Travel Spotlights: Midwest Region

Starting in Chicago, “The Main Street of America” heads west and doesn’t stop until the Pacific Ocean. With over 480 kilometers in Illinois, stop at nostalgic eateries, quirky statues and historic stops. Discover small town gems in Joliet, Wilmington, Pontiac, Springfield, Livingston, Collinsville and more.

Follow the Mississippi River as it courses along the entire western border of Illinois. Pass through cute river towns, recreational areas, a UNESCO World Heritage site and cultural attractions. Alpine coasters, laid-back hiking trails and constant river views await.

The famous American architect has a strong connection with Illinois, including starting his career in Oak Park, which houses the largest collection of Wright-designed buildings (including two UNESCO World Heritage sites). Visit 13 sites on the Illinois Frank Lloyd Wright Trail around the state.

Illinois celebrates you being you and you loving who you love. Enjoy popular restaurants, clubs, eateries and shops in LGBTQ+ neighborhoods like Northalsted, lovingly referred to as Boystown, and Andersonville on the northside of the city. Popular celebrations, including Pride and Northalsted Market Days.

Outdoor adventure is calling in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. Hike along unique rock formations to stunning lookouts in Garden of the Gods Wilderness or get your kayak or canoe in the waters for exploration of its waterways.

Just a short drive from Chicago, Starved Rock State Park offers trails through forests and sandstone canyons. Hike to waterfalls and fields blooming in every wildflower color in spring. Affordable hotels, modern cabins and historic lodges provide perfect accommodation options.

Visitors enjoy the variety of culinary, cultural and music scenes found throughout the state. In Detroit, big-named acts fill stadiums, international talents pack performance halls and the nightlife is never ending in a city already teeming with world-class museums, local shops and an exciting dining scene.

Art isn’t contained only indoors in Michigan, it covers the state with public murals, sculptures, gardens and other colorful masterpieces. The world’s biggest contemporary art contest takes over Grand Rapids’ walkable downtown every year, while the nearby Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a can’t-miss art experience.

Experience the best of Michigan in charming towns surrounded by open air adventures. Traverse City’s lively downtown is just the basecamp for outdoor activities in spots that include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, untouched islands and the endless waterways of the Traverse Wine coast.

The always-curious love the historical institutions and art centers that continue to inspire visitors year after year. In Ann Arbor, visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, several University of Michigan affiliated museums and local galleries with everchanging displays.

The state’s craft brew masters and award-winning winemakers are putting Michigan on the global map. Multiple cities and towns have made top beer and wine destination lists by multiple publications and by public vote. Come find your next favorite ale or varietal.

Experience sites and attractions only found here. Tour the Motown Museum in Detroit, a historic Dutch community in Holland, mystery spots of the Upper Peninsula, Edison’s laboratory in Dearborn or the 129 lighthouses found along its sparkling shores.