Things to Do

There is something for everyone in the Midwest. See what makes the Great Plains great. Dip your toes in the continent's inland seas. Learn about Native American heritage and history. Paddle miles of scenic rivers and waterways. Explore the homes of former presidents. From the Civil War to Civil Rights, discover the stories that shape our journey as a nation.

Use the links below to find things do in your Midwest national parks.
Two children sit on the edge of a rock ledge and gaze out over the badlands, juniper, and trails.
Things to Do by State

Find things to do by state. Pages contain park things to do, trip ideas, information on National Heritage Areas, and more.

A man and a male park ranger look up in the air with binoculars.
Things to Do Search

Search the national list of things to do by park, activity type, and more.

Forest-covered islands, blue lake water, and rocky shoreline.
Trip Ideas

Browse trip idea itineraries to Midwest national parks.

Two bicyclists on a path by a river during fall.
National Heritage Areas

Explore the eight National Heritage Areas in the Midwest. Unlike national parks, these are large lived-in landscapes.

Black and white photo of a historic downtown area and river from a high angle.
Historic Places Travel Itineraries

Experience historic places and stories across the Midwest with these travel itineraries.

Things to Do by State

Showing results 1-10 of 13

  • Things to Do in Arkansas

    • Locations: Arkansas Post National Memorial, Buffalo National River, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site,
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    Front of a high school made of brown brick that rises to a high point in the middle with stairways.

    Find things to do and trip ideas in Arkansas.

  • Things to Do in Illinois

    • Locations: Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, New Philadelphia National Historic Site,
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    A light orange two story home containing many windows with green shutters.

    Find things to do, trip ideas, and more in Illinois.

  • Things to Do in Indiana

    • Locations: George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, Indiana Dunes National Park, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    Beach along a large lake with green grassy dunes in the background under a blue sky.

    Find things to do, trip ideas, and more in Indiana.

  • Things to Do in Iowa

    • Locations: Effigy Mounds National Monument, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    View of a wide river from the top of a bluff. Tree branches extend into the view from the left.

    Find things to do, trip ideas, and more in Iowa.

  • Things to Do in Kansas

    • Locations: Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, California National Historic Trail, Fort Larned National Historic Site, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail,
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    Single story square building in the distance partially obstructed by a field of golden grass.

    Find things to do in Kansas.

  • Things to Do in Michigan

    • Locations: Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, North Country National Scenic Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    Dunes rise above shoreline under blue sky.

    Find things to do, trip ideas, and more in Michigan.

  • Things to Do in Minnesota

    • Locations: Grand Portage National Monument, Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, North Country National Scenic Trail, Pipestone National Monument, Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, Voyageurs National Park
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    Pink cliffs in the background with yellow and green bushes in the foreground.

    Find things to do and trip ideas in Minnesota.

  • Things to Do in Missouri

    • Locations: California National Historic Trail, Gateway Arch National Park, George Washington Carver National Monument, Harry S Truman National Historic Site, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail,
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    Purple flowers bloom on a grass-covered landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

    Find things to do, trip ideas, and more in Missouri.

  • Things to Do in Nebraska

    • Locations: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, California National Historic Trail, Homestead National Historical Park, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Missouri National Recreational River,
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    Steep bluff with pink sky above and yellow leaves below.

    Find things to do, trip ideas, and more in Nebraska.

  • Things to Do in North Dakota

    • Locations: Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, North Country National Scenic Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
    • Offices: Regions 3, 4, and 5
    View of seven bison on on a ridge with ridges stretching into the distance behind.

    Find things to do in North Dakota.

Tags: midwest things to do arkansas illinois indiana iowa kansas michigan minnesota missouri nebraska north dakota ohio south dakota wisconsin
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Last updated: March 15, 2024

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