Chicagoans and visitors alike can spend a lively summer in one of the city's most popular destinations - Millennium Park. Now in its fifth full season, Millennium Park will offer a mix of free concerts, family programming, tours and open rehearsals, along with new events to enjoy. Among Millennium Park's prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion , the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States.

The Family Fun Festival returns to Millennium Park from June 10 - Sept. 4, full of hands-on activities, a performance stage, a reading circle and musical games for kids of all ages. Again this year, Chicagoans and visitors can start their weekends with Saturday morning workouts on the Great Lawn and enjoy classes in yoga, pilates, tai chi and dance.

For More Fun: On Sunday mornings, enjoy guided walks though the Lurie Garden, led by volunteer master gardeners.

Michigan is home to nearly 200 waterfalls and almost all of them are in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The crown jewel is Tahquamenon Falls, known to the locals as "Root Beer Falls" because of the water's brown color. It features two sets of falls, and the Upper Falls are the second largest east of the Mississippi, with a 50 foot drop that is more than 200 feet wide with 50,000 gallons of water flowing through every second. If you're looking for the sights and sounds of rushing water, Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the gateway to natural wonders.

For More Fun: Camp at Tahquamenon Falls or enjoy lunch at Camp 33 Microbrewery after hiking between the falls.

"Go the distance" and visit this century-old family farm with a baseball diamond carved into its heart.

The Lansing family farm is the original site of the "Field of Dreams" 1989 movie filming. No organized activities, just bring your own baseball equipment and play on this world-famous field. Souvenirs and refreshments available.

For More Fun: 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of Field of Dreams! Play ball, come out of the corn like the ghost players or enjoy the view from the bleachers.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the steps involved in the making of an Isabel Bloom sculpture!

Isabel Bloom was a native Iowa artist whose sculptures of playful children and friendly creatures were cast in concrete and hand-finished to resemble weathered bronze garden sculptures of the Victorian-era. Artists keep her style alive at the Harborview Production Studio, where you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, preview new designs, and offer opinions on future sculptures.

For More Fun: Just up the road, explore the Village of East Davenport with boutique stores and restaurants that was first established in the pre-Civil Wartime of the 1850's. The area is the second largest historic district in Iowa.

A great place for kids from preschool to 12-years-old to unwind as they explore ways to achieve peace.

Located in the Community of Christ Auditorium, this interactive, hands-on experience includes art stations, mazes, puzzles, rubbings, computer games, fantasy play areas, a "nature" cave, dolls, puppets and stage and much more. All activities were designed by volunteers from educators to parents to artists, with one goal in mind: create a shelter where children of all ages and cultures can come to learn about peace and what it means to be a peacemaker.

For More Fun: Schedule your visit so you can head downstairs in time for the free organ recital at 3 p.m. daily.

Moline, Illinois, is John Deere country and home to one of the most comprehensive agricultural exhibits in the world.

In 1848, John Deere changed the agricultural business by creating a superior self-scouring plow that would grow to be used by farmers throughout the country. The pavilion presents a look at how he did it, from his antique tractors to fascinating, interactive adventure with hands-on computer displays that include the past, present, and future of agriculture. You can even climb up in the cab of actual machinery!

For More Fun: Located in downtown Moline, browse the nearby shops and restaurants, or explore the bike path on the Mississippi riverfront.

Just five minutes from downtown Detroit is the splendor of Belle Isle, America's largest city-owned island park. Entrance to the island is free as are many of its attractions, including the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Belle Isle Nature Zoo, Kid's Kingdom Playscape, giant slide, fishing, nature trails, sports courts, running track, picnic shelters and a half-mile swimming beach.

The Detroit International Riverfront is another great place to bike, run, jog, or walk, while taking in the views of Detroit and Windsor.

For More Fun: Kids enjoy playing in the water features and riding the carousel for a small fee, and there are also the 13 Huron-Clinton Metro Parks, with beaches, trails, picnic areas, petting farms and more. Boaters hit the waves and enjoy a day of fun in the sun.

