The 16 Best Places to Visit in the Midwest in 2024

From Illinois to Wisconsin, the “flyover states” of the Midwest have much more to offer than you’d think at first glance. Discover the best places to visit in the Midwest for cool cities and famous landmarks, great food, gorgeous parks, and charming lakeside towns. 

16 of the Best Places to Visit in the Midwest

The Midwest region of the United States includes Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Visiting the Midwest’s best attractions and cities will give you a new appreciation for this region and all the gems — hidden and in plain sight — that it holds. Let’s take a look at the 16 best places to visit in the Midwest to help you plan a fulfilling trip! 

1. Chicago, Illinois

Vibrant green spaces and waterfront beauty, stunning skyscrapers, and lively gastronomy and theater scenes make Chicago one of our favorite Midwest cities to visit. Its downtown area promises fantastic waterfront views with great places to eat, drink, shop, and browse.

The city sits on the shores of Lake Michigan and the mighty Chicago River runs directly through its heart. The scenic Chicago Riverwalk follows the water. Public transportation is abundant, but you’ll prefer walking the compact downtown area to explore every spot that captures your interest.

The best views can be seen from the 108-story Willis Tower Skydeck in the Loop district, and there are theaters, parks, shops, and restaurants around the tower.

Nearby, the Cloud Gate “bean” sculpture and Tribune Plaza, which transforms into an ice rink in winter and a buzzing hub for outdoor dining in summer, are at the lakefront Millennium Park. 

You’ll be close to the Grant Park fountain and museums, like the Art Institute, around the Loop. Stroll over to the Magnificent Mile if you’re looking for more attractions (Navy Pier and Hancock Observatory are close by), dining, and shopping options with a vibrant nightlife scene. 

Read Next: Where to Stay in Chicago in 2024

2. Minneapolis, Minnesota

On the banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis (along with St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota) is one of the state’s Twin Cities. Known for its outdoor recreation on and off the water, this beautiful city offers plenty of interesting places to spend a few days exploring. 

The bustling Downtown Core boasts 3 sports stadiums where the Vikings, Twins, and Wild play. Start in Nicollet at the contemporary Walker Art Center and walk all the way down to the river, where people are kayaking, fishing, canoeing, and biking by the water when it’s warm. 

Take the enclosed 9.5-mile Minneapolis Skyway to travel above the busy streets with great views of downtown. You’ll find restaurants, shops, and easy access to the tallest buildings (like Crystal Court), stadiums, Orchestra Hall, and more when you take the Skyway. The nearby Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. 

The free Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis Brewery tours, and Como Conservatory are interesting “hidden gems” in the city to explore. History buffs will appreciate the Minnesota History Museum and Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 

You have to enjoy the Juicy Lucy burger at the famed Matt’s Bar on the city’s southern side, while the North Loop area along Washington Avenue has the best nightlife in the city with awesome restaurants to check out for lunch. 

Read Next: Is Minneapolis Safe to Visit in 2024?

3. St. Louis, Missouri

Famous for its Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri is a city with big blues music history packed with interesting museums, restaurants serving iconic local fare, and landmarks along the Mississippi River. 

Take a paddlewheel riverboat tour to putter down the waterway with views of the Gateway Arch or ride the tramway up to the top for soaring views of the city. Head to the Soulard district if you’re looking for great BBQ and blues clubs, or the Grove district for a nice park, casual bars, and nightlife. 

The city is known for unique sandwiches and international food, from Korean to Afghani, at restaurants around the Delmar Boulevard loop downtown, Central West End, or Dogtown. You won’t struggle to find a delectable piece of ooey-gooey butter cake, a sweet tradition around here. 

Live music venues are everywhere in St. Louis, from downtown to midtown, and nightlife is always vibrant on weekend nights. Stroll the relaxing Missouri Botanical Garden to surround yourself with greenery and blooms. 

Hit some of the city’s free museums, like the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, and Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, for affordable things to do. Its children’s museums are lauded as some of the best in the country (City Museum, Magic House, and Science Center). 

Read Next: Is St. Louis Safe to Visit in 2024?

4. Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis sits on the White River as the capital of Indiana, offering an impressive skyline with a vast array of places to eat, drink, shop, and sightsee in its downtown Massachusetts Avenue, known as Mass Ave, district and along the picturesque Canal Walk. 

Mass Ave is where you’ll find the unique shops, great restaurants and bars (including barcades), Murat Theatre, and big venues like Polyphonia for live music and concerts. Visit the Indianapolis Zoo, Indiana State Museum, and NCAA Hall of Champions in White River State Park.  

On the southeastern end of downtown, Virginia Ave is a great street to stroll on your way to Fountain Square with some of the best brunch spots, music venues and small, casual bars, like Milktooth, Commodore in the Fountain Square Theater (try retro duckpin bowling here), or Inferno Room. 

Check out a few art museums, like Eiteljorg, and the buzzing, 94-acre Holliday Park with a seasonal ice rink, nicely manicured gardens, and nature center. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts the Indy 500 every year, is just outside the city. 

Read Next: Is Indianapolis Safe to Visit in 2024?

5. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s lakefront gem is Milwaukee, a city known for its brewery roots, classic museums, and festive atmosphere with a walkable downtown district that’s packed with restaurants, breweries, bars, and neat shops to poke around in. 

This bustling city comes to life with block parties and festivals in the spring and summer. People take to the beaches, biking trails, and hiking trails around Lake Michigan to spend time in nature not far from the buzzing atmosphere of the city. 

Take the Riverwalk to explore the flat downtown area and the wooded areas just north with stunning lake views, passing shops, trendy eateries, Menomonee Valley, and Harbor District along the way.

Check out the Public Museum and its European Village for natural history exhibits and the Public Market nearby for snacks, baked goods, and local bites.  The Discovery World Museum and Milwaukee Art Museum are other classic stops for your city tour. 

Seeing more of the city and its surrounding natural beauty is possible with a free streetcar tour on The Hop, while a cruise down the Milwaukee River takes you out onto Lake Michigan for scenic viewpoints of the city as a whole. 

If you’re big on beer, you’ll enjoy breweries you can tour along the way, like MKE Brewing Co. and Lakefront Brewery, in the Riverwest neighborhood. There’s a free shuttle to take you to all 5 breweries in the district to make an afternoon of it! 

Read Next: Is Milwaukee Safe to Visit in 2024?

6. Lincoln, Nebraska

If you’re an art lover, cycling enthusiast, or just enjoy strolling through beautifully-maintained parks with scenic trails, Lincoln, Nebraska is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest. With a surprisingly-vibrant art scene and local culture, this is a city you’ll delight in exploring. 

As Nebraska’s capital, you’ll find it interesting to tour the domed state Capitol while you’re in Lincoln. Check out some of the great museums in the city, from the University of Nebraska’s Sheldon Museum of Art to the Morril Hall natural history museum, while you’re here. 

There are so many public parks in Lincoln that you won’t be able to explore them all! Pioneer Park in west Lincoln is one of our favorites, Antelope Park features amazing hiking and biking trails, and Wilderness Park is the largest with 30 miles of multi-use trails. 

Visit the lush Sunken Gardens with picturesque lily ponds and outdoor sculptures, a huge variety of art galleries to browse (like Gallery Nine and Noyes Gallery), and look forward to the Downtown First Friday Art Walk to tour new art exhibits on the first Friday of every month. 

Be sure to check out the menagerie of animals and gardens at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, visit the International Quilt Museum, and spend a couple of hours at the Lincoln Haymarket downtown for a walking tour as you pass restaurants, bars, bookstores, and art galleries. 

7. Wichita, Kansas

Wichita has an incredibly rich and diverse culture, bringing together unlikely Asian cuisine, cool “Easter eggs” around town, Chinese gardens, and a buzzing brewery and culinary scene that makes it an awesome place to visit in the Midwest. 

Explore Kansas as it once was at the Old Cowtown Museum and Exploration Place, where you’ll see 19th-century relics and exhibits with guides in period dress. See a T-rex and mummies at the Museum of World Treasures, then dive into retro video games at The Arcade downtown with everything from Pac-Man to Donkey Kong. 

