Rediscovering Frisco Texas

Frisco was just a tiny spot on the Texas map when we visited family a few years ago.  Settled during the days of cattle drives and booming when the railroads arrived, the town settled into a quiet existence, content to let nearby Dallas define urban sprawl.  In the past few years Frisco has redefined itself and [...]
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Climb 10,000 feet on the Sandia Peak Tramway

To the east of Albuquerque, New Mexico lie the beautiful Sandia Mountains, named for the watermelon color the rocks turn when bathed in the light of the setting sun. Hikers and rock climbers can work their muscles and their skills in these rocky hills, while the rest of us can take an easy ride on [...]
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11 Things at Legoland Florida

These were my 11 favorite things at Legoland Florida: The historic carousel.  I love carousels and have been on many, but never a double-decker one before. The Dragon roller coaster.  Even for coaster wimps like me, it’s a fun ride, and the relaxing indoor ride through Lego creations is equal to the thrill portion when [...]
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LEGOLAND Florida Opens in Winter Haven

This weekend, I was privileged to be among the first to visit the new LEGOLAND Florida theme park in Winter Haven, Florida, about an hour’s drive from Orlando and equally close to Tampa.  This new theme park sits on familiar territory to those who visited Cypress Gardens in the past, and the botanical gardens, including [...]
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The Country’s Best Dinosaur Exhibit?

Where can you find the first dinosaur bone found in America? Where can you see the first complete T-Rex skeleton – the one for which the species was named? If you guessed the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History you’d be a very good guesser, but wrong. While the collection of dinosaur bones in DC [...]
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Atlanta’s Botanical Garden – Gorgeous in All Seasons

The first time I tried to visit Atlanta’s Botanical Garden was in early March of 2010. My then fiance and I were on a date, and I was looking for something romantic and peaceful to enjoy. As we walked up to the Botanical Garden’s entrance, I quickly realized that most of the plants were still [...]
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Favorite Pub Grub

No matter where we travel I seem to be able to find a great pub where the craic flows as easily as the pints, the food is incredible and no one is shocked if you bring your kids along.  While I’ve not had the opportunity to sample every pub in the US, these six keep [...]
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Understanding Pittsburgh at the Heinz History Center

My family and I spent about a month visiting Pittsburgh recently, a luxury most visitors don’t have. Usually guests drop in on new cities like unexpected in-laws, hoping to learn as much as possible in a long weekend or short week. While every city has quintessential attractions — many with hefty advertising budgets to lure [...]
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Sculpture Gardens in Minnesota: Kid-Friendly Art Museums

Sculpture gardens present some of the most accessible of art options for families; instead of a quiet atmosphere filled with ancient treasures, children can roam about the artwork, exclaiming their delight.  For those who enjoy seeing art outdoors, Minnesota has several sculpture gardens that families can enjoy. Perhaps the most widely known is the Minneapolis [...]
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Boutique Shopping in Hampton

No, it’s not a typo… to talk about boutique shopping in the Hamptons, land of the uber wealthy, is almost cliche. But hidden in north central Iowa the town of Hampton may not be your idea of a shopping destination.  Before you click away let me change your perceptions. Incredible Treasures, Affordable Prices Hampton, Iowa, [...]
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Carnegie Science Center Sparks Learning in Pittsburgh

Looking for a lesson in liquid nitrogen? How about a chance to practice your cryogenic surgery skills? Head to the Carnegie Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Shore to learn through hands-on exhibits and interactive classes. As you would expect, the Carnegie Science Center teaches kids (and adults) about electricity and gravity and centripetal force through a series [...]
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Intrigued by Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

If you live in Western Michigan, you know that Sam Walton wasn’t the only guy to capitalize on the superstore business model. Frederick Meijer and his father made millions from their big box grocery stores, Meijer Stores. But today, the Meijer name means more than meats and produce to the people of Grand Rapids — [...]
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Leaf Peeping in the Minnesota River Valley

It’s that time of year again, when the fall colors come out in all their glory and the days turn cooler, reminding us to take advantage of the nice weather and turn of the seasons before winter hits us with a fury here in Minnesota.  While farmers are harvesting their fields, many people from city [...]
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PNC Park – Baseball’s Prettiest Park

There’s no doubt about it: the Pittsburgh Pirates stink. Fortunately, fans can endure the seemingly endless losing streak in a gorgeous stadium. PNC Park sits on Pittsburgh’s North Shore just across from downtown. Like many stadiums used for professional sports, its location makes it perfect for TV-camera flyovers that highlight the city. But what makes [...]
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Religious Relics at St Anthony’s Chapel in Pittsburgh

