Did you know that today, January 29, is National Plan for Vacation Day? I LOVE planning vacations and what better time to start planning? I reached out to fellow travel bloggers to learn about their favorite vacations from 2018, and wow did they pull through! Here are 16 recommendations of where you should travel with your family.
So tell me, have you started planning your vacations this year? Where do you plan on going this year? Did I miss your favorite vacation?
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Alicia from Making Time for Mommy instantly felt relaxed the moment they arrived in Put-in-Bay. I totally agree! They visited the Chocolate Museum and the Aquatic Visitor’s Center. Two places we definitely need to check out when we revisit. Tonya from Raising Your Pets Naturally brought her cute pups to Put-in-Bay. Look at all the dog-friendly things to do!
Lake Erie Shores, Ohio
Credit: thekidsdidit.com
Tiffany from The Kids Did It highlights the Lake Erie Shores lighthouses. So cool! On our last visit to the area, we saw the tiny Port Clinton lighthouse and was bummed we couldn’t see Marblehead Lighthouse. Next time!
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
Credit: gleasonfamilyadventure.com
Have you heard of Tuscarawas County in Ohio before? I didn’t either until I read Brandy’s post from Gleason Family Adventure. Her family had a great time visiting the train museum, the breathtaking Warther Museum and Gardens, and more! She also mentions a great tip — hit up the CVB of the area you’re in to gain insider info on places to stay, eat, and things to do.
Rock City, Illinois
Credit: www.way2goodlife.com
Lena from Way 2 Good Life had an amazing historical getaway to the Arsenal Island in the Quad Cities. Since it’ss an active military base, visitors will need to show proof of residency. The small hurdle is totally worth it as you gain access to the Davenport house built 1800’s, Rock Arsenal Museum and the Union and Confederate cemetery dated back as early as 1863. (Her husband could have stayed the entire day at the Rock Arsenal Museum!) Sounds like a really neat experience!
Tip: The best time to visit is during Pioneer Days in June.
La Crosse, Wisconsin
This trip to La Crosse, Wisconsin from Michelle at SimplifyLiveLove.com makes me want to plan a trip to this Mississippi River town ASAP. You’ll find plenty of adventures from biking to fun on the river to even ghost tours. The quaint downtown shops look so charming, and the food looks amazing!
Credit: My Creative Days
Lindsay from My Creative Days also raves about La Crosse. After reading her post, I really, REALLY want to stay at the Charmant Hotel, a former candy factory turned boutique hotel. Looks amazing!
Indiana Cave Trail, Indiana
Credit: explorationamerica.com
Crystal from Exploration America had an epic time exploring the Indiana Cave Trail last spring. She talks about each of them but this one specifically highlights the Marengo Cave.
Lincoln City, Indiana
Credit: travelingadventuresofafarmgirl.com
Cindy from Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl was pleasantly surprised on her latest visit to Lincoln Boyhood Memorial in Indiana’s Lincoln City. From the age of 7 to 21, Lincoln lived here before moving to Illinois. Here you’ll find a replica cabin, a village area, and more. She found the entire site beautiful, historical and awe-inspiring.
Branson, Missouri
Thena and her family of Hodge Podge Hippie had a great time in Branson, Missouri, and she believes nothing could beat Fritz’s Adventure for year-round fun. This indoor playground looks amazing. From underground tunnels and a warped wall challenge to a ropes course and climbing telephone walls, this screams FUN. In fact, this sort of reminds of the wacky City Museum in St. Louis.
St. Louis, Missouri
Credit: Sarah Out and About
Sarah from Sarah Out and About had a fantastic year traveling. She recounts her favorite adventures here. Although it was hard to pick just one (they were all amazing for different reasons) her boys loved the St Louis arch staycation because had a chance to go to the top of the Arch, take a carriage ride, and experience their town like a tourist. If you’re in the St. Louis, you can’t miss the City Museum. Crystal gives you fantastic tips to enjoy this unique museum.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Credit: www.ohmyomaha.com
Kim from Oh My Omaha raves about her time on the car-free island of Mackinac Island with kids. I totally agree with her. Mackinac Island is one of my favorite places to be if we want to get away from it all. We loved our visit to this Michigan Island a few years ago especially our stay at the historic Grand Hotel.
Munising, Michigan
Credit: explorationamerica.com
We’ve always wanted to visit the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. It looks so picturesque! Crystal from Exploration America talks about two of her favorite cruises that she went on when she visited – a shipwreck tour and a Pictured Rock cruise. Both look amazing! I’d love to see these two one day!
New Ulm, Minnesota
Credit: KatyFlint.com
Katy of KatyFlint.com wholeheartedly recommends New Ulm, Minnesota. Her husband (one of the hardest critics she knows) cannot wait to return. After reading Katy’s top 5 things to do in New Ulm, I’m totally convinced to visit, and you will too!
Badlands, South Dakota
Credit: thelocaltourist.com
Theresa from The Local Tourist recounts her adventure to the Badlands in South Dakota. (Psst. This is an actual excerpt from her latest book, “Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2.” ). I don’t know what I’d do if I saw bison roaming our camp site! Our epic road trip to Yellowstone included stops through South Dakota and it still remains one of our favorite road trips, ever!
