The magical Midwest: Castle ruins, epic dunes, and Badlands

You know the painting American Gothic? The one with the somber looking man with a pitchfork and his daughter standing in front of the quaint house? The artist, Grant Wood, was actually inspired by this home, which appears in the work! There's a neat little visitor center that features films and exhibits on his life and works, and you can borrow costumes and pose as the couple from the painting for a great photo op!

Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwest, so it's definitely worth a stop. Take in the Windy City's impressive skyline from atop the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower)... the second-tallest building in the country. The view from 1,353 feet up spans across the city and out beyond the lake. If you're feeling brave, step out onto one of the glass ledges that lets you look straight down onto the street. Hopefully you're not so queasy after that view that you can't stomach some deep-dish pizza!

The House on the Rock is a total hidden gem. The uniquely built building houses a massive collection of the strange and the fascinating. Tour the many rooms filled with antiques, vintage coin-operated machines, a carousel, a sea monster, and tons more, and appreciate the random but well-curated attraction. It's kind of one of those places that you need to experience to fully understand, but go into it with an open mind!

Sure, the Mall of America is pretty touristy, but it's a pretty memorable road-trip stop. For starters, there's something to entertain even the pickiest traveler here: roller coasters, an aquarium, mini golf, arcades, restaurants, bars, and (of course) endless shopping. Even if big touristy attractions aren't your cup of tea, there are some cool local shops, and the people-watching is incredible.

Wall Drug Store is another quintessential roadside attraction that has its roots in the classic American road trip. It started off as a little, small-town drug store that realized it could bring in tourists road-tripping around the region to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands by offering free ice water. Within a few years, it grew into a full-blown tourist attraction, with kitschy photo ops, multiple restaurants, and loads of cute souvenirs. But, of course, the store still offers free ice water!

The Midwest isn't all cornfields... it's also home to the rugged and mysterious Badlands National Park. Grasslands and rolling sandstone hills create an interesting landscape, and the fossils, prairie dogs, and colorful rock formations make this national park an awesome place to hike or take a scenic drive.

If you're looking for a taste of the Wild West, then saddle up and ride into Historic Deadwood! Back in the nineteenth century, Deadwood was known as a notoriously wild settlement where outlaws such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane frequented the saloons, and miners gambled away their fortunes. Today, you can see re-enactments of gunfights, toss back drinks in a saloon where bandits drank, play some old-school poker, and see the graves of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill!

For a totally unique and totally American take on England's Stonehenge, stop by Nebraska's Carhenge. It's one of those random but super-fun stops that's great for a cool, quirky photo op.