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

2015 Midwest Wanderer Year in Review

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Road Trips, Wisconsin December 30, 2015January 2, 2016Beloit International Film Festival, channel islands national park, Colon Michigan, Du Quoin, Fantastic Caverns, Hurts Donuts, IFLY Chicago, Illinois State Fair, John Dillinger Museum, JT Shrimp, Lincoln funeral reenactment, mammoth lakes, Midwest Wanderer, milwaukee art museum, Pabst Brewery, relics antique mall, Snake Alley, Wigwam Motel 2 Comments

2015 has been another great year of firsts for us. We’ve visited new destinations, enjoyed new experiences, and had several “who knew?” moments.

Here are some of our favorite 2015 experiences:

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

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16 hours 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

2 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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