Touring the Haunted Squirrel Cage Jail Museum

The pie-shaped cells of the Pottawattamie County Jail were escape proof. They had no doors. To let an inmate in or out, the jailer rotated the floor until the cell lined up with the one and only opening. If an inmate had an arm or leg hanging out of the cage when the floor began to rotate, the appendage would break, or even tear off. Better known as the Squirrel Cage Jail, today the building serves as a museum—and is believed to be the most haunted building in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Read more

White Sands National Monument: Sledding and Hiking

Connie Attractions & Events, New Mexico October 4, 2018October 3, 2018 2 Comments

When we saw people sledding down the sand dunes at White Sands National Monument last spring, I wanted to do it, too. So when we wandered beyond the Midwest again on another trip out west, we detoured back to White Sands, near Alamogordo, New Mexico. Read more

Exploring Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana September 11, 2018Back Roads Studio Tour, Brown County, Brown County Back Roads, Brown County Indiana, Cox Creek Mill, Haven Hollow Studios, Uncommon Gourd 2 Comments

We had planned to spend only one night in Brown County, Indiana, last October. We were going to enjoy the area’s natural beauty and browse some of Nashville’s art galleries. But when we discovered that during the entire month of October artists along the county’s back roads open their studios to visitors, we tacked another night onto our visit. We spent several hours that second day visiting artists participating in the Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour. The area landscape is artwork in itself, with the October leaves painting a spectacular image in shades of amber and crimson. Brown County is an artist’s dream. It’s no wonder it’s considered the Art Colony of the Midwest. Read more

Morton Pumpkin Festival Celebrates Pumpkin Capital

Connie Accommodations, Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Illinois, Podcast September 6, 2018September 5, 2018Midwest Events, Morton Pumpkin Festival, Seasons Gastropub, Things to do around Peoria 0 Comment

Did you know that ninety-five percent of pumpkins for processing in the United States are grown in Illinois? Specifically, they’re grown in and near Morton, a town southeast of Peoria, home to a large Libby’s cannery. Every September, Morton celebrates its pumpkin industry with the Morton Pumpkin Festival. Read more

Exploring Byways and Trails

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Podcast, Road Trips, Wisconsin August 30, 2018August 30, 2018byways, chocolate trail, Great River Road, Iowa Antique Trail, Lincoln Highway, National road, Richmond Indiana, road trips, Route 66 2 Comments

In this podcast, we chat about exploring byways and trails. If you’re a regular Midwest Wanderer reader, you know we do a lot of road trips. Some of our favorite trips are along scenic or historic byways. And then there are trails. What’s the difference? You’ll find out in this podcast. Read more

Watson Steam Train: Miniature Railroad Rides

Connie Attractions & Events, Iowa August 21, 2018March 21, 2024Council Bluffs attractions, Miniature train rides, Ottawa steam locomotive, Train rides in Missouri Valley Iowa, Watson Steam Train, Watson Steam Train & Depot, Watson Steam Train and Depot, What do do in Council Bluffs 5 Comments

The Watson Steam Train in Missouri Valley, Iowa, is one of only a few remaining 1948 Ottaway steam-powered miniature trains left in the United States. While the 12-gauge coal-fueled steam train is fired up only for special occasions, another train—a diesel-fueled Union Pacific replica—takes kids of all ages on rides around the 1,700 foot track.