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Our Six Favourite Trips for Teens and Families

Paula — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 11:25:00 +0000

This trips for teens post was written by my daughter, Ainsley, 16. Together, we visited many of these destinations while on hosted media trips. Post contains affiliate links to tours and destinations we recommend. Over the past few months, during the pandemic, I can’t help but dwell upon how much I enjoy travelling. Travelling is one of my favourite things to do, and I know not every individual my age gets that opportunity. I know that I am lucky, because my mom’s job is one of the coolest jobs around. My mom is a travel writer, so her life is packed with fun, joy, extraordinary memories, and so much love. Luckily, I get to travel with her a fair bit and today I wanted to talk about six of my favourite trips. Some are trips I have taken with my Mom and others are ones we have done as a family. Personally, I think these are some of the most amazing trips for families. They make great trips for teens to take with their families too. Best Trips for Teens and Families Most of the places I have been to with my family are in the United States, so it’s hard to see the border closed right now during the pandemic. The USA is so vast and with 50 distinct states, (plus a Federal District, DC . some territories and islands ) there’s a lot to see and do. In fact, the size and scope of the USA is dramatic. Missouri Some Midwestern states are kind of viewed as fly over states. I think that people count Missouri as one of those fly over states sometimes, but I feel that does the state a disservice. Missouri is an amazing outdoorsy state full of fun activities. That’s why it’s on my list as one of the best trips for teens. It’s one of my favourites. In fact, I would return to Missouri yearly, if I could make that happen. While I was only in Missouri for about six days, I felt at home fast. We visited three Central Missouri cities after flying in to St. Louis via Detroit. Each city we visited in Central Missouri felt completely original. Columbia Missouri First, up was Columbia, Missouri. We had picked up a car to drive throughout our trip and so, after checking in we met up with Central Missouri’s PR person, Marjorie, and together we went biking in nearby Rocheport. Unfortunately, there was a bit of flooding so we couldn’t do the hike we had planned on the Katy Trail (maybe next time..) as sandbags were keeping the water at bay. I found it interesting to see the sandbags actually as that’s not a thing you see in landlocked London Ontario. We stopped for lunch in Rocheport and enjoyed a Fried Green Tomato sandwich, which was incredibly good and a first for us. Then, from there it was off to see a winery. Over the next two days, we enjoyed walking through downtown Columbia, exploring the stores and the University of Missouri campus. Together, my Mom and I went hiking. Then, we found a great little bookstore, loved Shakespeare’s Pizza, enjoyed a shake at Sparky’s Ice Cream Parlour, and had breakfast at mysterious Ernie’s. We found the city to be pretty walkable. Lake of the Ozarks From there, we drove to Lake of the Ozarks. Haha Tonka State Park is stunning and I think it is the coolest name of any spot we have ever visited. We hiked the trails in the park and took photos of the castle ruins in the afternoon. Take your bug spray. By far, my favourite part of the trip, was fishing for bass with Big Ed on the lake. Spending only a short time on his boat is something I will recall forever. We caught five fish, which was two more than the other couple that was traveling with us. So, we won and that’s all that mattered. Just kidding. Big Ed was kind and seemed to be used to kids of all ages. He gave me a hat and a fishing lure. I treasured that time and wear my hat at least 3-4 times a week. While I only get to fish once or twice a year I enjoy it and find it relaxing, so this was a highlight for me. Also, did you know that this is a popular US destination for anglers? Our first helicopter ride EVER with Lake Ozark Helicopters was pretty dope and we saw all of the coastline from above. The pilot of the helicopter was literally the only dude I know who could rock a man bun. Let’s just say you will enjoy this ride even more because of the pilot. While in Lake of the Ozarks, we stayed at Old Kinderhook, which was a spacious resort on a golf course. Golfing for the first time was harder than it looks actually. We got to do a golf lesson with the golf pro there and we enjoyed driving a golf cart for a bit. Trips for teens should always include something active and Missouri had fishing, helicopter rides, golfing and good food. Fulton Missouri Finally, we went to Fulton and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast, where Margaret Thatcher once stayed. (I wasn’t really sure who that was until my Mom explained she was a Prime Minister in England way before I was born.) I have never stayed in a Bed and Breakfast before. