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Flyover country road trip: Fun in flyover country

June 7, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

I’m very excited to share that long-time Pit Stops for Kids contributor Kathleen Basi, a proud lifelong resident of “flyover country,” released a road-trip-themed novel this spring, and agreed to share a few places she uncovered in her research. If you’re on a flyover country road trip with kids this summer, check out one or two of these fun stops along the way!

1. Silver Beach Carousel

Online: https://www.silverbeachcarousel.com/2016-06-15-14-44-41/test-menu-item
Where: St. Joseph, Michigan
What: A must-stop if you’re trekking northward with little ones (or not-so-little ones)! Our family discovered this by accident when we got off the highway to let the kids see the Great Lakes for the first time. We were looking for a beach, and we got that–but we also got a carousel and the best spray park we’ve ever seen. In fact, with the additional attractions here, this could turn into much more than a stop along the way!

2. “Castle Park”

Online: https://www.pitstopsforkids.com/southern-illinois-pit-stop-jeremy-rochman-memorial-park/
Where: Carbondale, Illinois
What: If you have young (or even not-so-young) children, plan several hours to let them enjoy this amazing, Dungeons & Dragons-themed park. A dragon big enough to climb on, a castle with thrones, dungeons and secret passages, and countless surprises hidden in the trees and shrubs.

3. Cahokia Mounds (featured in A Song For The Road)

Online: https://cahokiamounds.org/
Where: Collinsville, Illinois (just outside St. Louis)
What: an active archaeological site and 2000+-acre preserve featuring a collection of Native American mounds, including Monks Mound, with a base roughly the same size as the base of the Great Pyramid at Giza. There’s also a top-notch interpretive center.

4. Future birthplace of James T. Kirk

Online: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g38341-d1985332-Reviews-Future_Birthplace_of_James_T_Kirk-Riverside_Iowa.html

Where: Riverside, Iowa
What: Features a statue of the intrepid captain in the park, a model of the Starship Enterprise, and a store-museum.

5. Corn Palace

Online: https://cornpalace.com/
Where: Mitchell, South Dakota
What: a multipurpose arena with domed towers, decorated on the outside by murals made of corn, other grains, and grasses grown in South Dakota. It is redesigned every year, and if you come at the right time you could even see the new mural under construction.

Flyover country road trip: Nine stops you won't want to miss along the road.

6. Gunfighter Wax Museum

Online: http://www.teachershallfamedodgecityks.org/wax-museum.html
Where: Dodge City, KS
What: Housed inside the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame, the name says it all. See life-sized figures of Wyatt Earp, Sitting Bull, Calamity Jane, and more.

7. Taos Pueblo

Online: http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/20-us-places-to-see-before-you-die#!7-taos-pueblo
Where: Taos, New Mexico
What: This UNESCO World Heritage site consists of mud-and-straw adobes that have been occupied by Native Americans for almost a thousand years. Get a glimpse of what life was like when the Spanish first encountered them in the 16th century.

8. UFO Watchtower (featured in A Song For The Road)

Online: https://www.mycoloradoparks.com/road-trips/road-trip-stops/colorado-places/ufo-watchtower-colorado/Where: Hooper, Co.
What: a viewing platform, gift shop, and campground in the San Luis Valley, one of the premier UFO-sighting regions. Visitors can stay up all night and watch for mysterious lights in the sky. There’s also a “healing garden” which reportedly has otherworldly connections.

9. Craters of the Moon

Online: https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm
Where: Central Idaho
What: a national monument centered around a volcanic debris field in Idaho’s Snake River Plain. There are paved trails and a scenic drive which allow you to see lava tubes, rifts, cones, and many other volcanic features.

Des Moines area hotel review: Hotel Pattee

June 24, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re looking for charm and character off the beaten path, while still staying close enough to access the fun of a metro area, try the historic Hotel Pattee, in Perry, Iowa. This lovely old building, which first opened in 1913, offers the serenity of a small town location close to nature while still being close to a metro area with lots of attractions.

Art sculptures at the roof top courtyard of Hotel Pattee, photo: Sheila Scarborough

Guests can access the Raccoon River Valley Nature Trail just by crossing the street. (You can rent bicycles next door.) Nearby, you’ll find places to kayak, canoe, and play golf. You can spend a relaxed day in Perry, soaking up the small-town flavor. Or you can make the easy drive (forty minutes of four-lane highway) into Des Moines to take advantage of museums, a living history farm, amusement parks, horse racing, and more.

Room amenities:

Each room in the Hotel Pattee, whether classic, premiere, or suite, is decorated to a theme. The hotel is filled with artwork. Our inner room faced brick walls and a roof, yet when my kids opened the wooden blinds the first morning, they discovered a quirky sculpture park housed in the enclosure. Even more delightful was the discovery of a platter full of chocolate chip cookies (really soft, chunky ones!) on the stairwell landing every evening.

