Visitors to Kansas City, Missouri are taking a second look at the newly refurbished National Museum Of Toys / Miniatures.   And, according to the latest attendance numbers – they’re liking what they see.

Located on the campus of UMKC – the museum includes the nation’s largest collection of fine-scale miniature art.  Twisting through the first floor of the building you’ll uncover everything from a a miniature piano and skeleton to larger displays like a full department store where tiny figures, all too life like, stand around a miniature jewelry counter.

Around another corner, microscopes await you to view objects smaller than your finger nails but designed with incredible detail and in some cases, even moving parts like the real life versions.

A “fine-scale miniature” is defined as a limited production or one of a kind works of art that’s typically in 1/12th scale.  In other words,  every twelve inches in the full scale piece – represents an inch in the mini version.

The attention to detail in all of the pieces on display is mind blowing. The strings on a tiny guitar will strum, all of the bones of a mini skeleton can move and all the drawers in the shrunken cabinets all open and close.

“Each artist spends hours and hours researching and dedicating their lives to making these things” explains Community Development Director, Cassie Mundt.   “An artist can invest years of work building something that can fit in the palm of your hand”

The full collection of miniatures is more than  21,000 pieces while only a portion is on display at any given time.

A local magazine called this place “the best place in Kansas City to feel big”.

Authenticity is very important to the talented artists that create miniatures.  One example of going above and beyond for a real-life look is the museum’s Port Townsend House designed by Nole & Pat Thomas.  The duo released spiders into the basement of their miniature home to get actual spider webs.

“When we’re cleaning the museum, we’re always extra careful not to dust the basement” jokes Mundt.

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The National Museum Of Toys & Miniatures has been open since 1982.  It started as a way to feature the collections of two Kansas City women.  In August of 2015 the museum reopened after about a year of refurbishing. Its brand new bright, colorful layout has a crisp, clean look that’s just perfect for a fun subject like toys.  The lobby now features what they call a “toy-tisserie” – a rotating display of toys that extends from the floor to the ceiling, near the main staircase.

Up those stairs, the second floor features a wide variety of games, dolls and play things that many of us loved as children.   Accompanying many of the items are stories behind the folks that owned the actual toys on display.

As neat as it is to spot a few of the toys you may have played with in your youth – it really is the miniature collection that makes the museum a must-see.   You can even experience exhibits that illustrate how artists are able to design these small figures with such great detail.

The National Museum Of Toys & Miniatures was featured last year in our popular Kansas City travel piece 5 Quirky Things To Do In Kansas City

The National Museum Of Toys & Miniatures is open every day except for Tuesday.  Admission is $5.00.  Hours are 10am-4pm.

For more info: toysandminiaturemuseum.org

The more I learn about former President Dwight Eisenhower, the more I like him.

After visiting his adult home in Gettysburg last Summer, I knew a stop at his Presidential library and museum in Kansas was a must.  It’s easy to get to if you’re already traveling across the state and a perfect place to stretch your legs and get your latest dose of American history.

One thing I always enjoy about Presidential museums and libraries is that you’re bound to find lots of stuff that’s cool to see no matter what your political leanings may be.  The Eisenhower Presidential Library has the added bonus of being directly next to his childhood home.  Also located on the property is the final resting place of Dwight & Mamie Eisenhower.  The graves are inside a beautiful, somber mini-sanctuary with great stained glass windows.  The former President designed it himself and wanted visitors to be able to reflect during their visit.

People often ask me why they call these places Presidential “libraries”.  While most visitors will only see the museum – each Presidential Library is in fact a research center where documents related to each President’s time in office are stored and organized as part of the National Archives.  The Eisenhower Library for example has a whopping 26 million pages of material.   As documents become declassified, the collection grows even bigger.

During my visit to Abilene, Kansas I asked museum curator William Snyder what people come to research, considering Eisenhower hasn’t been President in more than 50 years.  “People are always writing new books and learning from all sorts of things that happened during his time in office.  One recent example – researchers wanted to learn more about a cancer scare related to cranberries .  Turns out, one year during the President’s time in office – cranberries were banned from store shelves during Thanksgiving because of concerns they were causing cancer.”

Each Presidential library has one of a kind items that you won’t see anywhere else.  Whether it’s the microphone Eisenhower used at press conferences or the Presidential podium that traveled with him on official trips or an engagement ring he gave to the former First Lady.

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Kids will be stunned to learn what “modern technology” looked like during the years Ike was in office.  In the late 50’s – a state-of-the-art communications phone looks like something you’d see today for $2.00 at an estate sale.   Typewriters? What are those?   History buffs will be intrigued by stationary that belonged to none other than Adolf Hitler and the actual D-Day planning table.  Car lovers will get a kick out of the 1914 electric Rauch and Lang automobile that the Eisenhower’s drove that once belonged to Mamie’s mother.

