Midwest States

What You’ll Experience

Traveling in The Midwest States

You may have heard me mention that I’m a small-town girl. My hometown was and still is only about 10,000 people and I’ve grown to appreciate the small-town charm of the Midwest states. I haven’t lived in a Midwestern town for decades and I’ve lived and traveled in some of the biggest cities in the world, but I still cherish the time I get to spend in the Midwest, and especially my own quaint hometown.

If you enjoy a more rural and slower pace of life, then much of America’s Heartland is for you. Take advantage of the gorgeous beaches and vintage summer cottages along the Great Lakes, or visit national parks like Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio or Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

History and Tradition in the Midwest

Take in an iconic experience at an annual state or county fair. You’ll find deep-fried Twinkies, giant roasted turkey legs, and more hand-held foods than you can eat. Locals of all ages compete for coveted blue ribbons in cooking, agriculture, and livestock competitions. Don’t miss the Midway where carnival games and amusement park rides will surely keep everyone in the group entertained.

If you’re interested in history, did you know that about a third of American Presidents came from Midwest states? Many of them have historical sites or Presidential Libraries at their birthplace. For example, President Dwight D. Eisenhower has a Presidential Library and Museum next to his boyhood home in Abilene, Kansas. All of them are open to the public.

If you’d like to look deeper into the history of the Midwest States, check out Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Nebraska. This site celebrates the discovery of full skeleton fossils dating back over 20,000 years and honors the Lakota Indigenous community that lived in the area more recently as well.

Thousands of Miles of Fresh Water Coastline

At first glance, you might think of the Midwest states as a landlocked region, but look again. Six states; Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin all have coastal areas along the Great Lakes. Minnesota alone is called the ” Land of 10,000 Lakes”. You’ll also find over a thousand miles of coastline at the “Lake of the Ozarks” in Missouri. Add to that the waters of the great Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers, and their tributaries, and you’ll find no shortage of water in the region. This all adds up to great fun with swimming, water sports, boating, fishing, and much more. No salt, no sharks, no worries!

If you happen to be in the Midwest in the off-season you can still enjoy the many lighthouses and walking trails along the lakes and rivers. There’s nothing more mesmerizing than watching a storm blow in over the water.

Food & Music in the Midwest

Are you a foodie? Then visit Kansas City, Missouri, the barbeque capital of the world or make a stop in the “Windy City” of Chicago for their deep-dish pizza and Chicago hot dogs. One of the best meals I ever had was at a local fund-raiser in Iowa. The fresh roasted sweet corn, juicy beefsteak tomatoes, and sweet red watermelon were all picked that day. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. That’s true farm-to-table cuisine.

If you visit the Midwest states in the right season you can even pick your own produce. Everything from apples to zucchini may be available and it’s much less expensive than paying for it already picked. A bonus is that you can sample it while you’re picking. When I was a child my grandmother paid me to pick berries and I’m sure I ate much more than what ended up in the basket. I think she lost money on that arrangement.

If you want a taste of Americana music, book a few days in Branson, Missouri. It’s known for a wide array of live musical performances for young and old, as well as theme parks, dinner cruises, museums, and more. Maybe the sound of the Dave Matthew’s Band or the classic rock and roll of the Beatles is more your style. These legends, plus other inductees are celebrated at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.