Families visiting Springfield, Missouri will be happy to know that Discovery Center offers tons of hands-on exhibits. Here is a great place for kids of all ages to learn about a wide range of topics. Be prepared to be there for a while, as they are packed with four floors of exhibits. We want to thank […]
Get Your Hands-On Discovery Center Read More »
Black Sheep Burger is a prime example of why Springfield, Missouri is a food lovers destination. This city has an amazingly wide variety of dining options. We were told that many restaurateurs will use this city as a testing market for new ideas. That means diners have first shot at some of the best foods around.
Can You Handle Black Sheep Burger? Read More »
The story behind Askinosie Chocolate, in Springfield, Missouri, is as complex as the flavors of the products. The small batch bean-to-bar chocolate factory has raised an eyebrow of the chocolate making industry. Owner Shawn Askinosie has brought an interesting twist to his relationship with customers and suppliers. Time for a Change We once visited a gentleman in Wyoming
Bean to Bar at Askinosie Chocolate Read More »
Fun Acre is one of the old time miniature golf courses that were so popular in the 60’s and 70’s. The kind that featured lots of hand crafted statues dotting the various holes of play. Most have been removed, and only remain in pictures and memories. Every once in a while you happen across one, and
Played Any Cheesy Mini-golf Courses Lately? Read More »
The Dickerson Park Zoo, in Springfield, Missouri, faces the same struggles that many zoological parks are facing these days. With the number and variety of competing attractions increasing, the travelers options become larger. Zoos, as well as many museums, face stiff competition for tourism dollars. This doesn’t mean that smaller market zoos don’t still have the
Get Up Close At Dickerson Park Zoo Read More »
Cafe Cusco is not what we would normally pick for dinner. When I was researching options that are local hot spots, this one kept popping up on my radar. I finally decided that it was time for us to taste what the Peruvian cuisine has to offer. The restaurant is located on Commercial Street in Springfield,
Peruvian Delights at Cafe Cusco Read More »
During our visit to Springfield, Missouri, we just had to make a point of trying Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe. During my research, I reached out to them to arrange a good time for a visit. When they found out we were planning a Saturday, their response was, “the earlier, the better”. We want to thank the Gailey’s
Early Risers at Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe Read More »
Getting a Hurts Donut in Springfield, Missouri is a little different than what you may be thinking. A lot of us conjure up memories of a sibling preparing to hit us, when we answered the question. Instead, at this eatery you get sugary delights. A Native Chain Hurts Donut is a Springfield based business started by
Would You Like a Hurts Donut Read More »
A short stay in Chicago, Illinois offers travelers tons of options. Our trip was focused on the City Center area. We were hoping to enjoy the museums and shopping possibilities. From Kansas City, we were only looking at a 1 1/2 hour flight, so it’s a great destination. Our Temporary Home in Chicago We chose to forego a
Hitting Some Highlights In Chicago Read More »
The Field Museum is Chicago’s own museum of natural history. It happens to rank as one of the largest of its type in the world. With over 24 million specimens in its portfolio, anything less than all day is just a cursory look. The Natural World Our schedule only allowed for a short visit, so
Quick Stop at The Field Museum Read More »
Our Rocky Mountain Road Trip had us leaving Yellowstone Park after just a couple of days. We felt as though we barely scratched the surface of what there is to see. We made a note to ourselves that there would have to be a return trip at some time in the future. For now we aimed our
South by Southwest – Rocky Mountain Road Trip Part 3 Read More »
Recently we traveled across town to find the answer to the question of Who’s on Third? (Street) in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. One of the nice things about living in a large metropolitan city is visiting all of the diverse areas that can be found. Many towns and cities get swallowed up by annexation. While some struggle with an identity complex,
Who’s on Third? – A Day in Lee’s Summit, Missouri Read More »
One of our favorite day trip destinations from Kansas City, Kansas is the capital of our state, Topeka. The population is about the same as our hometown, and it offers some nice attractions less than an hour away. Many times our visits have a simple itinerary located along Topeka’s 10th Street, which includes a couple
Topeka’s 10th Street – A Day Trip to Capitol City Read More »
The morning we were to enter Yellowstone National Park was cloudy and cold, of course it was mid-September in the mountains. We made our way through the southern edge of Montana, and stopped in Silver Gate at the Log Cabin Cafe for a quick bite. There was a chance of precipitation in the forecast, but we were not
Yellowstone National Park – Rocky Mountain Trip Part 2 Read More »
In less than three hours you can drive from Kansas City to Omaha, Nebraska. Once there you will find a multitude of attractions, activities, and oddities to keep you occupied. We have made this trip on multiple occasions, and it seems that we always find plenty to keep us busy. This place makes for a wonderful
A Weekend in Omaha, Nebraska Read More »
When you hear someone speak of great American road-trips a flood of images can run through your mind. Whether you prefer mountains, beaches or small town USA, all of these can be found on the road. This is our favorite way to travel, as it allows us to immerse ourselves in the scenery. While short
Crossing the Plains – Rocky Mountain Trip Part 1 Read More »
As times change many cities are faced with the dilemma of what to do with some of their grandiose historical buildings. Larger cities were often rail hubs, and have massive station houses that have seen thousands of visitors over the decades. In Omaha, Nebraska they turned their Union Station into a rail and history museum.
