There is so much to see and do in the Midwest. While you can find field after field of corn, there are a lot of things to do and discover in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. Besides soaking up four distinct seasons, the Midwest has a lot of great things to discover for either a short visit or if your family is stationed there.
Here are 8 things to do while you’re stationed in the Midwest:
1. Learn about the history of aviation
The first flight might have been in Kittyhawk, North Carolina, but the truth is most of the testing and preparation for the first flight happened in Dayton, Ohio — the Wright Brothers’ hometown. They practiced at Huffman Prairie that is still open for visitors today. You can also visit the Wright Brothers Museum in Dayton. Add to the fact that Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton holds the largest collection of military aircraft at the National Museum of the United States Air Force with planes spanning the history of military flight from WWI to present day. You can spend hours at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and not see everything.
2. Enjoy the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes offer great opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing and other water recreational activities. You can also find unique things to do in and around the lakes. One popular way to enjoy the lakes is to visit one of the many islands you can find. These small islands have their own unique flair, history and activities. For example, Mackinac Island is located in Lake Huron in northern Michigan. There are no cars on the island so biking is a great way to get around. You can also shop at various shops and it is recommended to make sure you take home some fudge. On Lake Erie you can visit Put in Bay, one of many tiny islands that you can enjoy on the Great Lakes.
3. Enjoy a festival or two
The Midwest has a lot of festivals. They enjoy celebrating milestones be it the new season, harvest, musical or a historic event. One of the most popular festivals is Junkstock at Sycamore Farms in Waterloo, Nebraska. It is a funky fall festival (they also host a spring iteration) including vendors, pumpkin patches, and more. In Nebraska City, they host the AppleJack Festival. There are a number of tulip-focused festivals including Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa, and another one in Holland, Michigan. There is also Daffodil Days in Granville, Ohio. Last but not least Lollapalooza is a four-day music festival in Grant Park, Chicago. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to festivals so make sure to see what is close to you.
4. Learn the history of the rails
The history of how railroads expanded to help travelers and those looking for a new start West can be discovered at a number of locations throughout the Midwest. One of the largest train museums in the United States is located in Union, Illinois. The Illinois Railway Museum is home to more than 450 pieces of equipment. It is one of many train museums located in the Midwest. If you want to see an active train yard, check out the Golden Spike Tower. The idea of the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center was first conceived in the mid-1990s as Union Pacific’s viewing platform was falling into disrepair. The 8th floor of the Golden Spike Tower is fully enclosed with a 360° view of Bailey Yard. From the vantage point of the Golden Spikes 8th-floor, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the World’s Largest Classification Yard as you watch them take trains apart and rebuild new trains.
5. See a sporting event (or 10)
There are a lot of opportunities to see a professional game when living or visiting in the Midwest. You can watch a baseball game in multiple cities along with professional football stadiums. Check out the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Visit the racetrack in Indianapolis. Tour the Football Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. In Kansas City, Missouri, catch a Chiefs’ game, a Royals’ game, and go see the KC Current play at CPKC Stadium — the first stadium built exclusively for women’s soccer. If you are a sports fan the Midwest gives you lots of opportunities to see live events.
6. Go mountain biking
Some of the best mountain biking opportunities are in the Midwest. The mild landscape makes it a great place for both beginners but also has enough elevation gain in some areas to offer more challenging biking opportunities. There are both single-track and downhill options. The best way to enjoy mountain biking is to find a trailhead near you so search via Google or an app, like All Trails to see what is available near you.
7. Ride the biggest roller coasters
If you are a fan of roller coasters, Cedar Point located just west of Cleveland on a peninsula on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, is not to be missed. It hosts 18 world-class roller coasters along with areas filled with smaller rides and attractions for young adventurers. Cedar Point also has a water park during the summer that guests can enjoy. And while Cedar Point might be the crown jewel of the roller coaster park experience there are many smaller theme parks with thrills located throughout the Midwest.
8. Take in a big city
The Midwest might not have you thinking of a big city. But there are still large cities to enjoy, the biggest being Chicago. Chicago is an iconic city with its signature deep-dish pizza, skyscrapers like Willis Tower, and many other attractions to see. It is a great city to explore and enjoy as a vacation spot or just a quick getaway. Other large midwest cities include Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Omaha, Nebraska and Cleveland, Ohio.
The Midwest is a great place to live and discover. There are so many different things to do and enjoy.