Thursday, September 24, 2020

Kansas (KS)

Kansas State Flag
 

"The Sunflower State"

"Jayhawk State", "Midway State" and "Wheat State"

Why visit Kansas?
A low key and relaxed atmosphere destination to enjoy auto racing, biking, birdwatching, cowboy heritage, farmland, fishing, glacial hills, hiking, hunting, military forts, museums, pioneer history, rolling tall grass prairie, space flight history and walking.

Kansas City, KS. Photo Credit: Colton Sturgeon/Unsplash


At a Glance
  • Capital: Topeka
  • State Bird: Western Meadowlark
  • State Dessert: None
  • State Flower: Sunflower
  • State Gemstone: Jelenite
  • State Mammal: Buffalo
  • State Rock: Greenhorn Limestone

Fun Facts
  • In 1910, the first state to institute Workers' Compensation.
  • In 1911, the first state to regulate the Securities Industry.
  • At 650 feet below the earth’s surface underground salt caverns store Hollywood films and documentation from around the world.
  • Larger than a football field Garden City hosts the world's largest concrete pool, "Big Pool" which is 72,000 square feet holding 2.6 million gallons of water.
  • Produces high yields of corn, sorghum, soybean and wheat.
  • Has our country's third largest state highway system.
  • Features 24 State Parks.
  • Read tales about the state are featured in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and  Little House on the Prairie (1935).
  • The fictional town of Smallville is the childhood home of Superman (Clark Kent).
  • Plaza Cinema (Ottawa) is listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operating cinema in the world.
  • Hollenberg Pony Express Station, aka: Cottonwood Pony Express Station (Hanover) is the most preserved station of the Pony Express.
  • Stunt Performer, Robert Craig Knievel (1938-2007) "Evel Knievel" ran his first race in Winfield.
Kansas Praire. Photo Credit: ramaxeymiles/Pixabay 


Thank You!
  • Spotlight Celebrities: Barry Sanders (Athlete), David Dwight Eisenhower (Late President), Eric Stonestreet (Actor), Jordy Nelson (Athlete), Kristie Alley (Actress) and Martina McBride (Musician), just to mention a few.
  • Movies to Inspire You: All Roads Lead Home (2006), Different Flowers (2017), New Girls on the Block (2015), The Tree (2017) and Winding Roads (1998), just to mention a few.
  • Reads Set in Kansas: Keeping Faith (written by Jodi Picoult), Sprout (written by Dale Peck)The Topeka School (written by Ben Lerner) and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (written by L Frank Baum), just to name a few.
Sandstone Monument, KS. Photo Credit: Alan Parker/Pixabay 


Good to Know
  • Only small and medium-sized man made recreational lakes.
  • Copperhead and rattlesnakes (poisonous) are residents.
  • There's 10% Liquor Drink Tax collected for liquor consumed on the licensed premises and an 8% Liquor Enforcement Tax at retailers.
  • Dodge City is our nation's windiest city with recorded winds up to 14mph.
  • A flat state best traveled by car. Anticipate long distances between sites.

Subject to dust storms, flash floods, humidity, supercell thunderstorms, snowstorms and tornadoes.

  • Best Time to Visit: June - September
  • Coldest Month: January
  • Hottest Month: July
  • Peak Season: June - August
Kansas Hills. Photo Credit: CJMcCay/Pixabay 


