Things to See and Do in College Towns of the Great Lakes

Hyde Park is home to the picturesque University of Chicago campus, seven miles south of the Chicago Loop, on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. The charming neighborhood host the city’s most eclectic collection of antiquities, culture, and historic landmarks that include the Frederick C. Robie House, the Chicago home of U.S. President Barack Obama. The former Palace of the Fine Arts, built for the World Columbian Exposition in 1893, is now home to the Museum of Science and Industry. The Hyde Park Art Center was founded in 1939 and displayed exhibits of contemporary works. Jackson Park is an expansive park covering over 542 acres, and features a golf course, the Golden Lady sculpture, and the French Statue of the Republic. The Osaka Garden is a 17th-century style stroll garden established in 1934 featuring a peaceful abundance of lush plants and exotic trees. There are over 200 species of birds that call Jackson Park home, and a gymnasium, fitness center, and basketball and tennis courts have also been added.

The famed city of Evanston sits on the leafy North Shore, known for its diversity and progressive politics which is reflected in many aspects of local life. Northwestern University is one of the top institutions of higher learning in the country, set in the heart of Evanston, it is part of the city’s character. The main campus is well worth a visit to check out the excellent art museum devoted to topics as varied as Native American cultures showcasing stained glass and Toby Jugs. Check out the heart of the city and the major shopping areas found along Main Street and Dempster Street. The Block Museum features exhibitions, education programs, and its Block Cinema film series, the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, where the Northwestern University community experiences excellence in the visual arts without leaving campus. The Henry Crown Sports Pavilion is Northwestern’s fitness center along with the Norris Aquatics Center, and Combe Tennis Center which includes an Olympic-size pool, tennis courts, fitness classes, state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and a suspended track overlooking Lake Michigan.

South Bend is a city that lies on the St. Joseph River in Indiana, right in the north of the state, a stone’s throw away from the border with Michigan. This Midwest metropolis is known for being home to the University of Notre Dame, a prestigious institute of higher education on a beautiful campus, and its famous Fighting Irish football team. The Studebaker National Museum is set in the heart of the city displaying classic cars made by the now-defunct local company. The History Museum is close by exhibiting spotlights of regional life, the museum also owns three historic homes that included the 19th-century Oliver Mansion. The city boasts all four seasons; cold winters, comfortable springs, hot summers, and crisp autumn which provide a whole list of year-round activities. Take long walks in the beautiful foliage in the autumn with the chance to traipse through a corn maze and visit a pumpkin patch. Notre Dame begins in the fall and springtime brings outdoor markets, sporting events, and more. Summertime is for the outdoors and time to get out on the water with an abundance of watersports, along with outdoor concerts and cookouts. Wintertime is cross-country skiing time along with ice skating and cozy fires.

Ann Arbor is a city west of Detroit, Michigan, it is home to the sprawling University of Michigan, which is known for its research programs, and Michigan Stadium aka the “Big House” which is the largest stadium in the United States and the second largest stadium in the world. Ann Arbor is a bustling city home to everything from tech companies, Science focused attractions such as the Museum of Natural History, and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum featuring kid-friendly interactive exhibits. The city was once a little strip of land in Michigan named after the wives of its co-founders who were both named Ann. A very charming city with beautiful historic districts filled with shops, restaurants, parks, museums, performance venues, nightclubs, and even wine vineyards. The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is held every June through July in the city and it is one of the biggest celebrations. There is so much to see and do including art, music, food, dance, theatre, culture, live concerts, marching bands hosting parades, circus performers showing off tricks, and more. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the Nichols Arboretum are both owned and operated by the University of Michigan and located near the main campus. The gardens include tree groves, bonsai collections, hedge labyrinths, windflower gardens, and an elaborate 10,000-foot conservatory.