Fast-forward to modern times to take part in the strong brewery scene, many of which can be easily toured with a free trolley running from Douglas Avenue to spots like River City Brewing Company and Bricktown Brewery.

Wichita’s secret is a thriving Vietnamese cuisine scene — pho, stir fries, and boba tea spots are all over the downtown district, like Pho KC and Mi No Bakery. For American fare, hit up Norton’s, NuWay for burgers, or Scotch and Sirloin for an upscale steakhouse dinner. 

Beauty surrounds you at Botanica Wichita, with meadows of flowers and a Chinese zen garden to explore, while the Sedgwick County Zoo is ranked as one of the best in the U.S. 

See the Kansas prairie by walking Chisholm Creek Park trails, or wander by the river to the Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot tall sculpture of an Indian chief. Look for the ugly Wichita Troll “Easter egg” peering up at you from a storm grate past the WeStar power building.

8. Mitchell, South Dakota

Home of quirky landmarks like the Corn Palace and natural beauty surrounding Lake Mitchell, Mitchell, SD is a cool spot for a quick trip when you’re driving through the Midwest. You’ll find spots to hike, museums and historic villages to wander, and great spots to eat in town. 

The Corn Palace is what Mitchell is known for, and it’s exactly what you’re picturing: A palatial building in town, covered in corn kernels and husks built to honor the state’s deep agricultural roots growing this starchy-sweet vegetable. 

Check out the Dakota Discovery Museum, which offers an educational way to spend an afternoon, and stroll the Prehistoric Indian Village (the state’s only public archaeological site) to learn about native life before the town was settled.

Outdoorsy types will love heading to Cabela’s to shop and see the animal displays (almost like a museum). Head to Lake Mitchell, just outside of town, to go fishing, kayaking, canoeing, biking, or just relax by the water. 

If you’re into camping, there are a range of campgrounds around Lake Mitchell that offer experiences from cushy RV sites with hookups and amenities to primitive camping by the water or in the woods for a more rugged adventure. 

9. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Situated in the Great Lakes’ Lake Huron, Mackinac Island, Michigan is a tranquil, green island to visit anytime of year with beautiful park trails, beaches, fun lakeside shops and restaurants, and an old-fashioned feel that’s perfect for a little R&R on the weekend. 

Victorian architecture jumps out at you from every direction on the island, from stately residences to luxury hotels, like the Grand Hotel overlooking the lake. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through town to admire the architecture and feel like you’ve been transported in time. 

Stroll the School House flower gardens and butterfly house, ride a rented bike through the island to see the different neighborhoods and coastal trails, and visit Mackinac Island State Park, where the city’s historic downtown and Fort Mackinac can be explored.

When you get hungry, you’ll be happy to stop by any of the old-fashioned fudge shops (free samples galore), fine waterfront restaurants serving seafood, and grabbing drinks at the laid-back bars and cocktail lounges. 

Try a sunrise kayak tour from Great Turtle Kayak Tours behind Horse Corral Mall, head to Sunset Rock to watch the sunset, and tour the Mission Point tower and play glow-in-the-dark mini golf at the same place. During the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing around the island is popular. 

You’ll take a ferry to get to the island or charter a quick flight for your serene visit.

Read Next: The Best & Worst Times to Visit Mackinac Island

10. Door County, Wisconsin

Need a getaway somewhere rich in natural beauty with secluded shores, rugged cliffs, and ample opportunities to imbibe in local spirits? Head to Door County, Wisconsin for a serene take on a lake vacation with lots of parks to visit and hidden gems to explore. 

Peninsula State Park is the most well-known attraction in the area, and it’s home to the stunning Nicolet Beach on Green Bay. You can spend an entire day exploring the park’s beauty and trails. Check out the Crossroads at Big Creek for hiking, skiing, and a nature center. 

Part of Lake Michigan is accessible from Cave Point County Park with its underwater caves, cliffs, and hiking trails or Newport State Park in Bailey’s Harbor (along with Cana Island and its lighthouse) for a wilder glimpse of the woodlands here. 