Hamilton County, Indiana
Credit: behealthybehappywellness.com
Hamilton County is one of my favorite places to visit and Pam from Be Healthy Be Happy Wellness talks about fun in Hamilton County during Fall. I have yet to visit during fall, but any time you visit Hamilton County is a guaranteed good time. I’m definitely adding the coffee place to my list next time we visit.
North Platte, Nebraska
Credit: odysseythroughnebraska.com
Gretchen from Odyssey Through Nebraska had a lot of great adventures in North Platte. You can choose from a fun children’s museum, the railroad, plenty of food, and more. When my family and I made the epic road trip to Yellowstone we actually made a stop in North Platte on our way back home. Although I do have fond memories of eating a delicious runza when we were there, I totally wished we knew about these spots!
Mason City, Iowa
Credit: www.tangledupinfood.com
Stacy from Tangled Up in Food suggested visiting Mason City, Iowa to see world’s only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel, plus a neat food scene—everything from a classic steakhouse and peach ice cream to third-wave coffee and sushi. I would love to check out the architecture all around town. So fascinating!
Looking for more suggestions on where to go in the Midwest? Read on to find these 19 Hidden Gems in the Midwest to visit with your family.
This week we’re going to explore the Schaumburg area and to kick it off we’re going to review one of the most popular places in Schaumburg, Medieval Times. Awhile back we talked about going to Medieval Times with toddlers (read about our fun here). Now that the kids are a little older, we knew a trip to Medieval Times was needed. This time we brought Grandma and Uncle. Everyone had a great time! Read for more reasons on why Medieval Times is great for the entire family, then enter to win tickets for your family.
1. Delicious food. ..with cool names. My oldest really digged eating dragon blood (tomato soup), dragon tail (corn), dragon egg (potato), dragon scale (garlic bread), and of course dragon leg (chicken). With names like these, he gladly scarfed down the food.
2. Eating with your hands. The kids loved this. Just ask for more napkins. Oh, and don’t wear your Sunday best!
3. Fine horsemanship. The Andalucian horses are just magnificent creatures.
4.Pageantry and gallantry. How often do you see this?
5. Cheering for your knight. Competition at its best.
6. Fun games. From rings to jousting, there were games aplenty. Again, another reason to cheer for your knight.
7. Cool swordplay. Handling real weapons takes real skill. Very impressive.
Nitty Gritty:
Website: http://www.medievaltimes.com
Location: 2001 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg (Right off I-90)
Parking: Plenty of parking, but if you want to be close to the entrance park closer to the west side of the parking lot
Ticket prices: Admission is $59.95 for adults; under 12 is $35.95; children under 3 are free if they sit on your lap. There are also different packages you can upgrade to.
Disclosure: Our family was provided complimentary admission to the Medieval Times. I was not required to express a particular point of view and all opinions are my own.
All of these places sound fun! We hope to travel more in a few years. I always like discovering new areas.
We live in the mid west and have visited some of these sites. Planning on more now after reading this.
I’m ready to pack my bags. I am adding all of these places to my bucket list. Thanks for all the ideas. I love it.
well you had me at traveling ha- i love all these places and def would love to be able to see some in person sometime! great ideas and cant wait to share with some friends!
I have to add this to my bucket list. So much to see and do. My family would love this.
Being on the East Coast, I don’t make it out to the Midwest that often. But these look like great places! I do love visiting South Dakota and Wyoming.
OK now these all sound like absolutely amazing places to go and check out in the midwest! I could totally do a trip to them all.
Fun! I have never visited the midwest but so many of these destinations sound wonderful. I think our family would especially enjoy Branson, since there’s truly so much to do.
My daughter actually lived in St. Louis for a while, and my son-in-law is from there. It’s great to visit, there is so much stuff to do.
I’ve never been to the Midwest before, but I would love to take a road trip there with my family.
As a Missouri girl, I can attest that Branson and Saint Louis will not disappoint!
All of these places look like a lot of fun for a family! I’ve always wanted to go the Badlands, hopefully, I’ll make it out there one day.
I feel like I have traveled the mid-west quite a bit but have never been to any of these places! Oops!
These places are all beautiful destinations!But I think I prefer La Crosse, Wisconsin. It seems a fairy-tale!
Oh my goodness – I am officially adding Charmant Hotel to my travel destination wishlist. An old candy factory?! Yes, please!
Lots of beautiful places to explore in the Midwest. It would really be fun and exciting to go on a road trip and check all these places out.
The lighthouse in Lake Erie is perfect for Instagram shots! Love the Hodge Podge place for the kids to enjoy.
These all look like such lovely places to go. I live in Wisconsin, so I’ve been to La Crosse before. Such a beautiful city it is too.
What a lot of great things to do in the midwest. Thanks for this wonderful roundup and including my pup.
I appreciate all these destinations are within driving distance of Michigan and have given me some great road trip ideas. Of course, I’ve been to Mackinac Island and St. Louis but beyond that haven’t visited many of these places. Lots of friends LOVE going to Put-In-Bay but I haven’t been there yet either.
I love the variety of SO many things to do in the Midwest!!!! It’ll keep you busy for years and you still won’t see it all! Thanks for the great list!
Thanks for including my post on North Platte as a part of this list!