Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 21:46     Subject: Days per Midwest city
KC has some good stuff, like the World War 1 museum, BBQ, and a cool little outdoor mall area that is based on Seville. I wouldn't spend two days in Topeka, but Lawrence and Abilene are decent day stops if you are going west in Kansas.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 20:49     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are you vacationing in these cities? I'm legit curious as someone who grew up in Des Moines and has been to all of those cities multiple times, visiting family. Are you visiting family? Otherwise, why?


I want to see the whole country. I want to see the top 50 most populous cities, of which Omaha is one. I like big cities and small cites. Really I want to go all the way down to top 150+ US cities by population.

I've heard Omaha is very nice. I've already been to St. Louis, Chicago, Indy, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Rapid City, Colorado Springs and more out that way so why not. I like to go anywhere. This is my very narrowed down circle due to time limitations.

For context, another option would be parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and/or Alabama, or maybe Memphis or Chattanooga, but those seem better for non-summer if I'm choosing.


OP, we have done this also. We travel to see bigger cities in each state and it’s fun. There is always a quirky museum, hiking, parks and outdoorsy things to do. there are also great restaurants in all these cites.

Look at NPS.gov for great national parks and monuments. Google “to do” in each city and you will always find stuff.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 18:42     Subject: Days per Midwest city
The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is amazing. Depending on timing, the college World Series is also there.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 12:16     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are you vacationing in these cities? I'm legit curious as someone who grew up in Des Moines and has been to all of those cities multiple times, visiting family. Are you visiting family? Otherwise, why?


I want to see the whole country. I want to see the top 50 most populous cities, of which Omaha is one. I like big cities and small cites. Really I want to go all the way down to top 150+ US cities by population.

I've heard Omaha is very nice. I've already been to St. Louis, Chicago, Indy, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Rapid City, Colorado Springs and more out that way so why not. I like to go anywhere. This is my very narrowed down circle due to time limitations.

For context, another option would be parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and/or Alabama, or maybe Memphis or Chattanooga, but those seem better for non-summer if I'm choosing.


PP here. Fair enough! And yes, Omaha is really nice, probably my fav city out of the ones you listed. Summer is a great time to see these cities, and you'll find stuff to do to keep you busy. Was just curious why you chose this particular area, but I get wanting to see the whole country. I only have 2 states left to see myself (Louisana and Hawaii)


Nice! Those are fun states. I have 4 states left. I've technically been to all the states proposed for this trip but have very vague memories and really none for Iowa, so I'm wanting to experience more. Almost all the other states I've been to I have real memories in.


Hello again. In Iowa I really like Iowa City. Really cool town and we once had a fun Americana Fourth of July at their fireworks display.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 12:14     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Just wanted to say I really applaud this, OP. It’s great to get out and see your own country. Not just the obvious but really getting off the beaten path.

Omaha is a fun city and the zoo is really worth a visit.

In Topeka make time for Brown v Board of Education. Really important landmark in civil rights history.

I like visiting presidential libraries and enjoyed Truman’s in Independence (in KC metro area).

Have a free trip and enjoy plenty of BBQ is KC. And great steaks in Omaha.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 11:55     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are you vacationing in these cities? I'm legit curious as someone who grew up in Des Moines and has been to all of those cities multiple times, visiting family. Are you visiting family? Otherwise, why?


I want to see the whole country. I want to see the top 50 most populous cities, of which Omaha is one. I like big cities and small cites. Really I want to go all the way down to top 150+ US cities by population.

I've heard Omaha is very nice. I've already been to St. Louis, Chicago, Indy, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Rapid City, Colorado Springs and more out that way so why not. I like to go anywhere. This is my very narrowed down circle due to time limitations.

For context, another option would be parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and/or Alabama, or maybe Memphis or Chattanooga, but those seem better for non-summer if I'm choosing.


PP here. Fair enough! And yes, Omaha is really nice, probably my fav city out of the ones you listed. Summer is a great time to see these cities, and you'll find stuff to do to keep you busy. Was just curious why you chose this particular area, but I get wanting to see the whole country. I only have 2 states left to see myself (Louisana and Hawaii)


Nice! Those are fun states. I have 4 states left. I've technically been to all the states proposed for this trip but have very vague memories and really none for Iowa, so I'm wanting to experience more. Almost all the other states I've been to I have real memories in.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 10:35     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are you vacationing in these cities? I'm legit curious as someone who grew up in Des Moines and has been to all of those cities multiple times, visiting family. Are you visiting family? Otherwise, why?