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it once I got used to the idea of being a guest in someone’s home overnight. The owner of the B and B was kind and soft spoken. From there, we went to the Churchill Museum. That was a highlight for me, because the museum was well done and even though we had to kind of race through it, we took a lot of photos. The nearby university campus is where Churchill gave a famous Iron Curtain speech. There’s also a chunk of the Berlin Wall outside the museum. Later, we all went shopping again and and also we had an incredible meal at Bek’s restaurant. The beef melted in your mouth, while the appetizers were just right. The atmosphere and the company all get a ten out of ten. Missouri people we met were so sweet and welcoming. Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont Our first visit to Smugglers’ Notch was to ski, but in 2019 we got to visit in the summer, which was extraordinary. It was our first time returning since skiing there in 2017. When we went skiing in 2017, I met Martha, a ski school supervisor who did kid’s lessons. The things she taught me then still are with me every single time I ski. She told me things like: You are in control of your skis. The mountain is not in control. I still apply all the ski lessons she taught me because they are useful, even when I am skiing at home on the smaller hills. Martha was very invested in all of us and as she clearly loved her job. She told us stories, remembered all of our names and clearly enjoyed her job. When I went back last summer and met her again it was so wonderful to see her there. Smuggs feels very homey always and it’s like they are always waiting there with open arms. Some ski resorts sometimes feel like it’s a bunch of teenagers working part time as a job but Smugglers’ Notch never feels like that. Also, in the summer we used the waterslides and my sister and I enjoyed the teen lounge. Honestly, I made friends in the summer last year with people I still am in contact with – other teens in New York and New Jersey. We FaceTime often and we have plans to meet again at Smuggs. Bromley in Vermont I got to spend my birthday here one year. I think that I turned fourteen and literally skied all that day, so can’t imagine a much better day than that. And yet, we also managed to drive into Manchester and go grocery shopping. It’s the cutest little town with restaurants, shops and more. We picked up a confetti birthday cake and also some ramen noodles and, although my Mom laughs about that, it was an excellent birthday meal. Bromley was just the right size for me. We only started skiing in 2015, so when we were at Bromley Mountain Ski Resort in 2018, it was our third winter of skiing. I felt like it was challenging enough and at that time, after three years of skiing, I hit my stride here skiing well, without the wobbly skier’s legs and remembered all of the lessons that I’d been taught at all of the other ski resorts. So, this ski vacation was memorable for me. Listen, for me skiing is always a great idea and I love it. If you are hunting for good ways to keep your kids active then consider Bromley because it is one of my favourite trips for teens and families. Philadelphia The museums in Philly are amazing and we had a great time on our mother daughter trip to Philadelphia in 2018. Loved that we were able to take the Philly Phlash, or walk to so many museums and see dinosaur exhibits and more natural history. Drexel University Museum of Natural History was my personal favourite, along with the Rocky Stairs. The tigers at Philadelphia Zoo were pretty cool, because they have an overhead structure that they can walk through which puts them above you as you walk through the open zoo grounds. Finally, Don’t MISS these destinations and tours in Philly DO NOT MISS One Liberty Observation Deck for the best views of the city. This costs extra, but the price is worth it. > Get tickets now to One Liberty Observation Deck. We had an extra night in Philly because our flight was delayed so we had a bit of extra time and used that to tour the Eastern State Penitentiary, which was old and historical and a little bit creepy. The audio tour was really impressive. > Want a comprehensive Philly Tour via the Hop On Hop Off Bus? Highly recommend