the United States. While many picture Yellowstone or one of the other 58, there are also a large number of other sites. Actually, we discovered there are 419 national park sites, when you include U.S. territories. That seems like a rather large number to tackle, so we have learned to just enjoy the ones we happen upon. In the spirit of New Orleans, even their national park site is a little on the unusual side. The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is a great spot to make a quick visit. This pocket park sits inside the French Quarter and offers visitors a look at the culture and nature of the region.

The Spirit of New Orleans

Now that we had a firm grasp on the early days, it was time to move on to more current events. Our first visit to NOLA took place the year before Hurricane Katrina. The time had been spent just getting a feel for the city. With so much to see and do, it was hard to focus on any specific subject. Our return visit meant that we were already familiar with the distractions that sideline a plan, so we knew what to expect. Like many of you, we had watched with horror as the city was engulfed by the floodwaters brought on by the hurricane. A stop at The Presbytere gave us a closer look at this horrific event. This New Orleans museum complex is actually divided into two different experiences. While the first floor had focused on Katrina, the second floor was associated with one of the most well known celebrations in America. The spirit of New Orleans shines brightly during Mardi Gras. Revelers descend upon the Crescent City for a chance to join the crowd in celebrating. At The Presbytere, visitors can learn about the history and pageantry of this unique annual event.

Getting Around

Flying into NOLA is fairly simple and there are plenty of options to get to your lodging selection. We took a taxi, which makes for about a 30 minute ride. Once we checked in, it was all about being a pedestrian. Our lodging was just a couple of blocks from the French Quarter, so everything there was within walking distance. There were a couple of times that we chose to ride the streetcars. One trip into the Quarter was made during a torrential downpour. The choice to ride the rails was more out of not wanting to be drenched. In the end, we still got soaked, as we had to walk a ways to our final destination from the platform. The second time involved a last minute decision to explore the Magazine Street District. Filled with shops and restaurants, this area holds the homes of some local and national celebrities. Once we stepped off the streetcar, we spent a couple of hours just taking in the sights.

Exploring the French Quarter

When you hear the name French Quarter what comes to mind? Many may picture wild crowds of bead seeking party goers. Others will have visions of the brick-lined streets that once held pirates and scalawags. No matter how you envision the Crown Jewel of New Orleans, this oldest section of the city is that and much more. Close to the river is the oldest part of the city and home to the French Market. A wide range of goods can be found inside this open air extravaganza. While shopping, visitors can grab a drink and bite to eat from a variety of vendors. As you make your way throughout the Quarter, streets filled with shops, eateries, candy makers, and live music clubs will be found. This section of The Big Easy seems to be alive with a heartbeat that grows stronger as the sun sets. That doesn’t mean there is a lack of things to do during the day. With an assortment of activities available, you are sure to find something to fit your mood.

Jackson Square

You can’t say you have truly experienced the French Quarter without visiting Jackson Square. This national historic landmark is home to the signing of the Louisiana Purchase. This square block is filled with sensory teasing temptations. With the St. Louis Cathedral as a backdrop, local artists assemble in droves to showcase their particular talents. The cathedral is flanked on both sides by the twin museums, Cabildo and Presbytere. This means a historical education of New Orleans is close at hand. As we meandered around the square, we saw paintings, sculptures and various mixed media artwork for sale by local artisans. An assortment of musicians serenaded the crowds with jazz, ragtime, and other sweet sounds. While Bourbon Street is the place to be after dark, the spirit of New Orleans shines brightest in Jackson Square during the day.

Remembrance

New Orleans is filled with so many attractions, that it would require weeks to see them all. With a limited amount of time, we had to be selective about our choices. Being from Kansas City, the home of the National World War I Museum, we knew that a visit to its sister site was a given. Located a few blocks outside of the French Quarter, the National World War II Museum is a massive undertaking. Attempting to cover a war that was fought on so many fronts requires multiple galleries. We set aside half a day for this visit, which ended up being barely enough time to see all of the displays. It would take a full day, at the least, to truly immerse yourself in all of the exhibits. We also noticed that they were in the process of adding additional space, so a return visit will certainly be needed.

We Will Be Back

As we pointed out at the beginning of this article, there are good and bad things about travel blogging. All trips must eventually come to an end, and we find ourselves torn from our explorations to return home. Even though we have usually worn ourselves out by scurrying all around the city we are visiting, there is still a desire to see one more sight. With our bags packed, it’s time to begin our return trip. Whether we are traveling by car or air, we will spend some of our time reminiscing about the experiences we just had. This helps cement the memories and often each of us will hear something new. It still amazes us that each person has a different perspective of the same experience. How many of you have found the same to be true when discussing a site you have visited?

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We want to thank the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Picking 4 Fun Stops

For us, the day is best when it starts with some coffee. To be honest, we knew our trip was a little later in our morning, so we had a cup before heading out. Once on the road, we anxiously awaited a chance to sample the goods at a local haunt. It would also offer us a chance to see more of Kansas’ “first city”. With only a handful of hours for our visit, we narrowed down our itinerary to include 4 fun stops in Leavenworth, Kansas. On to number one.

