USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NORTH DAKOTA

NORTH DAKOTA: THE PEACE GARDEN STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Do you feel like it is time for a short vacation? Once you decide to travel, how good you plan the trip will help you feel comfortable and be comfortable at your destination. Not only will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you can rest assured that once you arrive where you're going you will have a good understanding of what's going on there.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

Read the article below for an interesting perspective on North Dakota.

North Dakota Trails for Bird Watching

 By Richard Chapo  |   Submitted On June 01, 2007

When looking for some of the best birding in North America, look no further than North Dakota. Many bird enthusiasts travel on North Dakota birding trails to experience the large numbers of unique bird species seen here.

North Dakota is considered to be one of the best birding locations in the US. It has a large number of wildlife refuges as well as many state parks and forests. These are great areas to see many rare birds. In fact, North Dakota is home to 365 species of prairie birds. Many people also delight in seeing the whooping crane, which is the tallest bird in North America.

Not only does North Dakota have a large number of bird species, but it also has many birding trails which makes bird watching here even more ideal. Birding trails are basically routes which one can drive down to see many bird species. Birding trails come in many varieties. Some are more developed than others, with more features such as maps which give information on the area and descriptions of the birds which can be seen. Birding trails are a relatively new phenomenon. The first were started in Texas in 1996. They have increased in popularity as many see them as a way to promote bird watching while at the same time educating people on their responsibility to the environment.

North Dakota birding trails are a great way to become introduced to birding here, not only because they help direct you to the best spots for seeing birds, but also because you are likely to meet up with other bird enthusiasts along the way. Birding tails in North Dakota are also referred to as birding drives, and there are many to pick from. One of the most popular is the Steele Birding Drive. It goes through Kidder country, which is known as one of the top 10 places to see birds in North America. The Steele Birding Drive includes three wildlife refuges, making it a great place for birding as well as for seeing many other animals.

For those interested in history as well as birding, the Bismarck-Mandan Birding Drive is an excellent choice. It follows the path that Lewis and Clark traveled on as they went up the Missouri River. This birding trail has a tremendous amount of diversity in the birds you will see. From songbirds to majestic eagles, you can see it all on this trail.

Beginners would enjoy the Medina-Chase Lake Birding Trail located in the central part of North Dakota. The trail was designed to show a wide range of habitats that are present in North Dakota. Because of this, over 300 species of birds have been spotted here. Birds from all over North America migrate here, and this is an ideal place to visit from early spring through the fall.

Get great bird watching gifts at NomadJournals.com.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Richard_Chapo/2288

     

Even at North Dakota State, football is a big deal. 
Carson Wentz

 

Enjoy life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NORTH DAKOTA

NORTH DAKOTA: THE PEACE GARDEN STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

We lead such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did today. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience.  When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!

BISMARCK, THE CAPITOL

Bismarck's 19-story Art Deco capitol dominates the cityscape as the tallest building in the entire state. Its grounds include historical and cultural institutions including the State Supreme Court, the State Library and the Liberty Memorial. Stretching along the Missouri River, the Great Plains city is home to extensive parks, hiking trails and golf courses, as well as the Dakota Zoo and the Super Slide Amusement Park.

Bismarck Arts & Galleries Association
422 East Front Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
Phone: (701) 223-5986
Website: http://www.bismarck-art.org
Description: The Bismarck Art & Galleries Association works consistently to stimulate the study and presentation of the visual arts, to encourage and expand participation and appreciation by all persons, and to preserve our regional cultural heritage. Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5pm, Saturday: 1-3pm, closed Sunday & Monday


Bismarck Urban Harvest
Downtown Bismarck
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
Phone: (701) 400-5294
Website: http://www.bismarckurbanharvest.org
Description: Urban Harvest is an open-air arts and entertainment market aimed at supporting our local economy and providing a city center in our community in downtown Bismarck. The market is a free family event that runs all day every Thursday during the summer months and features live, local entertainment, food vendors and unique arts and crafts. We also have produce grown by area farmers. FMI on exact dates & times, please visit the website.


Buckstop Junction, Historic Town
Bismarck Expressway & East Main
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
Phone: (701) 250-8575, 255-4205 or 223-4838
Website: http://www.BuckstopJunction.org
Description: Buckstop Junction, an historic town established and designed by the Missouri Valley Historical Society, stands on a 20 acre site on the Missouri Valley Fairgrounds east of Bismarck Expressway. The reconstructed village contains actual buildings reminiscent of the late 1800s through the early 1930s moved to the site since 1992. The town offers visitors a feel for the atmosphere of the area during the turn of the century. Hours vary, please call or consult our website.

Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex
1810 Schafer Street
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 222-6455
Website: http://www.bisparks.org
Description: The home of Gateway to Science, Theo Art School, Central Dakota Children's Choir and Shade Tree Players. Currently, the facility's hours of operation are the same as Gateway to Science. All other programs at High Prairie require advance registration. Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex features the Imagination Theatre, Allegro Hall, a hands-on science gallery, a bright art studio and spacious community room with kitchen. The facility welcomes company and rents space when available.

Gateway to Science Center
1810 Schafer Street
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 258-1975
Toll Free:
Website: http://www.gatewaytoscience.org
Description: Discover new and exciting exhibits throughout the year in the interactive exhibit gallery of Gateway to Science, where science is fun for all ages. Gateway to Science is a regional resource for hands-on science education.

Bismarck Parks & Recreation District
400 East Front Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
Phone: (701) 222-6455
Website: http://www.bisparks.org
Description: The Bismarck Parks & Recreation District is a gateway to healthy activities in the city of Bismarck. Whether you want to swing at some golf balls, swim with the kids, rent a shelter for a family reunion, ice skate, skateboard, or just hit the trails, they have all the information you are seeking. Visit their website for a full listing of their parks, programs, facilities, leisure services and events.

McDowell Dam and Nature Park
1951 93rd Street NE
Bimarck, North Dakota 58501
Phone: (701) 223-7016
Toll Free:
Website: http://bisparks.org/facilities/mcdowell-dam-and-nature-park/
Description: McDowell Dam and Nature Park is a 271 acre park located five miles east of Bismarck on Old Highway 10 and one mile north. The park is owned by the Burleigh County Water Management Board and managed by the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District. Available activities include swimming, boating, fishing and paddle boating. Visit the website for information on renting paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and shelters.


Missouri River Kayak Rentals, LLC
8019 Northwood Place
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 426-1953
Website: http://www.missouririverkayakrentals.com
Description: Kayak the Missouri River and other ND waters.

Nishu Bowmen Indoor Archery Range
1409 Riverwood Drive
Bismarck, North Dakota 58504
Phone: (701) 221-3529


Scheels Sports
802 Kirkwood Mall
Bismarck, North Dakota 58504
Phone: (701) 255-7255
Website: http://scheelssports.com
Description: Hunters, cyclists, golfers, runners and nearly all other sports and outdoor enthusiasts can find the gear they need at Scheels All Sports Inc. Unlike a typical sporting goods store or department store, the Kirkwood Mall Scheels is a collection of entertainment venues, as well as women's, men's, youth, specialty, and sport and game shops. Brand-name concept shops by Nike, adidas, Columbia, Under Armour and The North Face feature the best sport apparel products. Each shop is staffed with experts who are focused on their passions.

Camp Hancock Historic Site
101 E. Main
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
Phone: (701) 328-9528 or (701) 328-2666
Website: http://www.history.nd.gov
Description: The site of a military camp dating back to 1872 was used to protect Northern Pacific railroad workers. Camp Hancock is tucked away at 101 E. Main & First Street in Bismarck. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the camp icludes the Bread of Life Episcopal Church and a Northern Pacific steam locomotive. A log building, which served as the camp's headquarters, now features an interpretive museum. Admission is free.

Carmike Movie Theaters
2700 State Street - Gateway Mall
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 223-6092


Chief Looking's Village Historic Site
On Burnt Boat Drive above Pioneer Park
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 222-6455
Toll Free:
Website:
Description: The western view from this site looks over great expanses of Missouri and Heart River bottomland and the opposing river bluffs. From this point 225 years ago, a person could see four or five Mandan earthlodge villages, homes to 6,000 or 7,000 people. The site has a self-guided tour, where visitors can see the depressions of a number of earth loges and a fortification ditch.

Dakota Zoo
602 River Road in Sertoma Park
Bismarck, North Dakota 58504
Phone: (701) 223-7543
Website: http://www.dakotazoo.org/
Description: Located on the east bank of the Missouri River in Sertoma Park, North Dakota’s largest zoo is home to over 600 reptiles, birds and mammals.
Hours: May - September 30, daily 10 am - 7 pm
Winter hours: October - April, Friday - Sunday 1 - 5 pm (weather permitting)
Admission is $7 for ages 13 and up, $6 for seniors 60 & over, and $4 for children 2-12 years. Babies under 2 years are free. Train rides are $2.50 per person.


