1

Waterpark Capital of the World, Wisconsin Dells

Image: Kenny Eliason

Waterparks are a funny thing. Adults go there almost exclusively to take their kids, but end up enjoying themselves, sometimes even more than the younger ones. Self-proclaimed as the " Waterpark Capital of the World ," Wisconsin Dells offers fun and adventure for kids and the aforementioned kids at heart.

Its multiple resorts include Noah’s Ark, the largest outdoor waterpark in the world, The Wilderness Resort, which has the largest indoor-outdoor combination, Bigfoot Ziplining, The Original Wisconsin Ducks, Devil’s Lake State Park, boat tours, spas, golf courses, casinos and much more.

2

City of Big Shoulders, Chicago

Image: Sawyer Bengtson

The Windy City needs no introduction but no Midwestern treasures list would be complete without mentioning it. As the Midwest's largest metropolitan area, Chicago is a popular option for a weekend getaway. It houses numerous parks, including ones with lakefront beaches, or iconic sculptures like "The Bean."

Its incredible architecture is best viewed from the water during a river cruise or while boating on Lake Michigan. Its virtually i nfinite food options , ranging from Greek to Mexican to Polish, and its world-class museums , make for a must-visit.

3

Museum City, Kansas City

Image: gilber franco

Sitting on the state line between Missouri and Kansas, the City of Fountains has a vast assembly of museums ready to be discovered by visitors from all over the world.

From local landmarks like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, boasting an impressive collection of over 34,000 pieces and 5,000 years , the National WWI Museum and Memorial, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, to the newly renovated Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, this city has it all.

4

Ozarks Lake, Missouri

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Long before the TV series of the same name, the Ozarks was a region famous for its natural beauties, entertainment opportunities, and multiple cuisine options. This expansive reservoir with more than 1,100 miles of shoreline has spots like Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Bridal Cave, and various restaurants and resorts.

And if the water activities are not your thing, you can visit the links at one of several golf courses or enjoy a day of wine tasting on the Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail.

5

Wining and dining, Traverse City

Image: Pablo Merchán Montes

Traverse City may be famous for its slices of pie and tart cherries, which can be found at farm stands across the Up North region through late summer. But it has much more to offer its visitors.

Acres of wineries and orchards all along the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas' rolling hills are complimented by the Lake Michigan scenery and the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. And, when the summer season is over, the Traverse City area also boasts enviable skiing terrain, fat-tire bike trails, and snowmobile routes , making it an attractive destination for winter recreation.

6

Hiking paradise, Duluth

Image: Tom Gainor

This Minnesotan city located on the shores of Lake Superior is an ideal spot for a weekend getaway. Visitors of the Canal Park area can bike or walk along the Lakeway , a nearly 8-mile path that follows the shoreline, take pictures of the Aerial Lift Bridge , and explore local art galleries .

Travelers can also tour all 39 rooms at Glensheen, a historic estate built in the early 1900s, or book a first-class ticket in a domed train car on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. And, when hunger strikes, Duluth boasts a generous selection of lakeside eateries and breweries.

7

Family trip favorite, Omaha

Image: Andrew Seaman

Whether you are into history, nature, arts, or the food scene, Omaha has it all. And, with attractions like the Omaha Children's Museum and the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium , this city is a great choice for a family trip.

The Durham Museum is a great place for history buffs, the Lauritzen Gardens Botanical Center has an impressive collection of plants flowers, and trees, and its noteworthy restaurants and bars attract culinary visitors from around the world.

8

Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota

Image: Frank Thiemonge

The amazing Black Hills National Forest can be found at the western edge of South Dakota, where a small mountain range is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of protected wilderness, making it a haven for outdoor activities.

Visitors of the Black Hills can hike, bike, ride horses, rock climb, and visit the Mount Rushmore National Memorial , which features giant mountainside busts of four American presidents.

9

Small-town charm, Mackinac Island

Image: leah hetteberg

If you are looking for a holiday destination with no cars or chain hotels and, instead, horse-drawn carriages and bed and breakfast accommodations in family-owned hotels , Mackinac Island might be the place you are looking for. Located between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas, this Lake Huron island beckons to visitors who want to relax and unwind.

