18 days in United States Itinerary

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

Kids will enjoy The Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Science and Industry. Explore hidden gems such as Chicago Riverwalk and Chicago River. There's much more to do: have fun at Maggie Daley Park, grab your bike and head to Lakefront Trail, walk around Millennium Park, and admire the local landmark of Buckingham Fountain.

To see traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, use the Chicago journey builder site.

Dusseldorf, Germany to Chicago is an approximately 13-hour combination of train and flight. Traveling from Dusseldorf to Chicago, you'll gain 7 hours due to the time zone difference. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Dusseldorf in July: high temperatures in Chicago hover around 33°C and lows are around 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Denver.

Aptly nicknamed the "Mile-High City," Denver sits at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,280 ft) above sea level, located right where the Great Plains give way to the Rocky Mountains.

Family-friendly places like Children's Museum of Denver and Room Escape Games will thrill your kids. Discover out-of-the-way places like Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art. There's still lots to do: take in the architecture and atmosphere at The International Church of Cannabis, examine the collection at National Ballpark Museum, and get outside with Outdoor Activities.

To see reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, read Denver trip maker website.

You can fly from Chicago to Denver in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Chicago in July, expect a bit cooler with lows of 18°C in Denver. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to travel to Grand Canyon National Park.

The size, shape, and color of Grand Canyon National Park combine to leave an impression on visitors as deep as the canyon itself.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to North Rim Visitor Center and Cape Royal. Kids will enjoy Bright Angel Trail and Yavapai Point.

To find photos, maps, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Grand Canyon National Park trip maker app.

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Denver to Grand Canyon National Park in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and shuttle. Traveling from Denver in July, expect a bit cooler with lows of 13°C in Grand Canyon National Park. On the 18th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Bryce Canyon National Park.

You can find hoodoos--rock pillars formed by erosion--all around the world, but those of Bryce Canyon National Park remain the standard bearers thanks to their bright red color, tall stature, and arrangement in large amphitheaters.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Wed): hike along Navajo Loop Trail and then hike along Navajo/Queens Garden Loop. Keep things going the next day: explore the striking landscape at Bryce Amphitheatre.

To find where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Bryce Canyon National Park trip itinerary builder website.

Traveling by combination of bus and car from Grand Canyon National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park takes 7.5 hours. In July, daytime highs in Bryce Canyon National Park are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 10°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Jackson Hole.

The Jackson Hole valley is approximately 97 km (60 mi) long and 24 km (15 mi) wide, encompassing the town of Jackson, Teton Village, and the northern section of Grand Teton National Park.

On the 21st (Fri), take in the spiritual surroundings of St. John's Episcopal Church and then don't miss a visit to Wild By Nature Gallery. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: look for all kinds of wild species at Teton Raptor Center, then head outdoors with Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School, and then see exotic creatures in open habitats at Yellowstone Safari Tours.

For traveler tips, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read Jackson Hole online visit planner.

Traveling by flight from Bryce Canyon National Park to Jackson Hole takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in July, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can drive to Cody.

A genuine cowboy city, Cody is famous for its nightly rodeos and its proximity to the protected wilderness areas of the world's first national park, now designated as one of the country's World Heritage Sites.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sun): see Off-Road Tours and then take an in-depth tour of Cody Heritage Museum.

For traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Cody vacation builder app.

Getting from Jackson Hole to Cody by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Traveling from Jackson Hole in July, plan for a bit warmer nights in Cody, with lows around 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to fly to Custer.

Generally considered to be the oldest town established by European Americans in the Black Hills, Custer began as a mining town.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Mon): learn more about the world around you at The Museum @ Black Hills Institute, then browse for treasures at The Farmer's Daughter, and then make a trip to Brule.

To find maps, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Custer day trip planner.

You can fly from Cody to Custer in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Cody in July, Custer is slightly colder at night with lows of 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can catch the flight to Minneapolis.

Located on both banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis salutes the state's love of the outdoors with numerous lakes, wetlands, creeks, and waterfalls--many connected to one another by a national scenic byway great for sightseeing.

On the 25th (Tue), contemplate the waterfront views at Chain of Lakes, cruise along Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, and then grab your bike and head to Mill Ruins Park.

For reviews, ratings, photos, and tourist information, use the Minneapolis journey planner.

Fly from Custer to Minneapolis in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. The time zone changes from Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Custer in July since evenings lows in Minneapolis dip to 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) to allow time to fly back home.