Dakotah Speedway
2500 Longspur Trail
Mandan, North Dakota 58554
Phone: (701) 663-6843 or (701) 333-0324
Website: http://www.dacotahspeedway.net/
Description: Open May - September. Regular race Friday at 7 pm, plus special races.


Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site
North on River Road, north on Highway 1804
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 328-2666
Website: http://www.history.nd.gov
Description: Double Ditch Indian Village, covering about 24 acres, is one of the most spectacular archaeological sited in the Northern Plains. It lies on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, with a commanding view downriver toward the mouth of the Heart River and the other Mandan villages, and upriver to Square Buttes, a feature that marked the traditional boundary between the Mandan and Hidatsa territory. At its peak, perhaps 2,000 people live there. Double Ditch Village lay in ruins when Lewis & Clark passed this point in 1804 & 1806. On-site interpretation open year ‘round.
Category: Attractions


Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site
Corner of Avenue B & 4th Street
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
Phone: (701) 328-9528
Website: http://www.history.nd.gov
Description: From 1893 to 1960, the home at the corner of Avenue B and 4th Street in Bismarck served as the North Dakota Governor’s Residence. For additional information or to make group arrangements, please call. Admission is free.


Keelbooat Park
River Road
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 222-6455
Website: http://www.bisparks.org
Description: Located under the Grant Marsh Bridge, on River road in Bismarck, it's part of the Missouri Valley Legacy Center. It provides information, activities and experiences relative to the cultures and history prior to, during, and after the Lewis & Clark Expedition. It includes an impressive "Thunderbird" sculpture.


Lewis & Clark Riverboat
Port of Bismarck, 1700 River Road
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 663-4758
Website: http://www.lewisandclarkriverboat.com
Description: Cruise the fabulous Missouri River aboard the Lewis and Clark, a 150-passenger riverboat. This all-weather paddlewheeler has excursion cruises, dinner cruises, moonlight cruises, pizza cruises, taco bar cruise, bbq picnic cruise and family cruises are all available for your enjoyment mid-June through Labor Day. Charters and special group cruise rates are available April through October, weather permitting. North River Road, Exit 157 off I-94.


North Dakota Heritage Center
ND Capitol Grounds - East Boulevard
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Phone: (701) 328-2666
Website: http://www.nd.gov/hist/
Description: The North Dakota Heritage Center is the largest museum in the state. It features temporary and permanent exhibits that explore the story of life on the northern plains from prehistory to the present. In the main gallery, the "Corridor of Time" exhibit covers more than 100 million years of history in North Dakota and features fossils of dinosaurs , like Triceratops and dromaeosaurs, a close relative of the well-known Velociraptor of Jurassic Park fame, as well as many other ancient creatures. Other exhibits highlight native cultures from the time of the glaciers 10,000 years ago to the first contacts with Euro-Americans. Exhibits on the fur trade era, including the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition, tell of economic competition and military conflict over a vast prairie empire. More stories document the struggles and successes of the homesteaders and pioneers, the economic "boom" of the early twentieth century, and the disillusioning "bust" of the 1930s. Visitors can experience history through hundreds of objects, view images of the past through photographs and actual films made from 1916 to 1921, and participate in interactive exhibits such as cranking a model-T or even smelling a buffalo wallow. Admission is free.

North Dakota State Capitol
Capitol Grounds - 600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Phone: (701) 328-2480
Description: Visitors to the North Dakota State Capitol grounds find a unique blend of the state’s past, present, and future. The State Capitol building, also known as the “Skyscraper on the Prairie,” stands proudly over the heart of Bismarck. The Capitol grounds arboretum trail winds behind the Governor’s residence and along the Capitol building, highway building, Liberty Memorial building, the Heritage Center, and the Veteran’s Memorial. Approximately 75 species of trees, shrubs, and blooming flowers are identified. Also on the grounds are statues of Sakakawea, the Pioneer family, Former Governor Burke, a buffalo, and an Arabian horse. Admission is free.


