11 of the best places to visit in the USA’s Midwest

Filled with dynamic cities, charming small towns and some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, the Midwestern United States sometimes doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Yet in America’s expansive middle, cultural attractions, fabulous food, outdoor adventures and activities that will delight families all await.

Here are 12 fantastic Midwest destinations you might want to consider for your next all-American getaway.

1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Best place for live music

Are you ready to rock? Multifaceted Milwaukee is home to the world’s largest outdoor music festival. In this lively city, visitors will also find 88Nine Radio Milwaukee live studio sessions, a notable club scene and the historic Pabst and Riverside Theaters.

Summerfest comes to town for 2 weeks each June and July, attracting 800,000 attendees. On more than a dozen stages, 800 performers and big-name headliners perform, running the gamut of genres.

Music in a different key – the throaty roar of Harley-Davidson motorcycles – is an iconic part of Milwaukee’s cultural soundtrack. Catch live musical performances during the Bike Nights summer concert series at the Harley-Davidson Museum.

2. Traverse City, Michigan

Best place for sweet delights

Traverse City’s signature crop, sweet and tart cherries pop up at farm stands across “Up North” through late summer. You can also find then in Traverse City Whiskey Co. cocktails, sweet slices from Grand Traverse Pie Company, and sweet and savory Cherry Republic products all year.

Acres of idyllic wineries and orchards dot the rolling hills of the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. They pair perfectly with the gorgeous vistas of Lake Michigan from nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

While summer is high season, the region also boasts enviable skiing terrain, fat-tire bike trails and snowmobile routes, making it a great option for a winter getaway.

3. Wichita, Kansas

Best place for aviation geeks

Wichita boasts a proud heritage of aviation. Factories in this Kansas city produce 35 percent of the world’s general aircraft; it’s also home to one of just two known airworthy B-29s left in the world. The Kansas Aviation Museum educates and entertains with B-47 and B-52 jet bombers on display, flight simulators and interactive exhibits. The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum offers a deep dive into the lives of local flight innovators.

Make a detour to nearby Benton for sustenance at Stearman Airfield Field Bar & Grill and enjoy Southern-style fare while private planes take off and land on a runway just 20 yards away.

4. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Best place for families with kids

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Indiana’s second city brims with year-round family fun. Housed in the historic former City Light and Power Plant, STEM-based Science Central features more than 200 interactive displays and touring exhibits for visitors of all ages to get their hands on.

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo wows with exotic animals spottable in recreated African, Indonesian rainforest and Australian habitats. Meanwhile, the expansive Promenade Park on the downtown riverfront boasts water activities, a tree canopy trail and an amphitheater for outdoor shows.

After researching your family tree at the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center, feast along the Fall Apple Trail (this is Johnny Appleseed territory, after all). Or treat yourself to gourmet truffles, caramels and creams at DeBrand Fine Chocolates any time of the year.

5. Iowa City, Iowa

Best place for literary types

Bookworms, writers and literary types gravitate to Iowa’s first state capital, which was awarded a UNESCO City of Literature designation in 2008. The University of Iowa (go Hawkeyes!) has hosted the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop residency program for over 80 years; its award-winning alumni include Flannery O’Connor, John Irving and Junot Díaz.

You might spy the resulting tomes on the shelves at Prairie Lights Bookstore, famous for its author appearances, in-store readings and expansive inventory. Read about 49 different Iowa-connected writers with a leisurely self-guided tour of the ground-level bronze panels that compose the downtown Literary Walk.

6. Casey, Illinois

Best place for really big things

Halfway between Indianapolis and St Louis, this tiny town makes a big impression on road trippers. For anyone who pulls off I-70 will find a delightful number of Guinness-certified “World’s Largest” items: wind chimes, a rocking chair, a (working) mailbox, knitting needles, wooden shoes, a pitchfork and a golf tee. Along with many other supersize objects – including a pencil, yardstick, spinning top and ear of corn – Casey serves up a fantastic free-to-visit collection of photo ops. A local business owner devised the promotion to encourage visitors to pull off the highway and explore the town. Mission accomplished.