Your Must-See & Do
  • Historical Sites: Anton-Woodring House, Battle of Punished Woman's Fork National Historic Site, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Buffalo Bill's Well on the Santa Fe Trail, Castle Tea Room, Constitution Hall State Historic Site, Coronado Cross, Dwight D Eisenhower Boyhood Home, Far West Temple Site, First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site, Fort Hays State Historic Site, Fort Larned National Historic Site, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Historic Chisholm Trail Cattle Pens Site, Historic Chisholm Trail Mulberry Tree Marker, Historic John & Mary Jane Ritchie House, Historic Santa Fe Depot, Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site, Johnson House, Kaw Mission State Historic Site, Keebler-Stone House, Little Stranger Church & Cemetery, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site, Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site, Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site, Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark, Nicodemus National Historic Site, Nike Missile Site KC-80, Old Imperial Brewery, Pawnee Rock State Historic Site, Red Rocks State Historic Site, Santa Fe Trail Tracks, Sauer Castle, Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site, The Geographic Center of the United States, The Lane Trail and Union Station Kansas City.
  • Museums: Alexander Majors Historic Museum, Arabia Steamboat Museum, Barbed Wire Museum, Big Well Museum, Booth Family Hall of Athletics, Boot Hill Museum, Carry A Nation Home & Museum, Cloud County Historical Museum, Combat Air Museum, Coronado Quivira Museum, Cray Historical Home Museum, C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Dalton Defenders & Coffeyville History Museum, Dietrich Cabin, Dorothy's House & the Land of Oz, El Quartelejo Museum, Eudora Community Museum, Evel Knievel Museum, Exploration Place, Fick Fossil & History Museum, Fort Bissell Museum, Fort Wallace Museum,Frontier Army Museum, Ft Harker Museum, Gardner Historical Museum, Goodnow House, Great Plains Transportation Museum, Greyhound Hall of Fame, Grinter Place Museum, Heritage Center, High Plains Museum, Jackson County Museum, John Brown Museum, Kansas Auto Racing Museum, Kansas African American Museum, Kansas Aviation Museum, Kansas Children's Discovery Center, Kansas City Automotive Museum, Kansas City Museum, Kansas Museum of History, Kansas Oil Museum, Kauffman Museum, Kiowa County Historical Museum & Soda Fountain, KU Natural History Museum, Lincoln County Kansas Historical Museum, Little House on the Prairie Museum, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, McPherson County Old Mill Museum, Mid-America All-Indian Museum, Museum at Prairiefire, Museum of World Treasures, National WWI Museum & Memorial, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Old Cowtown Museum, Old Depot Museum, Old West Wax Museum, OZ Museum, Parsons Historical Museum, Paul Boyer Museum of Animated Carvings, Pawnee Indian Museum, Pioneer Krier Museum, Red Barn Studio Museum, Richard Allen Cultural Center & Museum, Riley County Historical Museum, Salt Mine Tours, Shoal Creek Living History Museum, Smoky Hill Museum, Sternberg Museum, Stockade Museum, Strataca, The John Wornall House Museum, Thomas Hart Benton Home & Studio, Trego County Historical Society Museum, US Cavalry Museum, Watkins Museum of History, William Allen White House, Wichita Art Museum, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, The Original Pizza Hut Museum, Trego County Historical Society Museum, Wizard of Oz Museum, Wolf House Museum, Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City, Wonder Workshop Children's Museum and Yesteryear Museum. 
  • Popular Attractions: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, All Star Sports, Amelia Earhart Birthplace, Asylum Bridge, Big Brutus, Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery, Bluemont Scenic Overlook, Boot Hill Cemetery, Boot Hill Distillery, Bowl Plaza, Buffalo Soldier Monument, Candycane Lane, Castle Rock Badlands, Coronado Cross, Coronado Heights Castle, Cosmosphere, Cyclone Day Memorial, Dalton Gang Hideout, Dargatz Park, Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, Dodge City Trolley, Erie Dinosaur Park, Exploration Place, Flint Hills Discovery Center, Fort Riley, Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House, Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area, Friends of Sandsage Bison, Gage Park, Giant Reproduction of Three Sunflowers in a Vase, Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, Great Overland Station, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, Guardian of the Grove Statue, Guard of the Plains, Gyp Hills Scenic Drive, Hays Aquatic Park, Hermit's Cave, Historic Lecompton, Hoffman Grist Mill, Home of Stone, Huron Indian Cemetery, Hutchinson Zoo, Indian Rock Park, Indian Treaty Kansas Historical Marker, Jurassic Art, Kanopolis Lake State Park, Kansas City Museum, Kansas City Workhouse, Kansas Historical Marker, Kansas Landscape Arboretum, Kansas Originals Market, Kansas Speedway, Kansas State Archives, Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park, Keystone Gallery, Kiddieland Amusement Park, Lake Scott State Park, Lakewood Park, Last Chance Store, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City, Liquid Art Winery & Estate, Madonna of the Trail, Matt Dillon Statue, Miami County Historical, M.T. Liggett's Political Sculptures, Mushroom Rock State Park, Neosho Riverwalk, Oakdale Park, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Prairiefire, Quindaro Ruins Overlook Structure, Rainbow Bridge, Riverside Park & Ralph Mitchell Zoo, Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park, Rolling Hills Zoo, Safari Zoological Park, Salsa Man, SEA LIFE Kansas City, Sedgwick County Zoo, Seelye Mansion, Smithalo, S. P. Dinsmoor's Garden of Eden, Suitcase Tombstone of a Traveling Salesman, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, The Ewing & Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, The Fire Hydrant House, The Keeper of the Plains, The Lewis & Clark, The Wichita Gardens, Topeka Zoo, Veterans Memorial Park, Wamego Dutch Windmill, Ward-Meade Park Botanical Gardens, Wheat Jesus Billboard, Wildwood Adventure Park, Wilson State Park, Windsurfer Beach, World's Largest Ball of Twine, World's Largest Baseball, Worlds Largest Czech Egg, St Fidelis Basilica, Sunset Zoo, World's Largest Easel, World's Largest Spur, World's Largest Things, Worlds Of Fun, Wright Park and Wyatt Earp Statue. 
  • Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Coffeyville, Dodge City, Garden City, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Lawrence, Lenexa, Manhatton, Olathe, Overland Park, Salina, Shawnee, Topeka and Wichita.
  • Special Events: (January) Kansas Day, (March) Naka-Kon, NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Annual Championship, Planet Comicon, (April) Antique & Barbed Wire Festival, Kansas City FilmFest, (May) Brookside Art Annual, NASCAR, Square Fair, Tumbleweed, Turkey Creek Festival (June) Anime Festival Wichita, Crown Center Antique Festival, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Jazz Walk of Fame, Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen, (July) Amelia Earhart Festival, Dodge City Days, Grand Carnivale, KC RiverFest, (August) Heart of America Hot Dog Festival, Jazzoo, Middle of the Map Fest, Roots Festival, (September) American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Ciderfest & Craft Fair, Dancefestopia, Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Kansas City Irish Fest, Louisburg Ciderfest, Paris of the Plains Cocktail Festival, Paxico Blues Fest, Peace Treaty Festival & PageantPlaza Art Fair and (October) WaterFire Kansas City. 

