We've rounded up the must-see museums for each state you pass through in the Midwest:
ILLINOIS
Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, Illinois
Trip Advisor named The Art Institute of Chicago the no. 1 museum in the entire world for 2014 – and that many reviews can’t be wrong. Founded as both a museum and school for the fine arts in 1879, the institute dedicated itself to rebuilding the city that was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1871. Since then they have built an iconic work of art from textiles to installations and contemporary design. Their rotating exhibitions push the envelope in the art world. Read more at http://www.artic.edu.
The Field Museum Chicago, Illinois
The Field Museum covers 300,000 square feet making it one of the largest natural history museums in the world, attracting nearly two million visitors per year for their wide range of Egyptian displays, galleries and ancient artifacts. Not to mention it is home of “Sue”, the largest T-rex skeleton currently known. Sue alone makes this one worth the trip. Read more at fieldmuseum.org.
Worth The Trip
Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, Illinois
This massive Hyde Park museum boasts itself as the largest in the entire Western Hemisphere. Loaded with interactive displays and immersive interactive experiential exhibits, you'll be sure to spend countless hours getting lost in discovery. Read more at msichicago.org.
INDIANA
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana
The world's largest children's museum, families can walk among life-like dinosaurs, climb rock walls, and check out their interactive library, 11 galleries and planetarium. Read more at childrensmuseum.org.
Indianapolis Zoo Indianapolis, Indiana
Right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Zoo has more than 3800 animals representing 320 species. Feed giraffes, touch elephants and interact with nature. Read more at indianapoliszoo.com.
College Football Hall of Fame South Bend, Indiana
A sports lover's dream, the College Football Hall of Fame brings a whole new meaning to the game. Read more at collegefootball.org.
IOWA
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Dubuque, Iowa
Where else can you take an interactive journey through the Mighty Mississippi? Nowhere but the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Take in the shows at a 4D theatre, exhibits, aquariums then take a stroll through the wetlands and boatyard. Read more at mississippirivermuseum.com.
MICHIGAN
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village Dearborn, Michigan
American Alliance of Museums called this one "The greatest collection ever assembled documenting the American Experience." It may be the only chance you get to literally step into history. Read more at hfmgv.org.
Ford Rouge Factory Tour Dearborn, Michigan
The Rouge Plant took Henry Ford 10 years to build, between 1917 and 1927, and visiting the factory allows you to see firsthand the past, present, and future or American automobiles. Read more at thehenryford.org
Motown Museum Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, also known to music mavens as "Hitsville, U.S.A" is home to the Motown Museum. Celebrate Motown’s legacy and get the chance to stand in Studio A, right where iconic artists recorded their classic hits. Read more at motownmuseum.com.
OHIO
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum Cleveland, Ohio
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Cleveland's up-and-coming North Coast Harbor, celebrates the history of rock and roll music.The 150,000 square-foot is chucked full with four state-of-the-art theatres, thousands of artifacts, year-round concerts and rotating exhibits. Read more at rockhall.com
Franklin Park Conservatory Columbus, Ohio
Located within an 88-acre park just east of downtown, Franklin Park Conservatory is surrounded by botanical gardens and features unique indoor plant collections. Exhibitions and related programming create memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. www.fpconservatory.org