“I’ve lived here 40 years and I’ve never been down these streets.” My guide, a lifelong Yinzer, wound down the crooked streets of the Troy Hill neighborhood with the care and caution of a tourist. It was the first time during my Pittsburgh visit that I hadn’t had to hang onto the handle bar in [...]
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Minnesota Grown: Where to Find Fresh, Local Foods in Minnesota

As I was in my kitchen up to my elbows in apple juice that will become jelly tomorrow, travel was the last thing on my mind.  At this time of year, it’s hard to find time to run for groceries, much less think of something fun to do. But then I started thinking about grapes, [...]
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Discover an Odd Museum in a Small Ohio Town

We were in Milan, Ohio to visit the Edison Birthplace Museum and had been invited to checkout the Milan Historical Museum while we were in town. The two museums were only a couple of blocks apart and there didn’t appear to be anything else in Milan, so we figured “what the heck.” Two hours later, [...]
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Get a Glimpse Behind Genius at Thomas Edison Birthplace

Thomas Edison lived in Milan, Ohio for just seven years, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that the small town minutes away from Lake Erie is the birthplace of one of the world’s greatest inventors. The Edison Birthplace Museum celebrates that milestone and provides an interesting look at the family that made a genius and [...]
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11 Reasons to Visit Van Buren County

Van Buren county, located in the very south east corner of Iowa is famous for its beauty and relaxing vibe. What can you find to do in a county that has neither fast food restaurants or a single stoplight? Quite a bit, as I found on a recent visit. Relax, You’re in Van Buren County [...]
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Children’s Museums: Indoor Fun in Inclement Weather

Here in the Upper Midwest, summer has left us behind.  We’ve had our first freeze, and while we still hope for some sunny and warm fall days, we know that winter is just around the corner.  Gone are the days of counting on the weather to be nice enough for all of the outdoor things [...]
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Cleveland’s West Side Market – a Tourist Destination?

“You have to check out the West Side Market.” We heard this advice over and over again while we were in Cleveland and it seemed, next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that this was the coolest thing happening in the city. Having been awed by Philadelphia’s Reading Market a few months earlier, [...]
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Music Lover’s Paradise

Even the building is cool. There is no neon sign in front of the glass pyramid and cubic spiral. Just as you can pick out your favorite album by the artwork alone, those in the know don’t need a gaudy sign to tell them they’ve arrived at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But [...]
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Enjoy Fall Colors on the Mississippi River

As we anticipate our first frost here in Minnesota tonight, it gets us thinking about fall.  Through my window, I see corn that is drying up, soybeans that are turning from green to yellow to tan, and trees whose tints have begun to change ever so slightly.  In the coming weeks, people in many places [...]
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New Views on Old Rides

In days gone by, cities built on bluffs faced a dilemma as they grew:  how to efficiently move people from the top of the hill, where homes were being built, to the lower ground where many worked.  A roadway might go miles out of the way, so a more efficient system was devised, a funicular [...]
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Niagara Falls – Pay for the Upgrades

I am a frugal traveler. I’m always looking for the cheap route, the unknown freebies, the fine print that says “recommended donation” instead of “required admission.” But once in a while, you absolutely should pay for the full tourist experience. Niagara Falls is one place where I would highly recommend paying for the added attractions. [...]
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Six Flags Adding New 2012 Attractions

Roller coaster junkies, take note! Six Flags will be introducing a host of new attractions at many of its parks in 2012. This article noted that Six Flags President and Chief Executive said that “every Six Flags Park every year” will have a new attraction. Wow. That’s a lot of new attractions, especially given the [...]
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It’s Grape Stomping Season!

Stomp, stomp. Squish, squish. It’s grape stomping season! This is the time of year when you can have fun crushing grapes with your feet. Wineries across the country are holding all sorts of fun community events including races and special winery tours to encourage people to come on out and crush their grapes. You don’t [...]
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Little Aquarium Makes a Big Splash in Mystic, CT

My family and I lived in Orlando, Florida for about four years and we spent many weekends enjoying the area’s world class attractions. That included SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You could say we’re a little spoiled when it comes to animal exhibits and we definitely have high standards for zoos and aquariums. [...]
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New York City’s South Street Seaport: Hit or Miss?

A discussion among any city’s locals, visitors, and self-labeled travelers constantly rages about which sites and attractions are “tourist traps” as opposed to worthy destinations. In New York City, the legitimacy of the South Street Seaport may be as hotly contested as that of well-lit Times Square, although that’s where the similarities between the two [...]
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Things to See in New York City’s Central Park

New York City’s Central Park is a destination unto itself, complete with multiple attractions and things to do. If you’re visiting the city with kids, consider reserving an entire day to explore the park – especially if the kids have spent long hours behaving themselves in museums and shops. What can you do while visiting [...]
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