About Cave City

Just outside of Mammoth Cave National Park, it’s a safe bet that the Cave is one place you’ll be checking out while you’re staying at the Wigwam Village. There isn’t much else in the area though, so if you’re not up for hiking the wide open spaces in Mammoth Cave, you might not enjoy Cave City. In Cave City, there are a few gas stations, a dollar store, and plenty of chain restaurants, but not much else. You will see signs everywhere for a place called Dinosaur World, but we did not stop here. It received mixed reviews, but overall seems to be a place geared towards families.

Where to Eat

You can find all of the usual chain eateries here: McDonald’s, A&W, Long John Silvers, Wendy’s, Subway, Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut, and a Dairy Queen. There were a few names I didn’t recognize that I can only assume are locally owned restaurants. Places such as The Dog Pound or Buck Bees BBQ are both locally owned eateries to check out.

We ate Pizza Hut our first night in Cave City, and opted to eat inside the park for the rest of our visit. At Mammoth Cave National Park, there are two restaurants you can eat at: Green River Grille, a sit down restaurant, and Spelunker’s Cafe, a quick bite burger joint. It may have been the 7 hours of hiking talking, but we very much enjoyed the burgers at Spelunker’s Cafe!

What to Do

If you’re in Cave City, you should spend a majority of your time visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. They have tons of guided hikes throughout the 400+ Miles of their cave. You can also hike trails above ground or explore the museums in the visitor center. While we visited the park, we did two separate hikes, one was a 3-hour hike, the other was a 4-hour hike. All in all, we saw almost every inch of the cave that was opened to the public. They were both long, quick-paced hikes, but so worth it!

If you want to read more about our time at Mammoth Cave National Park, you can check out these posts:

Mini-Moon: Mammoth Cave National Park

Six Tips for Photographing Mammoth Cave National Park

Important Information About the Wigwam Motel in Cave City

Address: 601 North Dixie Highway, Cave City, Kentucky 42127

For Reservations: Call 1-833-WIGWAMS (1-833-944-9267)

Visit their Website HERE

Visiting a Different Wigwam Village Motel? Here are the Other Two:

Wigwam Village #6: Holbrook, AZ

Wigwam Village #7: Rialto, CA

The post Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Wigwam Village #2 in Cave City, Kentucky first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

Despite this age of digital everything, we seem to have a craving for and connection with tangible objects.  And while we want to have lots of things, we’re also in an age of minimalism.  The Passport Program is the perfect balance between tangible souvenir and minimalist travel memorabilia.   The Passport program is one book, of varying sizes, which allow you to take something away from every single park you visit.  And it’s not just for the “Big 60.”  This book records every National Historic Site, National Memorial, and even every National Scenic Riverway.   Every park in the National Park System is accounted for!

Which One Should I Buy?

The size Passport you want depends on what you will use it for.  I have the Full-Sized Passport Book, and I will be going more in depth on this one in a minute, but maybe the full-size book isn’t for you.  Maybe you’re an avid backpacker and you’d like a compact book to keep all your stamps in without having to lug around a big huge book.  Or maybe you’re traveling with young kids and want something more kid-friendly.  The Passport Program can support both of these needs. If either of the above sounds like you, I encourage you to check out those books at your nearest National Park. If you’re wanting something that is even bigger than the passport book I have, they’ve got you covered there, too! Check out this expandable Passport!

I’ve been using the Full-Sized book for a few years now. I’m so glad I decided to get that one over the compact book because I love having a designated spot for each Park. One thing I wish I would have known in retrospect is how quickly the National Parks can change. Since we’ve bought our National Park Passport, so many parks have been added or upgraded to National Park status. I only wish that we had the option to add pages like you get with the Expandable National Park Passport!

Check out the list below as to why I love my National Park Passport so much! Plus, take a peek inside so you can see it for yourself before you buy!

1. The National Park Passport is a Check List!

Kind of like when Pokémon cards were all the rage (I guess they’re back in a new way now…) this Passport lets you Catch ‘em All!  All the parks are split up by region. Each region has a check list of every park listed by state.  You are very easily able to mark off the ones you’ve visited and see how many you have to go.  As a list aficionado, I love being able to cross things off. 

2. Your Passport is also a Map!

Whenever I am about to visit a new place, I immediately consult my Passport to find other nearby locations.  When we visited Mammoth Caves National Park, the very first thing I did was grab my Passport to see what other parks were nearby.  We found Lincoln’s Boyhood Home was in Indiana, hardly even a mile out of our way on our route back home.  Without our Passport book, we might not have even thought to check Indiana for places to visit on our trip to Kentucky.  But thanks to the Passport Program, we were quickly able to identify another park to visit. 

This can also be extremely helpful for planning your next trip when you don’t know where you’re headed next.  The maps in this Passport will allow you to look for the areas with higher densities of parks so you are able to hit up more than one. 

3. Your National Park Passport has a Description and Photo for Every park!

Next to the name of each park there is a short paragraph to explain the significance of each park. This will help you decide if you’re ready to visit a nearby park now or save it for later. The descriptions might also help you get a grasp of the scope of the visit. Is this park one historic home, or is it 12 acres of exploring? Knowing briefly what you’ll find is very helpful in the planning phase.

