Museum Traveler’s Toolkit
“Backyard Tourist Museum Traveler’s Toolkit” Museum Hacks, The Best Days of the Week to Visit Museums, The Quietest Times of Year to Visit Museums, and Why Museum Memberships Pay for Themselves.
Journeys Start Here
Plan a Road Trip
Whether you are travelling a route, a path, a river, an historic figure, or just winging it-This is the place to look for inspiration!
Visit a Great Illinois Museum
As a museum professional, i firmly believe that museums are the very best way to learn about history, art, science-everything!
Museums along Route 66
Start in Chicago, or end in Chicago. My guides will make sure that you avoid the mistakes I have seen so many people make. Plan well. Take your time!
Road Trip Worthy
Quirky Collections and Exhibits
This blog started over a decade ago, featuring great historic sites within one gas tank from home. Right in my own “Backyard.” Now more than ever, the “one tank” concept is important!
Civil Rights and Social Justice
Our towns, both large and small are full of fascinating stories and history. Whether “Lincoln Slept Here,” or a hometown hero started a movement that changed the world, these stories are important.
Historic Homes of IL and Beyond
I have a special affinity for House Museums-where my museum career started. House museums provide a “day in the life” slice of history, telling the stories of people who lived during a period of time.
More to Explore!
Presidential Sites
Presidential sites connect travelers to the places, and pivotal moments that shaped American history. These sites offer exploration of the homes, libraries, museums, birthplaces, and landmarks that illuminate the lives, leadership, and legacies of America’s presidents.
States and Capitols
From soaring domes and grand rotundas to historic legislative chambers, state capitol buildings offer unique opportunities to explore history, architecture, and traditions that shaped each state. These buildings are architectural landmarks telling the story of a state’s history, values, and civic identity through their design, art, and public spaces.
Sites of Conscience
Sites of Conscience are places that preserve difficult histories, inspire meaningful dialogue, and encourage visitors to connect the lessons of the past. These museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions use history to preserve memory and to spark conversations about justice, human rights, and civic engagement.
The Backyard Tourist 