60 days in Midwest Itinerary

Created using Inspirock United States trip maker
Make it your trip
Fly
1
Indianapolis
— 8 nights
Fly
2
Chicago
— 10 nights
Fly
3
Marquette
— 4 nights
Fly
4
Grand Rapids
— 5 nights
Fly
5
Detroit
— 7 nights
Drive
6
Toledo
— 5 nights
Drive
7
Cleveland
— 6 nights
Drive
8
Columbus
— 7 nights
Drive
9
Cincinnati
— 7 nights
Fly

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Indianapolis — 8 nights

Circle City

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.
Explore Indianapolis' surroundings by going to Urban Vines Winery & Brewery Co. (in Westfield), Bloomington (Buskirk-Chumley Theater & Oliver Winery) and Willowfield Lavender Farm (in Mooresville). There's much more to do: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, stroll through Indianapolis Museum of Art, have fun and explore at Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and pause for some photo ops at Monument Circle.

To see maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Indianapolis online route planner.

Atlanta to Indianapolis is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Atlanta in December: high temperatures in Indianapolis hover around 41°F and lows are around 27°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Chicago.
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Museums · Historic Sites · Parks · Wineries
Side Trips

Chicago — 10 nights

Windy City

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.
Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Chicago: Lilacia Park (in Lombard), Adagio Teas (in Naperville) and Morton Arboretum (in Lisle). Next up on the itinerary: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, walk around Millennium Park, get to know the resident critters at Lincoln Park Zoo, and take a leisurely stroll along Navy Pier.

To see reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Chicago trip maker website.

Traveling by flight from Indianapolis to Chicago takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago. In January, plan for daily highs up to 32°F, and evening lows to 18°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) so you can fly to Marquette.
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Parks · Museums · Childrens Museums · Shopping
Side Trips

Marquette — 4 nights

Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Marquette County. Venture out of the city with trips to Swedetown Ski Trails (in Calumet), A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech (in Houghton) and Munising (Valley Spur & Munising Falls). categoryPhrases.sentence.On_the_day_spend_an_exhilarating_day_on_the_slopes_at. There's lots more to do: identify plant and animal life at Presque Isle Park, take in the exciting artwork at Beth Millner Jewelry, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Sugarloaf Mountain, and explore the galleries of Lakenenland Sculpture Park.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Marquette visit planner.

Traveling by flight from Chicago to Marquette takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 1 hour. Traveling from Chicago in January, expect Marquette to be a bit cooler, temps between 22°F and 7°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) early enough to fly to Grand Rapids.
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Parks · Outdoors · Winter Sports · Nature
Side Trips

Grand Rapids — 5 nights

Furniture City

The second largest city in Michigan and a hub of furniture manufacturing, Grand Rapids bears the nickname "Furniture City." However, the destination's original name came from the rapids of the Grand River that once ran through the downtown area.
You'll find plenty of places to visit near Grand Rapids: Midland (Dow Gardens & Chippewa Nature Center), Bell's Comstock Brewery (in Galesburg) and Gilmore Car Museum (in Hickory Corners). Next up on the itinerary: take in nature's colorful creations at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, revel in the low prices at Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids, see the sky in a new way at Grand Rapids Public Museum, and make a trip to Horrock's.

For maps, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Grand Rapids tour itinerary planning website.

Traveling by flight from Marquette to Grand Rapids takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Marquette in January, things will get somewhat warmer in Grand Rapids: highs are around 31°F and lows about 18°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Detroit.
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Museums · Parks · Childrens Museums · Breweries & Distilleries
Side Trips

Detroit — 7 nights

The Motor City

Founded in 1701 by a French explorer and adventurer, Detroit exerted a profound impact on the world for most of the 20th century.
Venture out of the city with trips to Alden Dow Home and Studio (in Midland), Flint (Flint Institute of Arts & Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad) and FasTrak Exotic Driving Experience (in Grosse Ile). There's lots more to do: explore the world behind art at Detroit Institute of Arts, wander the streets of Campus Martius Park, examine the collection at The Henry Ford, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.

To find traveler tips, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Detroit trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Grand Rapids to Detroit takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°F in January, and nighttime lows around 19°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) early enough to drive to Toledo.
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Museums · Historic Sites · Shopping · Fun & Games
Side Trips

Toledo — 5 nights

Toledo is a city in and the county seat of Lucas County, Ohio, United States. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Toledo: Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory (in Fort Wayne), Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum (in Auburn) and Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden (in Sandusky). There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at Wildwood Manor House, look and learn at BGSU Planetarium, identify plant and animal life at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, and examine the collection at Imagination Station.

To find where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Toledo trip planner.

