The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Visiting the Living History Farms is like getting in a time machine and arriving at a farm during three different time periods. You will see the same area as a 1700 Ioway Indian settlement, an 1850 Pioneer farm, and a 1900 horse-power farm and it's an incredible lesson to see how some things change and some things remain the same throughout each farm. It’s a self-guided tour, so you can wander at will, but there … [Read more...]
Missouri is just one of those states that I had always taken for granted and didn't really pay much attention to, but after exploring right through the heart of it, I fell in love. What came as a total surprise is how much I loved St. Louis and now, after having visited, I rank it as one of my all time favorite cities. Driving around the city, it had such a nice peaceful vibe, hip but not taking itself too seriously, … [Read more...]
Who doesn't love baby piggies and puppies and kitties? You can see and touch them as as well as milk a cow and do a bunch of other neat things at the Purina Farms Visitor Center right outside of St. Louis. Not only did we get to spend time with some adorable animals we also learned all about pet and animal care and what role Purina Farms plays in everything from feeding and taking care of your pet, to working … [Read more...]
Much like the man himself, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum is low key and and lacking any kind of glamour but one thing it is not is boring. We found the experience to be a completely opposite from our visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library on the same trip. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by an unpretentious display of the iconic sign that sat on President Truman's … [Read more...]
Leaving St. Louis we headed out to Jefferson City to see the Missouri State Capitol building. Is it just me, or did everyone have a hard time remembering Jefferson City on the state capitols quiz in grade school. Well now that we've officially been here, I don't think I'll forget it ever again. So we pulled up and we see this beautiful building with the usual columns, and dome, pretty standard issue. Inside, … [Read more...]
Road trips can be really educational with all the museum and historic sites but it's super important to let kids get their ya-yas out once and awhile and just let them play and have fun. Balance is key for creating a memorable trip that everyone will enjoy-so if you are traveling with kids be sure to include at least one thing that they can really look forward to and talk it up before you leave that way everyone is … [Read more...]
I can hear the commercial playing in my head ... Budweiser Beer, St. Louis, Missouri ... well guess what, St. Louis really IS the home of the Budweiser beer factory and not only can you take a tour of the factory, but you can even see those famous Clydesdales in person! This factory tour played right into our theme of The Immigrant Expreience, after all Budweiser Beer was started by a German immigrant named … [Read more...]
I am not sure I even have words to describe The City Museum, but my kids could not get enough of this place. Imagine a junkyard on steroids that you can play in. It's the playground of your wildest imagination come to life. The "museum" encompasses 4 floors and a rooftop deck where my kids and I spent hours. The kids climbed, slid, hung from ropes, crawled and rolled and that was just the tip of the iceberg of all … [Read more...]
If you love root beer (and even if you don’t), Fitz’s American Grill and Bottling Works is a fun place for dinner that everyone will enjoy. I found this place in a couple of my guidebooks and it sounded great-high end burgers and sandwiches, which to me read kid friendly sports bar cuisine. Located off the beaten path near the Washington University Campus, driving there we got a great view of the real St. … [Read more...]
The Gateway Arch is the iconic symbol of St. Louis, and you’ll see it right as you drive into the city. We saw it driving on the highway and then went to visit it while checking out the Museum of Western Expansion which is located underground below the arch. Apparently, you can take an elevator ride up the arch to a tiny viewing portal up at the top (not for the faint of heart). I don’t know about you, but you … [Read more...]