#1) Harbor Lights Coffeehouse

Harbor Lights Coffeehouse is a staple of downtown Leavenworth and was our first stop of the day. We filled our bellies with some of the trademark breakfast sandwiches, as well as a homemade scone. As we dined, we noticed that most of the customers appeared to be locals, so we knew we were in good company. The relaxed atmosphere was apparent, and this place seems very family-friendly. Have you ever realized that although you have visited an area many times, you just haven’t really explored it? That is the case for us and Leavenworth. The city is so close to our home town, yet we somehow have failed to recognize its historical significance.

Frontier Army Museum

We have made multiple visits to the Army base for our kids’ sporting events, yet never really looked to see what else there was to do. This day trip gave us a chance to rectify that, and a visit to the Frontier Army Museum would certainly be one of our 4 fun stops in Leavenworth. This often-overlooked FREE museum is filled with frontier artifacts. Their Lewis & Clark exhibit is educational and they even include some of the other notable explorers to the region. You will want to check out our article, before planning your visit. We give a little advice on making a smooth entry onto the base. (You can read more about the museum here.)

Winter Weather

Like many Midwestern cities, Leavenworth sits beside a river. This affords the residents and visitors some picturesque scenes, especially in winter. During our visit to the downtown area, we wandered over to the Leavenworth Landing Park. This area is where the Port of Leavenworth sat during the mid-1800s. These days it includes a nice walking path that overlooks the Missouri River. We watched as the ice flows drifted by on the current. It was cold, but somehow very peaceful.

Pullman Place

Just a couple of blocks from the park was our lunch destination. Pullman Place is a local diner that has embraced the importance of the railroad by incorporating it into the decor. We picked this place because it looked like a promising spot to get a good meal, in a casual setting. Our choice was spot-on, as the restaurant serves up plentiful dishes of comfort food. Pullman Place is a local favorite and we quickly discovered why.

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

Now that our hunger had subsided, it was time to visit our final destination on our tour of 4 fun stops in Leavenworth. The C. W. Parker Carousel Museum may sound like a great place to take kids, because it is. That is why we decided to visit. After all, aren’t we all kids in some way or another? What better way to bring out the childhood wonder and imagination than with a ride on a carousel. There is something magical about the bright colors, upbeat melodies, and animated characters that help whisk us back to our childhoods. Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time at this stop, as it can be quite engrossing.

Make Your Plans for Leavenworth

As you can see, finding 4 fun stops in Leavenworth, Kansas was very easy. We only scratched the surface of Kansas’ “first city” during this visit. You can find more fascinating finds by visiting the Leavenworth Visitors Bureau website. We are confident that this destination will make for an enjoyable day trip, and that you will leave with memories that will last for years. Our hopes are that these types of articles will spark your explorer spirit and you will strike out on your own adventures. Perhaps you have already uncovered some hidden gems and would like us to showcase them on our blog. Drop us a comment or an email and we will try to check it out. In the meantime, Travel Safely!

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We want to thank the businesses of Knoxville for their hospitality. Rest assured all the opinions are our own. 

Starting at the Beginning

We planned our visit to be a mix of history and current culture. This would give us a real feel for the city of Knoxville. With only 24 hours to explore, we needed to make the most of every minute. Our first destination, after arriving in town, was a stop at James White’s Fort. This is the birthplace of Knoxville, so where better to get a history lesson on the earliest days. During our visit, we were able to engage with staff, who are happy to give visitors an in-depth storyline of the early days of this region. (You can read more about the Fort here.)

Our Introduction to Knoxville Eats

Before making our journey to Knoxville, we made connections with some of the foodie groups in the city. After just a few days of communication, we knew that this Appalachian city had a plethora of delicious dining establishments. The true challenge would be selecting a sampling that fit into the spaces we would be visiting. Since our lodging was in downtown Knoxville, it made sense to focus on the Market Square area. We were only a few hours into our 24 hour visit, when we popped in Tupelo Honey for a scrumptious lunch. This was a good way to introduce ourselves to southern style hospitality. (You can read more about Tupelo here.)

Keeping Our Eyes Open To History

Back out in the daylight, we took a few minutes to look around the immediate area. Market Square started in the mid-1800’s and has been a gathering place for many generations. It began as an actual market area, where merchants would sell their goods to the rich and poor alike. It has been described as “the most democratic place on earth”, since people from all walks of life would mingle for an opportunity to buy from local vendors. Like many urban areas, it saw a period of decline. Those days are now in its past, as Market Square is once again a bustling center for retail and dining venues.

Urban Art

On our walk to Market Square, we passed a small “pocket” park. Situated just across the street, we decided to take a few minutes to check it out. It is named the Charles Krutch Park, after a regional painter known for his pictures of the Smoky Mountains. As we strolled the paved paths of the park, we found a nice collection of outdoor art pieces. The park is also home to some serene water features, which are serviced by plenty of benches. If we had more than 24 hours in downtown Knoxville, we would have loved to soak up some more of the relaxed vibes in this area.

