Top Attractions and Points of Interest in the Midwestern United States

Leisure Travel Vans September 02, 2021

Planning your next adventure? Our Leisure List series of the top attractions and points of interest around the United States and Canada, conveniently organized by region, is a great source of must-see, must-do museums and galleries, historic locations, outdoor and recreation spots, and more. Each item on the list was submitted by RVers like you, and includes nearby camping recommendations and other things to see and do in the area. Browse the series when you’re planning your next trip, and check out our full Leisure List category for more useful planning help like the best places to eat and drink, stargazing and space exploration attractions, scenic drives, and bike trails.

Check out the Top Attractions and Points of Interest in the Northeastern United States, Southern United States, and Western United States, and Alaska and Canada.

Is there an attraction or point of interest you love that’s not on the list? Submit your favorites below.

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Guided Architectural Walking Tour of Chicago
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LocationChicago, Illinois
Category

Tours & Excursions

About
"Chicago is rich in things to see and do, but one that might not make it onto the radar is the guided architecture walk around the city. Not only do you see magnificent architecture along the way but you also get a history lesson as well. When I took the tour back in the '80s there was only one tour, now there are several (more ways to spend your money), so choose the walk or two that suits your taste. The river tour did not exist back then, but I'll take that when I visit Chicago again."
Submitted By
Shelley Pitchford
Photo Credit
Adam Courtemanche
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Chain O’ Lakes State Park
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LocationAlbion, Indiana
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"Chain O' Lakes is 9 lakes that connect together through narrow channels to form a great canoe or kayak adventure. The state park campground on-site is fantastic and has power at most sites and can be reserved on-line ahead of time."
Submitted By
Darryl Miller
Photo Credit

Eden, Janine and Jim
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Eiteljorg Museum
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LocationIndianapolis, Indiana
Category

Museums & Galleries

About
"Most inspirational collection of Native American art I've ever seen."
Submitted By
Bill Rudd
Photo Credit

Darius Norvilas
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Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore
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LocationMaple City, Michigan
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"Highlights are the great dune overlook, reached from Pierce-Stocking Drive, the sand dune climb, nearby restaurants and shops in Leland and Empire, and the beautiful drive or bike ride to get there via M-22. Stay at DH Day, Traverse City State Park, or Platte River State Forest Campground."
Nearby Attractions
"Cherry Hut for cherry-based goodies, Frankfort's beach, Art's Tavern, area wineries (buy the whites, not reds), concerts at Interlochen Music Camp, a boat ride to the Manitou Islands, St. Ambrose Meadery and others, and a lot more."
Submitted By
William Semion
Photo Credit

Rod
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Tahquamenon Falls State Park
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LocationParadise, Michigan
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"The state park webpage does not do justice to the incredible beauty of this park. The Falls (upper and lower) are gorgeous. I have always enjoyed the trails between the falls and the beautiful rivers. Not too far from Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks. Camp right at the state park or go to the campgrounds at Muskallonge State Park, or Blind Sucker No. 1 or Blind Sucker No. 2 State Forest Campgrounds."
Nearby Attractions
"Pictured Rocks. Lots of waterfalls. Soo Locks and the Kitchikitpiti Springs are under 2 hours away."
Submitted By
Rev. June Marshall-Smith
Photo Credit

Rev. June Marshall-Smith
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Lake of the Clouds
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LocationCarp Lake Township, Michigan
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"The fall colors in the UP of Michigan are extraordinary. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and boondocking locations are available for camping."
Submitted By
James Hoffman
Photo Credit

jessedouglas
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Mississippi River Headwaters
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LocationItasca State Park, Minnesota
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"Within Itasca State Park, a beautiful place to visit."
Submitted By
Todd Cook
Photo Credit

Todd Cook
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Interstate State Park
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LocationTaylors Falls, Minnesota
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"There is so much to do at Interstate State Park, along the beautiful St. Croix River. Explore unique geology and stunning cliff-top views, hike trails through diverse habitat, canoe or kayak, or relax on an excursion boat. The park is also a popular destination for rock climbers. Visit in spring for trails lined with wildflowers. Come in fall for picturesque valley views. Experience the park's glacial potholes during any season. These impressive holes were carved into the rock by swirling sand and water thousands of years ago. There are 37 drive-in sites, including several non-electric sites on the river. Camping is available from April 1 through the third weekend in October."
Nearby Attractions
Franconia Sculpture Park. Eichten's Market. The town of Stillwater.
Submitted By
Jeanne Matlock
Photo Credit

