Eureka Springs, Ark. By Kirbee Yost.
For a mix of Jesus and German food, check out Eureka Springs, Ark. It’s a four-hour drive from Baldwin City, but the trade-off is that after you cross Interstate 44, the road becomes twisty and delightfully scenic. It’s easy to make a wrong turn and get lost in the boonies, so watch out.
Eureka Springs plays up its Victorian buildings, and the town centers on the tourist trade, so you can have your choice of hotel rooms once you get there.
Eureka Springs’ big attraction is “The Great Passion Play.” The story of Jesus’ crucifixion can be viewed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For only $23.25 per person you receive admission to the play, the Sacred Arts Center and Bible Museum.
More secular and less expensive activities include a trolley through the town’s Victorian section, starting at $2. Shopping is huge in Eureka Springs, specifically antique shopping.
My favorite thing in Eureka Springs is the Bavarian Inn, an award-winning German restaurant and German-themed hotel. The service is swift and helpful, and the cream of sauerkraut soup might change your life.
During the weekend of fall break, the 60th Annual Ozark Folk Festival will be going on, and if that isn’t enough entertainment, Branson, Mo., is just a hop, skip and a jump away an hour down the road.
Wichita, Kan. By Amanda Pratt.
To ensure that your fall break trip is first class, visit Wichita, the proclaimed Air Capital of the World.
Although 70 percent of United States aviation aircraft is manufactured in the city, Wichita is more than just airplanes.
From the hippopotamus to the Grizzly Bear, the Sedgwick County Zoo is a great destination for animal lovers. Some popular exhibits are the Downing Gorilla Forest and the Pride of the Plains. The zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day and admission is $10.
For those wanting to play fun, competitive games, All Star Adventure Sports Entertainment is a great option. The amusement park has a mini-golf course, batting cages and a driving range. Cost varies by event. The park is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Towne East Square and Towne West Square shopping malls are great options for “shopaholics.” The mall complexes contain popular stores such as JC Penney, American Eagle Outfitters and Charlotte Russe.
If you’re in the mood for Mediterranean, Mexican or Asian food, Wichita is the place for you. With hundreds of restaurants, Wichita has a variety of offerings for a keen appetite. Yia Yias Eurobistro, Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q and Barleycorn’s are a few popular eateries.
Wichita is located in South Central Kansas and is approximately three hours away from Baldwin City.
Branson, Mo. By Courtney Servaes.
I think I’m ready for a change in scenery. Maybe you are too.
For this road trip, all we’ll need is a bag of clothing, some cash, an atlas and a mix CD for the road.
We’re headed to the “Show Me State” for this one.
Branson, Mo., is about four hours away from Baldwin City, which makes it perfect for a weekend trip.
Once we get there, we can check into one of the numerous hotels in Branson. I recommend we stay at some place like the Econo Lodge or Comfort Inn – we’ll save money.
Next, we can cruise on down to the Track Family Fun Park to test our courage in a go-kart race. I’ll probably win.
Then we can see what great bargains we can find at the Tanger Outlet Center.
But if that’s not enough for a night of fun, we can check out one of Branson’s many shows at the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre or the ’50s at the Hop Theatre and Show or watch “Spirit of Dance” at the Branson Variety Theater.
You can’t come to Branson without spending a day at Silver Dollar City. During October, the park features special shows and discount prices.
There’s also the Hollywood Wax Museum where we could meet up with some of the famous faces of our generation. Nearby is the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, where we’re sure to see something intriguing.
Because it’s October, I personally recommend we check out a haunted house or two before we head back to Baldwin.
No matter what your interests, Branson has something for you. I’m sure of it. Now all you need is a bag of clothing, some cash, an atlas and that mix CD I suggested.
Junction City, Kan. By Jenalea Myers.
I’m not going to lie; I dig Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s 1994 film “How the West Was Fun.”
Who doesn’t wish they lived in a time when fortune was just a gold pan away? Who wouldn’t want to horseback through trails all day long only to cozy up by the campfire at night and reminisce about how the west was won?
Anyone looking for some peace and quiet during fall break will find it less than two hours away at the Sun Rock Ranch Resort in Junction City. Located in the Flint Hills, Sun Rock is a 3,000 acre working horse and cattle ranch.
The ranch offers quite a bit of variety as far as accommodations go. If you’re looking to save a buck, the cheapest way to do it is by camping in your own tent. Priced a little bit higher is using your own RV. If you’ve got the money to spend, or you’re just a big sissy and can’t sleep in the sticks, three guest rooms decorated with Western flare are available.
So you might be thinking, “What in the world am I going to do once I get there?” The ranch offers a number of activities including hay rack riding, bonfire roasts, fishing, hiking and nature watching. For an additional fee you can go horseback riding, a must-have experience for any true cowboy or cowgirl.
We all used to pretend we were cowboys or outlaws when we were little. Who says we all can’t become Jesse James or Wyatt Earp during fall break?
Nebrask City, Neb. By Ashley Fischer.
Nebraska City, Neb., home of Arbor Day, is a place travelers can visit to enjoy the beauty and history of the Midwest.
This small town’s claim to fame is Arbor Lodge, a 52-room mansion built in the late-1800s for J. Sterling Morton, who served as U.S. secretary of agriculture under President Grover Cleveland and founded Arbor Day. He was also the father of Joy Morton, who founded the Morton salt company. In addition to the mansion, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Arboretum encompasses 72 acres of woods that are available for exploration.
After spending the day exploring history, why not catch a show at the Cider House Theatre, Nebraska City’s own community theater? You could also spend the day shopping in the one-of-a-kind downtown shops or at the Factory Stores of America outlet mall.
Nebraska City is a three-hour drive from Baldwin City.