39 days in Midwest Itinerary

Chicago is known for sightseeing, museums, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, meet the residents at Lincoln Park Zoo, and observe the fascinating underwater world at Shedd Aquarium.

Plan my trip to Chicago with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

Zurich, Switzerland to Chicago is an approximately 12-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time (CET) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a -7 hour difference. Traveling from Zurich in July, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 22°C in Chicago. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to fly to Traverse City.

Change things up with these side-trips from Traverse City: Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (in Glen Arbor), Empire (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore & Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive) and Ludington State Park (in Ludington). The adventure continues: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, play a few rounds at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, take a stroll through Front Street, and take a leisurely stroll along Boardman River Boardwalk.

For where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Traverse City travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Traverse City takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. Traveling from Chicago in July, plan for little chillier nights in Traverse City, with lows around 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can go by car to Munising.

Venture out of the city with trips to Manistique (Palms Book State Park, Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring), &more) and Marquette (Presque Isle Park & Jilbert Dairy). Spend the 26th (Wed) exploring nature at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

To see ratings, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Munising trip planner.

Getting from Traverse City to Munising by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Traverse City in July, you will find days in Munising are slightly colder (27°C), and nights are about the same (15°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island is known for nature, historic sites, and wildlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: see some colorful creatures with Great Turtle Kayak Tours, trot along with a tour on horseback, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Trinity Church, and contemplate the long history of Fort Mackinac.

To see where to stay, maps, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Mackinac Island holiday planning site.

Do a combination of car, bus, and ferry from Munising to Mackinac Island in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, bus, and ferry. July in Mackinac Island sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Duluth.

Take a break from Duluth with a short trip to Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors, about 48 minutes away. There's still lots to do: cruise along Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive, stroll around Leif Erikson Park, make a trip to Enger Park, and see the interesting displays at S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, read Duluth online trip builder.

You can do a combination of ferry and flight from Mackinac Island to Duluth in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or do a combination of ferry, bus, and train. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. August in Duluth sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Badlands National Park.

On the 7th (Mon), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Badlands National Park. Keep things going the next day: explore the striking landscape at Badlands Wall, take a memorable drive along Loop Road, and then identify plant and animal life at Roberts Prairie Dog Town.

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Badlands National Park driving holiday planning tool.

Fly from Duluth to Badlands National Park in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Duluth in August, you will find days in Badlands National Park are a bit warmer (36°C), and nights are about the same (17°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can drive to Custer.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Custer: Devils Tower (Devils Tower National Monument & Wind Circles), Crook County Museum (in Sundance) and Big Thunder Gold Mine (in Keystone). Pack the 14th (Mon) with family-friendly diversions at Rushmore Tramway Adventures. The adventure continues: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, identify plant and animal life at Black Hills National Forest, pause for some photo ops at Crazy Horse Memorial, and take in the dramatic natural features at Needles Eye Tunnel.

To see reviews, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read our Custer trip planner.

You can drive from Badlands National Park to Custer in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Badlands National Park in August, things will get little chillier in Custer: highs are around 29°C and lows about 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Mon) so you can fly to Branson.

When in Branson, make a side trip to see Room Escape Games in Springfield, approximately Springfield away. Plan for a day of cool, family-friendly fun on the 18th (Fri) at Silver Dollar City. Next up on the itinerary: cast your line with a fishing tour, take an in-depth tour of Titanic Museum, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, and ponder the design of Dancing Water Fountain.

For maps, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Branson trip itinerary builder app.

You can fly from Custer to Branson in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Custer to Branson due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Custer in August, expect Branson to be a bit warmer, temps between 34°C and 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to fly to Chicago.

On the 20th (Sun), let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour, admire the natural beauty at Lincoln Park Conservatory, and then explore the landscape on two wheels at Lakefront Trail. On the 21st (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn more about the world around you at Field Museum, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Chicago Riverwalk, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fourth Presbyterian Church.

For photos, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Chicago tour itinerary planning site.

Traveling by flight from Branson to Chicago takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Mon) so you can catch the flight back home.