I also said there was a photo for every park. When you open your Passport for the very first time, you might say, “Kelly, what gives? There are hardly any photos in here!” But don’t worry. There will be photos soon, and that’s another one of my favorite features…

4. It is Two Collections in One!

Not only do you get to collect cancellation stamps at every single park, which are completely free, but you will also have the option of collecting the Annual Park Stickers. Each year, the passport program releases a sticker pack that highlights a park from every region. These stickers have designated spots in your Passport book next to every description, giving your book full-color photos of the places you’re visiting.

Sticker Packs

By purchasing a sticker pack, you’re helping to support the parks and the Passport Program, which keeps this resource available to visitors. Not only is it a fun way to give back, but it is another tangible thing you are able to purchase when you visit a park that doesn’t take up any additional space.

When we visit a new park, I love to look for featured sticker pack for the park we are visiting. Almost every park has at least a few prior years of stickers, and some parks have every sticker that has ever been released. Each trip, not only do I get to look forward to adding a new cancellation stamp to my book, but I also get to look forward to getting a new set of stickers to go with it.

The National Park Passport Program is a very inexpensive, very space-friendly way to keep mementos from every park you’ve visited on your journeys.  It not only serves as a souvenir, but as a guidebook, too!  If you haven’t yet jumped on the Passport bandwagon, what are you waiting for?  This easy-to-use book will change your National Park Experience forever! 

Explore the National Parks!

Check out these other posts from the National Parks to start planning your trips today!

Two Hours at the Grand Canyon

Two Days in Yosemite

National Parks of St Louis

Five National Parks you Need to Visit on Route 66

Two Days in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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The post National Park Passport Program: Why National Park Visitors Love It! first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

Get Outside and Explore

You’re interested in visiting the National Parks, so odds are, you’re looking to get outside. Indiana Dunes will not disappoint. Check out these great outdoor adventures near Indiana Dunes National Park.

Take on the 3 Dune Challenge

If you love a good challenge, especially one that ends with a prize, the 3 Dune Challenge is for you! These three hikeable dunes offer a bit of a challenge to beginners, with their steep grade and rough terrain (read: you’ll slide backwards on the sand almost as much as you’ll move forward.) But each time you hit a peak, you’ll be greeted by a sign marking your accomplishment and a beautiful view to boot. Plus gliding down each of the dunes makes you feel like you’re walking on air.

For more information on the 3 Dune Challenge, check out my post Everything You Need to Know About Completing the 3 Dune Challenge.

Hike the West Beach Trail

Another great hike inside Indiana Dunes National Park is the West Beach Trail. If you take the trail in a counter clockwise direction, you’ll start with climbing stairs, lots and lots of stairs. These stairs are in place to protect the ecosystem within the Dunes. This hike offers some amazing views of the dunes, Lake Michigan, and on a clear day, a tiny peak at the Chicago skyline.

Visit an Active Dune

The Dunes are alive! But seriously, the Dunes move a tiny bit every year. Mount Baldy is one of the most active dunes in Indiana Dunes National Park, but not active like a volcano, it’s just crawling inland. Because of this, the hike to the top of Mount Baldy is closed for the safety of visitors, but the hike around Mount Baldy, especially the walk on the shore of Lake Michigan near Mount Baldy is well worth the trip. When you arrive in the parking lot at the trail head, you might be a little bit alarmed to see the dune is right there, like a big wall of sand piled up high at the edge of the lot. The Dune has swallowed up trees that stand in its path, and this spot offers a unique look at exactly what happens when the dunes move.

Go Camping!

The North West Indiana region has all the accommodations of a major city, but the campsite at Indiana Dunes National Park is great. The lots are huge, the trees canopy over each site to offer shade and privacy, the bathrooms are clean, you couldn’t ask for a better camping experience than what is offered at Indiana Dunes.

If you’re new to camping, you’re going to want to read my post Tent Camping for Beginners before pitching your tent at Indiana Dunes.

Eat your way through Valparaiso and Beyond

Valparaiso, or Valpo as the locals call it, is a college town, which means the selection of contemporary restaurants is top-notch. There are so many great places to eat near Indiana Dunes, but these are a great place to start.

Grab a Pizza at The Rolling Stonebaker

The Rolling Stonebaker creates delicious stone fired pizza that will not disappoint. Do not skip the garlic bites while you’re here. You won’t regret it. While you can get the classic pizza toppings here, you can also opt for the more eccentric pizza toppings like pickles, bacon marmalade, or roasted potatoes.

Indulge in Dessert from Designer Desserts

The images of these cupcakes alone will have you hooked, but just wait until you taste them. A lot of words can be used to describe the cupcakes at Designer Desserts: lavish, delectable, indulgent, but they are also incredibly creative, tiny pieces of edible art. Every week they feature a few themed cupcakes, and during our visit, they had a Harry Potter Theme going. Muggles rejoice.

Where to Get your Coffee Fix Near Indiana Dunes

Like all good destinations, there is no shortage of delicious coffee near Indiana Dunes. Two of my favorite stops were Fluid Coffee Roasters (Multiple Locations – including Valpo) and Dagger Mountain Roastery (Valparaiso.)

