Midwest (US) in mid-February

Driving from Minneapolis to Athens OH in mid-February. Will skirt Chicago, so my route is:
I-94/90 in Wisconsin
I-39 and I-74 in Illinois
I-70 in Indiana and Ohio

I'll have a bit of extra time for a short side trip, but unfortunately not for an extended "off the interstate" route.

Any suggestions for interesting subject matter?

If you like residential architecture stop in La Crosse and drive around town. There are a lot of beautiful and unique old houses in the town.

Also, drive to the top of Grandad Bluff for a panoramic view of the Mississippi River and the limestone bluffs in the region.

Photograph the world's biggest six pack near the downtown area.

Pettibone Park, right on the river might give some nice nature-type shots, or photos of the river. It's the West side of the main channel, which you might think would be on the Minnesota side, but it is still in Wisconsin.

The La Crosse queen paddle wheeler might provide some nice shots, though I doubt if it is running this time of year.

If you like steam locomotives, CB&Q 4000 at Copeland Park.

There are some interesting marshes in the area. I don't know if they are photogenic in the winter, but there might be some good shots.

I think there is an aircraft museum at Wright-Patterson in Dayton. There is also the Speedway museum in Indianapolis. The track isn't too far off I-70

The Neil Armstrong museum isn't terribly far from I-70. Take I-75 north to Wapakoneta or take 33 instead of I-70 out of Columbus and get back to it with I-75.

Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park are a few miles off of interstate 39 near Utica, Illinois. Of the two, I like Matthiessen better in the summer, but Starved Rock has panoramic views of the Illinois River, and eagles tend to hang out at Starved Rock. Both parks have seasonal waterfalls, which may be frozen in Feb., depending on temperature.

bdial said:

I think there is an aircraft museum at Wright-Patterson in Dayton. There is also the Speedway museum in Indianapolis. The track isn't too far off I-70

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The W-P museum looks great and is open 7 days a week.

You should always be able to find something interesting inAmish country but be respectfuland realize that taking images of people is frowned upon.

ME Super said:

Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park are a few miles off of interstate 39 near Utica, Illinois. Of the two, I like Matthiessen better in the summer, but Starved Rock has panoramic views of the Illinois River, and eagles tend to hang out at Starved Rock. Both parks have seasonal waterfalls, which may be frozen in Feb., depending on temperature.

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Starved Rock looks intriguing.

I should have mentioned in my initial post that I'm traveling with a dog. Dogs are allowed in the park.

It might have been a good choice for an overnight in one of their cabins, but no dogs allowed in building. I could camp; not sure I want to bring my winter camping gear.

RalphLambrecht said:

You should always be able to find something interesting inAmish country but be respectfuland realize that taking images of people is frowned upon.

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Amish here in Minnesota as well. But I've always felt that I should respect their wishes when it comes to being photographed. At least if they are the subject (rather than just happening to be in the photograph). I might feel differently if I was doing serious work, such as a documentary. But for my own purposes; I'll pass and find another subject.

Northeastern Iowa is scenic. Rather out of your way, Madison County near Des Moines is noted for its few covered bridges. Parke County in western Indiana has five or six times as many, and many of them open to traffic.

About an hour past Starved rock at the intersection of I-39, I-55, and I-74 is Bloomington-Normal. You can probably find a hotel there where you can have your dog, so you can hang out at the park until almost dark and then head on in to Bloomington-Normal for someplace to sleep and eat. There's also hotels about an hour and a half past Bloomington-Normal in Champaign. From Champaign about another 3 hours drive will put you in Indianapolis.

I can second Parke County in Western Indiana as well. My son's scout troop did a family campout there, and a canoe trip on Sugar Creek too (and there's also Turkey Run State Park in Parke County). You'll probably get no end of suggestions, and sadly you won't have time to do them all.

Park county is only a few mins away from me. Beautiful area.

ME Super said:

About an hour past Starved rock at the intersection of I-39, I-55, and I-74 is Bloomington-Normal. You can probably find a hotel there where you can have your dog, so you can hang out at the park until almost dark and then head on in to Bloomington-Normal for someplace to sleep and eat. There's also hotels about an hour and a half past Bloomington-Normal in Champaign. From Champaign about another 3 hours drive will put you in Indianapolis.

I can second Parke County in Western Indiana as well. My son's scout troop did a family campout there, and a canoe trip on Sugar Creek too (and there's also Turkey Run State Park in Parke County). You'll probably get no end of suggestions, and sadly you won't have time to do them all.

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We've stayed in Champaign on a previous trip. It will be just dog and I on the way out; wife, dog and I on the return. When just me and a single overnight I'll often just sleep a few hours at a rest stop. My wife is less tolerant of that approach.

The dog doesn't mind at all.

Park County in Indiana has the most covered bridges in the state. No great terrain across the middle of Indiana, Glacier leveling area.... If meal time coincides with I-74/US-41 exit 'The Beef House' is just north of the exit on the West side of US-41.