8 days in Midwest Itinerary

Rockbridge is an unincorporated community in eastern Good Hope Township, Hocking County, Ohio, United States. Start off your visit on the 23rd (Fri): delve into the lush surroundings at Licking county Bike trails and then look for all kinds of wild species at Chestnut Ridge. On your second day here, get outside with Outdoor Activities, look for all kinds of wild species at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Rock Bridge.

For maps, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Rockbridge road trip tool.

Newark to Rockbridge is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. In June, daytime highs in Rockbridge are 82°F, while nighttime lows are 61°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Keystone.

Fewer than 400 people call Keystone home year-round, but the population explodes in summer when crowds flock to nearby Mount Rushmore.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Sun): contemplate the waterfront views at Sylvan Lake, then explore the striking landscape at Needles Eye Tunnel, then immerse yourself in nature at Custer State Park, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Mon): take a memorable drive along Iron Mountain Road, take a memorable drive along Needles Highway, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Black Hills National Forest.

For maps, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Keystone trip itinerary tool.

Getting from Rockbridge to Keystone by flight takes about 6.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and train. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Rockbridge to Keystone due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Rockbridge in June, things will get slightly colder in Keystone: highs are around 73°F and lows about 48°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) so you can catch the flight 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, make a trip to Buckingham Fountain, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Shedd Aquarium.

For ratings, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, read Chicago itinerary planner.

Getting from Keystone to Chicago by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Keystone to Chicago, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In June, Chicago is somewhat warmer than Keystone - with highs of 81°F and lows of 63°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Empire.

Empire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Kick off your visit on the 30th (Fri): get to know the fascinating history of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, go to the Empire travel planner.

Fly from Chicago to Empire in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. The time zone difference when traveling from Chicago to Empire is 1 hour. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Chicago in June; daily highs in Empire reach 72°F and lows reach 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) early enough to fly back home.