12 Must-Do Midwest Road Trips (Updated 2026)
These are 12 of our favorite Midwest road trips, from North Dakota to Michigan. Living in Minnesota, we make a point to get out and explore our neighboring states as much as possible, so everything on this list is a real itinerary from a real trip we’ve taken as a couple or family.
Keep scrolling for our favorite Midwest road trips, organized by state, with links to full posts with all the details about each spot. I recommend these as Midwest summer road trips, as that’s when we visited!
Jump to a state
Iowa
Mason City, Iowa
Mason City, Iowa is an amazing place to visit for music and architecture lovers. It’s the home of Meredith Wilson who wrote the Music Man, so you’ll find his childhood home here along with Music Man Square. Mason City is also the home of the puppets from The Sound of Music – and you can see them in town too! Lastly, make sure to stay in Frank Lloyd Wright’s hotel and take a tour – it’s so amazing.
Related post: Things to do in Mason City Iowa
Michigan
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
The Upper Peninsula is a hidden Midwest gem worth visiting in any season (we loved it in the off-season in November!). Hike out to Chapel Rock and Chapel Falls, climb the massive Grand Sable Dunes, and explore the unique rock formations at Black Rocks in Marquette. Don’t miss Kitch-iti-kipi on your way out – a spring so clear you can see straight to the bottom, with a self-operated raft to float across it.
Related post: Things to do in Upper Peninsula Michigan
Minnesota
Minnesota’s North Shore
Drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior to find terrain and views that make it hard to believe you’re in Minnesota. Start in Duluth and drive up to Grand Marais, with beautiful stops along the way like Palisade Head, Black Beach, and many gorgeous hikes and waterfalls!
Related post: Must see stops along Minnesota’s North Shore
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth deserves its own stop beyond just a North Shore drive-through. We keep finding new reasons to come back! Stroll the Lakewalk and Canal Park, take a train tour, visit the aquarium, do hikes right in the city, and get your adrenaline up at Spirit Mountain’s summer adventure park (the alpine coaster is a favorite). For a splurge, book a sailing charter with Time Out Sailing to see the city from Lake Superior, and refuel with ribs at OMC Smokehouse or ice cream at Crank and Dasher.
Related post: Duluth with Kids: A Summer Itinerary Full of Unique Things to Do
Battle Lake, Minnesota
Battle Lake is a cozy lake town in Otter Tail County, home to more than 1,000 lakes! Stay at The Grove Glamping for a dreamy weekend, then spend your days kayaking the crystal clear waters of the surrounding lakes and streams. Sip cider at 1910 Sip House (housed in an actual grain bin!), rent bikes at Glendalough State Park, and grab food or dirty sodas at Never Better – it’s become one of our go-to spots in the area.
Related post: Things to do in Otter Tail County MN
Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is a total surprise in the best way. Small-town charm with big-city adventure. Spend a full day at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (consistently ranked among the best in the world), then cool off with ice cream in the walkable Old Market. Take an airboat tour on the Platte River, hit the TreeRush ropes course at Fontenelle Forest, explore Sophia’s Play Garden, then wrap up exploring the Riverfront Parks by bike or roller skate.
Related post: Things to do in Omaha with kids – weekend itinerary
North Dakota
Medora, North Dakota
Medora, North Dakota is located on the West side of the state. It’s a tiny town in the middle of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and is full of history. If you can, start in Fargo and Moorhead to visit the Vikings museum and enjoy their craft beer scene, then make your way to Medora for the outdoor Medora Musical, steak fondue, and hiking!
Related post: Why you need to stay in Medora North Dakota
Watford City, North Dakota
Watford City serves as the perfect home base for exploring the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Don’t miss the otherworldly Cannonball Concretions or the Caprock Coulee Trail for the best views in the park. In town, fuel up with a massive breakfast burrito at Meg-a-Latte, grab wood-fired pizza at Stonehome Brewing Co, and let the kids splash around at Wild West Water Park or the indoor waterpark at the Rough Riders Center.
Related post: Things to do in Watford City ND
South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls was not what we expected, in the best way! This city has an incredible food scene (multiple restaurants here are run by James Beard nominees), great shopping, butterflies, and outdoor adventure just 20 minutes away. Spend an afternoon at Jacobson Plaza at the Falls, explore the Kirby Science Discovery Center, and don’t miss dinner at Bibisol. For a day trip, head to Palisades State Park for gorgeous quartzite rock formations along Split Rock Creek.
Related post: Sioux Falls with kids: Surprising places to eat and explore
Wisconsin
Vilas County, Wisconsin
Vilas County is located in North Central Wisconsin. Here you’ll find endless hiking, mountain bike paths, and ATV routes. It’s absolutely gorgeious in the fall! Make sure to visit a Cranberry Farm and to eat at the Little Bohemia Lodge for a classic Wisconsin supper club meal. It’s the location of John Dillinger’s shoot out with the FBI and there’s still bullet holes ALL OVER the building – so crazy to see!
Related post: Things to do in Northern Wisconsin Vilas County
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County is located in Eastern Wisconsin right on the peninsula into Lake Michigan. This quaint little county feels like you’ve stepped back in time. We love the shopping, wineries, and restaurants here, but the hiking and kayaking in the clear Lake Michigan water is also a great activity!
Related post: Door County summer itinerary
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
The Apostle Islands are the ultimate Lake Superior getaway, about 4 hours from the Twin Cities. Kayak out to the famous sea caves, hop the ferry to Madeline Island and rent mopeds to explore, then jump off the rocks at Big Bay State Park (so refreshing!). Grab coffee at Wonderstate, cocktails at Copper Crow Distillery (the first Indigenous-owned distillery in the U.S.), and don’t skip the Friday fish fry at Fat Radish – it’s the best we’ve had in Wisconsin.
Related post: Things to do in the Apostle Islands
Your trips look amazing… I live in Minnesota and have not seen many of these places! More travel / day trips are in our plans. Live on the Minnesota, South Dakota border – any suggestions?
My daughter wants to do some hiking – What do you pack in your hiking day (going for a couple hours) pack?
thank you