This is the Great Lakes chapter from Lonely Planet’s Eastern USA guidebook.

Don’t be fooled. The Midwest takes its knocks for being middle-of-nowhere boring. Behind this stereotype lurks surfing beaches and Tibetan temples, car-free islands and the green-draped night-lights of the aurora borealis.

• absorbing the skyscrapers, museums, festivals and foodie bounty of Chicago
• maps
• beach lounging, berry eating and surfing on Michigan’s Gold Coast
• transportation
• restaurants and accommodations
• slowing down for clip-clopping horses and buggies in Amish Country

Coverage includes: Illinois, Chicago & around, Galena & Northern Illinois, Springfield & Central Illinois, Southern Illinois, Indiana, Indianapolis, Bloomington & Central Indiana, Southern Indiana, Northern Indiana, Ohio, Cleveland & around, Erie Lakeshore & Islands, Amish Country, Columbus, Athens & Southeastern Ohio, Dayton & Yellow Springs, Cincinnati, Michigan, Detroit & around, Lansing & Central Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore, Straits of Mackinac, Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Madison, Taliesin & Southern Wisconsin, Along the Mississippi River, Door County & Eastern Wisconsin, Apostle Islands & Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St Paul, Around Minneapolis-St Paul, Southern Minnesota, and Duluth & Northern Minnesota.