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From the splendors of rivers and lakes to loop-de-loop coasters, the midwest has a lot to offer for families with young kids.
Plus, your wallet will love middle America, too. Ahead, five midwest locales where summer shines.
Valentine, Nebraska
Shed your city snobbery and enjoy the down-home fun of “tanking” along the Niobrara National Scenic River, an-only-in-Nebraska delight where families float along the river in repurposed livestock tanks.
Then, recall the day’s adventures at Bolo Beer Co. & Restaurant, where wood-fired pizzas and outdoor seating make it the perfect perch for those traveling with little ones
“We’re only minutes from more than 50 fun things to do in Valentine and Cherry County, from floating the Niobrara and hiking [in Smith Falls State Park, home to Nebraska’s tallest waterfall, where a short walk across a bridge and boardwalk leads to the falls] to walking the Cowboy Trail [the primarily crushed limestone pathway, wood-decked bridges and paved segments through Valentine are stroller-friendly] or ending the day around a campfire under the stars,” said Regina Osburn, Cherry County tourism director.
“There’s a slower pace here that gives families the kind of time together that can be hard to find elsewhere,” added Osburn.
See for yourself and book your stay at Niobrara Lodge (from $189/night), a riverside perch ideal for those campfire memories.
Getting there: Connect through various airports to Pierre, South Dakota, or Rapid City, South Dakota, and then drive two or three hours respectively to Valentine. You can also fly to Lincoln, Nebraska, through various airports and drive five hours to Valentine.
Learn more at VisitNebraska.com.
Springfield, Missouri
Talk about all the major food groups: In Springfield, you’ve got the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium (glowing jellyfish! Swim with the sharks!), Dickerson Park Zoo and Route 66 attractions (as The Mother Road’s birthplace, Springfield has several nostalgic stops, such as the Route 66 Car Museum). Other only-in-Springfield highlights include Fantastic Caverns, where junior and co. will delight in exploring underground formations from a Jeep-drawn tram — since the caves are 60°, it’s a particularly welcome activity amidst the summer heat — and the science-centric Discovery Center of Springfield.
We’re also all for an amble at Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden & Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, studded with enchanting walking paths, koi ponds, bridges and open green space to bring rowdy children back to earth (we hope).
As hungry o’clock strikes, take the crew to Black Sheep Burgers & Shakes, where dipping your salty fries in your Elvis or Strawberry Fields Forever shake is a given or Incredible Food & Fun, an entertainment complex with bumper cars, laser tag, go-karts and an immersive movie theater as well as pizza, pasta, nachos, tacos and the like. Another solid bet for little bellies is St. George’s Donuts, a 55-year-old institution where the apple fritters and cake donuts are divine.
Call it a night at Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, which has indoor and outdoor pools and rates hovering around $90–$150/night or Angler’s Lodge Springfield, Angler’s Lodge Springfield, dog-friendly digs (from $159 a night)dog-friendly digs steps from seeing all those glowing jellyfish at Wonders of Wildlife.
Getting there: Connect through Charlotte, Atlanta or Chicago to Springfield-Branson National Airport.
Learn more at SpringfieldMO.org.
Des Moines and Pella, Iowa
Consider this the midwestern paragon of a town and country vacation. Start with some city slicking for little feet in West Des Moines at Historic Valley Junction, a former railroad district turned bustling nabe with a weekly farmer’s market that’s a veritable party (sometimes with car shows), boutiques (budding artisans will adore candlemaking at Candle Bar DSM; go here first then eat or explore while your candle cools) and great eats, like the Tavern for scratch-made pizza or Black Cat Ice Cream for your scoop of, say, butterscotch malt or black raspberry.
Or, just down the street from the junction, dine at Either/Or, complete with a kids’ menu, spacious outdoor area and playground. Other to-dos: the Science Center of Iowa, Blank Park Zoo and Pappajohn Sculpture Park, an open-air art experience everyone will love. The stroller-friendly Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (often hosting children’s story times, concerts and hands-on workshops) is another great choice. Stay at the centrally located Surety Hotel (from $199/night), a short stroll to Principal Riverwalk and the Downtown Farmers’ Market.
After a farewell slice at Fong’s Pizza (picky palates can go classic, but we recommend the crab rangoon or Thai chicken), drive about 45 miles to Pella for your country fix. Known as “little Holland,” let kids shake their wiggles out at Wonder Spelen Playground before checking into the the Amsterdam Hotel (from $219/night), a block from the historic downtown and home to Liberty Street Kitchen with an ample kids menu.