Kansas Sunflowers. Photo Credit: sara14n/Pixabay 


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Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Iowa (IA)

Iowa State Flag
 

"The Hawkeye State"


Why visit Iowa?
Scenic drive travelers who desire charming towns while enjoying bicycling, casino's, farmlands, caves, golfing, hiking, history, horseback riding, museums, Native American burial grounds, riverboats, rolling plains, scenic railways, skiing, snowmobiling, state fairs, and walking.

Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

At a Glance
  • Capital: Des Moines
  • State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch
  • State Dessert: None
  • State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose
  • State Gemstone: None
  • State Mammal: None
  • State Rock: Geode 

Fun Facts
  • On February 3, 1959 Charles Hardin Holley (1936-1959), "Buddy Holly", an American Rock & Roll Musician died in a plane crash near Clear Lake with his band members and pilot.
  • Since 1971, has hosted the John Deere Classic, PGA Tour golf event.
  • In 1989, the first to legalize riverboat casino gambling.
  • Wells' Blue Bunny (LeMars) is said to produce more ice cream than any other city in the world.
  • Known to have more pigs than people (5:1).
  • Amana Colonies are seven villages spanning over 26,000 acres bustling in authentic German ambiance and roots since 1855.
  • Recognized as the most conservative Old Order Settlement with a population of 7000 Amish Residents.
  • The highest literacy rate in the nation, schools ranked above the national average in scholastic achievement (93%).
  • Over 85% of the state's land is used for agriculture.
  • Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption (West Bend) receives over 100,000 visitors annually.
  • Features 10 State Forests and 83 State Parks.
Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride (RAGBRAI), IA. Photo Credit: S Ahrend/Pixabay 

Thank You!
  • Spotlight Celebrities: Ashton Kutcher (Actor), Cloris Leachman (Actress), John Wayne (Actor), Johnny Carson (Comedian), Kirk Hinrich (Athlete) and Seth Rollins (Athlete), just to name a few.
  • Movies to Inspire You: Children of the Corn (2009), Field of Dreams (1989)Sugar (2008), The Bridges of Madison County (1995) and Twister (1996), just to mention a few.
  • Novels Set in Iowa: A Thousand Acres (written by 
    Jane Smiley), 
    Bridges of Madison County (written by Robert Waller), Shoeless Joe (written by 
    W.P. Kinsella), 
    Some Other Town (written by Elizabeth Collison) and What's Eating Gilbert Grape (written by Peter Hedges), just to name a few.

Downtown Des Moines, IA. Photo Credit: Tony Walker/Pixabay 

Good to Know
  • During Autumn there are over 260 corn mazes throughout the state.
  • Scenic Drives to consider include Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway, Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Great River Road, Historic U.S. Route 6, Iowa Wine Trail, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, River Bluffs Scenic Byway and Western Skies Scenic Byway.

Subject to humidity, snowstorms, tornadoes (May-June) and wildfires.

  • Best Time to Visit: May-June and Late August-October
  • Coldest Month: January
  • Hottest Months: July
  • Peak Season: June - August

