Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the American Midwest! This includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and even though I travel all over the world frequently, it’s still the place I call home. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Midwest vacations.
Hate #1: Vast Distances
The Midwest is the breadbasket of America, so there are wide open spaces for miles and miles. The distances between major cities in the Midwest are pretty great. From St. Louis to Chicago, it takes about five hours to drive. From Chicago to the Black Hills of South Dakota, it takes 14 hours to drive. This is true of most of the United States, but in the Midwest, you are driving through a lot of cornfields and wheat fields, which can make the drive seem longer.
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Love #1: Midwest People
The Midwest has some of the friendliest people in the United States. People in the Midwest are genuine and honest; they won’t sugarcoat anything like people in the South, but they aren’t rude like the people of the Northeast. As you travel the Midwest, you’ll be treated really well and there’s little risk of being ripped off, with the exception of a large Midwest city like Chicago.
Hate #2: Midwest Weather
Weather in the Midwest ranges from one extreme to another. Summer temperatures can climb to 100-degrees with high humidity. Along with mosquitos, the heat and humidity can make summers in the Midwest very uncomfortable. Fortunately, the extreme heat is not persistent for more than a few days at a time. Midwest winters are legendary, with temperatures frequently dipping below zero degrees, plus wind, snow, and gray days. The Great Lakes are famous for producing “lake effect” snow which can easily reach a couple of feet deep in one storm.
Love #2: Four Distinct Seasons
While the weather in the Midwest can be extreme, you do have four distinct seasons, which is really nice to experience. Summers are warm with long days, autumn brings colorful leaves changing, with warm days and cool nights. Winter can be magical if you have the right clothing to get outside and enjoy the snow. And spring brings more color with blooming flowers and trees.
Hate #3: Missing Out on Midwest Charm
Unless you know someone locally, chances are you are going to miss out on a lot of the charming small towns that really set the Midwest apart from other regions. It’s easy to visit the big cities like Chicago, St. Louis or Minneapolis, but most visitors wouldn’t know to visit a town like Quincy, Illinois. These quaint little towns are often left out of travel guides, so if you know someone from the Midwest, ask them about some of the lesser-known destinations in the Midwest states.
Love #3: Quaint Small Towns
Besides the great cities of the Midwest, some of the best places to visit in the Midwest are the small towns. My hometown of Quincy, Illinois is the perfect example of a charming town that is off the beaten path. These towns are all over the Midwest and give you a glimpse of what America used to be. Many still have a town square in the center, with local businesses around the square. You won’t find these towns if you travel exclusively by Interstate, so you’ll have to take some two-lane highways that pass through these towns.
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Hate #4: Summer Mosquitos
Most travelers visit the Midwest states in the summer when the weather is pleasant, but that’s also prime mosquito season. Several of the Midwest states claim the state bird is the mosquito. Mosquitos hatch near wet areas in the spring and live through summer, so make sure you are carrying bug spray if you plan to spend any time outdoors in the Midwest during spring and summer.
Love #4: Midwest Food
Food in the Midwest is very hearty, with items like steak, potatoes, fried chicken and apple pie. Fresh farm fruits and vegetables feature heavily on Midwest menus in the summertime, while stews and soups are perfect for cold winter days. When summer arrives in the Midwest, everyone is all about grilling outside, so if you are invited to a Midwest cookout, don’t pass up the opportunity!
Hate #5: Rust Belt Atmosphere
The Midwest used to be the great manufacturing hub of the United States. Detroit is famous as the home of huge car manufacturers and factories, while other regions produce farm equipment, and of course, much farming takes place in the Midwest. As manufacturing moves overseas, a lot of towns are left in a depressed economic situation. Cities like Detroit, Cleveland or Gary, Indiana are a shell of what they once were, and you’ll find some areas that have been completely boarded up and abandoned. Many Midwest cities are making a comeback, but you will notice a difference in some areas.
Love #5: Safety in the Midwest
The Midwest is one of the safest regions of the United States. There are many small towns where people still don’t lock the front door of their home. Obviously, it depends on where you are traveling, as larger cities will always have some neighborhoods to avoid, but in general, Midwest destinations are quite safe.
Overall, the Midwest is a really fantastic place to live or travel, with wide-open spaces, friendly people, history, and comfort food. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason to avoid Midwest travel. Want more tips for planning a US vacation? Check out some of our other blog posts: