16 days in Great Lakes USA Itinerary

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Lincoln Park and Chicago Cultural Center. Visit Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Fourth Presbyterian Church for their historical value. There's much more to do: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, take in panoramic vistas at 360 Chicago Observation Deck, learn more about the world around you at Field Museum, and admire the landmark architecture of Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower.

To find where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Chicago route planner.

Taipei, Taiwan to Chicago is an approximately 18.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Taipei to Chicago is minus 14 hours. Traveling from Taipei in February, things will get colder in Chicago: highs are around 2°C and lows about -7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Columbus.

More than just one of the nation's top business centers, Columbus is a mixture of many different parts of America, situated at the spot where the so-called "Bible Belt" meets the varied cultures of the Great Plains and Appalachia.

Head to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Helen Winnemore'sfor some retail therapy. Take a break from the city and head to Hocking Hills State Park and Cantwell Cliffs. When in Columbus, make a side trip to see Ash Cave in Logan, approximately Logan away. And it doesn't end there: get to know the fascinating history of German Village, see the interesting displays at Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and get curious at COSI Center of Science and Industry.

For maps, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Columbus road trip tool.

Traveling by flight from Chicago to Columbus takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 1 hour. February in Columbus sees daily highs of 5°C and lows of -5°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) so you can fly to Munising.

Munising is a city on the southern shore of Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. On the 16th (Thu), explore the striking landscape of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Here are some ideas for day two: Head underground at Eben Ice Caves and Canyon Falls & Gorge, then admire the sheer force of Wagner Falls, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Munising Falls.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Munising vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Columbus to Munising by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Columbus in February; daily highs in Munising reach -4°C and lows reach -13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) early enough to drive to Ely.

Ely is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. On the 18th (Sat), engage your brain at North American Bear Center, trek along Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips, and then deepen your understanding at International Wolf Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 19th (Sun): surround yourself with nature on White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures.

To see traveler tips, ratings, maps, and tourist information, go to the Ely road trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Munising to Ely takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and car; or do a combination of taxi, flight, and car. The time zone difference when traveling from Munising to Ely is minus 1 hour. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Munising in February; daily highs in Ely reach -9°C and lows reach -23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Traverse City.

Traverse City might be well known for its huge cherry industry, but its position along Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan endows it with fine scenery and a wealth of outdoor attractions.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Mon): wander the streets of Front Street, get a taste of local nightlife at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, then get a taste of the local shopping with Michigan Artists Gallery, and finally enjoy the sea views from Mission Point Lighthouse. On your second day here, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

For more things to do, photos, maps, and other tourist information, use the Traverse City trip planner.

You can fly from Ely to Traverse City in 6.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Ely to Traverse City is 1 hour. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Ely in February; daily highs in Traverse City reach -1°C and lows reach -11°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Milwaukee.

Milwaukee boasts well-preserved historical districts with a rich European past and a strong beer-brewing tradition.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Riverwalk and Discovery World. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Historic Third Ward and Boswell Book Company. There's still lots to do: admire the masterpieces at Milwaukee Art Museum, steep yourself in history at Pabst Mansion, and explore the activities along Lake Michigan.

To see photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Milwaukee trip planner.

You can fly from Traverse City to Milwaukee in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Traverse City to Milwaukee. In February, daily temperatures in Milwaukee can reach 0°C, while at night they dip to -9°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can catch the flight back home.