There’s a nice, curvy scenic drive along Highway 42 on the way to Northport, while beaches at Lakeside Park, Sunset Park, and Egg Harbor are excellent spots to pack a picnic and enjoy great views over the lakes and bays. Take a Washington Island boat tour! 

Wisconsin supper clubs are popular spots to eat like a local with dim lighting and great Old Fashioned cocktails, including Hügel Haus in Ellison Bay and Log Den in Egg Harbor. You’ll find lots of wineries and distilleries around to sip your way across the county.

Read Next: The Best Time to Visit Door County, WI in 2024

11. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Badlands National Park is a rugged, scenic expanse in South Dakota where you’ll find dense forests, deserts, canyons, mountains, rivers, and prairie lands making the landscape immensely diverse and just perfect for an adventurous trip to the Midwest. 

Rock formations in colored layers and tower-like spires, raging rivers that have carved huge gorges over millennia, and wild herds of bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and bison are sights you’ll feel privileged to witness in Badlands National Park. 

The Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your trip with maps and information about the area and its history. From there, take small, easy trails close by to Cliff Shelf Trail, Window Trail, or Door Trail to get to know the lay of the land. 

You can drive along the Badlands Loop Road to make your way to a series of stunning overlook points throughout the park, then follow the Fossil Exhibit Trail to discover animals and plants that once populated the park eons ago.

Ride trails on horseback (set it up outside the park, then ride in), walk, or take a scenic helicopter tour over the park for incredible views of the unique landscapes here — truly breathtaking. On clear nights, you can see the band of our Milky Way galaxy in the skies above you. 

Read Next: The Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park in 2024

12. Madison, Wisconsin

Delightfully green and gloriously wooded, Madison, Wisconsin isn’t just the state’s capital. It’s also one of the most interesting cities to visit in the Midwest as a college town (University of Wisconsin–Madison) with lush parks and scenic trails, buzzing bars, historic neighborhoods, and more. 

A weekend starts with a trip to the farmer’s market on the square, where you can find tasty pastries and breakfast foods before heading to the domed Wisconsin State Capitol for a tour. The Veteran’s Museum is worth a visit nearby. 

Stroll down State Street toward the university, where you’ll pass the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) and Chazen Museum on your way to check out the university’s well-manicured grounds and a reading room open to the public (State Historical Society). 

Bascom Hill is next on your stroll, and it’s beautiful to walk down the Lakeshore Path there or out to Picnic Point. Scenic Observatory Hill provides stunning views over the lake and city. End at Memorial Union Terrace for dinner and beer at the Terrace Brat Stand.

Head out to the square for wood-fired pizza, pub-style fare, and international eats, or make your way to King Street back at the Capitol for a varied stretch of bars and drinking spots that are always hopping on weekend nights. 

13. Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri is often described as being the Vegas of the Ozarks, with its bustling central Strip, ample attractions, parks, and adventurous thrills for visitors, and great mountain views of the Ozark range surrounding this town with an old-fashioned feel. 

If you’re traveling with kids, visit Silver Dollar City theme park on the Strip, which envelopes you in the 19th century with rides, the White Water water park, music, costumed performers, the natural Marvel Cave, and more. Dixie Stampede, a dinner show, is also on the Strip. 

After checking out the museums, like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum and the Hollywood Wax Museum to see lifelike representations of your favorite stars in wax, you can grab a filling lunch or dinner at Farmhouse Restaurant or Black Oak Grill. 

Get out of the downtown district to explore Branson’s natural side, with three scenic lakes nearby: Table Rock Lake and Dam (tour the dam), Taneycomo Lake, and Bull Shoals. Each one is great for renting boats or jet skis, swimming, waterskiing, fishing, and more. 

Check out the historic outdoor play and activities at Shepherd of the Hills, where you can zip line through the canopy from Inspiration Tower after hearing about Branson’s history. Play mini-golf or ride go-karts, check out the Promised Land drive-through zoo, or take in a dinner show on Country 76 Boulevard. 

