Madison

The crown jewel of Milwaukee’s churches, this became the third church in the United States honored with the title of “basilica” in 1929 and is still the largest church in the city. http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/itineraries/adventure/history-architecture/

Ayzha Fine Arts Gallery & Boutique promotes original multicultural art and specializes in art of the African Diaspora. The mission of Ayzha Fine Arts includes advancing and supporting master, mid-career, and emerging artists of all ethnic backgrounds, locally and nationally. Services Ayzha Fine Arts coordinates exhibitions at galleries, trade shows and public institutions, as well as corporate and private events. The Gallery also host Artist Salons. https://ayzhafineartsgallery.com/

The Milwaukee Art Museum collects and preserves art, presenting it to the community as a vital source of inspiration and education.30,000 works of art. 400,000+ visitors a year. 125 years of collecting art. From its roots in Milwaukee’s first art gallery in 1888, the Museum has grown today to be an icon for Milwaukee and a resource for the entire state. https://mam.org/info/

Our Riverside Park branch is located at Milwaukee County's Riverside Park between the Riverwest and East Side communities, one of the most populated and diverse areas in Milwaukee. http://urbanecologycenter.org/our-branches/riverside-park.html

The Black Cat Alley is an outdoor art gallery located in a private alley on the East Side. This unique street art destination was developed by a group of community members and artists back in 2015-2016 in partnership with Wallpapered City LLC, and sponsored by the East Side BID. It now contains 21 murals by 24 artists from Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Columbus and even Berlin. https://blackcatmke.com/

One of the top urban beaches in the nation, Bradford Beach is the hottest place to be on a summer day. It's clean, full of activity, great views, and plenty of space to spread out, sunbathe, and swim. https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/partners/bradford-beach-5422/

Approximately 140 acres, Lake Park is one of several parks in the Milwaukee County park system that was designed by renowned landscape architect, and Central Park designer, Fredrick Law Olmstead. http://lakeparkfriends.org/

Broadway In Chicago is the source for terrific seats to the most exciting shows in Chicago’s bustling Downtown Theater District. On the stages of the James M. Nederlander Theatre, the Cadillac Palace Theatre, the CIBC Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre and the Broadway Playhouse, you will discover theater productions direct from Broadway and world premieres of productions destined for Broadway. Broadway theater will ignite your night on the town and put you in the middle of the excitement of Chicago tourism. Broadway In Chicago makes it easy to get the best seats available plus provides unique visitor and tourism offerings for a very special theater experience. Go behind the scenes with Broadway In Chicago’s Historic Theatre tours. For a truly memorable night at the theatre, be sure to include the luxurious amenities of Broadway In Chicago’s Suite Service. https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/

With 25 acres of awe-inspiring landscape, breathtaking architecture and an iconic collection of public art, Millennium Park is Chicago’s premier green space. Millennium Park celebrated its 10th anniversary season in 2014 and continues to present dozens of free events and programs including art installations, outdoor concerts, films screenings, alfresco workouts and more. https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/millennium-park/

Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is undeniably one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination truly comes to life in the summer, with fireworks displays, live music, theatre, and cruises setting sail daily. Come fall and winter, Navy Pier is still hopping, with special events, sights, and activities that span all ages and interests. Pier Park is the epitome of fun. It’s where you’ll find the amazing Centennial Wheel, the Pepsi Wave Swinger, a 1920s-inspired musical carousel, and other nostalgic fairground rides. Just so you know, the Centennial Wheel soars to nearly 200 feet, with year-round, climate-controlled gondolas for the most spectacular Ferris wheel ride ever. It’s an iconic part of the Chicago skyline and a treasured piece of Chicago history, harkening to the city’s 1893 World’s Fair. You can even book a VIP Centennial Wheel experience in a glass-bottomed, plush-seated gondola. Fireworks perfectly synchronized to music have become a Navy Pier tradition. Biweekly shows are scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For an extra-special experience, watch the fireworks from the water on the deck of a cruise boat. https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/attractions-and-tours/navy-pier/

Chicago's Field Museum, one of the world's great museums of natural history was built to house the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Over the last 125 years, the museum's collection has grown to an astounding 24 million objects, ranging from ancient mummies to exquisite gemstones, and endangered plants to dinosaur fossils. http://www.fieldmuseum.org/

