Author: Marcia Frost

Marcia Frost has been doing travel segments on CI Living, an afternoon lifestyle show on CBS in Central Illinois and Western Indiana, for the last decade. She covers areas throughout the Midwest, as well as a few more distant getaways a year (i.e. resorts, known attractions, historical locations, and cruises) each year.. Autoimmune disease has slowed down her travel to more accessible than adventurous and she has used the opportunity to stress disabled travel, health, spa, and wellness. She has also written for Terra Travelers Magazine, Insider, Medium, The Pennyhoarder, The Daily Meal, Long Weekends Magazine, Yahoo!, USA Today, Hotels.com, TripSavvy, and Girls Getaway. Follow Marcia’s adventures to see a preview of what she will bringing next on Twitter and Instagram @SpiritsTraveler and at http://www.Facebook.com/MidwestTravelWithMarciaFrost


Space Needle with Mount Rainer in the distance

Seattle is a prime spot for Pacific Northwest and Alaska cruises. Many voyages begin and end in one of the city’s two cruise ports. Norwegian and Oceania cruise lines use Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66. Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91 houses Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean cruise lines.

I’ve visited Seattle on its own and gone on cruises through there too. I’ve somehow managed to miss the major attractions each …

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City of Salzburg with Hohensalzburg Fortress i

It’s been almost 60 years since The Sound of Music was released (1965). Everyone remembers Julie Andrews singing “The Hills Are Alive,” but not many know where the Alps behind her are. They are in Austria, along with the rest of the locations used for the movie. It was the home of the real von Trapp Family, and it’s possible to relive one of the world’s favorite family films during a tour in that European …

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Camelback Mountain, Phoenix

“Paradise Valley” is the perfect description for the town where you’ll find Sanctuary Camelback Mountain. It is an oasis between the mountains with all you need if you are looking for ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation.

The 53-acre complex is a backdrop for an adventurous or laid-back vacation – or maybe a little of both. Picturesque doesn’t even begin to explain this stretch of land you will never forget.

Luxurious Accommodations

The majority of accommodations here …

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Sign reading "Concierge"

Dear Travel IQ: Can you explain how to use a concierge properly?  Many of the nicer hotels I visit have a concierge, but I’m not sure what is an appropriate question outside of a restaurant suggestion or directions.  What can a concierge do for me (and should I then do something for them)?

Signed: Confused and Lost in Vancouver

Dear Confused: All large hotels and resorts (and sometimes even smaller ones) offer concierge …

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The Gateway Arch

Missouri is often called one of the “flyover” states. The thought is that it’s not worth an actual trip. That couldn’t be further from the truth—especially regarding St. Louis. In this city, you’ll find tons of family activities, and a lot of them are free! Many of these are located in Forest Park.

Gateway Arch National Park

St. Louis is most known for the iconic Gateway Arch. You can see it from anywhere in the …

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Put in Bay Harbor at Sunrise

Ohio is probably the last place you’d expect to find a beautiful island, but there are actually four. They are located in Lake Erie, and you don’t need a passport to visit them. Consider a vacation or day trip to Kelley’s, South Bass, Middle Bass, or North Bass Island. Each has its own attributes. If you come in on a private boat (or rent one) you can visit them all.

The best place to start …

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Lincoln Memorial

Most people go to Washington, DC, only once in their lives on a family vacation or even a school trip. If you aren’t returning to the nation’s capital, you are missing a lot. The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument are a few things that aren’t going to change, but there are always new attractions popping up. The other thing you may not know is that DC has become a foodie haven. All types of cuisine

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Field of Dreams Park Iowa

Iowa is often missed when picking vacation spots. Still, the Hawkeye state has much to offer, especially in these towns along the Mississippi River, often visited by domestic river cruises.

Dubuque

The Fenelon Elevator is a unique attraction in Dubuque that is nearly 300 feet long. From the top, you’ll have views of Iowa, as well as Illinois and Wisconsin. It’s open from April through November. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is open …

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Green,Bay,Wisconsin,Titletown

Green Bay, Wisconsin, is not well known beyond the legendary Packers who call it home, but a AAA Four Diamond hotel and a growing complex of food and fun are helping to make it a place everyone wants to visit.

The Full Packers Experience…

In full disclosure, I am not a football fan. I will go to an Illini college game to support my local team, but you’ll never catch me tuning into an NFL …

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Louisville Skyline

On the cusp of the Midwest and the South, Louisville is a city with a lot of personality. This shows in its history, food, arts, and drinks. This easy-to-get-to Kentucky town offers so much to do for a fun vacation it’s hard to decide what to include.
1. Check out the Louisville Sluggers
If you have ever been even an occasional fan of baseball, don’t miss the Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum. You can walk

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Fontanne Program Center Celebrity Wall

New York City has The Hamptons. Los Angeles has Palm Springs. Denver has Aspen. For many years, the vacation playground for the rich and famous in Chicago was Lake Geneva.  This Wisconsin resort town, only about an hour from the Windy City, has since evolved as a destination accessible for everyone to stay, play, and relax on the water.

A Rich History

It was easy to escape from the big city once the first train …

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