Papa's Pumpkin Patch
5001 Fernwood Drive
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 222-1521
Website: http://www.papaspumpkinpatch.com
Description: Celebrate the season at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. Since 1983, thousands of people have made it tradition to come to Papa's and celebrate fall. There are dozens of photo opportunities, the famous Bale Mazes, Papas'ville, pony rides, Slide Mountain, Sebastian's train ride, horse-drawn hay rides, pumpkin cannons, obstacle courses and more. We look forward to greeting you at Papa's!


Steamboat Park
River Road
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
Phone: (701) 222-6455
Website: http://www.bisparks.org
Description: The Yellowstone Steamboat at Steamboat park is 60 feet long. Replicating the boats of that time, the vessel will give you a feeling of what it was like to travel along the river before the railroads arrived. Located on River Road along the Missouri River in Bismarck, Steamboat Park is part of the Missouri Valley Legacy Center and is now the home for the eagle sculpture, "Reflections." It provides information, activities and experiences relative to the cultures and history before, during and after the Lewis & Clark Expedition.


Superslide Amusement Park River Road in Sertoma Park
Bismarck, North Dakota 58504
Phone: (701) 255-1107
Website: www.bismarcksuperslide.com
Description: The Superslide Amusement Park provides quality family entertainment with a 140 ft. super slide, roller coaster, ferris wheel, go carts, bumper cars, mini golf, batting cage, and more. Open noon - 10 pm, seven days a week from May 1 through mid-September, weather permitting.


REFERENCE SITES
http://www.ndtourism.com/
http://www.discoverbismarckmandan.com/
http://www.bismarck.org/
　

When my parents first arrived there, North Dakota had just been admitted to the Union, and the country was still wild and harsh. 

Lawrence Welk

Enjoy and travel to create great family memories!

　

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NORTH DAKOTA

NORTH DAKOTA: THE PEACE GARDEN STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Travel is so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a trip effectively? Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carry on bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 

North Dakota Travel Guide

Badlands and bison, offbeat cities and spectacular scenery, Old West tales and Native American heritage: North Dakota inspires adventure.

Humongous elk, furry bison, wild horses, poisonous rattlesnakes and packs of coyotes are among the assorted inhabitants of the state's crown jewel, Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This remarkable badlands landscape is made up of three distinct areas, accessible by scenic roads, but more fun to discover on foot, horseback or canoe. You can encounter petrified forests, wind-carved canyons and prairie dog towns, or float through remote wilderness on the Little Missouri River.

The adventures don't stop there. Lake Sakakawea is ripe for messing about on boats, while Devils Lake is one of the finest spots to hook walleye, northern pike and crappie. Bumping over badlands and prairies, the 225km (140mile) Maah Daah Hey Trail is a mountain biker's paradise. And if you're looking for hardcore action, there's the so-called ENDracing phenomenon, a series of endurance tests ranging from a winter triathlon to a 58km (36mile) river swim.

North Dakota may not be the first place you think of when it comes to teeing off, but it claims more golf courses per capita than any other state (not such an impressive record given its sparse population). You can follow in the footsteps of 19th century explorers Lewis and Clark on a golf trail named in their honor, although whether the two pioneers bothered to pack their clubs is questionable.

Grab an urban hit in Fargo, home to the terrific Plains Art Museum, or discover dinosaurs, a homestead shack and a 1950s soda shop at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.

Things to see and do in North Dakota

Cattle ranch

Stay on a working cattle ranch on the Knife River and enjoy horseback riding, fishing, canoeing or birdwatching.

Fargo-Moorhead

Visit the metropolitan area of Fargo-Moorhead, a prime tourist destination, with museums, amusement parks, historical buildings and annual festivals. See the locally hand-built 23m (76ft) replica of a Viking ship that made an epic journey to Norway in 1982.

Fort Abraham Lincoln

Visit Fort Abraham Lincoln (www.ndparks.com), south of Mandan, the final command post of Lt Colonel George Custer, before his famous massacre by the Sioux Indians at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Custer's entire command of 265 men was wiped out in a 20-minute battle led by Sitting Bull, Gall and Crazy Horse.

Knife River Indian Villages

Explore the traditions of Northern Plains Indians at Knife River Indian Villages (www.nps.gov/knri). Remains of earth lodge dwellings tell the silent story of a culture that was still vibrant when Lewis and Clark headed westwards on their explorations.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Enjoy the spectacular views of 28,329-hectare (70,000-acre) Theodore Roosevelt National Park (www.nps.gov/thro), set in the Badlands of western North Dakota. Theodore Roosevelt bought Elkorn Ranch after his wife and mother died, and found inspiration among the quiet canyons of 'rough-rider country'.

