Brand USA - Chicago and Upper Midwest

Chicago, in Illinois, the cultural heart and soul of the Midwest, is a perfect starting point for embarking on an adventure in this area. Enjoy the numerous attractions of the city, then travel along the iconic Route 66, watch car races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, discover the history of the automobile and Motown music in Detroit, and enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan., Start with the iconic attractions of Chicago: the Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as The Bean, at Millennium Park, and the new Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Treat yourself to a unique experience with 360-degree views of four states from the top of the famous Willis Tower: take a deep breath and step out onto The Ledge, a glass cube suspended 103 floors above the city! Chicago is not lacking in educational and interactive museums, from The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium to the wonderful Art Institute of Chicago. Let loose at the annual Chicago Blues Festival or at venues like Buddy Guy's Legends. Indulge in Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza at Gino's East or Lou Malnati's, or enjoy a hot dog at one of the many local spots. Immerse yourself in the thriving craft beer scene with a visit and a pint at a local brewery, such as Half Acre.,

Day available for visiting the city,

Day available for visiting the city,

From Chicago, embark on the historic Route 66 to discover a piece of authentic America. This famous road, which connects Chicago to Los Angeles, stretches for 482 km in Illinois and is dotted with rustic cafes, quirky shops, and unique and bizarre works of art and architecture. Take a photo of the imposing Railsplitter Covered Wagon in Lincoln, or the enormous pink elephant near the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston. Discover Route 66 memorabilia in Pontiac, at the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum. From here, drive south for about two hours to immerse yourself in the life of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum, the Old State Capitol, and the Lincoln Home. Stop at Doc's Soda Fountain in Girard, along Route 66 (about 30 minutes from Springfield), to enjoy a gigantic Banana Split.,

Louisville is synonymous with Churchill Downs, the venue where the Kentucky Derby, a famous English thoroughbred race, takes place every year in May. Guided tours of the racecourse are available, while the Kentucky Derby Museum offers a themed exhibition. Bourbon has been produced in Louisville since 1780: today, one-third of the world's bourbon distillation takes place here. Let yourself be guided by tastings in the city's best establishments along the Urban Bourbon Trail. For beautiful views of Louisville and the Ohio River, book a cruise aboard the Belle of Louisville, a steamboat from 1914.,

Enjoy the spectacle of the three largest cities in Ohio. Start from the south, in Cincinnati, visit the zoo, and then make sure to leave some room for a plate of Cincinnati Chili with cinnamon and cheese. In Columbus, the state capital in central Ohio, don't miss the recently renovated Columbus Museum of Art or one of the many breweries, such as North High Brewing, Seventh Son Brewing Co., and Wolf's Ridge Brewing. Then continue to Cleveland and don't miss the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to see memorabilia from the early years of rock and more recent ones (like Rick Nielsen's five-neck guitar from Cheap Trick).,

“America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland.” At least, this is what playwright Tennessee Williams thought. Today, though, things are different: Cleveland, criss-crossed by the Cuyahoga River, is now a major industrial harbor on Lake Erie. Its riverfront makes for a very pleasant walk, and the town now hosts several outstanding museums – above all, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, designed by I.M. PEI, the architect behind the famous Pyramid at the Louvre.,

Here is Detroit, where the American obsession for cars was born. Here, the Henry Ford Museum reconstructs the evolution of the automobile. Take part in the Ford Rouge Factory Tour in Dearborn, not far away, to see a functioning car assembly line. Visit the Motown Museum in the Hitsville neighborhood to discover the history of this uniquely American music genre: the museum is located in the original headquarters of Motown, where the label was founded in 1959. Take a break from the city with a trip to the natural wonders of Michigan. Go hiking on sandy beaches or among the tall cliffs in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, in Empire. Alternatively, about five hours north in Munising, explore the sandstone cliffs by boat in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.,

The city of Indianapolis is known for its Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the famous 500-mile race takes place, and is known as the "racing capital of the world". Here you can also find the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, full of artifacts and race cars.,

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