The American Club Resort | Kohler, Wisc.

Golfers flock to The American Club Resort in Kohler, Wisc., and it is definitely worth the hype. After all, four championship golf courses call the resort home, and the courses also rank in Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. But, it isn’t only a golfer’s paradise. The resort’s Kohler Waters Spa has also been awarded the coveted 2013 Five-Star Award by Forbes Travel Guide which makes it one of only 35 spas worldwide to receive the perfect score. You can spend all day in the spa or come in for a beauty service escape. The full Star Treatment includes a one night stay at The American Club, a yoga class, two 50-minute services at the five-star spa, and a 20% discount on any additional Kohler Waters Spa services.

French Lick Resort | French Lick & West Baden, Ind.

An escape to the French Lick Resort will make you feel like royalty. With a bowling alley, horseback riding, and hiking trails at your disposal, you will never run out of things to do at this historic resort nestled 65 miles south of Indianapolis, Ind. In case that isn’t enough, the French Lick Resort boasts not only one but TWO world-class luxury spas: the Spa at French Lick and the Spa at West Baden. Both spas promise and deliver a pampering experience fit for gods. For a solo or couple spa indulgence, we recommend the European treatment at the Spa at West Baden. If you are going with a group, take advantage of the bundles offered at the Spa at French Lick. The bundles are perfect for a girlfriends getaway, well, any getaway for that matter!

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa | Galena, Ill.

A visit to Galena’s Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is a treat for all your senses. Galena offers breath-taking vistas that the resort highlights with large windows, and the food prepared by the chefs of its award-winning Culinary Department will make your taste-buds sing with pleasure. To elevate your senses even more, escape to the resort’s Stonedrift Spa. Personalize your spa package with the Head to Toe Sanctuary bundle which includes a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. If you’re a gentleman who wants to be pampered without TOO much fuss, the Purely for Men package is your perfect match. It includes an organic 30-minute facial, a 50-minute massage, and hand detailing.

Best Midwest Travel has compiled a list of the best and, dare we say, sauciest joints to chow down on some fall-off-the-bone barbecue in the Midwest.

Smoque BBQ | Chicago, Ill.

Topping our list is Chicago’s Smoque BBQ. With accolades from Chicago Magazine, Food Network Channel, and the New York Times, Barry Sorkin’s barbecue joint is taking the Windy City by storm. The slowly cooked meats are smoky and tender without the excess of BBQ-sauce. A side of mouthwatering Smoque-made sauce is served with your meal, but the tasteful ribs, pork, and chicken will make you drool on their own. The king of this BBQ joint is the 14-hour slow-cooked brisket which is wrapped in two layers of spice rub and crowned with a brush of their special brisket-BBQ sauce.

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn | Owensboro, Ky.

Seeped in tradition–or “tre dish’ shen” as the owners like to call it– Owensboro, Ky.’s Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is run on 50 years of family-owned recipes. The BBQ is served buffet-style and kept hot and fresh so your all-you-can-eat experience keeps you wanting more of each taste-filled bite. We are not surprised that Moonlite attracts customers from all around the world. Mutton wins our vote for the best dish in the house, and even Gourmet Magazine says that it “puts Owensboro barbecue in a class by itself.” We couldn’t agree more!

Pappy’s Smokehouse | St. Louis, Mo.

Voted “Best BBQ in St. Louis” three years in a row by the Riverfront Times, Pappy’s Smokehouse has earned its place as BBQ king of the Show-Me State. All the waiters and waitresses wear shirts with the title “Hog Whisperer” written across the front. Most BBQ joints would not be able to live up to this self-title, but Pappy’s isn’t like most BBQ joints. The pitmaster excels in all-things-hog, and the ribs are dry-rubbed and then slow-smoked over cherry and apple wood until they reach drool-worthy perfection. Pappy’s is open every day until they sell out–and they DO sell out! Mondays through Saturdays they usually sell out around 7 or 8 p.m. (slightly earlier on Saturdays) and Sundays they typically sell out at 4 p.m. We recommend calling ahead to make sure you will be able to get your fill.

Slows Bar-B-Q | Detroit, Mich.

Next on our list is Detroit’s Slows Bar-B-Q. Although Motor City isn’t the first place to come to mind when thinking of barbecue havens, Slows Bar-B-Q has carved its way to the upper echelon of grilling heaven. Since it can be so hard to decide what to get (there are so many tasty dishes to choose from), we recommend you opt for the Big Three which consists of pulled pork, pulled chicken, and sliced brisket. While we know almost everyone comes to this BBQ joint for the delectable meat dishes, we must point out that the mac n’ cheese stands well on its own–no need to default it as a side-dish. There is one caveat: the wait can be mighty long, but we assure you, the food will make up for your time spent in line.

Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ | Madison, Wisc.

Madison’s very own Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ wraps up our list. More than worthy of the “#1 BBQ”  in its name, Smoky Jon’s is not your run-of-the-grill barbecue restaurant. They ensure that the “#1″ never leaves their name by placing in most, if not all, of the national BBQ competitions they enter. Winning our #1 place is the holy BBQ-trinity of chopped pork shoulder, baked beans, and coleslaw and topped with one of their award-winning sauces.

HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
New Holland Brewing

Are you a beer person, but your significant other isn’t? Well, now you both can be happy. At New Holland Brewing, put on your safety glasses and take a tour of the brewery where you can taste the grains used to make beer, then hop on over to the distillery and learn about New Holland’s line of spirits. If all of that touring, drinking and info gathering makes you hungry, step into New Holland Brewing Company Pub for some beer-inspired pub grub. Three Beers Worth Trying: El Mole Ocho Mexican Spiced Ale | Dragon’s Milk Ale | Farmhouse Hatter India Pale Ale

GALENA, ILLINOIS
Galena Brewing Company

Live bands, Wii games, carriage rides, free western and latin line dancing lessons… at a brewery? You heard us right. This is not your typical brewery or brew pub. With an ever-changing list of events like music, beer pairing dinners and even reggae festivals, we guarantee that you’ve never been to a brewery like this. So next time you are in Galena, stop by Galena Brewery for Tapas-style food, entertainment and some delightful Midwest craft beers. Three Beers Worth Trying: Uly’s Dark Oatmeal Stout | Miner’s Treasure Amber Ale | Anabelle’s India Pale Ale

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
Lakefront Brewery

If you’re looking for a brewery tour completely different from every other, look no further than the Lakefront Brewery. You’ll still tour the facility, learn about the beer-making process and sample the beer, but you don’t have to try to chug your samples before and after the tour. The brewery features taps at nearly every stop along the way to ensure that your glass is always full of Midwest craft brew and entertaining tour guides with a vast array of knowledge. Plus, on each tour, one tour-goer is designated as beer royalty—it could be you!

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Boulevard Brewing Company

Craft beer can be expensive. Learning about it doesn’t have to be with the free brewery tour at Boulevard Brewing Company. Tour the old and new facilities and learn all you could want to know about making beer from knowledgeable people who love what they do. Don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the view from the Muehlebach Suite while you are there. Just make sure you make reservations in advance because these popular tours book up well ahead of time.

Both ways can be memorable and fun, but we much prefer the latter. We’ve compiled a list of the ten roadside attractions that make us hit the brakes and stay for a while whether or not we are running on empty.

1. Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum | Pontiac, Ill.

For the Mother Road, we bring you the mother of all roadside attractions: the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum. This Route 66 gem houses thousands of artifacts and memorabilia dedicated to the history of the great road. A visit will open your eyes to all the other stops you can make along the great road, but the all-in-one museum gives you all the Route 66 highlights all under one roof. After you have taken a trip through the free museum and seen the Rt. 66 bus, snap a photo in front of the world’s largest Route 66 shield mural painted on the museum’s outside back wall.

2. World’s Largest Ball of Paint | Alexandria, Ind.

Next on our list is the World’s Largest Ball of Paint located in none other than Alexandria, Ind. Mike Carmichael is the owner and creator of this beautiful oddity, and it all started with a baseball. One day, back in the 1960’s, a baseball fell into a bucket of paint and it forever intrigued Mike. From that moment on, Mike would dip the ball then let it dry and dip the ball again. Eventually he was in possession of a ball with a diameter of 42.33 inches and over 21,000 layers of paint. He never anticipated that his painted baseball would be a Midwest roadside attraction, but now road-trippers flock to his home. If you’re nice to him, he may even let you help him paint a new layer with a four-inch paint roller.

3. Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk | Riverside, Iowa

When you are driving by Riverside, Iowa, stop by the Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk. Any good Treky can tell you that the captain of the Enterprise, James T. Kirk, will be born there on March 22, 2228. Accompanying Captain Kirk’s plaque is Riverside’s very own USS Riverside spaceship model. Take a trip to the future for a nearly out-of-this-world experience. You can join as masses flock to the plaque each year to celebrate his birthday and during Riverside’s summer Trek Fest. Or, you can enjoy a less crowded visitation as you drive through town.