Back in Time at Durham Museum Read More »
Just south of Omaha you will come across the Offutt Air Force Base. This fairly nondescript area happens to be the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command. Nestled in the middle of farmland, just off exit 426 from Interstate 80, travelers will come across the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. This museum is dedicated to
Take Flight at the Strategic Air Command Museum Read More »
Some people would be embarrassed to say they never left the United States in their first 50 years of life. Well not us. We were more than content to spend our vacations traveling throughout the countryside. Oh we both have crossed the borders of Canada and Mexico, but barely. Now our kids are a different
A Purpose for Passports Read More »
The island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is home to two different sets of residents. On one side you have the Dutch region, while the other half is French. The island received its name from Christopher Columbus during his second voyage. While it was claimed in the name of Spain, they considered it a low priority. On
Two Countries in One Day in St. Maarten Read More »
On a chilly Saturday morning we loaded into the car for a day-trip to St. Joseph, Missouri. Since it is only about an hour drive from our location, we had time for breakfast. After a quick bite we stopped for coffee, which would keep us warm on our travels. Traffic was light, but steady, and
A Historical Visit to St. Joseph, Missouri Read More »
In St. Joseph, Missouri there are many wonderful old buildings, but only one National Historic Landmark. The Patee House Museum started life as a luxury hotel back in 1858. During the short life of the Pony Express (the Pony Express Museum is just down the road), part of the hotel served as the headquarters. Other memorable moments
Relive History at the Patee House Museum Read More »
What is a person to do if they find themselves desiring authentic Louisiana cuisine in St. Joseph, Missouri. Fear not, as you can stop in Boudreaux’s Louisiana Seafood and Steakhouse for some Cajun and Creole dishes served up in a relaxed atmosphere. Located in the Wholesale Row Historic District, this restaurant has created a Mardi Gras atmosphere. The original
Boudreaux’s Louisiana Seafood & Steakhouse – St. Joe Read More »
Sitting just east of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin islands are part of the Caribbean chain of islands, which lead toward South America. Our visit was a stopover on a seven day cruise, so we only had a few hours to explore this tropical paradise. Many ships port in Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of
See New Mix with Old in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas USVI Read More »
The harbor city of Charlotte Amalie sits inside of a sheltered cove. At one end of the city are docks that host cruise ships on a regular basis. Nearly 1.5 million visitors spend time in St. Thomas annually. The city has a wide assortment of attractions, and one of the most popular is the Paradise
Enjoy the View at Paradise Point Tram Read More »
Located on the side of I-80, in North Platte, Nebraska, you can find the Fort Cody Trading Post. This iconic tourist trap is designed to replicate an old frontier fort on the plains. The name is obviously associated with “Buffalo Bill” Cody; the scout, buffalo hunter, and showman. During long drives along the wide prairie,
Be Amused at Fort Cody Trading Post Read More »
The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is a free museum, located in Casper, Wyoming. It is dedicated to educating visitors on the trials faced by those traveling the Oregon Trail, during the Westward Migration. Touring the exhibits will allow visitors to immerse themselves into the 1800s. For us, it was a chance to experience the
Oregon Trail Stories at National Historic Trails Interpretive Center 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 »
This year we decided to spend our post-Thanksgiving taking a well-deserved trip. The plan was to make it a celebration of our 35th Anniversary, so a number that big needs a significant itinerary. We chose to start it with a couple of days in the Cocoa Beach area. Our hopes were that some beach time
Surfs Up at Cocoa Beach, Florida Read More »
The lighthouse one sees on the approach to the Nassau, Bahamas harbor is one of the most highly photographed structures in the Caribbean. Who can resist this picturesque scene surrounded by the beautiful array of colors? But were you aware the Pearl Island lighthouse is another picture-perfect scene and can be found just a short boat
A Tropical Paradise – Pearl Island Read More »
We Kansas Citians are very fortunate to have a good selection of zoos to choose from, within a fairly reasonable driving distance. The Kansas City Zoo is a decent park but doesn’t have the monetary sponsors that a couple of the others in the Midwest are blessed with. The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska
Talk To The Animals at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Read More »
© Copyright 2017-2024 Our Changing Lives All Rights Reserved