You can drive from Detroit to Toledo in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. In January, plan for daily highs up to 32°F, and evening lows to 18°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to go by car to Cleveland.
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Museums · Parks · Historic Sites · Zoos & Aquariums
Side Trips

Cleveland — 6 nights

Forest City

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 The Upton House (in Warren), Youngstown (Fellows Riverside Gardens & The Butler Institute of American Art) and Akron (Room Escape Games, Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, &more). And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at The Cleveland Museum of Art, try your luck at JACK Cleveland Casino, examine the collection at A Christmas Story House, and don't miss a visit to Public Square.

To see maps, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Cleveland trip itinerary tool.

Traveling by car from Toledo to Cleveland takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. February in Cleveland sees daily highs of 36°F and lows of 22°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can drive to Columbus.
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Museums · Parks · Historic Sites · Fun & Games
Side Trips

Columbus — 7 nights

The Discovery City

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.
Explore Columbus' surroundings by going to Kennedy Museum of Art (in Athens), Ash Cave (in Logan) and Rockbridge (Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve & Zipline). There's lots more to do: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, see the interesting displays at The Museum of Catholic Art and History, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

For reviews, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Columbus road trip planning app.

You can drive from Cleveland to Columbus in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or fly. In February, daytime highs in Columbus are 41°F, while nighttime lows are 23°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Cincinnati.
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Museums · Parks · Historic Sites · Shopping
Side Trips

Cincinnati — 7 nights

The Queen of the West

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.
Explore Cincinnati's surroundings by going to Dayton (National Museum of the US Air Force, Carillon Historical Park, &more), U.S. Grant Birthplace (in Point Pleasant) and Veterans Memorial Museum (in Germantown). And it doesn't end there: learn the secrets of beer at a beer tour and tasting, take in the spiritual surroundings of Immaculata Church, take in nature's colorful creations at Krohn Conservatory, and meet the residents at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

To see ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Cincinnati online driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Columbus to Cincinnati takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 43°F in February, and nighttime lows around 25°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) so you can fly back home.
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Museums · Parks · Historic Sites · Tours
Side Trips

Indiana travel guide

4.1
Casinos · Room Escape Games · Specialty Museums
The Hoosier State
With an extensive history of motorsports, Indiana's main claim to fame is the popular automobile race held each year in its capital city. A mostly rural state, Indiana is a land of till plains and lakes, its appearance a result of traces left behind by receding glaciers. The central section of the state, mostly flat with some rolling hills, contains some of the country's most fertile farmland. The state also contains almost 39,000 km (24,000 mi) of waterways, including the Wabash River, the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. For a genuine "Hoosier" experience, tour the state's slow-paced small towns, noted for their hospitality and outstanding local cuisine. You'll remember the warmth and charm long after your vacation is over.
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Illinois travel guide

4.3
Observation Decks · Parks · Art Museums
The Prairie State
The most populous state in the country's Midwest region, Illinois features a diverse landscape that includes both the enormous urban sprawl of Chicago and flat central plains, devoted almost entirely to farmland. With a great selection of things to do, Chicago is the state's centerpiece, featuring world-famous architecture and renowned museums. Farther away from this giant urban center, you can explore historical landmarks dedicated to local heroes Abraham Lincoln and Ernest Hemingway. The state also includes a prehistoric Native American site, one of only 20 World Heritage Sites in the United States, a unique feature well-worth adding to your itinerary.
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Michigan travel guide

4.7
Specialty Museums · Gift & Specialty Shops · State Parks
Great Lakes State
A state inextricably tied to its waterways, Michigan does water activities better than almost any other place in the country. Things to do in the state include numerous opportunities to swim, fish, sail, motorboat, and canoe. The country's only state to stretch over two peninsulas, Michigan features a long freshwater coastline. In a land of nearly 65,000 inland lakes and ponds, you can never be too far from a natural water source. Michigan's major claim to fame is its status as the center of the U.S. automotive industry, with the Detroit metropolitan area housing the country's three major car manufacturers. The city is also a major center of culture, the birthplace of the Motown Sound, and the home of several museums and other tourist attractions. Farther from the big urban centers, Michigan offers visitors a world of apple and cherry orchards, rustic villages, and picturesque vineyards.
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Ohio travel guide

4.3
Specialty Museums · Casinos · Water Parks
The Buckeye State
Nicknamed the "Heart of It All" because of its heart-like shape, Ohio is perhaps best described as a mosaic of big cities and small towns, with vast tracts of farmland in between. Always a major industrial and political player in the country, the state was the home to eight American presidents and the Wright brothers, inventors of the airplane. The first man to walk on the Moon came from Ohio, as did 23 other astronauts. More than just an overachiever in science, industry, and politics, the state is also a serious holiday destination, featuring both traditional Amish farms and bustling cities with a great selection of things to do.
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