Three Great Cities to Explore in the Midwest – Easy Itinerary Edition!

Sep 6, 2024

Today we’re sharing some highlights from some of the most fascinating cities in the Midwest! Hop in your new car from Classic and in just a few hours, you’ll be in a whole new city to explore, learn, and make some memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re scheduling a family outing for some bonding time, a weekend getaway for your significant other, a girls/guys trip, or just a solo excursion, you’ll find no shortage of excitement. We’ve narrowed down some of the best sites and top entertainment so you can make your planning easy.

Duluth is a port city along Lake Superior in Minnesota. We’ve already covered part of this city in our guide to the North Shore Scenic Drive, but it’s worth mentioning again! Top sightseeing destinations here include the Aerial Lift Bridge and related Maritime Museum and Visitor Center, the William A Irvin Ore Boat Museum, and the Great LAkes Aquarium. Venturing a little further, you’ll find a beautiful Japanese Garden and several walking paths at Enger Park and Tower. Park Point offers scenic views of Lake Superior, wildlife watching, boat spotting, and plenty of family friendly outdoor fun. Leif Erickson Park is a charming rose garden with overlooks and vistas of the lake. Spirit Mountain Recreation Area offers year-round fun, but is a popular hot spot with snowsports enthusiasts for skiing and snowboarding! Enjoy a blast from the past at the historic museum and home at Glensheen: The Historic Congdon Estate, where you can tour 39 different rooms with heritage pieces and antiques. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum houses full-sized locomotives, historical exhibitions, and offers scenic train rides. The Lake Superior Zoo sprawls across 16 acres of curated habitats and natural landscapes which 300+ animals call home. For the foodies in your midst, consider booking a tour of the local breweries, brew-pubs, and distilleries in the area and grabbing a bite to eat at award winning restaurants downtown.

Cleveland is located along the southern shore of Lake Erie in Ohio. This is a destination worthy of several days’ visit, filled with museums, historic sites, markets, an outstanding zoo and aquarium, arts and culture, and plenty of sightseeing. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chronicles the history of the Rock and Roll genre, offers a comprehensive music library and archives, features a curated collection of memorabilia and archival instruments, offers live performances, community outreach, and more! It’s a must-see on your trip. Museums you should add to your itinerary include The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Great Lakes Science Center, The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, Crawford Auto Museum, International Women’s Air & Space Museum, Steamship William G. Mather Museum, and the one-of-a-kind Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick. If you’re looking for a bit of greenery and serenity, we recommend Rockefeller Park & Greenhouse, Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Willard Park, Edgewater Park, University Circle, North Chagrin Reservation, and Cleveland Metroparks Brookside Reservation.

The Twin Cities metropolitan area includes Minneapolis and St. Paul, in Minnesota. Immerse yourselves in arts and culture at the Walker ARt Center, Minneapolis Museum of Art, Weisman Art Museum, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Museum of Russian Art, the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, The Bakken Museum, Museum of Illusions, and Children’s Theatre Company. Expand your perspectives with unique experiences at historical museums such as The Somali Museum, American Swedish Institute, Basilica of Saint Mary , Mill City Museum, Cathedral of St. Paul, James J. Hill House, and Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery. Nature enthusiasts will be thrilled to find stunning preserves, parks, waterfalls, and more at places like Mill Ruins Park, Lyndale Park Rose Garden, Crosby Farm Regional Park, Eloise Butler Wildflower Gardens, North Mississippi Regional Park, Fort Snelling, and Pike Island! The area is also a serious melting pot of culture and culinary delights from all around the world with specialities including Swedish Meatballs, Vietnamese Pho, and more, as well as midwestern delicacies such as the Juicy Lucy Burger and Tater Tot Hotdish. And of course, we can’t forget spending at least a day or two exploring the expansive Mall of America!