Mackinac Island State Park occupies most of the island, providing visitors with countless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding , and a variety of eateries serving everything from American classics to its famous fudge.

10

Prince’s legendary Paisley Park Studios, Minneapolis

Image: DJ Johnson

The former home and recording studio of the "Purple Rain" composer is located outside of Minneapolis in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Prince built Paisley Park back in 1987 and lived here until he died in 2016.

His Royal Badness himself requested that his home be open to the public after his death and now fans can tour the complex and see the studio where he recorded some of his biggest hits and the soundstage where he rehearsed for tours.

1

Olympic National Park, Washington (2.9 million visitors)

Located in Washington state, in the Pacific Northwest, this park offers a mix of glaciated mountains, lush rainforests, lakes, rivers, and more than 70 miles of coastline . Established as a national monument in 1909, it was designated a national park in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

2

Joshua Tree National Park, California (3.2 million visitors)

Famous for the Joshua trees that give it its name, this area was designated a national monument in 1936 and a national park in 1994. The park encompasses part of two California deserts —the Mojave and Colorado deserts—and is lined by the Little San Bernardino Mountains in the southwest.

3

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (3.4 million visitors)

Did you know that most of this national park exists thanks to an oil magnate? The park was established in 1929, but it was enlarged when John D. Rockefeller Jr. —who also contributed to many other national parks— secretly purchased surrounding land to be established as a monument. The park gets its name from the tallest peak of the Teton mountain range , and it's famous for its pristine lakes and abundant wildlife.

4

Acadia National Park, Maine (3.8 million visitors)

Located on the Maine coast, this park was established as a national monument in 1916 and a national park in 1919. Besides the beautiful Atlantic shoreline, Acadia National Park offers granite mountain peaks, forests, lakes, and islands .

5

Yosemite National Park, California (3.8 million visitors)

Famous for both its granite peaks and its tall sequoias, Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada range in California . Established in 1890, some of its popular features are the El Capitan —a tall rock formation— the Cathedral Peak, and the Sentinel dome.

6

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (4.1 million visitors)

Located within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, it was established in 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson. Besides its stunning mountain views and alpine lakes, the park is home to the Trail Ridge Road , one of the highest paved routes in the country.

7

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho (4.5 million visitors)

Considered to be the first national park in the world, Yellowstone was established in 1872 and covers part of three different states —Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Besides its wildlife and mountain scenery, it is famous for being located in a volcanic caldera and having many geothermal features. The most famous among them is the Old Faithful geyser.

8

Zion National Park, Utah (4.6 million visitors)

Located in Utah, where the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert meet, this national park boasts a hugely diverse ecosystem , with varied plants and animals. Its geography includes mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, and monoliths, including the famous Zion Canyon. The park was established in 1919.

9

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (4.7 million visitors)

Centered around one of the most famous landmarks in America , this national park was established in 1908 as a national monument and designated a national park in 1919. The Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River in the Arizona desert, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

10

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee (13.2 million visitors)

Straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee border, this national park not only includes part of the Great Smoky Mountain range, but also the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian rainforest. Established in 1934 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, this park is the home of some of the tallest mountains of eastern North America , such as Kuwohi or Mount Guyot.

1

Waterpark Capital of the World, Wisconsin Dells

Image: Kenny Eliason

Waterparks are a funny thing. Adults go there almost exclusively to take their kids, but end up enjoying themselves, sometimes even more than the younger ones. Self-proclaimed as the " Waterpark Capital of the World ," Wisconsin Dells offers fun and adventure for kids and the aforementioned kids at heart.

Its multiple resorts include Noah’s Ark, the largest outdoor waterpark in the world, The Wilderness Resort, which has the largest indoor-outdoor combination, Bigfoot Ziplining, The Original Wisconsin Ducks, Devil’s Lake State Park, boat tours, spas, golf courses, casinos and much more.

2

City of Big Shoulders, Chicago

Image: Sawyer Bengtson

The Windy City needs no introduction but no Midwestern treasures list would be complete without mentioning it. As the Midwest's largest metropolitan area, Chicago is a popular option for a weekend getaway. It houses numerous parks, including ones with lakefront beaches, or iconic sculptures like "The Bean."

Its incredible architecture is best viewed from the water during a river cruise or while boating on Lake Michigan. Its virtually i nfinite food options , ranging from Greek to Mexican to Polish, and its world-class museums , make for a must-visit.

3

Museum City, Kansas City

Image: gilber franco

Sitting on the state line between Missouri and Kansas, the City of Fountains has a vast assembly of museums ready to be discovered by visitors from all over the world.

From local landmarks like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, boasting an impressive collection of over 34,000 pieces and 5,000 years , the National WWI Museum and Memorial, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, to the newly renovated Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, this city has it all.

4

Ozarks Lake, Missouri

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Long before the TV series of the same name, the Ozarks was a region famous for its natural beauties, entertainment opportunities, and multiple cuisine options. This expansive reservoir with more than 1,100 miles of shoreline has spots like Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Bridal Cave, and various restaurants and resorts.

And if the water activities are not your thing, you can visit the links at one of several golf courses or enjoy a day of wine tasting on the Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail.

5

Wining and dining, Traverse City

Image: Pablo Merchán Montes

Traverse City may be famous for its slices of pie and tart cherries, which can be found at farm stands across the Up North region through late summer. But it has much more to offer its visitors.

Acres of wineries and orchards all along the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas' rolling hills are complimented by the Lake Michigan scenery and the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. And, when the summer season is over, the Traverse City area also boasts enviable skiing terrain, fat-tire bike trails, and snowmobile routes , making it an attractive destination for winter recreation.

6

Hiking paradise, Duluth

Image: Tom Gainor

This Minnesotan city located on the shores of Lake Superior is an ideal spot for a weekend getaway. Visitors of the Canal Park area can bike or walk along the Lakeway , a nearly 8-mile path that follows the shoreline, take pictures of the Aerial Lift Bridge , and explore local art galleries .

Travelers can also tour all 39 rooms at Glensheen, a historic estate built in the early 1900s, or book a first-class ticket in a domed train car on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. And, when hunger strikes, Duluth boasts a generous selection of lakeside eateries and breweries.

7

Family trip favorite, Omaha

Image: Andrew Seaman

Whether you are into history, nature, arts, or the food scene, Omaha has it all. And, with attractions like the Omaha Children's Museum and the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium , this city is a great choice for a family trip.

The Durham Museum is a great place for history buffs, the Lauritzen Gardens Botanical Center has an impressive collection of plants flowers, and trees, and its noteworthy restaurants and bars attract culinary visitors from around the world.

8

Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota

Image: Frank Thiemonge

The amazing Black Hills National Forest can be found at the western edge of South Dakota, where a small mountain range is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of protected wilderness, making it a haven for outdoor activities.

Visitors of the Black Hills can hike, bike, ride horses, rock climb, and visit the Mount Rushmore National Memorial , which features giant mountainside busts of four American presidents.

9

Small-town charm, Mackinac Island

Image: leah hetteberg

If you are looking for a holiday destination with no cars or chain hotels and, instead, horse-drawn carriages and bed and breakfast accommodations in family-owned hotels , Mackinac Island might be the place you are looking for. Located between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas, this Lake Huron island beckons to visitors who want to relax and unwind.

Mackinac Island State Park occupies most of the island, providing visitors with countless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding , and a variety of eateries serving everything from American classics to its famous fudge.

10

Prince’s legendary Paisley Park Studios, Minneapolis

Image: DJ Johnson

The former home and recording studio of the "Purple Rain" composer is located outside of Minneapolis in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Prince built Paisley Park back in 1987 and lived here until he died in 2016.

His Royal Badness himself requested that his home be open to the public after his death and now fans can tour the complex and see the studio where he recorded some of his biggest hits and the soundstage where he rehearsed for tours.