The Midwest is understood for a couple of issues: ranch dressing (yep, even on pizza!), cornfields, and tremendous pleasant individuals. Should you haven’t considered taking a highway journey within the Midwest, our high 7 midwest highway journey picks can have you packing up your automobile to your subsequent journey:

7. Chicago to St. Louis Alongside Route 66

Each of those Midwestern cities are stellar locations in themselves, however there may be a lot to see in between whereas driving alongside the unique Route 66 (now I-55).

• Chicago: You can’t begin your journeys in Chi-town with out occurring a ship structure tour or at the least spending a part of your day exploring the Artwork Institute of Chicago.
• Starved Rock State Park: Within the small city of Utica, you will discover climbing trails that result in canyons and waterfalls. The park is gorgeous all 12 months spherical (sure, even within the winter when the waterfalls freeze!), however the most effective time to go is within the fall when the leaves are altering shade.
• Pontiac, Illinois: House to the Route-66 Corridor of Fame and Museum, this city is filled with Route-66 memorabilia and murals. Be certain to take an image with the World’s Largest Lined Wagon when you’re there!
• Springfield, Illinois: If you wish to break up the Four 1/2 hour drive, this is a superb in a single day cease. As Illinois capital, Springfield is dwelling to loads of historic websites, together with the childhood dwelling of Abraham Lincoln.

6. Davenport, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska

Take Interstate 80 from Davenport to Omaha and also you’re certain to search out loads of hidden gems. Ever questioned the place the world’s largest truck cease is? Yep, it’s in Iowa, proper on I-80!

• Maquoketa Caves: Earlier than getting too far west, a brief detour will take you to Maquoketa Caves State Park, dwelling to a 1,100 foot “dancehall cave” and a 17-ton “balanced rock”.
• McIntosh Woods State Park: Guests can “glamp” in a yurt proper on Clear Lake. Be certain to order your yurt forward of time, as they’re very talked-about and e-book quick!
• Excessive Trestle Path: 28-miles of trails to discover, together with some spectacular bridges.
• Lover’s Leap Swinging Bridge: An 8-story excessive bridge which has some nice views.
• Stony Creek Resort: The final Frank Lloyd Write resort on the earth–a terrific cease for structure fanatics.

5. St. Louis to Kansas Metropolis, Missouri

St. Louis is a Midwestern hub of artwork and tradition in itself, making it a terrific launching level for an epic Missouri highway journey.

• Metropolis Museum in St. Louis: Take a look at this artwork installation-meets-adult playground that’s made from salvaged architectural objects.
• Lake of the Ozarks: This can be a area of Missouri filled with climbing trails, ponds, and lakefront enjoyable. Go on a cave tour and see the spectacular limestone formations or just spend a day on the lake basking within the solar.
• Columbia: Be certain to cease at Rock Bridge State Park and Finger Lakes State Park for climbing, biking, and extra outside enjoyable. Seeking to keep indoors? Spend a day on the Columbia Artwork League trying out the native artwork and even taking a category.
• Kansas Metropolis: Don’t miss out on the legendary jazz scene by first trying out the American Jazz Museum and possibly even catching a stay present within the night. Are you able to consider a greater option to shut out this epic highway journey?

4. The Black Hills in South Dakota

This basic highway journey is absolutely one for the books. It’s advisable to take at the least 7-10 days to drive by way of The Black Hills in South Dakota, just because there may be a lot to see.

• Badlands Nationwide Park: Drive the scenic 39-mile loop, which boasts 16 superb overlooks. The park itself has a lot to do and see, making it the right place to begin your journey.
• Wind Caves Nationwide Park: Adventurous souls can discover what distinctive rock formations lie throughout the caves.
• Sizzling Springs, South Dakota: Ten minutes away from Wind Caves you will discover not just some superior scorching spring points of interest but in addition one of many world’s biggest fossil treasures, a mammoth sinkhole.
• Mt. Rushmore: A bucket-list highway journey cease, together with the Loopy Horse Memorial. A brief 0.6-mile hike will take you nearer to the president’s faces, however a extra uncommon website is the overlook on SD-244 the place you’ll be able to see Washington’s profile.

