Travel & Route Directory – Scenic Routes, Historic Journeys, and Travel Guides
Explore a growing directory of historic landmarks, battlefields, scenic routes, parks, museums, river towns, and unique destinations throughout the Midwest. Our directory highlights places we’ve visited along with destinations still on our travel list, making it easy to plan your next adventure. Many listings include links to our travel articles, videos, and historical features, helping you discover the stories behind the places you visit.
Andersonville National Historic Site
Nearly 13,000 men died on these grounds, a site that became infamous even before the Civil War ended. Their burial grounds became Andersonville National Cemetery, where veterans continue to be buried today. This place, where tens of thousands suffered captivity so others could be free, is also home to the National Prisoner of War Museum and serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.
State Georgia
Battle of Belmont
Belmont Battlefield in Missouri. Explore Ulysses S. Grant's first Civil War battle and Mississippi River history.
State Missouri
Cairo Illinois
Cairo Illinois the historic river town where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet. Discover Civil War history the Trail of Tears Underground Railroad sites abandoned buildings and historic landmarks along the Ohio River Scenic Byway
State Illinois
Columbus-Belmont State Park
A visit to this park high above the Mississippi, recalls the November 7, 1861 Battle of Belmont. Today, you can still see the massive chain and anchor used by the South to block passage of Union gunboats. Explore the Civil War battle historic earthworks river defenses and Mississippi River history.
State Kentucky
Historic Fort D
As a public historic site, self-guided tours, at no charge, may be taken of the fort grounds at any time. The original earthworks can be viewed and there are ten display panels that tell about the history of the fort and those who served there.
State Missouri
Illinois Iron Furnace (National Historic Site)
The Illinois Iron Furnace is the only remaining iron furnace structure in the state of Illinois. Iron was manufactured at the Illinois Furnace by the charcoal blast method. The furnace was built on a dry laid limestone foundation. The exterior of the furnace was manufactured of large limestone blocks quarried near the town of Cave-In-Rock. The interior wall, or lining, was constructed of firebrick from Pennsylvania.
State Illinois
Jeffrey’s Cliffs
The Jeffreys Cliffs Conservation & Recreation Area features a remarkable rock shelter known as Morgans Cave, reputed to be one of the largest of its kind in Kentucky. The cave measures approximately 240 feet in width, 180 feet in height, and 160 feet in depth. Its name is linked to Civil War history, specifically to the southern general, John Hunt Morgan.
State Kentucky
Newburgh Indiana
Newburgh is an incorporated town in Ohio Township, Warrick County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River. As of the 2020 census, Newburgh had a population of 3,344. The town is part of the larger Evansville metropolitan area, and Ohio Township, which Newburgh shares with nearby Chandler, includes the town. Wikipedia
State Indiana
Newburgh Museum
This gallery in Old Newburgh Presbyterian Church features displays documenting the town's past.
State Indiana
Andersonville National Historic Site
Nearly 13,000 men died on these grounds, a site that became infamous even before the Civil War ended. Their burial grounds became Andersonville National Cemetery, where veterans continue to be buried today. This place, where tens of thousands suffered captivity so others could be free, is also home to the National Prisoner of War Museum and serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.
Battle of Belmont
Belmont Battlefield in Missouri. Explore Ulysses S. Grant's first Civil War battle and Mississippi River history.
Cairo Illinois
Cairo Illinois the historic river town where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet. Discover Civil War history the Trail of Tears Underground Railroad sites abandoned buildings and historic landmarks along the Ohio River Scenic Byway
Columbus-Belmont State Park
A visit to this park high above the Mississippi, recalls the November 7, 1861 Battle of Belmont. Today, you can still see the massive chain and anchor used by the South to block passage of Union gunboats. Explore the Civil War battle historic earthworks river defenses and Mississippi River history.
Historic Fort D
As a public historic site, self-guided tours, at no charge, may be taken of the fort grounds at any time. The original earthworks can be viewed and there are ten display panels that tell about the history of the fort and those who served there.
Illinois Iron Furnace (National Historic Site)
The Illinois Iron Furnace is the only remaining iron furnace structure in the state of Illinois. Iron was manufactured at the Illinois Furnace by the charcoal blast method. The furnace was built on a dry laid limestone foundation. The exterior of the furnace was manufactured of large limestone blocks quarried near the town of Cave-In-Rock. The interior wall, or lining, was constructed of firebrick from Pennsylvania.
Jeffrey’s Cliffs
The Jeffreys Cliffs Conservation & Recreation Area features a remarkable rock shelter known as Morgans Cave, reputed to be one of the largest of its kind in Kentucky. The cave measures approximately 240 feet in width, 180 feet in height, and 160 feet in depth. Its name is linked to Civil War history, specifically to the southern general, John Hunt Morgan.
Newburgh Indiana
Newburgh is an incorporated town in Ohio Township, Warrick County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River. As of the 2020 census, Newburgh had a population of 3,344. The town is part of the larger Evansville metropolitan area, and Ohio Township, which Newburgh shares with nearby Chandler, includes the town. Wikipedia
Newburgh Museum
This gallery in Old Newburgh Presbyterian Church features displays documenting the town's past.
