Midwest vacation next year

[bjscheel]

We will probably be doing a Midwest vacation next year in an effort to save money.

We are in SW Iowa and have a wedding to attend in Davenport (eastern border of Iowa) next June. Thought of using that as a jumping off point and heading to Wisconsin and/or Minnesota (Mall of America), or Missouri (St. Louis and Kansas City?).

What are your favorite things to do in these areas? Other places we should consider?

Otherwise we will have enough points to fly somewhere on SW free, so I don't really know if this Midwest vacation will save that much? I'd like to do Park City, UT, or somewhere beachy on the east coast, or Texas...we also like places that are not big city. Park City seems easy to navigate, possibly without even renting a car which is great. Any other suggestions?

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

If you do Wisconsin, you'll probably want to go to Wisconsin Dells, the waterpark capital of the world. But hotels are pricey to stay at one of the fancier places, probably $250+/night. They have some lower cost options a Best Western, AmericInn, etc. There's quite a bit to do in the Dells. Even though I'm an adult now with no children DH & I go to the Dells each summer. We live close enough that we just drive for the day and go down a few times a year. They have a bunch of tourist attractions to do. www.wisdells.com will give you a lot of information.

 

[ajwolfe]

I'm in Missouri, so if you have any specific questions feel free to ask. We travel over the state frequently so just let me know what area you are focusing on.
In St Louis area there is a ton of stuff to do with kids - some free or others relatively cheap. The zoo and Science Museum are free and are rated very highly. City Museum, Grant's Farm, Magic House and Botantical Gardens are all fun places to check out. There is a Six Flags in the St Louis area that we enjoy and the entrance price includes the water park as well.
Branson has Silver Dollar City, tons of shows (not just country music anymore), lots of outdoor entertainment - go karts, mini golf, hiking, lakes, etc.
Kansas City has a zoo, but it's not free and not as nice as the St Louis one. Union Station, Crown Plaza, etc.
Missouri also has plenty of caves, state parks and lakes to visit if you are looking for any outdoor adventures.
ETA: Totally forgot about the Arch in St Louis. My kids are always amazed by it.

 

[havaneselover]

Probably too far (8 hours) but Northern Michigan is gorgeous. We love Mackinac Island and there's lots of great stuff in Petoskey and Travesrse city.

 

[jedijill]

Kansas City has a lot to offer! Jessie James farm is in Kearney which is just north of KC. The Steamboat Arabia museum is awesome! It's a steamboat that was sunk in the Missouri river and it was discovered and dug up and all the contents are on display...a really cool slice of Western history.

We have the best BBQ in the world. Go to Oklahoma Joe's in the original gas station.

There is Worlds of Fun and Ocean's of Fun (Not Disney but still a nice amusement park.) Kansas Speedway, Great Wolf Lodge, Legoland, and Aquarium are also cool things to do/see. There is also the new Sclitterbahn waterpark with the world's tallest water slide!

Seeing either the playoff-bound Royals or the T-Bones baseball teams is a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Lots of great stuff to do in the KC area!

Jill in CO (but I used to live in KC)

 

[Sandy61]

Effigy Mounds are interesting.

How old are your kids?

 

[bjscheel]

Kids are 13 and 16. We've done Wisconsin Dells and Branson in the past, both were fun.

Right now leaning toward the Missouri route and maybe making a Mall of America weekend run some other time!

 

[iheartwalt]

I gotta give a shout out to my hometown Duluth MN (just 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities) especially if you are not a fan of big cities it is perfect. Stay in Canal Park and you will be right on Lake Superior, lots of outdoorsy types of things and fun shops and just all around perfect. www.visitduluth.com

 

[elgerber]

I gotta give a shout out to my hometown Duluth MN (just 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities) especially if you are not a fan of big cities it is perfect. Stay in Canal Park and you will be right on Lake Superior, lots of outdoorsy types of things and fun shops and just all around perfect. www.visitduluth.com

I'm not from Duluth, but we visit once or twice each year, and would have to agree with this suggestion!

 

[smitch425]

Our family LOVES St. Louis! There are a lot of things to see there. Our kids are a little younger than yours, but they love the arch, the zoo, the science center, the Magic House, and our favorite is the Missouri Botanical Gardens (this is my favorite place second only to WDW). There are also amusement parks there, though we've never been.

 

[gigi1976]

If you've never been to st louis, I'd do that. Your kids are perfect ages for the city museum.

 

[SarahKate]

We live about 100 miles from St. Louis and go there several times a year. There are sooooo many things to do in the area, especially for kids.

Our fave place to stay are the Drury Hotels. You can't beat the price and what you get for what you pay.

Here's a link to a website that I write content for sometimes. It's just a local resource for families. Has a lot of favorite spots in and around St. Louis. It's a great place to visit!

http://springfieldmoms.org/st-louis-day-trips-and-attractions/

 

[Monykalyn]

I'm in SW MO north of Branson-ditto STL-catch a Cards game if in town when you are there. Don't forget Lake of the Ozarks too-several resorts there have beaches (our fave is Captain Ron's).
St Louis has an incredible amount to do-either inexpensively or free (Grant's Farm, brewery tour, zoo)

Drury Inn is a great place to stay-lots around STL area-Fenton has 2 and is 15-20 min from downtown but tends to be cheaper in rates.

And if your family likes Italian food be sure to check out "The Hill" area, and of course-Ted Drewes frozen custard!

 

[trip]

I gotta give a shout out to my hometown Duluth MN (just 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities) especially if you are not a fan of big cities it is perfect. Stay in Canal Park and you will be right on Lake Superior, lots of outdoorsy types of things and fun shops and just all around perfect. www.visitduluth.com

They are planning their trip for June. Hopefully the ice would be out of the bay by then.

 

[cjnix29]

probably too far (8 hours) but northern michigan is gorgeous. We love mackinac island and there's lots of great stuff in petoskey and travesrse city.

this this this!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Go spend a couple days in KC, hit Schlittebahn, dip down to Eminence, MO and do a canoe float on the Jacks Fork, then back up to STL to finish out with the Zoo, Grants Farm, Lone Elk Park, etc

 

[RUSTYGATOR]

From Minneapolis and unless you love shopping, I'd stay away from the mall. It's literally 400 stores with multiple repeats of national chains. There are two Justices, 3 or 4 Victoria Secrets, etc. As the weather turns cold, like now, Nickelodeon Universe grows to a standstill. They don't operate the place with enough employees during the busiest times. Went last weekend and the carousel took 30 minutes to ride because they would pay for another person to cue the ride.

We have lots of theater, arts, zoos and museums that older kids might like.

Chicago isn't too far from you. You can buy multiple day passes that give you access to the Sears (Willis) Tower, Navy Pier activities like the children's museum (probably to young for your kids), boat tours, the planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Michigan Avenue.

 

[bjscheel]

Thanks for all the ideas. I really think we'll go the St. Louis route- it will be a straight shot down from Davenport to there and we can hit KC or Marceline (or both) on the way back. We'll want to stop somewhere coming home- we're not drive straight through people.

Just gotta convince DD13 that it will be fun even though it's not Disney or Alaska. She had fun on our Wisconsin Dells, Colorado, and Branson trips. DD16 will be game for it- doesn't hurt that there is Lewis & Clark history down there- she loves that stuff.

Most on Tripadvisor suggest Drury Inn, too, so I'll be looking at that for sure.