15 Day Highlights of Central USA

About the destination: Chicago, once a small trading post on Lake Michigan, has grown into one of the country’s most famous cities. Visit “The Windy City” and chow down on deep dish pizza for a truly unique vacation experience. Follow “The Loop,” the city’s primary business district, and marvel at its array of high-rise buildings, consulates, and universities. Shopping and fine dining abound in this area. If you’ve worn yourself out in the city proper, set a more sedate pace at the Riverwalk, a pedestrian path along the Chicago River, or visit the many museums and parks the city has to offer. You’ll never believe you’re actually downtown when you walk through the Garfield Park Conservatory, and the Art Institute of Chicago will allow you to appreciate creative works from around the world. The most important places to visit in Chicago are: the Willis Tower, an iconic symbol of the city, the Millennium Park, a great urban park, among the most famous landmarks of Chicago and a site for many major city events, the Shedd Aquarium, one of the world's largest aquariums. Called the front lawn of Chicago, the Grant Park is a wonderfully landscaped park and offers many sites for an urban escape, the Navy Pier, situated right on Lake Michigan, has a festive atmosphere with entertainment, shops and restaurants. No Chicago tour is complete without a mention of the nightlife, so close out your day at a jazz lounge and let the sweet sound of music carry you away.

About the destination: East St. Louis is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. At the 2010 Census it had a population of 27,006 and a population density of 725.51 persons per km².

About the destination: Kansas City is a large, major midwestern city on the border of Missouri and Kansas. Beyond the great grub, visitors enjoy fabulous shopping, interesting museums and vibrant nightlife with world-famous jazz and blues clubs. Dubbed the "The City of Fountains", the city has more boulevards than Paris and more working fountains than any city but Rome. It is known for its slow-smoked barbecue and for being a big city with a laid back attitude. Kansas City is home to 90 barbeque joints giving Kansas City its second nickname: the "Barbeque Capital of the World". Kansas City is a city of paradoxes. It's both quaint and chic. There's great art, architecture, food and shopping everywhere. And homemade style restaurants that serve gravy and biscuits happily coexist with fine restaurants that serve trendy ethnic nouvelle cuisine. Definitely, Kansas City is one of a kind.

About the destination: Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska. This river city is an eclectic and cultural city that has something for everybody. The city and suburbs boast an impressive array of shopping, culture, and historic buildings and sites.The historic market place has been renovated and offers great places to eat and shop. The Old Market has been converted into a fun nightspot with tons of restaurants and shops. On almost any given night, you can find something fun to do in Omaha. The city has several waterparks, an impressive sports stadium, several casinos and one of the most impressive art museums in the American West, the Joslyn Art Museum. If you are looking for a fun weekend visit, or perhaps a nice place to break up the trip, Omaha has much to offer.

About the destination: Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. Des Moines is a clean pleasant city, surprisingly cosmopolitan with a beautiful skyline. It is home to Drake University, the Living History Farm, the State Historical Museum and the Iowa State Fair. The capital city of Iowa has a lot to offer. Des Moines has one of the prettiest state capitol buildings of all the United States. The state capitol building and other governmental buildings are located nearby the downtown area. In Des Moines city centre you’ll find the Civic Center, the Savory Hotel, the Court Avenue Shopping District, the Sec Taylor Stadium and the downtown skywalk. The Des Moines Art Center, one of the city’s main attractions, boasts a permanent collection of contemporary art of major artist such as Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, and Francis Bacon. Des Moines' vibrant culture, art, restaurants and shopping make it an exciting destination.

About the destination: The history, art, culture and beauty of Minneapolis, Minnesota state capital, are marvels that must be experienced rather than witnessed. Nature meets skyscrapers, blending together to create unique sights and attractions that can only be experienced in Minneapolis. Tour the city with a knowledgeable guide, or venture into an adventure of your own; either way, the life of this city will unfold before your eyes. In Minneapolis, spectators become participants, so get ready to immerse yourself in its culture. Don’t miss a kayak tour on the Mississippi River.

About the destination: Indianapolis, capital city of Indiana, is one of the biggest and fastest growing cities in the US. Indianapolis has become a hub for cultural diversity and amateur sports, it is a very cultural city with some of the finest War Memorials, Historic Districts, Top-Notch Museums, and spectacular Sporting Venues.The architecture in Indianapolis is impressive. There are several historic districts that have been perfectly preserved. The heart of the city is Veteran's Memorial Plaza, it encompasses five blocks that include University Park Fountain monuments, Obelisk Square and American Legion Mall. Indianapolis is not short of good museums. The city's Children's Museum is one of the biggest and best in the country, the Indianapolis Museum of Art houses over 50,000 pieces of art and an amazing public art library. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art is the only one of its kind in the Midwest and it is purely aesthetically pleasing both inside and out. To add to all this, there are more than 140 parks spread all over the city.A friendly, progressive yet historic city with natural beauty, Indianapolis is truly awe-inspiring.