Wanderlust Sunday: The American Midwest
 Des Moines' new Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Photo: Vanhookc | |
So today, I'd like to open a window to the heartland with recent features from others who know these places. From art, music and history to natural treasures, here are five of many wanderlust worthy places to see in the American Midwest...
| INDIANA Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum from Midwest Guest Midwest Guest tells us that Auburn, Indiana's Cord Duesenberg Museum was named as one of the Top Ten Gearhead Destinations in the US by MSNBC. If you're a classic car fan, you'll see why when you read this feature. I wouldn't consider myself a gearhead, but I've been a tag-along to a couple of car shows and seen classics displayed in museums — The experience is always more interesting than I expect, so I'm betting anyone would find this Indiana museum worth seeing. |
IOWA John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Garden from Iowa Girl Eats Check this place out, y'all! I learned about Des Moines' brand new world-class sculpture garden on Iowa Girl Eats. Further research on the place has convinced me that this belongs on my personal list of things to someday see. Forty million dollars worth of outdoor artwork from renowned sculptors has revitalized the downtown area. Click here to take a little photo tour from photographers on flickr. |
KANSAS Proposed "Buffalo Commons National Park" from National Parks Traveler Blog In today's National Parks Traveler, Kurt Repanshek explores whether or not part of the Kansas plains should be set aside as a National Park. The proposal calls for a large swath of farmland to be returned to its short-grass prairie natural state.This idea was derided when it originally surfaced 20 years ago. According to the Kansas City Star, population decline and dried-up irrigation sources are factors that are changing critics' minds. If you have an opinion on this, weigh in on National Parks Traveler. |
MICHIGAN Motown Memories Tell a Tale of Empowerment and Detroit Pride from The Urbane Life I've only ever changed planes in Detroit, but the experience put it on my list to someday go back. At 6AM following a red-eye, I sat in an airport bar listening to two men harmonize. It was an impromptu song session between two other waiting passengers. It reminded me of the way New Orleans felt like living in a musical, and made me sad I didn't have more time to explore Detroit's Music City. This recent article on The Urbane Life describes plans for celebrating the Motown Label's upcoming 50-year anniversary. The author suggests visiting the Motown Museum anytime,and explains why people from all over the world visit "Hitsville USA." |
OHIO Ohio's Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills State Park From The Wandering Photographer Tim Marks at The Wandering Photographer takes readers on a photo tour of beautiful Hocking Hills State Park near Columbus. As a desert dweller and park lover, Cedar Falls make me want to visit Ohio. I've never been to the Buckeye State, but when I hear the name, I immediately think of industrial cities. In addition to the inviting pictures, I like this post because it reminds me to explore new things and expand my perceptions. |
Posted by TheWordWire at 11/15/2009 10:03 AM 
Categories: Wanderlust
Tags: Museums Music State Parks Travel Art National Parks
Categories: Wanderlust
Tags: Museums Music State Parks Travel Art National Parks
Thnaks again Bulb! I miss and love you. Just foound out that tix are cheap from Bozeman to Las Vega--finally.
xo
csb
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Obviously, I'm a fan of Michigan. I've written about it a few times on my American Nomad blog... so I'm happy that you gave a shout-out to the Midwest on your blog. I had in fact noticed a lack of "pins" in the middle of your U.S. map, and I thought then that the Midwest has a lot to offer travelers. Michigan's wine country alone is worth a look - and a taste!
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Thanks for the tip on Michigan's wine country -- I'm sure it's incredible. I'm kind of a wine ignoramus, because I used to assume most American wines came from Napa Valley. But Rufus and I have made a habit of picking up a bottle of the local wine wherever we go, and there are always good choices. Of course, there's still a lot we've yet to see as evidenced by the map. I'm all for a tour of Michigan -- particularly the lake shore beaches -- to continue my education of the Midwest!
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Thanks for the mention (times three!).
We love the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum for the cool cars, as well as the great Art Deco-style architecture. It's a must-see in northern Indiana.
The Motown Museum is a great Detroit gem (and close to my heart as I'm in metro Detroit and grew up hearing Motown music). Thanks for including my article at Urbane on this list as well!
We've (Tim a.k.a. The Wandering Photographer) been to Hocking Hills in southern Ohio several times. Great place for photographing waterfalls, hiking and geocaching :)
Obviously, I think there are a lot of great places to go in the Midwest, and I've been doing my own monthly round-up of mostly Midwest-related articles for the past few months (on, or near, the first of the month) to link to interesting articles from other blogs.
Thanks again...we appreciate the look-see.
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Well, what a small world that both of those sites are yours! I think I originally found your Midwest Guest site as well as Wandering Photographer linked to Photo Friday on Delicious Baby. I'm glad you found them here!
I've yet to see so much of the Midwest, but I appreciate the opportunity to live vicariously through sites like yours. Thanks for letting me share it with others.
Happy early Thanksgiving.
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I'll echo Laura's suggestion about Michigan's wine country. Tons of wineries in the Leelanau/Traverse area, a couple with inns or B&Bs on site. There are also a few wineries on the southwest side of the state, and I recently read an article about a new winery in the "thumb".
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Cheers to the idea of a Michigan wine tour! Thanks for the additional info.
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