Athens, Ohio is a small college town located on the border of one of Ohio’s most spectacular regions, the Hocking Hills. The hills were founded in 1811 and the city’s population is mostly made up of students from Ohio University, the town’s main attraction. The city has a number of historic landmarks and the downtown area boasts charming shops, cafes, and eateries in beautiful natural surroundings. The Athens County Fair has been in existence since 1852, one of the oldest county fairs in the state boasting carnival rides, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, and a variety of food stalls selling everything from homemade baked goods to hotdogs. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is a volunteer-led nonprofit operation that started in 1872 with a mission of restoring, maintaining, and running old trains and railroad equipment for future Athenians to enjoy. They have been operating train trips aboard historic trains for over 50 years along the Old Mineral Rail Road built in 1867 to connect Athens to Columbus. The Dairy Barn Arts Center opened in 1877 as an event and educational, exhibition space to host festivals. The facility soared to international recognition when it launched “Quilt National”, a biennial exhibition that draws over 100,000 visitors since its inception in 1979. Burr Oak State Park is a scenic 2,593 acres park situated around 20 miles north of Uptown Athens, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, one of Ohio’s premier outdoor destinations for nature enthusiasts. See at movie at the Athena Cinema, originally named “The Majestic” when it opened in 1915, it has been continuously operating since and is one of the oldest movie houses still open to the public in the US.

Lansing is Michigan’s capital city dating back to the 1870s, home to Michigan State University and the mighty Spartans! Go Green! Go, White! Win, Win, Fight, Fight! The Michigan State Capital building features a cast iron dome and explore Heritage Hall, a newly opened visitor center located here. The Michigan History Museum is worth visiting with four floors of exhibits, along with The Impression 5 Science Center featuring interactive displays. The collection at R.E. Olds Transportation Museum includes classic and contemporary Oldsmobile cars, check out and learn the city’s automotive history. The Potter Park Zoo houses endangered species such as Magellanic penguins, black rhinos, and golden lion tamarins. Greater Lansing’s central location and abundance of attractions make it the perfect destination to visit. Home to museums, sports arenas, bike paths, and trendy restaurants with options ranging from world-class BBQ to authentic Mediterranean and everything in between. Lansing is referred to as the “Middle of the Mitten”. The REO Motor Car Company was Michigan’s first operating car company in 1905, and the Olds mobile brand was founded in Lansing. L-Town as it's called today continues its tradition of auto manufacturing. Home to several General Motors plants, check out Lansing’s Car Capital Auto Show to see popular cars, motorcycles, trucks, and bikes.

Madison is the capital city of Wisconsin, it lies west of Milwaukee and is known for the domed Wisconsin State Capital which sits on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona. The Wisconsin State Capital Building stands majestically on the lakeshore in the heart of downtown, the building is adorned with a 284-foot high dome and was constructed in 1917, with two large wings that adorn each side of the building. The Wisconsin Historical Museum documents the state’s immigrant and farming industry. The city’s paved Capital City State Trail runs past Monona Terrace, a lakefront convention center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Henry Vilas Zoo opened in Madison in 1924 and is owned by the city, a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Home to a wide variety of animals from tropical, arctic, savannah, plains, and other habitats. Olbrich Botanical Gardens sit on 16 acres filled with blooming fragrant flowers and exotic foliage, the gardens opened in 1952 and are noted for their collection of roses and the glass-enclosed Bolz Conservatory. The Memorial Union Terrace is located on the University of Wisconsin campus, it is one of the best spots in the city for people-watching, relaxing, free activities, and a favorite hangout for the students.

Kalamazoo, Michigan is a southern city, at one of the most important crossroads in the Midwest, halfway between Chicago and Detroit. The modern city is packed with history and offers visitors a range of things to do such as the Kalamazoo Valley Museum which offers science, technology, history exhibits, and a planetarium. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts features American and European art as its core collection. The Air Zoo Museum features vintage aircraft, flight simulators, and rides. The city has a unique vibe and an easy-going pace of life with abundant lakes, trails, and parks to explore as well as a walkable downtown area with dining and shopping options. There is some beautiful countryside to enjoy in Kalamazoo with options for hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and checking out the multi-use Kalamazoo River Valley Trail that runs through the city and links the parks and nearby communities. The area is known for its craft beer, notably at Bell’s Brewery, a pioneer in the craft beer scene since 1985. Kalamazoo County is also home to world-class museums and attractions including the Smithsonian-affiliated Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum, and the Gilmore Car Museum, North America’s largest automobile museum. The city is the site of the first pedestrian mall in the country, often known as “Mall City” with a walkable downtown area featuring unique shops, and local restaurants.