24 Hours to Eat Sweet Treats

Okay, time to be honest. Travel gives us a reason to sample lots of eats that we would usually skip during our “good days” at home. Sure, we know there will be plenty of excessive calories, but we try to combat them by focusing our visits on areas that allow us to do lots of walking. During our 24 hours in downtown Knoxville, we calculated that we walked about seven miles in all. In our minds, this was plenty of activity to justify a sweet treat or two. A warm September day is perfect for a cool cone at Cruze Farm dairy. This local ice cream shop offers up some delectable soft serve options, that we couldn’t get enough of during our stay. (You can read more about Cruze here.)

Heading Back to School

Our next historic stop took us to the campus of the University of Tennessee. For this visit, we did jump in our car, since we also wanted to do a quick driving tour of the region. Once on campus, we felt like kids again, since everyone was preparing for a pep rally to cheer on the local football team. Our focus forced us to come back to the reason for our visit, and we headed into the McClung Museum of Natural History. This FREE attraction is the perfect way to learn more about the people who have inhabited the region that is now known as Knoxville. It even has some cool exhibits on the local dinosaurs that once roamed the land. This all ages attraction is a good way to engage the kids with a fun way of learning. (You can read more about McClung here.)

Time on the World’s Stage

No visit to Knoxville would be complete without a view of the Sunsphere. In 1982, Knoxville was home to the World’s Fair. More than 11 million people visited the fair, which made it one of the more popular world fairs ever held in the United States. As with other one time occurrences, many of the structures were demolished or repurposed after the event. One that has stood the test of time is the Sunsphere. This 266 foot tall tower offers visitors some impressive views of the Knoxville landscape.

Another portion of the fair site is found just a stones throw from the Sunsphere. The World’s Fair Fountain sits at one end of the green space that now encompasses World’s Fair Park. The wide open space is used for events and live performances. Nearby you will find the modern structure that holds the Knoxville Museum of Art. With only 24 hours available in downtown Knoxville, we had to forego a visit on this trip. It’s obvious that there are many other attractions that will need to be explored on a subsequent visit.

Dinner with a Purpose

We returned to Market Square for dinner at Stock & Barrel. This downtown Knoxville eatery was one that was most recommended by our contacts in town. With a “farm to table” philosophy, we had high expectations for this place. Having to wait for seating helped us confirm that it was truly a local favorite. They took our phone number to send us a text when our table was ready. This gave us a little time to explore some of the shops in the square. Too soon, our exploration time was curtailed, by a notice that it was time to dine. The restaurant was buzzing, as diners dove into the amazing meals that flowed from the kitchen. When our plates arrived, it was our turn to savor the fresh eats and flavorful tastes. This place lived up to the hype that our connections had laid out for us. (Check out more about Stock & Barrel here.)

Cramming More Sweets Into Our 24 Hours

After our dinner, we needed to spend some time walking off our meal. Market Square was the perfect place to do some meandering and people watching. The evening seems to be filled with tons of activity, as travelers and locals alike fill the space. It was nice finding out that most of the retail shops stay open late to accomodate the evening crowds. We explored the boutique shops with our eyes peeled for something to remember our visit. Low and behold, what would we happen upon, but another sweet shop. We knew it would be rude not to explore it, so we did our best to check out all of their displays. To make sure we covered everything, we even sampled a few of their most popular creations. Lets just say it was a great way to cap off our day. Now it was time to head back to our hotel for some well deserved rest.

Expanding Our Education

After breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and put our luggage in our car. The staff was nice enough to allow us to leave our vehicle, while we continued our explorations. A short walk landed us at the East Tennessee History Museum. Our earlier stops had given us a good background on the city, and this stop would expand our knowledge to include the region. Inside we found plenty of exhibits about the entire eastern end of the state. We knew our time was limited, so we didn’t get to investigate the museum in nearly the amount of detail as it deserves. It would be easy to spend a minimum of half a day here, and still only have a minimal grasp on all of the displays. Looks like we will need another go at this museum when we return. (You can see lots more about this Museum here.)

One Final Twist

Our 24 hours in downtown Knoxville was almost up, but we still had time for one more foodie experience. The Tomato Head caught our attention with their unusual name. When we researched it a little further, the menu called out to us for a visit. Being pizza lovers, we are almost always up for a slice. When we saw some of their unique combinations, we knew it was a “must try”. The most difficult part of this visit was determining which of their creations we wanted to sample. After all, even on our best days we can only eat so much. (Check out what we chose at Tomato Head here.)

Cramming Tons Into 24 Hours into Downtown Knoxville

Whew! It’s hard to believe we were able to get so much accomplished in such a limited amount of time. We would highly suggest you plan more than 24 hours in downtown Knoxville. Of course, if that’s all you can afford, you can see that you will have plenty to occupy your time. As we drove out of the city, we could rest assured that we had packed tons of fun in our short stay. While it wasn’t the length of time we would have wanted, at least it gave us a taste of this wonderful city. It certainly piqued our interest for a return visit that would allow us to do a deeper dive into the sights, sounds, and tastes of Knoxville, Tennessee. So, tell us about one of your quick excursions!

