Have you ever found yourself sitting beside history, half-expecting it to speak? That’s exactly how it felt when Crystal and I spotted Abraham Lincoln, or at least his bronze likeness, on a park bench in Illinois. His calm, knowing expression seemed to hold the patience of a man who had weathered both personal sorrow and […]
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Driving into Dwight, we couldn’t help but pause at the sight of two aged pumps that have seen generations of travelers. These relics mark the spot where Route 66’s heartbeat once pulsed strongest, back when cars pulled in for fuel, an oil check, and maybe a friendly chat with the attendant. Dwight’s pumps aren’t just
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There was a time when driving along Route 66 felt like a treasure hunt for the eyes. Each bend in the road might reveal a towering fiberglass giant, greeting travelers with a silent wave or a fixed grin. As a kid, I pressed my face to the car window, scanning the horizon for these whimsical
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In every city we visit, we are able to uncover some amazing eats. Springfield, Illinois kicked it up a level by adding the historic aspect to many of our stops. Being the heart of the “Land of Lincoln”, as well as a Route 66 destination, made this city extra special. Our downtown stay gave us
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It’s always a thrill for us when we get to visit the capital city of a state. Even though they all have a dome, each is unique in its own way. Our trip to Springfield, Illinois gave us a chance to find history galore, in this twin domed Midwest city. So many historical paths cross
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A visit to Springfield, Illinois is an opportunity to dive into the long history of this Midwestern region. With only three days to soak in as much as possible, we found ourselves bustling between stops. As we approached the end of our visit, we found ourselves facing our final day of exploration. With daylight burning,
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When you travel to Springfield, Illinois, you will find yourself transported to the Land of Lincoln. While he may not have been born in Illinois, much of his formative years were spent in this Midwest state. I have to tell you that I have been fascinated with the life of the 16th President since my
Immersing In History at The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Read More »
While we are not experts in architectural design, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate beautiful designs. Springfield’s Dana-Thomas House gave us a chance to see one of the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Unlike many of the homes Wright built from scratch, this home was a redesign. That small detail will come in play
Springfield’s Dana-Thomas House – A Treasure Saved Read More »
One of the benefits of visiting state capital cities is the opportunity to tour the state museums. Most every city and town will have a historical stop that showcases the local history. It is the state museum that will fill out the details on the entire region. In Springfield, we discovered the Illinois State Museum
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We have had the opportunity to visit a lot of science museums. While some exhibits are commonplace at almost every museum, each one we visit seems to have a few unique displays that intrigue us. Our visit to the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), in Chicago, blew us away with their sheer volume of
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A visit to Springfield, Illinois holds something for just about everyone in your travel crew. If you are a fan of road trips, then retracing the Mother Road (Route 66) will lead you straight through the heart of this Midwest city. Along the route, there are a variety of unique stops, like Cozy Dog Drive
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Wherever we travel, Crystal and I will usually be on the lookout for ice cream. We are fortunate that both of us can agree on this creamy treat as a preferred dessert option. When we planned our latest Chicago visit, it was agreed to make our base camp on the outskirts of the metro. While
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A visit to Springfield, Illinois puts travelers in the heart of the Land of Lincoln. During your visit, you will find that all throughout the city there are reminders of our 16th President of the United States. One of the premier stops is the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. There is no entrance fee for
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Each year hundreds of restaurants start and fail. It takes dedication and consistency to build a sustainable dining business. While some of the newcomers have unique menu offerings, we believe that tried and true eateries have developed a taste that appeals to a wide range of diners. Springfield, Illinois is home to a variety of
Maldaner’s Restaurant – Lunch At A Local Landmark Read More »
When planning a visit to a new destination, we try to pack our schedule really full. This allows us to write tons of articles on each city, so that you will have more options when planning your own vacation. Even with a full slate of stops planned, we seem to still squeeze in one more
Get Healthy At Kidzeum Read More »
Visiting Springfield, Illinois would not be complete without paying respect at Lincoln’s Tomb. Having a chance to see the final resting place of our 16th president, was high on our list of must do activities. Since our visit to Springfield was focused on the downtown region of this Midwestern city, we decided to make this
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Springfield, Illinois is a Midwestern city filled with historic houses. Being the hometown of the Abraham Lincoln family puts it squarely on the map of vacationers and history buffs alike. While some of the homes are available for tours, others can only be viewed from the outside. We found one that crossed the tourism-only line
Historic Break At Wm. Van’s Coffee House Read More »
A short stay in Chicago, Illinois offers travelers tons of options. Our trip was focused on the City Center area. We were hoping to enjoy the museums and shopping possibilities. From Kansas City, we were only looking at a 1 1/2 hour flight, so it’s a great destination. Our Temporary Home in Chicago We chose to forego a
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The Field Museum is Chicago’s own museum of natural history. It happens to rank as one of the largest of its type in the world. With over 24 million specimens in its portfolio, anything less than all day is just a cursory look. The Natural World Our schedule only allowed for a short visit, so
Quick Stop at The Field Museum Read More »
There is a huge variation between cities in the Midwest. There are lots of small towns, which are based around the old town square format. As you move up to larger cities, you start to see more multi-story buildings. Then you have the Chicago skyscrapers. By the time you get to a city the size
Chicago Skyscrapers- Towers of Steel and Glass Read More »