A visit to the Michigan History Museum in Lansing is an inspiring journey through the state’s past. This museum offers a captivating exploration of Michigan’s rich and diverse history, highlighting the industries, conflicts, and innovations that have shaped the state. We discovered exhibits that illuminate everything from early Indigenous cultures to the industrial boom of […]
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Mackinac Island in October is a feast for the senses, where history and nature intertwine against a backdrop of brilliant fall colors. The crisp autumn air carried the fresh lake breezes as we stepped onto the island. With peak tourist season winding down, we enjoyed a quieter, more intimate experience. The lack of cars and
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Stepping into The History Museum in South Bend feels like walking onto the set of A League of Their Own. One big difference is that this isn’t Hollywood magic; it’s the real story. The museum’s All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) exhibit brings the history of these groundbreaking athletes to life. It showcases their impact
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Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers an exciting food scene with delicious surprises. This Midwest city delivers a mix of classic comfort foods, innovative cuisine, and sweet treats. Whether you’re craving a famous hot dog, wood-fired pizza, or Asian-inspired dishes, Fort Wayne has a spot to satisfy your appetite. The city has locally owned restaurants, thriving food
The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, in Lansing, Michigan, is a treasure trove for automotive enthusiasts and history buffs. Stepping through the doors, we were transported to a world of innovation and design that shaped how we travel today. From early engine prototypes to sleek convertibles of the 1960s, every corner of the museum offers a
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A visit to Fort Michilimackinac, during the fall, offers a unique blend of history and stunning autumn scenery. This historic 18th-century fort, in Mackinaw City, Michigan, sits at the top of the Lower Peninsula. Many come to this city as a jumping-off point for visiting Mackinaw Island but don’t overlook a stop at this historic
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Spending a day dining in South Bend, Indiana, offers a flavorful adventure packed with local charm. From breakfast to dinner, we explored eateries that showcase the city’s unique culinary vibe. Each stop featured dishes that highlighted the passion of local chefs. Whether it’s a hearty morning bite or an unforgettable dinner, South Bend serves up
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If there’s one thing we’ve learned on our travels, it’s that a great BBQ joint can make any day better. Recently, we found ourselves in Lansing, Michigan, with a craving for smoky, Southern-style goodness. Enter Meats Southern BBQ, where the air is filled with the mouthwatering aroma of smoked meats, and the vibe is all
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Fort Wayne, Indiana, may not be the first place that comes to mind for science exploration, but one visit to Science Central could change that perception! Whether you’re a curious adult or a young explorer, this science center will have you feeling like a kid in a candy store. Science Central’s engaging, hands-on experiences turn
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There’s something magical about stepping into a world frozen in time, and the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, Indiana, offers exactly that. Imagine walking through an era where horsepower was just that—actual horses pulling carriages—and then marveling as these wagons transformed into powerful automobiles. This isn’t just a car museum; it’s a living testament to
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A visit to the Hjemkomst Center, in Moorhead, Minnesota is a good way to examine the Norwegian influence on the region.
Traveling across North America has provided plenty of variety to our diets. When I’m planning a multiple city road trip, I attempt to add as many cuisines as possible. During a northern excursion, we stopped by Wurst Bier Hall for lunch. It provided an opportunity for going German in Fargo, North Dakota. This is a
We may not have lived through the 1950s, but the nostalgia of that era has become woven in our country’s fabric. Television shows, like Happy Days, helped form our view of the “Glory Days” from the end of WWII. Our first evening in Fargo, we discovered this time capsule of Americana. Kroll’s Diner is a
Being Midwesterners, we were looking forward to our visit to Old Cowtown. Wichita has a lot of similarities to our hometown of Kansas City. Both cities were frontier towns, that grew famous for their cattle trade. They also have the confluence of two rivers in the heart of their city. It was near this junction
America’s love affair with racing likely began when the second car was assembled. Can you imagine being the first person to own an automobile? We picture the first drivers traversing the landscape, wondering how their driving skills stacked up to others. When we discovered that Lincoln, Nebraska is home to the Museum of American Speed,
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Wisconsin Dells has earned the unofficial title of ‘Waterpark Capital of the World’. Making our first pass through town, it quickly became apparent where this name came from. We discovered that there are currently 20 waterparks spread around the area. That makes this northern destination a major draw for family vacations. Wet and wild fun
We are going to let you in on a little secret. There is gold in the Smoky Hills. It’s not be nuggets of the shiny substance that has been the reason for mass migrations. The precious treasure we are talking about is found in the local attractions found in a variety of towns and cities.