Relax on the Beach

Indiana Dunes is a quick summer getaway destination for a lot of people in Chicago, and others in the surrounding area. If you take vacations just to relax, you’re going to find lots of great spots to plant your lawn chair and listen to the sounds of the waves from the lake. If you’re visiting in the summer time, especially over a holiday weekend, you’re going to want to arrive early, both to get a parking spot and also to secure a prime piece of beach real estate.

Drive To Michigan (in under 30 Minutes)

It is hard for us to be so close to another state and not go there, just to say we did it. While searching for things to do near Indiana Dunes, we realized we were a very short drive away from Michigan, and drove across state lines for lunch. If you’re looking to cross a new state off your list, take a drive to Michigan while you’re visiting Indiana Dunes.

Grab Lunch at The Stray Dog

The food at The Stray Dog is delicious, they have a beautiful space full of dog photos, and ample rooftop patio seating. But that isn’t why you should visit The Stray Dog. Even better than their beautiful space and delicious food, The Stray Dog has a beautiful mission: to help dogs in need. Their messaging encourages adopting your next furry friend, and every year they host a fundraiser that raises money for local animal rescues. And yes, the food is delicious!

Explore Even More Beautiful Beaches in New Buffalo, Michigan

The beaches at Indiana Dunes were beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but the Beaches in New Buffalo, Michigan were breathtaking. The tall prairie grasses, bright blue water, and crisp white sand made this spot a spectacular place for a bit more beach exploring and offered some of the best views of the region.

Get your Passport Stamped!

Do you have a National Park Passport? If not, you need one! These easy-to-transport souvenirs are perfect for everyone who has the goal of one day seeing all 60+ National Parks or the more than 400 Monuments, Riverways, and Historic Sites that make up the National Park System. You can grab your passport stamp at the Visitor’s Center. No idea what I’m talking about? I have an entire post dedicated to the National Park Passports and my love for them. You can find all the information you need about them by reading my post National Park Passport Program: Why National Park Visitors Love it!

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The post 15 Great Things To Do Near Indiana Dunes National Park first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

Where is the 3 Dune Challenge?

The 3 Dune Challenge is located in Indiana Dunes State Park. Many people are now familiar with Indiana Dunes thanks to a portion of this area gaining National Park Status, but the 3 Dune Challenge is actually located in the State Park part of the Dunes. It might seem strange that there are two separate parks departments sharing this space, but the two organizations work very closely together. They even share the same Visitor’s Center! If you’re looking to take on the 3 Dune Challenge, the Visitor’s Center is a great place to start.

Indiana Dunes Visitor’s Center

Start your adventure at the visitor’s center. Here, you’ll be able to get more information from the park rangers, including a map of the park and tips for other beautiful places to see along the way. This is also where you will pick up your free 3 Dunes Challenge sticker after completing the challenge. Park rangers may ask you a series of questions to prove you completed the challenge. At the very least, get your top-of-the-dune selfies ready to show off!

The Indiana Dunes Visitor’s Center is located at: 1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304

Getting to the 3 Dunes Challenge

The best way to get to the Dunes is by driving. Because Indiana Dunes State Park is a distant suburb of Chicago, this park can get pretty busy on a nice day. It can be especially busy on the weekends, so be prepared to sit and wait to enter the park. There is an entrance fee to get into this park, and if you’re from outside of Indiana, you’ll pay a little bit more. Indiana residents enter for $7, out of state plates get in for $12.

In addition to the long lines to get into the park, there is also limited parking inside of the park. Arrive early when you can and be sure to only park in designated parking spaces.

There is another Visitor’s Center inside this part of the park. It’s a small building that marks the beginning and end of the 3 Dune Challenge. This is a great place to refill your water bottles or use the bathroom before embarking on your hike.

Hiking the 3 Dunes Challenge

You’ve made it to the starting line, now you’re ready to take on the challenge. Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for some sandy elevation. Along the trails, there are plenty of markers to let you know where to go. Keep an eye out for these bright yellow signs that let you know you’re headed in the right direction. For most of the hike, you’ll be following Trail 8.

The hike is 1.5 miles in total, which seems relatively easy at first. You might not even feel too intimidated by the 552 vertical feet that the three dunes present. But what I cannot stress enough about this hike is that for every two steps forward you take up the dune, you will slide one step backwards down the sand. You will feel like you are making no progress as you climb the daunting sand pile. You might even seen dune-experts trekking past you at unnaturally fast speeds. Once you make it to the top, however, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world, even if you’re only 180 feet above Lake Michigan.

The sandy terrain offers a challenge in itself, but add to that the tall climbing stairs along the trail used to protect more sensitive areas of the dunes from erosion to add an extra level of challenge. Be sure to wear a sturdy pair of hiking boots, preferably one with high ankles to keep sand out of your toes, and a pair of hiking stick if you need added stability.

