Growing up in Iowa, it was always tempting to venture as far as possible from the Midwest for family vacations (which was how we ended up in places like Hawaii and Alaska).
But some of our very best vacation memories? They took place just a few hours from home!
The fact is that the Midwest kind of has it all! From famous landmarks to gorgeous state parks to laid-back small town vibes, here are some of the best Midwest vacations for families.
Top Midwest Cities for Family Getaways
I know my tendency as my family’s planner of all things, including vacations, is to start our plans with a city. Here are some of your best options!
Exciting Family Adventures in Kansas City
Kansas City is famous for barbecue and live music, which might just be enough for dad! But it’s also jam-packed with loads of fun family activities.
Union Station is home to Science City, where kids can climb giant structures, learn about space, and explore interactive exhibits. There are enough hands-on activities here to last an afternoon.
The Kansas City Zoo showcases animals from around the world, with a penguin plaza younger kids are sure to love. And the Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium offer fun indoor options if/when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
And with Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun right next door to each other, you could spend an entire weekend in the same 299 acres.
As a kid, I also loved the fact that Kansas City is spread across two different states, Kansas and Missouri. I mean, what kid doesn’t love stretching their body over a state line and yelling, “I’M IN TWO PLACES AT ONCE”?! Or maybe that was just me.
Discover Fun in the Twin Cities
When the Midwest isn’t spreading one city across two states, it’s jamming two cities into one. The Twin Cities, which include Minneapolis and St. Paul, offer two cities’ worth of entertainment in one stay.
The Minnesota Children’s Museum focuses on children’s creativity and curiosity, with exhibits changing often. And the Science Museum of Minnesota offers exciting exhibits on dinosaurs, outer space, and local rivers. Both museums are set up for interaction, making learning feel like play.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been to the Mall of America. There are obviously lots of stores there, but they also offer Nickelodeon Universe (an indoor amusement park), an aquarium, and loads of places to grab a meal.
And my family will disown me if I fail to mention that you can catch a Vikings football game in their state-of-the-art indoor stadium. In the summer, you might enjoy a Twins baseball game or exploring the city’s many lakes and parks.
The whole area is packed with biking trails, picnic spots, and splash pads.
Exploring Free Fun in St. Louis
Don’t forget St. Louis!
The Gateway Arch is St. Louis’s most famous attraction. You can ride to the top for an incredible view of the city and the Mississippi River.
The St. Louis Science Center has hands-on exhibits your kids will love, where they can build things, touch fossils, and even use a flight simulator. Best of all, it’s free!
Forest Park is one of the largest city parks in the United States and is home to the St. Louis Zoo, which is also the low, low price of…free! The zoo’s penguin and polar bear exhibits are especially popular.
Plus, St. Louis is easy to get around, even for the navigationally-challenged like myself, so you can see a lot there even on a short trip!
Must-See Attractions in Des Moines
I may be biased, but I think Des Moines is way too often overlooked as a family vacation destination! It offers loads of family fun without the traffic or crowds you have to navigate in bigger cities.
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is full of plants from around the world. As a kid, I loved spotting butterflies, walking through tropical gardens, and pretending I was lost in the jungle there.
I’ve also spent countless hours at the Science Center of Iowa, where they host live experiments, an IMAX theater, and loads of hands-on exhibits where kids can learn about the solar system, weather, and more.
While the Blank Park Zoo is smaller than some, it offers lots of play areas and rides for younger children where you won’t feel rushed or crowded. And Ledges State Park offers family-friendly hiking where you can play in streams along the way.
Historic neighborhoods like East Village offer lots of cool places for lunch or a treat. Des Moines is easy to get around, and parking is usually simple and cheap.
P.S. Please eat Tasty Tacos while you’re there. Even Jason Momoa thinks you should eat Tasty Tacos there.
Family-Friendly Charm in Omaha
I not only visited Omaha frequently as a kid, I even brought my own kid to visit Omaha (from south Texas, where we live now) so that she could experience it too!
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a must-visit. It has one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests and an amazing desert dome and they are so, so cool!
At the Omaha Children’s Museum, kids can try being a vet, pilot, or artist for a day. Every exhibit is designed for hands-on play.
Stroll through Old Market District downtown for music, local shops, and sweet treats, or stay there to keep entertainment within walking distance, like we did! You’ll also enjoy the Lauritzen Gardens, especially in the spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom.
Omaha offers a relaxing pace with lots to explore for kids and parents.
World-Class Museums in Chicago
Chicago is another great option for family vacations.
If you’re picturing that big, shiny bean (officially called “Cloud Gate“) right now, your head is in the right place! Chicago offers a shiny bean and a wide range of family-friendly attractions and activities.
You can visit their world-class museums like the Field Museum or the Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo (which is free!), Millennium Park, or Navy Pier. There are also beautiful parks and lakefront beaches to explore.
Family-Friendly Entertainment in Branson
While the name Branson, Missouri, might elicit images of country music bands in your head, there’s a lot more to Branson than country music!
Branson offers a wide variety of attractions that appeal to all ages, such as Silver Dollar City (a top-rated theme park), interactive museums, and endless live music, comedy, and magic shows that are suitable for kids and adults alike. Pair that with its budget-friendly price tag, and this city is hard not to visit with your family!
