Family Vacations: Midwest
Family vacations to the Midwest -- Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and both Dakota's -- entice with destinations like Cedar Point in Ohio, home to the world's tallest, fastest rollercoasters, and Conner Prairie in Indiana, one of the nation's most calm natural landscapes.
 ©2007 NPS Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of Michigan's best-kept secrets. |
Seek all-out-exciting trip or a quiet weekend by visiting the links below, and find Mobil-rated family-friendly hotels and restaurants that will help you plan your trip in advance.
Illinois
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Springfield, Illinois, is home to President Lincoln's humble log cabin and his impressive library.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Kids head directly for the armor or miniature collections at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Chicago Blues
Chicago's Blues Festival celebrates the genre with a festival in June that spotlights the region's legendary performers and songs.
Chicago International Children's Film Festival
Films for -- and sometimes by -- children are celebrated in a lively Chicago festival in October.
Magnificent Mile
Those few who aren't interested in shopping on this legendary street can still be delighted by its architecture, entertainment, eateries and diversions.
Millennium Park
A reclaimed Brownfield becomes a coveted city space in downtown Chicago's Millennium Park.
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry lets kids explore lots of machinery.
Navy Pier
The giant Ferris wheel attracts kids to Navy Pier, activities and restaurants keep families there all day and night.
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago's famed Shedd Aquarium was the nation's first inland water museum, and remains a beloved landmark.
Wrigley Field
Chicago's vintage baseball field features an old-fashioned feel, and a few lovable quirks.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago's Lincoln Park lights up during the holidays, offering events, ice sculptures and guided tours to visitors.
Indiana
Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a bright world of exploration.
College Football Hall of Fame
South Bend, Indiana, celebrates the spirit, legends and heroes of college football.
Conner Prairie
Work the fields as they did in the 1800s at Conner Prairie, Indiana's living history museum.
Holiday World
In Santa Claus, Indiana, preschoolers have a special place to play at Holiday World.
Indianapolis 500 and the Finish Line 500 Festival
The days leading up to Memorial Day Weekend mark the Indianapolis 500 and the Finish Line 500 Festival.
Iowa
Amana Colonies
Visit the Amana Colonies, one of the most successful communal colonies in American history.
Bridges of Madison County
The bridges that crisscross the waters of Madison County draw visitors who seek romance.
Iowa State Fair
Traditional fair competitions as well as a rubber chicken-throwing contest highlight the Iowa State Fair.
Kansas
Dodge City
Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City shows kids what Front Street was like in 1876, a rough-and-tumble tour of the Old West.
The Oz Museum
A visit to the Oz Museum is like stepping into the story, with witches, flying monkeys, and munchkin memorabilia.
Michigan
Frankenmuth
It's Christmas all year long in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and families arrive for a dose of holiday cheer and fried chicken dinners.
Grand Hotel
Michigan's Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is a charming masterpiece of old-fashioned luxury.
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
Dearborn, Michigan, celebrates innovation at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.
Mackinac Bridge
Connecting Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas and is nearly five miles long.
Mackinac Island
Northern Michigan's car-free island welcomes visitors for a historic retreat.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Lake Superior's shoreline features sculpted sandstone cliffs, best seen by boat tour.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Lake Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a favorite for families.
Tulip Time Festival
Holland, Michigan, pays tribute to its Dutch ancestry with a tulip festival held in the shadows of its picturesque windmills.
Minnesota
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers 1,200 miles of canoe routes.
Children's Theater Company
The Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis presents classics as well as forward-thinking works.
Mall of America
A gigantic mall with roller coasters, the Mall of America features a four-story Lego play area.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the country.
St. Paul Winter Carnival
Button up their coats and get the kids out at the St. Paul Winter Carnival, a celebration in the city streets.
Missouri
Branson
The Live Music Show Capital of the World, Branson, Missouri thrills with musicals, amusement parks -- and go-cart tracks.
The Gateway Arch
From the Gateway Arch's observation area, see the gateway to the Old West.
Kaleidoscope
Kansas City's Hallmark Cards invites children into Kaleidoscope to create in a world developed just for them.
The Magic House
In St. Louis, kids are encouraged to play in this unusual Victorian house-made-museum called the Magic House.
St. Louis Zoo
Kids get up close to animals at the St. Louis Zoo, an imaginative place thoughtfully designed with kids in mind.
Nebraska
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historic Park
Memorabilia from his Wild West shows make a visit to Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historic Park a treat.
Carhenge
A place where cars mystically Chimney Rock
Its rising spire can be seen from the Oregon Trail and it also serves as the place where the plains give way to the Rockies.
Chimney Rock
Standing out as a landmark in the landscape, Chimney Rock has long oriented travelers.
Henry Doorley Zoo
A glass dome and a glass tunnel allow visitors at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo to walk into animal habitats.
North Dakota
Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Mandan
Visit this authentic fort on the American frontier that was once the most important stop on the Northern Plains.
International Peace Garden
Stand in two countries at once in a garden that celebrates peace between the U.S. and Canada.
North Dakota State Capitol
Bismark's tallest building is an Art Deco gem that stands out in the town and on the prairie.
Ohio
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Superlatives abound at Cedar Point Amusement Park where the tallest, fastest, and highest coasters lure visitors.
Cincinnati Museum Center
An old train station comes to life as a museum center, where kids can explore science and fun.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
In Ohio, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center tells the story of the road to freedom.
Paramount's Kings Island
Rides themed on Paramount movies attract visitors to Paramount's Kings Island on Southwestern Ohio.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival
In August, fans descend on Canton, Ohio, to revel at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Rock stars' report cards amuse kids who visit Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Serpent Mound
Ancient people formed this snake into the land, and visitors arrive to wonder at its origins.
South Dakota
Crazy Horse Memorial
Begun in 1948, the Crazy Horse Memorial is a nine-story sculpture being carved into the Black Hills.
Mammoth Site
Kids can participate in a dig where more than fifty mammoth skeletons have been found.
Mount Rushmore
More than 5,700 feet tall, Mount Rushmore is stunning to witness by day, and at its nightly lighting ceremony.
Sturgis
The little town of Sturgis throws a big party each year, welcoming revelers to its streets to shop, play, and celebrate.
Wind Cave National Park
Visitors to Wind Cave National Park come to see - and hear - one of the world's longest and most complex cave systems.
Wisconsin
Apostle Island National Lakeshore
In northern Wisconsin, this group of 21 islands is a summertime ritual for visitors who arrive to explore nature and play.
Door County
Charming cottages populate this Lake Michigan peninsula near Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion
Ornate, roomy, and a bit fascinating, the Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee reflects a Flemish style and gives insight to the man behind the brand.
Jelly Belly Warehouse Tour
Tour, and of course taste, during the Jelly Belly Warehouse Tour in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
Lambeau Field
To fans, it's not just a stadium, it's an experience. Visit the hallowed stomping grounds of the Packers and find out more about Wisconsin's beloved team.
Taliesin
Frank Lloyd Wright's sublime creation is a National Historic Landmark offering tours and opportunities to learn more about Wright's philosophies.
Wisconsin Dells
The Wisconsin Dells lures families with more than a dozen waterparks and many attractions.
Northern Wisconsin's summers are short, so families take advantage of every free moment at destinations like the Wisconsin Dells. During the winter, Midwesterners look for destinations in the Southwest, where warm skies and dry air make for a relaxing family vacation. Continue to the next page to find out more about family vacations in the Southwest.
Visit the following links to learn about scenic drives or to get recommendations on Mobil Travel Guide's ratings on hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
