In the Midwest, you’ll find friendly small towns as well as urban sprawl. The roll call for the region’s cities begins with Chicago, which boasts one of the nation’s most powerful skylines. In Cleveland, the best action is in its walkable neighborhoods. Detroit rocks, plain and simple. Day trips in the region have everything from parks and museums to architectural delights to breweries.
Editor’s note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any travel and always follow government advice.
Best Day Trips from Chicago
Indiana Dunes National Park
At the southern end of Lake Michigan, 15 miles of white sand dunes and more than 50 miles of trails await outdoor adventures. In Indiana Dunes National Park, you can swim, bike, fish, ski or hike depending on the season – or camp overnight from April to October. Beaches fill up quickly in the summer, so get there early to get the best spot. 1 hour 10 minutes by car.
Lake Geneva Coastal Path, Wisconsin
You will find something interesting in almost any part of it. 26 miles route, which was originally built to connect Native American villages. It passes through beautiful lake views, forested expanses and beautiful estates. For the easiest route, take the Lake Geneva Library exit in either direction. 2 hours by car.
Windmill Island Gardens, Holland, Michigan
Experience Dutch life in a delightful way. Windmill Island Gardens. The main attraction in the aptly named Dutch town, this 36-acre park features gardens, dykes, canals, picnic areas and, of course, a large windmill imported from the Netherlands in 1964. Appreciating the crowds in the city. 2 hours 20 minutes by car.
Racine, Wisconsin
Architecture buffs shouldn’t miss Racine, home to several notable Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Manufacturer SC Johnson is based here, and its third-generation CEO commissioned Wright to build not only his home, Wingspread, but an administration building and research tower for SC Johnson itself. 2 hours 20 minutes by car.
See more day trips from Chicago.
Best Day Trips from Detroit
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, Dearborn
Immerse yourself in American history. The indoor Henry Ford Museum houses treasures of American culture, such as the chair in which Lincoln was assassinated, the limo in which Kennedy was killed and the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. The adjacent outdoor Greenfield Village houses Thomas Edison’s laboratory and the Wright Brothers’ airplane workshop. 30 minutes by car.
Frederick Major Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids
The 158-acre gardens feature impressive floral and light works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore and others. The sculpture park features pathways and lawns adorned with works by artists such as Ivy Vive, Claes Oldenburg and Anish Kapoor. A five-story glass conservatory bursts with tropical plants. A children’s garden offers lots to smell, touch and dig. The tranquil Japanese garden is another highlight. 2 hours 30 minutes by car.
Brewery, Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo has an offbeat charm that will surprise first-time visitors. But it’s the local beer that’s got people talking. More than a dozen breweries produce a huge range of them. The leader is Bell’s Brewery, one of the top craft breweries in the country. 2 hours 40 minutes by train.
See more day trips from Detroit.
Best Day Trips from Cleveland
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Like a great, cold snake, the Cuyahoga River snakes its way through a forested canyon, giving it its Native American name “Crooked River” (or possibly “Jawbone Place”). Either name is evocative, and alludes to the mystical beauty that Cohayoga Valley National Park evokes on a cool morning, when mist envelops the forest and all you hear are Canada geese. Hank and fwup-fwup-whoosh A great blue heron fluttering over its hunting ground. 30 minutes by car.
Cedar Point, Sandusky
Cedar Point on Lake Erie is one of the world’s top amusement parks, known for its 17 adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. Pete Droppers includes Top Thrill Dragster among the tallest and fastest rides in the world. It climbs 420 feet into the air before plunging and whipping at 120 mph. Valravon is the world’s longest ‘dive’ coaster, dropping riders up to 214 feet at a 90-degree angle. Check park opening hours before planning a visit. 1 hour by car.
Topiary Park, Columbus
If you’ve ever wondered, “I wonder what George Seviert’s Post-Impressionist masterpiece is Sunday afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte This park is for you 54 people, eight boats, three dogs, a monkey and a cat are carved from the bushes to resemble the famous Seurat painting. 2 hours by car.
You may also like:
How to Road Trip Through the Midwest US on a Budget
Midwest Travel Ideas: 8 Under-the-Radar Places to Visit in America’s Heartland
Experience the Great Lakes on an epic road trip.