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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 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 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.

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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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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 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?

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We want to thank Visit Council Grove for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Scenic Drive

We left home, in KCK, around 6:00 in the morning, which gave us time to stop for breakfast along the route. Council Grove is less than two hours from our home and offers some nice views of the countryside. It’s located just 55 miles southwest of Topeka, in the Flint Hills. Before long, we found ourselves cruising through the rolling hills. We rolled into the town of about 2200 residents just as the business day was beginning.

Getting Our Bearings

Our first stop was at the Visitors Bureau. This is a great place for travelers to begin their exploration, since the staff knows the area as well as anyone you will find. They will usually have plenty of maps, brochures, and information about all of the local attractions, sights, and businesses. We also find them to be a good resource for dining recommendations. Give it a try next time you visit a new destination. We bet they will become your go-to resource on most every trip.

History Abounds in Council Grove

One of the main purposes for our visit to Council Grove was to check out their large quantity of historic sights. They list 25 individual attractions, which seemed like a huge number for a town of their size. Some pre-trip research shed a little light on why this place would have so much to see. Council Grove was an integral stop on the santa Fe Trail. It was the last place to rest up and restock supplies, before wagon trains made the 600 mile journey to Santa Fe. It was also one of the last places to find hardwood trees, which were a vital source of repair parts for wagons. If you want to understand that last bit better, be sure to ask Diane Wolfe at the Visitors Bureau. (You can read more about the historical sights here.)

An Old Friend

Council Grove is split in two by the Neosho River, which flows south toward Oklahoma. In this part of the state it is a fairly manageable body of water. This is one of the main reasons why the wagon trains passed this direction. It made for a good crossing point and these days the Riverwalk celebrates that occurrence with commemorative signage and this beautiful waking park. While I had done research before our visit, somehow I completely missed the name of the river that flowed through the town. In my younger days, I would spend my summers with my grandparents in a little town called West Mineral, Kansas. Just west of town, the Neosho River passed by on its way to become Grand Lake in Oklahoma. Many times we would head to the river to fish or swim, and even noodle once in a while. It’s amazing how the mention of a name can bring back so many pleasant memories.

Local History

What would a visit to such a historic town be without a trip to the local museum? Diane was happy to show us around the Post Office Oak Museum located on Main Street. We noticed the odd name, but she was quick to point out the reason. In the past, travelers on the Santa Fe Trail would leave messages for others in a hollow in an old oak tree located at this site. Before long, a building was constructed nearby and over time served multiple purposes. These days it is the local/regional museum. It is filled with artifacts from the early days of the town all the way through the more recent past. When you visit be sure to set aside a good amount of time to view all of the collections. (Read more about the Post Office Oak Museum here.)

Retail Check

After our lunch, we wanted to do a little different type of exploring in town, so we headed to Main Street to check out some of the shops in Council Grove. We strolled along, and popped in a variety of retail stores. It gave us a chance to talk with some of the locals and get their views of their hometown. No matter how large or small the destination, we always try to get a flavor for the place by interacting. We find it to be a good way to meet some very interesting people and even make new friends. It amazes us how many times we even find a connection with some of the people we meet. One of the shops we stopped in was owned and operated by the Council Grove mayor. I would bet that this small tidbit would have easily been undiscovered if we hadn’t struck up a conversation.

Real Meals

Since I started my blogging life with restaurants, we are always mindful to try to sample plenty of the local flavors wherever we travel. After all, one thing we all have in common is the need to eat. Council Grove offered up some historic dining destinations, which we were more than willing to sample. A couple of our stops were in buildings that have been around for over 100 years. We could almost feel the history in them as we entered and getting the opportunity to learn more about these historic stops was humbling. We are sure that many of you have noticed a high volume of historical sites in our catalog of articles. It is our belief that travel is one of the best ways to continue education into our adult years. Getting a good meal, while learning some history is an added bonus. (You can read more about Council Grove eats here.)

Overnight Stay

While Council Grove makes an excellent day trip destination from Kansas City, it would be a shame to leave without experiencing a historical stay. We had the opportunity to spend a night at The Cottage House, which is a quaint hotel just a few feet off of the Santa Fe Trail. It makes a perfect home base for exploring the town, as it puts you right in the middle of everything. The clean, comfortable rooms are spacious and offer Victorian charm. (You can read more about Cottage House here.)

Since we were spending the night, it gave us a chance to head out to the lakes just north of the town. After taking a short drive around them, we settled on a nice spot that overlooked the water to the west. We soon were joined by others who know of the beauty that was about to unfold before our eyes. As we waited, we discussed the historical draw of Council Grove and wondered how many others in the region don’t realize all the jewels this hidden treasure holds. Soon the sun sank into the horizon, and everyone’s attention was drawn to the wildfire of colors that spread across the sky. While we are blessed to have the opportunity to travel to many places, we always have loved our Kansas sunsets! We hope you liked this overview of Council Grove and would love hearing from you. Please leave us a little love in the comments section below!

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