Enjoy wonderful collections at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts -- from ancient to modern.

Paintings, drawings, photographs, sculpture, textiles, furniture, architecture and more are on display. There are family-friendly amenities and activities, as well as a gallery shop and dining options on-site, all just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Free and open daily, except Mondays.

For More Fun: Enjoy great food on nearby "Eat Street" or head to downtown Minneapolis for shopping, theaters and nightlife.

This unique museum is the 2nd oldest U.S. Army museum in the country, established to preserve and display the history of Rock Island Arsenal, Arsenal Island and the history of small arms development.

Rock Island Arsenal has been an active manufacturer of military equipment since the 1880s. The museum features a premiere firearms collection, including weapons positively identified as Sioux or Cheyenne used in the battle of Little Bighorn. It also showcases the long history of the island and the products manufactured on site for the military.

For More Fun: While on this island in the Mississippi, tour the Colonel Davenport House, National and Confederate Cemeteries, and the world's largest roller dam.

One of the oldest corporate collections in the nation, the Union Pacific museum includes artifacts, photographs and documents that trace the development of the railroad and the American West.

The museum includes furniture from President Abraham Lincoln's funeral car, railroad memorabilia connected with the ceremony at Promontory Summit, Utah, May 10, 1869; and numerous other railroad artifacts.

For More Fun: Explore other local rail attractions, including the Historic General Dodge House, the RailsWest Museum, the Golden Spike monument and the Durham Western Heritage Museum.

Hike the tallgrass prairie of the Kansas Flint Hills. Experience the land as settlers over one hundred years ago saw it on this 11,000 acre vestige of untouched prairie. (Tallgrass prairie once covered 140 million acres of North America. Within a generation the vast majority was developed and plowed under. Today less than 4% remains, mostly here in the Kansas Flint Hills).

Trek through one of the two nature trails leading you to breathtaking vistas and a thorough look at the prairie ecosystem. Tour the 1881 limestone Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch or the massive three-story limestone barn.

For More Fun: Enjoy a ranger-led bus tour through the backcountry to learn the history of Flint Hills, and see the vast prairie landscape.

Iowa artist Grant Wood sketched this house on a 1930 visit and that summer painted it as the background for his world-famous painting "American Gothic."

The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center includes an American Gothic parodies exhibit, gift shop and media room with educational films about Grant Wood. Interior of home not open to the public.

For More Fun: Create your own American Gothic pose using costumes and props from the visitors center.

Just over the rainbow in Wylie Park is where you'll find Aberdeen's magical theme park, Storybook Land. Enter a land of enchantment that includes over 65 larger than life exhibits.

Visit the medieval castle, surrounded by a moat and guarded by knights in armor. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz. See cows and chickens fly through the air as you experience a tornado in Dorothy's House. Visit Haunted Forest, but just be sure not to pick the apples as the Talking Trees yell at you on the way by. Visit the Lion's Den as you travel through the Haunted Forest to the Wicked Witches Castle.

For More Fun: Enjoy free performances by the Aqua-Addicts Ski Show on select weekends or take in free performances of the Children's Storybook Land Theatre Troup at the Castle.

The Lake Superior Maritime Museum is the most visited marine museum on the Great Lakes.

View exhibits on upper lakes commercial shipping, Duluth Ship Canal and the Aerial Bridge, three replica cabins and a pilothouse, a two-story steam engine, 50 scale models and lots of interactive displays. Freighters from all over the world pass within 200 feet of the building. Open daily throughout shipping season, and it's always free.

For More Fun: Canal Park is the hub of waterfront activity - watch ships, walk piers, take a scenic cruise, or relax on a restaurant patio.

Morley Candy Makers free factory tour is perfect for all ages. Your video journey begins with the story of chocolate, how it's made and how Morley Candy Makers got its start in Detroit.

After watching the experts create luscious treats such as Pecan Torties and Coconut Clusters in the 100 foot observatory walkway, a free sample and stop in the unique candy and gift shop put the finishing touch on your visit.

