Top 10 Educational Day Spots for Families in the Midwest

Welcome back to our series on educational family spots around the country! The school year may be back in full swing, but that doesn’t mean family learning is off the table. If you’re a family in the Midwest, then you’ve come to the right place. This weekend, take a family trip to some of Learning Liftoff’s favorite educational and fun-filled day spots for families.

 

1. Castle Museum of Saginaw County History – Saginaw, MI

This is one of our favorite educational spots to visit for a seriously inexpensive cost to you and your family! Admissions are only $1 for adults and $0.50 for children. Check out the both permanent and temporary exhibits to learn about the history of the Saginaw peoples. You can see Everyday Objects of the Chippewa Indians, Animal Skulls, Arrowheads, and more. If you can’t make it in person, check out some of their digital exhibits here!

 

2. National Railroad Museum – Green Bay, WI

All aboard the National Railroad Museum. Participate in a self-guided tour of the train any time of the year for just $11! If you’ve got a little locomotive lover on your hands- feel free to book their birthday party here; or if it’s the holiday season, take part in one of their seasonal museum events, like the Great Pumpkin Train or The Polar Express™  Train Ride.

 

3. The Lucius Read House and Byron Museum of History – Byron, IL

Any Illinois families looking for a daycation that isn’t in Chicago? We’ve got you covered. With free admissions and a plethora of exhibits, the Lucius Read House and Byron Museum of History are a great place to start. Learn about the great baseball player A.G. Spalding and all about Byron’s town history; or visit one of the museum’s events like the Festival of Trees or one of their indoor markets!

 

4. WonderLab Museum – Bloomington, IN

This museum showcases a Learning Liftoff favorite- hands on learning! Let your little ones learn about music on their Big Piano, different concepts in science with their Viscosity Tubes and How Things Work exhibit, or about the great outdoors in their garden and Natural Science Hall. They even offer summer camps for kiddos aged K-8.

 

5. Gooseberry Falls State Park – Lake County, MN

Take a stroll down one of America’s Great Lakes and visit Gooseberry Falls State Park. This beautiful park offers views of the Lake Superior shoreline as well as some gorgeous waterfalls. Whether it’s for a day trip or an overnight camp stay, this park is sure to impress. Want to see the park before you go? Check out some of these amazing pictures!

 

6. Titanic Museum – Branson, MO

Want to learn more about the famous tragedy about the ocean liner Titanic? Visit the Titanic Museum in Branson, MI (there’s also a location in Pigeon Forge for all of our Tennessee residents)! Upon entering the ship, you will have the chance to see over 400 of the ship’s artifacts and walk through the halls of the ship as if you were a real passenger. With interactive experiences galore, you and your family will have a blast learning about the past.

 

7. Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society – Fargo, ND

Nobody loves an outdoor learning lesson more than us here at Learning Liftoff! The Northern Plains Botanic Garden is home to so many opportunities to learn about the great outdoors, whether it be in their butterfly garden, rain garden, woodlands garden, or so many more. They even offer fun events for families like their Edible Forest Tours. Check out their in-person events or take a virtual tour here!

 

8. Reptile Gardens – Rapid City, SD

There’s nobody in the world who loves animals like quite kids do. That’s why there’s no better place to take them to than Reptile Gardens in Rapid City, South Dakota! Let your little learners roam around with some of the docile giant tortoises or learn about Cheyenne the Bald Eagle or Maniac the Giant Crocodile. It’s a guaranteed opportunity for both fun and hands-on learning.

 

9 . A Hands-On Adventure (AHA!) – Lancaster, OH

Calling all parents of children aged 6 months to 8 years! The AHA! Children’s museum might be for you. Allow your kiddos to explore their interests at one of this museum’s many exhibits. Any future firefighters? What about architects? AHA! has a place for you. If you’re looking for a fun birthday party idea for your kiddos, you can check out the AHA! party booking page, too.

 

10. Joslyn Art Museum – Omaha, NE

If you’ve got a right-brained learner, try taking them to the Joslyn Art Museum! There they’ll be able to view European paintings and sculptures or, starting in November 2021, the Indigenous Matriarchy Balcony Gallery Installation. The Joslyn Art Museum is a great place to take children to learn creativity can allow people to express their feelings about the past and present.

 

We are so excited for all of the fun our families in the Midwest will have at these places as the year goes on. If you aren’t based in the Midwest, stay tuned for our final article of the series on educational spots in the West or check out our past articles on educational spots all over the United States! If you love close-to-home field trips and learning activities with your kiddos, check out the rest of Learning Liftoff’s website for more!

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