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Midwest Marriott Loop

A 7-day, drive-only Midwest road trip with Marriott-style stays suggested by area rather than specific hotel names.

7days
22stops
DAY01

Depart → Navy Pier

Overnight in Navy Pier
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 10:00
    ⭐ Millennium Park
  5. 13:30
    Art Institute of Chicago
  7. 17:00
    Navy Pier· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Chicago / River North Marriott-area
DAY02

Depart → Lakefront Brewery area

Overnight in Lakefront Brewery area
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 10:30
    ⭐ Milwaukee Art Museum
  5. 13:30
    Historic Third Ward
  7. 16:30
    Lakefront Brewery area· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Milwaukee / Historic Third Ward Marriott-area stay
DAY03

Depart → Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Overnight in Olbrich Botanical Gardens
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 11:00
    ⭐ Wisconsin State Capitol
  5. 13:30
    University of Wisconsin–Madison Memorial Union Terrace
  7. 16:30
    Olbrich Botanical Gardens· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Madison / Capitol Square Marriott-area
DAY04

Depart → Stone Arch Bridge

Overnight in Stone Arch Bridge
  1. 08:30
    Depart· start
  3. 11:30
    ⭐ La Crosse Riverside Park
  5. 15:30
    Minnehaha Falls
  7. 17:30
    Stone Arch Bridge· overnight
Accommodation
Minneapolis Mill District / Downtown Marriott-area stay
DAY05

Depart → Iowa State Capitol

Overnight in Iowa State Capitol
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 11:00
    ⭐ SPAM Museum
  5. 14:30
    Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  7. 17:00
    Iowa State Capitol· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Des Moines Marriott-area
DAY06

Depart → Country Club Plaza

Overnight in Country Club Plaza
  1. 09:00
    Depart· start
  3. 12:30
    ⭐ National WWI Museum and Memorial
  5. 15:30
    Union Station Kansas City
  7. 17:30
    Country Club Plaza· overnight
Accommodation
Country Club Plaza / Downtown Kansas City Marriott-area
Food
  • Kansas City barbecue · the move, but the most popular spots can have lines, so eat a little earlier than peak dinner time
DAY07

Depart → The Hill

  1. 08:30
    Depart· start
  3. 13:00
    ⭐ Gateway Arch National Park
  5. 15:30
    Forest Park
  7. 17:30
    The Hill
Accommodation
Downtown / Central West End Marriott-area
Heads Up
  • Use Marriott’s app to compare Downtown vs. suburban parking fees before booking; in Midwest cities, a cheaper room can get wiped out by valet parking.
  • Keep a light jacket in the car even in warm seasons — lake and riverfront evenings can cool down fast.