Things to do in the Midwest

Here it is a list of my favourite vacation Spots in the Midwest:

Dayton Ohio

Popular for its metro parks, Dayton OH is a top destination for families looking to enjoy many outdoor recreational activities and outdoor pursuits such as fishing, hunting and camping at the nearby Hueston Woods and Caesar Creek state parks. (see places to visit along Lake Erie Ohio)

Kansas City

A Kansas City vacation offers a mixture of both cultural and outdoor attractions. From the popular Worlds of Fun Amusement Park to sporting events and music festivals such as ‘Jazz in the Woods’, Kansas City boast attractions to suit every taste.

Rochester Minnesota

Rochester Minnesota is another popular destination for families with kids and the city boasts both city and out-of-city attractions. For instance, for fishing and canoeing opportunities you can head to Lake George, which is not far from downtown Rochester.

Indianapolis Indiana

If you are motor racing fan, Indianapolis Indiana is home to the famed Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum. Also, if you enjoy state fairs, the city is home to the Indiana State Fair every August where you can enjoy fun exhibits and interesting competitions.

Michigan

The state of Michigan is, hands down, one of my favourite vacation spots in the Midwest because of the pristine scenery and the many interesting places to visit in Michigan such as visiting the lighthouses in Ludington. (see best Beaches on Lake Michigan)

Upper Midwest Tourist Attractions

If you love the outdoors, and looking for amazing areas to explore on a backpacking trip, you'd love Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This region is filled with lovely waterfalls, majestic forests and plenty of natural hiking trails.

Midwest Quick Facts

- Midwestern States are known as the ‘Breadbasket of America’ or the ‘Heartland of America’, due to the fact that more than 40% of the United States crops are grown in this region.

- Midwest cuisine foods consists of hearty meals such as stews accompanied by wheat bread or cornbread.

- The Midwest is characterized by long stretches of flatland and abundant natural resources

- The Midwest accent is the sound most commonly used by TV news broadcasters

- More than a quarter of US Presidents were born in the Midwest

- Midwestern States include North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

- The state of Michigan was the birth place of the automobile, and it is here where you’ll find the Henry Ford Museum.

- Minnesota alone is home to over 10,000 lakes

Vacation Spots in the Midwest: Overview

The Midwest is an outdoors enthusiast paradise boasting many hiking and biking trails, and lakes ideal for kayaking or canoeing tours.

In fact, Midwestern states are also home to some of the best destinations in November for leaf-peepers looking to enjoy the fall foliage.

Midwestern States are also popular for romantic weekend getaways and family vacations. If you’re traveling with kids, the Ozark Mountains are a great spot for an affordable family vacation offering camping, water activities and wildlife opportunities.

Places to go in Michigan in the summer

Apart from outdoor pursuits, the Midwest offers plenty of city attractions if you wish to enjoy an urban-type holiday.


For instance, if you’re looking to enjoy city attractions such as museums and educational places, look no further than Wichita Kansas, Branson Missouri or Chicago Illinois.

In particular, I would suggest visiting Chicago. Apart from being the largest Midwestern city, downtown Chicago attractions are varied and plentiful.

Wisconsin Dells, in the state of Wisconsin, is also a popular destination and it is one of the most popular vacation spots in the Midwest for a summer getaway in the city.

Wisconsin Dells is not only home to the largest outdoor Waterpark but it is also home to a great variety of indoor water parks to choose from.

If you're looking for a destination in the Midwest that offers a nice historic atmosphere as well as recreational opportunities, look no further than Lake Geneva which is one of the most interesting places to visit in Wisconsin.

See. Summer vacation spots in Wisconsin
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Places to visit in the Twin Cities
places to visit in Milwaukee
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Wisconsin
Things to do in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Things to do in Lake of the Ozarks MO
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Click here for more Destinations in Midwest Region

Rochester Minnesota is located south of Minneapolis and west of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. If you are traveling to Rochester Minnesota for the first time, the city is known for the Mayo Clinic, which is one of the best health care centers in the USA.

