8 Totally Underrated Cities in the Midwest You Need to Visit
Growing up in the Midwest, you hear a plethora of stereotypes and jokes about there being nothing but cornfields, everyone’s so nice, and who would willingly live through these frigid winters. But the 12 states that constitute Middle America have more culture and more to offer than many coastal dwellers give them credit for. Even people from hours away in suburban Illinois say they’re from Chicago because that’s largely the only point of reference anyone has to “flyover country.”
From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to national parks aplenty, enjoy music, the arts, and foodie finds in these surprising sleeper cities that are great for a weekend getaway or road trip. Easily accessible and destinations that won’t break the bank, find your next adventure in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Minnesota, or Missouri. We promise there’s more to see and do than meets the eye throughout these weekend getaways in the Midwest, but if you don’t believe us, we’re also happy to keep the secret to ourselves.
Cleveland, Ohio
Jokingly calling themselves “the mistake on the lake,” Cleveland is one of those ironic, hipster millennial cities that doesn’t take themselves too seriously and has a little bit of everything. Sitting right on Lake Erie, you can spend the day at Edgewater Beach and Park, surf Lake Erie, and take in the skyline views. Downtown is home to a free art museum, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and arguably the prettiest grocery store ever (Heinen’s inside the Cleveland Trust Rotunda). While the city is packed with places to see, make sure you carve out time for a quick trip (just 20 miles outside of the city) to Cuyahoga Valley, which boasts 100 waterfalls and is one of the last remaining free national parks.
Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska set itself up for some jokes when they chose the slogan, “not for everybody,” but Omaha is the cool kid amongst Cornhusker country. What used to be stockyards is now an up-and-coming metropolis. With a thriving live music scene, the old market passageways, and a beautiful riverfront, Omaha’s downtown is walkable and picturesque. Home to one of the best zoos in the world, Henry Doorly has the world’s largest indoor desert, but if you’re looking to spend some time outdoors, you can actually walk between two states. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge takes visitors “bobbing” over the Missouri River into Iowa, where you can snap a selfie with OMAR the Troll. Plus, they gave us Omaha Steaks, and who can complain about that?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Like Cleveland, Milwaukee is about as coastal as the Midwest gets, with beautiful Lake Michigan beaches lining the city (spoiler: it still feels like an ocean because you can’t see the other side). But Milwaukee is best known as the country’s beer capital, with their namesake baseball team, the Brewers. Beer practically spills out of the city’s history as it was essentially built by the Pabst family, with the Pabst Mansion and Pabst Theatre major landmarks you can tour. The city also hosts the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest, right in the heart of downtown, which runs for two weeks in the warmer months and is a great time to visit. You can also take the two-hour drive to Green Bay to catch a Packer’s game or paint with penguins or head up the peninsula for a lakeside escape to Door County.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is another must for beer lovers as the city has a designated and very bikeable “Ale Trail” with over 80 stops. In fact, Grand Rapids is a great place to drink, no matter what beverage you prefer, with local cideries and distilleries in addition to breweries. The city is a perfect Midwest destination in the summer as you can kayak the city’s length on the river running through it. There’s also plenty to do the rest of the year with fishing, snowshoeing, and skiing, all within the city limits. For the adventurous spirits, John Ball Zoo has a zipline running through the exhibits and a four-story climbing course which is definitely worth checking out, especially if you have kids.
St. Louis, Missouri
The most well-known city beyond Chicago and perfect for a weekend getaway in the Midwest, St. Louis, is another historical gem packed with cosmopolitan appeal. They’ve placed such an emphasis on driving culture that most of the city’s attractions are completely free. Generally speaking, the city is known for baseball, beer, and the massive arch, but it’s also densely packed with arts that really make it a choose your own adventure destination.
Delmar Loop and Cherokee Antique Row are full of shops, restaurants, and art galleries, while The Grove is more known for its entertainment and nightlife. The newly remodeled Union Station boasts a 4D aquarium, Ferris wheel, and challenge course, while City Museum is less like a museum and more like a photogenic, interactive playground, worthy of a trip for adults and kids alike. The Gateway Arch is the tallest arch in the world and one of the country’s newest national parks, which you can go inside on a tram up to the top for incredible (and mildly claustrophobic) views of all of downtown.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis is a city of many nicknames, “city by nature,” “the mini apple,” and “city of lakes,” which all highlight the fact that there’s tons of diversity in their offerings. The Land of 10,000 Lakes promises plenty of watery fun, with 22 of them within city limits. Half the city is best explored via canoe or kayak, and the other half is best experienced on a bike as the city is known as a cyclist paradise. In fact, you’ll never be more than six blocks from a park in Minneapolis, with some of the best being Mississippi River Gorge, Gold Medal Park, and Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden/Bird Sanctuary, but if you’d rather get your cardio at the Mall of America, no judgment here.
Columbus, Ohio
You may know Columbus for its college football dynasty, but the city wants you to know it for its cultural phenoms such as LEGOLAND, Short North Arts District, German Village, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, the only place in America which honors all veterans. With award-winning restaurants and ice cream spots (Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a must), your inner foodie simply has to check out one of the country’s up-and-coming culinary destinations. They’re also home to the first-ever craft beer hotel, where you can wake up in a brewery with personal taps in each room, proving it’s never too early (or late) to catch a buzz.
Traverse City, Michigan
If Michigan is a hand, Traverse City would be right around the pinkie up north. It is right on Lake Michigan and home to the idyllic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the closest thing the Midwest has to mountains. It’s perfect for a girlfriend getaway or couple’s retreat with beautiful lighthouses, trails, and wineries. The 40 vineyards are worth the trip alone as the city is on the 45th Parallel (which is the same as Italy’s Piedmont and France’s Boudreaux), making for some memorable sips and swirls. There are also plenty of spots to bring the whole family, like Coin Slot for the gamer or Darling Botanicals, to create your own terrarium.
If you’re keen on a longer road trip, continue up the coast to Mackinaw City, where you can take the ferry to Mackinac Island, one of the last remaining car-free islands in America.
Where to Stay in Traverse City
Cleveland, Ohio is my favourite!! Millennials not taking themselves to serious is great!
Love the refreshing take on each of these cities! Super fun 🙂
This is a great list. So many people think there’s nothing to do in the Midwest, there definitely is. Thank you for sharing!