The Best Family Vacations In The Midwest For Summer Getaways

There are several great family vacations in the Midwest for nearby, local summer getaways. The Midwest is made up of underrated states like Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. Of course, Midwestern states and cities rarely fall at the top of lists for “exciting destinations to visit with the family.” However, it is time to rethink the middle of the United States as your next vacation destination. Here, value travelers, such as yourself, can experience stunning beaches, quaint historic towns, and exhilarating adventures. To help you plan your next excursion, read on to learn about the best family vacations in the Midwest for local summer getaways.

Branson, Missouri

First off, Branson, MO is one of the best travel experiences in the US for your summer family vacation. Branson is commonly associated with incredible live music, artisan performances, and action-packed thrill rides. While you are in town, be sure to check out the famous Titanic Museum, Branson Zipline, as well as the Scenic Railway. Then, take the family over to Silver Dollar City, the city’s 69-acre amusement park. It has a 1880’s theme and you can get better value with a 2 day ticket for $ 94 instead of the 1 day admission for $ 74 ages 12+. For dining, head over to Dolly Parton’s Stampede, an exciting dinner-theater extravaganza.

There are 30 theaters and over 100 shows to choose from for entertainment around the Hwy 76 Entertainment District. Check out bransonshows.com to see what shows are being offered at half price for the date you are looking for. If you are flexible on your choices you can save a lot of money. To get out and enjoy the great outdoors, stop by Table Rock State Park and Lake Taneycomo. Here, the entire family can enjoy boating, camping, as well as trout fishing. Certainly, check out Branson, Missouri on your Midwestern family vacation this summer.

Door County, Wisconsin

In addition, Door County, WI is another one of the best family vacations in the Midwest for local summer getaways. Just 3 1/2 hours from Chicago, Door County is an excellent, local destination to experience this summer. There are five state parks and 19 county parks in Door County alone. Bring the family to The Farm, where the kids can milk goats, feed animals, and watch chicks hatch. Then, head over to the popular Peninsula State Park, where you will enjoy hiking trails, immaculate beaches, and an informative nature center.

For food, you will have to try a Fish Boil, which is undeniably Door County’s signature meal. This is prepared by boiling local Lake Michigan whitefish over a huge open fire. Add salt to the water and then add potatoes. Once the potatoes are cooked, onions are added. Once the fish are just about ready, the boil master will signal that the boil over is about to start, which is the fiery spectacle that occurs when kerosene is thrown onto the fire. The mild whitefish, potatoes and onion are served with melted butter, lemon wedges, coleslaw or salad, bread, and a slice of fresh-baked Door County cherry pie. Cherries are a staple at local orchards and are ripe for the picking mid-July to mid-August. The cherry industry is a staple of Door County. Because Door County fish boils are so popular, many restaurants recommend calling ahead for reservations.Try White Gull Inn or Pelletier’s in Fish Creek or Waterfront Mary’s Bar & Grill in Sturgeon Bay. It will run $ 20-25 pp.

Indeed, Door County, Wisconsin is one of the best family vacations in the Midwest for family travelers.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Next, Rapid City, SD is another incredible family vacation destination in the Midwest. Known as a Gateway to Mount Rushmore, there are many incredible attractions and destinations to explore in this area. However, Rapid City is most commonly known for its animal viewing opportunities, making it the perfect destination for endangered wildlife travel. Take the family on a drive through the 18 mile Custer State Park. Here, nearly 1,500 bison are continuously free roaming throughout the parkgrounds. One great hike to take is around  Sylvan Lake. There are stunning rock formations and is spectacular. Sunday Gulch is a four mile loop with stream crossings. You can take a slow drive on the 14 mile Needles Highway and appreciate the beauty that you see. Take a drive on Wildlife Loop Road and you may see buffalo and burros.

Before you leave town, be sure to stop in the famous Badlands National Park, as well as the star of the show, Mount Rushmore.

You do not need a reservation for any programs at Mount Rushmore, including the Evening Lighting Ceremony. The 15 minute Sculptor’s Studio Talk is  about the tools and techniques used in the carving of the famous sculpture. The 45 minute evening program  focus  on the presidents, patriotism and the nation’s history. You will see the film “Freedom: America’s Lasting Legacy” and then ends with the lighting of the memorial. Explore the history of the Black Hills and the American Indian tribes who have passed through there for thousands of years. Learn the customs and traditions of local American Indian communities. 10:30- 3:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.  A Self-Guided audio tour is also available to hear the story of Mount Rushmore through music, interviews, historic recordings and sound effects while walking a scenic route around the park. Small fee. Of course programs and lectures change throughout the year based on weather and expected attendance. 30 minutes from Rapid City.

Visiting the Badlands you can also learn about the history of The Lakota people who have always lived there. – Many notable leaders and warriors including Crazy Horse and Red Cloud were crucial to their history. The southern area of Badlands including the White River Visitor Center is on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The visitor center has exhibits  about Lakota history and culture. Certain dates you can experience cultural demonstrations involving music, dancing, and crafts.