Read Next: The Best Time to Visit Branson, MO in 2024

14. Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City is one of Michigan’s most vibrant cities, offering all kinds of wineries, breweries, and distilleries to tour, unique restaurants and shops, and gorgeous lakefront views and boardwalks over dunes bordering Lake Michigan. 

Craft breweries, like the Filling Station and Right Brain Brewery, are great places to sample tasty beers and meet locals. You’ll find pubs, distilleries, and bars downtown. Take the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail, sample hard cider, and enjoy cocktails at waterfront dives. 

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons was once a hospital, but now stands as a shopping and dining hub with its own arboretum — perfect for a late morning visit for brunch. Head to Clinch Park for the nice beach (lifeguarded) on West Grand Traverse Bay downtown. 

Check out the Cheese Lady on Front Street for stinky varieties of cheese to refine your palate. Reflect Bistro in Cambria Hotel serves upscale dishes, Funistrada is an awesome Italian joint on Glen Lake, and Art’s Tavern has great burgers and beer on tap. 

Don’t leave without a day spent at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you can walk along the boardwalk, bike trails, lounge and play on sandy beaches, and try the Dune Climb or take a guided tour. 

15. Black Hills, South Dakota

If you’re heading to the Badlands National Park, the Black Hills of South Dakota is a quick drive (under 2 hours) away and more than worthy of a 1-2 trip. Some of the state’s most famous landmarks, monuments, and natural areas are here in the Black Hills. 

Black Hills is the name for a mountain range that rises up out of the prairie with craggy peaks and canyons, abundant wildlife, and stunning views of the diverse terrain and Black Hills National Forest all around. 

This is where you’ll find the past presidents carved into the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the stunning 564-foot tall Crazy Horse memorial, and the renowned Custer State Park, South Dakota’s largest and oldest park.

The Black Hills National Forest lies partially in South Dakota (part in Wyoming) with cool landscapes to explore, from Spearfish Canyon and Black Elk Peak to the haunting Cathedral Spires and Roughlock Falls.

Drive the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway to glimpse elk and bighorn sheep grazing in the mountains with Mount Rushmore visible in the distance. Needles Highway goes to Hill City and passes through tunnels and cool, needle-like rock formations along the way. 

Check out the Crazy Horse Memorial, just about 30 minutes southwest of Mount Rushmore, to see the 560+ foot tall carving of a Lakota warrior by the same name. 

16. Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is one of Ohio’s coolest cities and it makes the list of the best places to visit in the Midwest for all its museums and centers, bustling culinary and shopping districts, sports stadiums downtown, and thriving arts scene. 

Head to Playhouse Squarer the Cleveland Orchestra to catch a performance, the Gordon Arts district for museums, theaters, and galleries in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, and check out the aquarium in the Flats district on the Cuyahoga River’s western bank. 

The Browns and Guardians teams play in stadiums downtown during football and baseball season, so watch a game if you’re up to it. The sprawling West End Market is fun to wander for goods, food, and drinks! 

Spending a day out in the city presents you with tons of options for attractions, like the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Great Lakes Science Center for a fun and educational outing.

You’ll appreciate the wide variety of cuisines offered in Cleveland’s diverse range of trendy to classic eateries, including international fare like pierogis and Ethiopian dishes to vegan mains and Asian cuisine. 

Read Next: Is Cleveland, Ohio Safe to Visit in 2024?

Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting the Midwest is always a treat when you know the best places to check out on your trip. Here are the most frequently asked questions and their answers to help you learn more before you start planning your getaway! 

So, What Is the Best Place to Visit in the Midwest?

From the Windy City to Cleveland, the Midwest is much than a flyover region — it’s the beating heart of the United States with so many great places to visit for outdoor recreation, historic landmarks, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. 

While there’s not really a single best place to visit in the Midwest, you’ll find that touring some of the region’s most populous cities, state capitals, and gorgeous natural areas will expose you to a range of experiences from coastal relaxation to urban adventures on bustling streets. 

With an awesome array of cuisines from around the world, breweries, wineries, and distilleries, and abundant museums, galleries, and iconic landmarks to check off your list, you’ll discover so much on your trip to the Midwest and see that it’s far from boring.