Adventures in Innertubing

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): Hilary Daninhirsch

The magic of childhood is that time seems to stand still in the summer.  To capture that feeling, nothing can be more relaxing than floating down a lazy river on a warm summer afternoon.  If you are in the Johnstown area of southwestern Pennsylvania, Coal Tubin’ is the perfect way to while away an afternoon. So named in recognition of the coal country that surrounds it, Coal Tubin’ offers a voyage down the Stonycreek River in bright orange inner tubes. Coal Tubin’ is perfect for the entire fami...

Diamond in the Not So Rough

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): —Elizabeth J. Musgrave

Sprawled across 157 scenic acres, Diamond Lake Resort in Owensboro, Ky., is no ordinary campground. The outdoor enthusiast’s playground offers 270 RV sites for the camper. And for the glamper? A 10-room motel and four cottages provide natural ambiance without sacrificing the comforts of home. Three go-kart race tracks ensure safe fun at top speeds with five cart styles for every level of expertise and age. For full-size auto enthusiasts, the award-winning resort hosts one of the Top 20 Car Shows of South...

Old-Fashioned Charm

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): —Christine Smyczynski

Located in the quaint village of East Aurora, N.Y., about 20 miles south of Buffalo, Vidler’s 5 & 10 is a store where families can step back in time and enjoy shopping like grandma or great grandma experienced. Founded in 1930 by Robert Vidler Sr. and currently run by the third generation of the family, the store claims to be the largest 5 & 10 variety store in the world.  The distinctive red and white striped awning and the large “Vidler on the Roof” make the store stand out on East Aurora’...

Shore Looks Fun

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): Amy S. Eckert

What better way to attract families to your destination than a super-cool amusement park?  That was the thinking when St. Joseph’s city planners acquired the Silver Beach Carousel a century ago, surrounding it with bumper cars, roller coasters and a domed ballroom right on the shore of Lake Michigan.  When the amusement park deteriorated, the city replaced its famous beachside carousel with a modern counterpart in 2010. Part of the new Silver Beach Center, the merry-go-round draws young and adu...

Dairy Delights

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): Ashley Petry

Traders Point Creamery is just a few minutes from Indianapolis in Zionsville, Ind., but the picturesque dairy feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Brown Swiss cows roam the sloping green pastures, children clamor for farm-fresh milkshakes and glimpses into the milking parlor, and adults sample cheeses in the farm store. “It’s very family friendly,” says Gail Alden, director of marketing. “You almost feel like you’re visiting an uncle’s farm or something. It’s a very relaxing atmosph...

Chicago Goes to the Dogs

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): —Karen Asp

Join the growing numbers of families traveling with their dogs this summer. Your destination? Chicago. It’s one of the country’s most dog-friendly (and kid-friendly) cities, especially when warm weather hits and the city springs to life.  Nowhere is that more evident than on Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most beloved destinations. While your pup can’t ride the carousel or visit the Chicago Children’s Museum, he can stroll up and down the pier with you; if you’re lucky, you might catch a free outdoor c...

Comfort Foods are Calling

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): —Damaine Vonada

When first-time customers walk into the Blue Springs Café in Highland, Ill., and spy the long counter laden with big beautiful pies, their eyes always widen. Sure, billboards touting “foot-hi pie” lure Interstate 70 travelers to the cafe, but the lip-smacking assortment of deep-dish cream pies topped with mounds of golden brown meringue never fails to amaze.   The Blue Springs is surrounded by rich, southern Illinois farmland, and thanks to its bright blue metal roof, it’s easy to find. The café’s c...

Get Your Motor Running

Issue: Spring/Summer 2013

Author(s): Amy Lynch

There’s a whole new reason to rev on over to the racing capital of the world — enthusiasts with a need for speed can now get an insider look at how modern racecars are made at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Ind . Open for tours during the summer and located just across the street from the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the sleek 202,000-square-foot Dallara factory complements Indy’s well-rounded collection of racing attractions with event space and state-of-the-art interactive displays. He...



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