Another unique aspect of the Eisenhower site is the collection of things from his days as a General.  In fact, after leaving The White House – it’s widely known that instead of “President” – he instead preferred to be addressed as “General”.

Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. – President Dwight Eisenhower

The former First Lady is also featured in the museum with everything from her wedding dress to campaign buttons that highlight how popular she was with voters.

Outside between the museum and library is a statue of the former President and General that stands eleven feet tall.  A lasting memorial to a great American hero and one of the most popular and well-respected leaders in history.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Childhood Home are open to the public every day of the year except for major holidays in Abilene, Kansas.

You can connect with them on all of the popular social media channels: @IkeLibrary

It may come as a surprise when you come to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and find some of Hollywood’s most famous vehicles right around the corner.

The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is a two story museum that features a great variety of cars – everything from a Buick owned by Bob Hope to the family car that transported The Beverly Hillbillies.

General Manager Cameron Katen says that visitors from all over the world stop in to see the museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The largest vehicle in the collection is the Ecto 1 from the film Ghostbusters.   Inside the vehicle, all of the four main characters have signed their names in the front seat.

You’ll find a car that once belonged to Dolly Parton as well as the actual Herbie The Love Bug.   The museum even has the car Michael Jackson drove around the Neverland Ranch – including a photo of the wall of MJ in the front seat, with his trademark surgical face mask.  There’s a car that Elvis drove, a patrol car from the Andy Griffith Show, a truck from the film Twister and a Delorean from Back To The Future series – all part of the 40 cars on display.

Fans of the Fast & The Furious movie franchise will love seeing many of the vehicles used in those films.  In fact, it’s said to currently be the most popular part of the collection.

There are two versions of the Batmobile on display – one from 1966 and the early days on television with Adam West & Burt Ward.  The second version sits upstairs in a dark corner, that was part of the Michael Keaton Batman film.

One of my personal favorites was seeing KITT from the TV series Night Rider.  If you recall the show, David Hassolhoff drove a car that talked to him.  Not only does the car still talk – it has the trademark moving red light in the front of the vehicle.

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While you can’t pose for photos in most of the vehicles – there are some exceptions.  For a small fee – you can sit inside the vehicle used in the Flintstones movie.   Photos are allowed through out the museum which is a very cool touch.

In addition to all of the recognizable vehicles – you’ll see one of kind memorabilia as well.  Props from Batman and the James Bond series as well as personal belongings from Elvis round out the collection.

So why Gatlinburg?

Mr. Katen  says “We get that question all of the time.  It’s the perfect location because the Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited park in the country and we’re located right near the entrance.”

When I was a child, Kermit The Frog was my hero.  Watching Jim Henson’s most popular creation hosting The Muppet Show probably inspired me to become a host, entertainer and broadcaster.  The first toy I remember from my youth was a Kermit plush doll.  I still have a wooden box with Kermit The Frog painted on it along with “Billy” – the name everyone called me until I grew too mature for my own good and insisted on being named “Bill”.

The Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia recently received an incredible donation from the family of Jim Henson.  Over 500 artifacts, including original Muppet characters are now part of the museums permanent collection.  The first batch of Henson creations are now available to view up close in the new Jim Henson Collection – a newly built wing of the museum that’s known for telling the story of puppetry both in the U.S. and around the world.

Curators with the museum say that people have been known to cry when they see the real Muppets up close.  It’s a special childhood link for most visitors.   While I didn’t personally shed any tears, I found myself in complete awe of seeing these characters in person that I’ve adored for so long.

“You’re never leaving that place, are you?” was the reply text message from my brother when I sent him a photo of me and Kermit.

Like most things on television – the Muppets aren’t nearly as big as you’d imagine.  Even without the helping hand of a human to bring them to life – they still seem alive and full of personality.

Not all of the Muppets are out for visitors, in fact,  just about a dozen of the full collection.  That allows the center to keep things fresh by constantly rotating what’s on display.   But, the ones that they did select for the debut of the Henson Collection are perfect.

You’ll see Big Bird, Elmo, Bert & Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and Grover.  You’ll also see Kermit, Miss Piggy, Scooter, Dr. Teeth, and the piano playing dog – Rawlf.

The Henson family also donated Jim’s work space – including a desk and other Muppet workshop tables and gadgets used while he was alive.  Looking at the creative process is just as fun as seeing the final products.  Mr. Henson would use all sorts of odd things to create the perfect puppets.

“The Henson family has always had a close connection to the center” according to Kelsey Fritz who handles the exhibits here.  Mr. Henson and Kermit The Frog were here to cut the ribbon when the building first  opened.  The huge collection required some adjustments, including an expanded storage facility to handle all of the characters and other items.

Fans of Fraggle Rock, Dark Crystal and other Henson productions won’t be disappointed – you’ll find characters from those series as well.

The most common phrase heard in the Henson collection?  “Big Bird is such a big bird!”  Sounds hilarious but people are apparently stunned at just how big he is.

