Hotel Julien Dubuque Combines Historic Grandeur with Modern Amenities

Connie Accommodations, Food & Drink, Iowa March 13, 2019August 28, 2019Dubuque Iowa, Dubuque Iowa hotels, Hotel Julien Dubuque 0 Comment

Notorious gangster Al Capone owned the historic Hotel Julien Dubuque in the 1920s—maybe. He did stay there a lot, and although some believe he owned it at one time, it could never be confirmed. Earlier in history, Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain both stayed at the hotel. However, the building that they stayed in was the original building, which burned down in 1913.

Today, the hotel, located along the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, is a boutique hotel that combines its original grandeur with modern amenities. Read more

Argenta IceFest Embraces Winter

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois March 5, 2019July 25, 2022Argenta IceFest, ice carver, ice festival, ice sculpture, Illinois winter events 0 Comment

You have three choices when winter arrives in the Midwest: Leave for a warmer climate, become a couch potato, or bundle up and head outdoors for some fresh air and fun. In Argenta, Illinois, located near Decatur, one day is especially popular for winter fun. That’s the day of the Argenta IceFest. Read more

Cathedral of Saint Paul – Fascinating Stories of Its History and Architecture

Connie Attractions & Events, Minnesota February 28, 2019February 29, 2024Cathedral of Saint Paul, Cathedral of Saint Paul MN, Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul Cathedral, Things to do in Saint Paul MN, Things to do in St Paul MN 5 Comments

During the Cathedral of Saint Paul construction, the local Saint Paul newspaper referred to it as the bishop’s folly. It’s too expensive, too grandiose, too big and will never fill to capacity, the newspaper claimed. However, the cathedral opened on Palm Sunday, 1915, to standing room only at all four masses.

This is one just one of the fascinating stories that kept us engaged during our tour of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Read more

Howard Steamboat Museum Pays Tribute to Early Riverboat Company

Vernon Attractions & Events, Indiana, Podcast, Video February 13, 2019March 1, 2019Clark-Floyd Counties Convention Tourism Bureau, Howard Steamboat Museum, Jeffersonville attractions, Jeffersonville Indiana museums, SoIN, Southern Indiana museums 2 Comments

Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville, Indiana, pays tribute to the Howard family and their steamboat building company. The tour combines a history of the ornate Edmonds and Laura Howard mansion and the shipyard located across the street, which the Howard family owned from 1834 until 1941. Read more

Meltdown Ice Festival – Richmond, Indiana

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana February 2, 2019February 4, 2019Meltdown Ice Festival, Richmond Indiana, Richmond Indiana events, Richmond Indiana Ice Festival, Visit Richmond Indiana 0 Comment

The Meltdown Ice Festival is Richmond, Indiana’s, biggest event of the year. During the 2019 event, five ice carvers created 50 sculptures made of ice, including interactive sculptures like a slide and a ping-pong table. Evening shows include competitions and the Big Reveal, a huge sculpture created in just 30 minutes by a team of carvers. Read more

Itasca State Park: Mississippi River Headwaters

Connie Attractions & Events, Minnesota, Podcast, Video January 21, 2019July 4, 2024Bemidji Minnesota, Lake Itasca, Lake Itasca State Park, Mississippi River, Mississippi River headwaters 2 Comments

Watch as Connie walks through the Mississippi River. She and Skip are at the Mississippi River headwaters in Itasca State Park, near Bemidji, Minnesota. The 2,552 mile Mississippi River begins here as a small stream flowing from Lake Itasca.

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