I want to see the whole country. I want to see the top 50 most populous cities, of which Omaha is one. I like big cities and small cites. Really I want to go all the way down to top 150+ US cities by population.

I've heard Omaha is very nice. I've already been to St. Louis, Chicago, Indy, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Rapid City, Colorado Springs and more out that way so why not. I like to go anywhere. This is my very narrowed down circle due to time limitations.

For context, another option would be parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and/or Alabama, or maybe Memphis or Chattanooga, but those seem better for non-summer if I'm choosing.


PP here. Fair enough! And yes, Omaha is really nice, probably my fav city out of the ones you listed. Summer is a great time to see these cities, and you'll find stuff to do to keep you busy. Was just curious why you chose this particular area, but I get wanting to see the whole country. I only have 2 states left to see myself (Louisana and Hawaii)
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 10:31     Subject: Days per Midwest city
I think it's too long in Kansas City, especially if you're ending your trip w/two days in Topeka. I'd drive to Des Moines after lunch on your day 3.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 10:20     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:If we have 11 nights, is this a good breakdown by location?

Kansas City 3 - including day of midday arrival
Des Moines 2
Omaha 3 - we're pretty set on 3 nights in Omaha
Lincoln 1
Topeka 2 - but will also go to Wizard of Oz museum and maybe also Manhattan in this time

We want to go to all of these locations but I'm mostly wondering if the Kansas City portion is too long. I've been there a long time ago but don't remember much.

Any other thoughts? We generally like to stay downtown and/or riverfront if applicable.


Kansas City- stay at the Loews in Kansas City Kansas. It's an easy uber to good restaurants in the Power & Light District. We like Lazia for Italian food. Loews has a good coffee shop and bar area for drinks/snacks. It's a fairly new hotel and quite nice.

Go to the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, the Truman Library in Independence, MO, and see if there is a good exhibit at Union Station. Loews is next to the Kauffman Center if there is a show you want to see. The Kauffman Center is based off of the Sidney Opera House, which will be obvious. You could walk around the Country Club Plaza, but the shopping is not what it used to be.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 10:05     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are you vacationing in these cities? I'm legit curious as someone who grew up in Des Moines and has been to all of those cities multiple times, visiting family. Are you visiting family? Otherwise, why?


I want to see the whole country. I want to see the top 50 most populous cities, of which Omaha is one. I like big cities and small cites. Really I want to go all the way down to top 150+ US cities by population.

I've heard Omaha is very nice. I've already been to St. Louis, Chicago, Indy, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Rapid City, Colorado Springs and more out that way so why not. I like to go anywhere. This is my very narrowed down circle due to time limitations.

For context, another option would be parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and/or Alabama, or maybe Memphis or Chattanooga, but those seem better for non-summer if I'm choosing.


Also bonus for capitals, although that's not really an explicit goal, but I do like seeing State Capitol buildings if I'm near one.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 10:03     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:Why are you vacationing in these cities? I'm legit curious as someone who grew up in Des Moines and has been to all of those cities multiple times, visiting family. Are you visiting family? Otherwise, why?


I want to see the whole country. I want to see the top 50 most populous cities, of which Omaha is one. I like big cities and small cites. Really I want to go all the way down to top 150+ US cities by population.

I've heard Omaha is very nice. I've already been to St. Louis, Chicago, Indy, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Rapid City, Colorado Springs and more out that way so why not. I like to go anywhere. This is my very narrowed down circle due to time limitations.

For context, another option would be parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and/or Alabama, or maybe Memphis or Chattanooga, but those seem better for non-summer if I'm choosing.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 09:48     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Why are you vacationing in these cities? I'm legit curious as someone who grew up in Des Moines and has been to all of those cities multiple times, visiting family. Are you visiting family? Otherwise, why?
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 06:57     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Anonymous wrote:Excited for the poster who thought 2 days was too much in San Francisco and Seattle to weigh in.


LOLOLOL
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 06:50     Subject: Days per Midwest city
Excited for the poster who thought 2 days was too much in San Francisco and Seattle to weigh in.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 20:22     Subject: Days per Midwest city
If we have 11 nights, is this a good breakdown by location?

Kansas City 3 - including day of midday arrival
Des Moines 2
Omaha 3 - we're pretty set on 3 nights in Omaha
Lincoln 1
Topeka 2 - but will also go to Wizard of Oz museum and maybe also Manhattan in this time

We want to go to all of these locations but I'm mostly wondering if the Kansas City portion is too long. I've been there a long time ago but don't remember much.

Any other thoughts? We generally like to stay downtown and/or riverfront if applicable.