this one – > HOP ON AND HOP OFF Philly Tour Let’s be honest. Most trips for teens include at least one visit to a shopping mall. Right before we left, we headed to a mall. I bought some awesome Adidas runners and we went into Bloomingdale’s and asked for Rachel Green. LOL. Ontario Parks RV Tour In 2018, my family embarked on our first ever RV trip! This was never boring and such great family time. We did five parks in five days in September of 2018. The scenery in Northern Ontario is unparalleled. Together, we picked up an RV and drove from outside Markham to Grundy Lake, then we parked and went to sleep just in time to wake and go hiking at Swan Lake the next morning. Also, one of our last parks was Killarney, which had just received Dark Sky Preserve status. We made it just for their first ever Dark Sky Party. At Killarney one night, they offered a presentation about dark skies and also numerous astronomers brought their high power telescopes so we could all see the constellations and planets. The dark sky party presentation was extremely educational. I think about it often when looking at the stars and the sky above. Basically, light pollution makes it harder to see the stars, planets and constellations and it’s not particularly good for the environment. So turn your lights off and angle them down, not up outside. This was one of my favourite trips because I also spent time with my older sister, Payton and we all got along. It was constant hiking and campfires and setting up and exploring. That was ideal. I’d happily do this again and recommend it as one of the best ideas when it comes to trips for teens to take with their families. Sugarbush Vermont A huge part of the charm of a ski resort is determined by the people. We have always felt like Sugarbush near Waitsfield Vermont is a home away from home. The staff at Sugarbush are so friendly and the terrain is exceptional. With three peaks, there’s unlimited opportunities to test your ability and ski all day long. Twice we stayed at Sugarbush Inn and we genuinely love the staff. Plus the set up is perfect for families. We had two adjoining rooms which was just the right amount of privacy. Also, Fit to be Thai’d inside the Sugarbush Inn has fantastic Thai food. Mount Ellen is one of the highest mountains at any ski resort that we have ever done and the Slidebrook Express Quad is kind of a quirky lift to ride at least once, even if it does take a long time and it’s minus 30 out. While, we are currently not able to travel easily or safely, and I miss it so much, I look forward to having more adventures in the future. My hope is that I can eventually see even more states over time (maybe even all of them!) and I can’t wait for ski season again. In the meantime, while we are all still dreaming of travel again, make note of my favourite trips for teens. When it’s safe again, let’s get exploring! Where will you go first?

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15 Things to Do in Columbia Missouri Now

Paula — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:53:45 +0000

We were guests while visiting Columbia Missouri. What is it about university towns like Columbia Missouri that makes them so vibrant and unique? Maybe it’s the youthful influx of students every year. Or perhaps it’s the energy and creativity. Have you ever noticed how university towns just seem connected and alive? Columbia Missouri is just that kind of space. This Central Missouri city is fun, creative, and flavourful with many reasons to visit and explore this destination. The art alone is worth the trip, as is the food. Art, food, youthful culture, outdoor activity and wineries? Do you really need to hear more? Things to Do In Columbia Missouri Columbia Missouri was our first stop on a five-day trip through Central Missouri recently. We arrived via St. Louis and immediately drove to Columbia Missouri. My youngest daughter and I spent the first two days of our trip to central Missouri exploring Columbia. Here’s what we loved and recommend. What Did WE Do? Stay at the Broadway Hotel in downtown Columbia – This Doubletree by Hilton one of a kind location is great as a launching pad for exploring the rest of the city. A few other things I loved about it – the art in the lobby, the mural on the way in, and the Roof, of course. Also this is clearly labelled an Autism Friendly hotel. I inquired about that because accessibility and accessible travel, as well as special needs health issues are all topics that matter to me and my readers. The Broadway is an autism friendly employer. That matters. I’d like to see that designated sign on other hotels and hospitality businesses. Bird