In addition to the Muppets on display – the Center For Puppetry Arts also features iconic puppet characters like Gumby, Punch & Judy and cool one of a kind artifacts including a first model of costume pieces from The Lion King.

The center also teaches young children about learning through puppetry.  A very cool satellite TV production team interacts with school kids from all across the country.  Students are able to create a puppet of their own and then play along with puppet masters who join them via satellite from Atlanta to put on an original show.

After conveying some of the good natured ridicule from friends about my love of Muppets at this stage in life,  Ms. Fritz adds “You’re never too old for puppets!”   Turns out that’s true – as the Henson collection is most popular with folks that are older and grew up watching these beloved characters on television.

The Center For Puppetry Arts is located in Atlanta, Georgia.  Their website is: puppet.org.

Americans have a strange fascination with going inside homes that once belonged to famous people.  The mansion that belonged to John & Mable Ringling is just as fascinating to tourists as well known homes like Graceland or even The White House.

The Ringling – named after its original owners John & Mable Ringling is 66 acres of property with gardens, museums and the 55 room mansion called: Ca’ d’Zan.   The Ringling family, wealthy from their iconic Ringling Circus, lived here during the Winter months and used the home as a place to lavishly entertain guests.

The first misconception visitors have is that you can just show up and spend an hour or so.  The entire property is massive – two circus museums, an acclaimed art museum, a rose garden, over a thousand trees and of course the mansion which offers tours daily.   “It’s a place where people come to spend an hour and then quickly realize there’s no way to experience The Ringling without investing a good part of a day” says Ringling PR Manager Alice Murphy.

The home tour is the highlight of the visit – getting to see first hand what life was like for one of America’s wealthiest families in the early 1900’s.  The mansion was built to exact specifications laid out by the Ringling’s who brought most of their ideas back from Europe.  The attention to detail inside is fascinating.  Everything from paint colors to the intricacy of stained glass windows makes the home priceless.  This was their Winter getaway while the rest of the year they lived in New York.

In addition to touring the first floor of the mansion – visitors can hang out on the “patio” where fancy yachts once docked and wealthy friends partied on the Sarasota Bay.

The museums are top notch – even if you’re like me and have zero interest in the circus.  Seeing the old posters, vintage vehicles and other artifacts from the late 1800’s to present day is worth the visit.

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Of all the exhibits to see – the miniature circus was my favorite.  A full circus, built in  1/16th scale fills 3,800 square feet complete with a working train and moving parts.  It is absolutely breathtaking.  There are more than one million pieces in the display.  Details like tiny silverware and 7,000 folding chairs make this the world’s largest circus model and one of the neatest miniature displays I’ve ever seen.

Another cool artifact is the train car used by John & Mable Ringling as they traveled across the country.  You can poke your head inside the The Wisconsin to see its original layout – including luxuries like a bath tub that were simply not found on train cars at the time.

Both husband and wife are buried on the grounds.

The Ringling is located in Sarasota, Florida and is open to the public year round.  The grounds are free but admission to museums and the mansion have admission fees.

For more information about visiting the Sarasota region, you can check out: http://www.visitsarasota.org/

On a recent road trip, I needed a half way point to stop for the night on a longer than usual journey.  Atlanta was the biggest city that jumped out as I quickly glanced at google maps.  Then, I remembered that one of my favorite TV shows, The Walking Dead was filmed in nearby Senoia – 50 miles south of the metro area.  I quickly found a place to crash for the night in this tiny town of about 3,000 residents and set out to see first hand if I could find “Alexandria”.

It didn’t take long at all to find the filming location of “Woodbury” – from earlier seasons where Rick and the gang battled with The Governor.

Essentially, this is the Main street of Senoia and has all sorts of really cool shops and dining options.  The shaved ice stand was a particular hit the day I stopped by, with folks lined up to the sidewalk.   You’ll find a store with lots of Walking Dead merchandise – though truth be told, it was all pretty much overpriced junk.  I wanted to buy a few things for family members and friends that watch the show – and couldn’t bring myself to purchase a single thing.

Not knowing what to expect – this street was such a huge surprise.  I imagine many people show up expecting to take a photo and hop back in the car – and instead stick around for the whole day.

After walking up and down the street – my next goal was to find where “Alexandria” was located.  I stopped first to ask a stranger to take a picture for me which they kindly did.  After retrieving my camera I noticed some train tracks and a subdivision just a few yards away.  I figured that finding the filming location of the most popular TV show in America wouldn’t be too tough – but I had no idea it would be this easy.

Turns out “Alexandria” is literally a stones throw from “Woodbury”.  I’m talking about a 20 second walk from one location to the other!

And there it was – a subdivision surrounded by ugly, giant, metal walls – just like you see them on the show.  The interesting thing is – the entire subdivision is surrounded by those metal walls.  It’s crazy!