4. World’s Largest Bat | Louisville, Ky.

The World’s Largest Bat in Louisville, Ky., leans on the famous Slugger Museum. It weighs in at 68,000 lbs. and stretches past the five-stories of the Slugger museum to an impressive 120-feet. You can even take a bat home with you from the museum’s store. If you can’t take the time to explore the inside of the Slugger Museum, you can take a stroll along the Walk of Fame which takes you through the city and features art pieces sculpted by Wyatt Gragg. Each inductee along the walk gets a bronze plate with the highlights of their career as well as a bronze caste model of the Louisville Slugger bat they used. Although a look around the museum itself and a stroll along the Walk of Fame are well worth the time, just sneaking a quick peek at the exact scale replica of Babe Ruth’s Louisville Slugger bat will be a highlight of your roadside adventure.

5. Hamtramck Disneyland | Hamtramck, Mich.

As you roam through Michigan, take a detour to Hamtramck (that’s ham-TRAM-ik) to see Dmytro Szylak’s own version of Disneyland. It took him 13 years to build, and it looks as shaky as ever (thank goodness they aren’t actual rides, phew!), but it is the perfect place to get lost down the rabbit-hole and let your eyes take in Wonderland.  Wooden Marines, wind-powered ducks, and lawn ornaments help make Dmyto’s Disneyland which is a testament to his creativity and artistry. Dmyto’s treasures and finds show that one man’s junk is another man’s Disneyland.

6. Boxy Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox Statues | Bemidji, Minn.

Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, which is thought to be the birthplace of Paul Bunyan, stand the Boxy Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox Statues. Since their creation in the 1930s (Paul in 1937 and Babe in 1939), Paul and Babe have been magnets for the road-trippers  Whether you are just passing through or vacationing nearby, this dynamic duo makes for a terrific photo op. Paul stands at 18-feet and Babe is just over half as tall but his horns are an impressive 14-feet across. A visit to this folkloric team is well worth the detour!

7. Titanic: World’s Largest Museum Attraction | Branson, Mo.

Wish you could have seen the glamour of the Titanic but without hitting an iceberg? Look no further than Branson, Missouri’s Titanic Museum Attraction. You’ll be transported into the past once you walk up the replica of the Grand Staircase and are met with actors and actresses playing the part of the 1912 crew. With other replicas throughout the museum as well as the story tributes to the passengers who were aboard the ship on its maiden voyage, the ship comes to life. You’ll feel like you’re going to sail away, but don’t worry, you’re safe; the Atlantic Ocean is hundreds of miles away.

8. Toy and Plastic Brick Museum | Bellaire, Ohio

We can never get enough of LEGOs (except when we step on them-ouch!). Thanks to the Plastic Brick Museum, a.k.a. the Unofficial LEGO Museum in Bellaire, Ohio, we have a new outlet for our LEGO obsession. Dan Brown, owner and creator of many of the LEGO exhibits, bought an empty school and turned it into a museum to display his LEGO collection, which is the world’s largest private LEGO collection. Floor after floor and room after room you will find LEGO displays from Star Wars creations to soccer tributes to superhero statues. The LEGO creations go as far as Dan’s imagination can take them.

9. FAST: Fiberglass Statue Mold Yard | Sparta, Wisc.

Who would have thought that a fiberglass molding company would be the home of such a fascinating roadside attraction. In the small town of Sparta, Wisc., F.A.S.T. (Fiberglass, Animals, Shapes, and Trademarks) Corp. never throws anything away. They reuse old molds but don’t store them in conventional storage areas. The company is proud of their creations and keeps their old fiberglass molds in their backyard for all to see. Walk through the Fiberglass Statue Mold Yard during your travels but watch out for the lions and tigers and bear…oh my!

10. Historic Auto Attractions | Roscoe, Ill.

A hidden treasure in Roscoe, Ill., the Historic Auto Attractions museum (if only it had a different name) is filled with the reassembled cars driven by influential people. Divided into 12 sections, the museum houses replicas of movie cars such as the Batmobile, the cars driven by famous stars, world leaders’ rides including Adolf Hilter’s 1939 Mercedes, a racing cars exhibit, and more. But the museum isn’t only about cars. The White House section has furniture that was actually used in the White House and the JFK area contains parts of the Kennedy wardrobe as well as other historic gems. The museum is open for group tours April through December and is open to the general public in the Summer from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Midwest Road Trip For Families With Kids

A top family destination, Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., is a haven for family fun, from a serious line-up of roller coasters to their highly-rated Splashin’ Safari water park. All ages are welcome here. Youngsters can drive antique rail cars and take the The Freedom Train to get a dose of Mother Goose.

