When you think of a trip to the United States… what comes to your mind? Exactly! New York, or Miami, otherwise Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Alternatively, the great spaces of the “West” such as Texas, Colorado and Arizona. But have you ever considered the possibility of a different itinerary… less “crowded” and still equally interesting? Have you ever considered the idea of visiting the Midwest, mysterious and a little narrow-minded but no less exciting? Here we suggest some ideas that could become the stops on your next vacation.
Detroit, not only engines and cars
Detroit is the most important city in the state of Michigan (but not the capital) and also the largest metropolis on the US-Canadian border. It is known worldwide because of its famous car industry and the car races they organize on the territory. But it can offer much more.
Its name comes from the French word for “strait” so to indicate its geographical location, on the strait of Lake Erie. You can admire its central quarters where skyscrapers and parks also host many museums and monuments, or enjoy a visit to the Eastern Market, or spend hours at the Henry Ford Museum where you can also admire the lovely Greenfield Village (where time has stopped at 1933 … and cars too!). History here also talks of ancient wounds: visit the 8-Mile Wall, testimony of the sad times of the ghettos, when such a wall divided white people from black ones.
Detroit is served by local Detroit Metropolitan International Airport (DTW), also known as Metro Airport, connecting the city of Detroit and much of Michigan to the rest of the world. It works with domestic, continental and intercontinental flights and has a long history (it was opened in 1930, but already in 1949 it was the first airport in the state).
Chicago, “the” metropolis
The “metropolis of Midwest” and third city in the United States as for population, after New York and Los Angeles, Chicago is the reference point for the majority of the states of the federation and mixes modern and historical elements, while facing the big blue Lake Michigan.
Its history offers memories of “gangsters” and “hippies” but also of very important social battles, such as the afro-american rights. Its streets are a tapestry of modern architectures made by the most important names in the world. You will admire Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world, John Hancock Center, the South Side’s old core, the elegant buildings along the lakeshore. Culture thrives in the corners of Chicago’s renowned museums and theaters. The Art Institute of Chicago houses an impressive collection of works, ranging from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces. The Field Museum invites visitors on a journey through natural history, while the Museum of Science and Industry caters to curious minds with interactive exhibits.
If you love to visit such a great and interesting city, you will easily land at Chicago O’Hare Airport or at Midway and then move from there to any destination you like thanks to the perfect transportation net (buses, trains, elevated metro train, boats and private transfers).
Saint Louis, royal city
Saint Louis, the most important city in Missouri, owes its name to King Louis 9 of France to whom it was dedicated at the time of the French-Canadian colonization. Its territory is so vast that some of the municipalities that form its urban area “cross over” into the neighbouring state of Illinois. A “royal” city in every sense, that few people know about today though. Yet, it is worth discovering as a new tourist place. In Saint Louis you can admire the gigantic “Gateway Arch” to the Midwest, an enormous steel monument shining in the sun; ancient buildings such as the Old Courthouse; the church of Saint Ambrose in the historic district of The Hill; the splendid Gothic cathedral dedicated to Saint Louis that houses precious mosaics; the History Museum and the Zoological Garden – among the most importants in America. Don’t miss a relaxing visit to Forest Park and a tour of the city’s craft breweries.
The city is well connected to the rest of the world by the Saint Louis-Lambert Airport, built in the 1920s and modernized between 1989 and 2000 with efficient technologies and new services.
Minneapolis, water and tourism
Minneapolis is the largest city in the state of Minnesota, many people often think it is also the capital (which is not! It is St. Paul) making it one of the favourite tourist places in the Midwest. Its original name derives from the union of the dakota word “minn” (water) with the Greek word “polis” (city), therefore city of waters, or city of lakes. The water of the Mississippi River and the powerful waterfalls in the surroundings, in fact, made the fortune of the city which developed thanks to the processing and trade of timber on the river. Today Minneapolis is a working-class city that still has many monuments related to this historical past. The most interesting things to see in Minneapolis are: Mill District (Downtown East), Stone Arch Bridge, St Anthony Falls, St Mary’s Basilica, City Hall, Mill Ruins Park, Minnehaha Park.
Minneapolis-St Paul Airport (MSP) also serves the capital of Minnesota. Built in the 1920s, it developed over the years now handling considerable air traffic for the Midwest of the United States. The airport works with 4 large runways (two of which are over 3 km long) and 2 terminals. An average 25 million people travel to and from Minnesota-St Paul every year!