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Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Louis City

Winterfest at Kiener Plaza

As of now, it seems like the details for Winterfest at Kiener Plaza are still being hashed out. It appears that this is going to be a drive through holiday lights event hosted by the Gateway Arch Foundation in downtown St Louis. There is conflicting information that mentions walking in Kiener Plaza and seeing lights and holiday photo ops, but other places clearly mention driving around the plaza to see lights. This is going to be one of our first drive through holiday light stops this year, so as soon as I know more I will report back. Here’s what we know so far…

When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 3rd, 2021. Every night of the week from 5pm – 9pm.

Where?: Kiener Plaza. 500 Chestnut Street, Downtown St Louis, 63101

How Much?: Free!

To learn more about Winterfest at Kiener Plaza hosted by the Gateway Arch Foundation, check out their website here.

To read the conflicting information about the walk-through lights event, check out this link for the Festival of Lights in Kiener Plaza. I will be attending Winterfest as quickly as possible to try and get some clarity on what’s going on at this event at the Arch. Check back soon for more information.

Brewery Lights Drive-Thru at Anheuser-Busch

I was a little worried this light display wasn’t going to happen this year. The Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch have always ben a quintessential part of my festivities in St Louis. They really churn up quite the crowd at the Brewery Lights (how can they not, there’s free beer involved…) There is no way they could host this event the same they have in years past. It made me sad to think we might miss out.

Instead of doing things the usual way, this year they’ve converted the Brewery Lights Experience into a drive through holiday light event! Enter the Brewery from Arsenal Street and they’ll tell you where to go from there. While there might not be free beer this year, you’re guaranteed to see some of the same light displays you’ve grown to love (like the tunnel of lights!) and Clydesdales wearing their green and red coats.

When?: Thursdays – Sundays, November 27th, 2020 – January 3rd, 2021. Lights are on display every night between 5pm and Midnight. Brewery lights are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve, but instead will be open Monday – Wednesday before Christmas.

Where?: Anheuser-Busch Brewery. 1200 Lynch Street, Soulard, 63118. Enter on Arsenal Street!

How Much?: Like every year, this event is free to attend. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Anyone who makes a reservation in advance is entered to win a prize pack! They are also accepting donations for the St Louis Area Foodbank, so please consider bringing a few packaged food items with you on your visit.

For more information or to make advanced reservations for the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights Drive-Thru experience, please check out their website by clicking here.

Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane isn’t exactly an official drive through holiday light display. It’s hosted by a neighborhood who has collectively agreed to love Christmas decorations. The first time I visited Candy Cane Lane, I was expecting to see a bunch of houses all decorated for the holidays. Instead, what we got were archways of lights across the streets, and coordinated light displays between neighbors. It’s a truly beautiful thing to see.

Candy Cane Lane is likely going to be packed this year. It usually is. More than most years, I think people will be flocking to this spot. Roads are narrow, traffic is (mostly) one way, and everyone is driving by slowly to enjoy the holiday lights. But keep in mind this is a neighborhood. These are people’s houses, not a public park. Be respectful of the hosts of this beautiful event so they keep bringing it back every year.

There are a few other blocks that host their own holiday lights near Candy Cane Lane, so spend some time driving around the neighborhood to see all the lights that are set up.

When?: No official start date. It might be up right now, if not it will be there very soon. They’re on every night of the week. Maybe don’t bombard these neighborhoods on the holidays so they can have some peace with their families.

Where?: 6500 Murdoch Avenue, The Hill, 63109 (right by Ted Drewes)

How much?: Free! This event is free to attend, but they usually collect donations for a local charity. Don’t be a scrooge. Bring some cash and help spread some cheer.

Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Louis County

Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park

The holiday lights at Tilles Park are a staple of the drive through light displays. Odds are, you’ve visited this one before. It’s one of the best in St Louis. The light displays are synced up to the radio for a fully immersive and totally festive experience.

When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 2nd, 2021 from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. It is only opened to carriage rides on Saturday nights, and is closed on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Where?: Tilles Park, 9551 Litzsinger Road, Ladue, 63124.

How much?: $10 per car. Pay with cash (exact change only, please!) at the entrance, or book online in advance. But if you book online, there will be a service fee tacked on. If you’re driving an abnormal vehicle (like a tour bus) they’re going to charge you more.

For more info or to buy advanced tickets, visit the Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park Website.

Holiday Fun at Grant’s Farm

Grant’s Farm opened their property to personal vehicle traffic for the first time ever during Halloween of 2020, when they hosted a spooky drive through experience. They brought back the same drive through concept for a holiday lights display at the farm, where visitors drive their own vehicles through the park. This experience is synced up to a holiday radio feed, and each vehicle is given a bag of treats when they arrive to enjoy during the drive.

When?: November 27th – December 31st, Thursday – Sunday. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and instead opened on Monday – Wednesday the weeks of Christmas and New Years. (Check out their ticket calendar at the link for some clarity here.)

Where?: Grant’s Farm. 10501 Gravois Road, Crestwood, 63123.

How much?: $40 per car, plus a $4 service charge. If you want to add on their “Fa-la-la-la Bundle” which includes four bottles of water, kettle chips, cookies, and a pair of stuffed clydesdales, it will set you back an additional $40.

Learn more about the Holiday Fun at Grant’s Farm or buy your tickets now on their website.

Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Jellystone

Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Jellystone is a family tradition for a lot of St Louisans. When I first moved to St Louis, I was invited to join in with a friend and her own family’s tradition of visiting the drive through lights at Jellystone. Her entire family rented a wagon where everyone piled in and we all got to enjoy the beautiful holiday lights together from the open air carriage. It was a magical experience and I quickly learned why so many people make this a yearly tradition.

This year brings new restrictions, and Santa’s Magical Kingdom looks a bit different than return visitors might be used to. There are no photos with Santa this year, and the gift shop is limited to a reduced capacity. But the drive through light experience is promised to be just as magnificent as ever before.

When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 10th, 2021. Available every day, including holidays. Open 5:30pm – 10:30pm on weeknights, or 5:30pm – 11pm on weekends. They recommend if you would like to avoid the crowds to stop by after 9pm.

Where?: Jellystone. Right Next to Six Flags. 5300 Fox Creek Road, Eureka, 63069

How Much?: $25 per car. Admission is cash only and paid when you enter. Vehicles larger than an SUV will pay an additional fee. There are also carriage rides available.

The website for Santa’s Magical Kingdom is really well thought out and full of everything you need to know about visiting this event. I recommend you check out the website before visiting.

Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Charles County

Lot of Lights at the Family Arena

The Family Arena in St Charles has transformed its parking lot into a giant light display for the holiday season. They boast a drive through light tunnel and millions of lights on display. Plus holograms, a laser lights show, and a dedicated holiday music station.

When?: November 27th, 2020 – January 2nd, 2021. Every night from 5:30pm through 10pm weekdays or 11pm weekends and holidays. It will be closed on December 7th for a private event.

Where?: The Family Arena. 2002 Arena Parkway, Saint Charles, 63303

How much?: $25 per car, plus $4.50 in fees.

Learn more about the Lot of Lights at the Family Arena or buy tickets by clicking here.

Celebration of Lights at Fort Zumwalt Park

The Celebration of Lights display at Zumwalt Park in O’Fallon Missouri is a particularly unique drive through holiday light experience. Instead of being one, collective display of lights, there are small sections of light displays each set up by a different organization. The Teamsters, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, libraries, and schools all set up their own light displays, competing for first place. Because of this competition style, the displays get more and more creative every year. Sometimes depicting holiday movies, pop culture events, or more traditional displays of Santas and reindeers.

There are two nights dedicated to foot-traffic only if you’d rather walk through the outdoor displays. Please be advised, there is no mask mandate in St Charles County, and based on personal experience you will likely not see a lot of masks being worn at this outdoor event.

New this year, all reservations must be made in advance through booking on their website or in person by purchasing tickets at the Renaud Center. These advance tickets also apply to the walk through events.

When?: November 27th – December 30th, 2020. Daily from 6pm to 10pm on weeknights, and 6pm to 11pm on weekends. Closed on December 25th.

Where?: Fort Zumwalt Park. 1000 Jessup Lane, O’Fallon, MISSOURI 63366

How Much?: $12 per vehicle, $5 for foot traffic on December 7th or December 8th only. There are additional nights where sleigh rides, carriage rides, and train rides are offered. Please see their website for more information on these additional ways to experience Celebration of Lights.

Purchase tickets to Celebration of Lights Here.

Drive Through Holiday Lights in the Metro East

Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows

Our Lady of the Snows Shrine hosts a drive through light display every year. In addition to drive through lights, they’re also hosting a Christmas Tree Display (available to view in person or online), a petting zoo, and carriage rides. These holiday lights do have a religious focus, and feature a nativity scene. If you’re looking for a secular light display, this might not be the one for you.

When?: November 20th – December 31st, 2020. Open daily from 5pm – 9pm.

Where?: 442 South DeMazenod Drive, Belleville, 62223

How Much?: The lights are free to view, but donations are requested.

For more information, visit the Way of Lights website.

WonderLight’s Christmas at World Wide Technology Raceway

This professionally designed light display is hosted at the Indy Car Racetrack in Madison, Illinois. Visitors get to drive through two full miles of synchronized holiday lights at this display, making it the longest synchronized light show in St Louis. The matched up soundtrack is 50 minutes long, so you’ll never run out of holiday music to listen to during your drive. We are looking forward to experiencing this one for the first time this year. More details (and photos) coming soon!

When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 3rd, 2021. Visit any night of the week, including holidays. Open from dusk until 10pm every night, rain or shine.

Where?: World Wide Technology Raceway. 700 Raceway Blvd, Madison, IL 62060

How Much?: Unlike most other light displays, tickets are sold to each individual person in your vehicle. Tickets are $7 per person, or $30 for up to seven people.

Check out this website for more information about the WonderLights at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland at Horner Park

When?: The drive through lights begin on November 20th. There is currently no end date posted, but as soon as one becomes available, I will update. If you’re worried about missing these lights, be sure to stop by before December 25th. They’re open 5pm – 9pm on weekdays, or 5pm – 10pm on weekends. Weather permitting.

Where?: Horner Park. 11113 Widicus Road, Lebanon, IL 62254. There is also a Horner Park in the Chicago metro area, using the address is likely the easiest way to be sure you find the right place.

