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

Last year, I took a Midwest road trip (Pittsburgh to Memphis) but found it mostly underwhelming—except for the lively streets of Nashville. ❤️ This year, I tried again—drawn by my longing to see Chicago and Kansas City. And guess what? Lowering my expectations made the journey twice as joyful! Route Overview: 🛬 Kansas City (fly in → rent car) → 🛬 Chicago (fly out) ⏱️ 10.5 days of pure exploration 📍 Highlights & Hidden Treasures 1️⃣ Kansas City, MO Nelson-Atkins Museum: Saw the breathtaking Water-Moon Guanyin and murals from Guangsheng Temple—all for free! 🙏 Harry S. Truman Library: A fascinating look into the “accidental president.” Sometimes destiny really does hand you the keys! 2️⃣ Lincoln, NE A relaxed college town with a charming Haymarket District—red-brick buildings, cozy cafés, and industrial vibes. Perfect for a slow afternoon. 3️⃣ Des Moines, IA The Iowa State Capitol dazzled us! Its golden dome—one of the largest in the U.S.—blends French, Italian, and New York architectural styles. Join a free tour if you can! 4️⃣ Dubuque, IA A Mississippi River gem 💛 almost overlooked on the map! Stroll among historic European-style buildings and red-brick factories—a city frozen in 19th-century grace. Ideal for a 2-3 hour city walk. 5️⃣ Madison, WI What a dream for students! The university sits by a stunning lake 🏞️. We visited during move-in week—the whole city buzzed with youthful energy. The Wisconsin State Capitol glows like a fairytale castle at night! 6️⃣ The Great Plains Driving through never-ending cornfields under cotton-candy skies felt like cruising through a Windows desktop wallpaper 🌽☁️ 🎒 Trip Tip: Let go of expectations and embrace the unknown—that’s where the real magic happens! #USARoadTrip #MidwestGems #KansasCity #HiddenMidwest #TravelDifferently #ExploreAmerica #WindowsWallpaperRealLife #SlowTravel