Best Vacation Spots in the Midwest
Introduction
Sometimes, you just need a vacation, but you don’t want to plan an entire trip, spend a lot of money, or go too far. What better to do than vacation here, in the midwest? It’s close and convenient, (relatively) inexpensive, and not to mention, beautiful and exciting! So pack your bags; here are the midwest’s top vacation spots.
Michigan
Michigan is home to a plethora of natural beauty and historic places! If you’re looking for history, Detroit is your #1 stop: downtown is packed with nice restaurants and cocktail bars, and it’s also home to the Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Motown Museum. If you’re more into a golf-and-wine type of vacation, Traverse City may be your best destination, or if you want a cute historic tour, rent a bike and cycle around Mackinac Island! Michigan’s lower peninsula also boasts some excellent up-and-coming towns - Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are great places to try out breweries, or to just walk around. Michigan is also number one if you’re interested in sightseeing or swimming; sites like the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula, the Tunnel of Trees in Harbor Springs, and Castle Rock in Saint Ignace are just a few of the most popular natural beauties Michigan has to offer. Plus, with over 3,000 miles of shoreline, there’s no shortage of beaches and hidden little swimming spots! Michigan is also great for hiking, camping, and stargazing… but if it’s not summer, bring your jacket!
Illinois
If you’re more inclined to visit a big city on vacation, Chicago is the midwestern destination for you! This city is the largest in the midwest, and is packed with museums, fine dining, events, tours, and more. Whatever you want to do, Chicago most likely has it - everything from Broadway to aquariums. It’s also known for its architecture and history. And, of course, don’t forget to see the famous Chicago Bean!
Illinois has more than just Chicago, though: it’s also home to Starved Rock State Park and Garden of the Gods (not to be confused with the one in Colorado), which have hiking trails, camping, and boundless natural beauty. The state is also home to the small town of Galena, which boasts some of the most historic architecture in the midwest.
Indiana
Michigan isn’t the only state with beaches– visit Indiana Dunes National Park, featuring sand dunes that reach nearly 200 feet high and accommodate over 50 miles of hiking trails! If you want to go to a city but are intimidated by the size or expense of Chicago, try Indianapolis– it has a multitude of attractions, from the Newfields Art Museum to the Indianapolis Zoo. Indiana is also home to the famed University of Notre Dame, and the historic Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes that sits on its campus.
Ohio
Ohio is home to many excellent museums, the most well-known of which is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland also houses the Cleveland Art Museum, which holds many artifacts, and the Cleveland Natural History Museum, which holds some of the earliest excavated human remains! Downtown Cincinnati is beautiful and lively as well, and boasts such sites as the beautiful and historic Cincinnati Music Hall and Fountain Square. You can also always find arts performances, sporting events, and more in this lively city!
Conclusion
These are only four of the midwestern states, and just a few of the many things to do in each! So, midwesterners, next time you have a long weekend or a few days off, instead of taking an expensive, far-off vacation, or staying home doing nothing, try looking a little closer to home for a good time– you might just find yourself pleasantly surprised!
Sources:
Holland, Kimberly. “15 Midwest Vacation Spots to Visit at Least Once.” Reader’s Digest, 30 May 2022, https://www.rd.com/list/midwest-vacation-spots/.
