apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Call me crazy, but I'm going to Scottsdale, AZ, in the middle of August (to visit family). Hopefully the 117-degree temps won't get much higher ... but trips to Pizzeria Bianco and the Sugar Bowl, as well as some movie watching and shopping, should help aleviate some of the stress from the heat. :)

Don't rule out Columbus, Indiana - "The Architecture capital of the WORLD".

Calatrava's work in MKE is special and boy is that lakefront refreshing in the summertime.

If you find yourself in Lee Co., IL on Interstate 39 south of Rockford, between Mendota and Rochelle, you'll find a pretty cool windfarm --- many turbines. 39 can take you south from Wisconsin to 55 and on to Springfield, IL.

If you hit Springfield check out http://www.dana-thomas.org/ (Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House). The Lincoln Museum is fantastic and the latest in history museums.

Across the river from St. Louis and the Gateway Arch is Collinsville, IL. There you can see the world's largets catchup bottle, newly restored!

Thanks for the Perryville tip. I hadn't heard about it.

If you've gone as far south as Perryville, have lunch in Ste. Genevieve, MO. Fantastic examples of French Colonial structures. Bare bones - poteaux enterre construction.

Besides the Arch, while in St. Louis, you might consider http://www.stlouis.art.museum/index.aspx?id=121&exh=47 at the Saint Louis Art Museum. I say that because this Napoleon exhibit will only be seen in STL and Boston.

If you head to Kansas City, MO, check out the new Bloch Building at the Nelson Atkins in Kansas City. The reviews have been good. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it yet. http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/HistBuilding.cfm

There is a theme here, at least I think there is. Heck, maybe I'll make this trip. It certainly won't take me too far from home!

And if you're coming to St. Louis, be sure to check out The City Museum: ( http://www.citymuseum.org/ ) Everything is recycled and reused to create whole new structures that you can climb in, on, around, and through. Plus they have an architectural museum with some great examples from St. Louis' past.

Ditto Monkey. Be aware it does have a creepy factor.

What about heading to Michigan and visiting the Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills? You can see the Saarinen House and Gardens as well as permanent collections from Warhol and Eames.

Kurt - That it does, but, personally, that's part of the fun.

my roommate and I are taking a week's road trip around Illinois... any fun off-beat things to see that we should hit? I've got the World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville and the 400 lb Butter Cow at the state fair on the list so far.

How about the giant cross in Effingham, off of highway 70? You can't miss it, try as you might.

That cross is...it's something alright...

The two-story outhouse in Gays, IL might be worth seeing:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/outhouse.html

Actually, the website I just linked you to would be an excellent place to do a quick search for all things weird and wonderful in IL.

don't forget Mt. Vernon Missouri where I'm from. haha


http://www.bobbyberkhome.com

The City Museum in St. Louis is amazing. I'm not sure why it would have a creepy factor as mentioned above by someone else. I think it is wonderful. Especially wonderful at showing what can be done with recycled materials.

The Wind Farm that is south of Rockford is pretty cool. But there is an even more amazing Wind Farm just 5 minutes East of Bloomington. In fact, I am told it is the second largest Wind Farm in the World or Country; I can't remember. Either way, it's pretty outstanding.

The AB Brewery is StL is a fun trip. Lots of propaganda of course, but it is interesting. See industrial buildings that were actually designed to be aeshetically pleasing (lots of red brick and limestone). There is also a clydestale (sp?) stable there that is gorgeous. Free beer at the end too! It's just south of downtown/Soulard.