Best time to visit Midwest
Best time of year to visit Midwest
If you plan to explore the entire north-central US, June through September is the best time to visit the Midwest. Hot and humid summers offer excellent road conditions to drive across the region with bonus open-air festivals and events such as Twins Days in Ohio and state fairs in Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, or North Dakota. On the other hand, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Missouri have higher rainfall during summer months. October and November see a sizable drop in temperatures but sunny days, comfortable for walks in colorful foliage, don't go anywhere. Why not join the Allstate Hot Chocolate Run in Chicago to see the city in different shades of fall? From December to February, you'll meet bitterly cold and snowy weather around the Great Lakes. But there is no better time for witnessing mysterious snow rollers in Ohio or spectacular light festivals in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and other states.
17 THINGS TO DO IN MIDWEST (MAY 24 - JUNE 02)
Ohio Bike Week
unconfirmedThe largest motorcycle rally of the Midwest and rock concerts roll out in Sandusky on the shores of Lake Erie
American Discovery Trail
You'll find no better way to discover America than this lengthy hike across 15 states, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. For such a long journey, one needs at least a year of time reserved
Baltimore Oriole
Attracted by fruits and nectar, these birds are often spotted in the gardens
Cicada Mania
A billionth population of American cicadas come out during final weeks in their lives to rejoice in a huge mating par
Central Missouri Renaissance Festival
Get a glimpse of what people lived like in the medieval times
The Nordhouse Dunes
Ancient dunes by Lake Michigan represent a unique eco-system
Snake Alley Criterium
Burlington, Iowa, hosts one of the most challenging races on one of the most crooked streets in the world
Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring)
Michigan’s largest freshwater spring is a geological phenomenon and a great fishing spot
Niagara Cave
A huge cavern is famous for its impressive underground waterfall
Cave Point County Park
One of the most scenic parks of Wisconsin is located by the shores of Lake Michigan
Carlton Peak
One of the greatest Sawtooth Mountain peaks on the North Shore of Lake Superior
Detroit Masonic Temple
Visit the world's largest Masonic Temple built in an impressive neo-gothic style
Mount Horeb Trollway
This town is lined with carved trolls, pointing to places to shop and eat
Wisconsin Dells Kayaking
Visit a favorite family vacation destination in Wisconsin
Baby Bison in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Baby bisons of Great Plains are cute and playful, enjoying life under protection of their mothers
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
A massive religious shrine built by a priest contains thousands of rare stones and minerals and is considered the largest humanmade grotto in the world
Pictured Rocks Kayaking
Paddle along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the waters of Lake Superior in Michigan
111 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Twins Days Festival
out of rangeThe world's biggest gathering of twins in the city founded by twins—Twinsburg
Lake Geneva Winterfest
out of rangeA place to celebrate art, winter, and have fun with over a dozen themed events in Wisconsin
Port Huron Float Down
out of rangeSummer water fun event in Michigan
Michigan State Fair
out of rangeSee the second oldest state fair in the United States
Barberton Mum Festival
out of rangeCelebrate fall watching millions of blooms at a scenic park
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
out of rangeSternwheeler races and other fun activities to watch
Woodward Dream Cruise
out of rangeThe largest one-day classic car event in the world
Summerfest
out of rangeThe giant music festival in Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan
National Balloon Classic
out of rangeThe premier ballooning festival in Iowa held since the 1970s
Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival
unconfirmedAmerica's largest festival combining air show and hot air balloons
Electric Forest
out of rangeA multi-genre music festival in Rothbury, Michigan
Country Concert
out of rangeOne of the best summer country events in Ohio and all of the Midwest
Warrens Cranberry Festival
out of rangeThe largest cranberry celebration in the world
Indiana State Fair
out of rangeA major Midwestern entertainment attracting a million people every year
Sandhill Crane Migration
out of rangeHalf a million feathered travellers take a break during their spring migration to feed and rest at the Platte River
X Games Minneapolis
overAn exciting Skateboard, BMX and Moto X event featuring music, gaming and more
Kansas City Auto Show
on holdHundreds of new cars and lots of entertainment
Tulip Time
out of rangeFun and flowers! Skim the cream off in Holland during the tulip festival
Columbus Pride Festival and Parade
out of rangeOne of the largest pride festivals in the Midwest
Plymouth Ice Festival
out of rangeSkilfully carved ice sculptures line the streets of downtown Plymouth
Ohio State Fair
out of rangeExperience traditional Midwestern summer entertainment
Vectren Dayton Air Show
out of rangeOne of the leading air shows in the U.S.