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We would like to thank the Lucas Chamber of Commerce and all of the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

First Impressions of Lucas, Kansas

Lucas is about 3 hours west of Kansas City, so it is well within day-trip distance. We wanted to get a full day of exploring in, which meant heading out on a Friday evening. Being the weekend before Halloween meant that the sun had already set by the time we arrived. We decided to just head straight to our lodging at Horseshoe Lodge. Having stayed in many repurposed buildings, this is the first one that began life as a nursing home. These days it serves as a hunting lodge for the many hunters who travel to the Post Rock area.

Everyone was Fueling Up

We were greeted on Saturday with sunshine and a chilly October morning. This town of around 400 residents doesn’t have tons of dining options, but we were about to discover they believe in hearty starts. A short drive from our lodging, and we landed at K-18 Cafe. Like most small town diners, it was filled with locals who obviously frequent the place. Friendly chatter and hot coffee helped warm us from the morning chill. After ordering our meals, we quickly learned that “short stack” only refers to height, as these things were massive. Next door to the cafe is an airfield, which is frequented by small plane enthusiasts. We were surprised to see a plane pull up to the pumps at the local filling station. Our server pointed out that it is a common sight for those who live in Lucas, but it offered some breakfast entertainment for us.

Art on Every Corner

Driving through town, we quickly realized that the Grassroots Art was quite abundant. Some refer to this art style as “Folk Art”, but no matter what you call it, we love seeing the variety and ingenuity displayed all over the town. When you make your visit to Lucas, you will want to check out some of the pieces that are displayed in many of the yards of residents.

Kansas’ Garden of Eden

The tourism market in Lucas began long ago, with one man’s dream. S.P. Dinsmoor believed that creating his masterpiece would be a long term money maker. He began constructing his vision at the age of 62, and would continue adding to it for 22 years. The Garden of Eden was a finalist to be one of the “8 Wonders of Kansas”, and stands as a Grassroots Art spectacle. While Dinsmoor struggled to earn enough from his creation during his life, these days the site survives off of monies from admission and souvenir sales. (You can read more about the Garden here.)

Miller’s Park Gets a Second Life

Around the same time that Dinsmoor was building his Garden, there was another couple in Lucas who wished to share their art with travelers. Roy and Clara Miller started their park as a rest stop and would eventually add lodging cabins, picnic tables, and even playground equipment. Having traveled extensively themselves, they used their artistic abilities to create a series of miniature buildings. These diminutive structures were fashioned with rocks and shells they picked up on their journeys.  After falling into decay and being moved to Hays, the site was resurrected and returned by the Kohler Foundation in 2013. Today visitors can view these amazing creations for themselves, at the park next door to the Garden.

Heading Downtown

One of the fun things about visiting new destinations is interacting with the locals. Lucas may not have a string of boutique shops along their Main Street, but they are not bereft of business. One that certainly drew our attention, was Brant’s Meat Market. Opened in 1922, this family owned shop served not just Lucas, but the surrounding region. When the family decided to sell the business recently, the locals were obviously concerned. Fortunately, the new owners are dedicated to continuing the tradition of only offering house made and fresh cut meats. You may want to bring a cooler when you visit, so you can bring home some of their creations.

Making New Friends During Our Lunch Break

Being travel bloggers means that we will usually work with the local tourism bureaus. Lucas may not be a sprawling metropolis, but they are still an important tourist destination. Our contact, Connie, had arranged our lodging and attraction visits, as well as offering important tips to make the most of our trip. We even met up for a lunch at Backstreet Bakery, which offered some needed fuel for our afternoon explorations. As you can see, tourism bureaus are a key partner that offer a variety of services. Always remember them when doing your research on a new destination.

Let’s Get Small

During our lunch, we were introduced to Erika Nelson, who founded  The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things Traveling Roadside Attraction and Museum. She invited us to check out the home base for her traveling exhibit. While growing up, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time exploring Route 66 sights. Many of these are the exact kind of places that Erika loves to showcase during her travels. We are sure you’ve seen them during your drives, as well. Things like giant muffler men or many of those other “tourist traps” that were designed to get travelers to pull off the road.  (Read more about World’s Largest here.)

Grassroots Art Headquarters

Our timing was great that day. We had just left the World’s Largest and headed across the street towards our next stop. While catching up on some social media, a tour was heading out from the Grassroots Art Center. We joined in and it ended up being quite an experience. For those unfamiliar with folk art, this is the perfect place to get a better understanding of some of the untrained artists that hail from Kansas. (Read more about Grassroots Art here.)

