Author: Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

There was only one way to verify this town’s moniker: See how many Hallmark Christmas movie cliches I could find in the town.

While national park sites out West might get more attention, the Midwest has its own gems, including the country’s only national lakeshores.

Indiana Dunes National Park is on 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline east of Gary, Indiana.

Many small townsacross Wisconsinhave parades, tree lightings and visits from Santa. But some turn up the volume with special things to see and do.

Wisconsin’s few remaining covered bridges are worth visiting as much for their photogenic qualities as their history.