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10 Must See Roadside Attractions Between Indianapolis & Milwaukee

Posted by Dan Novit

Aug 13, 2018 5:17:26 PM

Harley-Davidson's® 115th Anniversary Celebration is just around the corner and, on August 27th, Southside Harley will be welcoming the riders from the Southeast H-D® 115th Anniversary Ride Home to Milwaukee. Our dealership will mark the start of the final 280-mile homestretch to the motherland, as riders will depart here on the morning of Tuesday, August 28th and travel Northwest (for one final stop with our friends at Calumet Harley-Davidson ), then shoot up to Wisconsin and into official H-D territory.

Of course, one of the most fascinating things about a long ride- especially when surrounded by unfamiliar scenery- is the surprise of stumbling upon an intriguing roadside oddity that catches your gaze. Sometimes it's worthy of only a passing glance and the murmur of a "hmm." But others may warrant a minor detour to investigate further.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the Midwest is known for some of America's most unique and iconic roadside wonders, and we've got a list of the top 10 must-see attractions along the road from Indianapolis to Milwaukee.

1. Giant Lady's Leg Sundial (and nudist colony)

A 63 foot womans leg comes up from the ground. It is a sundial.

Located in Roselawn, Indiana, a site known as Sun Aura has bounced between owners a few times since opening in 1933. But, even through several changes in management, one thing has always been missing from this quaint little camp: clothing. That's right, residents and visitors to Sun Aura should be prepared to experience maximum exposure at any given moment.

Although, tourists aren't typically attracted to Sun Aura for the prime people-watching opportunities; rather the 63 foot-long Giant Lady's Leg Sundial. Ideal for the under-accessorized nudist, the gigantic woman's leg is positioned perfectly for an accurate time-reading based on the sun's position.

Now, don't get us wrong, visitors to the site have been quick to reassure that nudists typically roam a considerable distance from the leg itself, and are quite respectful of tourists who wish to remain fully clothed. 

Address: 3449 E. State Road 10, Roselawn, Indiana

Directions: I-65 exit 230, then west on Hwy 10 for three miles. The nudist camp is on the left, near a pale yellow mailbox and sign.

 

2. The King of Popcorn (but you're not allowed to call him that)

Unbeknownst to many, Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popcorn empire began in the Indiana city of Valparaiso. Redenbacher settled in the area and grew his businesses before relocating to Colorado. Orville passed away in 1995, but to the city of Valparaiso, Redenbacher was a local celebrity. In 2012, they enlisted artist Lou Cella to create a bronze, spitting-image statue of Redenbacher- bow-tie, goofy glasses and all.A bronze statue of Orville Redenbacher sitting on a park bench.Though he's known well for his wardrobe and style while promoting gourmet popcorn, it technically doesn't really belong to him. His signature look actually belongs to food giant ConAgra Foods, who refused to allow the city of Valparaiso to make any popcorn references in the statue. Jerks.

Address: 63 Lafayette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana

Directions: The statue sits beneath the gateway into Lincoln Park, on the south side of W. Lincolnway/Hwy 130 just east of Lafayette St.

 

3. The King of Pop (but no corn)

A black and white portrait of Michael Jackson

Get it? Okay- we'll spell it out for you. While Valparaiso pays homage to the King of Popcorn, a tiny house in a small Gary, Indiana neighborhood marks the birthplace of the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The home itself is not extravagant by any means, but visitors note that the property is maintained beautifully, though the surrounding neighborhood is mostly abandoned and run-down.The home that pop legend Michael Jackson was born in and a granite monument with his image on it is in front of the home Still, the large, granite monument in the yard is a powerful symbol of Jackson's journey from humble beginnings to world-renowned stardom.

 

Address: 2300 Jackson Street, Gary, Indiana

Directions: I-80/94 exit 10. Drive north on Broadway for four blocks, turn left onto W. 23rd Ave. for six blocks. On the left, just past Jackson St.
 