An Unexpected Addition

As we were finishing up at Grassroots Art, the curator noted another possible stop just up the street. She pointed to a car parked a couple blocks away, and told us that it signaled the artist was still there. We hurried up the sidewalk to the DA DA Muse’Um Art Gallery to meet up with Alan Vopat. This Salina based artist has doodled his way to fame, with his unique style. It requires a close inspection to see that his pieces are composed with an element of himself in each. He has thousands of sketches that cover an amazing number of topics. We hope you get to meet this interesting Kansan when you visit Lucas.

Break Time

How does a town of 400 handle the needs of thousands of tourists per year? Obviously, having a few restaurants, gas stations, and other sundries are required. This still leaves the need to satisfy the call of nature, and Lucas came up with an interesting solution. The artists of the town came up with a plan to construct a public restroom that has no rival in the state. After winning the support of the locals, Bowl Plaza was designed and built with unique qualities. A visit to the #2 ranked public restroom in America is more than just a bathroom break. (Read more about Bowl Plaza here.)

A Special Invitation

Visiting on the weekend before Halloween happened to coincide with the town’s annual Halloween Pageant. Connie asked us if we would have time to attend this event. Since we didn’t have a deadline to be back home, we were happy to oblige. A large portion of the town shows up to watch the kids of all ages display their best costumes. We were honored to not only be invited, but to feel welcomed into the community.

Getting Off The Interstate

Traveling has opened up a wide range of experiences for us. Many times, we have read how travel is an excellent form of continued education. It gives the traveler a chance to hear the stories of those who came before. Potential new friends can be found in every stop along the way. We love the idea of exploring new destinations. While we use the interstates to get us to our stops, we know they are only a means of increasing the time we will have to spend at our final destination. The real fun begins when we arrive in the cities and towns. Places like Lucas, Kansas are a prime example of the unique experiences that can be found once you get off the interstate. So where will the road take you next?

The post Lucas, Kansas – Journey To Grassroots Art Central appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Visit Oklahoma City and the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Rushing in to Bricktown

The Oklahoma Territory saw multiple land runs, which occurred when the lands were opened up to new settlers. Thousands lined up to take a chance at claiming a homestead on the frontier. A series of sculptures, in Bricktown, commemorate this historical action and offer amazing selfie and photo opportunities. Of course, while in this unique entertainment district, you will also want to do some exploring. Bricktown is home to delicious dining, unique shops, and entertaining attractions, like the riverboat tours. (You can read more about Bricktown here.)

Making a Splash

Just a short hop from Bricktown, we found Riversport OKC. When a visit to this attraction was suggested, it only took a moment of research to determine it was a “must do”. This place is an adrenaline junkies dream, but is designed with safety in mind. This makes it a perfect fit for a wide range of ages and activity levels. Where else would I get a chance to take a whitewater challenge in the heart of a city? (You can read more about Riversport here.)

Hanging South of the River

The Oklahoma River not only bisects the city, but also offers plenty of places to create unique attractions. Among these new developments, is the Wheeler District. Designed to get residents out of their homes and into the neighborhood is paramount to this area. The pinnacle attraction of this area is the Wheeler Ferris Wheel. The wheel used to sit on the Santa Monica Pier, but was purchased in 2008 and moved to its new home in the Midwest. We visited one evening and found the spot to be hopping with food trucks, pop-up shops, and some fun photo settings. You will definitely want to visit this local favorite during your Oklahoma City vacation.

Home on the Range

While Oklahoma City is continuing to expand, there are still lots of places in the state to get far away from people. These broad expanses are reminders of the long standing need for cowboys to maintain the herds that dot the land. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum offers us city folk a chance to learn more about the history of these brave, but lonely souls. The museum is a perfect fit for all ages, and those with smaller children will want to visit the Children’s Corral. Be sure to bring a camera to take full advantage of the museum’s numerous “selfie” spots. (You can read more about the Cowboy Museum here.)

Feeling Like Kids Again

More and more cities we visit are featuring amazing science centers. These hands-on, interactive attractions give kids of all ages a chance to play, while learning about various scientific principles. Science Museum Oklahoma is filled with tons of exhibits designed to engage visitors in all sorts of experiments. They even have a Segway training course where guests can learn how to ride one of these fun vehicles. (You can read more about the Science Museum here.)

Engaging at the OKC Zoo

After our visit to the science center, we moved right next door to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Even though the day was heating up, we were still able to see plenty of the animals out and about. Many of the exhibits offer shade opportunities, so they stay active longer. Our main purpose for visiting was a chance to get up close and personal with one of the zoo’s pachyderms. It seemed like all of the animals knew we were coming and were watching for us. (You can read more about the OKC Zoo here.)

Heroes Among Us

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is not the average tourist stop. This space is dedicated to the brave men and women who lived and died through the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. An aura of peace and remembrance has replaced the site of destruction, and stands as a reminder to the world of the resiliency of the American spirit. (Read more about the OKC Memorial here.)