West Lafayette is a city in Indiana located about 65 northwest of the state capital of Indianapolis, directly across the Wabash River from its sister city, Lafayette. Home of the prestigious Purdue University with its beautiful campus, spectator sports, arts, entertainment, diversity, science, technology, engineering, math, and industry. The university was founded in1869 and proudly serves its state as well as the nation and the world. Purdue’s varsity teams are known as the Big Ten Boilermakers and compete in the Big Ten Conference, and the men’s and woman’s basketball teams are especially strong. The elegant, red brick-built campus is surrounded by leafy lawns and the campus boasts a ceremonious ensemble on the Memorial Mall, where the founding benefactor, John Purdue is buried. Admire the University Hall built in 1877 and the Purdue Memorial Building built in 1924, also the Armstrong Hall of Engineering, named for Purdue alum, Neil Armstrong, features a mural celebrating Apollo I astronaut Roger Chafee who graduated from Purdue in 1957. The city has three distinct districts, which include Chauncey Village in West Lafayette, boasting a fantastic nightlife scene along with restaurants and more. The Wabash Riverfront District is a hub for outdoor activities and a great spot to wander by the water. Then across the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge is Arts and Market, Lafayette’s culture-rich core with unique shops, galleries, and museums.

Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin situated on the western shores of Lake Michigan, known for its many breweries, and tours chronicling its role in the beer industry. In Milwaukee, visitors can find an assortment of art museums including The Milwaukee Art Museum, the Harley-Davidson Museum displays classic motorcycles including one of Elvis Presley’s and the Milwaukee Public Museum with a large-scale European Village and recreation of old Milwaukee. See historic homes such as the Pabst Mansion, attend a sporting event at American Family Field, and join in the tailgating party a unique Milwaukee tradition. The city is full of life and you can find many interesting areas to explore like the Victoria-Italiante Brady Street, and the Historic Third Ward which is located in the heart of downtown, a former warehouse district that has been converted into a hip but historic neighborhood filled with shops, theaters, art galleries, performance houses, and creative businesses. The Lakefront Brewery is an excellent place to taste some of Milwaukee’s best beers. Visit the two-story Public Market which is located in the ward, full of truly unique and independent vendors selling all things delicious. Bradford Beach is a beautiful clean beach near the east side of the state offering a place to enjoy the beach, water, tiki bar, cabanas, and volleyball.

State College is a municipality in central Pennsylvania, home to Penn State University’s main campus. State College offers excellent places to visit including The university’s Palmer Museum of Art displaying a range of collections from ancient ceramics to 20th-century American art throughout 11 galleries, a print-study room, 150 seat auditorium, and an outdoor sculpture garden. There is a variety of shopping, dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation experiences to enjoy, from golf to concerts, sports to museums, and there is plenty to see. Visit Beaver Stadium the host of Penn State’s football team, Penn State is one of the top universities in the country and sits in the heart of College Town. The Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,000-seat arena located in the heart of PSU. Discovery Space is a children’s science museum offering dozens of interactive exhibits. Check out the trails that weave through Rothrock State Forest south of the city. Tussey Mountain offers exciting activities throughout the year from skiing, and snow tubing in the winter, to golf and go-karts in teh summer. The Tussey Mountain Amphitheater provides an outdoor music experience like no other, with beautiful sunsets and an amazing acoustic created by the mountainous terrain. The Penn State Golf Course is one of the finest golf courses in the state with an award-winning driving range, 4 practice putting greens, a bunker area, 32 artificial driving range stalls, an onsite clubhouse, and a cafe as well as personalized service.

Bloomington is a city in Indiana located southwest of Indianapolis and home to Indiana University, which was established in 1820. The Cream and Crimson school brings in over 40,000 students a year, which nearly doubles the city’s population. The downtown area is lively and walkable, a place where students mingle with residents at various unique restaurants, bars, and bustling nightlife options. Both the city and the University thrive off of one another, IU’s beautiful campus is cited as one of the most beautiful in the country with dense woods on campus that surround the city. The limestone buildings and the stone outcroppings provide a connection to the local history and industry. The iconic Sample Gates stands as a gateway between IU and Bloomington and serves as an entrance to the most popular promenade, filled with legendary IU-themed venues like Nick’s English Hut, locally-owned restaurants and shops, public art, and more. Visit the WonderLab Science Museum which features hands-on kids’ exhibits, plus insects, and reptiles. The Eskenazi Museum of Arts is on IU’s campus with paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from around the world. The Wylie House is now a museum established in 1835 and displays period furnishings and heirloom gardens. Spend a day on Monroe Lake on the water, hike through the Hoosier National Forest trails, go on a foodie tour of hundreds of incredible restaurants, golf at the continent's top-rated courses, and so much more.