60 days in Midwest Itinerary

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

Venture out of the city with trips to Springfield (Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium & NRA National Sporting Arms Museum). And it doesn't end there: cool off at Silver Dollar City, get engrossed in the history at Titanic Museum, take some stellar pictures from College of the Ozarks, and learn more about the world around you at Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum.

To see maps, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Branson trip maker site.

Melbourne, Australia to Branson is an approximately 25-hour flight. You'll gain 16 hours traveling from Melbourne to Branson due to the time zone difference. In April, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Jefferson City.

Jefferson City is the capital of the State of Missouri and the fifteenth most populous city in the state. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Jefferson City: Lost Valley Fish Hatchery & Visitor Center (in Warsaw), Ha Ha Tonka State Park (in Camdenton) and Stark Caverns (in Eldon). There's still lots to do: admire the landmark architecture of America's National Churchill Museum, wander the wide-open spaces of Warm Springs Ranch, get engrossed in the history at Missouri State Museum, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.

To see more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Jefferson City trip itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by car from Branson to Jefferson City takes 3 hours. In April, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Kansas City.

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.

Get out of town with these interesting Kansas City side-trips: Topeka (Kansas Children's Discovery Center & Evel Knievel Museum), New Age Skincare Spa (in Excelsior Springs) and Phoenix Gallery (in Lawrence). There's still lots to do: test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, steep yourself in history at Union Station, see the interesting displays at Arabia Steamboat Museum, and do a tasting at Pirtle Winery.

To find traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Kansas City trip planner.

Traveling by car from Jefferson City to Kansas City takes 2.5 hours. In April, daily temperatures in Kansas City can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough 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.

Step out of Minneapolis with an excursion to Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls--about 1h 40 min away. And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Minneapolis Institute of Art, buy something for everyone on your list at Rybicki Cheese, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake of the Isles, and get to know the resident critters at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

To see more things to do, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Minneapolis day trip planner.

Fly from Kansas City to Minneapolis in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April, Minneapolis is slightly colder than Kansas City - with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Ely.

Ely is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. Start off your visit on the 20th (Thu): surround yourself with nature on White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures and then ski along the peaceful trails at Flathorn - Gegoka Cross Country Ski Trails. Here are some ideas for day two: trek along Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips.

To find photos, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Ely trip itinerary builder site.

Traveling by flight from Minneapolis to Ely takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Minneapolis in April, things will get little chillier in Ely: highs are around 8°C and lows about -5°C. On the 21st (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel 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.

Explore Cleveland's surroundings by going to Akron (The Peanut Shoppe, Room Escape Games, &more). The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at The Cleveland Museum of Art, pause for some serene contemplation at St John's Cathedral, don't miss a visit to Heinen's Downtown, and hunt for treasures at West Side Market.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Cleveland online day trip planner.

Traveling by combination of car and flight from Ely to Cleveland takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and train. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. Traveling from Ely in April, things will get a bit warmer in Cleveland: highs are around 16°C and lows about 5°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) early enough to go by car 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Columbus: Zipline (in Rockbridge), Logan (Old Man's Cave & Ash Cave) and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (in Powell). There's still lots to do: test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, view the masterpieces at Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio & Gallery, relax and rejuvenate at PAI Yoga & Fitness, and Head underground at Ohio Caverns.

For reviews, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Columbus road trip website.

You can drive from Cleveland to Columbus in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or fly. Traveling from Cleveland in April, you will find days in Columbus are a bit warmer (20°C), and nights are about the same (7°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to 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 (National Museum of the US Air Force & Carillon Historical Park), Clifty Falls State Park (in Madison) and Wolf creek habitat and rescue (in Brookville). There's lots more to do: gain some tasty knowledge on Cincy Brew Bus, try your luck at JACK Cincinnati Casino, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

To find photos, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Cincinnati travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Columbus to Cincinnati in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In April, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough to drive 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.

Explore Indianapolis' surroundings by going to Exotic Feline Rescue Center (in Centerpoint), Indiana Grand Racing & Casino (in Shelbyville) and Urban Vines Winery & Brewery Co. (in Westfield). And it doesn't end there: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, examine the collection at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, don't miss a visit to Central Canal, and gain insight at Indiana University.

To see ratings, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Indianapolis holiday builder site.

Drive from Cincinnati to Indianapolis in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in May, and nighttime lows around 14°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can go by car to South Bend.

South Bend is a city in and the county seat of St. Start off your visit on the 10th (Wed): get engrossed in the history at Studebaker National Museum, then make a trip to Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and finally take in the architecture and design of University of Notre Dame. Keep things going the next day: identify plant and animal life at Elkhart Environmental Center, then learn about winemaking at Fruit Hills Winery and Orchard, and then test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms.

You can plan South Bend trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.

You can drive from Indianapolis to South Bend in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or fly. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Indianapolis in May since evenings lows in South Bend dip to 11°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Thu) early enough to go by car 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, stroll around Millennium Park, engage your brain at Museum of Science and Industry, and enjoy breathtaking views from Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower.

Plan a Chicago trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can drive from South Bend to Chicago in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from South Bend to Chicago due to the time zone difference. In May in Chicago, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Springfield.

Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but its real significance is as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln.

Change things up with these side-trips from Springfield: McLean County Museum of History (in Bloomington), Children's Discovery Museum (in Normal) and Grand View Drive (in Peoria). Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, look for all kinds of wild species at Lincoln Memorial Garden, contemplate the long history of Old State Capitol, and enjoy some diversion at Washington Park.

To see photos, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Springfield trip itinerary planning app.

You can fly from Chicago to Springfield in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In May, plan for daily highs up to 28°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Mon) to allow enough 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Pinckney Bend Distillery (in New Haven), Iron Spike Model Train Museum (in Washington) and World Bird Sanctuary (in Valley Park). The adventure continues: enjoy breathtaking views from The Gateway Arch, savor the flavors at Food & Drink, stroll around Forest Park, and look for all kinds of wild species at The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.

For reviews, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read Saint Louis trip planner.

Traveling by car from Springfield to Saint Louis takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In May, daily temperatures in Saint Louis can reach 29°C, while at night they dip to 16°C. On the 29th (Mon), you'll travel back home.