Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its original publication date. (2024)
By Vincent Stokes
A road trip is a fantastic way to get outside, see new things, try new food, and have a ton of fun. If your road trip is taking you through the Midwest, there are a number of cities that have so much to offer that they should not be driven past.
Even if it is just for a quick stop during the day, the following five, major Midwestern cities all have excellent sports, entertainment, museums, attractions, restaurants, and nightlife. Any of the following cities will give you the absolute best the Midwest United States has to offer.
St. Louis
Known as the Gateway to the West, St. Louis has some of the best mixtures of history and culture you can find outside of the coasts. It goes without saying than any road trip to St. Louis should include a visit to the Gateway Arch. The giant, bright stainless steel arch can be seen for miles and any trip should try including a trip to the on-site Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and a ride up to the top. Other historical sites include the Old Courthouse Museum and Missouri History Museum. If history is not your thing, then the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Botanical Gardens, and the St. Louis Zoo are all attractions that anybody can find fun.
Indianapolis
While Indianapolis might be the smallest city on this list population-wise, that does not mean it is not a city teeming with things to do and places to see. Indianapolis is host to one of the most famous race tracks and races around the world, the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For any sports fan, the track and museum are must-see attractions. In addition to the speedway, Indianapolis is home to other great attractions like the Indiana State Fair, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and hundreds of fantastic places to eat.
Chicago
Chicago is one of those types of cities that everybody has to try to visit at least once during their life. By far the largest city on this list, Chicago has a seemingly endless amount of places to see, sites to visit, games to watch, restaurants to eat, and bars to drink. For sports fans, there are few better places to try to catch a baseball game than at historic Wrigley Field.
Road trippers wanting some culture have plenty of options as well. The Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry are all amazing experiences. It also would not be a trip to Chicago without visiting Navy Pier, seeing the bean at Millennium Park or even just enjoying some delicious, traditional Chicago deep-dish pizza.
Milwaukee
Years ago, Milwaukee would not be on many people’s top vacationing spots list, but Milwaukee today is an entirely different city. Just a short drive north of Chicago, Milwaukee is the definition of a “small” big city. Milwaukee now has culture and attractions that many large cities would dream of having.
Formerly famous for being the home of Miller Brewing, the city today is known for its major league sports teams; the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks of MLB and the NBA respectively. Those not a fan of sports will still find plenty to do at the beautiful Milwaukee Art Museum, historic Pabst Mansion, the RiverWalk, Harley-Davidson Museum, and Milwaukee County Zoo in addition to the thousands of restaurants and bars.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis is one of those major cities where you do not realize just how big it is, and how many things there are to do and see until you are standing right in the middle of downtown. The first place to visit is the Mall of America. Even if you do not have to do any shopping, just walking through the massive complex is a remarkable sight. After that, consider taking in a baseball game at Target Field or if you happen to be there on a fall or winter Sunday, a Vikings game at the beautiful, brand-new US Bank Stadium.
The above list is by no means complete. There are seemingly endless numbers of great places to visit while traveling through or across the Midwest. When traveling long distances by road, make doubly sure that you have up-to-date auto insurance. If you do not, check for cheap auto insurance quotes online before heading out. You will want coverage in the event of any unfortunate accidents. This way you can enjoy your Midwestern road trip without any worries and focus on having the best trip ever.
Vincent Stokes is an outdoor enthusiast and an experienced world traveler. He also writes writes for the National Parks and works to promote pride in homegrown travel destinations. You can also connect with Vincent on G+ or twitter (@TravelingGlobal).