Winterset City, IA. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do
  • Historical Sites: Billingsley-Hills House, Buddy Holly Crash Site, Clark House, Dibble House, Dubuque Town Clock, Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District,  Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Hose Station No. 1, Jesse James Historical Site, Joseph Smith III's Liberty Hall, Kanesville Tabernacle, Kilbourn Bridge, Mathias Ham House, Matt Edel Blacksmith Shop, Melrose Historic District, Montauk Historic Site, Motor Mill Historic Site, Plum Grove Historical Site, Rhodes Mill, Simon E Dow House, Snake Alley, Terrace Hill Historic Site, Toolesboro Indian Mounds and Witmer House.
  • Museums: Abbie Gardner Cabin, African American Museum Of Iowa, Amana Heritage Society, Ames History Museum, Appanoose Historical & Coal Mining Museum, Bartlett Museum, Bily Clocks Museum, Blanden Memorial Art Museum, Boone History Center, Brucemore, Brunnier Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Carnegie Historical Museum, Cedar Falls Historical Society, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Charles H MacNider Art Museum, Dan Gable Wrestling Museum, Delaware County Historical Museum, Desoto National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Museum, Farm House Museum, Figge Art Museum, Froelich Museum, Garrett-Phelps House Museum, Glick-Sower Historical House, Greene County Historical Society, Grenville M. Dodge House, Grout Museum of History & Science, Hawkeye Log Cabin, Hemken Collection, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum, Hitchcock House, Ice House Museum, Iowa County Historical Society, Iowa Aviation Museum, Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum, 
    Jesse James Museum, John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, John Wayne Birthplace Museum, Johnson County Historical Society, Joseph Smith Historic Site, Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, Iowa Quilt Museum, Iowa Rural Schools Museum, Kalona Historical Village, Kinney Pioneer Museum, Living History Farms, Locust School Museum, Matchstick Marvels, McGregor Historical Museum, Museum of Danish America, National Balloon Museum & U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, National Hobo Museum, National Motorcycle Museum, Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, Old Capitol Museum, Pella Historical Village, Pearson House Museum, Rensselaer Russell House Museum, Scholte House Museum & Gardens, Sergeant Floyd River Museum, Sioux City Public Museum, Sioux City Railroad Museum, Stockman House, Squirrel Cage Jail, Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, Surf Ballroom & Museum, The Iowa Children's Museum, The National Norwegian-American Museum & Heritage Center, The Voyage Home Museum, University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Ushers Ferry Historic Village, Waterloo Center for the Arts and William M Black.
  • Popular Attractions: Adventureland Park, Albert the Bull Park, Allee Mansion, Amana Colonies, Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden, Black Angel Statue, Blank Park Zoo, Bonaparte Pottery, Boone History Center, Brushy State Recreation Area, Calliope Village, Cedar Rock State Park, Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, Clark State Park, Clark Tower, Cordova Observation Tower, Crystal Lake Cave, Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village & Olde St Ann's Church, Danish Windmill, Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market, Devonian Fossil Gorge, Dubuque Riverwalk, Dubuque Shot Tower, Dubuque Township Round Barn, Dunning's Spring Park, Eagle Point Park, EB Lyons Interpretive Center, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Field of Dreams Movie Site, Frank Lloyd Wright Home, Grandview Park Bandshell, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Heritage Carousel of Des Moines, Hogback Covered Bridge,Holtkamp Round Barn, Iowa's Largest Frying Pan, Iowa Trolley Park, John Peirce Mansion, Julien Dubuque Monument, Kalona Historical Village, Kate Shelley High Bridge, Ledges State Park, Lewis & Clark Park, Lincoln Highway Bridge, Lover's Leap Swinging Bridge, Lowell & Agnes Walter Estate, Maquoketa Caves State Park, Mowry Irvine Mansion, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, National Balloon Classic Field, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Parkersburg Historical Home, Pedestrian Mall, Peter Toth Indian, Pikes Peak State Park, Reiman Gardens, Robert D Ray Asian Gardens, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Passenger Station, Rolling Thunder Prairie, Salisbury House & Gardens, Sergeant Floyd Monument, Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, Starr's Cave Nature Center, State Center Rose Garden, Stempel Bird Collection, Sunrise Children's Zoo, Swan Lake State Park, Taylor Country School 4, The Big Treehouse, The Klokkenspel, The Palmer Family Residence, The Sitting Man - Buddha, Traer Salt & Pepper Shaker Gallery, Trainland USA, Trinity Heights, Ulysses S Grant Home, Vermeer Mill, Villisca Axe Murder House, Western Historic Trails Center, Wildcat Den State Park, World's Largest Concrete Gnome, World's Largest Popcorn Ball, Worlds Largest Wooden Nickel, World's Largest Strawberry and Worlds Smallest Church.
  • Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Ames, Ankeny, Bentonsport, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Dyersville, Elkader, Iowa City, LeClaire, McGregor, Okoboji, Pella, Sioux City, Waterloo and West Des Moines.
  • Special Events: (January) African American Festival , Kee Live Music Festival, University of Okoboji Winter Games, Winterfest, (March) Maple Syrup Festival, Waverly Horse Sale, (April) Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, Take a Bite Food Festival, (May) Boone River Valley Festival, Houby Days, Maifest, Orange City Tulip Festival, Pella Tulip Time, Tivoli Fest, Tree Town Music Festival, (June) BACooN Ride, College Hill Arts Festival, Glenn Miller Festival, Ice Cream Days, Lumberjack Festival, Scandinavian Days,Trek Fest,State Center Rose Festival, Whitewater Weekend, (July) AsianFest, Bix 7 Road Race, Iowa Irish Fest, National Balloon Classic, Nordic Fest, Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), Walcott Truckers Jamboree, (August) Great River Tug Fest, Iowa Irish Fest, Iowa State Fair, Meskwaki Powwow, (September) Applefest, GermanFest Celebration, Pufferbilly Days, Pancake Day, Tri City BBQ Fest, (October) Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, Oktoberfest, Scenic Drive Festival, Waverly Horse Sale, (November) Julefest, National Farm Toy Show and (December) Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland.

Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

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Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Indiana (IN)

State Flag of Indiana
 

"Land of Indians"

"Indian Land" and "The Hoosier State"


Why visit Indiana?
Historians and outdoor motor race enthusiasts interested in architecture, auto racing, basketball, casinos, caves, cross-country skiing, drive-in theaters, fishing, hiking, historical sites, horseback riding, hunting, lakes, marshes, mountain biking, museums, outdoor sports, prairies, riverboat gambling, scenic train rides, sinkholes and valleys.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay


At a Glance
  • Capital: Indianapolis
  • State Bird: Cardinal Cardinalis
  • State Dessert: Sugar Cream Pie
  • State Flower: Peony Paeonia
  • State Gemstone: None
  • State Mammal: None
  • State Rock: None
Indiana Farm Parade. Photo Credit: Stephen Marc/Pixabay 


Fun Facts
  • Paleo-Indians, arrived (8000 BCE) after the melting of the glaciers at the end of the Ice Age.
  • Southern Illinois limestone quarries is known to be a construction building source for the Empire State Building, Pentagon and State Capitals. 
  • On June 27,  1977 late Elvis Presley, Musician (1935-1977) gave his last public performance at Indianapolis' Market Square Arena.
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the first long-distance auto race across our nation.
  • The annual “Picture Postmark” Contest is a holiday postmark designed by a local high school art student created in response to the hundreds of mail sent to Santa Claus, IN over the Christmas Holiday.
  • Orville Redenbacher (1907–1995), Entrepreneur studied agronomy at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. After graduation, he perfected and sold Redenbacher Popcorn from the trunk of his car.
  • Features 2 National Parks, 24 State Parks, plentiful lakes and rivers.
  • Has the third largest population of Amish (a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German Anabaptist origin).
Indianapolis City, IN. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay


Thank You!
  • Spotlight Celebrities: Adam Lambert (Musician), James Dean (Actor), Janet Jackson (Musician), Larry Bird (Athlete), Louie Dampier (Athlete), Michael Jackson (Musician) and Mick Foley (Athlete), just to mention a few.
  • Movies to Inspire You: A Christmas Story (1940), Amanda (2009), Breaking Away (1979), Going All the Way (1997), Hoosiers (1986) and Original Gangstas (1996), just to mention a few. 
  • Novels Set in Indiana: Freckles (written by Gene Stratton-Porter), Raintree County (Ross Lockridge, Jr) and The Underground Railroad (Colson Whitehead), just to name a few.
Bridgeton, IN. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay


Good to Know
  • Western Indiana (Parke County), is nationally known nationally for covered bridges (30).
  • Legendary for bass fishing; largemouth, smallmouth, rock and striped.
  • America's Christmas hometown is in Santa Claus, IN. Annually hosting family fun the first three weekends in December. Mail your letters to: Santa Claus Post Office, P.O. Box 9998, Santa Claus, IN 47579-9998.
  • Chiggers (Berry Bugs/Trombiculidae) are widespread. To avoid their intense itching do not sit on the ground or stand in weeds. Dawn-dusk mosquitos are plentiful. Prime tick season is April-June.
  • State is divided into two time zones Central and Eastern Time.
  • Has produced more National Basketball Association (NBA) players than any other state.
  • There are 20 drive-in theaters throughout the state.

Subject to earthquakes, humidity, hurricanes, snowstorms and tornados.

  • Best Time to Visit: May - September
  • Coldest Month: January
  • Hottest Months: July - August
  • Peak Season: June - August
Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, IN. Photo Credit: Jeff DeWitt/Unsplash


