Best things to do in Midwest

Developed from a free art school and gallery started in the 1860s, The Art Institute of Chicago now holds a permanent collection of more than 300,000 artworks. One of its most beloved paintings is George Seurat's Pointillism masterpiece "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte." Exhibits spread over eight buildings include Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, with additional holdings of Old Masters, European and American decorative arts, and industrial and graphic design. Highlights include paintings by American artists Grant Wood and Edward Hopper, as well as Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, van Gogh, and Picasso. The main building itself counts among the city's major landmarks, featuring two bronze lions guarding its main entrance. Check the online calendar for special events and temporary exhibits, which often require separate time-stamped tickets. Save time by purchasing your tickets in advance. Because the museum covers so much ground, it helps to map out exhibits you particularly want to see before you start exploring.

American history carved into stone, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the work of a team of carvers, led by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The 18 m (60 ft) sculptures of the heads of four American presidents stand 1,745 m (5,725 ft) above sea level. An iconic symbol of presidential greatness, the stone memorial has appeared in dozens of books and movies, attracting over 2 million tourists each year. Carvers took over a decade to create these mammoth faces, working from 1927 until 1941. The canyon behind the carved heads contains a vault with 16 porcelain enamel panels, which record the history of the United States and the biography of the gigantic sculpture's creator.

Start your tour of Chicago at Millennium Park, considered one of the largest roof gardens in the world. Sitting atop a railroad yard and a network of underground parking garages, the park features several artistic highlights, most notably the popular "Bean," a legume-shaped, stainless-steel sculpture designed by artist Anish Kapoor. The sculpture's surfaces reflect and distort the city's skyline, making it a favorite backdrop for photographs. Don't miss the 15 m (50 ft) video sculpture/fountain, composed of black granite and light-emitting diodes that display digital images of Chicagoans puckering their lips and appearing to spit water.

Indulge your passion for the scientific world at Museum of Science and Industry, the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. The complex boasts more than 800 exhibits--many of them interactive--representing diverse subjects, such as energy, environment, transportation, and space. Travel under the earth into the museum's exact replica of a 1933 Illinois coal mine, or head to the transportation wing to view a World War II German U-505 submarine and a replica of the first plane used by the Wright Brothers. Don’t miss the Apollo 8 aircraft that carried the first humans to orbit the moon and a retired United 727. Ask at the entrance about the always-fascinating temporary exhibits (additional fee). Check online in advance for a CityPass or Go Chicago card, each offering discounts for several other Chicago attractions, including this one. Popular tours sell out, so consider buying tickets in advance.

Take a look at Chicago from the top of Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, the second tallest building in the country. Still called "Sears Tower" by most locals, the 108-story building looms over the city with a height of 442 m (1,451 ft). One of the world's tallest freestanding structures, the skyscraper features an observation deck on the 103rd floor. The popular skydeck is 412 m (1,353 ft) high, offering unobstructed views of Chicago and its sprawling suburbs. On clear days, the vista stretches far over the Illinois plains and across Lake Michigan, all the way to Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. For a dizzying look from a glass-floored ledge jutting out into the air, get in line for the high-speed elevator to the top.

Famous for its 16 roller coasters, Cedar Point holds the title for the country's second-oldest amusement park. The site features 72 rides plus family-friendly games and attractions spread out over 147 hectares (364 acres). Connect with the dare-devil in you with a 95 degree drop on the Maverick, the steepest rollercoaster in the park, or take it easy with a ride on the giant Ferris wheel. Cool off after a day of thrill-riding with a picnic at nearby Cedar Point beach. Buy a combo pass to save money on entry tickets to adjacent waterpark, Soak City.

Shedd Aquarium contains over 1,500 different species, including fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. Opened in 1930, this venue was the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater fish collection. Located within walking distance of the city's natural history museum and planetarium, the aquarium draws over 2 million annual visitors. Highlights include an oceanarium designed to replicate the natural conditions of the waters off the northwestern coast of the U.S., containing beluga whales, white-sided dolphins, sea otters, and seals. You can also visit the shark exhibit, a replica of a Philippines reef ecosystem. Exhibits often sell out early in the morning, so ensure your entry by purchasing your tickets well in advance.

A cool place to spend a hot day on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier extends for over 1,000 m (3,300 ft) along the lakefront. Designed by city planner Daniel Burnham and built in 1916, the pier first served as a cargo facility for lake freighters, with a network of warehouses stretching along the shoreline. In the pre-air conditioning years, the pier also served Chicagoans as one of the coolest places in the city, quickly becoming a popular venue for public gatherings and entertainment. Now the city's top tourist attraction, the pier features a children's museum, fountains, fast-food eateries, souvenir vendors, and a Ferris wheel. The older crowd can enjoy lakefront views, boat cruises, and a range of live shows.