It is home to a large population of the American Bison. 1,200 bison are in the Badlands today. As recently as the early 1800s, there were 30 million bison roaming North America. By the late 1800s, European settlers cut that number to fewer than 1,000.  Badlands has played  an important role in the growth of the Bison. You can drive the parks most popular road — Badlands Loop Road, also known as Highway 240. Catch beautiful landscapes, informational exhibits, and glimpses of wildlife on this incredible drive. There are over a dozen of overlooks to soak in the scenery. One hour from Rapid City.

Surely, visit Rapid City, South Dakota on your Midwest local summer family vacation getaway.

Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth is a quaint, charming city located on the Lake Superior Port. Here, visitors can experience incredible Great Lakes attractions, relax in the great outdoors, and enjoy an incredible small town. In this delightful city, you will enjoy miles of hiking trails, acres of scenic parkland, and urban walking trails. One of the more unique experiences in this area is fly fishing, which takes place on some of Duluth’s many trout streams. The conditions are ideal due to the cooler water temperatures in late fall and early spring. There are no shortage of choices. Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout and salmon to name a few. Within an easy drive of Duluth you can head to Sargent Creek, Miller Creek, Lester River, Amity Creek, Chester Creek, Steward Creek and Lake Superior. If you want to learn basic fly casting prior to going contact greatlakeflyfish.com at $ 40 per person per hour. Want to go out for a half day experience with a guide on the North Shore of Lake Superior? $ 200 and then $ 50 for each additional person. They can also rent you any equipment you forgot to bring with you. namebini.com. For more active travelers, try your hand at kayaking or paddleboarding. When the weather is not as nice, take a drive down the Scenic Skyline Parkway, which stretches for over 20 miles through the city.  You will see views of the harbor and the shoreline of Lake Superior. Along the way you have opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and picnic areas. A main attraction is the Duluth Traverse Trail – a mountain bike trail that covers the entire length of the city. In the north, Hawk Ridge is an excellent spot for watching migratory birds in spring and fall. Absolutely, Duluth, MN is one of the best, scenic family vacations in the Midwest for local summer getaways.

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo, ND is another must-see family vacation destination in the United States. Fargo is often recognized for its deep agricultural roots, college town energy, and rich Scandinavian history. North Dakota’s largest city is largely known for small town friendliness and unique, eccentric oddities. Here, families will enjoy amazing museums, such as the Fargo Air Museum, Plains Art, and the Roger Maris Museum. The Fargo Air Museum is home to aircraft of all eras. You can see two hangars full of aircraft ranging from a Wright Brothers’ flyer to the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft. Many of the planes are still able to fly which is unique and  not found in the vast majority of the nation’s air museums. They even offer a 15 minute flight simulator experience for $ 10. The Plains Art Museum is free and its permanent collection has over 4,000 local, regional, and national works, including Native American art.

Roger Maris hit a then record 61 home runs during the 1961 season for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth’s single-season record of 60 home runs in 1927. His museum is located near the Aquarium Court at West Acres Shopping Center. Notable museum features include a video room for watching historic footage while sitting on actual Yankee Stadium seats from the Maris era., a replica of Roger’s Yankee Stadium monument, a replica of Roger’s 1961 locker and displays and artifacts from Roger’s youth and Major League playing days.

“Sometimes I wish I never hit those 61 home runs. All I want is to be treated like any other player. I never wanted all this hoopla. All I wanted is to be a good ballplayer, hit 25 or 30 homers, drive in around a hundred runs, hit .280, and help my club win pennants. I just wanted to be one of the guys, an average player with a good season.” – Roger Maris

Then, head over to some iconic state parks, like Fort Ransom, Turtle River, and Icelandic. In Fort Ransom you can relax on the Sheyenne River by canoeing or kayaking. For a unique overnight experience, book the Percheron Wagon for $ 85/night. It has a rustic exterior but the interior is quite homey. The wagon has a king bed, and a set of twin bunk beds. It also includes a refrigerator, microwave, four barstools around a wagon wheel table and air conditioning. Turtle River is a good fishing spot. It is stocked with rainbow trout.

Icelandic Park is on Lake Renwick. Boating, swimming and fishing are a few summer activities while snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are options in the winter. You have the three mile trail in the Gunlogson Nature Preserve. The 200-acre area along the Tongue River is a sanctuary for plants, birds and wildlife. Rare species exist in the preserve, such as the Pileated Woodpecker and Western Wood-Pewee.

Definitely, Fargo, North Dakota is the perfect local getaway destination for your summer family vacation.

There are several incredibly, underrated family vacations in the Midwest that are perfect for local summer getaways. First, explore Branson, Missouri for live music, thrill rides, and Ozark-themed attractions. Next, Rapid City, SD is the perfect destinations for wildlife travel enthusiasts. In addition, check out Door County, Wisconsin, which is less than a 4 hour drive from Chicago. Of course, Duluth is an excellent destination for families seeking a quieter, more quaint destination. Moreover, check out Fargo, ND for plenty of unique, eccentric oddities. If you are seeking something busier and more urban, check out our awesome guide on the best free tours with the Chicago greeter program. Follow the points highlighted above to learn about the best family vacations in the Midwest for local summer getaways.