Midwest

Things to Do in Middleton, WI

Middleton, Wisconsin is known as the ‘The Good Neighbor City.’ It’s a small and inviting town with a strong cultural heritage.

Weekend Getaways from Chicago

Best weekend trips near Chicago, including family resorts, romantic vacations, relaxing spas and country getaways for couples.

Best Beaches in Ohio

Ohio has no access to the ocean, but it is one of the eight states with access to the Great Lakes and it has more than 300 miles of shoreline on Lake Erie. Here are my favorites.

Iowa Weekend Getaways

Iowa is home to beautiful scenery, a diverse choice of outdoor activities and unique attractions such as the Crystal Lake Cave and West Lake Okoboj.

Romantic Weekend Getaways in Ohio

Ohio vacations include secluded country weekend getaways, luxury resorts, and fun things to do in a nearby city, with driving times from Columbus.

Weekend Getaways in Michigan

I’ve found something magical here in Michigan in every season.

Places to Visit in Kansas

Whatever itinerary you choose for exploring Kansas, you can be assured there will be something of interest for everyone.

Midwest Weekend Getaways

The region is known for its rich 19th-century pioneer heritage, which is preserved throughout many historic districts, national heritage sites, and quaint Midwestern town main streets.

Things to Do in Iowa

Iowa has an exciting array of attractions just waiting to be discovered.

Defined by the magnificent Ozark Mountains and the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, Missouri is a Midwestern state with modern metropolitan centers such as Kansas City and charming, touristy towns like Branson.

Things to Do in Nebraska

Nebraska is the state of the prairies, the Great Plains, towering Sandhills dunes and dramatic rock formations in the panhandle.

Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Whether you are looking for outstanding scenery, fabulous food, great family activities or gracious historic architecture, Michigan ticks all the boxes for discerning vacationers.

Weekend Getaways from Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best weekend getaways in MN include romantic inns, hotels, resorts with indoor pools and other weekend trip ideas from MSP.

Ohio fall foliage views with a roadside red barn

Best Places to Visit in Ohio & Things to Do

Ohio is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie in the Great Lakes Region of the USA and offers visitors a wide range of attractions to suit all interests.

Hotels & Resorts in Missouri

The Midwestern state of Missouri packs a punch when it comes to beautiful natural landscapes, rugged mountainscapes, tranquil lakes, and outdoor recreational pursuits.

Places to Visit in Minnesota & Things to Do

From the origin of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca to the unique midwestern charm of the Twin Cities, Minnesota has a diverse and unique landscape as well as a fascinating history that is sure to enthrall visitors.

The sun rises over Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Places to Visit in North Dakota & Things to Do

North Dakota is known for exceptional state parks offering a wide range of outdoor activities. Cities like Fargo and Bismarck boast great museums, dining, entertainment, and culture.

Best Places to Visit in Indiana

Starting in the north on the shores of Lake Michigan you will find the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, home to some wonderful beaches where you can soak up the sun and enjoy miles of hiking and biking trails.

Kenosha Lighthouse View in Kenosha City of Wisconsin

Best Places to Visit in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is home to hundreds of miles of scenic Great Lakes shoreline along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Along with a picturesque mountainous interior that is dotted with dozens of state parks.

Best Places to Visit in Illinois

Illinois has many smaller industrial cities, bountiful natural resources, and intense agricultural productivity, especially in its central region.

Kansas Day Trips

Kansas, the land where buffaloes used to roam through miles of prairie landscape, has something to offer every visitor.

Things to Do in Fish Creek, Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, produce is everything. While Wisconsin is known for its dairy production, Door County, where Fish Creek is located, also produces a ton of cherries and white fish for the neighboring area.

Romantic Weekend Getaways in Illinois

Plan a weekend trip to one of these beautiful inns to relax with spa treatments, great food and wine tasting.

Places to Visit in Iowa

Iowa has more to offer than many visitors might think, from unique beach towns filled with waterside amusement parks to towns with a deep history and inspired by a rich Dutch heritage.

Best Places to Visit in Idaho & Things to Do

Idaho is the land of agriculture, fun outdoor activities, charming small towns, and history linked to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Oregon Trail pioneers.

Great Midwest Destinations

The Midwest felt like home, even when it wasn’t mine. It offered small towns with big skies, honest meals, and a kind of welcome that didn’t need explaining. I remember thinking, “This isn’t a place that tries to impress you, but somehow, it does.”

What stayed with me were the gentle mornings over still lakes, roadside antique shops that made me pull over, and long drives through cornfields that turned golden at dusk. I found joy in farmers markets, front porch conversations, and trails that gave me more than just views, they gave me stillness. I left the Midwest reminded that beauty doesn’t always ask to be noticed—it just shows up quietly and stays with you.

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Whether you're drawn to lakeside escapes, national parks, charming small towns, or soulful cities like Chicago or Minneapolis, these guides reflect the Midwest I came to know. It’s a place that grounds you—steadily, softly, and without a rush.

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Let me help you plan your next authentic and truly unique getaway. I've been a travel professional for nearly 30 years. I've been featured on abc6 Morning Show, Best of the Web, USAToday, and many other media outlets, government and educational institutions. Click for more.