3 Days · Active Retirees
Gary/Michigan City area, Indiana
Dune Light and Harbor Air: Three Easy Days on Indiana's Shoreline
4 stops
2 Days · Couples
Gary/Michigan City area, Indiana
Dune Light & Breakwater Nights: Two Days Along Indiana's Lake Michigan Edge
4 stops
2 Days · Couples
Indiana Dunes NP, Indiana
Sand, Silence, and Shoreline: Two Days in the Indiana Dunes
3 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
Indiana Dunes NP, Indiana
Golden Sand, Slow Light: 3 Days in Indiana Dunes
5 stops
2 Days · Couples
McCormick’s Creek State Park, Indiana
Limestone & Quiet Light: Two Days at McCormick's Creek
3 stops
2 Days · Young Families
Gary/Michigan City area, Indiana
Sand, Surf, and Small Steps: 2 Days at Indiana Dunes with Little Ones
4 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
McCormick’s Creek State Park, Indiana
Limestone & Quiet Light: 3 Days in McCormick's Creek Canyon
4 stops
2 Days · Young Families
Indiana Dunes NP, Indiana
Sand Between Their Toes: Two Slow Days in Indiana Dunes
3 stops
2 Days · Couples
Holland area, Michigan
Windmills, Waves & Golden Hour: 2 Days in Holland
4 stops
2 Days · Young Families
North Shore (Gunflint/Grand Portage), Minnesota
Waterfalls, Waves, and Little Explorers: 2 Days on the North Shore
3 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
Holland area, Michigan
Windmills, Waves & Golden Light: 3 Days in Holland, Michigan
5 stops
2 Days · Young Families
Holland area, Michigan
Sand Between Their Toes: Two Easy Days in Holland
4 stops
2 Days · Couples
North Shore (Gunflint/Grand Portage), Minnesota
Waterfalls, Waves, and Whitewashed Light: 2 Days on the North Shore
4 stops
3 Days · Couples
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
Canyon Light & River Song: 3 Days at Starved Rock
6 stops
2 Days · Young Families
Hocking Hills, Ohio
Waterfalls, Caves, and Little Feet: 2 Days in Hocking Hills
2 stops
3 Days · Couples
Pikes Peak State Park (IA), Iowa
Bluff Light & River Time: 3 Days at Pikes Peak State Park
6 stops
2 Days · Couples
Mohican State Park, Ohio
Gorge Light & River Hush: Two Days at Mohican State Park
6 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
Mohican State Park, Ohio
Gorge Light & Slow River: 3 Days in Mohican State Park
6 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
Hocking Hills, Ohio
Stone Cathedrals & Quiet Waters: 3 Days in Hocking Hills
3 stops
3 Days · Couples
Turkey Run State Park, Indiana
Sandstone & Sugar Creek: A Slow Canyon Escape for Two
6 stops
3 Days · Couples
McCormick’s Creek State Park, Indiana
Limestone & Light: Three Days at McCormick's Creek
5 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Gary/Michigan City area, Indiana
Sand, Sky, and Small Steps: 3 Days Along the Dunes
5 stops
3 Days · Young Families
North Shore (Gunflint/Grand Portage), Minnesota
Waterfalls, Lighthouses, and Little Legs: 3 Days on the North Shore
4 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Indiana Dunes NP, Indiana
Sand, Wind, and Small Feet: 3 Days at Indiana Dunes
6 stops
3 Days · Couples
Indiana Dunes NP, Indiana
Sand, Light, and Lake Wind: 3 Days in Indiana Dunes
6 stops
3 Days · Couples
Driftless Area (Southwest), Wisconsin
Bluffs, Rivers, and Stone Hearts: 3 Days in the Driftless
9 stops
3 Days · Couples
Gary/Michigan City area, Indiana
Dune Light & Harbor Nights: 3 Days Along Indiana's Lake Michigan Shore
5 stops
3 Days · Couples
North Shore (Gunflint/Grand Portage), Minnesota
Waterfalls, Lighthouses & Border Wilderness: 3 Days on the North Shore
4 stops
3 Days · Couples
Holland area, Michigan
Windmills, Dunes & Golden Water: A Couples' Escape to Holland
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Holland area, Michigan
Windmills, Waves & Little Feet in the Sand: 3 Days in Holland
5 stops
3 Days · Solo
Missouri River Breaks, South Dakota
Big Sky Water: Three Days Alone with the Missouri River Breaks
4 stops
2 Days · Couples
Pembina Gorge, North Dakota
Red Cliffs & River Quiet: Two Days in Pembina Gorge
6 stops
3 Days · Couples
Hocking Hills, Ohio
Mist, Stone, and Slow Mornings: 3 Days in Hocking Hills
3 stops
3 Days · Couples
Mohican State Park, Ohio
Gorge Light & River Song: 3 Days in Mohican State Park
6 stops
2 Days · Solo
Theodore Roosevelt NP (South Unit), North Dakota
Badlands Solitude: Two Days Beneath the Rimrock
7 stops
2 Days · Couples
Sheyenne River Valley, North Dakota
Slow Water, Wide Sky: Two Days in the Sheyenne River Valley
4 stops
2 Days · Teen Families
Flint Hills (North/South), Kansas
Grass, Sky, and Bison Trails: Two Days in the Flint Hills
4 stops
2 Days · Couples
Theodore Roosevelt NP (South Unit), North Dakota
Badlands and Golden Light: Two Days in the South Unit
6 stops
2 Days · Solo
Pembina Gorge, North Dakota
Red Cliffs and River Silence: 2 Days Alone in Pembina Gorge
5 stops
2 Days · Teen Families
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
Canyon Country: Two Days of Waterfalls, Bluffs & Family Adventure at Starved Rock
7 stops
2 Days · Solo
Des Moines River Valley, Iowa
River Light & Sandstone Silence: Two Days in the Des Moines Valley
4 stops
2 Days · Teen Families
Des Moines River Valley, Iowa
