Midwest Wanderer explores history, nature, and culture through road trips along scenic and historic U.S. highways, byways and trails

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site: Birthplace and Museum

Connie Attractions & Events, History, Iowa May 1, 2023May 1, 2023Herbert Hoover, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, Iowa attractions 0 Comment

Heading west on I-80 toward Iowa City, we noticed a sign at the West Branch exit for the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Hmm… side trip? Let’s do it! So, that afternoon on our return trip we did just that.

This national historic site, honoring the 31st president of the United States, is home to a visitor center, several buildings from Hoover’s childhood—either original or reproduction—and the grave site of President and Mrs. Hoover. Not part of the national historic site but on the same property is the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art: Mad Potter Collection and More

Connie Attractions & Events, Mississippi April 5, 2023April 5, 2023Art Museum on Mississippi Gulf Coast, Best things to do in Biloxi, George Ohr, Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art 0 Comment

Some people called him eccentric. Others claimed he was downright crazy. George Ohr was a talented potter. But with his brash mannerisms and mustache so long he tied it together behind his head, he became known as “The Mad Potter.” Today, along the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, Ohr has an entire art museum named for him, the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.

Gulf Coast Gator Ranch: Exploring the Swamp in an Airboat

Connie Attractions & Events, Mississippi January 23, 2023April 5, 2023airboat rides in mississippi, airboat swamp tours mississippi, alligator farm mississippi, alligator swamp tours in Mississippi, gator farm in mississippi, Gulf Coast Gator Ranch mississippi, Moss Point MS gator farm, swamp tours mississippi gulf coast 0 Comment

Last winter we spent several weeks exploring the Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast. During our stay, our daughter Tricia flew down to join us for a few days. She had just one request: a swamp tour in an airboat. We found exactly that at the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Airboat Swamp Tours in Moss Point, Mississippi.

21 Mississippi Gulf Coast Things to Do in Winter

Connie Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Mississippi, Road Trips, Shopping October 1, 2022October 1, 2022Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast Museums, Mississippi Gulf Coast Things to Do 0 Comment

Last winter we spent several weeks exploring Mississippi’s coast, from the Alabama border on the east to Louisiana on the west. Although the area experienced cooler weather than normal, we never wanted for things to do. Here are 21 Mississippi Gulf Coast places to go and things to do, no matter what the temperature.

Midwest Wanderer Newsletter – September 1, 2022

Connie Attractions & Events, History, Illinois, Kansas, Midwest Wanderer Newsletter September 4, 2022April 4, 2023Abilene Kansas, Old Town Abilene, Wild Bill Hickok, Wizard of Oz 0 Comment

More often than not, we travel the back roads on our road trips. It beats dealing with heavy traffic on interstate highways, saves on gas mileage since we drive slower, and we see more of real America, passing through small towns.

10 Fascinating Facts About Wild Bill Hickok

Connie Attractions & Events, History, Illinois, Kansas, Podcast September 3, 2022May 15, 2023Illinois attractions, Kansas attractions, Wild Bill Hickok 0 Comment

Before this summer, I knew little about Wild Bill Hickok. Then, within just a few weeks, we visited three places within Kansas and Illinois that all shared Hickok stories—quite a coincidence. I learned several fascinating facts about him and included some in this slideshow:

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Midwest Wanderer

The Midwest Wanderer blog focuses on travel and tourism attractions and events throughout the Midwes

Midwest Wanderer

2 days ago

Have you ever ridden on a canal boat pulled by a mule? It's the way they transported goods—and people—down the Illinois & Michigan Canal from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Today you can experience a canal boat ride on the I&M Canal in LaSalle, Illinois.I&M Canal National Heritage Area Lock 16 Cafe and Visitor Center Enjoy Illinois ... See MoreSee Less

Ride the Mule-Pulled Illinois and Michigan Canal Boat -

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Experience an Illinois and Michigan Canal Boat ride in LaSalle, Illinois. The boat is pulled by a mule, as they were in the 1800s.

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Midwest Wanderer

3 days ago

On our second (and final) day exploring the southern section of Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, we had big plans. We were heading first thing to the end of the 1930-40 alignment to walk on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Then, we’d cut over to the 1940-77 alignment to see The World's Largest Catsup Bottle. Finally, we’d work our way back up to several of the places we missed our first day due to lack of time. Best laid plans…After starting our day a little later than planned, we got stuck in construction traffic in Edwardsville. Then, we missed a turn and ended up going over the McKinley Bridge (1926-30 alignment) into St. Louis. That was okay, because we had never crossed that bridge before. But then we got stuck in more construction traffic.It was past noon by the time we arrived at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Do we just take a quick picture and be on our way? Heck no! We’re here, let’s do it right. So, we walked all the way across the bridge to the Missouri side and back (two miles total).By now, it’s 1:30 p.m., so we’re on our way to the catsup bottle. It took a while to get there, photograph the bottle and start heading back north.A late lunch at @Weezy's Route 66 in Hamel, and then back to The Pink Elephant Antique Mall, our last stop for this trip. (We arrived there after hours the day before, so we went back to browse inside the shop.)There is so much to see and do in the southern section of Illinois Route 66, we didn’t have time for it all in two days. Which means we’ll just have to plan a return trip. ... See MoreSee Less

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Midwest Wanderer is at World's Largest Catsup Bottle.

4 days ago

Carmela loves water towers, especially unusual ones. We've talked about Brooks Catsup - the World's Largest Catsup Bottle water tower on Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway for years. We finally made it!#route66 ... See MoreSee Less

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Midwest Wanderer

5 days ago

Today we explored a lot of the southern section of Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Some highlights.Docs Just Off 66 The Uptown Tavern The Pink Elephant Antique Mall #route66 ... See MoreSee Less

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Midwest Wanderer

5 days ago

We're taking our granddaughter on a mini Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway road trip. A few highlights from Day 1.#route66 ... See MoreSee Less

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