Any tips on Starved Rock? Is it packed with people? Waterfalls in August? Or are they dry? Short hikes? We don't do long hikes? We are making a family trip to the midwest. My kids want to hit up some tractor shows and museums. What else is fun in the area? Our boys are 12 and 14. We do not want to go into the bigger cities
Eastern Iowa has the Maquoketa caves (state park), though I think the caves might be closed this summer. There is also Pikes Peak (state park) and Effigy Mounds (national park) in northeastern Iowa. The Pikes Peak site does have at least one waterfall.
If you will be anywhere close to St Louis, the Gateway Arch is really interesting.
You've got me humming "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" (Weird Al Yankovic)
It's probably out of your way on this trip but if you want to venture into South Dakota it would be fun to see the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.
They have huge murals (different every year) made entirely from corn kernels, corn cobs, corn husks, etc.
It's totally corny :-) but a lot of fun and most people spend about 3 hours walking around and seeing all there is to see.
Other ways to find places to see:
What about the Iowa State Fair? Isn't that kind of like the biggest event in the midwest?
I'd be all about the history. Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, IL and raised in Dixon, IL. I believe there are historical sites in both towns (and they're not all that far from each other). Springfield, IL is full of Abraham Lincoln sites - Lincoln's Home, Lincoln's Tomb, New Salem (where he lived before he moved to Springfield), The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum. You could easily spend 3 days in the Springfield Area. Springfield is not at all a big city - only 100,000 people and very easy to drive around in.
If you'd like to see a major league baseball game, St. Louis, MO, is not far away. It's a bit larger than Springfield, but Busch Stadium is right off the interstate with very easy parking. It would be a great experience!
How old are your kids? Are you coming to Chicago?
I know you said you don't want to go to the bigger cities, but if you really want museums, you might want to reconsider that. Chicago has so many that your boys would enjoy, depending on their interests. The rest of the area is better for outdoor activities, like the Indiana Dunes, Starved Rock, Galena, are all nice areas. I see you're from Montana, so don't know that anything here can compare to Montana for natural beauty, but the geography and history is different.
Fair Oaks Dairy Farm is near the Illinois Indiana border, and is neat to visit. there is much to do and see there... also not too far into Indiana are places like Indiana Beach and Deep River Water Park. but as far as Illinois is concerned, Chicago has it all.. museums, aquariums, navy pier, 2 zoos (one free just pay for parking) there is 6 flags, you name it you can probably do it in Chicago! but if your into history then visit Lincoln's home and other historical things in Springfield.
if you are into bike riding, there is a bike trail that goes from the Kankakee river state park all the way up into the south suburbs of chicago. starved rock state park has much to see. southern illinois has many more state parks to adventure thru.
there is also lake Egypt located in the southern part of Illinois and theres things to do and see there.
I love Chicago, but I could easily spend a week in Iowa and Illinois without setting foot in the city. Don't feel that you need to visit there. It can be a separate trip you take later.
Here's a few things that came to mind immediately for me:
* In Moline and Waterloo: The John Deere museum and John Deere Pavillion. Really interesting stuff there.
* In Indiana: I'm assuming you probably won't want to venture too far into the state. I remember being really inspired when I saw the Notre Dame campus in South Bend at that age. Also in South Bend is the East Race Waterway -- white water rafting in the middle of the city. Also, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore along Lake Michigan. Indianapolis is a cool city with a small town feel.
* If you happen to be in Northwestern Iowa, I really think it's worthwhile to cross over into Nebraska and visit the Ashfall Fossil Beds.
Look for the smaller fairs and festivals that are held throughout the region. They usually have tractor pulls and demolition derbies and can be a lot of fun.