Take a look at our full South Dakota highway journey itinerary right here!

3. Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells

Ah, Wisconsin. The land of cheese curds, Blue Moon beer, and ultra-enthusiastic soccer followers. Appears like the right place to kick off a highway journey, proper?

• Milwaukee: This metropolis is understood for having a number of the greatest breweries within the nation, so for those who’re a beer-enthusiast ensure to take a look at Lakefront for a tour. The metropolis can also be dwelling to the oldest bowling alley in the USA and a haunted live performance corridor that could be a must-visit for music followers.
• Madison: Expertise its many lakes–you’ll be able to even take a tour to be taught extra about how organizations are working to maintain them clear!
• Eugster’s Farmers Market: If you wish to get a style of the most effective produce that Wisconsin has to supply, head 15 minutes south of Madison to Eugster’s. The market isn’t open within the winter, however does have produce accessible within the spring, summer time and fall.
• Home on the Rock: Positioned in Spring Inexperienced, that is an eclectic maze-like interactive museum with surprises at each flip.
• Wisconsin Dells: Take a tour both by home and carriage, boat, or the well-known Wisconsin “geese“.
• Satan’s Lake State Park: Get out for an epic hike or go kayaking and canoeing at Mirror Lake State Park, which is shut by.
• Worldwide Crane Basis: Take a look at the cranes and be taught extra about conservation efforts within the space.

2. Michigan – The Mitten to the UP

Michigan is brimming with outside actions and hidden gems. From as far south because the Indiana border to as far north because the Canadian border, you will discover a wealth of pure wonders and eclectic small cities that make Michigan a magical highway journey vacation spot.

• New Buffalo: Shut sufficient to Chicago to be handy for city-dwellers however far sufficient to really feel like one other world, this city is minutes away from Warren Dunes State Park and has a neat European Farmer’s Market that locals love.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes: Positioned proper outdoors lovely Traverse Metropolis, spend a day (or two!) climbing any one of many trails at Sleeping Bear.
• Ocqueoc Falls: Earlier than you head to the Higher Peninsula, think about resting for the night time at Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground the place picturesque waterfalls await you.
• Canyon Falls: Referred to as Michigan’s personal model of the Grand Canyon, this breathtaking waterfall is located south of L’Anse, off US 41 within the Higher Peninsula.
• Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore: The Higher Peninsula has loads of pure wonders to discover, together with the varied scenic websites at Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore.

1. Minnesota’s North Shore

Northern Minnesota is a treasure trove of pure magnificence. This fast highway journey will take you alongside the shore of Lake Superior on Minnesota State Freeway 61.

• Tettegouche State Park: Positioned close to Silver Bay is the picturesque Tettegouche State Park, which boasts stellar waterfalls, climbing, mountaineering, and year-round tenting.
• Break up Rock Lighthouse: A must-see location well-known for its historical past, Break up Rock is one other North Shore vacation spot that showcases the fantastic thing about Lake Superior.
• Palisade Head: Simply an hour north of Deluth, you’ll discover this 932-foot excessive cliff towering over Lake Superior which attracts loads of website seers in addition to rock climbers.
• Gunflint Scenic Byway: If you wish to take a detour and extent your journey a bit longer, think about taking this scenic route. It’ll take you thru the Superior Nationwide Forest the place you will discover quick offshoots that result in campgrounds, lakes, and locations to canoe.

Whether or not you’re from the Midwest or have been inquisitive about touring there, we hope this checklist conjures up the highway tripper in you to get out and discover. Who is aware of, possibly you’ll uncover your new favourite climbing path, tenting spot, or quirky small city!

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