Top Landmarks of the Midwestern United States

Defining the Midwest's Icons

The Midwest (12 states: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI) boasts landmarks ranging from natural wonders to architectural marvels. Note: some listed below extend beyond strict Midwest boundaries but are culturally associated.

1. Gateway Arch (St. Louis, MO)

• 630-ft stainless steel catenary arch; tallest man-made monument in US
• Symbol of westward expansion; tram to observation deck

2. Mount Rushmore (Keystone, SD)

• 60-ft presidential faces (Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln)
• Carved 1927–1941; 2M+ visitors/year

3. The Field Museum (Chicago, IL)

• Natural history: Sue (T. rex), Ancient Egypt, Evolving Planet
• Lakefront Museum Campus (Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium adjacent)

4. Mall of America (Bloomington, MN)

• 5.6M sq ft; 520+ stores; Nickelodeon Universe; SEA LIFE aquarium
• Largest mall in US by total floor area

5. Badlands National Park (SD) — Correction: Grand Canyon is NOT Midwest

• Grand Canyon is in Arizona (Southwest). Midwest badlands: Badlands NP (SD) — eroded buttes, fossil beds
• Theodore Roosevelt NP (ND) — badlands, bison, wild horses

6. Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls, NY) — Borderline

• Western NY often considered Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic; Falls straddle US/Canada
• Three falls: Horseshoe, American, Bridal Veil

7. Wisconsin Dells (WI)

• "Waterpark Capital of the World" — 20+ waterparks, 16M visitors/year
• Dells of the Wisconsin River: sandstone gorges, boat tours

8. Archdiocese of Chicago / Holy Name Cathedral (Chicago, IL)

• Seat of Catholic Church in US; historic Gothic Revival cathedral

9. Ohio River (Pittsburgh, PA — Midwest edge)

• Forms at Pittsburgh (Allegheny + Monongahela); flows 981 mi to Mississippi
• Major industrial corridor: Cincinnati, Louisville, Evansville

10. Mississippi River (Midwest spine)

• Headwaters: Lake Itasca, MN
• Major Midwest cities: Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis (border)
• Great River Road scenic byway

Additional Midwest Gems

• Sleeping Bear Dunes (MI) — Lake Michigan dunes
• Cuyahoga Valley NP (OH) — only Ohio national park
• Indiana Dunes NP (IN) — Lake Michigan shoreline
• Chimney Rock (NE) — Oregon Trail landmark
• Crazy Horse Memorial (SD) — world's largest mountain carving (in progress)