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

Prairie Homestead: Original Sod House and White Prairie Dogs

Sod houses and white prairie dogs are both rare. But at Prairie Homestead in South Dakota, an original, sod house, dating back to 1909, is still intact, and an entire colony of white prairie dogs live on the property.

Driving Through Bear Country USA

Connie Attractions & Events, South Dakota August 4, 2015August 6, 2015Bear Country USA, rapid city attractions, South Dakota attractions 4 Comments

Bears are the stars, of course, at Bear Country USA, home to the world’s largest collection of privately owned black bear. However, bears aren’t the only animals you’ll see as you take the three-mile drive through the 200 acre attraction. In fact, we didn’t see any bears for quite a while as we traversed the trail.

A Day in Downtown Rapid City

Connie Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Shopping, South Dakota June 6, 2015April 2, 2018Art Alley, Black Hills Bagels, Downtown Rapid City, Firehouse Brewing Company, Firehouse Wine Cellars, Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza, Hotel Alex Johnson, Journey Museum, Prairie Edge, Rapid City, rapid city attractions, Rapid City restaurants, Rapid City SD, Rapid City South Dakota, Sanfords Grub n Pub, South Dakota, South Dakota attractions 18 Comments

Traveling to South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and all the natural beauty in the Black Hills and Badlands, you’ll most likely fly into or drive through Rapid City. The walkable downtown area of Rapid City itself is worth a visit, whether you spend a day at the beginning of your trip or take a break from Mother Nature mid-trip.

6 Reasons to Visit Rapid City’s Kitschy Dinosaur Park

Connie Attractions & Events, South Dakota April 18, 2015April 3, 2018Black Hills, dino parks, dinosaur attractions, dinosaur exhibit, Dinosaur Park, dinosaur place, dinosaurs, kids dinosaurs, rapid city attractions, Rapid City SD, roadside attractions, South Dakota attractions, the dinosaur park 2 Comments

Dinosaur Park. The name says it all. It’s a park with dinosaurs—seven dinosaurs, to be exact. Seven life-size cement dinosaurs. Is it worth stopping at this kitschy Rapid City, South Dakota, roadside attraction? Absolutely. Here are six reasons why:

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Midwest Wanderer

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

Midwest Wanderer

1 day 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 -

midwestwanderer.com

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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