Chicago tips

[disneyeveryyear]

Another thought is to head south to Springfield (my hometown). We are the "Land of Lincoln" and filled with historical sites including:
* Lincoln's Home (the only home he ever owned) run by National Park Service
* Lincoln Museum and Library - amazing
* Lincoln's Tomb
* Lincoln/Herndon Law Office
* Old State Capitol - Lincoln was in legislature here
* Lincoln's New Salem - recreating of 1800's village
* Lincoln Depot - train station where Lincoln left for Washington - very famous extemporaneous speech given here
* Lake Springfield - very large inland lake - you can rent watercraft
* Illinois State Fair - may be happening while you are in the states
* We have a drive-in movie theater - many have never experienced this
* Knight's Action Park - water park with mini-golf, go-carts, ferris wheel, etc.
* Route 66 - memorabilia

Just google Springfield Convention and Visitor's Bureau - you will be amazed.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Thanks for the information Beverly, at this rate we will need about a year to see everything!

 

[yoopermom]

Either Door County (WI), Traverse City (MI), or Mackinac Island (MI) would be great extensions of your stay.

I'll throw in a vote for the IL/MO portion of Route 66. My mom and I did this July 2014 and had a fabulous time, and met many people from overseas (more than from the US, I swear). Really a cheap(er) trip, with lots to see for free/inexpensive, you could stay at mom/pop motels for under a hundred bucks a night, eat at diners, etc. Really a great way to "see" America!

Terri

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Terri, great suggestions thanks. I have been considering driving around Lake Michigan to take in a few of the places suggested by everybody. Still got to get flights at a good price though