Top 5 Destinations to Visit in America’s Flyover States (Part II)

If you’ve ever flown over the Midwest, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s all cornfields and highways – but take the time to explore, and you’ll find countless incredible hidden wonders and truly surprising adventures. From quirky historical attractions to breathtaking landscapes that will blow your mind, so join us as we reveal five fantastic must-see destinations in the heart of America’s heartland. 

Discover Bemidji, Minnesota, Best Known For Being The “First City on the Mississippi” 

The first destination on our shortlist of the best things to see in the Midwest is a city that proudly bills itself as the first city on the Mississippi River – Bemidji, Minnesota. Best known for its small-town charm and distinctive natural beauty, perhaps one of the first things visitors do is to take a family photo at the base of the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues that celebrate Bemidji’s hometown heroes. 

Also a hot spot for art lovers, while you’re in town, we highly recommend you take a wander along the popular Bemidji Sculpture Walk, which elevates Bemidji streets into a year-round outdoor art gallery. In addition to this, if you’re someone who loves watching a gorgeous sunset or two, you should head to the shorelines of Lake Bemidji every evening for a lakeside walk to watch the sun go down beyond the horizon.  

Take a stroll through Bemidji, Minnesota’s striking Sculpture Walk, or enjoy a stand-up paddle on the tranquil lakes, before unwinding every night in comfort at Best Western Bemidji. 

Explore Laramie, Wyoming, the Landmark Epicenter for Women’s Voting Rights in the US 

Next on our recommended list of the top Midwest Flyover destinations sees us arriving at the celebrated railroad town of Laramie, Wyoming, on the edge of the magnificent Medicine Bow Mountains. Noted for being the birthplace of women’s voting rights after Louisa Swain first cast her ballot on September 6, 1870, Laramie is one of Wyoming’s most historic flyover state treasures. 

Our first recommended Laramie attraction is the legendary Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, where their knowledgeable tour guides share fascinating stories of its famous inmates and tales of several daring escapes. However, if you’re a family who enjoys the great outdoors, nothing beats a trip to Vedauwoo Recreation Area, where you can head out on a range of gentle hiking trails or make the most of this rock-climbing paradise by scaling the challenging granite rock formations found throughout this great park. 

Marvel at the history and geological wonders of Laramie, Wyoming, and relax in style every night at Best Western Laramie Inn & Suites. 

Experience Branson, Missouri, The “Live Music Show Capital of the World”  

Heading to the picturesque Ozark Mountains now on our journey to uncover the best Midwest Flyover locations you need to visit, we make our way to the live “Live Music Show Capital of the World” of Branson, Missouri. Always a huge crowd pleaser, Branson draws visitors from around the world for its variety of live entertainment and family-friendly attractions, including the astonishing half-scale replica of the Titanic at the town’s Titanic Museum.  

Here, you can spend the day wandering around Branson’s tree-lined downtown areas before enjoying a slice of live entertainment, watching as horse-riding specialists and impressive acrobats perform in front of you during dinner at the Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Afterward, make sure you catch the award-winning show Legends in Concert, where you can see tribute acts performing your favorite songs, from music artists including Bruno Mars to Bruce Springsteen and Madonna, on a night out you will never forget. 

Revel in the live music entertainment capital of Branson, Missouri, before getting a cozy night’s sleep at the Best Western Music Capital Inn. 

Visit Columbus, Ohio, The Artisan Hub in the Heart of the Buckeye State  

If you have never had the pleasure of visiting Columbus, when you do, you’ll discover it’s more than just Ohio’s state capital, but also a creative hub with its very own vibrant art scene to excite the senses. Boasting a wealth of historical landmarks, riverside trails, and public parks and gardens, downtown Columbus easily makes it onto our shortlist of the best flyover state destinations to visit.  

For art enthusiasts, we recommend enjoying a walk through the impressive Short North Arts District to discover the eclectic galleries, street murals, and stylish shopping boutiques found here. Then, after a morning of exploring, we definitely recommend popping into the Seventh Son Brewing Co. to try their refreshing handcrafted beers and sample the laid-back taproom vibes, which, for us, is one of the best things to do in Columbus, Ohio.  

Shop at all the coolest boutiques and taste the best craft beers Columbus has to offer when you book your stay at the Best Western Suites. 

With Over 100 Years of History, Discover Wichita, Kansas’ Monumental Ties to Aviation 

While often labeled a “flyover state,” Wichita in Kansas is ironically best known worldwide as the “Air Capital of the World,” due to its pivotal role as a major center of aircraft manufacturing for well over a century now. As a result, Wichita has become a go-to mecca for airplane aficionados keen to discover more about this amazing city’s links to aviation, from its early innovations to its current-day operations. 

Even if you’re not an avid plane spotter, the Kansas Aviation Museum makes for a captivating experience for visitors of all ages, where you can step inside a few of its antique planes as you tour the exhibits to learn how Wichita became a global hub for aircraft production. After checking out the incredible array of aircraft on show, another top attraction to visit while in Wichita is the Sedgwick County Zoo, a conservation-driven wildlife park where you can spot nearly 400 different species of animal, from snow leopards to tropical birds. 

Delve into Wichita, Kansas’ rich aviation legacy before getting a sound night’s sleep when you stay at the Best Western Plus Eastgate Inn & Suites.