Midwestern Splash: The Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Chicago Rivers

This one-week road trip takes you through a perfect blend of bustling cities, scenic nature, and fun family attractions across the Midwest. Explore the beautiful Mississippi River in Minneapolis, the St. Croix River in Stillwater, the Wisconsin River in the Dells, and the Chicago River that flows through downtown Chicago. This itinerary offers a mix of urban exploration, outdoor adventures, and classic Midwestern charm.

Day 1: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Driving Time: 0 Hours – Trip Itinerary Starts Here

Arrive in Minneapolis and go exploring at Minnehaha Park, where you can see the beautiful Minnehaha Falls and take a scenic walk to the Mississippi River. In the afternoon, visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art, where you can spot the Minneapolis skyline and view over 100,000 works of art for free. For dinner, head to the North Loop / Warehouse District where you can find upscale local restaurants such as Spoon and Stable or Bar La Grassa. End the day with live music at First Avenue or The Fillmore.

Day 2: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Driving Time: 0 Hours – Stay in Minneapolis

Start your day at the Chain of Lakes for some paddleboarding or biking around Lake Harriet and Lake Bde Maka Ska. You can also search for activities happening on Lake Minnetonka or at Centennial Lakes. Riverboat tours of the Mississippi River are also available during the summer months. In the late afternoon, visit the Mall of America in nearby Bloomington for shopping and family-friendly activities like Nickelodeon Universe. For dinner, you can enjoy one of the many restaurants in Bloomington, Uptown, or Downtown Minneapolis.

Day 3: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Driving Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes (100 Miles)

After breakfast, it’s time to leave Minneapolis and head towards Eau Claire, Wisconsin. On the way, take a side trip to Stillwater where you can enjoy a boat ride or scenic walk along the St. Croix River. Try the famous ice cream shops down by the water and do some boutique shopping before leaving town. Then, finish the drive to Eau Claire and get settled for the night.

Day 4: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Driving Time: 2 Hour 30 Minutes (150 Miles)

Start your day with a visit to Chippewa Falls, a short 20-minute drive from Eau Claire. Explore over 300 acres at Irvine Park where you can visit the zoo, let kids play on the playgrounds, take walks through the trees, drive through the large animal habitations to see elk and other animals, and observe the beautiful Glen Loch Lake and Dam. For lunch, finish the drive to Wisconsin Dells where you will find many restaurants and can get settled into your hotel. For afternoon activities, take a walk along the riverwalk and explore downtown Wisconsin Dells for some classic tourist fun—arcades, mini-golf, and souvenir shopping.

Day 5: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Driving Time: 0 Hours

After breakfast, take a scenic Dells Boat Tour through the stunning rock formations along the Wisconsin River. You can choose a tour that suits your style – a scenic cruise or a speedy jet-boat tour. After lunch, spend time at one of the water parks in the area that make the Wisconsin Dells the water park capital of the world or do some shopping at the outlet stores. For dinner, try a local pizza delivery or enjoy a more formal meal overlooking the lake at sunset.

Day 6: Chicago, Illinois

Driving Time: 3 Hours 12 Minutes (Tolls are along this route – estimated: $8)

Hit the road to Chicago and plan for extra time due to traffic into the city. Once you arrive, head to Millennium Park to see the iconic Cloud Gate (The Bean) and explore Grant Park, where you can sit by Buckingham Fountain to get photos of the Chicago skyline. Grab lunch at one of the many restaurants in the area and then visit the Art Institute of Chicago in the afternoon. Finally, enjoy Chicago-style pizza at Giordano’s for dinner and finish the evening with a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk.

Day 7: Chicago, Illinois

Driving Time: 0 Hours

This morning, head to Navy Pier for a ride on the Ferris Wheel, where you can take in views of Lake Michigan. From the pier, embark on an Architectural River Tour that takes you through downtown Chicago. Learn more about the skyline from the Chicago River and see architectural marvels such as the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, Marina City, Merchandise Mart, 150 North Riverside, and Willis (Sears) Tower. Make reservations for one of Chicago’s fine dining restaurants and then end your day with a sunset view from the Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower.

Day 8: Chicago, Illinois

Driving Time: 0 Hours

Spend your last day in Chicago exploring The Magnificent Mile for world-class shopping or visit Lincoln Park Zoo for a fun family adventure. For an extra adventure, check the events calendar for any special events that are happening today. Chicago hosts sporting events, live concerts, special exhibitions, and community events. You can also decide to spend one more day on the water and explore Lake Michigan before heading home.

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Trip Time & Distance:

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Highlights

Mississippi River in Minneapolis, MN

St. Croix River in Stillwater, MN

Chippewa River in Chippewa Falls, WI

Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Dells, WI

Chicago River in Chicago, IL

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