Holiday World opens May 4th this year, and look our for new attractions like Hyena Falls, which features four in-the-dark water slides. More on the rides & slides, shows & entertainment, and you can get tickets ahead of time. A new president/CEO has stepped in this year, learn more about him here.

Midwest Road Trip For Young Adults

Chicago is a smart travel option for families traveling with young adults, especially when your kids reside in distinct age brackets–meaning, there’s something for everyone in the Windy City. There are many all-ages venues that play host to some of the best Blues and Jazz performances you’ll find anywhere. Visit one of the multiple venues that make up Blue Chicago. It’s right in the River North neighborhood, so it’ll be easy to visit the very unique Rock N Roll McDonalds, practically next door to Blue Chicago. Of course, the Hard Rock Cafe Chicago is right there, too. Maybe a stop at one of Chicago’s increasingly good barbecue joints, like Smoque BBQ, perhaps? The uncle-son team here perfected their craft on the road, visiting top barbecue spots around the nation and then brought that knowledge back home to Chicago. Get there on the early side if you can or expect to wait in line–but not too long.

Midwest Road Trip For Parents: Architecture

It’s a small city (pop. 44,000)  in southern Indiana, just off I-65, right in the middle of Indianapolis, Louisville and Cincinnati. It is a perhaps unlikely conglomeration of the world’s best architecture and landscape architecture. Columbus is ranked sixth in the United States for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects and the work continues. Experiencing this wealth of beauty is easy, click here for more info on things to do in Columbus and here to get more info on tour options.

What’s great is that there’s much more to do in Columbus than ogle architecture, though that does happen. Here’s a ton of info on Columbus and your options while visiting.

EDITOR’S NOTE: More ideas on the way and we’ll fill out the above items this spring and summer with our own research and input we receive from you on Best Midwest Travel Facebook & Twitter.

Of course, you’ll also have plenty of arts, architecture, shopping and nightlife along the way–more of that coming for you soon!

Kansas City FilmFest | April 10-14

Straight from the Show-Me State, the Kansas City FilmFest is an opportunity for all filmmakers to win recognition. This Missouri gem, presented by the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee, features hundreds of films each year and aims to inspire even the youngest of filmmakers to submit their creations in the special event Reel Spirit: A Children’s Filmmaking Competition. And, because music is often used to project the emotion of a scene, the FilmFest has teamed up with the Mutual Musicians Foundation and the American Jazz Museum to present the CinemaJAZZ - a celebration of Kansas City’s jazz heritage. 

Wisconsin Film Festival | April 11-18

Making its home in Madison, Wisc. for the 15th year in a row, the Wisconsin Film Festival stretches past its usual weekend parameters into a newly-extended eight-day event. Each film will transport you through time and over country borders as the filmmakers use their creations to carve their place in the history of film. To prepare for the festival, create a movie wish list using the Wisconsin Film Festival film guide. With everything from Spaghetti Westerns to Shakespeare adaptations to political documentaries all spread throughout the city, a free Festival Trolley will be offered on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival so you can hop from theater to theater with ease. Click here for ticket information.

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival | April 11-28

As the largest film festival in the Upper Midwest, the MSP International Film Festival is a passport to experience the culture and art from over 60 countries and 150 filmmakers. While some films are made for a laugh and pure entertainment, the MSP Film Festival has several special events and programs dedicated to highlighting the important issues regarding current affairs or a moment in history. When you are not watching a film, you are still fully enthralled in the film-making world with panel discussions and parties and events. Get your tickets here.

Joe Rogers’ Chili Parlor | Springfield, Ill.

The first on our list is Illinois’s Joe Rogers’ “The Den” Chili Parlor; home of “Firebrand Chili.” The tongue-searing chili is known worldwide. It’s made from a special mix of four scoops of hot meat with beans and juice. If you think it is too hot for you to handle, The Den is happy to customize it to suite your taste-buds. Can’t make it to Springfield? Not a problem. “The Den” gives you the option to have their delectable chili shipped to you; enjoy it in the comforts of your own home.

Nick’s Chili Parlor | Indianapolis, Ind.

The second brings us to the “Not Yet World Famous” 5-way chili from Nick’s Chili Parlor in Indianapolis, Ind. The secret with this delicious dish is all in the layers. First, a scoop of spaghetti followed by a generous amount of red beans, then covered with Nick’s spicy chili and shredded cheese thrown into the mix. Completing the bowl of chili-heaven–freshly diced onions.

