Vacations Blog

I’ve lived over twenty years of my life in Connecticut, but there are still quite a few historic places I haven’t seen even in this small state. That’s because there are so many of them. Living in New England, it’s hard not to drive by something historic almost every day. There are the big attractions of course—places like Plymouth Rock or the Old State House for those who live in Boston. But there are also hundreds of lesser known attractions like Revolutionary War sites, historic buildings, and homes of famous Americans built in the seventeenth, eighteenth or nineteenth centuries.

All within five miles in and around Hartford, Connecticut, are former homes of Mark Twain (1835-1910), Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), and Noah Webster (1758-1843).  For anyone interested in vacations packed with visits to historic sites, this area has no shortage.  This past summer, my daughter and I took in a few of them.

The Mark Twain House

The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford threatened to close earlier this year because of a lack of funding. I had never been there, and I figured I should do my part to keep open the home of arguably America’s greatest writer and humorist. Twain is better known for growing up in Hannibal, Missouri, but he lived in Hartford from 1874 through 1891. It was here that he wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and several other of his great novels. To add to the history, the home was decorated by Louis Comfort Tiffany.  In addition to the home, the grounds include a recently built Education and Visitors Center which displays exhibits about Twain’s life and the Industrial and Victorian Ages in America, as well a short biopic of Twain by award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns.  There, you’ll learn lesser known facts, such as Twain helping to form a Confederate militia during the Civil War, but giving up on it after only two weeks.  Hours and admission fees are available at the website.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House

Immediately next to the Mark Twain House is the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Library, home of the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and one of the most famous American women of the nineteenth century.  Stowe lived there from 1873 until her death in 1896.  That’s right, for several years, Stowe and Twain were neighbors.  Like the Twain home, the Stowe site includes educational exhibits in an adjacent building and a Visitors Center—this one in an 1873 carriage house.  Both the Twain House and the Stowe House also offer special holiday tours.  Even better for families, the Stowe home schedules Child’s Tours specifically directed at children ages 5 through 12.  Admission for that tour is only $5 for children and $4 for accompanying adults and teenagers.  Additional admission fees and hours are available at the website.

The Noah Webster House

One town away in West Hartford is the 1758 birthplace of another famous American writer.  Noah Webster didn’t write novels, but almost every student in America has read his book.  (Most of us in an updated version, I’m sure.)  Unlike the Victorian “cottages” of Twain and Stowe, the Webster House is a New England farmhouse built in the mid-eighteenth century.  It’s also a great educational resource and its staff has designed tours and Colonial-era activities specifically for kids that are held on the first Saturday of each month.  Again, updated hours and admission fees are available at the website.

At first, visits to historic homes don’t sound like a real thrill for families with young kids.  Each of these sites however really makes an effort to include children or to offer them special programs or activities.  Each of them also has great grounds and gardens for getting some outside time in nice weather.  And, if my daughter is like other kids, the Gift Shops are always a favorite too.  Your kids might even learn some history without realizing it.

America. Nothing says it more than a visit to a historical landmark. And what better way to ease the kids back into school than with a late-summer trip somewhere that is fun as well as educational!

In the midwest, there are several great options from which to choose. The first landmark that most people probably think of in the US’s midwest region is Mount Rushmore. From the Mt. Rushmore government site:

“This epic sculpture features the faces of four exalted American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. South Dakota’s Black Hills provide the backdrop for Mount Rushmore, the world’s greatest mountain carving. These 60-foot high faces, 500 feet up, look out over a setting of pine, spruce, birch, and aspen in the clear western air.”

Mt. Rushmore offers plenty of family fun, including sculpture workshops, guided tours, and opportunities for volunteering, youth programs, and internships. They also have great things for kids to do, so be sure to get them involved!

People probably also think of St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. My family and I were there several months ago and it is truly something to behold. From the Gateway Arch’s web site, linked above:

“The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.”

Once there, one thing that everyone….except me….wants to do it take the tram to the top of the arch. While the more adventurous were doing that, I watched Monument to the Dream, the movie that uses live footage of the building of the arch to tell the story of how the idea became a reality. The monument also houses the Museum of Westward Expansion, and nearby you can take a ride down the Mississippi on a riverboat and visit the Historic Courthouse.

