It took me no less than a day to fall in love with Seattle. The Emerald City is not only beautiful, it has character in its several interesting neighborhoods along with great food and music. A starting point to the Klondike Gold Rush, Seattle also has an intriguing history.
On a short weekend trip to Milwaukee with a group of 8 friends, we ended up spending the day eating and drinking at a few different places.
NOTE: Amish Acres closed at the end of 2019. It was sold and reopened on May 15, 2020, as The Barns at Nappanee. They plan to focus on events, festivals, and food. I’ll write a separate page for the new business when I have a chance to visit.
Amish Acres is a historic farm and park located in Nappanee, Indiana. It’s centered around the Stahly-Nissley-Kuhns Farmstead, which was built in 1873. The farm was purchased in 1968 and Amish Acres opened to the public in 1970 in order to enlighten and educate outsiders about the Amish way of life.
Nappanee is a town in the heart of Indiana’s Amish country. The main attraction is Amish Acres, but it’s nice to stop in the small downtown. (NOTE: Amish Acres closed at the end of 2019 and reopened on May 15, 2020, as The Barns at Nappanee.)
Mill Creek Park is the first park district in Ohio and a popular place to visit in Youngstown. It offers several hiking trails, gardens, ponds, a nature center, historic sites, and more. While visiting family in nearby Campbell, we decided to spend an afternoon at Mill Creek with my cousin, Michael.
It’s obvious Gary has seen better days. One of the best (or worst) examples of urban blight in America, this once beautiful but tough city is, sadly, better known for its high crime rate than its past. Both of my parents were born and grew up in Gary, and both moved out in the late 1970s. Every time we drive through together, it evokes wonderful memories along with sadness to see what their hometown has become.
Gary’s Miller Beach area is a different world compared to the rest of the city. Once an independent town settled in 1851, Miller was annexed by Gary in 1918. It remains culturally and economically separated from the rest of Gary.
The section of the Las Vegas Strip south of Tropicana Avenue features some of the most recognizable resorts in the city.
A fun place to pop into on a trip to Las Vegas is Madame Tussauds. This world-famous wax museum is a great hands-on place to “spot” celebrities on the Strip.