MIDWEST Country Sights to City Lights ith thousands of lakes, vibrant cities, charming villages and friendly people, the Midwest welcomes visitors from around the world. Though these heartland states are landlocked, water is never far away, whether you’re talking about the Great Lakes or great rivers like the Mississippi or Ohio.
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Lake Michigan is truly the greatest natural asset of Chicago, the Midwest’s largest city. Boat rides on the lake or Chicago River spotlight the Windy City’s stunning skyline. The lakefront museums (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago and Adler Planetarium) are some of the best on the planet. Suburban Chicago is a destination in itself, offering a wealth of cultural attractions and shopping opportunities in quieter settings. Several hours away are Central Illinois’ Amish Country, the Abraham Lincoln sites of Springfield and the scenic hills of Northwest Illinois. The Midwest’s ethnic heritage reflects the story of immigration to America. Visitors to Minnesota and Wisconsin will encounter towns that celebrate their Scandinavian and German roots. Iowa keeps its large Czech and Slovak heritage alive with special events and historic sites. The nation’s largest Amish population in northeastern Ohio and Northern Indiana’s Amish settlements offer a slower pace of life, reflected in the horse-drawn buggies rattling down country roads. Tourist attractions showcase Amish and Mennonite ways, and restaurants specialize in down-home country food. In Michigan, Dutch heritage
takes center stage in Holland, while German traditions dominate in Frankenmuth. The Detroit area gives visitors a chance to learn about the automotive industry. To really get away from it all, escape to the wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Lakes and rolling dairy land paint the landscape of Wisconsin, which extends from the Illinois border to Northern Michigan, from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. You can’t leave without stocking up on cheese. Come to the Midwest and find your field of dreams. LGT
Chicago
58 June 2009
LeisureGroupTravel.com