Places To Go In Minnesota

Due to the city’s conservative nature, Rochester is also known as a great family getaway destination. Apart from the many things to do in Rochester Minnesota, the city is just 60 minutes drive from fun things to do in Minneapolis, and a couple of hours drive from La Crosse WI and fun things to do in Madison WI.

Things to do for fun in Minnesota while on vacation

Things to do in Rochester Minnesota: Outdoor Activities

One of the highlights of a vacation in Rochester Minnesota it’s enjoying the natural scenery and fun outdoor activities at one of the urban parks or nearby state parks.

Urban Parks

Rochester Minnesota is home to over 20 urban parks scattered around the city so if you fancy an early morning jog or an afternoon picnic, you have plenty of parks to choose from.

Some of the biggest urban parks in Rochester Minnesota include Woodside Park, Hawthorne Hills Park and Aborglen Park, which are located north of the city center.

State Parks

Whitewater State Park

If you want to enjoy fun outdoor activities in a more natural scenario during your vacation in Rochester Minnesota, the city is just 20 miles west of Whitewater State Park (around 30 minutes along the US Route 14 East).

The state park features plenty of nature trails for hiking, camping areas and the Whitewater River where you can enjoy fishing and water activities such as canoeing and swimming.

Carley State Park

Carley State Park is a smaller than Whitewater State Park but it also offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as hiking, fishing and camping.

This state park is also great for bird watching and if you travel here during the spring, you can catch beautiful wildflowers carpeting the state park.

Carley State Park is also nearby Rochester and can be quickly reached by car along the US Route 63.

Cycling & Fishing

If you love cycling and are looking for things to do with kids in Rochester Minnesota that doesn’t involve much driving, the city itself has over 50 miles of paved cycling and walking trails that you can ride along.

Alternatively, if you prefer to cycle along natural scenery, you can explore the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley Trails, which run along the Root River.

For a bit of fishing, there are angling opportunities at the nearby Bamber Lake and Lake George, although Bamber Lake is privately owned so you’ll need the permission of the owners if you want fish there.

Lake George, in the other hand, is a public lake and it is perhaps the best place for angling opportunities, sport fishing and recreational activities such as boating.

Things to do in Rochester Minnesota: Places of Interest

History Center of Olmsted County

If you are a history buff, or simply want to learn more about the early beginnings of Rochester, the History Center of Olmsted County is an excellent place to visit.

This historic center features various rooms where you can marvel at 19th century old furniture, and kitchen utensils.

To reach Olmsted County, take the County Club Road South West, and drive past the Fox Valley Park.

Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial

If you are a war veteran or are interested in war history, the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial is a beautiful war memorial where you can see the names of those who lost their lives, as well as the statue of a widow and her son and the statue of a nurse treating a wounded soldier.

Rochester Ear of Corn

The Rochester Ear of Corn is, undoubtedly, one of the most iconic landmarks in the city.

The Ear of Corn is basically a big water tower shaped and painted as a giant corn, which makes for an ideal picture-taking opportunity.

Chateau Theater

Chateau Theater is a 1930’s movie house, which is included on the National Register of historic Places.

The Chateau Theater is today a bookstore, and all that remains of this historic movie house are the railings and doorways to the restrooms, as well as the film projection booth.

Things to do in Rochester Minnesota: Shopping

The shopping scene in Rochester is concentrated in the downtown area, and it is here where you’ll find many specialty and boutique shops, as well as shopping malls.

For instance, Crossroads Sopping Center and TJ Maxx Plaza Shopping Center are both located near the popular Apache Mall, while Miracle Mile Shopping Center is found between Zumbro West Park and Kutzky Park.

Things to do in Rochester Minnesota: Nightlife & Entertainment

Rochester Minnesota has a decent nightlife and you can find a variety of bars, pubs and clubs to choose from.

For instance, Whiskey Bones Inc is a small bar/ club with a vibrant atmosphere where you can socialize with friends. It features live music and night specials every week.

Aquarius Club is also a popular nightclub located near the University Center Rochester, and it is a great place if you intend to dance as it features dancing areas.

Things to do in Rochester Minnesota: Events & Festivals

Olmsted County Fair

One of the best times to visit Rochester Minnesota is during one of summer events such as the Olmsted County Fair, which happens in August.