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We have sampled a variety of burger joints across North America and determined there are only two categories. The first is the old-school type that serves up simple sandwiches that we’ve all come to expect for decades. The second is a newer group that adds unique twists to their handhelds. Honest Abe’s Burgers, in Lincoln,
While many of our excursions are designed to showcase family-friendly travel destinations, sometimes we look for a different type of getaway. While searching for something unique, we discovered a place that would make a perfect escape for the two of us. Since we both enjoy many of the same things, we decided to spend some
Who’s up for a little time traveling? A visit to Abilene, Kansas can take you back to the early 1900s just by touring the Seelye Mansion. This turn-of-the-century home has 25 rooms and more than a few fascinating features. One fact that surprised us was that the furnishings cost more than the home, which was
We enjoy visiting the Upper Midwest during the summertime. Cool nights and warm days are perfect for exploring new destinations. During a multiple-city trip, we included a couple of days in Wisconsin’s capital city. This gave us a chance to discover 7 reasons to visit Madison. A visit to the state capital building was number
Visiting capital cities offers a unique perspective on a state’s history. A trip to Lincoln, Nebraska let us learn more about our neighboring state, as well as chalk up our 14th capital city visit. While it would be nearly impossible for one building to contain all of a region’s history, we find that state museums
How many of you remember the excitement of hearing that the circus was coming to town? There was something special about the anticipation of seeing the non-stop excitement associated with the three rings of pageantry. The flow of entertainment captivated us, as performers flew through the air or galloped across the ring. The smell of
Exploring a new destination is certainly a ton of fun, but can also work up quite an appetite. Fortunately, we found a medley of meals during our stay in St. Charles, Illinois. This Midwestern city has a broad selection of eateries, which provide about every cuisine option under the sun. You’ll find opportunities for a
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Our trip to Abilene, Kansas would not be complete without a visit to the site that honors one of the most famous Kansans. The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Boyhood Home is a top destination for travelers from all over the country and the world. They come to Abilene to pay homage and learn more about the
With only a couple of days set aside to explore Madison, we knew we’d have to keep on the move. Obviously, there would need to be meal breaks. Not just to refuel, but so that we could sample some of the flavors of this Midwest city. After a day of museum visits, we were looking
These days food trucks have seen a surge in popularity. This is partly due to the expansion of cuisines being offered by them. Long gone are the days that they merely featured burgers and dogs. Now you can find just about any specialty food being served up with flair. During our visit to Wisconsin Dells,
These days, St. Charles is often mistaken as just a suburb of Chicago. The reality of its beginnings is something far more interesting. To gain a better grasp of its history we spent a couple of days exploring the nooks and crannies of the city. With the Lincoln Highway running just to the south, it
War has been with us for as long as history has been recorded. The United States has seen its fair share of conflict in its relative short timespan. While many would liken war to a glorious quest, the truth is horrific. Soldiers, in the midst of the fight, will have a profound sense of purpose,
The Wisconsin Dells resembles an alien landscape filled with shady slot canyons. Most were created over 15,000 years ago and have amazed mankind for generations. Passing through the sheltered gorges feels like traveling through time. An excursion on the Dells Boat Tour had given us our first taste of these features, but left us desiring
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They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you have a day packed full of exploring, it’s especially vital. Of course, we find that good food makes the meal that much more memorable. St. Charles, Illinois was proving to be a great walking destination, so we definitely needed to keep
Exploring sure can leave us with an appetite. Fortunately, we found that downtown Madison, Wisconsin is filled to the brim with dining options. When lunchtime rolled around, we decided to try our luck at The Canteen. Located in clear view of the capitol building, this place has earned a reputation as Madison’s tempting taqueria, on
The Wisconsin Dells has long been known for the natural beauty that is tucked away along the banks of the nearby waterways. Many have overlooked another hidden attraction that lies right under their noses in the downtown corridor. Stepping through the doors, visitors enter a world of fantasy where they will discover the wonders of
