31 days in Midwest Itinerary

The largest municipality in Missouri, Kansas City has an impressive array of world-class museums, shopping areas, and great places to eat, all of which attract tourism to the area.

Venture out of the city with trips to Weston (Pirtle Winery, Holladay Distillery, &more). The adventure continues: test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, get engrossed in the history at Arabia Steamboat Museum, get to know the resident critters at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, and admire the masterpieces at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

To find reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Kansas City online trip planner.

Los Angeles to Kansas City is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 2 hours traveling from Los Angeles to Kansas City. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Los Angeles in October: high temperatures in Kansas City hover around 71°F and lows are around 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) to allow time to drive to Branson.

Nestled in Missouri's beautiful Ozark Mountains lies one of the country's most attractive vacation towns for year-round family entertainment.

Branson is known for nightlife, theme parks, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: cool off at Silver Dollar City, take some stellar pictures from College of the Ozarks, take an in-depth tour of Titanic Museum, and look for all kinds of wild species at National Tiger Sanctuary.

For ratings, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Branson online trip maker.

Getting from Kansas City to Branson by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a bus; or fly. In October, daily temperatures in Branson can reach 71°F, while at night they dip to 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Saint Louis.

Test the local claim that Saint Louis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of free activities available by spending your holiday exploring the city's central neighborhoods, famous for their restored century-old red-brick buildings.

Get out of town with these interesting Saint Louis side-trips: Springfield (Dana-Thomas House & Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum). There's lots more to do: take in panoramic vistas at The Gateway Arch, examine the collection at City Museum, meet the residents at Saint Louis Zoo, and identify plant and animal life at The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.

For maps, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read Saint Louis trip itinerary website.

You can drive from Branson to Saint Louis in 4.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of car and flight. In October, daily temperatures in Saint Louis can reach 72°F, while at night they dip to 49°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Cleveland.

A culturally diverse city situated on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland boasts many places to visit, such as world-class museums, popular amusement parks, and sprawling recreational areas.

Venture out of the city with trips to Burnham Orchards (in Berlin Heights), F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm (in Akron) and Cedar Point (in Sandusky). There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, make a trip to University Circle, browse the eclectic array of goods at West Side Market, and stroll around Rocky River Reservation.

To find maps, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, use the Cleveland trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Saint Louis to Cleveland takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Saint Louis to Cleveland due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Saint Louis in October, plan for little chillier days in Cleveland, with highs around 65°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Sun): make a trip to Rockhouse, contemplate the long history of Sherman House Museum, and then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks. On the next day, wander the streets of Easton Town Center, then test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and then pedal to the sights with Pedal Wagon Columbus.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Columbus online travel planner.

You can drive from Cleveland to Columbus in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. In October in Columbus, expect temperatures between 67°F during the day and 47°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can drive to Cincinnati.

Situated on the north bank of the Ohio River, Cincinnati distinguished itself as the only U.S. city that left a favorable impression on one of its most famous 19th-century visitors, English author Charles Dickens.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Cincinnati: Dayton (Carillon Historical Park & National Museum of the US Air Force), Great Miami River Trail (in Montgomery) and Pines Pet Cemetery and Cremation Center (in Lebanon). There's much more to do: get thoroughly spooked out with a ghost and vampire tour, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, see the interesting displays at American Sign Museum, and identify plant and animal life at Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum.

For where to stay, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Cincinnati tour itinerary planner.

Getting from Columbus to Cincinnati by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 68°F, and evening lows to 46°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can go by car to Indianapolis.

Indiana's capital and most populous city, Indianapolis is best known for its racecar events and impressive museums, and as the hometown of Kurt Vonnegut.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Indianapolis: Exotic Feline Rescue Center (in Centerpoint), The Miller House and Garden (in Columbus) and Bear Wallow Distillery (in Nashville). The adventure continues: test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, experience rural life at Anderson Orchard, explore the engaging exhibits at Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and stop by Tuttle Orchards.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read our Indianapolis trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Cincinnati to Indianapolis takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Indianapolis can reach 67°F, while at night they dip to 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Chicago.

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

Chicago is known for sightseeing, museums, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, take a leisurely stroll along Navy Pier, walk around Millennium Park, and learn more about the world around you at Field Museum.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Chicago trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Indianapolis to Chicago takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago due to the time zone difference. October in Chicago sees daily highs of 65°F and lows of 49°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Milwaukee.

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

Start off your visit on the 29th (Sun): take in the spiritual surroundings of Basilica of St. Josaphat, then admire the natural beauty at Boerner Botanical Gardens, then see the interesting displays at Harley-Davidson Museum, and finally indulge your thirst for a good beer at MobCraft Beer. On the 30th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Holy Hill, then relax in the rural setting at Matt's Produce, and then admire the striking features of SC Johnson Headquarters.

To see where to stay, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Milwaukee tour planner.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Milwaukee takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Milwaukee can reach 62°F, while at night they dip to 46°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly 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.

Start off your visit on the 31st (Tue): admire the masterpieces at Minneapolis Institute of Art, take in the dramatic scenery at Minnehaha Park, and then experience rural life at Pine Tree Apple Orchard.

To see where to stay, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Minneapolis trip planner.

Fly from Milwaukee to Minneapolis in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Minneapolis can reach 60°F, while at night they dip to 43°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to catch the flight back home.