There are rent a cop security guards posted at two different locations to remind tourists to stay away from private property.   While walking by a road blockade – this young girl hopped out of her air conditioned car and screamed at me, even though I wasn’t going down the street.  She hollered again when I posed for a photo standing on the curb outside the wall where a huge empty field is located.  I guess she has to yell a certain amount of times a day to get paid.  Generally speaking, the onlookers seemed to be curious but respectful.

Which brings me to the biggest question of all – do people actually live inside those walls?  The answer is apparently YES!   How all of that works out during filming is beyond me but what a giant pain in the ass if you’re a local resident.  I suppose it would be kind of cool for awhile but can you even imagine knuckleheads like me aimlessly walking near your subdivision every single day taking photos?  Yeah, no thanks.

However, residents may be used to being in the spotlight – films like Sweet Home Alabama, Driving Miss Daisy and Fried Green Tomatoes have also been filmed here according to the city’s website.

Either way, if you’re a fan of the show – it’s neat to see the wall and the set of “Woodbury”.  There are actual tours you can pay for where they walk you around – though you can see plenty on your own without forking over the big bucks to tour guides.   There are plenty of online resources with physical addresses of former filming locations that you can use as a guide.  Many are actually in Atlanta which I had zero interest in searching for – since driving through ATL is a nightmare.  I’ll leave that to you diehard fans!

As you drive around town, you’ll also spot places where almost any of the scenes could have been filmed that involved walking on railroad tracks or paved roads with country surroundings.

Plan to spend a good chunk of time on Senoia’s main street though!   It’s an awesome small town and maybe you’ll run into one of the stars of Walking Dead while you’re there!  Filming on season 7 is rumored to be underway!

There are obviously more than just six reasons that Dollywood is a fun, worthwhile stop the next time you’re near Pigeon Forge or the Smoky Mountains.   But, here are six things that stood out during my most recent visit to Tennessee’s most popular tourist attraction.

1. Dolly’s Tour Bus

For most musicians – going out on tour is the best way to interact with your adoring fans.  Dolly’s recent tour is selling out in cities all across the country – proof that people are clamoring to see her in person and willing to pay for it.  At Dollywood, you can step on board one of Dolly’s tour buses and see what life is like for her while she’s on the road!

2.  Love Notes

Okay, kids – back in the old days before Facebook or texting – we actually wrote notes to each other and folded them like paper footballs.  Inside the museum Chasing Rainbows – The Dolly Parton Story   are bundles of one of a kind artifacts related to Dolly and her amazing life and career.   For whatever reason – my favorite exhibit item was a collection of love notes from Dolly’s school days.

Other honorable mentions include: the hand written lyrics to the song “9 to 5”,  Parton’s Kennedy Center Honors award and the actual “coat of many colors” made famous in her hit song.

3.  Awesome Coasters

You might not think that a theme park named after a celebrity would have roller coasters worth writing home about.  You’d be wrong.  Dollywood has world class roller coasters.  Their newest addition Lightening Rod is the world’s fastest wooden roller coaster.  Wild Eagle, Thunderhead and Mystery Mine are among the favorites.

4.  Bald Eagles

Not sure how I missed this on my previous visit to Dollywood but inside the park, you can see a 30,000 square foot sanctuary for endangered bald eagles.  A reminder that it’s always a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings!  You can walk right past it if you’re not careful.  And who would want to miss the chance to view this incredible creatures up close?

5. It Smells Good.  Everywhere!

It seems that nearly every place you turn inside the Dollywood theme park – you smell mouth watering food.  From pastries and other sweets to good old fashioned southern style cooking – there’s a variety of places to grab a bite to eat or sit down and dine during your visit.  There’s even an all you can eat buffet!

Our favorite was the chicken sandwich food truck called Frannies.

6. Dolly’s Childhood Home

There is a replica of the childhood home Dolly Parton grew up in located in the middle of the park.  It is an awesome reminder that even someone from incredibly humble beginnings can make such a huge impact on the world.

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Columbus, Ohio rolled out the red carpet and recently welcomed the Midwest Travel Writers Association to town!  I was fortunate enough to attend the conference and visit the city for the very first time.  Though we were only in town for a few days, we were treated to a whirlwind tour with a great variety of activities and meals.

From cheering on the minor league Columbus Clippers to watching fellow travel writers dance along with the incredible music at Shadowbox Live – our trip to C-Bus was packed full of fun.

Here are just a handful of the things I discovered during my visit

Columbus Is Fashionable. I Am Not.

Look at me.  Do I appear to know the first thing about fashion or design?  I’m the guy that brags about a $5 pair of pants I found on sale at Kohls.

Columbus however has a reputation for being a hub in the fashion industry.  Locals will know this but people living outside the state probably find that revelation surprising.   The city is home to the headquarters of Abercrombie & Fitch, Express and Victoria’s Secret.

There are more fashion designers per capita here in Columbus than anywhere else in the U.S.

They Know How To Do Breakfast.

During our visit to Columbus, we met Nick Dekker of Breakfast With Nick.