How Much?: Free! These lights are free to attend. This event is put on completely by volunteers. They ask for donations at the entrance to help them bring back these lights year after year.

Check out Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland website for more information about visiting.

Christmas Wonderland at Rock Springs Park

Rock Springs Park in Alton, Illinois has been transformed into a winter wonderland with a drive through lights experience returning this year. They boast four million lights on display and an exclusive radio station streaming all your favorite Christmas tunes.

When?: Christmas Wonderland Opens November 27th, 2020 and will be up “through late December.” Check this one out early if you don’t want to miss it!

Where?: Rock Springs Park. 2100 College Avenue, Alton, IL 62002.

How much?: These lights are available for a donation. They suggest $7 per car, or $1 per person for vehicles that hold more than ten people.

There isn’t an official website, but check out this article from Enjoy Illinois to learn more about Christmas Wonderland.

The post The Best Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Louis first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

There were a lot of reasons we wanted to go to Cleveland. Mainly, we are on a quest to see all 62 National Parks, and Cleveland is home to one of them: Cuyahoga Valley National Park. But we were also excited to explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the house from A Christmas Story. With everything to do in Cleveland, how bad could it be?

I’m happy to report that Cleveland did not disappoint! And because I am so thrilled with our Cleveland vacation, I’m ready to share with you everything you need to have the best two days in Cleveland.

Two Days in Cleveland

Odds are you’ll be flying to get to Cleveland. I highly recommend having a car during your visit, as things are fairly spread out.

If you need more information about renting a car while traveling, check out my post: How to take a Road Trip in a Rental Car.

Day One in Cleveland

Fly into Cleveland early Saturday morning. Grab your rental car, and head straight for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This park can get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends, and you’ll want to get here early to avoid the crowds and to get a parking spot. Pack your lunch so you don’t have to leave the park mid-day. Now, you’re ready to dive on in.

Waterfalls of Cuyahoga Valley National Park

One of the best things about Cuyahoga Valley National Park are all the waterfalls! They are perhaps the park’s biggest attraction, so check them out early. You’ll especially want to get to Brandywine Falls early, as it is one of Cuyahoga Valley’s most well known Falls. The hikes to the waterfalls are easy. Here are a few of our favorite waterfall trails:

• Blue Hen Falls Trail (0.5 Miles)
• Brandywine Gorge Trail (1.5 Miles)
• Bridal Veil Falls and the Buckeye Trail (0.2 Miles)

There are lots of hikes you could do in Cuyahoga Valley, and you can read about a few of my favorites in my post Two days in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For a trip where you’re trying to see Cleveland and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you’re going to be limited to shorter hikes in order to see more.

Biking Tow Path Trail

There are so many places that you can rent bikes around Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This is great news for everyone who flies into Cleveland to visit this park! We rented our bikes at a place just off the Tow Path and were able to quickly hop on the trail. This path is very flat and easy to ride. It is a great bike trail for all experience levels. When you can’t ride any more, catch the train back!

Don’t forget to stop somewhere along the way and grab a bite to eat from that lunch you packed earlier, you won’t regret having that along the way!

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Cuyahoga Valley National Park has it’s very own public transportation! Whenever you ride your bike as far as you can, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! The best part is, tickets are discounted for bikers! (As of 2019, tickets were $5 per person when boarding with a bike!)

Dinner in Cleveland

At this point, it’s time to head back into town and grab something to eat. You’ll likely want to catch a shower at your hotel first. We like to eat at more casual restaurants, and we quickly found a new favorite in Cleveland. Melt Bar and Grilled is our perfect dinner spot. Beers, gourmet grilled cheese, and even a cheese burger with a mac & cheese bun! You’re going to love what you find here, and I highly recommend checking it out!

We also loved Winking Lizard. Although we might be a little biased because we had one right across the street from our hotel, but we couldn’t get enough of this place. We finished our night in Cleveland with some drinks at the bar.

Day Two in Cleveland

Like all of my two-day itineraries, my Two Days in Cleveland itinerary gets us moving right away. Grab some breakfast, and then head on over to the house from A Christmas Story for the first tour of the morning! If you’re not a fan of the movie, this might be a great time to grab a quick hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park!

A Christmas Story House

A few words of caution when visiting the house, this home is in a neighborhood. Please be respectful of the people who live nearby. There is only street parking available, and streets can get pretty full. Don’t block neighboring driveways.

The gift shop, open 15 minutes before the first tour, is in a home across the street. Check out the movie memorabilia, and if you’re lucky, grab a Christmas Story themed donut!

Tours at the Christmas Story House last about one hour and are full of fun stories about the making of the movie. If you’re a fan of this Christmas classic, you’re not going to want to miss this!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Finish up your trip to Cleveland with a visit to it’s most iconic resident, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends, and it helps to visit the upper-level exhibits first, especially if you arrive right when they open, that way you’ll be moving in the opposite direction of the foot traffic.

Take lots of photos and visit all of your favorite artists. There is something for everyone here.

While you’re at this spot, be sure to check out one of the “Cleveland” signs for a perfect vacation photo opp! For a complete list of where to find all the signs, check out this post from Cleveland’s tourism office: Your Guide to the CLE Script Signs.