Your Must-See & Do
  • Historical Sites: Alexander T Rankin House, Archeological Sites 12T59 & 12T530, Bates-Hendricks House, Burris House & Potawatomi Spring, Cairo Skywatch Tower, Carpenter House, Charles L Shrewsbury House, Civil War Memorial Grave, Clark Memorial, Duck Creek Aqueduct, Eleutherian College, Fort Knox II - Vincennes State Historic Sites, Fort Ouiatenon, Gary City Center Historic District, Historic Tunnel Mill, Huddleston Farmhouse, Indiana World War Memorial, John H Bass Mansion, Junction Railroad Depot, Lake Iola Interurban Site, New Harmony Historic District, Nike Missile Site C-45, Nike Missile Site CD-63, Potawatomi Village Historic Site, Riverton Archaeological Site, The Hanging Tree, The John & Catherine Christian House, The Kile Oak, The Kizer House, The Miller House, Tippecanoe Battlefield Memorial and Veraestau Historic Site. 
  • Museums: Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum , Benjamin Harrison, Brauer Museum of Art, Candles Holocaust Museum, Conner Prairie Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Evansville Museum, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, General Lew Wallace Study & Museum, Haan Museum of Indiana Art, Indiana Medical History Museum, Indiana Military Museum, Indiana State Museum, Newfields, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, National Automotive & Truck Museum, RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum, Rhythm! Discovery Center, Santa Claus Museum, Studebaker National Museum, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, The History Museum, The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, World of Motorcycles Museum and WonderLab Science Museum.
  • Popular Attractions: Anderson Speedway, Antique Alley, Bluespring Caverns, Brown County State Park, Cass County Dentzel Carousel, City West Ghost Town, Columbian Park Zoo, Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Cottrell Village, Courthouse Tree, Deep River Waterpark, Delphi Opera House, Empire Quarry, Dunn’s Bridge, First Christian Church, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Four Winds Casinos, France Park, Freedom Springs, French Lick Casino, Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Hollywood Casino, Eagle Creek Park & Nature Preserve, East Race Waterway, Hall of Heros, Hoosier National Forest, Indiana Beach Amusement & Water Park Resort, Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Indianapolis Speedway, Indianapolis Zoo, Indy 500, John Dillinger's Grave, Jug Rock, Knightridge Space Observatory, Kokomo Speedway, Lincoln Amphitheatre, Lucas Oil Stadium, Market Street Catacombs, Marengo Cave, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Monon Community Center, Monument Circle, New Harmony Labyrinth, O'Bannon Woods State Park, Perfect North Slopes, Pine Lake Water Park, Prophetstown State Park, Rose Island, Santa's TOYS, Schimpff's Confectionery, Seiberling Mansion, Shipshewana Flea Market, Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument, South Bend River Lights, Splash House Water Park, Spirit of Jasper, The Dixie Sternwheeler, The Garfield Trail, The Ruins, Tropicanoe Cove Outdoor Family Aquatic Center, Turkey Run State Park, Wellfield Botanic Gardens, White River State Park, Whitewater Valley Railroad, World's Largest Ball of Paint and Wyandotte.
  • Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Bloomington, Carmel, Corydon, Evansville, Fishers, Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Merrillville, Muncie, Noblesville, Santa Claus, South Bend and Terre Haute.
  • Special Events: (May) 500 Festival, Broad Ripple Art Fair, Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, (June)Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, Indian Market & Festival, Strawberry Festival, Symphony on the Prairie, (July) Brickyard 400, Circus City Festival, Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, Madison Regatta, (August) Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival, HOT ROD Power Tour, Indiana State Fair, IndyFringe Festival, Marshall County Blueberry Festival, Red Bull Indianapolis GP, (September) BBQ & BREWFEST, Bean Blossom Biker Fest, Boone Flavor Fest, Festival of the Turning Leaves, Fishers Blues Fest, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indy Jazz Fest, NHRA Chevrolet Performance US Nationals, NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Ohio Valley River Cats Catfish Tournament, Penrod Art Fair, Valpo Brewfest, Whitestown Brew Fest, (October) Circle City Classic, Covered Bridge Festival, MotoAmerica Superbikes at the Brickyard, Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, (November) Circle of Lights, Fantasy of Lights, Indy International Festival, Winter Lights Night Festival, (December) Santa Claus Christmas Celebration and Santa Claus Christmas Parade.

Door Prairie Barn, LaPorte, IN. Photo Credit: David Mark Pixabay


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Monday, September 21, 2020

Illinois (IL)

Illinois State Flag

"Land of Lincoln"

"Chi-Town", "City by the Lake", "City in a Garden", "City of Big Shoulders", "Great Commercial Tree", "Heart of America", "Mud City", "Prairie State", "Second City", The City Beautiful", "The City that Works", "The Great American City" and "Windy City".


Why visit Illinois?
Travelers seeking a world class city to enjoy architecture, culture, dining, historical sites, history, museums, nightlife, shopping and theatre. 

Chicago City, IL. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 


At a Glance
  • Capital: Springfield
  • State Bird: Northern Cardinal
  • State Dessert: Pumpkin Pie
  • State Flower: Violet
  • State Gemstone: None
  • State Mammal: White Tailed Deer
  • State Rock: None
"Route 66" Pontiac, IL. Photo Credit: Andreas H/Pixabay 


Fun Facts
  • Agricultural heavy equipment mogul, John Deer Headquarters & Manufacturing is in Moline, IL.
  • The first McDonald's was built in Des Plaines, IL.
  • Features 2 National Forests, 5 State Forests and 43 State Parks.
  • The snack Twinkie, a golden sponge cake with a creamy filling was invented by James Alexander Dewar (Canadian-born baker) in Schiller Park, IL.
  • Late President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) while in grade school (9) resided in Dixon (1920-1923) with his family.
  • In 1830, Late President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) at 21 moved to Macon County, IL with his family, a year later on his own. Elected to the Illinois Legislature in 1834 and reelected from 1836-1844. President from 1861-1965.
  • Clark Kent (Superman), Reporter at The Daily Planet in Metropolis, IL.
  • Until the build of the One Trade Center (New York City) the Sears Roebuck & Company was considered the tallest building across our nation. Sold for $1.3 billion (2015) and renamed Willis Tower (global insurance broker).
  • Around 75% of the state is farmland. A leading producer of corn, grain and soybeans.