Vacations offer a chance to broaden our horizons and expand our lives with new experiences. When we are in the planning phase for upcoming trips, we look for opportunities to include a wide spectrum of activities. Each destination serves up its unique flavor, by presenting a selection of attractions. An excursion to St. Charles, Illinois,
History is a series of stories told by many voices. While each community will have its historical collections, we find the capital cities will usually be the location of the state museum. Here we can gather a better representation of what has transpired, on a grander scale. Our only previous Wisconsin visit had been to
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Nature has a way of supplying an endless amount of surprises. Many friends have recommended to us a visit to the Wisconsin Dells. Having seen a parade of photos from the area, we were excited to add it to our journeys. Located in the southern half of the state, it lies along the path of
There are some subjects that people tend to shy away from during conversation. Mental illness is one that can leave people feeling uncomfortable. During one of our outings, we stopped by the St. Joseph Museum Complex to learn more about the history of treating mental disorders. What we discovered inside reminded us that those struggling
In 1926, Ford was inventing the 40-hour work week, while Author A.A. Milne introduced the world to Winnie-the-Pooh. Prohibition was at its peak and had been in place for over 5 years. Bootleggers had created an extensive network for the distribution of their products. Our lessons at past museums told us that there also existed
It seems that every destination holds at least one surprise for us. Our return visit to St. Joseph gave us a chance to not only update some previous articles but also add a new eatery. Since we love focusing on downtown areas, we headed to Seventh and Felix to see what we could find. The
These days there are lots of restaurants vying for your attention. Wherever we roam, we have noticed that more eateries are finding unique ways to draw in a crowd. The Pennant, in downtown Topeka, has discovered a pleasing mix where food and fun collide. Our day of exploring was chugging along, but our need to
In only 19 months, the Pony Express made a lasting impact on American history. Just the mere mention of this unique enterprise stirs images of racing ponies carrying wiry cowboys across the changing landscape. Facing pitfalls and hazards, along the way, many of these young men would etch their names in the history books. We
American history is filled with events large and small, but some created a reverberation felt throughout the country. While the Civil War had legally brought an end to slavery, it did not prohibit the inequality of segregation. Black people were told they were free, but real life didn’t represent this change. Jim Crow laws had
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While the interstate highways work well for transporting people in the quickest fashion, they leave a lot to be desired for sight-seeing. For decades, we have made the journey to Minnesota to visit Crystal’s relatives. Most of the time, we just want a quick route, but when time allows we venture off the beaten path.
What’s 50 feet tall, green, and can be found in Blue Earth, Minnesota? If you guessed the Jolly Green Giant, you were spot on. Towering high above the Green Giant Museum, this iconic figure casts a long shadow. He is so large that he wears size 78 shoes on his long green legs. Ever since
Imagine traveling across South Dakota in the 1930s. Most travelers would have come to this area to see the Badlands and Black Hills. In between those two attractions would have been plenty of open space. If you owned a business along this barren drive, you would have struggled to draw in visitors. In 1931, Ted
Our Epic Road Trip was off to an amazing start. We were winding down Day 1, and we had already discovered three fun stops. Heading west out of Mitchell, we made our way across the flat prairie. Our first leg included 500 miles of beautiful scenery, as we traversed across Iowa and into South Dakota.
It is widely believed that it was the Ancient Egyptians who invented pie. This early version was a crusty creation filled with honey. In the 5th Century BC, Greeks fashioned a pastry recipe, which would be tweaked by the Romans to become similar to today’s version. Fast forward to the 1900s, and we find this
There are times that I do feel sorry for my family, especially Crystal. It should go without saying that I am a fan of dad jokes, what with being a dad. When I was planning the route for our Epic Road Trip, I realized it would take us past Mitchell, South Dakota. This would offer
Whenever we visit a new destination, we keep our eyes open for a theme. Some cities are all about history, while others can focus on family fun. As we made our way through Mason City, we quickly realized this Iowa city is overflowing with artistic subjects. While it has plenty of history to discover, it
As I sit here writing this article, the winter snow is falling in Kansas City. Our Epic Road Trip is still fresh in our minds, even though it has been a dozen weeks since it wrapped up. Looking out at the cold, it is easy to imagine the times that ice sheets once spread across
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