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The post The Best Way to Spend Two Days in Cleveland, Ohio first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

Disclosure: We were invited to visit New Harmony and given a complimentary stay at the New Harmony Inn. I am so glad to have been given the opportunity to stay at such a beautiful hotel in this magnificent city.

New Harmony Inn Location

The New Harmony Inn could not have been located in a more perfect spot in town. We brought our car with us, but opted to walk almost everywhere we went because it was such a beautiful weekend and we just couldn’t resist spending as much time as possible outdoors. Many locals and visitors alike ride golf carts throughout New Harmony to get around. The New Harmony Inn rents out golf carts by the hour or the day, as well as a few other places around town.

There really isn’t anywhere that is too far of a walk from the New Harmony Inn. We walked to the shops and restaurants on Main Street and Church Street. We walked to the Antheneum for a historic tour. We even took the trek across town to the Working Men’s Institute, which is one part museum, one part library. If you want to learn more about any of these places, I cover all of these stops in full detail in my post The Best things to do in New Harmony, Indiana.

The Rooms at new Harmony Inn

We stayed in a top-floor room with a lake view in the Rosebank building. Here we had quick and easy parking lot access, a balcony with a view, and vaulted ceilings. Overall the room was very spacious, had a great aesthetic, and was filled with bright, but indirect sunlight for most of the day.

The Bed

You know those beds that hit the right combination of firm and comfortable? This is it. I love a firm bed and slept super comfortably on this one. The sheets were extra soft, I added the cozy knit blanket from the closet to the top of my side as well.

One thing to note, the bed in our room sat super high off the ground. Jason loves a tall bed (because he’s so tall…) and he thought the bed was the perfect height. I typically prefer to sleep low to the ground, but once I was all snuggled up in the covers, I didn’t really notice the height.

The Closet

If you’re not an “unpacker” when you get into hotel rooms, you might want to skip right over this section. The closet in our room was incredible. Tons of space to hang clothes, a built-in set of drawers and shelves, a full-sized ironing board available. I wish we would have stayed longer so that I could have taken full advantage of the space they gave us here.

The Balcony

Our room came with a view that I just cannot stop thinking about. Before we checked into the hotel, we spent some time exploring New Harmony. We stumbled across Swan Lake while wandering, and I turned around to see a series of balconies overlooking the lake. At that point I said, “that’s our hotel! I hope we get one of those rooms!” And sure enough, when we got all checked in, my dreams had come true.

Our balcony was incredibly private. From what I could tell, the others were too. A small brick wall separated our balcony from the one immediately next to us, which not only created privacy but an illusion that there wasn’t anyone else around but us. Aside from being snuggled up in the comfy bed, this was my favorite spot in the hotel.

Additional Room Amenities

In addition to everything above, our room at the New Harmony Inn also came with a TV, a refrigerator, and a coffee pot. There was no microwave in your room, but one was available in the lobby.

I loved that there was a second counter and mirror area, separate from the bathroom. It was the perfect place for getting ready, with lots of natural lighting in addition to lights above the mirror. It also was very close to the coffee pot which is always a plus for me!

The hotel property also features a pool, fitness center, and sauna, but all were unfortunately closed during our visit due to COVID-19 restrictions.

We were appreciative of these restrictions and felt very safe while we stayed at New Harmony Inn because of the steps they were taking to keep guests safe. For more up-to-date information on their protocols, please visit their website.

The Grounds at New Harmony Inn

The New Harmony Inn is more than just a hotel in the heart of New Harmony, Indiana. It’s also a convention center, wedding venue, restaurant, and so much more.

The hotel sits directly adjacent to a beautiful park which includes Swan Lake. There were two swans swimming on the lake during our visit. The lake also has a small waterfall, and hiking paths that surround it. New Harmony is a peaceful city, but these paths are by far the most peaceful spot. We woke up early for a sunrise stroll of the park grounds and felt so refreshed afterwards.

Final thoughts about New Harmony Inn

This beautiful hotel in the heart of New Harmony was the perfect place to call home for the weekend. It was conveniently located near just about everything you’d want to visit, the rooms are comfortable, and the staff is so welcoming. Going back to our hotel felt like a retreat from our typical chaotic travel style. Once we were back at the hotel, we were able to relax on the balcony and enjoy the beautiful views and sounds of nature. I couldn’t imagine a better place to stay in New Harmony than at the New Harmony Inn.

The post Best Place to Stay in New Harmony, Indiana: The New Harmony Inn first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

Honey + Moon Coffee Co

We started our morning at Honey + Moon Coffee. They make handcrafted espresso drinks, and specialize in bubble waffles.

I went for the plain and simple bubble waffles and paired it with a Honey Lavender Latte. Jason went big with a bubble waffle stacked with eggs, cheese, and bacon. We were both very happy with our decisions.

Why Honey + Moon is the best place for food in Evansville

Honey + Moon Coffee is a unique place to grab a quick bite to eat. The coffee was delicious and the food was filling without being heavy so we had plenty of energy to continue exploring and plenty of room for more food later in the day.