7. Kansas City, Missouri

Best place for museums

Visitors will find much more than glorious fountains in Kansas City. This dynamic all-American city has emerged in recent years as a cultural powerhouse, with a thrilling food scene and museums that showcase art and history.

The grande dame of KC museums, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art displays a comprehensive collection spanning over 34,000 pieces and 5000 years. Its holdings in Chinese art are particularly rich.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is a moving repository for personal objects, documents and stories of the brave American soldiers who fought in this global conflict. The Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum honors the life and legacy of the only American president to hail from Missouri.

Sports fans should visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, where meaningful multimedia exhibits portray the African American baseball experience throughout the league’s lifespan, from the Civil War era through 1960.

8. Rapid City, South Dakota

Best place for US history

Rapid City is a launching pad for adventure both within its limits and beyond them. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, two historic memorials, are less than an hour’s drive away. The Badlands National Park is also only a 60-minute drive.

But you don’t need to gaze up at Mount Rushmore to admire statesmen here: in the “City of Presidents,” 43 life-size bronze statues of past US presidents are displayed in the walkable downtown area. No visit is complete without a walk down Art Alley, an ever-changing lane filled with graffiti representing creative expression and freedom of speech.

Custer State Park, South Dakota’s largest, is also only a 30-minute drive away. Known for its scenic drives is a wildlife wonderland – up to 1400 bison roam freely here, so watch for the stoic creatures as you pass through. During Indigenous People’s Day in the fall, you can glimpse one of the nation's most significant cultural celebrations, the Black Hills Pow Wow.

9. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Best place for splashing around

Called the “Water Park Capital of the World,” Wisconsin Dells offers fun and adventure for kids and the young at heart. Visit Noah’s Ark, the largest outdoor water park in the US, or the entirely indoor Kalahari Resorts and Convention when the weather takes a turn. For those who want the best of both worlds, the Wilderness Resort has a winning indoor-outdoor combination.

Once you’ve dried off, you can sail through the air and see things from above at Bigfoot Ziplining, or take to the water on a tour in an Original Wisconsin Ducks amphibious craft. Less than a 30-minute drive outside town is Devil’s Lake State Park, with 29 miles of hiking and 6 miles of off-road biking trails.

After all that adventure, book a relaxed sunset cruise with Dells Boat Tours, or check into Sundara Spa, a top-rated adults-only retreat that offers day passes. For maximum zen, don’t skip the purifying bath ritual.

10. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Best place for getting away

No cars? No problem. Mackinac Island is only accessible by ferry or plane, and vehicles are not allowed on the island itself. To get around, visitors can take a horse-drawn carriage, rent a bike from Mackinac Island Bike Shop, walk or go on horseback.

Nature enthusiasts will love Mackinac Island State Park, which covers 80% of the island; the view of Lake Huron from Arch Rock is just gorgeous. After all that exploration on foot, visit one of the island's famous fudge shops to refuel: Joann’s Fudge has been churning out the sweet stuff since 1969.

11. North Shore, Minnesota

Best place for fall colors

If you want to see the landscape ignite from mid-to-late September, head a few hours north of the Twin Cities to the North Shore, the stretch of Lake Superior Duluth and Grand Portage. As the season progresses, check the DNR’s Fall Color Finder for the best time to visit this region – then plan a hike along the Superior Hiking Trail, with over 300 miles of footpaths and 50 trailheads. The 2.3-mile Oberg Mountain and 6.6-mile Bean and Bear Loop are two of the most popular hikes in the area.

Those on a budget can camp along one of 94 backcountry campsites – make a reservation at one of the seven state parks along that stretch. If you’d prefer a little more luxury after a day’s hiking, check out the lakefront properties Grand Superior Lodge, Bluefin Bay or Chateau LeVeaux.