Thank You!
  • Spotlight Celebrities: Betty White (Actress), Dwayne Wade (Athlete), Harrison Ford (Actor), Hillary Clinton (Former First Lady), Michelle Obama (Former First Lady), Robin Williams (Actor) and Walt Disney (Founder), just to name a few.
  • Movies to Inspire You: A League of Their Own (1992),  Contagion (2011), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Lucas (1998) and Man of Steel (2013), just to name a few.
  • Novels Set in Illinois: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (written by Mark Twain) and The House on Mango Street (written by Sandra Cisneros), just to name a few.
Dwight, IL. Photo Credit: Jorge Segovia/Unsplash 


Good to Know
  • Chicago is a hub for Amtrak Trains connecting passengers to the Northeast, South and West Coast.
  • Route 66 starts in Chicago (ends in Santa Monica, CA).
  • Foliage Season starts around the last two weeks in September and last until the last two weeks of October.

Subject to heat waves, winds, snow storms and tornadoes.

  • Best Time to Visit: May - October
  • Coldest Month: January
  • Hottest Months: July
  • Peak Season: June - August

The Bean (Cloud Gate), Chicago, IL. Photo Credit: Rick Lobes/Pixabay

Search Results

Web resultsThe Bean (Cloud Gate) in Chicago

Photo Credit: Rick Lobes/Pixabay 


Your Must-See & Do
  • Historical Sites: 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, Adlai E Stevenson Historic Home, Albany Mounds State Historic Site, American Airlines Flight 191 Crash Site, Apple River Fort State Historic Site, Beattie Park Mound Group Historic Site, Bernard Stuve House, Bieker-Wilson Village Archaeological Site, Buel House State Historic Site, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Carthage Jail, Cattle Bank, Charles A Lindbergh Historical Marker,  Clayville Town Historic Site, Corbin Farm Site, Douglas Tomb State Historic Site, Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, Frederick C. Robie House, Grand Village of the Kickapoo Historic Site, Griggsville Landing Lime Kiln Historic Site,Halfway Tavern State Historic Site, Ida B Wells-Barnett House, Illinois Iron Furnace National Historic Site, Jarrot Mansion, John Deere Historic Site, Joliet Iron Works Historic Site, Joseph & Emma Smith Mansion House, Joseph Smith Historic Site, Kaskaskia Bell State Historic Site, Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site, Kolmer Site, Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Lincoln’s First Illinois Home State Historic Site, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, Marquette Building, Martin-Boismenue House State Historic Site, Modoc Rock Shelter National Historic Site, Nike Missile Site C-44, Nike Missile Control Site C-72, Morrow Plots, Old Fort Dearborn, Olof Johnson House, Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site, Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, Sinnissippi Mounds Historic Site, Stephen Wright House, Ulysses S Grant Home and Virgil Hickox House.
  • Museums: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Adler Planetarium, American Writers Museum, Bethel School, Block Museum of Art, Champaign County History Museum, Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago History Museum, Curiosity Museum, David Davis Mansion, Dickson Mounds State Museum, Dillon Home Museum, DuPage Children's Museum, DuSable Museum of African American History, Elgin History Museum, Field Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Great Western Railroad Museum, Henry Thomas Museum, Hieronymus Mueller Museum, 
    Historic Auto Attractions, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Illinois Rural Heritage Museum, Illinois State Military Museum, 
    Illinois State Museum, International Museum of Surgical Science, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, John C Flanagan House Museum, Krannert Art Museum, La Salle County Historical Museum, Lincoln Heritage Museum, Livingston County War Museum, Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA), McHenry County Historical Society, McLean County Museum of History, Monticello Railway Museum, Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography, Museum Of The Gilding Arts, Museum of Science & Industry, National Museum of Mexican Art, National Veterans Art Museum, Norsk Museum, Northern Illinois Fire Museum, O'Fallon Historical Museum, Oriental Institute Museum, Orpheum Children's Science Museum, Pearson Museum, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Peoria Riverfront Museum, Pettengill-Morron House Museum, Poos Museum, Ronald Reagan Museum, Route 66 Association of Illinois, SciTech Hands On Museum, Smart Museum of Art, Spurlock Museum, Sunderlage House, Super Museum, Swedish American Museum, Telephone Museum of Gridley, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Pullman Park National Monument, The Richard H Driehaus Museum, The Staley Museum,  Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens, Vachel Lindsay Home, Vermilion County Museum, Western Illinois Museum, Wheels O' Time Museum and William Tanner House Museum. 
