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Exploring Elkhart - posted on September 8, 2009
There’s a lot more to Elkhart’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it small town than meets the eye. This stop along Route 66 in Central Illinois offers options for dining, shopping, and even learning—all in the span of two tiny blocks. Why bother stopping? “It’s very well-sited right on I-55 and smack on Route 66,” explains Andrea Niehaus, owner of Horsefeathers Antiques & Gift Shop and The Wild Hare Cafe. “Plus it’s like a page torn from Norman Rockwell.” In other words, it boasts about as much character as you can possibly fit in one tiny downtown. Horsefeathers and Wild HaresRevitalizing downtown Elkhart is all in the family for Andrea and her sister, Renee Sisk. Andrea and her husband, Peter, renovated the original red brick...

Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum - posted on July 15, 2009
Trace the path of Abraham Lincoln’s life—from his boyhood reading by firelight to his tumultuous time as the 16th President of the United States—at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield.The museum presents a unique opportunity to experience the scenes of Abraham Lincoln’s life up-close, rather than playing the role of passive spectator viewing displays set behind glass. Life-size, three-dimensional representations of Honest Abe are present nearly every step of the way—in lifelike detail, from the translucent skin on his hands to the hair on his furrowed brow.The journey begins at The Plaza, where the first family stands ready to greet visitors. (Go ahead and snap a photo with them; cameras are only allowed in The Plaza area.) To ...

Evening Out: Mason City - posted on June 8, 2009
Find world-class comedy and fine dining options in Mason City, Illinois. This unlikely destination is worth the drive—for the pizza, the steaks, and the laughs. Mason City, RevitalizedMason City’s blink-and-you’ll-miss it downtown had seen better days when John Means returned to his hometown in 1991. The renown standup comedian—known as Dr. Gonzo on stage—bought a house in Mason City that year to spend time with his ailing parents and escape the madness of California life, even as he continued to tour the country as Dr. Gonzo.Despite the dilapidated buildings—many of which had been standing empty for years—John fell back in love with his hometown and decided to stick around. “When I moved back here, I thought I was on the George Burns plan&md...