Who needs a tropical getaway when you can take the entire family to enjoy the Midwest?
Attractions here feature great outdoor activities that both young and old will enjoy, as well as fun with history at museums and historical sites.
Here are the best Midwest family holiday ideas
1. Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma
Get out on the water in a canoe or kayak, or enjoy hiking through the towering pines. These and many more family-friendly activities are available here and in other locations throughout Oklahoma.
2. Boothill and Front Street in Dodge City, Kansas
Enjoy a trip back in time to the wild west with a visit to historic Dodge City, Kansas. The fictitious site of the 1960’s television show Gunsmoke! this old cow town doesn’t have to rely on legends to spin a interesting tale.
3. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse
Located near one another in the beautiful black hills of South Dakota, these two monuments tell two very different stories. Each has a place in American history.
4. Lincoln Sites in Springfield, Illinois
Learn about the 16th president of the United States with a visit to his hometown, Springfield, Illinois. You’ll feel as if Lincoln himself has come to speak with you as you tour the family home, the old state capitol and other sites that he frequented as a young man.
5. The Field Museum in Chicago
The Field Museum of Natural history holds more wonders inside than anyone can experience in a single day. Awe over the Sue Rex, and explore the ancient world through artifacts from days gone by.
6. Mackinac Island, Michigan
Visitors to Mackinac Island will experience the magic of the Great Lakes and the charm of a quaint resort town that movie buffs will recognize from the 1980 film Somewhere in Time.
7. Float Trips
Both Missouri and Arkansas feature beautiful scenery and lush waterways for families to enjoy. Get exercise and enjoy nature together with a float trip down one of the many rivers in the Midwest.
8. Wisconsin Dells
The only problem with a family vacation to Wisconsin Dells will be figuring out how to fit all the activities into the time you have there. Get your thrills at water parks, visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, enjoy the Kalahari Indoor Theme Park, and travel from land to water and back again on the Dells Army Ducks.
9. Motorsports in Indianapolis
If your family has the need for speed, you need to take them to Indianapolis. Plan a trip to enjoy the Indy 500 or just stop for a visit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Then test your own skills at one of the local go-cart tracks.
10. The Great River Road
One of the greatest American road trips is traveling along the Great River Road. Families traveling north from St. Louis will enjoy stunning vistas of the mighty Mississippi River and a number of quaint towns and historic sites along the way. Don’t forget to stop in Burlington, Iowa to walk or drive down Snake Alley, “the crookedest street in the world.”
Some of the best family adventures happen when you get off the beaten track. Next time you go on vacation, try one of these place. You’ll be glad you did.
Susan Mccormick is a travel blogger who enjoys helping her readers plan perfect family vacations. She recommends learning more about Oklahoma tourism at ChickasawCountry.com.