Blue Ash Chili | Cincinnati, Ohio

You’ve had a simple bowl of chili and even the delicious 5-way chili, but have you ever had a 6-way chili? That’s what you get at Cincinnati’s Blue Ash Chili. Featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dive,” the 6-way chili is all about the EXTRA spice. On top of the five-layered extravaganza of spaghetti, beans, chili, cheese, and onions, Blue Ash Chili adds a sixth layer of fried jalapeno caps to go that extra step.

Starved Rock State Park| Illinois

Starved Rock State Park is filled with life year-round and the fact that it’s a relatively short drive outside of Chicago makes it viable for locals and visitors to the Windy City alike. As the leaves change colors, autumnal hues can be best seen while hiking to the top of Starved Rock as well as from the various canyons that make up this natural gem.

While you are hiking the trails, you will spot the waterfalls that are all throughout the park, as well as box canyons with unique rock formations and local wildlife. Here, you can also admire nature while becoming a survivalist. Take Starved Rock’s “Survival Workshop Skills” course, and you will learn how to use resources from the natural world to survive in the wilderness and much more. As the Winter takes over the park, you can rent skis (or bring your own), hit the slopes, and enjoy cross country skiing. More info here.

Need a break to warm up? The Starved Rock Cafe offers wine tastings every Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. where you can sample the wines made locally and imported from California. You can also go down to the Back Door Lounge, and listen to the local talent perform at the acoustic music night.

Make sure you bring your camera with you to capture all the photo-worthy vistas. Pick your favorite photograph to enter in the Starved Rock “In Touch with Your Natural Side” photography contest. You have five categories in which to enter: Youth, General, Seniors (60 and over), employees of Starved Rock Lodge & State Park, and Professional. The deadline to complete the entry form and submit your photograph is Feb. 18, 2013.

Interstate State Park | Wisconsin

The Interstate State Park is located on the adventure-filled St. Croix River. In the early fall, canoeing and kayaking are still in full swing, and the rocks are ripe for climbing. But, not all activities are action-packed. Some relaxing activities include hiking by the rocky glacial potholes and fishing in the calm Lake O’ the Dalles. Once the snow falls, the park turns into a winter wonderland made up of 12.5 miles of winter recreational trails and welcomes skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes.

Hocking Hills State Park | Ohio

Resting in the southeast sandstone region of Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park is made up of six main areas. Cascading waterfalls, cliffs, and caves, offer visitors spectacular sites to see and rocks to climb. The expansive forestland adds to the vibrantly-colored vista, its leaves transforming into a kaleidoscope of reds, golds, and oranges. Hikes are offered, check this calendar of events for more info. For more information, call the Park Office at 740-385-6842.

By Bridge: 4th Annual Fall Colors Bridge Race

This Fall, enjoy the amazing views from the Mackinac Bridge — on foot! For the fourth year in a row, visitors from all over will cross the bridge, one of only two chances to run the “Mighty Mac” each year. Be there on October 6, 2012 to witness the splendor of autumn in Michigan, and be sure to stop by Conkling Heritage Park at 9:30pm for an awe-inspiring display of lakefront fireworks over the Straits of Mackinac. More Information

By Train: Fall Colors Tour in Minnesota

Named one of the Top 5 in America by CNN, the Fall Colors Tour on the North Shore Scenic Railroad is the perfect way to witness the beautiful fall foliage between Duluth and Two Harbors in Minnesota! This 6-hour steam train tour includes several specialty tours (but remember, those require a reservation!). Various dates in September and October, starting each day at 10:30 a.m. $33 for adults, $19 for children. More Information | More Fall Ideas in Minnesota

By Boat: Peoria to Starved Rock

Travel the Illinois River valley aboard the Spirit of Peoria riverboat, a truly unique and historic experience, complete with food, music, relaxation, and adventure! Travel from Peoria to Starved Rock State Park during two days of cruising along with an overnight at the historic Starved Rock Lodge. Your ticket includes lodging, sumptuous Meals including a prime rib dinner, professional river-lore, unlimited complimentary drinks, and live entertainment including old-time banjo, ragtime piano, and an appearance by the one and only Mark Twain! Various dates through end of October. Shorter cruises include the Fall Foliage Brunch Tour and many more! More Information

By ATV: Fall Colors ATV Tours

Action-packed adventure meets awe-inspiring beauty in the Fall Colors ATV Tour along Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior North Shore! Enjoy one-hour or half-day excursions for the whole family, featuring panoramic views of Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains. ATV safety training is provided, and no experience is necessary! Hosted by MudPaw ATV Adventures, conveniently located on the Heart of the North Shore. More Information