From there, the world is your stroopwafel: Try Central Park and Sunken Gardens with windmills and tulip nods aplenty, the latter even has a sunken pond in the shape of a Dutch wooden shoe or pop into Nederlanders Tap & Golf for mini-golf glee with the little ones.
Another must-see is the Historical Village & Vermeer Windmill, an 18-building complex dedicated to Pella’s history dating back to the 1840s with a log cabin, blacksmith shop and a replica of a mid-19th century bakery. (Nap time or meltdown? Use the same-day reentry included with your ticket).
Whatever you settle on, no visit to Pella is complete without a stop at the musically animated Klokkenspel with five performances daily or scarfing down Dutch pastries at Jaarsma Bakery or Vander Ploeg Bakery — ideally both.
Getting there: Fly nonstop to Des Moines International Airport.
For more information, visit TravelIowa.com.
Hutchinson, Kansas
Wannabe astronaut in your orbit? The big draw in “Hutch” is Cosmosphere, recognized by the Artemis II crew as the “best space museum in the world,” which boasts a planetarium and flight simulator, along with a digital dome theater, interactive shows and exhibits. Trade the universe up above for salt mines down below at Strataca, where you’ll travel 650 feet underground to explore the only salt mine open to the public in North America. Suitable for ages four and up, you’ll learn about the salt mine process, hop on a tram tour and perhaps treat your kid to a nibble at the movie theater concession stand.
Other family-friendly hits include the Hutchinson Zoo and Dillon Nature Center (both free), and Sand Hills State Park, where $5 per vehicle gives you access to trails meandering through salt dunes, prairielands, wetlands and woodlands. For rates starting at $124/night, post up at Comfort Inn & Suites, after burgers at Bogey’s, followed by a child-approved nightcap: one of the restaurant’s 101 milkshake creations.
Getting there: Connect through Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago or Denver to Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita and drive one-hour to Hutchinson.
For more information visit VisitHutch.com.
Minneapolis
You could easily spend the whole day at the Mall of America, the largest mall in North America, wearing out the wild ones at attractions like the seven-acre Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park, Minnesota SeaLife aquarium, a climbing wall, mini golf courses FlyOver America ride and the hands-on Crayola Experience. (Neurodiverse families can take advantage of the mall’s sensory friendly resources like guides and low-stimulation zones and noise-reducing headphones on loan.) Grab lunch at the mall’s Rainforest Café, a feast for the eyes and from the designated kids menu. The mall is Bloomington, which is a short light-rail train ride away from downtown Minneapolis for less than a MetroCard fare — just $2.25 per person.
Back in the Twin Cities (which refers to Minneapolis and adjacent St. Paul), urban adventures for the peanut gang runs the gamut from playing mini golf at the Walker Art Center’s rooftop overlooking the 11-acre Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Science Museum of Minnesota to the Minnesota Children’s Museum or seeing a show at the Tony Award-winning Children’s Theatre Company.
Locals like Kristen Montag, senior PR and communication manager for Meet Minneapolis, who is mother to a four-year-old daughter, said taking the tots to the Minnesota Twins’ ballpark, Target Field, on Sundays for Kids Day, which take place on all Sunday home games, is glorious. “Kids 12-and-younger can run the bases on the field postgame, kids meals are half-priced at certain stands, and kids 12 and younger can receive free ice cream treats during the game,” she said.
For nature time, pack a picnic for Minnehaha Regional Park, site of the park’s namesake 53-foot waterfall, as well as a kiddy pool and playground. Or, venture to Bde Maka Ska, one of Minneapolis’ Chain of Lakes, where fidgety travelers will love hopping on a pedal boat or kayak from Wheel Fun Rentals. Dinner means an edible adventure at Animales BBQ, which provides a kids’ play area with a slide, a mini food truck model and building blocks, or the LePetit Chef experience, billed as an immersive dinner-as-theater experience with 3D projection mapping and a stellar kids’ menu. Retreat to the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (from $108/night), which has an indoor pool and is where Le Petit Chef is located, or the Lofton Hotel (from $141/night), adjacent to Target Center events arena and Target Field,
Getting there: Fly nonstop to Minneapolis.
For more information, visit Minneapolis.org.
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