  • Popular Attractions: Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk, Aikman Wildlife Adventure, Air Combat Museum, Allen Miller House, Alta Vista Terrace Historic District, American Toby Jug Museum, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Atomic Cannon, Bahá'í House of Worship, Big Pencil, Broadway National Historic District, Brookfield Zoo, Cairo's Historic Park DIstrict, Cantigny Park, Caterpillar Visitors Center, Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Riverwalk, Cloud Gate, Colonel Davenport Historical House, Crown Fountain, Dana Thomas House, Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Fountain of Time, Garden of the Gods, Garfield Park Gold Dome Field House, Gemini Giant, Glen Oak Park, Glessner House, Goofy Ridge, Grady's Family Fun Park, Great Salt Springs, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, Grosse Point Lighthouse, Gurnee Mills, Haymarket Martyrs' Monument, Horseshoe Mound Preserve, Illinois Iron Furnace, Illinois Fallen Firefighters Memorial, 
    illinois Governor's Mansion, Jeremiah Strawn House, Kane County Flea Market, Kaskaskia Dragon, Knight's Action Park, Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park, Leaning Tower of Niles, Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center, Lower Dells Waterfall, Matthiessen State Park, Michael Klunk Farmstead, Millennium Park, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Nauvoo Groves, Nauvoo Historic District, Navy Pier, Orson Rogers House, Owen Lovejoy House, Oz Park, Peoria Holocaust Memorial, Peoria Zoo, Pleasant Home, Pontiac Canyon, Postville Courthouse, Pullman National Monument, Purple Martin Highrise of the Purple Martin Capital of the Nation, Miller Park Zoo, Raging Waves Waterpark, Railsplitter Covered Wagon, Red Covered Bridge, Richard Pryor Statue by Preston Jackson, Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, Sand Ridge State Forest, Sandwich Antiques Market, Scovill Zoo, Shawnee National Forest, Shawneetown Bank, Shedd Aquarium, Six Flags Great America, Skydeck Chicago, S.S. Eastland Memorial, Solomon Allen Barn, Splash Country, Standard Oil Gas Station, Starved Rock State Park, 
    St Clair County Historical Society, Superman Statue, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Gardens at SIUE, The Mill, The Morton Arboretum, The Water Works Indoor Water Park, Tribune Tower, Tunnel Hill State Trail, Two Story Outhouse, Union Stockyards Gate, Washington Park Botanical Garden, 
    Waukegan Harbor Light, Webb Brothers Blacksmith Shop, Weber House & Garden, Westclox Museum, Wild Bill Hickok Memorial, Wilford Woodruff Home, World's Largest Knitting Needles & Crochet Hook, World's Largest Catsup Bottle, World's Largest Mailbox, World's Largest Wind Chime, 
    Wrigley Field,
     World's Largest Pitchfork, World's Largest Rocking Chair, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, and Old Joliet Prison. 
  • Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Aurora, Champaign, Chicago, Elgin, Galena, Geneva, Joliet, Lisle, Naperville, Oglesby, Peoria, Rockford, Sandwich and Waukegan. 
  • Special Events: (March)  Joseph Jefferson Award, Illinois State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Invitational, The Fest for Beatles Fans, (April) Chicago Rose of Tralee, (May) Anime Central (ACen), HerrinFesta Italiana, International Mister Leather (IML), Lake of Egypt Paddle Fest, Lilac TimeSummer Camp Music Festival ,  (June) Edwardsville Route 66 Festival, Grant Park Music Festival , Great Galena Balloon Race Weekend, Lisle Eyes to the Skies, Long Grove Strawberry Festival, Macon County Fair, Metropolis SuperCon, Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen, People's Summit, Ravinia Festival, Superman Celebration (July) Anime Midwest, Bughouse Square Debates, Cornerstone Festival , North Michigan Avenue Art Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival, Ruido Fest, Taste of Chicago,  (August) Chicago Air & Water Show, Cobden Peach Festival, Decatur Celebration Great River Tug Fest, Illinois State Fair,  Lollapalooza, Northwest Illinois Film Festival ,  US National Straw Sculpting Competition, (September) Chicago Jazz Festival, Festival of the Vine, Jazz Weekend, Mississippi Earthtones Festival, Murphysboro Apple Festival, Old Fashioned Pumpkin Festival, On the Waterfront, Popeye Parade & Picnic, Shoe Fest, Shrimp Festival, Springfield Mile, Three Dog Night, Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, World Music Festival Chicago, (October) Chicago International Film Festival, Galena Oktoberfest, Halloween Parade & Festival, Open House Chicago (OHC), Redneck Fishing Tournament, Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, Vulture Fest, (November) Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Festival of Lights, HolyBoulders Bouldering Competition and Turkey Testicle Festival.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Cahokia


Lincoln Home, Springfield, IL. Photo Credit: Yinan Chen/Pixabay 



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                                                                                                          Photo Credit: Anatolii Maks / Pixa...