River Bluffs & Botanical Light: A Des Moines Valley Weekend
3 stops
2 Days · Teen Families
Okoboji Lakes (Iowa Great Lakes), Iowa
Sun, Sand & Second Chances: Two Days on West Okoboji
6 stops
2 Days · Teen Families
Pikes Peak State Park (IA), Iowa
Bluffs, Barges, and Small-Town Light: 2 Days at Pikes Peak State Park
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Lake Erie Shores, Ohio
Coasters, Lighthouses & Lake Light: 3 Days Along Lake Erie Shores
6 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
Holland area, Michigan
Windmills, Waves, and Wide-Open Sky: 3 Days in Holland
6 stops
2 Days · Solo
Okoboji Lakes (Iowa Great Lakes), Iowa
Glacial Water, Golden Hours: A Solo Weekend at Okoboji
4 stops
2 Days · Solo
Pikes Peak State Park (IA), Iowa
Bluff Light & River Towns: Two Days at Pikes Peak State Park
5 stops
2 Days · Couples
Pikes Peak State Park (IA), Iowa
Bluff Light & River Time: Two Days Above the Mississippi
5 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Springfield (IL) area, Illinois
Small Steps in Lincoln's Footsteps: 3 Days in Springfield with Kids
3 stops
4 Days · Young Families
Black Hills (non-Custer), South Dakota
Waterfalls, Wonder, and Underground Starlight: 4 Days in the Black Hills
5 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
Kansas City area, Missouri
Art, Roses & Fountains: A Kansas City Family Weekend
8 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
St. Louis area, Missouri
Arch, Art & Attitude: 3 Days in St. Louis with Teens
10 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Sioux City, Iowa, Iowa
Riverbend Wonder: A Family Summer in Sioux City
6 stops
3 Days · Couples
Sheyenne River Valley, North Dakota
Slow Water, Wide Sky: A Sheyenne River Valley Escape
6 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
Theodore Roosevelt NP (South Unit), North Dakota
Badlands Gold: 3 Days of Buttes, Bison & Roosevelt's Frontier
8 stops
4 Days · Young Families
Kansas City area, Missouri
Roses, Rembrandts & Rest Stops: A Slow Family Week in Kansas City
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Omaha area, Nebraska
Cobblestones, Critters & Riverside Wonder: 3 Days in Omaha with the Kids
5 stops
4 Days · Young Families
Cleveland, Ohio, Ohio
Lake Breezes & Little Explorers: 4 Days in Cleveland
9 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Red River Valley (Fargo area), North Dakota
Prairie Skies & Gallery Light: 3 Days in the Red River Valley with Little Ones
5 stops
Showing 60 of 200 — see summer trips by state.
Summer trips across the Midwest offer families and travelers access to diverse landscapes, from dramatic bluffs and badlands to river valleys and urban cultural centers. This guide features 21 verified destinations spanning Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota, paired with 30 curated itineraries ranging from quick weekend escapes to immersive week-long journeys. Whether exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park, discovering art and fountains in Kansas City, or experiencing the Red River Valley's prairie skies, the Midwest reveals natural wonders and family-friendly attractions suited to travelers of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of itineraries are available for summer travel in the Midwest?⌄
The collection includes 30 itineraries of varying lengths, from 2-day weekend trips to 4-day extended explorations. Options include themed journeys such as 'Waterfalls, Wonder, and Underground Starlight: 4 Days in the Black Hills,' 'Art, Roses & Fountains: A Kansas City Family Weekend,' and 'Lake Breezes & Little Explorers: 4 Days in Cleveland,' with many specifically designed for families with children.
Which destinations in the Midwest are featured on this page?⌄
The page covers 21 destinations across eight states: Pikes Peak State Park and the Sandhills in Iowa; Springfield and the Missouri River Breaks in Missouri; Black Hills, Badlands National Park (North Unit), and Sioux Falls in South Dakota; Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit) in North Dakota; Kansas City area, Wichita area, and Topeka area in Kansas; St. Louis area and Springfield in Illinois; Omaha area in Nebraska; Minneapolis-St. Paul in Minnesota; Cleveland in Ohio; Sioux City in Iowa; Sheyenne River Valley; Red River Valley (Fargo area); Lincoln area; and Pembina Gorge.
Are there itineraries designed specifically for families with young children?⌄
Yes. Many itineraries are explicitly designed for families with little ones, including 'Small Steps in Lincoln's Footsteps: 3 Days in Springfield with Kids,' 'Cobblestones, Critters & Riverside Wonder: 3 Days in Omaha with the Kids,' and 'Prairie Skies & Gallery Light: 3 Days in the Red River Valley with Little Ones,' among others throughout the collection.
How long are typical itineraries on this page?⌄
Itineraries range from 2 to 4 days in length. Most fall into the 3-day category, making them ideal for weekend or short-week getaways, though several 4-day options provide more time for deeper exploration of destinations like the Black Hills, Cleveland, and St. Louis.
More Collections
Or see Summer Trips by state or browse weekend getaways in the Midwest.