Illinois State Fair
out of rangeNothing can beat a good ol' fair in the Midwest
Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival
out of rangeA great occasion to enjoy the summer!
MTU Winter Carnival
out of rangeOne of the largest annual winter festivals in the U.S. takes place on the campus of the Michigan Tech University
Kansas City Air Show
out of rangeWorld-class aerobatic performances in the heart of America
AppleJack Festival
out of rangeCelebrate the kickoff of the apple harvest season in Nebraska
Savage Race Ohio
out of rangeOne of unique action sports and adventure events in the U.S.
Apple Festival of Kendallville
out of rangeGo back in time to the 1800s and try delicious treats made of apples
Wisconsin State Fair
out of rangeGet on a roller coaster and snack on corndogs in the town of West Allis
Missouri State Fair
out of rangeThe annual showcase of agriculture also offers fun for the whole family
Fall Colors in Iowa
out of rangeWarm days and cool nights, very few insects, and the vibrant autumn colors make the fall season one of the best times in Iowa
Saint Paul Winter Carnival
out of rangeOne of the oldest and most popular annual festivals in Minnesota
Columbus Arts Festival
out of rangeOne of the largest outdoor summer events in Columbus
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival
out of rangeGiant pumpkins highlight the fall harvest celebration
Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade
out of rangeOne of the largest annual parades in Missouri
Total Solar Eclipse
out of rangeSome spots on Earth wait for the moment of solar totality for hundreds or even thousands of years. To capture a spectacle, you have to be truly lucky
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
out of rangeDon't miss America's largest Oktoberfest
Wisconsin Cranberry Harvest
out of rangeCranberry Country welcomes everyone to visit the harvest celebrations
Pierogi Fest
out of rangeGreat food and some wacky fun in just 30 minutes from Chicago
Ohio Renaissance Festival
unconfirmedFind yourself in a 16th-century English village
East Peoria Festival of Lights
out of rangeOne of the biggest and brightest holiday events in Illinois
Rock Fest
out of rangeThe largest rock and camping festival in the United States
Zehnder’s Snowfest
out of rangeOne of the top snow sculpting events in North America held in Frankenmuth, MI since 1990
Coney Island’s Nights of Lights
out of rangeA popular drive-through holiday lights display in Cincinnati, Ohio
Stillwater Lumberjack Days
out of rangeCelebration of the people, history and heritage of Minnesota
Kansas City Renaissance Festival
out of rangeGo back in time to the 16th century and meet King Henry VIII and his royal court
Kings Island WinterFest
out of rangeOne of the best Christmas festivals in the Cincinnati area
Marshall County Blueberry Festival
out of rangeOne of the largest annual celebrations in Plymouth, Indiana
International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship
out of rangeAnyone can take part in this competition, which promises great fun for the whole family
Nebraska State Fair
out of rangeVisit the fair from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" movie and enjoy Midwestern style entertainment
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race
out of rangeThe second oldest hot-air balloon race in the United States
Annunciation Greek Festival
out of rangeLots of delicious food and excellent music in Kansas City, Missouri
Bayfield Apple Festival
out of rangeJoin an amazing celebration of fall!
Minnesota State Fair
out of rangeWitness the largest state fair in the USA by daily attendance
DuQuoin State Fair
out of rangeOne of the nation's best agricultural events is full of fun experiences
World Cow Chip Throwing Contest
unconfirmedFind similarities between ultimate frisbee and cow dung tossing
Planet Comicon Kansas City
out of rangeThe largest popular culture convention in the region
Dublin Irish Festival
out of rangeGo experience the Irish attitude at the largest three-day Irish festival in the world
North Dakota State Fair
out of rangeThe largest event in the state draws people with country music, fun rides and competitions
Michigan Summer Beer Festival
unconfirmedA large outdoor beer brewers event near Detroit
Country Thunder Iowa Music Festival
on holdIowa's most well-known country music festival promises a weekend packed with country concerts
Chinese New Year in Columbus
out of rangeColorful annual festivities at Ohio State University and around Columbus
Wayne County Lightfest
out of rangeA Christmas fantasy drive-through not far from Detroit
4th of July in Dublin
out of rangeThe suburb of Columbus is famous for its Independence Day celebration with the Irish twist
St.Louis Mardi Gras (Soulard Mardi Gras)
out of rangeThe second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States
Chicago International Film Festival
out of rangeThe longest-running competitive film festival in the USA
Morton Pumpkin Festival
out of rangeThe "Pumpkin capital of the world" celebrates the harvest season
Kansas City Irish Fest
out of rangeOne of the best Irish Festivals of the Midwest
New Year's Eve in Kansas City
out of rangeCountdown bashes, gourmet food, and live music to mark the most festive night of the year
Branson Fall Foliage
out of rangeFor four to six weeks every year, Branson becomes the epicenter of Ozark's fall foliage observation
Ethnic Enrichment Fest
out of rangeThe largest cultural diversity event in Kansas City
Happy Harry's Ribfest
unconfirmedThe best summer festival in Fargo, North Dakota
Snow Rollers
out of rangeThese huge white 'doughnuts' surely raise questions. Like, what is a 'snow roller' and where does it come from?