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 My favorite days off on the road are typically nowhere, like Bismarck, North Dakota, and you find yourself in a mall, and you're like, 'This is awesome!'

Jenny Lewis
    

Live Well, Laugh Often and Travel Much!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NORTH DAKOTA

NORTH DAKOTA: THE PEACE GARDEN STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling is great personal interests because it will make a more open-minded person when it comes to inter acting with people. It also made it easier to understanding as to why people act the way they do in their own society and in a society as diverse as the U.S. It has long been said that travels “broadens the mind”. Now new evidence proves that jumping on a plane will not only make you smarter, but more open-minded.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

Overview of North Dakota

North Dakota has a captivating history featuring some of America's greatest leaders, adventurers, and warriors. At its many preserved forts, visitors discover the stories of Native Americans led by Sitting Bull, fighting to preserve the plains culture, as well as tales of soldiers who manned lonely outposts. History buffs can retrace Lewis and Clark's journey along the Missouri River, beginning at Fort Mandan, where their expedition acquired as a member Sacagawea, also known as Sakakawea, one of the most famous North Dakotans.

Today, North Dakota has one of the highest populations of Native Americans in the country. Their reservations are rich cultural destinations, with traditional powwows held throughout the year. Its heritage also encompasses the traditions of Scandinavia and Germany, the homelands of many of the state's original pioneers. North Dakota's pristine land seems to stretch forever, with immigrants surely lured by the same vista that tempts today's athletes and outdoors man. One of the best places to experience the state's natural beauty is in the Badlands of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in western North Dakota.

Roosevelt was a rancher here for a time, and his memories of North Dakota would later fuel his passion for conservation. Visitors to the stark cliffs and buttes of the Badlands can camp, view species like bison and elk, or bike the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Lake Sacajawea is another scenic spot, so expansive it can accommodate sailors as well as avid sport fishermen.

Winters this far north can seem formidable. North Dakota looks stunning lightly blanketed by pure-white snow, and the snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing is unparalleled. In the summer, the 2,339-acre (946 ha) International Peace Garden is a serene place to visit. Situated on the world's longest unfortified border between the United States and Canada, it is a symbol of peace and friendship.

Though many may be surprised to hear it, North Dakota does have more to offer than history and the great outdoors. The Indian reservations, reservoirs of cultural knowledge, are also home to a number of glitzy casinos. Fargo and Grand Forks are college towns, complete with arts scenes, bars, and clubs. Grand Forks is home to

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux ice hockey team, the state's major sports competitor. The Enchanted Highway is the most unusual attraction in North Dakota. It's a 32-mile (52km) stretch of lonely road, erected along which are the world's largest metal sculptures that capture the surprising quirks waiting to charm

visitors to North Dakota.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

I played hockey in North Dakota growing up and watch a lot of that.

Phil Jackson
 

Enjoy and travel to create great family memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” MISSOURI

MISSOURI: THE SHOW ME STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

After working and studying hard all year long families across the United States will be taking long awaited vacations. Family vacations and travel can be the most rewarding experience. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. When you need to plan a trip contact me!

The article below offers a captivating perception on St.Louis.

 

St. Louis trip is a hit with older kids

By Paul Vercammen, CNN

July 29, 2011 8:06 a.m. EDT

 St. Louis (CNN) -- I got some raised eyebrows when I told my teenage boy and preteen girl they were headed to St. Louis with my wife and me for a six-day summer vacation.

But all of our fears of mutually assured boredom were erased by a series of St. Louis landmarks that helped push the kids' electronic devices out of sight.

St. Louis is family-friendly and surprisingly young and vibrant. Here's a brief overview of what I called our "developing minds tour."

Forest Park

We made three fun stops in Forest Park, an urban oasis spread out over almost 1,300 acres. It's one of the biggest urban parks in the nation and about 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York.

Saint Louis Art Museum

Yes, I said it, art museum. Come on down, because the price is right. Admission is free to this architectural wonder, a Cass Gilbert structure built for the 1904 World's Fair in sprawling Forest Park.

Children love the permanent Arms and Armor exhibit. Take an air-conditioned trek back in history to a time when border disputes were solved with crossbows by guys wearing chain mail. You may hear a "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" joke or two from your kids.