Indian Room, photo credit: Hotel Pattee

Because it’s an older hotel with heavier construction, the rooms are more soundproof than most. We had ample room to walk around two queen beds, two chairs, an ottoman, and a cushy lounge. Even with a rollout cot in the room, we weren’t tight for space. We also had a large bathroom with a jetted tub, separate walk-in shower, and double sinks.

We did not have a refrigerator or microwave, nor is there a swimming pool. However, the hotel does provide free wifi, as well as a hot tub, both dry and steam saunas, and two lanes of bowling, all free to guests, as well as massage and spa options available for an extra fee.

On-site, complimentary bowling

Dining/Entertainment:

While you’re staying at the Hotel Pattee, take advantage of the live music in the lobby on Friday and Saturday nights. Grab a book and lounge in the charming Soumas courtyard, with its fabulous recycled-art gates. Be sure to enjoy Dave’s Milwaukee Diner, which provides great food and train-themed artwork. For breakfast, we recommend the Pain Perdu, a house specialty.

Also take time to visit the nearby Firehouse Ice Cream (which also serves burgers) and Firehouse Museum (free, though they accept donations). If you’re lucky, Brian, the owner, will give you a personal tour. And the hamburgers were out of this world.

Rates:

Rooms start at $114 a night, and packages are available.

Location:

The Hotel Pattee is in Perry, Iowa, at the corner of Willis Avenue and Iowa 144.

My family and I stayed at the Hotel Pattee as guests of the hotel, for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Where to stay in Grand Rapids: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel review

August 24, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

The following post is written by Pit Stops for Kids’ Midwest contributor, Kate Basi.

Situated on the banks of the Grand River in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is one of the landmarks of the city’s skyline. It consists of two distinct sections—the historic Pantlind Hotel, built in 1913, along with a modern glass high rise tower that offers stunning views of the city.

Room amenities:

Our family of six was given a Tower luxury suite, with views of the river and the city on three sides. A spacious living room included a 42-inch TV and sleek, modern mirrored decor. We had ample shelving and a spacious mini-fridge as well as a jetted tub with luxurious shower options. The only thing we lacked was a microwave.

The bedroom included a king-sized bed as well as a second TV, a lounge couch and a spacious desk (complimentary wifi) that gave this working mom room a place to be productive while the kids watched TV. The view of the river from that desk was icing on the cake.

We were also given a connecting bedroom with similar decor and two queen beds. Smaller and more functional (for instance, it had only a walk-in shower, not a tub), that room nonetheless had a desk and great views of its own. The layout, as well as the luxury bedding in both rooms, allowed everyone in our family of six to follow their normal sleep schedule despite being away from home.

It’s the details that make the Amway Grand Plaza such a great place to stay. Our suite came with plush his-and-hers bathrobes, and the kids were particularly entranced by the mural artwork on the underside of the coffee table, which was reflected in a mirror below.

That attention to detail can be seen in other parts of the hotel as well. Without fail, the staff was helpful and courteous, and generally responded quickly to questions or requests.

The fourth-floor fitness center includes an outdoor tennis court and an indoor pool, as well as a workout room set up with multiple ellipticals, treadmills, stationary bicycles, and weights. The pool area is relaxing and designed with beauty as well as function in mind. Parents can lounge on cushioned wicker chairs and couches separated by potted plants. Our kids enjoyed seeing the water change color under the fiber optic lights. As an added convenience, the fitness center boasts a snack bar. The hours are extensive, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

What To Do:

The Amway Grand Plaza is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, connected by skywalk to DeVos Convention Center and within easy walking distance of numerous attractions. There are at least four museums–the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, which includes a planetarium and high-visibility traveling exhibits (King Tut, when we were there); the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum; the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum; and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The Amway’s riverside location offers not only beautiful views but also access to the river walk on either side of the water. Downtown Grand Rapids boasts numerous pedestrian/bicycle bridges and cultural opportunities, from carillon concerts at the university across the river to a ballet school, a concert hall, live music at the band shell on Rosa Parks Circle, and an ice hockey arena that hosts big-name tours.

Dining:

The Amway Grand Plaza includes two upscale dining options: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on the ground floor of the Pantlind wing and Cygnus 27 on the 27th floor of the Tower. For more family-friendly pricing, visit GP Sports, which offers bar & grill fare (burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and appetizers). Gluten-free and vegetarian options are notated on the menu. Coffee lovers will be happy to know that there is also a Starbucks in the building.

Rates:

Room rates start at approximately $200/night on weeknights. Our Tower Luxury Suite was in the $400/night range. Valet parking is available for $29/day, self-park for $19.

For downtown lodging close to almost everything and a comfortable, luxurious night’s sleep, you can’t do better than the Amway Grand Plaza.

Location:

187 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, adjacent to DeVos Convention Center.

Our family stayed at the Amway Plaza Grand as guests of Experience Grand Rapids in return for an honest review.