Jim Brekke
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Precious Moments Chapel
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LocationCarthage, Missouri
Category

Museums & Galleries

About
"Beautiful murals, and peaceful, serene grounds."
Submitted By
Julie Thompson
Photo Credit
Julie Thompson
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways
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LocationVan Buren, Missouri
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"It is beautiful in the fall along the Current and Jack Fork Rivers. Enjoy an easy float trip down the river, or fishing. See huge springs with millions of gallons of water per day. There are nice national and state campgrounds in the area."
Submitted By
Marcia Flaugh
Photo Credit
Vincent Parsons
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Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
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LocationLampe, Missouri
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"Beautiful hiking trail, wildlife tours, fishing, towering bluffs, and waterfalls. Camping available at Musicland Kampground in Branson. You can walk to most theaters from the campground."
Nearby Attractions
"Top of the Rock has scenery, golf, a great restaurant, a fantastic museum, and beautiful grounds. College of the Ozarks has campus tours and a great restaurant."
Submitted By
Marcia Flaugh
Photo Credit

Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Pioneer Village
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LocationMinden, Nebraska
Category

Museums & Galleries

About
"This is a very extensive collection of many facets of 'Americana' over the last century. What has to be the largest tractor collection in the country but oh so much more. Taking up an entire city block, there are several buildings, many of which are two-stories and completely filled. Try camping at Grand Island KOA or Holiday RV Park in North Platte."
Nearby Attractions
"Hastings Museum in Grand Isle is smaller but very well done, with many good dioramas and a very complete collection of stuffed birds."
Submitted By
John Jorgensen
Photo Credit

John Jorgensen

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The Archway Museum
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LocationKearney, Nebraska
Category

Museums & Galleries

About
"The Archway is a very large museum up a long elevator, that is featured in the movie 'About Schmitt'. It covers the history of travel in America, from the first concepts of America, right up to now, with the traffic going under it on the I-80. The overpass is built into the museum, and you wear a headset and go along at your own speed. You can go back to a previous room if you want to hear something again. I've always been interested in American history, and have visited many historical places in 48 states, including Hawaii. I never liked museums, but this was the very best ever! Camp at Kearney Pioneer Museum and Campground, another very interesting museum, containing a whole early American western town with real old buildings."
Nearby Attractions
"Other museums are in the area, with sod-covered cabins and one containing a 'round house' built into the side of a hill where the Native Americans spent their winters. I had just finished reading the bestseller 'Sacakajwea' before making that trip. Seeing many things from the book made it very exciting. Check out the lakes in the area."
Submitted By
Virginia Pierson
Photo Credit

Michael Sauers

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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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LocationCleveland, Ohio
Category

Museums & Galleries

About
"Learn about all your favorite music and performers."
Submitted By
John O'Connell
Photo Credit

Erik Drost

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Boondocking in the Badlands
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LocationInterior, South Dakota
Category

Outdoors & Recreation

About
"Camp right on the rim of the Badlands National Park with the big horn sheep! There is a boondocking site just north of the park entrance south of Wall, South Dakota. GPS coordinates are 43.918983459472656, -102.23844146728516."
Submitted By
Jim Y.
Photo Credit

Tim Vrtiska
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The House on The Rock
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LocationSpring Green, Wisconsin
Category

Museums & Galleries

About
"My second favorite attraction ever! An elderly lady on our lawn bowling team came back from vacation and told us we just 'had to go there!' When we asked what it was, her reply was, "There's no way of telling you, you have to go and see it! Believe me, you won't be sorry." Since we were taking one of our 'themed vacations', stopping at all Frank Lloyd Wright houses, and were going to Spring Green already, naturally we spent half a day at the House on the Rock. I think not knowing what to expect was half the thrill – what could have impressed this almost 90-year-old woman so much? All I can say is, go see it! We stayed in a small campground on the main highway into Spring Green. It was across from the round barn with a small grocery store and pastures in back of it. The horses came back to the barn behind our camper at the same time every night without being called. We enjoyed just watching the horses and their colts out our windows. House on the Rock has put in rooms since we were there in the early '90s for people to stay in. It had a place to eat with good food. I'm sure there are many campgrounds in the area, as the whole town of Spring Green is a Frank Lloyd Wright design, and Taliesin is there."
Nearby Attractions
"Everything Frank Lloyd Wright, including Taliesin. You need reservations for Taliesin! We got there on Thursday and had to stay till Sunday for me to go there. We could have done The Dells while there, but chose not to. We would definitely go back."
Submitted By
Virginia Pierson
Photo Credit

jpellgen (@1179_jp)
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