4. America's Most Haunted Cemetery (or so they say)

As you cross over to the other side (of the border- we mean the border), you can find the next attraction just West of 294 in the town of Midlothian- though it's not for the faint of heart. Bachelors Grove Cemetery's first burial was back in 1844, but reports of strange, paranormal happenings didn't begin until the 1960's. It was around this time that vandals began to wreak havoc on the abandoned burial ground. Some say that hauntings began here as a result of these mischievous disturbances, but no one can truly be certain.An eerie image of a forest with tombstones taken at Bachelors Grove Cemetery

While the cemetery itself has become a paranormal hot-spot, sightings and strange apparitions have plagued passers-by along nearby roads and trails. In the 1970's, two forest preserve officers reported seeing the ghostly silhouette of a horse and plow emerging from a mossy pond adjacent to the cemetery. The officers later learned the legend of an 1870's farmer who became tangled in the reigns of his horse and was then dragged into the water to his death.

 

 

Address: 143rd Avenue, Midlothian, Illinois

Directions: Off the beaten path a bit. I-80 exit 148B. North five miles on Hwy 43/Harlem Ave. Turn right onto 143rd Ave. and drive 1.5 miles. Turn left and park in the Rubio Woods parking lot. Walk back to 143rd Ave., look to the right, and see the large phone towers. Cross the road to the south side. The trail to the Cemetery is just to the right of the towers, leading to the right and south, back into the woods. Follow the trail for a quarter-mile, and the cemetery will be on the right.
 

 5. World's Largest Stained Glass Window

The worlds largest stained glass window at Resurrection Cemetery in IllinoisYour next attraction is due North a bit on 294 and happens to be yet another cemetery in the town of Justice, Illinois. While there are reports of paranormal happenings here, Resurrection Cemetery is also known for something of more significant beauty: the world's largest stained glass window. The window is recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records as being 22,381 square feet in area and assembled from 2,248 individual panels of glass. The art features significant events from history, including the Garden of Eden, Atomic Explosions, Airplanes, Skyscrapers and even depictions of space exploration.

Address: 7200 Archer Road, Justice, Illinois

Directions: I-55 exits 282 or 282-A. East across the river on Hwy 171/Archer Ave., then bear right and continue south on Hwy 171. Resurrection Cemetery entrance is on the left at 71st St. The Mausoleum can easily be seen from the road.
 

 6. Al Capone's Grave 

A black and white picture of gangster Al CaponeOkay, okay- last graveyard, we promise. But this one is much more historically relevant. Hillside, Illinois is home to Mount Caramel Cemetery, the gravesite of one of America's most notorious gangsters: Al Capone. You can't miss the gigantic Capone family monument on the grounds, which makes for a great photo opportunity. Visitors to the site will sometimes pay their respects to Capone by leaving pennies, booze, or other trinkets on his grave.

 Address:1400 S Wolf Rd, Hillside, IL 60162

Directions: Enter Mount Carmel Cemetery from Roosevelt Rd and make a right. It's about six graves down and on the right side. A large grey headstone reads "Capone."
 

 

 

7. The World's First McDonalds

In 1955, Ray Kroc opened his very first McDonalds restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. Kroc considered this particular restaurant to be his favorite, and it was continuously updated and remodeled until 1984, the year that Ray Kroc died. In 1985, the location stopped serving food and was rebuilt as an identical match to the original 1955 design. But, don't expect to buy a Big Mac here- the location no longer serves food. A picture of the first McDonalds restaurant to open

Up until 2008, visitors could enter the building to explore the McDonalds franchise history and to be reminded of Ray Kroc's legacy. But, due to continuous flooding in the area, the restaurant and it's nostalgic interior can now only be viewed from the outside. Still, it's a great opportunity to stand in the presence of some true, American history.

Address: 400 Lee Street, Des Plaines, Illinois

Directions: On the west side of Lee St./US Hwys 45 & 12, just south of where US Hwys 45 & 12 split, and just north of US Hwy 14/Miner St.
 

8. Cheese Castle? Yep- Must Be Wisconsin

If you've ever driven up I-94 into Wisconsin, you've likely noticed the Mars Cheese Castle once you approach the Kenosha area. If you haven't taken some time to explore the castle, it's well worth the detour! Of course, you can expect a royally generous cheese selection, but the castle boasts a full restaurant and bar, a gift shop, and some truly unique photo opportunities. The mars cheese castle located in kenosha wisconsin

 
 
Directions: I-94 exit 340, on the southwest side of the freeway.
 