Scooters – This is an idea whose time has come. Download the app, add your credit card to it. Pick up a Bird scooter and make your way around the city. Then drop it off anywhere else throughout Columbia. Oh listen, I know they are in many US cities now, but for us from Canada where we have yet to get these, they were brilliant and fun too. MIZZOU – The university campus at University of Missouri is a gorgeous destination with several historical and memorable structures and statues. University of Missouri’s Quad is lovely and a great spot for pictures if you are travelling as we were throughout the region. The entire campus is a designated botanic garden. There is a mix of architectural styles here. We took some time to poke around and take photos. Rocheport – Visit Rocheport for the trails, food and cycling too. This tiny space consists of about 240 people and is picturesque, while also being the trailhead for the Katy Trail. Historical area that dates to 1839. When we were there it was wrestling with flooding and sandbags were still in place. FYI fun fact they also have a donut festival yearly. Check it out if the timing is right. The Katy Trail – The Katy Trail runs 240 miles along the banks of the Missouri River. While a section of it was flooded this season and couldn’t be ridden, it’s worth checking the conditions when you visit and then making a plan to explore and ride the trail if conditions are good. In fact, the Katy Trail is the country’s longest rails to trails project. Rent a bike – from the nearby Meriwether Cafe and cycle shop. ALSO, try the fried green tomato sandwich. My first time sampling this treat and I really enjoyed it. Fresh tomatoes are always juicy and hold flavour well, but there was an additional level of tastiness here. Les Bourgeois Winery – Pop in for a tour and while there sample the wines of course in the tasting room. Manager Grace is exceptionally informed about Missouri wines. Ernie’s – Get breakfast at Ernie’s, a quirky spot with a lot of history, this is walking distance from The Broadway. Voted best of Columbia for breakfast by readers of Inside Columbia magazine every year since 2008 when it began. Look for evidence of Dick Tracy creator Chester Gould who used to frequent Ernie’s in the 1940s when his daughter was a student at Stephens College. Sparky’s Ice Cream Parlor – Get a slushy boozy milkshake. SO good! You need to try this. I had Bailey’s in a milk shake and it was memorable, as is the eclectic, bizarre and perhaps also slightly terrifying art in the restaurant. The ice cream its homemade. They have a regular restaurant and a very small seating area out front on a patio. As we walked by and looked curiously inside the restaurant, a current customer eating their ice cream indicated we’d be nuts if we didn’t run right in and get some. Also notable – LGBTQ+1 friendly space. Go hiking in the Rock Bridge Memorial State Park- Gorgeous trails that are varying lengths for all hiking and cycling abilities. Shop The District – Here you can find miles of shops that you might not find anywhere else. Lots of Mizzou merchandise and also cute secondhand book stores and novel art and artisan goods. Cafe Berlin – Have breakfast here at least once when you visit Columbia Missouri. I recommend the breakfast burrito because it is hearty and a good price too. In fact, I ordered something different like eggs and sausage and I immediately wished I’d ordered the burrito when I saw it on my daughter’s plate. Luckily, she shared some. Shakespeare’s Pizza – We had the meatlover’s pizza and it was loaded with pepperoni and all kinds of spectacular sausage. My favourite meat lover’s pizza anywhere. The Food – So many amazing foodie destinations here too. Great section of fine dining restaurants (Sycamore, The Wine Cellar and Bistro, The Barred Owl Butcher & Table) Art Walk – Take a stroll through the downtown area and spot the gorgeous murals. This actually surprised me. I would never have guessed Columbia Missouri was an artistic space but the public art will impress you from the beautiful mural inside the foyer of The Broadway to the murals throughout the core. That Columbia Missouri is Worth a Look Columbia Missouri is a vibrant city to visit, if ever in Central Missouri. Take a day to explore Rocheport, then jump right into the foodie scene. Memories are made over food often and Columbia Missouri has plenty of that waiting. Our Five Day Itinerary We arrived via St Louis Airport and headed straight to Columbia. After two days there we were off to Lake of the Ozarks for some outdoor activity, like fishing, helicopter rides and a golf lesson too. Then our final stop was in Fulton Missouri.

