Exploring Rockford’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois July 31, 2015November 22, 2015Nicholas Conservation & Gardens, Nicholas Conservatory, Nicholas Conservatory Rockford, Rockford attractions 13 Comments

Living in the Midwest, we don’t often get to tropical destinations. However, when I visit a conservatory filled with palm trees, tropical flora and rushing waterfalls, I feel relaxed, like I’m on a tropical vacation, if only for a little while. At 11,000 square feet, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford is Illinois’ third-largest conservatory. A stroll through the gardens beyond the conservatory, filled with blossoming flowers, a lagoon with fountains and more waterfalls extend the serene mood.

Let us take you on a video tour of the conservatory and gardens: Read more

Old-Fashioned Western Fun: Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Cowboy Music Show

Connie Attractions & Events, South Dakota July 23, 2015fort hays chuckwagin supper & music show, fort hays chuckwagon, fort hays chuckwagon supper & show, rapid city attractions 19 Comments

When I’m in a tourist area, I tend to stay away from souvenir shops, buffets and most things that cater strictly to tourists. But once in a while a little lighthearted entertainment geared to tourists is a fun way to spend an evening. That was the case with the Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Cowboy Music Show near Rapid City in South Dakota’s Black Hills. Read more

Shiojiri Niwa: The Story of Mishawaka’s Japanese Garden

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana July 20, 2015July 29, 2015Japanese garden Mishawaka, Japanese garden Mishawaka Indiana, Shiojiri Niwa, Shiojiri Niwa Japanese garden 2 Comments

Shiojiri Niwa, the Japanese garden in Mishawaka, Indiana, covers only one and a third acres of land, but the symbolism is much larger than that. The serene strolling garden is a symbol of a special bond between sister cities Mishawaka and Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan that began with a chance meeting in Indonesia in 1937. Read more

Snake Alley: The Crookedest Street in the World

Connie Attractions & Events, Iowa, Roadside Attraction July 13, 2015April 24, 2022Burlington Iowa, burlington is, crooked street in the world, crookedest road in the world, crookedest street in the world, crookedest street in world, Snake Alley, snake alley burlington, snake alley burlington ia, snake alley burlington iowa, snake alley in burlington iowa, snake alley iowa, the crookedest street, the crookedest street in the world, what is the crookedest street in teh world, where is the crookedest street in the world 8 Comments

If you’re thinking I’m talking about Lombard Street in San Francisco, you’re wrong. The crookedest street in the world is Snake Alley in Burlington, Iowa. Read more

Illinois State Capitol: Take the Tour

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois July 9, 2015February 3, 2017Illinois capitol building, Illinois State Capitol, Springfield IL, Springfield IL attractions, Springfield Illinois 15 Comments

The bronze sculpture of a woman standing in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol welcomed us with open arms. She stands directly beneath a beautiful stained-glass dome that tops the building where Illinois law is proposed, debated and put to legislative vote. Taking a look around the Italian Renaissance Revival building, statues, paintings and ornate walls and ceilings surrounded us. To learn more about the art, architecture and what goes on in the capitol, we took the free half-hour tour. Read more

Colon, Michigan: Magic Capital of the World

Connie Attractions & Events, Michigan June 26, 2015January 4, 2016colon mi, Colon Michigan, colon michigan magic, harry blackstone magician, magic capital of the world, magician events, magician history, magician shows, where is colon michigan 4 Comments

Driving through Colon, Michigan, you would never think this tiny town of 1200 people is the Magic Capital of the World; that Bob Hope, Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin all got their starts here; that Edgar Bergen visited Colon regularly; or that the town cemetery is filled with deceased magicians. Read more