The Olmsted County Fair is a fun and family-friendly event that features plenty of live entertainment and yummy foods.

Down By the Riverside

Down By the Riverside is a popular music event held during the summer months at Mayo Park. The event itself is free and you can catch plenty of live music performed by local acts.

Orchestras

If you travel to Rochester Minnesota during the fall or spring, you can catch the Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale performing monthly concerts.

The Southeast Minnesota Youth Orchestra is another popular orchestra that performs each week throughout the school year.

See. Places to visit in the Twin Cities
Interesting places to visit in Nebraska

Places To Go In Minnesota

The city of Minneapolis is the largest of Minnesota's Twin Cities and it's renowned for being home to the largest shopping mall in the entire United States, many parks and lakes where you can enjoy fun outdoor activities, and a vibrant and lively nightlife.


Another city of interest just over two hours drive from Minneapolis is the city of Duluth MN, which offers many things to do. 

Fun Things to do in Minneapolis: Outdoor Activities

Parks

* The Martin Luther King Park, located on Nicollet Avenue, is a great park where you can take a stroll and visit the Martin Luther King recreation center to explore what the park has to offer.

* Loring Park is another lovely park where you can take a stroll and admire the wonderful dandelion waterfall and the lake, which offers lovely views of the city. In the summer, Loring Park is a great place to be as it also offers free music and movies in the park at night.

* Minnehaha Park and Falls is one of the most popular parks in the city, as it is home to hiking trails, biking trails, a dog park and plenty of grass land where you can enjoy a picnic and fun activities.

Downtown Minneapolis

If you are visiting Minneapolis city in the summer time, one of the most popular fun things to do in Minneapolis for first time visitors it’s to take a segway tour of downtown Minneapolis.

If you are a history buff, and even if you are not, taking a segway tour is a fun way to learn about Minneapolis history and enjoy lovely views of the Mississippi River.

Fun Things to do in Minneapolis: Cultural Attractions

Places of Interest

* Mill Ruins Park is a lovely park home to the historic mill ruins and the Mill City museum.

* The Sculpture Garden is a popular park where you can see impressive pieces of art situated around the park.

* Como Park is another popular place amongst families, as it is home to the Como Zoo and the McNeely conservatory.

Things to do for fun in Minnesota while on vacation

* The Bell Museum of Natural History, located on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota, is a popular museum home to a wide range of mammals, birds, fish and plant specimens, as well as interesting dioramas of wildlife habitats native to Minnesota.

Also, the Bell Museum has interactive exhibits for children where kids can interact with live animals.

Fun Things to do in Minneapolis: Nightlife & Entertainment

Exploring the night scene is one of the most popular fun things to do in Minneapolis.

Mall of America is an excellent place to hang out at night as the shopping mall is also home to movie theaters, dance clubs and arcade games.

However, if you are looking to explore Minneapolis nightlife beyond the Mall of America, the First Avenue nightclub is another popular place to hang out at night.

First avenue nightclub is a vibrant place to be for dancing the night away on a Friday and Saturday night. Also, during the week, First Avenue is a great place to catch touring bands and seeing local bands.

Fun Things to do in Minneapolis: Shopping & Fun Activities

If you are visiting the city for the first time and are looking for fun things to do in Minneapolis, the Mall of America shopping mall offers both shopping and fun activities for everyone.

* The Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the United States and is home to over four hundred shops, restaurants, an indoor amusement park, nightclubs and more.

* Nicollet Mall is another popular shopping mall home to boutique shops where you can enjoy some upscale shopping.

The area around Nicollet Mall also offers many other things to do such as visiting the famous Orchestra Hall and watching street performers.

Fun Things to do in Minneapolis: Sports

If you love sports, seeing a live game of baseball, professional football or basketball is one of the most popular fun things to do in Minneapolis, when visiting the city.

If you are into basketball, you can catch a game of NBA at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.

For a game of baseball and professional football, you can see a game of NFL and MLB at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome.

For a live a game of hockey, you can catch a game of NHL at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown Saint Paul.

See. Places to visit in the Twin Cities
Interesting places to visit in Nebraska