Whether you visit one of these landmarks or opt for another, be sure to enjoy what is left of summer here in the Midwest. It won’t be long before we’ll be picking apples and pumpkins and planning our Halloween parties, so take the family and get away for one last weekend. Be safe, have fun, and be sure to tell George Washington I said hello.

This local perspective on Kansas City comes from Linda Szewczyk. Linda has lived in many cities and feels that Kansas City has something for everyone to enjoy. After reading through her terrific answers, I can see that she is right. Kansas City is a place full of surprises. For example, did you know that it is only 30 miles from the birthplace of Basketball and has more BBQ restaurants than anywhere else in the U.S.?! This last part could come as a surprise for all you Texans out there….myself included! I think that you will enjoy this glimpse into Missouri’s ‘finest city’.

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Kansas City and its residents?

Beautiful, Surprising, Complex, Picturesque, and Sophisticated.

(It seems that those on the coasts are generally unfamiliar with the Mid-West. Having lived in many cities, I found Kansas City has something for everyone to enjoy.)

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Kansas City?

The Country Club Plaza district, it is an area of majestic homes, towering trees, retail shops and restaurants. The architecture is styled after cities of the Iberian Peninsulaand is credited with being the country’s first shopping center.

3. Which cuisine do you think Kansas Citydoes best? What is the runner-up? (Feel free to share your favorite restaurants).

Kansas City was home to some of the country’s original stockyards and therefore is known for luscious beef. The city boasts many fine steak houses, including the Hereford House, The Savoy Grill, and The Majestic Steakhouse. They serve up terrific jazz along with their scrumptious steaks. Equal to Kansas City steaks is the barbecue! Of my favorites, Fiorella’s Jack Stack tops the list.

4. What is the best free thing to do?

Kansas Cityis home to Hallmark Cards. The Crown Center surrounds the Hallmark headquarters. Stroll three levels of shopping and dining at the Crown Center.You can visit Kaleidoscope a hands on art experience for children 5 to
12 sponsored by Hallmark. Enjoy free Friday Night Concerts and Flicks on the lawn outside Crown Center.

During the summers the Crown Center Square Fountain’s 48 water shooters perform a dancing water show synchronized by the Kansas City Symphony. During the winter, you can ice skate at the Ice Terrace in the square for a small fee.

The Coterie Theater, American Heartland Theater and Off Center Theater are located within the CrownCenterand offer shows for all ages. Tickets must be purchased for shows.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

Kansas Cityhas the BLUES and all that JAZZ. Some of the greatest jazz players of all time started in the clubs of Kansas City. In the 18th and Vine and the Power and Light District fans can find many clubs,
bars, and music festivals.

6. List the best family friendly activity.

Family activities are abound in Kansas City. From the professional teams, the Royals baseball and Chiefs football and NASCAR, to the amusement parks of Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, provide year-round entertainment for all!

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

The Country Club Plaza is a great choice! The Raphael, an elegant boutique hotel, is a wonderful retreat for a romantic weekend. Stroll the boulevards of the Plaza, dine at the Plaza IIIor just have margaritas on the patio at Baja 600. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride and admire the awesome array of the beautiful fountains which are abundant in Kansas City.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about– In three sentences or less.

Almost any day is perfect in Kansas City, despite or because of the true four season climate; there is always something to do, on the coldest winter day or the steamiest day in July. Visit the shops, restaurants, and other attractions and you are always greeted with friendly hospitality. I guess it’s the people I most enjoy.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has an outstanding collection of artifacts from ancient times to modern day, and admission is free! Have lunch at the museum’s RozelleCourtRestaurantor picnic on the
scenic grounds.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

Little Known Facts:
-Kansas Cityhas the most extensive public display of European statuary and fountains in the country, with at last count over 200 fountains.
-Independence, part of the Kansas City metro area, was home to Harry S. Truman our 33rd President. His home and library are open to the public.
-The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas located 40 miles west of Kansas Cityis home to the NCAA Champion KU Jayhawks and is the birthplace of game of basketball.
-The Kansas City Barbecue Society reports that KC has more barbecue restaurants per  capita than any other city in the country.

Do you have a city you would love to tell us about? Send us an e-mail or comment on this post and maybe you can become our next local expert!