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Fishing, Flying, Golfing and Food – Fun Things to Do at Lake of the Ozarks

Paula — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 10:27:30 +0000

We were guests of Central Missouri while visiting the area. Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. We are perched on a fishing boat in Lake of the Ozarks, sun beating down relentlessly, when I feel the tug on my line. The first time I reel it in, the worm has disappeared. Deflating slightly, we all chatter about this one, as if it is THE ONE that got away and maybe five minutes pass before I feel that familiar tug again. Stay Where We Did – > Old Kinderhook Fishing Impossible, I think, and yet something is pulling hard on the line, so I follow the instructions of Big Ed. Reeling. Reeling. And then I see it – the bass fish wriggling, swimming away from me until it breaks the surface and suddenly I am drawing it into the boat. “Hold it up and give it a kiss before you throw it back,” says Big Ed. My lips never quite connect with the bass. It’s slimier than I anticipated and I am a total newbie. This bass is my first catch ever and its mouth beneath my finger feels entirely different than I expected, bony jaw beneath my thumb. I worry about my pincer grip and to be honest it’s freaking me out just a little. A second or two passes and someone, either Ed or my daughter Ainsley, quickly snaps the photographic proof of my first catch ever, then we unhook gently and toss it over the side watching my resilient bass fish swim away. It’s our first time ever in Central Missouri and when we spied Lake of the Ozarks on the itinerary we were ecstatic. As soon as I realized the number of fun outdoor family activities there were to do here in Missouri at Lake of the Ozarks I knew fun was in store. Fishing is one of my younger daughter’s new favourite things and Big Ed’s Guide Service did not disappoint. I reeled one in and Ainsley, after catching 2-3 of her own, was beaming with pride. Not only that, Big Ed put her to work immediately, helping to untie the boat, drop the motor, pull the motor up out of the water and then when out on the water he gave her a casting lesson or two. No doubt in my mind this was the best part of the trip for this sporty teen. Where is Lake of the Ozarks? Tucked into the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains, Lake of the Ozarks covers more than 54,000 acres and snakes along 1,150 miles of shoreline. In fact, Lake of the Ozarks has more coastline than California’s Pacific Coast. It is actually a reservoir and it’s located in the heart of Missouri. From the moment we got there to the second we left, we were physically engaged with the outdoors. From spelunking, to learning to golf, to catching my first bass fish, hiking and riding in a helicopter, Lake of the Ozarks is a gorgeous, fun, spot for families and the setting of so many summer firsts. The lake is well known for outdoor sports and we tried so many new ones here that Lake of the Ozarks will forever be etched on our hearts as the setting of something truly special. We arrived in Lake of the Ozarks after spending a couple of days in Columbia, Missouri. Our flight from Detroit was fast and early, landing us in St. Louis just shortly after lunch. More on Columbia Missouri in the next few days, and not to take anything away from the other cities, but I’d been looking forward to this part of the trip the most. Lake of the Ozarks is known as America’s fun lake and we wanted to see if that was true. Our two-hour guided fishing tour raced by, but we caught five fish in total on our boat, with the help of Big Ed, and then we had plans to go up in a helicopter for the first time ever! Couldn’t miss that. Flying with Lake Ozark Helicopters Back up the steep ramp outside Ed’s family business, Bass and Baskets Bed and Breakfast, and then we proceeded straight out to Lake Ozark Helicopters. After watching a helicopter take off and return again with a young family of boys, I was both excited and confident we would enjoy the ride. I mean if kids who looked about six and seven were beaming getting out of the chopper then we would be golden, right? Our First Helicopter Ride Our first helicopter ride ever was so not what I expected. The ride was smooth, so much smoother than an airplane. Take an aerial tour of Bagnell Dam and Lake of the Ozarks to see the full extent of the serpentine Lake of the Ozarks, complete with wineries, golf courses and Million Dollar Row. Historic Bagnell Dam Strip Earlier in the day, after arriving from Columbia we spent a couple of hours exploring the historic strip, which evokes an old vintage beach strip feel. We bought a few fantastic t-shirts as souvenirs and then met up for lunch at Stewart’s on the strip. There are many great restaurants up and down the strip too. Stewart’s is known for breakfast and they also have what I am calling the world’s biggest cinnamon rolls. I cannot prove it, but just know that it took two of us at least two days to get through half of it. BIGGER than my head. Tons of sweet sugary icing. Need I say more? GET ONE. These are big enough to feed a small army of Canadians. Discovering an Outlet Mall After the helicopter ride we went shopping at Lake of the Ozarks outdoor discount mall near Osage Beach. We spied it as we passed over in the helicopter, so had to check that out. It makes me happy to check in on some familiar American stores that we just don’t have access to in Canada. Also I bought a cute dress for $25 at Banana Republic. Can you say – STEAL! Food Later that night we found a Barbecue place for dinner, followed by dessert at Randy’s Frozen Custard. Try the Ozark Turtle. Such a sweet treat to cap off a world class epic day. At the end of that jam-packed day, we retired to Old Kinderhook Golf Resort, home to one of the finest golf courses in the Midwest. On Day 2, in Lake of the Ozarks, skies were threatened rain, so we switched the day around a bit. Breakfast at Old Kinderhook Resort was ample and then we drove over to Bridal Caves for some spelunking. Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park At Bridal Cave, tours are offered periodically throughout the day and they also host their fair share of weddings and vow renewals. From the moment we walked in we were wowed. We also couldn’t help but wish that Payton had been with us to see Bridal Caves and the gift shop and educational centre. She is a gem lover, crystal enthusiast and big fan of caves, as well as rocks. If you have a family member like that traveling with you, then take them to Bridal Cave. The caves were protected from the weather and frankly business was booming as a result. A few Bridal Cave facts: They estimate that the caves of the Ozarks are one to two million years old. Bridal Cave is an active cave and it is considered to be a growing cave, ever changing slowly over time. The space used to be full of water so walk through and imagine. Water, when it drops in the cave, goes through a natural purification. Centuries ago the Osage Indians discovered Bridal Cave beneath Thunder Mountain. Many unique features make Bridal Cave in Lake of the Ozarks both fun and educational. Over 2,128 couples from around the world have exchanged vows inside Bridal Cave. After decades of exploration, this natural treasure was deemed protected in the late 1940s. Inside you will find a drapery room, a curtain, a room that makes the indoor stalactites and stalagmites appear as if it is a giant organ. And there is also a chamber which reveals itself at the end of the tour with a crystal clear body of water called Mystery Lake. Follow the instructions and don’t touch anything while inside, because it is easily damaged. Lake of the Ozarks is well known for its outdoor recreational activities including boating, kayaking, wake boarding and paddle boarding. Lake of the Ozarks also has a reputation for being one of the best bass fisheries in the country and hosts over 500 fishing tournaments every year, not to mention being home to several fishing legends. Ha Ha Tonka State Park After the rain stopped, we drove over to Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Just west of Camdenton, admission to this park is free. It’s easy to see why Ha Ha Tonka was named the most beautiful place in Missouri by Conde Nast Traveller. When planning out fun things to do at Lake of the Ozarks this needs to make any list. Here you will find the ruins of a 1900s castle and estate. The scenery makes a stunning backdrop for any photos you take. Of course, you will want to hike the park too. Several marked hiking trails feature scenic overlooks. Prominent Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder had the castle built by Scottish stone masons. It was to rival European architecture of the time, but in 1942, a fire gutted the building. Explore Old Kinderhook Resort Old Kinderhook is home to one of the finest golf courses in the midwest and it’s a gorgeous destination. With spacious rooms featuring balconies and windows overlooking the golf course, Old Kinderhook is a stunning and welcoming spot. On our last night there we had a scrumptious dinner at the Kinderhook. The Kinderhook Punch combined house infused strawberry pineapple vodka, with lemon and raspberry liquor. Golf Lessons!! It’s all about golf in Missouri. We couldn’t leave Lake of the Ozarks without a golf lesson from a pro. Golf pro Shane Blankenship patiently gave Ainsley and I both our first golf lesson before we checked out of Old Kinderhook. Here’s what I learned. You cannot golf without learning the fundamentals and those are: grip, posture and alignment. The most important is the grip because it’s the thing that connects you to the club. There are a couple of different grips for a golf club: baseball grip; and interlock grip. We spent our time focused on learning the interlock grip. After 90 minutes and numerous times connecting with the ball and driving it out onto the course, we felt pretty good about finding a new sport we could definitely enjoy more often. All The Fun Things to Do at Lake of the Ozarks With its expansive coastline, ample opportunities for fishing, world class golf courses, hiking trails, parks and southern flavours, Lake of the Ozarks is an outdoor adventure lover’s playground. Find your own firsts here among all the fun things to do at Lake of the Ozarks. From there we went to Fulton, Missouri – > Taking The Mystery Out of History

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24 Hours in Fulton Missouri – Taking the Mystery out of History

Paula — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 19:11:05 +0000

