Wine and Spirits Travel

  Illinois is filled with small towns with their own personality. Even after 17 years of living here, I still have a list of many I have yet to explore. Toward the top of that list was Metropolis , the hometown of the character of Superman. I recently had the opportunity to visit Metropolis, and it met my expectations. I took along my friends, Amanda and Heather, and my service dog, Teddy.   We stayed at Harrah’s Metropolis Hotel & Casino . It’s a large property within walking distance to everything in town. Amanda and Heather shared a room, while Teddy and I had a larger accessible room with two beds and a big bathroom with rails and a chair in the walk-in shower.  After check-in, we headed downtown to the Superman Museum . The entrance to the museum is filled with photos in the window and something you’d expect the Man of Steel to need—a phone booth.  You first walk into the store. I can’t imagine there is anything related to Superman you will not find for ...

I had never been to Muskegon and, honestly, it wasn’t on my radar before. I had started hearing more about it and the representatives of Pure Michigan told me it was a lakefront town making strides in the wheelchair-friendly arena. Muskegon has had a big resurgence from the cruise industry which has led to growth in the town. In addition to the ferries that go across Lake Michigan (which we would be taking), three cruise lines are now making stops in Muskegon: Pearl Sea Cruises, Victory Cruise Line, and Ponant Great Lake Cruises. The town was building and improving for the influx of cruise passengers and the feedback on the port stop has been positive. This town would continue to thrive. ' Since we had a late lunch and skipped dinner the night before , we were ready for a big breakfast. Mr. Bs Pancake House was the perfect place. This local favorite has been around over 50 years. The portions were huge and the omelets, pancakes, and hashbrowns we had were delicious. After breakf...

  Lynn and I have been having adventures for many years. We’ve been friends for decades and look forward to our getaways. We had lots of plans for this one, taking us through Michigan, then on to Milwaukee before heading back. She arrived in Champaign a few days before our trip. We got ready for our first stop, Chicago. We were spending two days there at 21CMuseum Hotel before hitting the road for the rest.   One of the things I enjoyed most about the 21C Museum Hotel I stayed in when in Louisville the first time were the penguins. These giant plastic penguins would move around the hotel, surprising you in places such as the elevator. After I mentioned this at check-in, we had one waiting for us in our room. The 21C Deluxe Accessible Double room worked well for us. It had a nice big bathroom, with a low bathtub, which I love. There was also a chair in it for those who couldn’t climb in or get out of the tub.   We had stopped on the road to eat a big lunch. I want...

  I live two hours from downtown Chicago, so I almost always stay overnight. Occasionally, the time is too short and the opportunity too great, so I make an exception. This was the case on the day my friend, Kim, and I went for brunch at Sofitel’s CDA and checked out the Driehaus Museum. The CDA Restaurant at Sofitel Magnificent Mile Hotel in Chicago is the epitome of modern elegance. The decor and service are first class, yet it feels very comfortable with the large windows and white design.  The brunch menu is most definitely French, though they do have their version of the Mexican breakfast favorite Chilaquiles. Named “Sofitel Chilaquiles Rojos,” they are made with sunny side eggs in a crispy corn tortilla and served with a cilantro yogurt. It was difficult to decide as everything sounded so good. After my initial excitement at the Ricotta Pancakes, topped with bananas and cocoa nibs, then drizzled with Cinnabon topping, I decided to save my sweet tooth for dessert and...

  I had planned to go to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis a few times over the years and something always came up at the last minute. I was determined to visit this place I had heard nothing but good things about and I finally made it happen.   Kimberly Harms Robinson, the museum’s Director of PR and Media Relations, and I kept in touch, and she helped me plan the day with my friend, Mary, and her granddaughters, Thea and Rowan. We also took my service dog, Teddy, along to his first museum.   The Children’s Museum is really two attractions in one. It’s floors of indoor exhibits and experiences, and an outdoor sports complex like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Kimberly met us at the entrance, and we decided we were all hungry and we’d start with lunch. Instead of the usual cafeteria, this museum has a food court with choices for the whole family, from pizza to sandwiches to coffee drinks and ice cream.   After lunch, we headed to Dinosphere. Here you ...

I had been enjoying some down time with friends and family in New York. That wasn’t going to change on day four, but I added in some discovery as I took my daughter and son-in-law to the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. Even though I had lived 15 minutes from this museum for 20 years, I had never been there. It had been in the back of my mind, and when I would occasionally pass it, I would remind myself. It just never happened. Click Here for Holiday Deals This Long Island trip was planned to include checking out new places, and with this museum close to the Viana Hotel and Spa where I was staying, I decided to include it. The ILoveNY team helped me make the arrangements. I had breakfast at the hotel before Sam and Matt picked me up for the museum. I was happy to see immediately that it was extremely wheelchair accessible.     We were met at the entrance by Joe Pobliner. I soon learned he was a wonderful expert on Long Island’s history in aviation and every...