60 days in Midwest Itinerary

Akron is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County. Kids will appreciate attractions like Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and Don Drumm Studios & Gallery. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Akron: Castle Noel (in Medina), Warther Museum (in Dover) and The Farm at Walnut Creek (in Sugarcreek). There's still lots to do: identify plant and animal life at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, contemplate the long history of Gazebo & Green, Hudson, see the interesting displays at Nativity Museum and replica of Bethlehem's cave, and stroll around Lake Metroparks Farmpark.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Akron travel planner.

Boston to Akron is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. December in Akron sees daily highs of 41°F and lows of 28°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) 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.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Room Escape Games and Hocking Hills State Park. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Columbus: Kennedy Museum of Art (in Athens), Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (in Powell) and Ash Cave (in Logan). The adventure continues: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, examine the collection at The Museum of Catholic Art and History, let the kids burn off some steam at Columbus Commons, and admire the masterpieces at Decorative Arts Center of Ohio.

For traveler tips, maps, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Columbus trip itinerary website.

Drive from Akron to Columbus in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 43°F in December, and nighttime lows around 29°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) 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 visit kid-friendly attractions like National Museum of the US Air Force and Room Escape Games. Change things up with these side-trips from Cincinnati: Sharon Woods (in Sharonville), Lanier Mansion State Historic Site (in Madison) and Carillon Historical Park (in Dayton). Next up on the itinerary: go on a hair-raising tour with a ghost and vampire tour, take in nature's colorful creations at Krohn Conservatory, get a new perspective on nature at Cincinnati Museum Center, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.

For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Cincinnati trip builder tool.

Traveling by car from Columbus to Cincinnati takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Cincinnati can reach 45°F, while at night they dip to 29°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) to allow time 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.

Kids will enjoy Room Escape Games and Haan Museum of Indiana Art. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Indianapolis: Linden Depot Museum (in Linden), Seiberling Mansion (in Kokomo) and Haan Museum Sculpture Garden (in Lafayette). The adventure continues: explore the engaging exhibits at Children's Museum of Indianapolis, experience the excitement of Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson, tour the pleasant surroundings at The Miller House and Garden, and see the interesting displays at Rhythm! Discovery Center.

To see more things to do, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Indianapolis online tour planner.

You can drive from Cincinnati to Indianapolis in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 41°F, and evening lows to 27°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) 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.

Kids will enjoy Museum of Science and Industry and The Art Institute of Chicago. Change things up with a short trip to Lilacia Park in Lombard (about 36 minutes away). Next up on the itinerary: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Lincoln Park Zoo, observe the fascinating underwater world at Shedd Aquarium, take in the waterfront at Navy Pier, and learn more about the world around you at Field Museum.

For other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Chicago visit app.

Traveling by flight from Indianapolis to Chicago takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago is minus 1 hour. In December, plan for daily highs up to 38°F, and evening lows to 26°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Branson.

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

Attractions like Silver Dollar City and Fishing Charters & Tours make great kid-friendly stops. Explore Branson's surroundings by going to Springfield (Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Room Escape Games, &more). The adventure continues: find something for the whole family at Runaway Mountain Coaster, get engrossed in the history at Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, gain insight at College of the Ozarks, and see the interesting displays at Titanic Museum.

To see ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Branson trip planner.

Fly from Chicago to Branson in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. Traveling from Chicago in December, expect nights in Branson to be about the same, around 31°F, while days are somewhat warmer, around 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough 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.

Bring the kids along to Room Escape Games and Bingham Waggoner Mansion & Estate. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kansas City: Overland Park (Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens & Korean War Veterans Memorial) and Park Place (in Leawood). Next up on the itinerary: get advice or help at Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum, explore the world behind art at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, contemplate the long history of Union Station, and learn about all things military at National WWI Museum and Memorial.

To see maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Kansas City trip itinerary builder site.

Getting from Branson to Kansas City by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a bus; or fly. In January, daytime highs in Kansas City are 42°F, while nighttime lows are 23°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to fly 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.

Attractions like Saint Louis Zoo and City Museum make great kid-friendly stops. Change things up with a short trip to First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site in Saint Charles (about 32 minutes away). The adventure continues: admire the natural beauty at Missouri Botanical Garden, stroll around Forest Park, make a trip to The Gateway Arch, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

For where to stay, maps, photos, and tourist information, read our Saint Louis itinerary app.

Fly from Kansas City to Saint Louis in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Saint Louis are 41°F, while nighttime lows are 23°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Ely.

Ely is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. Start off your visit on the 13th (Fri): glide through natural beauty at Flathorn - Gegoka Cross Country Ski Trails and then get a dose of the wild on White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Sat): relax and rejuvenate at The Pebble Spa Co., hike along Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips, and then see the interesting displays at International Wolf Center.

To see maps, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, use the Ely day trip site.

You can fly from Saint Louis to Ely in 5.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Prepare for colder weather when traveling from Saint Louis in January: high temperatures in Ely hover around 16°F and lows are around -4°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can catch the flight 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.

Attractions like Room Escape Games and Central Park Ice Skating Trail make great kid-friendly stops. Get out of town with these interesting Minneapolis side-trips: Pleasant Valley Orchard (in Shafer) and Wild Mountain Ski, Snowboarding & Wild Chutes Snow Tubing (in Taylors Falls). There's still lots to do: explore the activities along Lake of the Isles, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, examine the collection at American Swedish Institute, and surround yourself with nature on Stone Arch Bridge.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Minneapolis trip itinerary site.

You can fly from Ely to Minneapolis in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Ely in January, things will get somewhat warmer in Minneapolis: highs are around 24°F and lows about 9°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Grand Rapids.

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.

Bring the kids along to Room Escape Games and Alden Dow Home and Studio. Change things up with these side-trips from Grand Rapids: Gilmore Car Museum (in Hickory Corners), Portage ( Air Zoo & The Pantry On Tap Oil and Vinegar) and Kalamazoo Valley Museum (in Kalamazoo). Next up on the itinerary: take in nature's colorful creations at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, tour the pleasant surroundings at Chippewa Nature Center, fly down the slopes at Bittersweet Ski Resort, and see the sky in a new way at Grand Rapids Public Museum.

To find traveler tips, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Grand Rapids trip itinerary app.

Fly from Minneapolis to Grand Rapids in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time is 1 hour. Traveling from Minneapolis in January, expect Grand Rapids to be a bit warmer, temps between 31°F and 18°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Toledo.

Toledo is a city in and the county seat of Lucas County, Ohio, United States. Bring the kids along to Wildwood Manor House and Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad. Change things up with these side-trips from Toledo: The Henry Ford (in Dearborn), Sandusky (Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden & Kalahari Waterparks) and Ferguson's Gallery (in Marblehead). There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, see the interesting displays at Imagination Station, and explore the world behind art at Toledo Museum of Art.

For reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Toledo road trip planning website.

Traveling by flight from Grand Rapids to Toledo takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Toledo are 32°F, while nighttime lows are 18°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight back home.