Indiana

Ok, I'll be the first to say it, there ain't much in Indiana. But there are a few things that are definitely worth checking out if you are in the area.

Santa Claus, Indiana
Y'all this is the cutest little town I've ever been too. And let's remember The North Pole incident, where I was so disappointed with life but I did not have this issue with Santa Claus!


So first (I've just recently been told firstly is not an actual word, which bothers me because I use it ALL the time) Holiday World & Splashin' Safari - an amusement and water park! Only open from May to September, this will cure some of your summer Christmas blues! Ticket prices range from 21-50 dollars per person depending on what day you go (cheaper during the week) and if you buy online.

Next up is just the town itself. Complete with a Christmas shop and a post office where some of Santa's letters come. It is an adorable little town and I highly recommend making it a stop!

Indiana Dunes National Seashore
I thoroughly enjoy the national parks, well most of them anyway. This one I thought was amazing and wish that I would have spent more time there, but I had other things to see that day!
Make sure you stop and put your toes in Lake Michigan! There are a couple points where you can have beach access, however, I recommend West Beach because there is a bathhouse there and you can swim. There are also several trails in this area that you can hike up the dunes.
PSA
Please make sure that you do not hike up the dunes that aren't designated trails, it destroys the natural beauty of the dunes!

At the Seashore

West Beach

Some of the Dunes 

Indianapolis
The capital city of Indiana. Home to the Colts and the Indianapolis 500. Most people do not believe that there is much here, and well honestly they may be a little right :)
But if your travels take you here, there are a few things you should do!!

The Canal 
There is a beautiful canal right in the middle of the city. So obviously there is a walkway that you can do and most importantly you can take a gondola ride just like you were in Florence, Italy! I'm not sure if they sing or not, but I'm sure with enough money they will, just maybe not well.

Benjamin Harrison's House 
Do you remember this name? He was our 23rd President! When he was campaigning he would give speeches from his front porch and would eventually die in the master bedroom here. It is worth at least a drive-by if not a tour if you have the time!

His House and Front Porch

Part of the Front Porch

Indiana War Memorial
I left this for last, but it is probably the main thing I would make sure I visit while in this city. This monument was originally supposed to be to honor the WW1 soldiers and was enlarged later and had a name change. It's a 5 block plaza and definitely number 1 on my list for anyone!

WW1 Memorial

Well, that is all I have for Indiana! 

Any questions, email me! 

graceparsons2023@gmail.com

Arkansas

Arkansas is such a beautiful state! I've been lucky enough to visit here 3 different times. Twice to Little Rock for races and to Hot Springs and Fort Smith on my way to another race.


Hot Springs
The Vegas before there was a Vegas. This is where Al Capone and all the gangsters hung out here because of the natural springs.

Bathhouse Row is the main avenue here complete with 8 bathhouses, some are still functional, like the Buckstaff Baths. Fordyce Bath has a museum and the visitors center since this is a National Park.

Ohio Club - built in 1905 it was a major hangout for gangsters and major league baseball players. It has this amazing bar back that no photo I took could do it justice. Make sure you go and have a drink at this speakeasy.

It's Hot! 

Dad and I with Al Capone :) 

Fort Smith 
The city right on the Arkansas River that saw fame due to Hanging Judge Parker. In the judges' defense, he was a judge a lot longer than most are and tried a lot more cases. In Fort Smith, they have a museum right on the river all about Judge Parker.


Little Rock
In all honesty, there is not much to do or see in Little Rock. The downtown area has a nice walk by the Arkansas River.

Arkansas River with North Little Rock in the background

The main street, President Clinton Ave, has a bunch of restaurants and shops as well as the River Market, which has shops and cafes inside.

The H.U. Lee International Gate

Beside of the Convention Center on President Clinton Ave is symbolizing friendship between South Korea and America. 

Old Statehouse

The oldest surviving statehouse west of the Mississippi. It is now used as a museum showing off Arkansas history and culture. 

President William J. Clinton Library and Museum

A museum relating to Clinton's life. 

Eureka Springs

I just happened to pass through this little area on my way to get another stamp at a National Park and was pleasantly surprised to find this gem! 

Nestled in the Ozarks, is Eureka Springs on Highway 62. 

From zip lining, hiking and many many other activities available to you! The hotels are quaint cottages mostly and so many antiques and shops litter the highway in either direction. 

I hope to one day spend some quality time in this area! 

That's all I have for Arkansas! 

email me with any questions! 

graceparsons2023@gmail.com

Missouri

Missouri famous for BBQ and the place where Lewis and Clark set out "officially" for their journey west. So technically Lewis and Clark officially set off from Pittsburgh, but since they just went down the Ohio River until it met up with the Mississippi and then went up to St. Louis (which was an established city) their real journey west didn't start until they made it to St. Louis.

St. Louis
Meet me in St. Louis! Not sure exactly what Judy Garland would think of St. Louis now, but I think it is a fabulous city and is one that I would actually live in if I ever felt the need to move from my hometown (Never going to happen :) 

The Arch and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial 
You can ride all the way to the top of this impressive structure and get a birds-eye view of the city and the Mississippi River. It was built as a symbol of the westward expansion for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and is now an internationally recognized symbol of St. Louis. 

The Arch

Old Courthouse

Dred Scott

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is a national park that is in memory of Thomas Jefferson's work to expand our country. It is also a memorial of Dred Scott, the slave who sued for his freedom in the Courthouse where the memorial is now. 

St. Louis Cardinal's Game
Anyone who loves baseball knows that you have to check out a game! Since Jason and I are trying to go to every ballpark in America, this definitely is on my list of places to check out! Times who doesn't love a hotdog and beer at a ballpark? 