What do Margaret Thatcher, great lattes, Winston Churchill and the Berlin Wall all have in common? If you answered Fulton Missouri then you are clearly an exceptionally clever human. What is So Special About Fulton? Fulton Missouri is such a curious and compelling spot. This tiny town has roughly 13,000 people, unless the two local universities are in session then the population might swell a bit higher, but it’s definitely got the small town Americana vibe all year round. So how did this central Missouri town secure its place in history? History and Where to Start When you only have 24 hours to spend in a city, it can be hard to know where to start. So, here’s my take on what to do when you visit Fulton, Missouri, why it has secured a spot in history books, and why you should take the time to visit. And, of course, here’s what to do if you only have about a day to pop in and see all the things. The good news. If you only have a day to do Fulton Missouri you can actually see most of what you need to see. It’s tiny and compact, so you can walk to many of these must see spots in Fulton. Looking for an educational trip this year? Fulton Missouri is just the ticket. In fact, just this month Smithsonian magazine named Fulton one of the 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2019. We drove to Fulton from Lake of the Ozarks after spending a couple of days exploring the outdoors, hiking, learning to golf and taking a helicopter ride. The drive took about 90 minutes from Old Kinderhook Resort. It’s about 90 minutes in the other direction to St. Louis. Westminster College The first four stops in Fulton are all within the same area of town. Start your visit at Westminster College. Poke around and be sure to check out the gymnasium, the setting of one of the most impactful political speeches of the century. The Green Lectures A dramatic part of Fulton’s story starts in 1946 when Winston Churchill was asked to deliver an address at Westminster College. The former PM had just lost the national election post World War II and with no other public stage to warn about communism he accepted an invitation from President Harry S. Truman, who was from Missouri. Here, he gave his speech entitled Sinews of Peace. As you can imagine the day of the event people came from all over the country to witness Churchill’s speech. It was front page news and all the buzz in the midwest. That speech was one of the college’s Green Lectures, a series to promote understanding of economic and social problems of international concern, and is more commonly referred to as the Iron Curtain speech. The Iron Curtain speech, while heavily criticized afterwards, is now thought to have been prophetic in that Winston Churchill predicted the Cold War decades before it happened. This small, private, college has attracted multiple former US Presidents including George H.W. Bush, Ronald Regan and Harry Truman as well as Margaret Thatcher and Gorbachev. Each has given one of the college’s Green Lectures. I KNOW! Mind blowing. The National Churchill Museum America’s National Churchill Museum is a big drawing card to Fulton Missouri. The idea came about several years after Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech. The historical speech and Churchill’s visit to Fulton carved out the town’s place in US, and international history. Years after that iconic speech officials were looking for a means of commemorating and recognizing Churchill’s contributions, while celebrating America’s special relationship with England. In 1961, President of Westminster College, Dr. Robert L.D.Davidson decided to bring over a badly damaged World War II Christopher Wren Church. The memorial to Churchill is inside the church. Look for Franta Belsky’s statue of Churchill outside near the southwest corner of this church. St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury Church So the Churchill Museum is inside the reconstructed World War II church. BUT, that’s only a portion of the story. Originally in London, England, this church was largely destroyed in The Blitz during World War II. St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury Church was an 800-year-old parish redesigned by Christopher Wren in 1670. Wren was reputed to be one of finest architects of his time. The Aldermanbury Church was transported to Fulton Missouri and rebuilt brick by brick in the 1960s after being partially destroyed during the bombing in 1940. The task was a costly one and it was extremely tedious as well as time consuming reconstructing the building brick by brick. Nicknamed the Phoenix, this church was originally Catholic but now is non denominational. The external walls of the church are all original bricks from the 1600s. Portions of the base and the clock tower are new. The Berlin Wall Memorial “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” ~ Quote by George Santanaya. You cannot help but think of that quote when you see the Berlin Wall Memorial. It’s never really been more relevant, has it? The largest chunk of the Berlin Wall in the world is here in Fulton Missouri on the campus of Westminster College. So how did that happen? Well, let me explain. This is a sculpture called Breakthrough done by Edwina Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill. It is made out of huge pieces of the Berlin Wall brought to Fulton Missouri and sits on the campus here permanently. If you look