Checking Out the Local Life

When we visit a new destination, we try to check out some of the upcoming hot spots. During our visit, we ran into a little road construction associated with the expansion of the city’s light rail. Being from Kansas City, we understand the challenges, as well as the benefits of adding this fun transportation option. Just a stone’s throw from our hotel we found Automobile Alley. Originally home to the city’s automobile dealerships and parts suppliers, the buildings are finding new life. Boutique shops and interesting dining destinations are popping up all over the space.

Hearty Happy Hour

Speaking of dining, Oklahoma City is filled with interesting eateries that feature about every cuisine style we know. During our outing to Automobile Alley, we stopped in Iguana Mexican Grill for a Happy Hour celebration. The interesting decor and delicious eats paired well with a couple of cooling margaritas. It made for a nice break from our explorations, and refueled us for some boutique shopping. (Read more about Iguana here.)

Decades of Flavor

Traveling to new destinations means getting to sample regional dishes. A stop at Tucker’s Onion Burgers introduced us to this decades old menu item. Invented out of necessity, these flavorful patties are still enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. You will want to be sure to sample this uniquely Oklahoma meal during your visit. (Read more about Tucker’s here.)

Getting Our Kicks on Route 66

Oklahoma City has the distinction of being one of the major cities that lie on the original Route 66 path. This old school “Mother Road” was a major highway that connected Chicago  to the West Coast. These days, thousands of nostalgia buffs make a pilgrimage along the route in search of the interesting sights that captured the style of Americana. At Pop 66, in nearby Arcadia, drivers can fill their tanks and their bellies all in one stop. While there, you can pick up an assortment of craft sodas from their collection of over 700 types. (Read more about Pop’s 66 here.)

Start the Day Right

Spending the majority of our time near the downtown worked out well for us in the dining category. Returning to the Automobile Alley for breakfast, led us to Hatch Early Mood Food. This local favorite was packed with goodness and plenty of customers. We found a short wait was well worth it, as the food was amazing. Hatch offered some unique dishes like a Breakfast Cuban that puts a new spin on one of my favorites. (Read more about Hatch here.)

Breakfast of Champions

We find breakfast to be one of the most important meals of the day. After all, it fuels us for exploring and offers a chance to drink coffee. To be honest, we always hope for a good dining option close to our hotel, so we can get our coffee quickly. Oklahoma City did us right, as they had a great breakfast option next door to our hotel. Waffle Champion puts a fun spin on this classic dish by using waffles as the wrapper. A good selection of fillings make this a stop that can be tried on multiple occasions during your vacation. (Read more about Waffle Champion here.)

Luxury Lodging

Finding lodging that keeps us close to all of the action is paramount when we travel. In Oklahoma City, the Ambassador Hotel was a perfect fit, as it offered sophisticated style with convenience. From this stylish home base, we could easily access Bricktown, Downtown, and Automobile Alley. Boutique style rooms are classically comfortable and filled with amenities. (We enjoyed the complimentary bottled water on those toasty days.)  A trip to the rooftop bar offered stunning views of the city’s skyline. We dropped by late one evening and found that it is a very popular spot for drinks and conversation.

…and Plenty More!

Our three days in Oklahoma City gave us a fair sampling of the flavors that this capitol city has to offer. With tons of cultural, historical, and entertainment sites, OKC is a perfect vacation destination for families looking to engage all ages. Couples traveling to the area will find plenty of top-notch restaurants, lovely gardens, boutique shops, and romantic walks to fill their itinerary. Be sure to bring your cowboy boots for an evening of boot-scootin fun at one of the areas dance venues. Check out Visit OKC for more things to see and do. With all of these options, what places do you want to visit first?

The post 12 Top Experiences In Oklahoma City appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dodge City CVB and the local Dodge City businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

1) Step Back In Time

Dodge City is filled with names that most of us will recognize immediately.  Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, and even Marshall Dillon evoke images of gun-toting cowboys strolling down the wooden boardwalks. While the city has grown up, it still maintains some of its western aura that made it so memorable. Throughout the city we found nods to its cow-town past. Being a destination on the Chisholm Trail helped create Dodge City’s rough and rowdy atmosphere in the 1800’s. Some of the unsavory visitors wound up in Boot Hill Cemetery. Be sure to stop in the Visitors Center to pick up a copy of the walking tour guide and then go check out some of the sights.

2) Getting The Inside Scoop

Of course, some may want to see the highlights from the comfort of the Dodge City Trolley. This mode of transport is more comfortable and comes with a built-in tour guide. Our guide, Steve, not only chauffeured us between sights, but also filled the time with informational factoids. He even imparted some colorful tales to his presentation. By the end of our journey, we came away with a better understanding of the background of Dodge City. It certainly made it easier to associate all of the other places we visited in the city’s historical timeline. (You can read more about the trolley here.)

3) The Early Years At Boot Hill Museum

One of the most notable, and easily recognizable, places in Dodge City is Boot Hill. Most of us have grown up seeing movies or television shows that refer to this ominous destination. As children we would play cowboys with the underlying intent of not ending up in the Boot Hill Cemetery. A chance to visit this actual site was truly memorable. The Boot Hill Museum holds a large collection of memorabilia and artifacts from the city’s early years. During your visit, be sure to climb Boot Hill to check out the additional historical displays, as well as the original cemetery site. (You can read more about the Boot Hill Museum here.)