Here’s a guy that’s made a career out of being fascinated with the most important meal of the day!   Mr. Dekker organized a giant room full of breakfast options from around the city and admits that it was just a small sample of what Columbus has to offer in terms of breakfast dining.

We enjoyed farm to table goodies like sweet & spicy bacon and locally produced milk and yogurt.  There were pancake balls, giant cinnamon rolls and pretzels.

My favorite treat was a croissant from Pistacia Vera.  I could eat one of these things every single day for the rest of my life.  I met Anne, one of the owners, who seemed humbled when I told her how incredible her product is.

Some of the other participants and Columbus breakfast options included:  Katalina’s, Fox in the Snow, Snowville Creamery, Kolache Republic, Flowers & Bread and One Line Coffee.

I Look Good In Goggles.

After a walking tour of COSI (Center Of Science & Industry) we headed to a classroom for a special hands-on science demonstration.

Always eager to jump at the opportunity to wear oversized protective goggles – I volunteered to help with the special experiment.  After adding the components for chocolate pudding in a giant bowl, a bucket of liquid nitrogen was poured into the mix.  My only task, while wearing thick gloves to prevent frostbite, was to stir the ingredients until it became ice cream.

It did.  And, oh I also may have tried stirring the opposite direction and got the mixture all over the poor guys table.

COSI is ranked as one of the top attractions for tourists in Columbus.  The displays are largely geared toward kids like most science museums but there are some interesting things adults would enjoy.   The IMAX theater was a fun break in a busy day where sat back and stared up at the stars.

I Can Paint And Drink. Just Can’t Spell.

Painting, drinking and spelling.  In the words of singer Meatloaf: two out of three ain’t bad.

Megan Sharbaugh is a founder of Studio 614. She coached several of us travel writers to paint a picture of the popular Columbus entertainment district Short North.  (Some of us did better than others.  I’ll let you be the judge.)

The Short North is an area full of art galleries, dining options and unique locally owned shops.  One cool place was a toy store called Big Fun that sold old toys that were mostly out of their original packaging. (You know, from normal kids like you and me that actually played with our toys.)

While painting our own version of The Short North we enjoyed custom cocktails from Denmark – a cool bar across the street from the Columbus Convention Center.  The drinks were good, but didn’t do much to help my painting.  Certainly didn’t prevent the glaring error in my masterpiece, shown above.

But… how ’bout those trees!?

Baby Polar Bears Are Awesome.

Yes, they’d probably eat you alive in the wild but that doesn’t make a baby polar bear any less adorable.

Nora is about 6 months old and the crowds at the Columbus Zoo couldn’t get enough. She played with a plastic ball and swam back and forth between her habitat and the giant glass exhibit wall where hundreds of guests huddled together and snapped photos.

We were able to sneak down below the exhibit to watch Nora attempt to eat, or shall I say, catch her lunch.  The fish were plentiful but Nora just couldn’t quite grab one.  Not yet anyway.

You can watch the video below:

For more things to see and do in Columbus, Ohio you can visit: Experience Columbus.

There’s nothing quite like the view from behind the steering wheel of a giant John Deere tractor.  Each day, people in all corners of the globe climb inside these mighty green and yellow machines and keep the world’s most precious land in top notch shape.

Country music star Kenny Chesney once sang about how women found his tractor “sexy”.  Watching the way female visitors in the John Deere Pavilion gazed in awe at the models on display – the lyrics now make much more sense.

Here in the Quad Cities – the John Deere company gives city folks (like me) a chance to see up close just how mighty these vehicles really are.  For most of us – our only real exposure is a quick glimpse of a farmer cutting grass along a two-lane country back road.

No doubt the thrill of controlling one of these beasts is quickly replaced by the sweat of hard work and grueling hours that farmers endure.  But, it certainly must be fun the first time you look out that big windshield and steer a new tractor over your very own piece of land.

Inside the John Deere Pavilion, guests will learn about the wide reach of this global brand all the way from Moline, Illinois.  Not only can you climb inside or on top – but you’ll walk away with a better understanding of why the company has become so important.   Whether it’s a small farm in Germany or a corn field in rural Iowa – John Deere is now an integral component in maintaining the world’s food supply.

Company historian Neal Dahlstrom notes that John Deere died in 1886.  Which means he never actually saw a tractor.   “He built his first plow in 1837 but it wasn’t until after 1918 that the company made tractors as the signature product.”

The story of John Deere – a blacksmith,  entrepreneur and even a Mayor is told through interactive exhibits in the pavilion and in other John Deere company attractions throughout Illinois and Iowa.   There are more than ten different stops in the region that take visitors up close and in person to the manufacturing process and historic sites.  Outside the John Deere Pavilion you’ll find an official store to buy toys, hats and other company swag with the trademark green and yellow colors.

“If you’re thinking about coming here – consider setting aside a couple of days.  There’s much to see and experience” says Brigitte Tapscott who manages the John Deere Pavilion.