closely you will spy German graffiti written all over the sections and the word unwahr. Unwahr means false or untrue. People living on the other side of the wall were thought to be living false lives, so the graffiti is symbolic. The Berlin Wall Memorial wall sections have a female and male figure cut out at opposite ends of the sculpture, symbolizing a breakthrough. This is a powerful and moving piece of art. Indeed there are other sections of the wall throughout the world so that we may never forget history. But, this section here in Fulton Missouri is the longest of all the sections outside of Germany. The sculpture consists of eight full sections of the Berlin Wall once dividing east from west in Germany. Shop, Dine and Grab a Latte The Brick District The Fulton Missouri Brick District is quirky and cute. After you have done the educational parts of the city, take a stroll, browse though the shops on Court Street and buy a few things. There is a sweet used books store and about 100 quirky shops in the Brick District. Streets are lined with bricks in the historic downtown area, giving the district a little extra character. Lunch at Brooklyn Pizza Savour delicious cheesy pizza with a Brooklyn feel. The inside of the restaurant takes its inspiration from Brooklyn where the owners used to live. Sample the handcrafted pizza and calzones. The Brick District Playhouse After lunch when the 3 p.m. wall hits hard, head straight over to the newly renovated Brick District Playhouse. A converted 1920s theatre, the Brick District Playhouse is now an events venue and arts centre which hosts musical performances and more. A vibrant little entertainment spot, the Brick District also stages a weekly Farmer’s Market. I had one of the best lattes of my entire life inside the Cafe at the Brick District Playhouse. It was Peanut Brittle Latte. Again, quirky and never would have thought that I’d associate a tiny town in central Missouri with the best latte I’ve ever had, but they nailed it. I’ll be dreaming of this specialty latte for a long timed. Consider attending one of the Brick District’s well known festivals such as the Morels and Microbrews Festival. Beks Restaurant OH, MY. Beks Restaurant is the whole package and certainly the tastiest restaurant we visited in Central Missouri. With handmade desserts fashioned on site, specials that are creative and fresh, sizzling steaks, great service, as well as knockout appetizers like the parmesan artichoke dip, Beks family owned restaurant holds its own with some of the finest gastropub restaurants I have ever eaten in throughout the United States. The daily specials at Beks, in the Brick District, are refreshing and unique. We had a filet mignon wrapped with apple wood bacon that was melt in your mouth delicious. It was the kind of meal that is cooked to perfection and it also completely hypnotized me towards the end as I tried to deconstruct the flavours and textures in the sauce on my filet. Hints of strawberry with grape and I might have even spotted cranberry…mysterious and wicked. They frequently change the sauces up to vary the specials. Where to Stay in Fulton Missouri Loganberry Inn Bed and Breakfast On our last night in Missouri we stayed at the Loganberry Inn Bed and Breakfast. This 1899 Victorian home boasts stained glass windows and marble fireplaces. Members of Scotland Yard and the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher were once guests here. The Loganberry Inn is genuinely adorable and innkeeper Trina was sweet. This Bed and Breakfast boasts five rooms and is only a five minute walk from the Winston Churchill Museum. If you are doing any sort of educational travel in the area, the Loganberry fits the theme. With a sprawling backyard and a pretty gazebo, as well as a separate entry for a honeymoon suite, the Loganberry often hosts weddings. This quiet town and comfortable, charming inn is a memorable and intimate setting for exchanging vows in front of family and friends. In fact, there are a few places in Missouri that would make excellent spots to throw a wedding. Lake of the Ozarks Bridal Cave would also be a romantic and off the beaten path kind of idea for a wedding celebration. End Your Visit Here The Auto World Museum On your way out of town at the end of your visit to Fulton Missouri, stop at Auto World Museum on Peacock Drive. This entire collection belonged to Bill Backer, the now deceased founder of Backer’s potato chips in Missouri. Use the QR Code reader on your phone to access the Youtube video clips of Mr. Backer explaining the history of each car. Check out the oddball stainless steel Delorean that is what the movie Back to the Future modelled its time travelling car off of. To be honest, Fulton Missouri was a great surprise to us. It’s a great way to spend 24 hours in central Missouri. The food here is a real highlight and you won’t leave without learning something new. Stay Where We Did When You Visit Fulton Missouri. For more travel content and ideas on what to do when you get there visit my travel section above. Girl’s getaways and family travel ideas too. The LoganBerry Inn B and B Recently we visited Missouri on a media trip as guests. Flights, accommodations, food and attractions were covered. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers.

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