Shedd combines the best of early 20th-century aquariums — a diverse, global animal collection surrounded by mouth-dropping architecture, and a commitment to 21st-century advances in animal care, environments and interpretation. Here, you'll not only find 32,600 of species of sea life, but one-of-a-kind experiences, such as shark feedings, penguin encounters, and even the chance to be a "Trainer for a Day." https://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Extending out into Lake Michigan from its Museum Campus home, this is America's first planetarium and it has become a recognized leader in science education. The Adler is home to one of the largest and most significant collections of historic scientific instruments in the world. The Adler’s collections also include rare books, manuscripts, archival materials, models, and photographs. Immersive theater programs, special exhibitions and events such as lectures and viewing parties allow you to journey through the vast universe – from the depths of powerful black holes to the heights of Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object from Earth. https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/#5Q8Zfmcg1t8I4heb.97

One of the largest science museums in the world, Museum of Science & Industry has both an illustrious history and a focus on the future of science and science education. https://www.msichicago.org/

48-acre park with the beautiful sandy shore of Lake Michigan along the west side of the park and the Grand River along the north side of the park. The park consists entirely of beach sand and provides scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Grand Haven pier and lighthouse. A popular destination located on Lake Michigan’s sandy shores. Activities include camping, fishing, sunbathing, volleyball and swimming, Modern lodge is available for rent. https://visitgrandhaven.com/listing/grand-haven-state-park/

At the core of the Museum is the permanent exhibit, which allows visitors to experience highlights from President and Mrs. Ford's lives. The exhibit teaches democratic citizenship and allows for quiet reflection. In addition to the permanent exhibits, changing temporary exhibits draw artifacts from Museums all over the country. Not all museum programming revolves around the exhibits; we also offer a wide variety of family-friendly events and lectures on a regular basis; the Museum Store sells items relating to the Ford presidency, other Presidents and First Ladies, and other souvenirs. The Ford Museum opened to the public in September 1981 and is part of the Presidential libraries system of the National Archives and Records Administration, a Federal agency. https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/visit-museum.aspx#museum-exhibits

Experience masterpieces of art and nature that will delight your senses at one of the nation's premier horticultural display gardens and sculpture parks in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ranked in the top 100 most-visited art museums worldwide by Art Newspaper, the leading publication in global art news, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has grown to become an international destination. The sculpture program features more than 200 works in the permanent collection sited both indoors and outdoors on the 158-acre main campus. The permanent collection focuses on works by established and emerging sculptors from the Modern tradition to the present. Earliest works date to the second half of the 19th century with masters such as Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belluese, Edgar Degas, and Auguste Rodin. Starting with these masters, the comprehensive presentation includes sculptors from the late 19th century to the present. http://www.meijergardens.org/discover/

Located just minutes south of Mall of America, the Minnesota Zoo brings education and entertainment to life! The zoo is home to penguins, a lush tropical forest and aviary, marine center, boreal forest, tundra and a family farm. With more than 4,300 animals, you're bound for a new adventure on every visit! The zoo also has banquet facilities and picnic rentals available and group discounts for 20 or more. https://www.exploreminnesota.com/things-to-do/3079/minnesota-zoo

Saint Paul’s last true island, Raspberry Island is a beautiful site visitors can enjoy day or night along the Riverwalk pathway. Raspberry Island is a little gem of tranquility that allows for escape outside the hustle and bustle of the city. Featuring music in the park throughout the summer season at its stunning illuminated band shell, Raspberry Island is an unforgettable location for weddings, celebrations and musical performances. https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/directory/raspberry-island/

At the Science Museum of Minnesota, the science that shapes our daily lives comes to life through hands-on exhibits, larger-than-life Omnitheater films, and a world-class collection of fossils and artifacts. https://www.minneapolis.org/directory/science-museum-of-minnesota-arts-entertainers/

The Cathedral dominates the Saint Paul skyline and is situated on the highest point in downtown Saint Paul. For the wider community, as well as for its parishioners, the Cathedral provides opportunities to enhance appreciation for the arts. https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/directory/cathedral-of-saint-paul-museums-historic-sites/