“You can tour the world headquarters or the combine factory and even the Dixon, Illinois historic site where it all began.”

Of course, in my opinion, the coolest display was the new automatic lawn cutting machine called the Tango that cuts your grass for you.  Sadly, they aren’t available in the United States at the moment – but hopefully soon.

To learn more about visiting the John Deere Pavilion or any of their tourist sites you can check out: visitjohndeere.com

Some say it’s part of flyover country, others honestly don’t even know where it is.  (Not joking – when I lived in California, some of my friends had no idea where to find the state of Missouri on a map.)

The “Show Me State” can lay claim to some of the most recognized names in American history.  Harry Truman, Ulysess S Grant, and even Brad Pitt are from here.  Actors like Kevin Cline, Jon Hamm, Jenna Fischer, and John Goodman grew up in the Saint Louis area. Don’t forget Nelly or Chuck Berry who launched huge music careers in the state.  There’s a long list of Missouri notables – Stan Musial, Yogi Berra, Joe Buck, Walter Cronkite and Bob Costas are just the start.

Along Highway 36 in Missouri from St. Joseph to Hannibal – you’ll find at least three other names you’ll recognize that have stood the test of time and made the state proud:  J.C. Penny, Mark Twain and Walt Disney.  These three American geniuses grew up in flyover country before anyone was really flying anywhere.

Here are some of the fun stops for your road trip along The Way Of The American Genius:

From west to east…

St. Joseph, MO – Pony Express

Go back in time when all of the nation’s mail came right through this building.  The Patte House Museum was once a pioneer hotel and headquarters for the Pony Express. It’s also a treasure of trove of interesting exhibits.

Be sure to visit the last place Jesse James was alive while you’re there!

Hamilton, MO – Home of J.C. Penney

An honest and brilliant businessman, J.C. Penney is probably rolling over in his grave at the state of retail in 2017.  Regardless, he built an empire and learned his trademark values as a boy in Hamilton, Missouri.  There’s the house, the JC Penney Museum  and if you’re a quilter – heaven awaits you at the Missouri Star Quilting Co.

Home Inn Hamilton is a great place to stay during your visit!

Chillicothe, MO – Home of “sliced bread”

Pop into the town of Chillicothe,and see the very first bread slicing machine.  The Grand River Historical Society’s museum has it on display as well as many other wonderful artifacts.

Also – don’t leave Chillicothe without taking time to admire all of the beautiful murals around downtown! They’re really cool!

Marceline, MO – Walt Disney’s Hometown

Possibly Missouri’s most successful product – Walt Disney lived in the tiny town of Marceline.  Today, a train station Walt once frequented has been converted into a wonderful hometown museum in his honor.  It includes lots of unique artifacts including Walt’s high school diploma and the flag that flew at Disney Land when he was in his apartment.

You can also see where he lived a young man and visit a replica of his beloved childhood barn. Be sure to autograph one of the walls!

Hannibal, MO – Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home

It’s hard to imagine a world without the musings of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain.  Hannibal is a fun river town with lots of great Twain history – including the famous Tom Saywer fence!  Be sure to visit Mark Twain Cave and take a riverboat ride down the Mississippi!

Fore more info on exploring the American Genius Highway and to learn about other American geniuses represented along the way, visit their website.

If you’re like me – each Spring you turn your attention to the world of men’s college basketball.  “March Madness” is a tradition for many of us that don’t usually follow the game during the regular season but get caught up in the excitement whether our bracket is busted or not.

As a kid, I distinctly recall my Dad shouting “practice shooting with your left hand!” as we used the backyard basketball hoop.  I also remember our elderly next door neighbor reminding us not to break her windows with “air balls” that missed the back board.  (I think my brother did manage to crack one of them.)

The College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, Missouri was a flash back to those old days of shooting hoops on the blacktop driveway.  One thing that hasn’t changed after all these years – I’m still horrible at basketball.  (I also wasn’t dressed for the occasion as I was in-between book signing events.  They suggest you wear comfortable shoes and dress for lots of moving around!)

In addition to shooting layups, free throws and three point shots – you can test your passing skills and your “dribbling rhythm” on an interactive exhibit similar to those dancing games at the arcade.  There’s a full size basketball court where you can join a pick-up game or play with a group of friends or co-workers.  If you aren’t into working up a sweat, or didn’t bring the right shoes – you can still enjoy the quiet side of the building and learn all about the history of the game and test your trivia skills.

For a good laugh (or cry) be sure to check out how you rank compared to professional basketball players.  If you dare – see how your shoe size and reach stack up against the giants of the game.

The College Basketball Experience is also home to the Men’s College Basketball Hall of Fame.

To learn more, you can visit: https://collegebasketballexperience.com/

Right or wrong, the first thing that comes to mind after visiting the National Civil Rights Museum?  The place is HUGE!  I’ve been to more museums than I care to admit and can’t remember any of them being this expansive in terms of material and exhibits.   Just when you think you’ve come to the end, another hallway appears and just like that – you’re in a totally different room.