Six Flags St. Louis
Thrill-seekers rejoice! If you want some rollercoasters and whitewater rapids, look no further than Six Flags St. Louis. Tickets are around $67 a person at the park, but if you buy online prior to going, it is cheaper!

Budweiser Brewery Tour 
I am not a beer drinker, however, I would be remiss if I didn't include the Budweiser Brewery tour!
There are a few different tours of the brewery available as well as just going to the Biergarten (beer garden basically). Make sure you do a little bit of research as to what tour best suits your needs! I would choose the Bud Light Tour, mainly because you start with the CLYDESDALES! Tickets are $10 dollars and if it were me I would reserve ahead of time, just so you know what time your tour will be!

Grant's Farm

Named for Ulysses S. Grant and is right beside of his house that is now a National Park. It is now mainly used for the Clydesdales! That's right this is where you can go see the beautiful horses! It costs $12 to park (or may be included as part of the package for the Brewery tour), but that's worth it to see the horses! Also, you can see where President Grant lived too :) 

Grant's Home

City Museum - now you all know that I am not a museum person. But this is different. It is a huge playground inside an old factory that has mainly repurposed architectural components. It is amazingly beautiful inside and a great way to spend an afternoon. It costs $15 per person to get in, and then you have to pay to park as well but totally worth it, especially if you have kids. 

Just some of the beauty, photo does not do it justice

playing in one of the climbing things :) 

Forest Park - a beautiful 1300 acre park in St. Louis. There is much to do here including the history, and art museums and the St. Louis zoo!! This park is rich in history since it was the location for the 1904 World's Fair and also hosted some of the Summer Olympics in 1904 as well! 

World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park

Kansas City
Blues, BBQ, and the Kansas City Royals.

Penn Valley Park
Originally part of the Sante Fe Trail, it is now 170+ acres in the downtown area of Kansas City.
It currently has the National World War I Museum and Memorial. It is officially the National Museum of the United States on everything about WWI. It is only open 10am-5pm Tuesday -Sunday and costs $16 to get in.

Kansas City Royals Game 
Same thing as before for a Cardinals game. Is there anything better than a hotdog and a beer at a ballgame?

Community Bookshelf Wall 
If you are a book nerd (like myself) then check out this wall! It's on 14w 10th Street in Kansas City. I loved it and took about 80 million photos of it :)

Power and Light District 
A new shopping, dining, and entertainment district in downtown Kansas City! It looked fun and hip when we drove through it! Definitely looked like some killer food options!

Branson
Welcome to the Gatlinburg of Missouri. Shows galore and so many tourist attractions that it almost hurts my eyes to look at the place.

Table Rock Lake
With over 800 miles of shoreline, what can't you do at this lake? Water skiing, fishing, swimming, boating, and even scuba diving is available here.

Silver Dollar City/White Water Branson
Silver Dollar City is an amusement park filled with rides for thrill-seekers of all ages. White Water Branson is a water park!

Shows
This is almost like Broadway, there are so many shows that you can see. Make sure to do a little bit of research about the shows for when you decide to go!

Other Locations in Missouri

Ozarks - This mountain range starts outside of St. Louis and runs all the way through parts of Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. There is a lot of outdoor activities that can be done around these areas. Mostly hiking, biking, trails, and water sports!

Alley Mill in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Independence, Missouri
Known mostly now being the home of President Truman, it also has a Frontier Trails Museum and has some rich history here!

President Truman's House

Lamar, Missouri
Ok, the only reason why I am putting this out here is because I was so impressed with one shop in particular. Blue Top Quilt Shop was a fabulous experience for me. They drew me in because of their advertising "Scream until he stops!" Well, it worked because I stopped. I fell in love with the ladies that work there because they went above and beyond to help me. Wish I lived closer but looks like I will be ordering from them soon!!

That is all I have for Missouri!
Any questions shoot me an email!!
graceparsons2023@gmail.com

Illinois

I have been to Illinois twice, the first time to visit Chicago and the second to run the half marathon in Chicago as well. I wasn't a huge fan of Chicago. Mainly because I could go to NYC for the same drive to Chicago, but that doesn't mean Chicago doesn't have its perks!


Chicago
Allow me to give you a little perspective. There is a river that runs right through the middle of Chicago, the Chicago River. On the south side of the river are the parks and the majority of the museums. The north side of the river is the Magnificent Mile which holds all the shopping!

Let's start with the south side of the river. There are a few things that you must see!
The Bean - its actually called Cloud Gate, however, no one really calls it that. It is beautiful and truly a work of art.

Chicago Theater - an absolute beauty and would have loved to see a Broadway show here one day!

Shedd Aquarium - a wonderful place to spend the afternoon! Especially if it's cold!
Adler Planetarium - another wonderful place to spend the afternoon.
Art Institute - a perfect way to see the newest art around!

Sears Tower - it is now called Willis Tower but everyone knows it as Sears Tower. You can go up to the 103rd floor and go out on the Skydeck. It is a glass deck that overhangs the top deck. It is glass on all sides and for the brave ones who step out on the ledge good luck because it's glass bottom as well.

View from the Top

The North Side

This is mostly all the shops, however, there is the Navy Pier that is a great place with lots of food and amusement for the children.

Tribune Tower - the beautiful Gothic tower with stones from various famous landmarks. Definitely worth seeing for sure!

Historic Water Tower - Towards the very end of the Magnificent Mile is the historic Water Tower which currently holds the city gallery.

Springfield

I don't have too much to say about Springfield. I made the trip here for Abraham Lincoln's Home. The National Park took up a whole block portraying how life and houses were during his time. We also took a drive to the capital building which was truly impressive.

Abraham Lincoln's House

Some of the block of the National Park

Capital Building with a statue of Ab in front

any questions let me know!
graceparsons2023@gmail.com