Things to do in the Midwest

The Midwest boasts stunning lakes, beach areas, city attractions and beautiful green areas that the Midwest states can truly be proud of.

The Midwest region is certainly a paradise for outdoor pursuits so, there are lots of cool things to do in Midwest throughout the year. Below we have rounded up a list of great things to do in the Midwest during the summer and winter months:

Water Parks

As mentioned earlier, the Midwest may not boast a coastal area but that doesn’t mean you can’t cool off in one of the region's water parks such as Wisconsin Dells.

Things to do over the Summer Vacation in the States

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells may be a bit of a tourist trap for some folks but visiting one of Wisconsin Dells water parks is one of the best family things to do in the Midwest in summer as the area boasts great family resorts such as the Kalahari Resort which boasts an African theme.

There are also dozens of indoor and outdoor water parks that you can visit such as Noah’s Ark which is a huge outdoor water park that boasts a ton of water slides, fun bumper boats and live music entertainment.

By the way, Wisconsin Dells isn't just one of the most popular vacation spots in the Midwest in the summer. Another popular thing to do in Wisconsin Dells in the winter is to visit a ski resort such as Devils Head and Christmas Mountain Village for a fun ski vacation with the family.

Top 10 Places to Ski in the US

If you do visit Wisconsin Dells in the winter, be sure your trip coincides with the annual Wisconsin Dells Flake Out Festival January 23rd to see the amazing snow sculpture competition.

Midwest Lakes

Besides visiting a water park, another of the popular things to in the Midwest is to visit a lake for a bit of sailing and fishing.

Things to do for fun in Minnesota while on vacation

Things to do in Lake of the Ozarks MO

There are many Midwestern lakes to choose from, though visiting Lake of the Ozarks Missouri is no doubt one of the most popular things to do in the Midwest for spring break as it’s home to the popular Party Cove where some of the wildest boat parties are known to take place.

Besides spring break season, Lake of the Ozarks is a popular family destination in the US during the summer months as the area offers a ton of opportunities for fun activities like boating, fishing, camping and even visit some wineries.

Having said this, if you’re really looking for a proper lake vacation, there is no doubt that Michigan’s Great Lakes area is the most popular vacation destinations in the US.

Things to do in the Great Lakes area include:

-Scenic Drive: Taking a scenic drive or road trip along the stunning Great Lakes Circle Tour route which takes past beautiful waterfalls, parks and breathtaking lookout points such as Chateau Chantal winery in the Old Mission Peninsula which offers memorable views of Grand Traverse Bay.

Most Scenic Drives in the US

-Cruising: Enjoying a cruise of the Great Lakes aboard a cruise ship is another of the popular things to do in the Midwest. The Great Lakes Cruise Company is one of the most popular cruise companies to use as it offers cruise ship tours of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and the Great American Waterways.

Best Beaches on Lake Michigan

-Sailing: Learning how to sail a boat is another popular thing to do in the Midwest Great Lakes. There are plenty of sailing schools to choose from such as Fair Wind in Lake Erie New York, and Northern Breezes in Lake Superior Minnesota.

Places to Visit along Lake Erie Ohio

-Fishing: when it comes to lake vacations, fishing is without a doubt the most popular things to do in the Midwest, and the Great Lakes area will have you spoiled for choice! There are many nice fishing spots within the Great Lakes area such as Gun Lake near Grand Rapids, and Portage Lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Things to do in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

If you’re not a seasoned fisherman, but still want to give it a go you can always hire a fishing charter with companies such as Silver King Charters in Milwaukee, Nicky Boy Charters in Port Washington, and Sea Breeze Lake Erie Charters in Port Clinton.

City Attractions

Visiting Midwestern cities’ attractions is without a doubt, some of the most popular things to do in the Midwest region. Top attractions in the region include:

-Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky Ohio