One of the last free zoos in the United States, Como is home to a wide array of animals (from monkeys to polar bears) and exotic plants and welcomes visitors 365 days a year. Located next to Como Town Amusement Park, the historic Cafesjian's Carousel, and in Como Park, the zoo and conservatory are great fun for visitors of all ages. http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Minnesota's official museum of natural history since 1872. Coming in summer 2018 to the St. Paul campus, the new Bell Museum brings together science, art, and the environment with a unique Minnesota perspective. https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/directory/bell-museum/

Built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, Mill City Museum is located on the historic Mississippi Riverfront. Here, visitors of all ages learn about the intertwined histories of the flour industry, the river, and the city of Minneapolis. http://www.millcitymuseum.org/

Surrounding the Convention Center on the southern edge of downtown Minneapolis, the Loring Park District is a walkable residential neighborhood of historic institutions and cultural attractions. https://www.minneapolis.org/map-transportation/neighborhoods/loring-park/

The nation's largest professional dinner theatre features three separate theatres under one roof to enjoy spectacular Broadway musicals and comedies, served with delicious dinner. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) came to be in 1968. It was the vision of founders Herb and Carol Bloomberg to bring a “little bit of Broadway to the Midwest.” They loved traveling to New York to enjoy great Broadway productions and felt audiences deserved a quality musical theatre experience here in the Twin Cities. They acquired land in Chanhassen, Minnesota, a tiny rural community with a population of less than 500 people. The 90,000 square foot dinner theatre was built on what was then cornfields and countryside. At its core Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is about Entertaining YOU! So whether you are coming with a group, celebrating a birthday or anniversary, having a date night or enjoying an evening with good friends, It’s the place where generation after generation comes to make lasting memories. And that’s its proudest accomplishment. https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/default.asp

Minnesota's largest public garden on 1,000 acres, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is open year-round and offers seasonal tours of beautiful display gardens and plant collections. https://www.minneapolis.org/directory/minnesota-landscape-arboretum-parks/

Spark your imagination at Science Central! Explore 200 permanent hands-on exhibits and national touring exhibitions. Get fun, educational items in our Gift Shop. https://www.visitfortwayne.com/listing/science-central/223/

Enjoy a stroll through the sights and sounds of yesteryear! Visit the Historic Fort, where history is brought to life through hands-on demonstrations and re-enactments. Period specific events ranging from the early 1700s through the Civil War Era are presented. https://www.visitfortwayne.com/listing/old-fort/326/

The AAAHSM (“AWESOME”) exhibits the histories of people of African descent in Allen County since 1809, and African history from earliest times to today. An Arts United affiliate, the museum houses the City’s largest public collection of African Art. https://www.visitfortwayne.com/listing/african-african-american-historical-museum/6/

The central focal point in the park is the remodeled aquatic center. It boasts a 400,000-gallon pool with a zero depth area, numerous spray features, 3 slides and lap lanes. The park is also adjacent to Sahm Golf Course. Amenities: playground, pavilion, shelters, picnic knoll, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, soccer, fitness trail, disc golf course. http://funfinder.indy.gov/#/details/52

Located just minutes from downtown, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis features five floors of fun and interactive learning that have the power to transform the lives of children and families across the arts, world cultures, sciences, and humanities. https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-the-childrens-museum-of-indianapolis

But it’s not the buildings that make history come alive at this attraction; rather, it’s the knowledgeable staff, who explain and demonstrate the significance of each building and show what little slices of life were like around the turn of the last century. Sauder Village is, frankly, the most honest historical collection in our area. History there is not boringly preserved in a jar, locked away never to be seen; but neither is it pandering to the silliness or gags that some historical institutions have introduced to boost ticket sales. It’s not quite a journey back in time, but neither is Sauder Village quite of our time. It is, in some respects, a place where time just doesn’t apply. The institution was founded by Erie Sauder, who was also the entrepreneur behind Sauder Furniture, the nation’s largest manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture ? in fact, chances are probably decent that many will read this on a computer sitting on a Sauder desk. It was a way for Sauder to preserve some of the historic structures of the area, such as his first workshop, an old Lutheran church, a train station, and a working farm. Over the years, the village has grown exponentially. Now, beautiful, larger buildings house some of the most popular crafts, such as blacksmithing, pottery, and glassblowing. A lodge and conference center abuts the village and the popular Barn Restaurant. A hands-on children’s area is new this year. https://www.toledo.com/attractions/sauder-village-attraction-toledo-ohio/