4) Rowdy Visitors

Picture the sun sinking into the horizon and casting long shadows across Front Street in old Dodge City. A small group of deputies gather along the boardwalk in front of the Longbranch Saloon. Down the street a group of rowdy cowboys strut toward the saloon. Fresh from the trail, these men are looking for a chance to spend some of their money on drinks, gambling, and a good time. With sidearms strapped to their legs, there is sure to be a ruckus in town tonight. During the summer months, this scenario is played out for action hungry guests. The engaging drama culminates with a fast action shootout in the streets of Dodge City. This family friendly activity can be found on the grounds of the Boot Hill Museum.

5) They Can-Can Dance

Once the smoke clears, it was time for us to mosey into the Longbranch Saloon to get a peek at why the cowboys were so eager to come to town. The seats must be purchased in advance, which means that if you have a ticket, you will see the show. We joined our table guests as the evening’s frivolity began. Soon everyone was laughing and toe-tapping to the entertainment being brought by this merry band of characters. Be prepared that they engage with the audience and will even invite some members up on stage.  (Read more about the gunfight and saloon show here.)

6) Teaching Opportunities

Dodge City’s western roots means that visitors will find some unusual sites during their stay. One that we had to check out was the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame. Now it wouldn’t be odd to visit a site that honored teachers, but it’s the fact that they have combined it with the Gunfighters Wax Museum that adds a touch of the unusual to this place. Our visit started with touring the second floor, which is filled with dioramas detailing some of the famous lawmen, as well as quite a few unsavory characters from the Wild West days. Afterwards, we returned to the main floor to educate ourselves on the history of some of the states most outstanding educators. (You can read more about this dual subject site here.)

7) Spirits Of The Wild West

As we ventured around Dodge City, it seemed like every place we visited had some historical significance. A stop just up the hill from the Boot Hill Museum landed us at Boot Hill Distillery. Housed in the old city hall, the building sits on part of the grounds of the original Boot Hill Cemetery. While there was no discussion of ghosts, we did find some spirits inside. This is the oldest craft distillery in western Kansas, and their small batch approach allows them to have better control over the consistency of their products. A stop in their tasting room gave us a chance to sample some of their wares and we were floored by the smoothness of their products. This is a “must see” for those that appreciate the finer things in life. (You can read more about the distillery here.)

8) Kansas Suds

Speaking of firsts, Dodge City is also home to the first craft brewery in Southwest Kansas. Dodge City Brewing Company is the creation of an award winning home-brewer who wanted to spread the goodness on a larger scale. We dropped in for a lunch break and found they serve up a good selection of brews that even include some from other Kansas breweries. Add in one of their specialty pizza pies and you have the makings of a delicious meal. They also offer tasting size draws for those looking to sample a new brew variety. (You can read more about the brewery here.)

9) Memorable Meals

You knew that eventually the topic of food would come up. Fortunately, Dodge City has plenty of dining options. Being the home to some major stockyards means that beef is quite often the highlight of the menu. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other options, as well. We wouldn’t expect to eat a steak or burger at breakfast. (Although some do.) There are plenty of other choices. like the meal we had at Casey’s Cowtown Club. This meal came with a history lesson of the city, as well as a tour of the restaurant. While we didn’t feature as many restaurants as usual, we still found lots of variety. Tacos Jalisco is a great Mexican food option. If you are looking for a no-frills burger just drop by Kate’s for lunch or dinner. If you visiting the Boot Hill Museum, you may want to consider experiencing one of their Bull Fry meals. For those a little less brave, it comes with brisket, as well.

10) Morning Starters

Some mornings we find that we need an extra jolt of caffeine. Being Kansas City natives, we were floored to find that Red Beard Coffee serves up Blip coffee. The coffee from this KC roaster is one of our favorites, so you can imagine how happy this made us. Besides delectable coffee drinks, we also discovered there are some other imaginative specialty items being served in Dodge City. Choco Fruit serves up rolled ice cream, which is becoming quite a popular version of this frozen dessert. If you prefer the old style ice cream treats, you may want to drop in Paleteria Juaritos for a banana split.

11) Supporting The Locals

Timing our visit during Dodge City Days opened up some unique activities. The annual celebration runs toward the end of July and makes a trip to the city extra special. This ten day festival began in 1960 and celebrates the rich western heritage that sets Dodge City apart. That makes this annual celebration the second largest in the state of Kansas. The highly anticipated Dodge City Parade allows locals and visitors alike an opportunity to mingle in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. We grabbed some coffee at Red Beard and made our way over to the parade route to join the growing crowds. Soon the flashing lights and sirens told us it was approaching. By the time it finished, we were sure that all of the residents of Dodge City had either participated in or watched the parade. There is that much community pride there.