For More Fun: Plan your own "stop and shop" tour to make sure you leave with Morley favorites!

See a strange and dramatic dawn spectacle at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin: Watch ultralight airplanes lead young whooping cranes across the sky.

Flight classes for the giant-winged birds take place daily at sunrise during July and August, weather-permitting, You can watch free from the refuge's Point B observation tower as the endangered birds swoop and soar overhead in preparation for their trip south this fall. Flight lessons are canceled if it's windy or raining.

For More Fun: Later, you can hike a trail at your leisure and ogle other wildlife on the refuge's 43,000 acres and you may still be able to reserve a spot on a guided, two-hour whooping crane blind tour.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum.

The museum's galleries present military aviation history and boast more than 300 aircraft and aerospace vehicles on display. An especially popular museum attraction is the storied collection of nine presidential aircraft. The most popular of all is "Air Force One," a VC-137C known as SAM (Special Air Mission) 26000. This Boeing 707 flew President Kennedy's body back to Washington D.C. from Dallas and served as the site of President Lyndon B. Johnson's swearing in.

For More Fun: Read the chapters of military and aviation history in the book of the United States Air Force's heroes.

Each fall and spring, the skies above Aberdeen are filled with a spectacular assortment of waterfowl. Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a major stopping point for thousands of Snow, Blue and Canadian geese as they pass through on their annual seasonal migration.

Every pond, slough and lake becomes a resting spot for waterfowl of all kinds, including herons, loons, pelicans and ducks of every variety-mallards, teal, redheads -- they're all here. The Refuge is home to more than 266 species of birds, 40 mammal species, and a variety of fish, reptiles, and amphibians.

For More Fun: Enjoy a bird's eye view of the refuge from the 18 foot look-out tower, a great place to take photos of this memorable experience.

Get a taste of the life on the farm at this 12-acre farmstead in bustling Overland Park. The Farmstead is a 12-acre park that has almost 200 farm animals and birds of prey, vegetable and flower gardens and more!

Kids will enjoy feeding farm animals, fishing in the pond, and learning how to milk a cow in the dairy barn. Little tykes will relish pedaling their own pint-size tractor around the Tractor Track, while the gardening aficionado won't want to miss the Master Gardener exhibit. Be sure to tour of the one-room schoolhouse, prairie playground, mining camp and Indian encampment to complete your stay.

For More Fun: Enjoy a ride throughout the park pulled by a pair of beautiful Belgian draft horses.

Ever wondered where the phrase "a dog is a man's best friend" comes from? It's Warrensburg, Missouri!

"Old Drum" was a beloved hunting dog, shot by his owner's neighbor in 1869. Come see the restored historic courthouse where the trial of Old Drum took place, in the historic district on the west side of town, and the statue on the lawn of the current courthouse downtown. Bring your own best friend!

For More Fun: Take a driving tour of all Old Drum related memorials including the Hornsby Cemetery where the principals in the case are buried.

Munsinger and Clemens Gardens have 21 acres of over 150,000 annuals and perennials beautifully displayed in both formal European and cottage garden styles.

The garden themes vary from a rock garden to a rose garden. Fountains, a cabin, geese and peacocks are part of the beautiful landscape. Situated along the Mississippi River, this is a botanical paradise, especially with the free concerts offered during the summer months.

For More Fun: Experience a thriving arts community, local festivals, cultural events, and outdoor activities among Minnesota's Central Lakes.

The most-noted landmark in emigrant journals, Chimney Rock served as a beacon of hope to nearly half a million pioneers, emigrants and other travelers making the trek West between 1812-1866.

The sandstone spire juts from the prairie near present-day Bayard. If sightseeing is on your list of things to do, then Chimney Rock is a must, especially since some predict that it won't always exist. Erosion created it, so erosion will undoubtedly destroy it. No one knows how much time will pass before the spire disappears.

For More Fun: Stop by the Ethel and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center which houses museum exhibits, a hands-on opportunity to "pack your wagon," and a video presentation that tells the story of the great migration West.