Explore America’s Best-Kept Secrets: From Midwest Culture to Scenic Wonders
Art and history are woven throughout the Midwest, complemented by an array of outdoor attractions where groups can get outside, explore scenic landscapes, and enjoy plenty of room to roam.
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Indiana
Dubois County, IN – Ranked in the “15 Best Small Towns in the USA,” Huntingburg features a charming Victorian-era downtown with over two dozen shops, eateries, and antique stores. Visit during one of the four strolling events each year, like the Huntingburg Christmas Stroll, for an igloo experience and lively events throughout the downtown.
Dubois County, IN – Visit the Jasper Downtown Shopping District and the area around the square filled with vitality, history, a variety of shops, and gathering spaces. Nearby, the Old Jasper area hosts a tourist train, historic grist mill, one-room schoolhouse, and year-round art galleries.
Dubois County, IN – This “Castle on the Hill,” also known as Monastery Immaculate Conception, is home to one of the nation’s largest groups of Benedictine nuns. Tour the majestic domed church with gold leaf accents, 88-ft ceilings, 89 angels, stained-glass, and carved wood accents. On the grounds, visit a brewery and gift shop featuring anti-aging cookies and unique ales.
French Lick, IN – From lakeside cabins at Patoka Lake to the iconic French Lick Springs and West Baden Springs Hotels, accommodations range from historic luxury to cozy Airbnbs and downtown inns. Whether you’re seeking nature views or walkable charm, there’s a perfect place to unwind.
French Lick, IN – Explore the history of French Lick through the iconic West Baden Springs Hotel dome, a landmark of early 20th-century engineering. Visit the restored First Baptist Church in West Baden Springs, which reflects the area’s African American heritage, and ride the French Lick Scenic Railway to experience the region’s longstanding rail and resort history.
French Lick, IN – Surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and waterways, French Lick offers a wide range of outdoor experiences year-round. Enjoy scenic hiking and biking trails, championship golf, boating, and relaxation at Patoka Lake, exploring Hoosier National Forest, and wildlife encounters at Wilstem Wildlife Park, all set within the area’s peaceful natural surroundings.
Harrison County, IN – Harrison County celebrates culture where history and hometown traditions come together. Explore Indiana’s first state capital in Historic Corydon, then experience the beloved Harrison County Popcorn Festival, a tribute to agricultural roots, community pride, and small-town charm. From heritage landmarks to annual celebrations, authentic Hoosier culture lives here year-round.
Harrison County, IN – Harrison County, Indiana, is an outdoor playground where adventure meets natural beauty. Discover breathtaking caves, paddle scenic rivers, trek forested trails, and bike rolling landscapes. Experience soaring zip lines, championship golf, and unforgettable views around every bend. From sunrise hikes to sunset adventures, the outdoors call you to explore more.
Harrison County, IN – Harrison County sets the stage for unforgettable music and entertainment. Experience big-name concerts at Caesars Southern Indiana, then enjoy hometown bands and rising artists at vibrant local festivals and community events. With our charming small-town streets, live music fills the calendar with energy, excitement, and memorable performances year-round.
Jeffersonville, IN – Celebrating 135 years in 2026, Schimpff’s Confectionery delivers sweets and smiles to visitors from all over the globe. The beloved shop, known for its candy-making demonstrations, candy museum, and signature red hot drops, was named the best candy storein the country by USA Today readers in 2025.
Jeffersonville, IN – Twist and shout to more than 50 bands at Abbey Road on the River, the world’s largest Beatles-inspired music festival. Headliners for 2026 include Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, and Laurence Juber of Wings. Priority seating and accommodations available for groups.
New Albany, IN – History lovers will feel at home exploring unique landmarks and museums in Southern Indiana, including the Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site. Learn more about the Culbertson family on a tour of this grand Victorian-era mansion showcasing the opulence of the Gilded Age, complete with lavish furnishings and intricate architectural details.
Michigan
BAY CITY, MI – The Princess Wenonah offers a unique perspective of Bay City. Explore abundant natural beauty from its decks. It offers public tours and cruises on the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. Group pricing is also available on evening and weekend events! See the website at www.baycityboatlines.com for the current schedule of events.
Detroit, MI – Detroit’s art scene is a dynamic fusion of history, innovation, and community. The city is known for its vibrant street art, contemporary galleries, and thriving cultural institutions like the Detroit Institute of Arts and The Sheperd Detroit. Artists reflect the city’s industrial past while pushing boundaries with creative collaborations.
Detroit, MI – Detroit, known as the “Motor City,” revolutionized the automotive industry in the early 20th century. Tour museums like The Henry Ford, Pontiac Transportation Museum, Stahl’s Motors, Music Experience, and more. Detroit’s automotive legacy shaped global transportation, fueling economic growth and continuing to leave an indelible mark on American culture.
Detroit, MI – Detroit’s music scene is legendary, known for its contributions to Motown, techno, gospel, and rock. Experience the iconic Motown Museum, music festivals like the Detroit Jazz Festival, or Movement Festival. Visit historic venues like the Fox Theatre and Detroit Music Hall. The city has shaped global music through the years.
Grand Rapids, MI – One of the world’s 100 most visited art museums, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park features a wide variety of indoor and outdoor gardens. This 158-acre attraction features the most comprehensive outdoor sculpture collection in the Midwest, indoor and outdoor gardens, the largest tropical conservatory in the state, nature trails, a guided tram, and a five-acre Children’s Garden.
Grand Rapids, MI – Visit the Christkindl Markt, a traditional European Christmas Market, featuring artisan gift and food vendors, live entertainment, and festive fun, at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. An outdoor Christmas Village is lined with 60+ vendors; this winter wonderland is filled with unique Christmas experiences illuminated with international flair.
Grand Rapids, MI – Tour the Meyer May House, a meticulously restored Frank Lloyd WrightPrairie House. The house is complete with original furnishings and faithfully executed reproductions; the Meyer May House provides the rare opportunity to experience a Prairie house exactly as Frank Lloyd Wright intended.
Midland, MI – Aloft or alit, Dow Gardens and its Whiting Forest, Canopy Walk, and other features within offer a year-around menu of novel experiences, a merry-go-round of adventures circling the seasons, a picnic of perspectives. The Canopy walk is 1,400 feet of a gently graduated walking path that takes you 4 stories above the forest floor.
Saginaw, MI – The Japanese Cultural Center, Tea Five-Acre Gardens of Saginaw, is revered as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in all of North America. It offers classes in traditional Japanese arts. Tea ceremonies begin at 2:00 pm. The garden opens April 1st through October 31.
Traverse City, MI – Shaped by ancient glaciers, Traverse City’s stunning landscapes blend natural beauty with rich history. Explore historic lighthouses, sail aboard a majestic tall ship, and visit the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, one of the largest historic reconstruction projects in the country. Experience a region where the past meets unforgettable adventures.
Traverse City, MI – The true allure of Traverse City lies outdoors. Explore the stunning Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, hike or ski through vibrant seasons, bike urban trails, paddle along waves, or tee off on lush golf courses. Nature’s energy surrounds you, fueling endless adventures in this breathtaking, year-round destination.
Traverse City, MI – Traverse City blends small-town charm with big-city culture, thanks to a thriving arts scene. Highlights include the Traverse City Philharmonic, the world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts, award-winning authors at the National Writers Series, and the Dennos Museum Center, home to stunning exhibits and one of the world’s largest Inuit art collections.
For more travel tips and ideas for groups, be sure to Download the June edition of Leisure Group Travel and Subscribe for FREE
