Midwest Vacation Spots

Midwest Vacation Spots – Summer in the Midwest is a time to head north, get out and explore! From port towns to Great Lakes vacations to hiking trails, here are seven midwest summer vacation ideas for families, couples, and outdoor enthusiasts on a drive of hours eight from Chicago!

The Midwest is often overlooked when it comes to vacations, but there are so many great places in the Great Lakes region and beyond! Here are some of the best summer vacation spots in the Midwest:

Midwest Vacation Spots

Why me? Hi, I’m Maddy! You may notice that this article is mostly written in the first person. Because it was written by a real person, me! I grew up in the Midwest and spent my summers exploring Northern Michigan. In my early 20s, I worked as a wilderness guide on Lake Superior in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Today I still work as a wilderness guide and writer and travel the world. I really care about the beautiful Midwest and can’t wait to share it with you!

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Conditions may vary depending on where you travel in the midwest and what time of year it is! For any outdoor trip in the Midwest, especially near the Great Lakes, I recommend:

Located just outside of Traverse City, Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is home to the sand dunes above Lake Michigan! This Lake State has some of the best sunset views in the state, beautiful beaches, sandy rivers for canoeing and kayaking, and has the added bonus of being close to the Traverse City.

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More than one week is required, $25. This goes towards paying for road and beach maintenance and paying lifeguards who work to protect you, keep wildlife safe, and keep our beautiful gardens beautiful!

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a four-hour drive from Detroit, a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago, a seven-hour drive from Milwaukee and 11 hours from Minneapolis.

A family-friendly destination, kids will love playing on the beaches and the Pierce Stoking Scenic Drive is a fun and rewarding trip for everyone in the family. Check out the Platte River for great family fun, or stop by Tiffany’s Cafe in Empire for ice cream before heading to the beach.

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Adults looking for a trip for outdoor lovers can hop on a boat and head to the Manitou Islands, one of the best backpacking spots in lower Michigan. Traverse City is wine country, so be sure to check out wine tasting tours in the area. Looking for a moderate, less crowded hiking trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area? Check out the Alligator Hill Trail.

The North Shore of Lake Superior has some of the best scenery in the Midwest and some of the best hiking trails in the country! The North Shore is one of the best summer vacation spots in the Midwest. Hike along the Superior Trail, kayak on inland lakes, or chase waterfalls at any of the many beaches!

The North Shore is a three-hour drive from Minneapolis, an eight-hour drive from Chicago, a seven-hour drive from Milwaukee and 12 hours from Detroit.

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There are tons of fun family activities on the North Shore! Visit Gooseberry State Park for an ADA-accessible view of the falls, or hike up to Cascade River State Park to see 7 waterfalls in less than a mile. Great eats for the whole family include World’s Best Donuts in Grand Marais, Rustic Inn Cafe in Castle Danger, and Hungry Hippie Tacos in Grand Marais.

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Whether you’re looking for a couple’s getaway, a solo trip, a weekend of hiking, or skiing, the North Shore of Lake Superior is one of the best vacation spots in the Midwest for outdoor enthusiasts! Tackle sections of the rugged Border Route Trail outside of Grand Marais or ride some of the amazing trails in Tettegouche State Park. For dinner, visit the cute Angry Trout Cafe on the harbor or head up the Gunflint Trail and visit Popular Haus for cocktails and one of the most unique (and delicious!) menus in town!

For a relaxing evening and a unique experience with a Norwegian twist, visit Sisu & Löyly Nordic Sauna in Lake Superior.

There are 22 beautiful islands off the tip of Wisconsin with sea caves, cliffs, pine trees and wildlife! The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is known for boating and swimming, but the Bayfield Peninsula also has great hiking, sightseeing and dining!

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The Apostle Islands are seven and a half hours by car from Chicago, six hours from Milwaukee, four hours from Minneapolis and ten and a half hours from Detroit.

Activities around Bayfield and the Apostle Islands are probably best appreciated by families with children over 12! Many (safe) sea kayak operators will not take children under 12 on Lake Superior due to safety concerns. Instead of camping in Bayfield, families with young children can enjoy sightseeing in Ashland, Wisconsin and take a day trip to Cornucopia or Bayfield! Ashland has many more restaurant options and an easy walk to the falls!

Families visiting Bayfield will love going to Lost Creek Falls at Cornucopia, visiting Meyers Beach (may be difficult for small children), or visiting the Apostle Islands.

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Bayfield and the Apostle Islands are the perfect couples getaway, and sea kayaking in the Apostle Islands is a bucket list item for many outdoor Midwesterners! Book a day trip to the sea caves with Lost Creek Adventures or Trek & Trail.

But wait! The sea caves at Meyers Beach are the most famous and famous of the sea caves, but did you know that almost every island in the Apostle Islands has sea caves in the northeast direction? That’s because the northeastern tip of the islands is exposed to the full force of Lake Superior, which carves sea caves in the sandstone and deposits sand on the beaches and sand pits at its southern end.

The best way to explore the hundreds of sea caves in the Apostle Islands is to charter an overnight sea kayak tour with Lost Creek Adventures or Trek & Trail!

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Note: Kayaking is not safe for beginners on Lake Superior, and sea kayaking is highly recommended. Read the reason here.

Looking for a unique summer vacation idea outside of the Great Lakes Region? Travel to Eastern Kentucky and explore the Red River Gorge, home to meandering rivers, scenic trails, hiking trails and natural wonders.

The Red River Gorge is seven hours from Chicago, eight hours from Milwaukee, six hours from Detroit and 13 hours from Minneapolis.

Planet With Sara

Basecamp at Natural Bridge State Resort Park for family-friendly campsites and access to a great beginner trail. Don’t want to go camping? Book private accommodation within the park. Looking for a unique event that the kids will remember forever? Book a kayak tour at Gorge Underground to see where kayaking meets caving and take a guided kayak tour of the underground caves! Stop by Migues Pizza for delicious greasy pizza and a great picnic atmosphere.

Start your morning at Daniel Boone Coffee Shop, then hit the trails! Spend the day visiting the beautiful arches and pack your own lunch. One of the best things about Red River Gorge is its Airbnb treehouses; For unique accommodations in the Red River Gorge, check out Ravine Treehouse, Theodore Tiny Cabin, or Lions Lair.

Located 26 miles from the shores of Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is an amazing Midwest summer vacation destination for backpackers, wildlife enthusiasts, and National Park enthusiasts!

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Located 18 miles from the mainland and only accessible by boat or seaplane, Isle Royale can be a challenging visit for large families. Families can camp at the Washington Creek campground, a short distance from the Winidigo ranger station where the boat departs. Many campsites here have lodges, fire pits and picnic tables. Between the nearby ranger station and great access to day trips, Washington Creek is the perfect place for families to camp for a few days and get to know the island.

Not a camp group? Instead, stay at Rock Harbor Lodge on the other side of the island. Here you’ll find excellent trail access, a small restaurant, and a nearby marina in Rock Harbor.

Isle Royale is the perfect vacation spot for backpackers, wildlife enthusiasts, and beachcombers! For route plans, camping information and more for sea kayakers, backpackers and kayakers, check out:

Must Do Midwest Road Trips

The Midwest’s best semi-off-the-radar vacation spot, the Keewawaw Peninsula sits at the tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and has some of the best mountain biking opportunities.

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