9 Reasons You Should Visit the Midwest
By: Nancy Parode, About Travel (About.com)
The more I travel in the Midwest, the more I want to go back. There's something special about this US
region; I'm drawn to the wide-open skies, welcoming smiles and sparkling lakes. I feel comfortable
there, whether I'm in a big city or in farm country.
It's tempting to drive through or fly over the Midwestern US, but skipping the Midwest means that you
are missing out on Chicago pizza, Kansas City barbecue, Omaha steaks and hamburgers and Cincinnati
chili. You're turning away from the Mississippi River, the Land of Lincoln and the birthplace of Judy
Garland, Marlon Brando, Betty White, Benny Goodman and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Intrigued? Here are nine more reasons you should plan a trip to the Midwest.
1. Unique Scenery
While it's true that you'll see plenty of farmland as you travel around the Midwest, you can also enjoy
some of the most beautiful scenery in the US. Visit iconic Mount Rushmore in South Dakota to see a
memorial to four larger-than-life presidents. Drive Minnesota's Great River Road and explore the
headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. Bicycle or drive Missouri's Hermann Wine Trail, about 80
miles west of St. Louis, or cross the Missouri River via a protected bridge and bike the Katy Trail, the
longest rails-to-trails project in the US.
2. Main Streets and Courthouse Squares
Historic charm abounds in the Midwest. You'll find delightful downtowns and imposing courthouse
squares in every state you visit. In Danville, Indiana, you can eat at the Mayberry Café, an Andy Griffith
Show-themed restaurant, and enjoy a summer concert on the square. Holland, Michigan's awardwinning downtown offers shopping, dining and special events throughout the year. Don't be afraid to
visit during the winter; Holland's downtown streets and sidewalks are heated, so you don't have to
worry about slips or skids.
3. Big City Vibes
Chicago's Miracle Mile. St. Louis' Gateway Arch. Cincinnati's Brewery District. Indianapolis' White River
State Park. Midwestern cities are fascinating and diverse. Each has a unique atmosphere and history.
You'll find shopping, museums, seasonal outdoor dining, cultural attractions, festivals and sporting
events in every large Midwestern city you visit.
4. Outdoor Adventures
Go whitewater rafting in Wisconsin. Explore mountain biking trails in Brown County, Indiana. Hike the
Door Trail in Badlands National Park. Hit the slopes at Michigan's Boyne Highlands or Crystal Mountain.
Tour the Mark Twain Cave near Hannibal, Missouri.
Wherever you travel in the Midwest, you'll find adventures galore, including unusual outdoor activities.
Have you ever thought of ice climbing at a silo in Iowa?
5. Lewis and Clark
The famous exploring duo and their Corps of Discovery traveled the Midwest in search of trade routes
and scientific knowledge. You can follow in their footsteps.
Lewis and Clark began their westward journey in Illinois, explored the Missouri River, built Fort Mandan
in present-day North Dakota, then turned west toward today's Montana, Idaho, Oregon and
Washington. Many of the places they camped and met with local Native Americans have been preserved
as historic landmarks, parks, memorials and trails. Plan a trip to some of these historic sites, or rent an
RV and follow the entire Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. You'll be rewarded with amazing
scenery, historical insights and incredible night skies.
6. The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes shaped much of the history of the six Midwestern states that border them. These
enormous lakes – even Lake Erie, the smallest, is too wide to see across, except under rare
circumstances – serve as fisheries, waterways, drinking water sources and, of course, places to swim,
boat, explore and relax. They are so large that they affect the region's climate, particularly by
contributing to lake effect snow. Whether you visit a big city, such as Chicago, or go on a shipwreck tour
in Lake Huron's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, you'll see the Great Lakes' impact on people
and the local environment.
7. Delicious Food
Move over, New York and L. A. Midwestern chefs are making their mark on the US foodie scene. Cities
such as Des Moines, Cleveland and Sioux Falls are becoming dining destinations.
Don't rule out smaller Midwestern towns, either. In tiny Plattsmouth, Nebraska, for example, you can
enjoy delicious Thai cuisine and authentic German food at Sisters Café. One sister learned to cook in
Thailand at her mother's knee, while the other worked as a cook and baker in Germany for 20 years. The
most expensive item on the menu costs less than $15. North Salem, Indiana, is even smaller, but it's
home to Perillo's Pizzeria, a family-owned restaurant that serves up some of the best Sicilian-style food
in Indiana.
8. Friendly People
Midwestern hospitality isn't just a phrase; it's a way of life. Wherever you travel in the Midwest, you'll
be greeted with a friendly smile. Don't be surprised when people go out of their way to help you. It's just
how things work in the nation's heartland.
9. Good Value
In general, Midwestern hotels, restaurants and attractions are quite affordable. Big cities, such as
Chicago and Milwaukee, are more expensive, but you can save money when you visit these cities by
planning weekend trips, when business travelers leave town, or by staying in a suburb and taking public
transportation.