Take in the beauty of the lakes, rivers and rolling hills in this expansive update.
Microsoft Flight Simulator City Update 15 highlights key metropolitan regions of the American states of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The release includes coverage of Chicago, Illinois, the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area of Minnesota, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, among others. The update coincides with FlightSimExpo 2026, held this year at the St. Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota from June 12-14, 2026. City Update 15 comprises eight areas of interest (AOIs) rendered in high-fidelity TIN (triangulated irregular network) surface texturing throughout the three states.
ILLINOIS
- Chicago: Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States with a population of 2.7 million. Known as “The Windy City,” Chicago is home to several world-famous landmarks, including Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly John Hancock Tower), and Millennium Park. Chicago is also renowned in the flight simulator world for being the home to Meigs Field (KCGX), the original default airport in the early editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Elgin: Located along the Fox River roughly 38 miles northwest of downtown Chicago with historic roots in manufacturing and agriculture. It became known as the “butter and watch capital of the world” due to its dairy industry and watch manufacturing industry.
- Cicero: Located eight miles west of downtown Chicago, it was named after Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero. It has historic roots in telecommunications manufacturing and was the one-time headquarters of notorious American gangster Al Capone.
- Arlington Heights: A northwestern suburb of Chicago that is today recognized for its parks and cultural events. The city traces its roots to vegetable farming, dairy, and nursery products. It later expanded due to its inclusion on a railroad route, which sparked the growth of commercial development.
MINNESOTA
- Minneapolis: Located along the banks of the upper Mississippi River, it is Minnesota’s most populous city with approximately 430,000 inhabitants. Part of the “Twin Cities” region (its sibling being St. Paul, which lies directly to its east), Minneapolis is known as the “City of Lakes” as it boasts more than a dozen lakes within its city limits. Key landmarks in the city include the Stone Arch Bridge, Capella Tower, and Two22.
- St. Paul: Located directly on the banks of the Mississippi River just west of the Wisconsin border, it is the capital of the state of Minnesota. Major landmarks include the Minnesota State Capitol, the Cathedral of Saint Paul, and the James J. Hill House.
- Bloomington: Located just south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, this city was founded as a small farming community and expanded through the years into a major commercial center. Situated on the northern banks of the Minnesota River, Bloomington is known for its numerous parks and natural areas, with more than a third of its area designated as green spaces. It is the home of Mall of America, the largest retail and entertainment complex in the United States.
- Duluth is located in northeastern Minnesota just west of the border with Wisconsin. A major port city, Duluth was established on the Duluth-Superior Harbor on the southwestern extremity of Lake Superior, which is also the westernmost point of the Great Lakes. Major landmarks in Duluth include the Canal Park Aerial Lift Bridge, Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, and Enger Park and Tower.
- Brooklyn Park: Located 10 miles northwest of downtown Minneapolis on the banks of the upper Mississippi River, it is a modern urban hub that traces its origin to farming. Today, it is recognized for its colleges and expansive parks and nature areas.
- Woodbury: Located eight miles east of St. Paul near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, Woodbury is a major center of the healthcare and retail industries. It is also celebrated for its extensive and carefully planned parkland and trail systems.
- Lakeville: Located twenty miles due south of downtown Minneapolis is a key outer suburb of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The city emerged as an agriculture and light industry hub and has grown into a major center of manufacturing, healthcare, and food services.
- Plymouth: A key suburb in the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metropolitan Area and located 10 miles west of downtown Minneapolis. Plymouth boasts an extensive urban park system and several landmarks such as the Plymouth Old Town Hall.
- Blaine is a northern Twin Cities suburb originally established as a hunting and farming area. Located 12 miles due north of downtown Minneapolis, today it is a bustling city known for its extensive park and trail system and as the home to the National Sports Center, the world’s largest amateur sports facility.
WISCONSIN
- Milwaukee: Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan 80 miles north of Chicago, this is Wisconsin’s most populous city with more than a half million inhabitants. Built on the confluence of the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers, the city is known for its historic industrial base and beer brewing roots. Milwaukee is home to several architectural landmarks, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, the North Point Lighthouse, and the Basilica of Saint Josaphat.
- Madison: Located 75 miles to the west of downtown Milwaukee is the capital of the state of Wisconsin. The state’s second most populous city with approximately 300,000 residents, Madison is a major university center anchored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is renowned for its architecture, which was heavily influenced by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who lived in the area. Sights include the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, the Wisconsin State Capitol, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unitarian Meeting House.
- Racine: Located on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, Racine was established as a small port and trading center. Today, Racine is a major industrial and innovation center that serves as the global headquarters to several major corporations.
Microsoft Flight Simulator City Update 15: United States Midwest is available today FREE to all owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Ensure that you have the latest simulator version installed, download City Update 15, and explore the mesmerizing sights of these beautiful locations in America’s Heartland! The sky is calling!
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