Forest Park Boathouse

You can row or work your legs on a paddle boat, floating through Forest Park under foot bridges, past the cattails and back home to a great little snack stand at the entrance to Post-Dispatch Lake and the Grand Basin.

The Muny

Take in a bombastic show at this playhouse that seats more than 10,000 people and calls itself the oldest and largest outdoor musical theater in America. When we saw "Footloose," an estimated 100 cast members cavorted on a revolving stage. "Footloose," the tale of some misunderstood high school dude with the ability to dance, took on rock concert fervor.

This year, "Legally Blonde" and "The Little Mermaid" share the summer schedule with classics such as "Singin' in the Rain" and "Bye Bye Birdie."

Six Flags St. Louis

This place has lots of adrenaline-rush rides and throws out a life saver on a steamy day: Hurricane Harbor.

The water park, with its massive array of slides and pools, provides welcome relief when the summer temperatures hit sweat-inducing levels.

Make sure you check for weather conditions; a thunderstorm sent us out of the water and into one of the park's Johnny Rockets hamburger joints in our swimsuits.

Crown Candy Kitchen

At this soda fountain/candy store on steroids, three scoops of homemade ice cream go into a malt. That's 24 chilled ounces in that diner version of a silver chalice, the metal milkshake cup. I could taste the chocolate two hours later.

Another highlight is the BLT, stacked up with bacon. You need to do a CPR hand press on the sandwich just to be able to take a bite. Crown Candy Kitchen is also famous for a stomach-stretching challenge: Drink five malts in 30 minutes, and you get them free, plus a T-shirt and your name inscribed on a plaque. (We didn't attempt it.)

Gateway Arch

The arch is an ingenious structure that combines perspective on the nation's westward expansion with a thrill ride. You ascend 630 feet to the top and take in seemingly unending views of St. Louis west into Missouri and across the Mississippi River east to Illinois.

If you are afraid of heights, note that the top is fully enclosed, with large glass windows that allow you to take photographs and video. You travel up in trams, made up of little five-person pods inside the arch legs, so there's no scary view outside. The museum below the arch is terrific, featuring wall-sized photos that help you trace Lewis and Clark's journey.

The City Museum

This old shoe factory morphed into a fun house of quirky exhibits and spruced-up playground equipment. Kids look at, climb on and crawl through attractions, many plucked from urban scrap piles, including two abandoned planes, a suspension bridge and a bus.

There are lots of dinosaurs, caves and so much happy screaming, the place echoes with the sounds of people of all ages acting like kids.

St. Louis Cardinals game

Busch Stadium is a shrine to baseball, a glistening-clean house of worship. The reverent and savvy fans drive from all over the Mississippi River Valley and beyond. Carloads come down from Hannibal, Missouri, and over from Paducah, Kentucky, up from West Memphis, Arkansas, and across from Mount Vernon, Illinois.

So many of the fans wear red or white Cardinal T-shirts, the stands seem adorned with peppermint confetti. The Arch shines on the horizon outside a ballpark where everyone seems eager to give players directions and talk baseball.

The Delmar Loop

You can cruise this hip stretch of shops and restaurants on foot, glancing down at the plaques on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. There's sidewalk hardware honoring everyone from Ulysses S. Grant to Miles Davis, T.S. Eliot, Yogi Berra, Ike and Tina Turner, Charles Lindbergh, Chuck Berry and a hundred more.

The kids found their souvenir nirvana here in Avalon, a trendy clothing store. Avalon sells new clothes, but the hit was racks of vintage clothing that suggest filthy rich people from St. Louis' tony neighborhoods dump great stuff.

The kids' haul included a classy party dress, an old-time Cardinals baseball jersey and sporty polo shirts. None of it cost more than $15, and it was a lot better than coming home with a snow globe or a million-in-a-million souvenir T-shirt.

We didn't get to every spot in St. Louis that would have registered high on the teen and preteen acceptance meters, but our itinerary was a success.

And in an era where many parents fear that their teched-out kids will complain "there's nothing to do," St. Louis delivered dozens of moments of doing something "pretty cool."

With a close relative in St. Louis, we'll be back. We still haven't tried toasted ravioli.

 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 Being the gateway to a large city, St. Louis, I had felt from the very beginning that somehow this building should symbolize this sense of being a gateway.

 Minoru Yamasaki
 
  

Travel to experience life!