20 days in Great Lakes USA Itinerary

Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier and Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Fenn Valley Vineyards and Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Get out of town with these interesting Holland side-trips: Silver Beach County Park (in Saint Joseph), Bell's Comstock Brewery (in Galesburg) and Silver Lake State Park Pedestrian Dune Access (in Hart). There's more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Holland State Park Beach and tour the pleasant surroundings at Laketown Beach.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Holland trip planning app.

Philadelphia to Holland is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Philadelphia in May, expect Holland to be little chillier, temps between 69°F and 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Wed) early enough to fly to Chicago.

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

Get some cultural insight at The Art Institute of Chicago and The Magnificent Mile. Get in touch with nature at Boat Tours & Water Sports and Rosewood Beach. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Chicago: Baha'i House of Worship (in Wilmette), Basilica of the Sacred Heart (in South Bend) and Shrine of the Christ's Passion (in Saint John). There's still lots to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple, contemplate the long history of Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, take in panoramic vistas at Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, and don't miss a visit to Marquette Building.

For more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Chicago travel itinerary planner.

Fly from Holland to Chicago in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. The time zone difference when traveling from Holland to Chicago is minus 1 hour. In May in Chicago, expect temperatures between 71°F during the day and 52°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Mon) so you can catch the flight to Springfield.

Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but its real significance is as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Dana-Thomas House and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Lincoln Home National Historic Site and Camp Butler National Cemetery. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Springfield: Lincolns New Salem State Park (in Petersburg), Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site (in Mount Pulaski) and Funks Grove Church & Chapel in the Trees (in McLean). There's lots more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Lincoln Memorial Garden, explore the activities along Lake Shelbyville, get engrossed in the history at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and contemplate the long history of Edwards Place Historic Home.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Springfield day trip planning site.

Fly from Chicago to Springfield in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In May, plan for daily highs up to 76°F, and evening lows to 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) early enough to drive to Galena.

Galena is the largest city in and the county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, with a population of 3,429 at the 2010 census. On the 13th (Sat), appreciate the extensive heritage of Root Beer Revelry, then steep yourself in history at Washburne House State Historic Site, then steep yourself in history at Ulysses S. Grant Home, and finally sample the fine beverages at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.. Here are some ideas for day two: look for gifts at Galena / Jo Daviess County Historical Society and Museum, then contemplate the long history of Heritage Canyon, and then contemplate the long history of De Immigrant Windmill.

To see more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Galena sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Springfield to Galena in 4.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and flight; or fly. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Springfield in May: high temperatures in Galena hover around 69°F and lows are around 48°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Milwaukee.

Milwaukee boasts well-preserved historical districts with a rich European past and a strong beer-brewing tradition.

Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Atwater Park & Beach and Sandy Beach. Get a sense of the local culture at Basilica of St. Josaphat and Holy Hill. Get out of town with these interesting Milwaukee side-trips: Horicon Marsh (in Mayville), North Beach Park (in Racine) and Bartel's Beach (in Lake Mills).

Before you visit Milwaukee, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Fly from Galena to Milwaukee in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 66°F, and evening lows to 47°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Dayton.

Home of airplane pioneers the Wright brothers, Dayton prides itself on its inventors, including Charles F. Kettering, inventor of the automobile self starter.

Carillon Historical Park and National Museum of the US Air Force are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Visit Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Aullwood Garden MetroPark for their historical value. There's still lots to do: explore the different monuments and memorials at Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum, expand your understanding of the military at Dayton National Cemetery, steep yourself in history at SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park, and make a trip to Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center.

For reviews, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, go to the Dayton planning tool.

Fly from Milwaukee to Dayton in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Milwaukee in May: high temperatures in Dayton hover around 74°F and lows are around 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly back home.