 

 

9. A Really Big Bull 

A giant bull sitting in front of a car dealership

This next attraction has absolutely no historical significance, but there's just something about a 15-foot tall bull sitting in front of a car dealership. The giant steer- and apparently two of it's siblings- belonged to a restaurant called Black Angus, but now this one works in vehicle sales at adjacent car dealership, Frontier Motor Cars. The story behind the bull is a bit vague, and it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what the inspiration behind the piece was, but it's still an unusual find. Just stop by and take a photo- there's no other place you can find this much bull outside of your office.

 

 

Address: 5150 South 27th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Directions: Frontier Motor Cars, East side of S. 27th St. just south of Edgerton Ave.
 

10. The Bronze Fonz

Your last roadside attraction will take you a bit further beyond the Harley-Davidson Museum, but you can't say that you truly experienced Milwaukee until you've met Arthur Fonzarelli. You likely know him best by his nickname, "The Fonz," from the iconic television show, Happy Days. Sadly, you won't find Henry Winkler strolling along the Milwaukee River Walk (though he did attend the unveiling of his statue), but instead, a bronze statue commemorating the classic, fictional Milwaukee native.Henry Winkler posing for a picture beside a bronze statue of Arthur Fonzarelli, also known as fonzie, from tv show happy days.Known to the locals as The Bronze Fonz, the statue was completed in 2008 by sculptor Gerald Sawyer, in all bronze to resemble an Oscar statue. But, just before the unveiling of the statue, the city of Milwaukee decided they wanted The Fonz to be portrayed with his iconic leather jacket and white undershirt.Now, spectators are free to stroll along the Milwaukee River Walk and pose for a photo with the one and only Arthur Fonzarelli- and no trip to Milwaukee would be complete without it.

A bronze statue of arthur fonzarelli from tv show happy days in milwaukee wisconsin

 

 

Address: 117 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Directions: Milwaukee River Walk just south of Wells Street. East side of river. FROM THE SOUTH: I-43 exit 72C. At the end of the ramp turn right onto 6th St., then make an immediate left 
onto Wells St. Drive three blocks, cross the river, and the Fonz will be on the far side, on the right. FROM THE NORTH: I-43 exit 72E. Drive south three blocks, then turn left onto Wells St. Drive three blocks, cross the river, and the Fonz will be on the far side, on the right.
 
 

Topics: Rides, Road Trip, harley davidson


8 Solutions To The Most Frequently Asked Infotainment System Questions

Posted by Dan Novit

Jun 27, 2018 5:54:45 PM

There's nothing nearly as refreshing as cruising down a long stretch of country road on your Road Glide®- or any HarleyDavidson® touring bike- while blaring your favorite tunes and breathing in the scenic landscape. While the wind-splitting adrenaline and natural wonder alone can be enough to satisfyyour craving for freedom, Harley-Davidson leaves riders no room for hunger with the factory-standard Infotainment System on select touring models.

Harley Davidson InfotainmentIn typical H-D® fashion, the Boom!™ Box Infotainment System was designed to enhance the riding experience by bringing together modern bluetooth capabilities and a sophisticated navigation system into one convenient package. But with so much to offer, riders can sometimes be overwhelmed with the vast assortment of features and options.

When you purchase a Harley-Davidson touring bike, you’re making an exciting investment, and the last thing we- here at Southside Harley-Davidson- would want is for you to miss out on some of the Infotainment system’s most beneficial features hidden right under your nose. That’s why we’re going to take some time to address some of your most frequently asked questions about the system in the following how-to guide.

First, keep in mind that there are two Boom! Box Infotainment models available. You’ll notice that the 6.5 model comes equipped with navigation, which we will be discussing below. The 4.3 model isn’t equipped with navigation, but we’ll also be digging in to some of the coolest bluetooth features of the Infotainment System, which will apply to both models.