The National Civil Rights Museum is now a Smithsonian affiliate and rightfully so.  The interactive displays, in-depth stories and pieces of memorabilia you’ll find within the complex make the museum better than any history book.  A $27.5 million renovation to the original museum was complete in the spring of 2014 and it seems to be money well spent.

The Lorraine Motel, which is the face of the museum, is the site of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination in 1968.  King was standing on the balcony outside of room 306 when he was shot by James Earl Ray.

Near the end of your tour, you’ll walk past the room King had been staying in and where he eventually died.  You’ll also stand in front of a window just steps from the balcony railing where the assassination took place.  Looking down from the balcony, as other tourists glance back up in your direction is a powerful moment.   A flowered, white and red wreath marks the spot of the shooting.

In addition to the memorial site, the museum has art displays, more than 40 films, and various listening stations.  There’s a replica of the bus Rosa Parks used, and a recreation of a burned Greyhound bus that was destroyed by white supremacists during the Freedom Rides. Vehicles outside the building are relevant to the time period but have no significant tie to the hotel or Dr. King.

Permanent exhibits include: Stand Up By Sitting Down, For Jobs and Freedom, The Rise Of Jim Crow and Separate Is Not Equal.

You may also notice a local woman that has made a name for herself by protesting the museum. She tells visitors from a bizarre set up across the street that the museum is a disgrace to the King legacy and a waste of money.  Of course, she couldn’t be more wrong.  People of all ages and races were packed into the museum during my visit – reading, viewing, and experiencing. The museum provides a relevant opportunity for people to learn about the many struggles that black Americans went through during the civil rights era.  They can also gain a better understanding through the museum than they’d have just reading a textbook or visiting a memorial.

Admission to the museum is reasonable – just $15 for an adult.  Be prepared to spend the better part of a day here if you want to really take time and soak it all in.  Also note the museum is closed on Tuesdays.

For more info about the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, visit: www.civilrightsmuseum.org

Did you know that Memphis made the list of 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die? Find out which iconic Memphis experience is featured in the new book – on sale now!

Get a signed copy today through billontheroad.com!

Little Rock is one of my favorite cities in the south.  People are often surprised when I talk about how many fun things there are to see and do in the Arkansas capital but have I steered you wrong before?

Here’s a sampling of what you could experience in just a single day in Little Rock.

Start your day by seeing an exact replica of the Oval Office at the President Clinton Library & Museum. 

Even if politics isn’t your thing – it doesn’t matter.  Every Presidential museum is full of interesting history including an exact replica of the Oval Office that sits inside The White House.  President Clinton was so concerned with the authenticity that he made construction workers start all over after he walked in to find that the ceiling was just a bit too low.

Other sights in the museum include a replica of the Cabinet room and the saxophone Clinton played during the Arsenio Hall late night program.

Explore A Famous World War II Submarine

Head over to North Little Rock where the historic USS Razorback (SS 394) is docked and visit the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum.  Then, explore one of the most complete WWII submarines in the United States.  And yes, it has been restored and can still function.

You’ll climb through the engine and control room, even see the Torpedo tubes near the front.  Your guide will show you where the crews ate meals, bathed and slept during their missions.

Take A Guided Tour Of Central High School

2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine – where nine black high school students tested desegregation laws and were escorted into class by the U.S. military.  The brave kids made their way through an ugly scene of white protesters, even the state’s National Guard, all trying to keep the school “all white”.

A National Park Service ranger will take you into the school after you visit the museum across the street.  (Only guided tours are available as the building is still a functioning high school.)

See The Only Purse Museum In The United States!

Esse Purse Museum is the only purse museum in the U.S. and don’t let the name fool you into thinking it’s only about purses.

The exhibits showcase not only purses from the last 100 years, but the contents inside of them.

After dinner, take a walk among the sculptures along the river

Enjoy a nice walk on paved pathways that take you on a relaxing trail along the Arkansas River.

See nearly 100 pieces, all for free, at Sculpture At The River Market.

Catch The Sunset On The Junction Pedestrian Bridge.

Locals know all about it, but if you’re visiting for the first time – don’t miss the view of the sun setting over the Arkansas river.

The Junction Bridge downtown in the river market district provides spectacular views!

End your evening with a glimpse of the downtown bridges – all lit up!

Each night, Little Rock lights up their bridges!  While I was in town recently, they were nice enough to light all of the bridges up in red, white and blue. (In honor of my book 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die)

Experiencing the Little Rock River Market District is 1 of the 100 uniquely American experiences to have in my book 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die!

What are the other 99?  Order a signed copy today through billontheroad.com and start planning your next road trip across the U.S.!

The more I learn about former President Dwight Eisenhower, the more I like him.

After visiting his adult home in Gettysburg last Summer, I knew a stop at his Presidential library and museum in Kansas was a must.  It’s easy to get to if you’re already traveling across the state and a perfect place to stretch your legs and get your latest dose of American history.