Plus, surrounded by the Ozark Mountains, Branson is also a haven for nature lovers. Families can enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and swimming in the area’s lakes and forests.
Rapid City and Surrounding Family Attractions
Rapid City is another great place to visit. (Ask me how excited my mom was, and how mad my dad was, when a bison almost rammed our car there!)
Downtown has the City of Presidents walk, featuring bronze statues of every U.S. president. Younger children will love Dinosaur Park, where they can climb on life-sized dinosaur sculptures.
The city has attractions like the South Dakota Air and Space Museum and the Journey Museum, where you can learn about local history and science. Plus, in Rapid City, you’re close to Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and other family-friendly attractions.
You can spend a day at Reptile Gardens or Bear Country USA, which both let you see animals up close. Kids are sure to enjoy fun parks, mini golf, and water slides in the area.
Nature Escapes and Outdoor Adventures
Speaking of the Ozark Mountains, the Midwest is notorious for offering families lots of ways to bond and create memories in the great outdoors.
National Parks
Midwest national parks offer adventure, natural beauty, and chances to see wildlife up close.
You can hike through forests or climb sand dunes in places like Indiana Dunes National Park on the southern tip of Lake Michigan. This park is known for its easy trails, sandy beaches, and picnic spots.
At Badlands National Park in South Dakota, your family can drive scenic roads, spot bison, and hike short trails to colorful rock formations.
Another favorite is Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, where you’ll find waterfalls, biking trails, and the scenic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
State Parks
The state parks in the Midwest artfully fuse gorgeous scenery with family-friendly activities.
For some of the best hiking and most relaxing campsites, you’ll want to check out places like Zaleski State Park and Wayne National Forest in Ohio. These parks feature wooded trails, waterfalls, and famous sites like the haunted Moonville Tunnel that kids love to explore.
Minnesota’s Itasca State Park is another fun choice, with the headwaters of the Mississippi River and boat rentals for water adventures.
Camping is a popular way to stay overnight, with some parks offering cabins or yurts if you don’t want the hassle of packing and pitching a tent. Many offer stargazing or guided hikes, helping to make your stay feel more unique and memorable.
Lakeside Retreats and Water Activities
We may not have an ocean in the Midwest but maaaaan do we have some breathtaking lakes!
The entire Great Lakes region offers lots of opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and even sailing lessons. Lake Michigan is a popular favorite, with opportunities for swimming, fishing, biking, and boat rentals.
Table Rock Lake in Missouri is perfect for fishing, tubing, and jet skiing. And Lake Geneva in Wisconsin is famous for its crystal-clear water, boat tours, and hiking trails with lake views.
Small Towns and Unique Midwest Experiences
Want to bask in the ambience of small-town life? The Midwest has you covered!
Door County
Door County in Wisconsin is known for its lakeside charm and peaceful pace.
You can visit small towns like Fish Creek, Ephraim, and Sturgeon Bay, which offer ice cream parlors, antique shops, and waterfront parks to explore. Your family can enjoy activities there like mini-golf, kayaking, and picking cherries during the summer.
Peninsula State Park is perfect for hikes or bike rides with gorgeous water views. In the evening, you can watch the sun set over Lake Michigan or enjoy a lakeside fish fry.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island, located in Lake Huron, offers a rare opportunity to step back in time. There are no cars allowed, so everyone gets around by bike or horse-drawn carriage.
The historic downtown boasts fudge shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants with local fish dishes. Family bike rides around the island invite you to enjoy the beautiful shoreline and forest trails.
You can tour Fort Mackinac, where actors in period dress bring history to life. Plus, the butterfly house and nature center are always fun for younger kids!
Afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel is a popular treat. Be sure to end your island day with a walk along the lake as the sun sets.
Traverse City
Traverse City, on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, is famous for its cherry orchards and water activities.
The small downtown area is walkable and filled with bookstores, cafés, and local shops. In June and July, you can take your family to the National Cherry Festival for parades and pie-eating contests.
Beach days are effortless here with sandy shores and calm waters. You can kayak, paddleboard, or take a boat tour.
Traverse City is also close to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—a great spot for climbing dunes, hiking, or just enjoying a picnic with a view.
Family Fun Parks and Indoor Water Adventures
And let’s not pretend Midwesterners don’t live for theme and water parks!
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells is famous for being the “Waterpark Capital of the World.” Here, you can choose from a wide variety of huge waterparks, both indoor and outdoor.
Top picks include Noah’s Ark, which offers more than 50 attractions like water slides and lazy rivers.
You’ll also find Kalahari Resorts with its huge indoor waterpark, perfect for year-round play. Chula Vista even features a water coaster indoors.
Amusement Parks and Roller Coasters
Beyond waterparks, the Midwest also boasts top family amusement parks filled with roller coasters, rides, and non-stop entertainment. Places like Six Flags Great America near Chicago, Cedar Point in Ohio, and Adventureland in Iowa draw families all summer.
If you like a mix of thrills and classic fun, these parks offer it all. Pack your day with snacks from food stalls, souvenir shopping, and interactive attractions that appeal to all ages.
This bucket list of the best Midwest vacations for families could take a lifetime to experience. You’d better get started ASAP, friend!
Have fun!
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