The largest of the Great Lakes freezes over near the islands during the winter, making it easy to walk around the islands instead of traveling by boat. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, feel free to contact me! So whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor winter fun, youll find plenty just outside Minneapolis. Right on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Blue Harbor Resort is a great summer destination, but its indoor water park, Breaker Bay, makes it a top-notch winter attraction, too. For families who love to skidownhill or cross-country. Best Midwest Family Vacations | Midwest Living 43. Kids will love the giant interactive water fort with squirt guns, cargo nets, suspension bridges and tipping water. Because the Windy City's off-season falls from early November to late March, many hip hotels like ACME and Freehand offer incredible promo deals this time of year, allowing you to stay downtown for a much smaller price tag. Because sometimes, we all deserve a retreat away from real-life (yup, kids included. Tart Michigan cherries swimming in brandy blaze during a tableside cherries jubilee prep. We already have this email. Of course activities on the mountain are endless did we mention Fat Tire Biking? Hocking Hills, Ohio. One of the most exciting attractions is the Riptide double surf simulator, where the daring can ride the waves indoors. Looking for an urban retreat? Swing a few clubs at the Fortress Golf Club or browse the old world cobblestone paths of the Riverplace Shops. Swim, splash, and slide in the gigantic water park complete with an indoor body board simulator. There are 21 runs and 2 terrain parks in total, with 3 ski lifts and 2 magic carpets. The Midwest delivers great family getaways in destinations like Branson, Missouri; Brainerd Lakes, Minnesota; the Black Hills of South Dakota; Traverse City, Michigan; Indianapolis and more. 17 Best Airbnbs in the Midwest: Treehouses, Cabins + Vacation Rentals You may have to wait and share with other people but it saves from having to travel with your own giant shovel! Many years, the lake freezes hard enough for cars to drive out to Madeleine Island, or hikers and skiers can explore the islands' sea caves by foot. Despite the frigidly cold Minnesota temperatures, there are so manyfun things to do in Minneapolis with kidsduring the winter months. Art galleries and cute shops are open year-round, and you can plan your visit around the various winter festivals in the area, including the February Fish Creek Winterfest with a fiddle contest, plenty of soup and hot chocolate, candle-lit hikes and more. Dont forget to pick up a warm drink from Colectivo when youre done having fun outdoors. In the afternoon, check out the Geneva Lake Museum, a great place for little hands as children are not discouraged from touching the artifacts. Each December, this reconstructed 1800s frontier village comes to life for Christmas! If youre looking for a Midwest destination in the winter time, then Omaha is an excellent choice. I help families plan fun & fulfilling family vacations by sharing our exact itineraries and best things to do lists to popular US vacation spots. Travel Around the Region 50 Midwest Resorts We Love By Jess Hoffert Updated July 01, 2022 Credit: Courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge Our favorite Midwest resort destinations range from cozy lakeside lodges to water park behemoths. Home to over 10,000 animals and famed Zoology Conservationist Jack Hanna, the 583 acre Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is reason enough to make Columbus our family getaway destination. You dont have to wait until your kids are more grown up or you have a ton of money saved to start traveling. 10 Midwest Winter Getaways To Embrace Or Escape The Cold! Top 27 Duluth Attractions You Dont Want to Miss! The Zoo is Nebraskas largest tourist attraction. From seasonal summer retreats to year-round adventure hubs, readers adored these charming New England getaways in our annual . Festivities kick off right after Thanksgiving and everyone embraces the cold wintry weather. If you are into outdoor activities, then check out the plethora of winter sports and outdoor winter entertainment. 50 Midwest Resorts We Love | Midwest Living 20 Best Vacation Spots in the Midwest for Families Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! If you are looking for a Midwest weekend getaway, then look no further than Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. With many of the same amenities as Chicago, Milwaukee is a more subdued version of the Second City. , it might be time to branch out a little bit. Family owned and operated and their attention to every detail shows up. is worth the trek. Pinned this for when we plan our next trip. From November through December, there is always something, fun, free and festive going on to celebrate Christmas in Chicago. What a great round up of winter getaways! Once the weather gets too frigid, warm up in the always-84-degree indoor water park. Situated on a ridge overlooking Medora in the North Dakota Badlands, this cozy house is surrounded by sprawling vistas with only deer and chipmunks as neighbors (yet just 2 miles from town). Its the warmest exhibit as you work your way through the zoo. Dont forget to wander through the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden before diving into the educational Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (which was voted Americans best aquarium). Winter is also a great time to see bald eagles along the Mississippi River! By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. 