The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
So I have to be honest, we didn't do the Navy Pier on this trip, because we'd been to Chicago a number of times before visiting cousins and my kids had been there umpteen times, but it's definitely a place to check out if you are visiting the windy city. There are rides and attractions as well as restaurants and fun shops to peruse. My kids especially liked the giant ferris wheel and the jet boat ride. This is … [Read more...]
There are a couple of different ways to see Chicago. Besides cruising down the city's waterways, you can also get a bird's eye view (a pretty high flying bird that is) by heading to the Sear's Tower Skydeck. After we took the super fast elevator 103 floors up to the top, we headed to the windows to check out the view. It's really interesting to see the city up so high because it also makes you realize how big Lake … [Read more...]
You just can't go to Chicago without sampling some of the iconic foods, the most famous of which is Chicago style deep dish pizza and so after asking folks on the street and double checking with our guidebooks, everyone pointed us in the direction of Uno Chicago Grill. This place was super busy, which is always a good sign, but the wait was 45-minutes to an hour which I hear isn't unusual. We decided to give it a … [Read more...]
After a whole day of discovering the land of Lincoln in Springfield and dinner at Perkins, we headed to Knight's Action Park, another family fun center with mini golf, go-karts, batting cages, and lots of cool rides, along with some kind of water park( that when we were there happened to be closed). It was just our luck that as we arrived, most of the park closed down because of a lightening storm-yeah you don't want … [Read more...]
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site is the location of the Lincoln family’s home in Springfield, and it is maintained just as if the Abe Lincoln and his wife and children still lived there. After getting our free tour ticket at the visitor center, our guide led us into the home sharing some insights into Abraham Lincoln's life as a husband and father and an attorney here in Springfield. The first thing I … [Read more...]
The kids and I have been to a few Presidential Libraries, and I have to say The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is by far our favorite. Venturing inside there is so much to see you will be a little overwhelmed. We were totally enthralled by the life-like displays that sort of mimic movie sets. It's best to start at the beginning with a replica of Lincoln’s boyhood cabin. The kids and I were really … [Read more...]
Lincoln's Tomb State Historic Site is indeed is the burial place of Abraham Lincoln one of the most important presidents in the history of our country. The entrance to the tomb is marked by a beautiful monument with a bronze statue of Mr. Lincoln. We read in a few of our guidebooks that we were supposed to rub the nose of the statue for good luck. Walking up we noticed that the nose was quite shiny so each of us … [Read more...]
Discovering Perkins was a complete godsend. Living in Southern California, we'd never heard of Perkins till we got out on the road in North and South Dakota. Our friend Avrille spotted one on the road telling us it was a great place for some family friendly food, so we tried it and we were hooked ever since. You cannot go wrong for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Perkins. There is something for everyone, even your … [Read more...]
The Illinois State Capitol Building like all things in Springfield, the land of Lincoln, is stately but not flashy and quietly dignified. The dome is made of zinc and is sort of dark in color which is unlike any other we've seen. Inside the rotunda is home to a beautiful stained glass dome with friezes surrounding it. This is a place where business gets done, but it was short on glamour and interesting … [Read more...]
Maine is just a natural wonderland and my kids and I agree that it is truly one of the most unspoiled natural places left in the US. After seeing 42 states I must admit that Maine is one of my personal favorites. The people are kind and sweet without putting on airs. They are hospitable and warm and friendly and care deeply about protecting the natural wonder that they are fortunate enough to live in. If I … [Read more...]
