Need touristy awesomeness for summer 2012!

[jacki0486]

So I'm taking a solo road-trip from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Oshawa, Ontario and back this summer (leaving on July 3, returning at the end of August) and I've decided to take the southern route through the US since I've never done that route before. :) Basic route is:

Bemidji, MN
Eau Claire, WI
Chicago, IL
Kalamazoo, MI
Detroit, MI
Oshawa, ON

I'm looking for suggestions on super-awesome touristy stops along that route and I can't seem to find anything online... all I find are museums, zoos, and things that suck a whole day out of the trip. I was rasied on road trips and the best part was finding those out-of-the-way, back-road touristy spots and photo ops like Paul Bunyan and Babe in Bemidji! I've already got a few things I want to do - Paul Bunyan as mentioned, get a pic at Wrigley field in Chicago, get a pic of Joliet Prison (because of the Blues Brothers), get photos at every "welcome to" sign - but I'm looking for suggestions on other great spots to stop and stretch my legs.

Also, anyone know of any killer Fourth of July shindigs in the Kalamazoo, MI area? Since I'm going to be in the US on Independence Day, I may as well check out the celebrations, right? ;)

Any suggestions? :)

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

There are literally hundreds of worthwhile stops on any route of that length and the route you have chosen is no exception. To name just a few: Historic Elmwood (Grafton ND), Paul Bunyon & Babe Statue (Bemidji MN), Charles A. Lindbergh State Park (Little Falls MN), Mall of America (Twin Cities), Crystal Cave (Spring Valley WI), Wisconsin Dells, Circus World Museum (Baraboo WI), Old World Wisconsin (Eagle WI), Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Holland MI, and Greenfield Village (Dearborn MI).

AZBuck