Iowa State Fair
out of rangeFeel the spirit of the Midwest, at one of the largest and best-known state fairs in the USA
Kansas City Fashion Week
out of rangeThe most glamorous gathering in Kansas City
Japanese Festival
out of rangeOne of the largest and oldest Japanese festivals in the United States
Ice Shards on the Great Lakes
out of rangeThe ice cover gets shattered to knife-sharp pieces as spring takes over winter
Boats and Bluegrass Festival
out of rangeAn outdoor festival on the banks of the Mississippi
Arlington Million
overA perfect opportunity to enjoy live racing, entertainment, and fancy group outings
Garden of Lights at Green Bay Botanical Garden
out of rangeA magical Christmas-themed garden keeps spirits up during the holidays in east Wisconsin
Christmas Lights
out of rangeGet dazzled by millions of magical lights in Branson
U.P. Fall Beer Festival in Marquette, MI
out of rangeA large event for beer enthusiasts in Michigan
Clinton Fall Festival
out of rangeA fun-filled fall weekend in a historic village
KC Restaurant Week
out of rangeA favorite time of the year for foodies
Pictured Rocks Winter Hike
out of rangeWinter has its special power to create majestic landscapes. And the area of Pictured Rocks in Michigan during winter period turns into a real ice and snow masterpiece
Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights
out of rangeOne of the largest drive-through holiday displays in Ohio
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
out of rangeThis festive seasonal illumination brightens the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lakes Jam
out of rangeLots of rock and country near the beautiful Brainerd lakes
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
out of rangeThe oldest and one of the largest Halloween festivals in the United States
Allstate Hot Chocolate Run
out of rangeThe sweetest run in the world takes over the United States from coast to coast
Kansas City Christmas Lights
out of rangeDowntown KC looks the best during the holiday season
Festival of the Little Hills
out of rangeThe premier arts and crafts show of the Midwest
Missouri Fall Colors
out of rangeShow Me State showcases amber, golden, and bronze shades in the fall
South Dakota State Fair
out of rangeExperience the charm of the Midwest at this traditional state fair
PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo
out of rangeVoted #1 Zoo Lights in the country as a favourite Ohio family holiday tradition
University of Okoboji Winter Games
out of rangeWinter festival with lots of fun games, fireworks, and a polar plunge in Okoboji, Iowa
Powell Gardens Festival of Lights
out of rangeA popular holiday attraction in Kansas City area, Missouri
Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights
out of rangeNortheast Indiana’s best winter holiday event
WCOL Country Jam & Campout
on holdThe largest honky-tonk and country music festival in Ohio
Western Farm Show
out of rangeThe best event for dairy farmers and cattle ranchers in Kansas City
Pirate Family Daze
on holdA family-friendly event with a nautical and pirate theme in Port Washington
The Abominable Snow Race
out of rangePremier winter obstacle course race in Wisconsin held at the Devil's Head Ski Resort
Kansas City FilmFest International
out of rangeThe oldest and largest festivals in the Kansas City metro area
Verizon 200
out of rangeOne of NASCAR's most iconic races at an iconic location
St. Louis Halloween Events
out of rangeExplore all the haunted places in historic St. Louis
Dragon Lights Columbus
on holdA magical annual show held in the Ohio Expo Center
Warrior Dash Michigan
overGo through water, fire, air and earth to prove you're a true warrior
Beaverdale Fall Festival
out of rangeOne of the most popular community festivals in Des Moines, Iowa
Ramble Jam
on holdTwo days of the best country music in Minnesota
KC Beer Fest
out of rangeA popular craft beer festival at The Kansas City Power & Light District