1. How do I enter an address into my navigation system?

We’ve received quite a few questions regarding this particular topic here at ISSHD. That’s because entering the address of your destination is a bit different on the Infotainment System. Many GPS systems are designed for users to key the desired address in the format of street number > street > city > state. But the Infotainment navigation system was designed for address entry in the reverse format, state > city > street > street number.

You may be wondering why the system was designed this way. Well, the Infotainment navigation system will auto-populate your state first, recognizing your current GPS location. This makes it easier for the system to auto-populate your most probable intended destination.

2. How do I find nearby points of interest?

If you’re on the road and you’re ready to fill up your tank
(or your stomach), Infotainment makes it easy for you to find nearby locations by choosing from more than 65 point of interest categories. You simply select
POI from the main navigation menu, and then select category. You can even select Spell Name to manually enter a POI category, such as “gas,” “food,” or “hotel.”

If your system is already navigating to a specific destination, you can search a POI around that area, or you can select Near Your Location from the POI menu to find what you’re looking for nearby or along your current route.

Another cool POI feature is the Dealerships category, which is easily accessible on the main navigation menu. This tool utilizes your current GPS location to populate a list of Harley-Davidson dealerships nearest to you with just one touch. Let’s see your Garmin do that.

The POI menu is full of handy little features to help you find and navigate to any place you’d like to go. Don’t be afraid to take some time to play around and get acquainted with the system.

3. Is there a cost to use the Infotainment navigation features?

No- there is absolutely no charge for using your Boom! Box navigation system. However, maps are updated annually and these updates are available for an additional charge. We recommend purchasing updates so your map data is up to date (there’s nothing worse than navigating to a nearby pub only to find out that they shut down a year prior). Talk to one of our Harley-Davidson Service Advisors for more information.                                          

4. How do I pair my Bluetooth compatible phone?

First, you’ll want to make sure that the Bluetooth option on your phone is turned on and that it is “discoverable.” Then, you’ll need to get to the Add New Device screen on your Infotainment system. You can get to this screen a few different ways, but the quickest will be to start from your home screen and select Com > Phone > List Paired Device > Add New Device.

At this point, the system will search for and populate a list of devices to connect with. Simply select the device you’d like to pair, and follow the prompts on the screen. Now, the system will likely ask you to confirm that both your phone and Infotainment system both display a matching PIN code.

Once you confirm this, you’ll be prompted to enter an emergency contact (you can opt out, if you wish), and- vaula!- you’re paired up and ready to go.

5. How do I stream music from my device through the Infotainment system?

Of course, you need some tunes to rock while you roll. Once you’ve paired your device, as described in the previous step, simply select Media from the home screen and select your device from the list. Now, just launch the app you wish to stream from your phone (Pandora, Spotify, etc.) and your music will stream through your Boom! Box audio system.

6. Why can’t I hear the music I’m streaming through my Infotainment system?

If you’ve followed each step properly, but you can’t hear your music through your Infotainment system, make sure the volume on your device is turned up to the loudest level. If not, music may not stream properly through your system.

7. Why can’t the person on the other end of my call hear me speaking to them?

In order to make and receive phone calls properly through your Infotainment system, you’ll need a compatible headset. Without one, you’ll be able to hear your contact through your Infotainment system, but they won’t be able to hear you. For the best quality and seamless compatibility, we recommend the Boom! Audio 20S Evo Bluetooth® Helmet Headset. Learn more about Bluetooth Headset Connectivity by watching the videos below, and don't forget to stop in or fill out the form below for more information regarding the best options for you!

                                   

Want more information? Ask one of our experts now!

 

8. Can my passenger also pair their Bluetooth device to the infotainment system?

Yes! Not only can you pair both the rider and passenger devices, but you can also designate each of the devices intended purpose through your Infotainment display. In other words, one device can be streaming music while the other can be used for phone calls.

Setting this up is as simple as pairing the second device (as described earlier). You can then assign the purpose for each of the devices on the List Paired Devices screen. On each of the paired devices, an icon will display whether that device is assigned to music or phone.

So, there you have it. If your specific question wasn’t addressed, we would love to hear from you and get you the answer you’re looking for!

Contact Us       

Topics: GPS, Audio & Communication, harley davidson, Navigation, Bluetooth


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