18 Epic Midwest Weekend Getaways Branson, Missouri Branson, Missouri is an inviting town situated in the Ozark Mountains. Madden's on Gull Lake Brainerd, Minnesota 7. These bright, healthy saladswith veggies, fruits, hearty grains and moreare gorgeous enough to star at your dinner table or a picnic spread. close to the Wisconsin Dells offers free admission for skiers under 12 with a paid adult. Participants learn to drive their own sled, so bonding with your canine crew is inevitable. When ready for a train-break, feel the sand between your toes at the Indiana Dunes National Park after a swim in Lake Michigan. Guests of the Grand Geneva can purchase day passes for the waterpark here too. Even if you find yourself at the Boone Home during the week, you can still get a tour of this Historic Home and the village. Shutterstock Table Rock Lake, Branson, Missouri Read update More Of The Most Breathtaking Winter Destinations In The Midwest Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Especially like the sound of Nebraska and Minnesota as they look a bit more remote. Rent bikes for the family (they even have tandem bikes and baby seats at some rentals) and work off all that fudge you inhaled at Rybas touring the limestone bluffs and scenic vistas of the Mackinac Island State Park, which encompasses much of the Island. Midwest Winter Travel Tip: Theres an old Nordic saying, Theres no such thing as bad weather, such the wrong clothes. This is so true and wearing the right clothes means wearing layers. If you are looking for a Midwest weekend getaway, then look no further than Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 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There are plenty of zippy hills for beginners, too. Lastly, if you cant decide between an outdoor adventure and doing a little urban exploring, The Greenway is the perfect solution. Head to the woods for a peaceful hike, curl up by the fire in a cozy cabin, or hit the town for some frosty window-shopping. Top off the Michigan Bavarian experience filling hungry bellies at the famous Zehnders, which has been serving families its special fried chicken dinner for over 160 years. There are places to go ice skating (both public and private), but dont miss the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park in the heart of downtown. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. 30+ Midwest Road Trip Ideas for Families | SheBuysTravel Few sounds break the hushed winter spell of this 280-acre retreat surrounded by North Woods. Tiny Medora offers big fun with the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame and the boot-scootin Medora Musical which is always live and outside at the Burning Hills Amphitheater. 18 Epic Midwest Weekend Getaways Where To Stay: Residence Inn by Marriott Minneapolis St Paul/Roseville. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. Fischerwiege Ferienapartments Am Walkstrom Located along the famous North Shore Scenic Drive, taking a road trip to Lutsen is an experience in itself. Here are the best weekend getaways for families in the midwest! This regional park is an outdoor treasure that few people know about. If you prefer cross-country skiing, there are four locations in and around Lake Geneva as well. Pro tip buy your tickets online in advance and skip the lines. Check the St. Croix Regional Tourism Alliance website for more information. If you enjoyed our article on Midwest winter weekend getaways, click here to check out our Related posts: *Before leaving, be sure to check ourTravel Resources Pageto help with your travel planning. ), 7 Best Rides at Universal Studios Orlando + Tips for Visiting, Best Off-Site Hotel Near Disney World: Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Galena, IL Attend holiday events, shop for unique gifts on Main Street, or cozy up by the fire. Midwest Winter Getaways for Families | Midwest Winter Vacations Family-Friendly Winter Getaways in Midwest Where to? When I moved to Cleveland for college and my Clevelander cousin told me I needed knee-high snow boots, I thought she was exaggerating. Send them to ski school while you enjoy a Nirvana Stress Relief Massage in the 11,000 foot, state of the art Crystal Spa. Michigan Midwest Family Vacations: 8 Road Trip Worthy Getaways in Central USA If happiness is a road trip, then these destinations are pure joy! If you get too cold, head inside and let the kids enjoy the heated, indoor pool which comes with a family play area, and take a dip in the hot tub to warm back up. To save money, you could stay at a chain hotel such as the Econo Lodge, buy a day pass to the water park at the Kalahari and explore the rest of what the Wisconsin Dells has to offer! Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Georgenthal, Thuringia: Find Tripadvisor traveler reviews of THE BEST Georgenthal Kid Friendly Restaurants and search by price, location, and more. Our list of theTop 5 fun things to do in Minneapolis with kidswill help inspire you and your family to visit this central Minnesota epicenter of fun! The waterslides, lazy river, kids area, adults-only hot tub, and private cabanas offer something for all ages. Let your littles learn and explore through the award- winning Omaha Childrens Museum or check out the Durham Museum in the renovated Omaha train station, dont miss the 1940s soda fountain for authentic malts. rents ski and snowboard equipment for $60 a day, and the resort has ski lessons for kids as young as three years old ($75), but beginners of all ages can learn the ropes as well. with a fiddle contest, plenty of soup and hot chocolate, candle-lit hikes and more. Lake Geneva is a charming little town with a bunch of family-friendly activities. If snow isnt in the forecast, manmade snow ensures a full winter of fun. Thanks again to all my Midwestern friends for sharing their knowledge! 6 Scenic Midwest Road Trips for Outdoorsy Families - FamilyVacationist Rileys Railhouse Bed and Breakfast - Have a Medical Situation In Disney? Ice fishing is a favorite and, during the holiday season, you can even ride along in horse-drawn carriages.