Showman's Rest is marked by granite posts topped with elephants

Since 1937 the small town of Hugo, Oklahoma has been known in certain circles as “Circus City”. As many as 22 circuses have called Hugo home during the winter in the years since and though most have moved on some of their performers remain, forever “on the stage” at Showman’s Rest.

Showman’s Rest is easily found in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Granite posts, each topped with an elephant, mark the rectangular plot where the performers share their final act- the elaborate tombstones sharing their stories.

Animal Trainers, Aerialists, Ringmasters and More have their "Final Act" at Showman's Rest

From towering stones carved with the ringmaster’s likeness to 3 dimensional tents and benches for sharing stories, this is a cemetery that is fun to visit.

Elaborate tombstones befitting elaborate lives

Directions: 200 S Broadway, Trice & 8th St; or take the Rt 70 bypass south of town and watch for the Olivet Cemetery sign.

Open during daylight hours, group tours available by appointment.

Photos by Jody Halsted.  To see more images of Showman’s Rest please visit my Oklahoma set on Flickr.

Despite our landlocked borders and fly-over status, the Midwest has quite a few great aquariums.

Oklahoma Aquarium, Tulsa

Oklahoma Aquarium

During a family road trip we overnighted in Tulsa an had an opportunity to visit the Tulsa Aquarium. We found an incredible array of salt and fresh water fish, opportunities to touch stingray, shark and shrimp and even feed turtles! Wander through the shark adventure to watch the toothy beasts swim over and around you. Daily otter feeding will elicit giggles and seeing the interaction of the coral reef divers and the colorful fish will make you wish you could dive in, too.

Open daily at 10am. Closed Christmas Day.

Pratt Education Center, Aquariums and Fish Hatchery, Kansas

Pratt Aquarium

Though you won’t find colorful salt water species here, the Pratt Aquariums feature fish that are native to, or have been successfully introduced to, Kansas. Biologists are on hand to show you through the building and answer any questions. The gem of this exhibit, though, is the wildlife right outside the door. The nearby ponds are popular with heron, ducks, and mink, for their abundant food supply.

Open Monday thru Friday at 8am.

Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Nebraska

This unique aquarium is popular for its affordability- only $1 for adults and 50¢ for children. A total of 12 large display tanks display Nebraska’s native water life; the largest tank is designed to host some of Nebraska’s largest fishes, including the Paddlefish. In addition to fish you’ll also see amphibians and reptiles.

Open year round at 10am. Days may vary due to season.

Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, North Dakota

Another aquarium and fish hatchery focusing on local fish. In the fall migrating salmon return to the hatchery, delighting hikers along the river.

Open Memorial Day to Labor Day at 8am.

Minnesota Sea Life Aquarium

Take a break from your shopping at the Mall of America and take an underwater adventure. Over 10,000 sea creatures can be seen here- from the Giant Pacific Octopus to adorable miniature seahorses. 300 feet of ocean tunnel, touch pools and interactive quiz trails make this a fun and educational experience.

Open daily at 10am.

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Iowa

Aquarium exhibits show fish and wildlife that live in and along the river; a favorite is the river otters sliding in and out of the water, while perhaps less popular are the snakes that are found in the area.  Instead of a large aquarium tank, several smaller aquariums highlight different aspects of river life.

The Port of Dubuque area where the museum is located is adjacent to Dubuque’s downtown, and just steps away from a casino, a riverwalk area, and the Spirit of Dubuque paddlewheeler, which gives tours of the Mississippi River itself.

Open daily at 9am Memorial Day weekend thru October 31; open 10am daily November 1 til Memorial Day weekend

World Aquarium, Missouri

World Aquarium

Also located near the Mississippi River in St. Louis, in the fabulous City Museum. Featuring aquatic life from around the globe you’re likely to see fish you’ve never heard of. Plenty of hands on exhibits for kids plus adorable otters, slow moving sloths and snapping turtles mean kids will adore this aquarium.

To visit the World Aquarium you must purchase admission to the City Museum.

Schedule varies during the year. Closed Monday and Tuesday, open at 9am Wednesday thru Saturday and 11am on Sunday.

Shedd Aquarium, Illinois

The most well known of all Midwest Museums, the Shedd sits along Lake Michigan in Chicago. Possibly the largest assortment of marine life in the Midwest you’ll find everything from anacondas to Zebra sharks. See the difference between the river and sea otters. Learn why the Lungfish can breathe in both air and water. Or just enjoy the grace of the dolphins.

Open year round at 9am.

Reiman Aquarium, Wisconsin

Inside Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin in Milwaukee you’ll find aquatic life from the Great Lakes, North Atlantic and Caribbean. A touch tank lets you get up close and personal with stingrays, shark and lobster.

Admission to Discovery World includes the aquarium. Closed Monday; open Tuesday – Friday at 9am, Saturday and Sunday at 10am.

Photo credits:

Oklahoma Aquarium; JLHalsted

World Aquarium

Pratt Aquarium

When thinking of Orlando the last thing to come to mind is probably ice. But each year at this time the Gaylord Palms brings in two million pounds of ice and world renowned ice carvers from China to create a winter wonderland in the tourism center of the Sunshine State.  Their ICE festivities have become a winter tradition for many families.

Shrek on Ice

Shrek the Halls

A few months ago I wrote that the Gaylord Hotels and DreamWorks® had formed an alliance, which would bring popular DreamWorks® characters into the resorts. The “kick off” event of the alliance is the spectacular ICE, held at each hotel. At the fabulous Gaylord Palms the theme this year is Shrek the Halls, a magical story told in 4 ½ acres of spectacular ice sculptures. Read More »

Along the Gulf Coast shore, over and bridge and through a tunnel from Mobile, Alabama, sits a memorial to the US Navy and the men and women who’ve served the country as members. The USS Alabama battleship, the USS Drum, and a hangar full of fighter jets and helicopters offers families a day trip that’s both educational and fun.

The USS Alabama, the sixth ship to bear the name Alabama, was in commission as a battleship from 1942 to 1947 and was facilitated heavily during WWII. Today, visitors can walk the decks, climb into the bunks, crawl through the halls, and even step into the gunnery. A self-guided tour aided by signs and a printed handout creates a picture of what life was like for the 2,500 men who would be on board the ship at one time.

A few yards away from the massive battleship is docked the USS Drum, a submarine that could be powered by a crew one tenth the size of the Alabama’s. No print out is needed to guide you through the close quarters of the submarine whose layout resembles that of a shotgun house; one hallway takes you from front to back. Even kids who aren’t interested in ships or machinery are likely to be dazzled by walls covered with gadgets and dials in every shape and size, as will adults who’ve seen The Hunt for Red October and similarly themed war movies. (I challenge you to step into the control room of either the USS Drum or the USS Alabama and not find yourself doing your best Sean Connery impersonation.)

Other sights of interest in the park include a Russian tank used by Iraq to invade Kuwait and US Navy rescue helicopters.

Access to the park is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Parking is $2.

Photo Britt Reints