One thing I always enjoy about Presidential museums and libraries is that you’re bound to find lots of stuff that’s cool to see no matter what your political leanings may be.  The Eisenhower Presidential Library has the added bonus of being directly next to his childhood home.  Also located on the property is the final resting place of Dwight & Mamie Eisenhower.  The graves are inside a beautiful, somber mini-sanctuary with great stained glass windows.  The former President designed it himself and wanted visitors to be able to reflect during their visit.

The childhood home of President Eisenhower is located on the same campus as the library and museum. The inside of the home has most of the original furniture including a radio that Mrs. Eisenhower would use to listen for updates about her son, a General in World War 2.

People often ask me why they call these places Presidential “libraries”.  While most visitors will only see the museum – each Presidential Library is in fact a research center where documents related to each President’s time in office are stored and organized as part of the National Archives.  The Eisenhower Library for example has a whopping 26 million pages of material.   As documents become declassified, the collection grows even bigger.

During my visit to Abilene, Kansas I asked museum curator William Snyder what people come to research, considering Eisenhower hasn’t been President in more than 50 years.  “People are always writing new books and learning from all sorts of things that happened during his time in office.  One recent example – researchers wanted to learn more about a cancer scare related to cranberries .  Turns out, one year during the President’s time in office – cranberries were banned from store shelves during Thanksgiving because of concerns they were causing cancer.”

Each Presidential library has one of a kind items that you won’t see anywhere else.  Whether it’s the microphone Eisenhower used at press conferences or the Presidential podium that traveled with him on official trips or an engagement ring he gave to the former First Lady.

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Kids will be stunned to learn what “modern technology” looked like during the years Ike was in office.  In the late 50’s – a state-of-the-art communications phone looks like something you’d see today for $2.00 at an estate sale.   Typewriters? What are those?   History buffs will be intrigued by stationary that belonged to none other than Adolf Hitler and the actual D-Day planning table.  Car lovers will get a kick out of the 1914 electric Rauch and Lang automobile that the Eisenhower’s drove that once belonged to Mamie’s mother.

The Presidential podium that Eisenhower used when he would travel and speak at different functions or events.

Another unique aspect of the Eisenhower site is the collection of things from his days as a General.  In fact, after leaving The White House – it’s widely known that instead of “President” – he instead preferred to be addressed as “General”.

Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. – President Dwight Eisenhower

The former First Lady is also featured in the museum with everything from her wedding dress to campaign buttons that highlight how popular she was with voters.

Outside between the museum and library is a statue of the former President and General that stands eleven feet tall.  A lasting memorial to a great American hero and one of the most popular and well-respected leaders in history.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Childhood Home are open to the public every day of the year except for major holidays in Abilene, Kansas.

You can connect with them on all of the popular social media channels: @IkeLibrary

It may come as a surprise when you come to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and find some of Hollywood’s most famous vehicles right around the corner.

The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is a two story museum that features a great variety of cars – everything from a Buick owned by Bob Hope to the family car that transported The Beverly Hillbillies.

General Manager Cameron Katen says that visitors from all over the world stop in to see the museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The largest vehicle in the collection is the Ecto 1 from the film Ghostbusters.   Inside the vehicle, all of the four main characters have signed their names in the front seat.

You’ll find a car that once belonged to Dolly Parton as well as the actual Herbie The Love Bug.   The museum even has the car Michael Jackson drove around the Neverland Ranch – including a photo of the wall of MJ in the front seat, with his trademark surgical face mask.  There’s a car that Elvis drove, a patrol car from the Andy Griffith Show, a truck from the film Twister and a Delorean from Back To The Future series – all part of the 40 cars on display.

Fans of the Fast & The Furious movie franchise will love seeing many of the vehicles used in those films.  In fact, it’s said to currently be the most popular part of the collection.

The 1966 Batmobile used in the TV series

There are two versions of the Batmobile on display – one from 1966 and the early days on television with Adam West & Burt Ward.  The second version sits upstairs in a dark corner, that was part of the Michael Keaton Batman film.

One of my personal favorites was seeing KITT from the TV series Night Rider.  If you recall the show, David Hassolhoff drove a car that talked to him.  Not only does the car still talk – it has the trademark moving red light in the front of the vehicle.

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While you can’t pose for photos in most of the vehicles – there are some exceptions.  For a small fee – you can sit inside the vehicle used in the Flintstones movie.   Photos are allowed through out the museum which is a very cool touch.

The Beverly Hillbillies car

In addition to all of the recognizable vehicles – you’ll see one of kind memorabilia as well.  Props from Batman and the James Bond series as well as personal belongings from Elvis round out the collection.

So why Gatlinburg?

Mr. Katen  says “We get that question all of the time.  It’s the perfect location because the Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited park in the country and we’re located right near the entrance.”

Posing with the iconic Ecto 1 vehicle from Ghostbusters.