River City Coffee & Goods

Evansville has so many delicious coffee shops to try! I tried to limit it to just one, but it was too hard to choose. Our next stop on our Evansville food tour is River City Coffee & Goods.

This adorable coffee shop is one part cafe, and one part boutique specialty store, carrying locally made goods. They had everything you can imagine. Handcrafted mugs, funny signs for your home and office, goal planning notebooks, jewelry, souvenirs for your pets, planters, pins, the list could go on and on. This is the perfect place to shop for gifts from local makers.

We spent tons of time looking around and buying gifts for friends. And we grabbed coffee to go to fuel our ongoing adventures in Evansville.

Why River City Coffee & Goods is the best place for coffee in Evansville

River City Coffee & Goods is one of those stores that reminds you why it’s so important to support local businesses. The items they sell directly impact many local creators and small business owners. The store itself is a small business that helps to sustain other small businesses. That, and their coffee is delicious, so what’s not to love? Support a few small businesses all at once while shopping here and keep your dollars in the local community. I grabbed a plain latte at this stop and it was fabulous.

Detour: Self.e Alley

If you’re a local of Evansville, this is the part where you raise an eyebrow. I’m talking to my Evansville visitors for this one. If you stop at River City Coffee, you’re just a short walk away from Self.e Alley, an alley of beautiful murals in downtown Evansville.

I am not typically one to seek out murals while I travel (I’d rather save time for finding more cocktails) but this one was unique. More than just a positive phrase, a photo with this mural felt like a souvenir of our travels, so we stopped by to snap a few photos with it when we were in the neighborhood.

Bru Burger Bar

If you’re ready to grab a bite to eat for lunch, Bru Burger Bar has the most delicious burgers. And if you’re one of my Meatless friends, you’re absolutely going to love this place.

Bru has not one but several vegetarian burger options on the menu, which is so rare in itself. Not only that, but they occupy an old Greyhound bus station and have a ginormous patio out back for ultimate socially distanced lunching.

Why Bru Burger Bar is the best place for food in Evansville

This spot provides options for everyone that aren’t always easy to come by. They tackle dietary restrictions with ease and provide some solid meal options for people who are gluten intolerant or vegetarian which can be rare, especially for a burger bar. If you’re gluten-free and meatless, Bru has options for you!

Parlor Doughnuts

We consider donuts to be a dessert instead of breakfast, and if you don’t agree, I beg you to reconsider. Why? Because they’re only one breakfast, but donuts can be a breakfast-dessert, a lunch-dessert, and a dinner-dessert, so that means three times the donuts. And with Parlor Doughnuts, it’s so, so worth it. Once you’re done with Bru Burger downtown it’s time for a quick trip to the suburbs to try Parlor Doughnuts for your lunch-dessert.

This doughnut shop is huge. It’s probably the biggest donut shop I’ve ever seen. And it was incredibly busy when we visited. It was very quickly apparent why… Parlor Doughnuts can easily be ranked as some of the best donuts I’ve ever had. Anywhere.

I would consider Parlor Doughnuts to be more in the cronut family. It has large flaky layers like a croissant, but had the delicious, creamy icing and a greasy-crisp outside like a donut. We tried a vanilla donut, a french toast donut, a s’mores donut, and a chocolate-on-chocolate donut. Jason likes his donuts chocolatey, I like mine vanilla. We both agreed that the donuts we selected were the best ones. My only regret is not trying one of everything.

Why Parlor Doughnuts is the best place for food in Evansville

Parlor Doughnuts is the best place for donuts in Evansville, it’s also arguably one of the best places for donuts in the country. I can’t wait until I can get back here and have more of these donuts. Based on the large crowds they were attracting, it seems I’m not the only one who thinks this is a must-stop donut shop.

Mo’s House Cocktail Lounge

I tried to search for a perfect dinner spot for you, but in all honesty, I ate so much throughout the day that I was still full by the time we were going to grab dinner. We opted for a cocktail lounge instead. Mo’s House was one of the top places on my list to visit in Evansville, and it really lived up to the hype.

Mo’s House was made up of a few rooms, each one was more adorable than the next. A lot of thought and care went into designing every inch of this place, and that was clear from the moment you stepped in the door.

Why Mo’s House is the best place for a drink in Evansville

The bartenders at Mo’s House are so knowledgeable about pairing flavors and made great recommendations (and off-menu creations) for me. The ambiance is relaxed and calm, it kind of feels like hanging out in your best friend’s living room…if your best friend has incredible style and is great at making cocktails, that is. There’s no better place to grab a cocktail in Evansville.

The Best Food & Drink in Evansville, Indiana

When we visited Evansville, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. We were looking for an easy place to make a quick weekend getaway. What we found was a plethora of amazing food and drink options that made us dream of the day we’d be able to come back and try some more. Evansville is an incredibly well-kept secret, and a foodie’s paradise. You’ll only wish you had more time to try a little bit of everything.

Explore More Nearby

We paired our trip to Evansville with a trip to nearby New Harmony, Indiana. If you’re looking to extend the fun, consider checking out my post below to learn more about this small town in Southwestern Indiana.

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The post Where to Grab the Best Food & Drinks in Evansville first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.