Traveling from Chicago to Plainfield: Top Five Places to Visit

If you're planning a road trip from Chicago, Illinois to Plainfield, New Jersey, you're in for a treat! This cross-country adventure presents an opportunity to explore some of the most impressive attractions in the Midwest and East Coast. I've compiled a list of the top five places to visit on the way, so pack your bags and let's hit the road!

A Stop at Youngstown, OH

Before we get to the attractions, we must talk about the stop that sits right in the middle of our route: Youngstown, OH. Situated about halfway through the trip, this city offers travelers a chance to step off the highway and explore some intriguing sights. For starters, the Butler Institute of American Art houses an impressive collection that features works of American artists from the nineteenth century to the present day. If you're a sports enthusiast, the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor is a must-see, where you can learn about the city's history of steel production and the role it played in the development of America's rail and automobile industries.

Now let's get to the top five places to visit!

1. The House on the Rock (Spring Green, WI)

Are you ready for a sensory overload? The House on the Rock will take your breath away with its eccentric architecture, bizarre collections, and whimsical displays. Imagine an indoor carousel with more than two hundred animals, including unicorns and dragons! Or a music room with instruments that span six centuries and a massive automated orchestra that plays a variety of classical music. The House on the Rock is the ultimate museum of the extraordinary, and once you visit, you'll understand why.

2. Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)

Frank Lloyd Wright once said, "Nature is my manifestation of God. I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day's work." This quote could not be more apt for the beauty of Fallingwater. The house, designed by Wright, is a stunning example of integrating nature with design. Located atop a waterfall, the home is a seamlessly blended element of organic architecture and functionality. Visitors can tour the home to admire the structure and beauty of nature that surrounds it.

3. Hershey's Chocolate World (Hershey, PA)

For chocolate lovers, a visit to Hershey's Chocolate World is a non-negotiable. This attraction offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of chocolate, from harvest to production, and see how Hershey's chocolate is made. The "Great American Chocolate Tour Ride" takes you on a whimsical journey that includes singing cows mooing "Hershey's," a singing cocoa bean, and chocolate fountains. You can also make your own candy bar and learn from the experts about which chocolate goes best with different wines.

4. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC)

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is the perfect place to see how far technology and exploration have come in the past century. The museum boasts a vast collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft, including the original Wright Brothers' Flyer, the Apollo 11 Command Module, and the Space Shuttle Discovery. The museum also features an IMAX theater and a planetarium that shows daily shows that are sure to captivate.

5. Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA)

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a top American museum with an extensive collection of art from around the world. Among its treasures are valued works by Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh. Additionally, tourists flock to the steps of the museum, which were featured in the iconic training montage scene in the "Rocky" movie series. Take a photo with the statue of Sylvester Stallone and take your own "Rocky" inspired jaunt up the steps of the museum.

The Best Route

In conclusion, if you plan to embark on a road trip from Chicago to Plainfield, take time to plan your itinerary around the top destinations along the way. Don't forget to stop in Youngstown for a taste of midwestern history, and make sure you take in some of the Midwest and East Coast's most exceptional attractions. You won't regret this trip that will take you through some of the best places America has to offer.