12) Kansas BBQ

Another key event during the Dodge City Days is the Smokin’ Saddles BBQ Contest. This KCBS sanctioned event draws teams from all over the country. With big prize money on the line, everyone is cautiously optimistic. The event is held in Wright Park, which fills with contestants. The day before the main event is filled with a special bbq contest designed to engage the younger crowd.

The Kid’s BBQ Contest has teams of children competing in the same style, but on a slightly smaller scale. Each team chooses a meat to prepare for the judges. While this event is not KCBS sanctioned, the kids still take it seriously. With adult supervision, the kids prep their steak or burger with their own special concoctions, rubs, and spice mixes. Soon the delicious aromas are wafting from the miniature grills, while team members carefully watch over the cooking. There were some amazing looking dishes at the end, so in the future we may have to volunteer to be judges, so we can get a taste. It was obvious that they are grooming the next generation of BBQ champions.

13) Big Name Entertainment

Like most celebrations, there is usually some sort of special entertainment. During Dodge City Days, they draw big name stars that wow the crowds. We had the opportunity to attend the Justin Moore concert at the United Wireless Arena. The show drew in thousands of guests who joined us in the evening of country music. Justin entertained for a couple of hours with the crowd singing along to many familiar hits.

Our trip to Dodge City opened our eyes and minds to some unique sights. As our time there ran out, we realized there was still more that we missed. The list we have compiled here does a good job at scratching the surface of the city, but we are sure there are plenty of other things you will find during your visit. Visiting during Dodge City Days will offer some special events, but there are still plenty of things to do other times of the year. We are betting you will enjoy your Wild West filled adventure to Dodge City. Which of these 13 things look the most appealing to you? Let us know your choices in the comments section below.

The post 13 Unique Reasons To Visit Dodge City Days appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank Abilene Visitors Bureau for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Getting Familiar

Our first stop was the Dickinson Heritage Center, which is a multi-subject museum. Here we had the opportunity to learn more about how Abilene became a city. From its earliest days through more modern times, this place highlighted the notable moments and people who helped form the city. We especially enjoyed the Wild West aspect of the cow town days and the lawmen who helped rein in the rowdy cowboys. Be sure to step out back to see the additional exhibits. You will also want to take a ride on the C.W. Parker carousel that is found there. Check out the short video we included in our more detailed article. (Read more about Dickinson Heritage here.)

Watch Your Step

Within walking distance of the Heritage Center, we came upon Old Abilene Town. This recreation of the Wild West days was a perfect accent to our trip. Here we explored the buildings that shed light on the life of early settlers to the region. We can’t imagine what it would have been like to live without some of the creature comforts we have nowadays. During our visit, we were able to catch one of their performances. A group of rowdy characters entertained the assembled crowd with a show filled with comedy, action, and even some educational material. This all-ages feature is fun for the whole family, and you can even meet the actors after their performance. (Read more about Old Abilene here.)

The Man Of The Hour

Abilene’s most notable resident was Dwight D. Eisenhower, so we couldn’t pass up a visit to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Boyhood Home. The 34th President of the United States may not have been born here, but being raised in the breadbasket of the country taught him his down-to-earth values. The Eisenhower Museum is under renovation until the late Spring of 2019, but the staff has assembled a memorable informational exhibit in the library. It is filled with artifacts and memorabilia from Ike and Mamie’s lives before, during, and after the presidency. Be sure to save your tickets, as they are good for a return visit to see the newly renovated space when it reopens.(Read more about Ike’s Library here.)

Riding The Rails

By extending our stay to include a second day, we were able to increase the number of sights we were able to enjoy. This gave us plenty of time to really deep dive into the museums and attractions we had on our schedule. A chance to ride the rails on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad had us pretty pumped. With very little train riding experience, we were looking forward to this attraction. We didn’t realize they had a small museum on-site, so we were happy that we had some extra time to explore it. (Read more about the railroad here.)

Going Downtown

One thing we always try to leave time for is to explore the downtown area of our destinations. Each town and city has something unique to offer, so we try to uncover their hidden gems. Along Buckeye Avenue, the main drag heading north and south, we found a grouping of retail shops. There were others that radiated out from this street between 2nd and 5th Streets. It made for a pleasant walking tour with short rests as we explored the shop interiors. This was a great way to meet some of the locals, who were friendly and quite helpful with meal suggestions.

Family Tradition

A home-style family meal is exactly what you would expect to find in the heart of Kansas. Have no fear, they serve these up daily at the Brookville Hotel. No need for a menu, since they have perfected the full-service chicken dinner over the past 100+ years. Yes, you read that right. This place may have moved from their original location, but have no fear. They brought their recipes with them. Be sure to take a few moments to check out the other spaces in the building before or after dinner.

With so much to see and do, why not start planning your visit to Abilene, Kansas. This family-friendly city will have you cheering for cowboys, learning about famous Kansans, and dining on delectable dishes. What more could you ask for in the heart of the country? So what do you have on your Abilene itinerary? We’d love to hear what we missed, so we can add it to our return trip. Leave us a note in the comments section below. Thanks!

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