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Midwest Marriott Loop
A 7-day driving loop through classic Midwest cities, lakefronts, river towns, and big-name museums — with Marriott stays suggested by area, not specific hotel names.
7days
22stops
DAY01
Depart → Navy Pier
Overnight in Navy Pier
- 09:00Depart· start
- 09:30⭐ Millennium Park
- 12:30Art Institute of Chicago
- 16:30Navy Pier· overnight
Accommodation
Chicago River North / Magnificent Mile Marriott-area
DAY02
Depart → Harley-Davidson Museum
Overnight in Harley-Davidson Museum
- 09:00Depart· start
- 10:45⭐ Milwaukee Art Museum
- 13:30Historic Third Ward
- 16:30Harley-Davidson Museum· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Milwaukee / Historic Third Ward Marriott-area stay
DAY03
Depart → Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Overnight in Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- 09:00Depart· start
- 10:45⭐ Wisconsin State Capitol
- 13:00Memorial Union Terrace
- 16:00Olbrich Botanical Gardens· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Madison / Capitol Square Marriott-area stay
DAY04
Depart → Stone Arch Bridge
Overnight in Stone Arch Bridge
- 08:30Depart· start
- 11:30La Crosse Riverside Park
- 15:30⭐ Mill City Museum
- 17:30Stone Arch Bridge· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Minneapolis / Mill District Marriott-area
DAY05
Depart → Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Overnight in Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- 09:00Depart· start
- 10:00⭐ Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
- 13:30Clear Lake
- 16:30Pappajohn Sculpture Park· overnight
Accommodation
Downtown Des Moines Marriott-area
DAY06
Iowa State Capitol → National WWI Museum and Memor…
Overnight in National WWI Museum and Memorial
- 09:15⭐ Iowa State Capitol· start
- 13:30Country Club Plaza
- 16:00National WWI Museum and Memorial· overnight
Accommodation
Country Club Plaza / Crown Center Marriott-area
Food
- barbecue dinner · Kansas City is the place to plan a barbecue dinner, and the popular spots can get lines, so go slightly early if you have your heart set on one.
DAY07
Depart → Forest Park
- 08:30Depart· start
- 10:45⭐ Warm Springs Ranch
- 14:30Gateway Arch National Park
- 17:00Forest Park
Accommodation
St. Louis Downtown / Central West End Marriott-area stay
Heads Up
- Marriott works best here by choosing areas near downtowns or landmark districts, then comparing parking fees before booking.
- In Chicago and Minneapolis especially, parking can change the real nightly cost more than the room rate.
- Keep a light jacket handy even in warmer months — Great Lakes and riverfront evenings can turn breezy fast.