New Buffalo Public Beach in New Buffalo, Michigan

From our home in the Chicago suburbs we can get the Michigan state line in about an hour. It's one of our favorite day-trip destinations. Several times a year we make our way up to Southwest Michigan for shopping and festivals and dining and picking our own fruit at farms and visiting wineries and breweries and distilleries and watching parades. There's so much to do and see.

Often we end our day with a stop at the New Buffalo Public Beach. Sometimes we go earlier in the day and spend a few hours there, but we discovered that after 8 p.m., you don't have to pay to park in the lot...and there's still a bit of daylight to come after 8 p.m. So, you have a little time to lay on the beach or swim or build a sandcastle or fly a kite - and you can do it all as you watch the sun set over Lake Michigan. It's really breathtaking. And you can't beat the price tag.

Thunderbay Falls in Galena Territory

I absolutely love waterfalls and could sit in front of one all day long just watching and listening to water flow. If you happen to be a guest of Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena, a luxury resorting with lodging at their inn or in villas and homes throughout the property, you can take advantage of the beautiful Thunderbay Falls that are situated within the Galena Territory.

The falls are just off a marked road, but easy to miss. However, they are well worth seeking out. Here's a peek.

Fort Mackinac

On our first visit to Mackinac Island, we had been encouraged to visit Fort Mackinac. It was a great recommendation for our family of boys, all of whom are into military history. As part of Mackinac State Historic Parks, this well preserved piece of American history makes for a fascinating visit for any age.

Our visit was part of a tour via horse carriage and we explored over a dozen historic structures. It also includes the oldest building in the state.

With interesting exhibits and some period furnishings, taking a walk through transports you to a different place in time. From soldier barracks to the post hospital to the officers' quarters, you're able to get a sense of what life was like for those who resided on this island fort in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A big hit with my kids were the weapons firing and the cannon firing. The costumed interpreters are full of knowledge of the time period, staying in character as they convey the history of Fort Mackinac to guests.

Even if history isn't your thing, it's worth hanging out and taking in the spectacular views from this high vantage point. For more information, visit mackinacparks.com.

Dana-Thomas House in Springfield, IL

Designed in 1902 for Susan Lawrence Dana, and independent and wealthy socialite, the Dana-Thomas House was the 72nd building designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It holds the largest collection of site-specific original art glass and furniture. The mind-boggling 16 varying levels have 35 rooms and have a total of 12,000 square feet of living space. 

The home is a stunning example of Wright's "Prairie-style" architecture and the home contains many customized pieces that he also designed for Dana, including lamps, wood pieces and stained glass.

The home's next owner was Charles Thomas, a medical publisher, who preserved much of the home throughout the 31 years it was owned by him - and later his wife following his death. In 1981, the state of Illinois bought the home in 1981. The home was restored between 1987 and 1990.

Tours are available Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour out at 3:45) and also Monday and Tuesday during the travel season from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour lasts about an hour. On my most recent visit to Springfield this was definitely one of the highlights and something I highly recommend when visiting the area. While there isn't an age restriction for tours, it might not hold interest of younger ones and the priceless pieces, that obviously can't be touched, could be temping for little hands (and thus stressful for parents trying to enjoy the tour.) I'd hold off on a tour with kids until age 8 or so. And for those with limited mobility, be prepared for many steps and several different levels to navigate. Suggested donations are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, $15 for families. For more information, visit dana-thomas.org.

Here's a look at the introduction video that is shown to guests before the tour of the majestic property. 

White River State Park

Eiteljorg Museum (photo: inwhiteriver.com)

We are finally into the official summer season, even though the calendar indicates that there are a few weeks left of spring. The temperature is rising, schools are finishing up for the year and soon families will be heading to outdoor destinations for a little fun.

You'd have a hard time finding a better outdoor space than the White River State Park in Indianapolis. Actually, it's not just the outdoor spaces that make Indiana's only urban state park so great, it's the combination of outdoor attractions paired with some great indoor museums and attractions.

Located in the heart of downtown Indy, the spectacular waterfront walkway, river promenade and central canal provide for a beautiful view and ideal spot for a walk or to just sit and relax and reflect. An outdoor amphitheater overlooks the water and allows for lawn seating for 6,000. Also part of the landscape is the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial celebrating 3,410 Americans who have received the award, the highest bestowed for military valor.

The park encompasses 250 acres of green space and several other attractions, including the minor league ballpark, Victory Field, the Indianapolis Zoo, the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, IMAX Theater and NCAA Hall of Champions. Visit inwhiteriver.com

Galena, IL

Galena, Illinois is situated in Northwest Illinois along the banks of the Galena River (and not far from the banks of the Mississippi River.) The downtown area seems to be frozen in time, with a lengthy main street business district full of 19th century buildings that are loaded with charm.

It was home to Ulysses S. Grant and his home can be toured, as well as several other historic structures and sites. With art galleries, boutiques and cafes, it's a lovely place for a leisurely getaway with many opportunities to shop and dine.

For those who love outdoor recreation, there's plenty to do in the way of hiking, kayaking, fishing and more. For those who are guests of Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, there are four on-site golf courses and an inviting spa.

Within the area are spots to enjoy Galena wines and spirits, including Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery and Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

For more information on the area, go to visitgalena.org.

30 Places in 30 Days: Factory Tour - Jelly Belly Center

I'm participating in a 30 places in 30 days blogger project and the topic with several different bloggers sharing travel spots. I was to focus on was a factory tour. I've done a few factory tours over the years that I really enjoyed, like the National Corvette Museum and the Pierce Firetruck Factory. I remember touring the Jay's Potato Chip factory on a field trip in 2nd grade and I was fascinated. It's still my favorite field trip from childhood.

The place I selected to write about is a little different than a factory tour. It's actually the tour of a distribution facility, but it's a fun stop where you learn a lot and get some yummy samples. It's the Jelly Belly Center in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, which is in the southeast corner of the state, just above the Illinois border.

Jelly Belly Beans are not produced there, so you can't see them made first hand, but though video screens that show the process you can see how it's done as you take a train ride through the warehouse wearing a complimentary Jelly Belly cap. There's also some cool jelly belly art and some equipment on display. On the ride through the distribution center, you get to hear the company history through a recorded narrated recording. At the end, you get a sample bag of Jelly Belly beans and you can head into the retail store where there's a tasting bar and you can try out hundreds of flavors and buy treats to take home. We love to buy the Belly

Flops. They are bags of beans that are a bit misshapen, but that taste just as good and they are deeply discounted.

This has been one of our regular stops any time we head into the state of Wisconsin. For those in the Chicago area, it's a perfect day trip. Hit the Jelly Belly Center then go into Kenosha to and spend some time at one of the free beaches, snap pics of the lighthouses, ride the streetcar and visit a free museum or two. Do some shopping at the outlet mall or Mars Cheese Castle and it makes for a fun day that is very inexpensive. For more information, visit https://www.jellybelly.com/visitjellybelly.