Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: Underground Railroad Station

Indiana’s fourth grade students study the state’s history, as we found out first-hand when we visited the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site in Fountain City. Over a hundred students were visiting on a field trip that day. Apparently that’s common during spring field trip season. I can understand why, since Levi and Catherine Coffin were instrumental in helping over 2,000 runaway slaves, or freedom seekers as they were called, escape to Canada over a twenty-year period. Between student groups, site director Joanna Hahn gave us a tour as she told the fascinating story of this couple whose lives were devoted to helping freedom seekers along the path to a free life. Read more

Exploring Five Abraham Lincoln Home Sites

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky February 6, 2018March 27, 2024abraham lincoln, Abraham Lincoln Homes, Lincoln, Lincoln Birthplace, Lincoln Boyhood Home, Lincoln home Decatur, Lincoln Home Sites, Lincoln Home Springfield 4 Comments

Most Americans know that Abraham Lincoln, the nation’s sixteenth president, lived a modest childhood. He was born in a log cabin in Kentucky and moved with his family to other cabins in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois until striking out on his own when he was 22 years old. Over the past few years, we’ve visited five Lincoln home sites, all of which are designated state or national historic sites.

Why Alton is Perfect for Eagle Watching

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Missouri January 16, 2018January 26, 2018Bald Eagles, Eagle Watching in Alton, Eagles, Eagles on the Mississippi, Visit Alton, Where to see Eagles in Illinois 4 Comments

As the weather turns cold, American Bald Eagles migrate from Canada south, down the Mississippi Flyway. They winter near open water, in search of fresh food. Humans, in turn, flock to where the eagles are, hoping to get a glimpse—or a great camera shot—of the majestic U.S. national bird. Alton, Illinois, is the perfect place for eagle watching. Here’s why: Read more

11 Delectable Midwest Chocolate Treats

Connie Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania January 9, 2018January 26, 2018Askinosie, Askinosie Chocolate, Bartlett's, Bartlett's Gourmet Grill & Tavern, Chocolate, Chocolate Garden, chocolate in the midwest, Chocolate tail in Indiana, Chocolate Trail Richmond Indiana, DeBrand, DeBrand chocolates, DeBrand Fine Chocolates, Eddie Merlot's, hotel vandivort, Hotel Vandivort restaurant, Kakawa Chocolate House, Lagomarcino's, Lagomarcino's Davenport, Lagomarcino's Moline, Midwest chocolate, Octane InterLounge, Richmond Indiana Chocolate Trail, Silver Moon Winery, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, South Bend Chocolates, The Chocolate Garden, the hershey story, The Order, The Order Restaurant Springfield MO, Wayne County Chocolate Trail 6 Comments

Dark chocolate—it’s one treat I can’t pass up. A few years ago on a press trip we were tasting chocolate at a chocolate shop. I was skipping the milk chocolate and going right for the dark. One of my fellow travel writers said, “Even if I never meet you again, I will always connect you with dark chocolate.” Yep, that’s me. I’ve tasted a lot of Midwest chocolate over the past few years, and am sharing with you 11 of my favorites, in no particular order, plus two from beyond the Midwest. Read more

5 Kokomo Attractions Reflect Area Gas Boom History

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana December 27, 2017December 27, 2017elwood haynes museum, Greentown Glass Museum, howard county historical society, Kokoko Automotive Museum, Kokomo attractions, kokomo indiana, Kokomo Opalescent Glass, seiberling mansion, what to do in Kokomo 2 Comments

In the late 1800s, huge natural gas fields were discovered beneath Kokomo, Indiana. The gas supply was thought to be infinite. As a result, manufacturing boomed in the city, particularly in the glass and automotive industries. During our stay in the area, we visited five Kokomo attractions that reflect those two industries. We learned why the glass and automotive industries, in particular, became prevalent in Kokomo. Read more

Illinois Bicentennial Year Kicks Off with Flag Raising Ceremonies

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois December 5, 2017#Illinois200, #IllinoisProud, Illinois Bicentennial, Illinois Bicentennial Flag Raising Ceremony, Springfield IL, Springfield Illinois 0 Comment

At noon on December 4 municipalities across Illinois conducted flag raising ceremonies to mark the beginning of the state’s bicentennial year. What better place to witness the beginning of the state’s 200^th anniversary year than in the state capital? So we hopped in the car and made the two-and-a-half hour drive to Springfield, where the Illinois Bicentennial flag was to be raised atop the Old State Capitol. Read more