🚗 10-Day Road Trip | Discovering Hidden Gems in the American Midwest

Last year, I took a road trip through the Midwest (Pittsburgh to Memphis) but found it rather underwhelming—except for the lively downtown of Nashville. ❤️ But this year, I tried again for the sake of my long-awaited visits to Chicago and Kansas City… and it turned out to be full of surprises! Lower your expectations, and your joy will double! Here’s the route—10.5 days in total: 🚗 San Francisco ✈️ Kansas City (pick up rental car) → drive to Chicago (return car) ✈️ Here are my personal highlights 👇 1️⃣ Kansas City – Seeing the Water-Moon Guanyin and the murals from Guangsheng Temple made my trip complete 🙏. I was amazed that such an incredible museum is free! Few people mention the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library nearby. Learning about his life felt like witnessing destiny—some are just born for greatness. 2️⃣ Lincoln, NE – A cozy college town with a relaxed vibe. The red-brick buildings in the historic Haymarket district are full of retro industrial charm. Perfect for coffee or a meal ☕️. 3️⃣ Des Moines – The State Capitol blew me away ✨. While the city itself isn’t standout, the capitol’s golden dome—one of the largest in the U.S.—is stunning inside and out. Free tours are available! 4️⃣ Dubuque, IA – A hidden gem along the Mississippi River 💛. This easily overlooked small town is filled with European-style architecture and red-brick factories, echoing its 19th-century industrial prosperity. Perfect for a 2-3 hour city walk 🚶‍♀️. 5️⃣ Madison, WI – What a dream place to study 🥹! The campus sits by a beautiful lake, and the city was buzzing with youthful energy during the start of the semester. The lit-up State Capitol at night looks like an elegant castle 🏰. 6️⃣ And finally… the Windows desktop come to life 🌽! Vast cornfields under cotton candy skies—it felt like driving through a screensaver. You never know what a journey will bring. Embrace the unknown and enjoy the ride! 🥳 #USATravel #RoadTrip #HiddenGems #MidwestUSA #KansasCity #TravelGuide #ExploreAmerica #SummerVibes