Top Ten Winter Activities in the Midwest

Chill out at a hockey game

Ice hockey is hot in the Midwest! In addition to pro National Hockey League teams in Chicago, St. Louis, and St. Paul, you can see high-powered games for lower ticket prices. Look for the next stars at an American Hockey League game near you, and top hockey schools such as North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha, St. Cloud State, Michigan, Bowling Green, Notre Dame, and Minnesota-Duluth. If you become a fan, check out the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota.

See buffalo in the wild

In the Black Hills of South Dakota, visit Custer State Park to see more than 1,300 wild buffalo, as well as pronghorn sheep, deer, prairie dogs, eagles, and more. Take a drive along the Wildlife Loop Road, and visit the Wildlife Station Visitor Center to learn about the park's amazing creatures.

See the home field for the Green Bay Packers

Take a tour of Lambeau Field stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Explore one of the oldest National Football League (NFL) stadiums still in use, and see several behind-the-scenes areas first-hand.

Fly downhill

Skiing and snowboarding aren't the only ways to get down a snowy hill! And you don't have to take lessons or have special gear to go snow tubing. Gather some friends and find a location near you.

Treat yourself to a special dance performance

See a contemporary masterpiece like Wild Sweet Love in Cincinnati or a classic like Othello put on by the Hamburg Ballet in Chicago. Find a performance near you.

Immerse yourself in world-class art

Since 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago has housed world-class art. From Vincent Van Gogh to Jackson Pollack, the museum offers a stunning range of styles and mediums. Don't miss the current exhibition The New Contemporary, featuring the work of artists such as Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns.

Capture a stunning view in Iowa

Bring your camera - Pikes Peak State Park is the most photographed site in the state of Iowa. Soak up the awesome bluff-top views over the meeting place of two great rivers - the Mississippi and the Wisconsin. Walk the boardwalk to Bridal Veil Falls.

Shop fresh and local

Even when it's cold and snowy you can find some of the best local fresh foods at your nearby farmers market. Use this handy tool to search state and city and find a winter market near you.

Learn about Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois

There's a lot more to this American legend than the fact that he wore a really tall hat - and Springfield is the place to discover it. Check out Lincoln's home, the Old State Capitol (site of Lincoln's famous House Divided speech). At the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, don't miss the replica of the one-room cabin Lincoln shared with 10 family members in his childhood.

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