Places to Visit in the Midwest States (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WI)

Fun Midwest Cities to Visit

The two most popular and most fun cities Midwest cities to visit are the cities of St. Louis and Chicago. These two international cities are loaded to capacity with fun things to do, historic sites, nearby parks and recreation, theme parks, and an endless number of tourist attractions.

St. Louis, located in the state of Missouri, is a beautiful city that serves as an architectural, sports, and cultural center for the state and for the region. There are more than 100 parks that are always filled with trees, flowers, and people enjoying the beautiful weather and the great outdoors. The city has its fair share of museums, rock climbing walls, children's activities, zoos, and cultural events

Chicago, the larger Midwestern city, is located in Illinois. Amidst farm land and rural towns, Chicago stands out for its huge metropolitan area, world-class architecture, and large population. It is a world center for finance and business and a cultural center filled with entertainment, night life, and family-friendly activities. All in all, Chicago is one of the tourist destinations that you just can't go wrong with.

Building an itinerary is either of these cities is simple. There are major not-to-be-missed attractions, like St. Louis' Gateway Arch or the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago, and then there are the museums, the parks, and the trendy restaurants and theaters that have a never-ending buzz of excitement and action well into the night.

Midwest Tourist Attractions

There's more to do in the Midwest than just visit the big cities. This is a huge, vast area with lots to do, no matter what your interest. For example, the Great Lakes are mostly contained in this region—there's a laundry list of Midwest tourist attractions right there! The lakes are great (in the summer at least) for swimming, boating, jet skiing, and parasailing. Fishing and ice fishing on the lakes is available year round. Mackinac Island is a favorite vacation spot, as are nearby rivers and ponds. White water rafting in the Midwest region is a popular pastime. With all the water in the northern part of the Midwest, you'll have no trouble finding summer activities, and come winter time, many of the lakes and ponds offer ice skating.

You can also find outdoor and indoor rock climbing options in the Midwest.

You can't talk about Midwest tourist attractions without talking about the great Mall of America. Located in Bloomington, a Twin City suburb, the Mall of America is a must-do on any travel itinerary. More shops than you can imagine line the multiple stories of this mall mega center. There are amusement park rides, restaurants, kids' activities, movie theaters, and hotels—right at the mall! Where else can you eat, sleep, shop, and have fun all under one roof?

Midwest Places to Visit

Looking for Midwest places to visit that are a bit off the beaten path? Sure, you could spend all your time at museums, malls, and amusement parks, but what about the great outdoors? A trip to Arkansas, for example, would be incomplete without a visit to Blanchard Springs Caverns a fascinating cave system in the Ozark National Forest. Eureka Springs and the city of Little Rock are other fun places to visit in Arkansas.

Silver Dollar City, Missouri is another fun Midwest place to visit. Located near Branson, the "Hollywood of the Midwest," this 1880's themed park is a must-see for family vacationers.

The parks, the caves, the rivers, the lakes, and of course the man-made tourist attractions make the Midwest one of the beloved vacation spots in America. It is, after all, the heart of America—you're bound to find something here you love!
Places to Visit in Kansas City, St. Louis, Branson and the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas Places to Visit in Kansas City, St. Louis, Branson and the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas
Favorite places to visit in Missouri and Arkansas are Arrow Rock, Missouri, Blanchard Springs Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Carthage, Missouri, Cathedral Basillica of Saint Louis, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, Paddle Wheel Cruises, Saint Charles, Missouri, Sainte Genevieve, Missouri and , Silver Dollar City, Missouri.
Places to Visit in Great Lakes, Traverse City, Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island, Northern Michigan Places to Visit in Great Lakes, Traverse City, Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island, Northern Michigan
The Grayling Area is northeast of Midland, approximately 19 miles west of Saginaw Bay, and best known for several crystal-clear rivers, among them the Au Sable and the Manistee.
Places to Visit in Chicago IL, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison Places to Visit in Chicago IL, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison
If you think Chicago is the only draw for this region, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much else the region has to offer. There is a lot to do in the Windy City, but the other cities like Milwaukee and Madison, and the resort areas like Lake Geneva and Wisconsin Dells, will charm you and fill your days as well.
Places to Visit in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area Places to Visit in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area
A few of the best places to visit in Minnesota are Bemidji, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Downtown Minneapolis, Grand Marais, Lanesboro, Mall of America, North Shore Highway, Red Wing, Rice Park, St. Croix River Valley, and Stillwater, Summit Avenue.
Places to Visit in Sturgis, Deadwood, Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City and the South Dakota Badlands Places to Visit in Sturgis, Deadwood, Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City and the South Dakota Badlands
Top places to visit in the South Dakota Badlands are Deadwood, SD, Homestake Gold Mine, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Wall Drug.

Major Tourist Attractions in the Region

Navy Pier - Chicago, Illinois
Table Rock Lake - Branson, Missouri
Things to Do in Lake Geneva, WI
Wisconsin Dells, WI Vacation Spots
Branson, Missouri Tourist Attractions
The Sears Tower - Chicago, Illinois
Things to Do in Madison, WI
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - South Dakota
Downtown Minneapolis Things to Do - Minnesota
Things to Do in Stillwater, MN
Chicago's Magnificent Mile - Chicago, Illinois
Mackinac Island, Michigan Tourist Attractions
Marquette, Michigan Tourist Attractions
Red Wing, MN Vacation Spots
Wall Drug - Wall, South Dakota
Deadwood, SD Vacation Spots
Grand Marais, Minnesota Vacation Spots
The Hancock Observatory - Chicago, Illinois
Bemidji, MN Tourist Attractions
Manistee, MI Vacation Spots
Soo Locks - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Blanchard Springs Caverns - Mountain View, Arkansas
Petoskey, Michigan Vacation Spots
Bay View, Michigan Vacation Spots
Things to Do in Carthage, Missouri
Mall of America - Twin Cities, Minnesota
Things to Do in Hermann, Missouri