Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin
The Midwest is a huge and very fascinating part of America, and is made up of 11 wildly diverse states. Six of those states can claim a shoreline on Lakes Erie, Superior, Huron or Michigan. Collectively that adds up to some of the most glorious scope of road trips and amazing landscapes & scenery.
When you peer at a map of the Midwest, your eye is usually drawn to one city. Chicago is a vast metropolis, the urban jewel of Illinois, crammed with great bars, restaurants, galleries and sports teams. It is a gateway to the Midwest. But it is not a sole attraction. Some of the country’s most intriguing cities are found here. Aside from Chicago, you can enjoy fine culture and food in Detroit (Michigan), Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati (Ohio), Indianapolis (Indiana), Minneapolis and St Paul (Minnesota), St Louis and Kansas City (Missouri), Milwaukee and Green Bay (Wisconsin) and Des Moines (Iowa).
The landscape continues to thrill as the Midwest forges west. Iowa has its own Great Lakes region, Missouri has the protected Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Nebraska has the high dunes of Sand Hills. Then there are the rugged Badlands of North Dakota and South Dakota – the latter sheltering Mount Rushmore, with its carved presidential faces.
The diverse landscape of the Midwest is a haven for wildlife and outdoor recreation; from its Great Lakes to vast prairies and rising sand dunes to the Dakota Badlands. Spot eagles along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin or at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois, plus catch spectacular bird displays in Nebraska and North Dakota. The deep lakes of South Dakota provide excellent fishing and sailing, whilst miles of trails and river routes across the Midwest are perfect for road trips, camping, cycling, hiking, kayaking and much more.
The Midwest is a fantastic place to experience the multi-cultural heritage of America. Authentic Native American tribal culture abounds in South Dakota (including the Crazy Horse Memorial), whilst Nebraska is proud of its cowboy roots. Iowa is home to a vibrant Dutch community, whilst Wisconsin has bragging rights on beer and bratwurst that rivals Germany. Take a trip into the world’s largest Amish community in Ohio or sample internationally-inspired food and drink in cities across the Midwest.
It is a region rich in history and innovation – its museums, memorials and attractions should not be overlooked. Drive the Lewis and Clark trail through North Dakota and visit the Presidential faces of iconic Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial in neighboring South Dakota. Travelers should head down Missouri’s Highway 36 – the Way of American Genius – for the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, or visit Ohio for museums dedicated to the birth of aviation, and the world famous Wright Brothers.
The Midwest is perfect for families. Whether it’s a resort-style holiday at the Rollercoaster Capital of the World (Cedar Point, Ohio) or making a splash at the water parks of Wisconsin and Iowa. The rivers, lakes and streams that span the Midwest offer numerous camping opportunities and the chance to get active and enjoy the great outdoors in, for example, Minnesota or the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Michigan. A rich Civil War history has led to world-class museums and attractions – ideal for all the family.
Trending Cities:
Ann Arbor, Baraboo, Madison, Berlin, Bloomington, Branson, Cedar Rapids, Chadron, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus OH, Columbus, Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Duluth, Fargo, Fargo,Fort Wayne, Galena, Grand Forks, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Iowa City, Jefferson City, Kansas City,La Crosse, Lansing, Lincoln, Mackinac Island, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Mitchell, Nebraska City, New Harmony, North Platte, Ogallala, Omaha, Pierre, Rochester, Rockford, Sandusky, Shipshewana, Sioux City, South Bend, Spring Green, Springfield, St. Joseph, St. Louis, St. Paul, Toledo, Wall, Washburn, Wisconsin Dells.
Highlights:
Apostle Islands, Badlands National Park, Black Hills, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Cahokia Mounds State Historic and World Heritage Site, Carillon Historical Park, Cedar Point Amusement Park, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Chicago History Museum, Circus World Museum, Columbus Zoo, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Devils Lake, Frontenac State Park, Great Lakes Aquarium, Great Lakes Science Center, Harley Davidson Museum, Henry Ford Museum, Hopewell Culture national Historical Park, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Iron Range, Kelleys Island State Park, Lake Erie Islands, Lake Michigan Shore, Lincoln Home and national Historic Site, Lincoln Park Zoo, The Loop, Mackinac Island State Park, Magnificent Mile, Mississippi River, Motown Historical Museum, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Ohio River Valley, Peninsula State Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Pipestone National Monument, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park,Schrock’s Amish Farm, Serpent Mound, Shawnee National Forest,Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, University of Norte Dame, Upper Peninsula, Voyageurs National Park, Washington Island, Wrigley Field.