Midwestern United States

Geography

The Midwest occupies the northern central part of America. It is located between the Northeastern United States and the Western United States, with Canada to its north and the Southern United States to its south.

This region consists of 12 sates, listed with their capitals:

Minnesota, St. Paul

North Dakota, Bismarck

South Dakota, Pierre

Nebraska, Lincoln

Kansas, Topeka

Iowa, Des Moines

Missouri, Jefferson City

Wisconsin, Madison

Illinois, Springfield

Indiana, Indianapolis

Michigan, Lansing

Ohio, Columbus

The region generally lies on the broad Interior Plain between the states occupying the Appalachian Mountain range and the states occupying the Rocky Mountain range.

The top 5 most populous cities in the Midwestern United States are:

Chicago, Illinois (third largest city in America)

Indianapolis, Indiana

Columbus, Ohio

Detroit, Michigan

Louisville, Kentucky

Climate

The weather in the Midwest varies dramatically from state to state and season to season. Without any oceans in proximity to moderate the changing temperatures, summers in the region can be brutally hot, while winters can be cold. Temperatures in this region can swing 100 or more degrees between winter and summer.

Main attractions

Minnesota

• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – Ely

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Camping

More than 1,000 lakes- ranging from 10 to 10,000 acres each – are scattered through the piney wood along the Minnesota – Ontario border. On the Minnesota side lie a stunning 1 million protected acres of land known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the largest American wilderness preserve east of the Rockies.

Michigan

• Mackinac Island – a Victorian relic in the Great Lakes

The golden Victorian era is preserved on Mackinac Island, with horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping down vehicle-free streets and pedestrians stopping in ice cream parlors and cafés. It can seem a bit touristy, but Mackinac is also overwhelmingly charming. Hike up to Fort Mackinac or wander the other 80 percent of the island that is protected as a state park.

Missouri

• Kansas City BBQ and Jazz – A culinary and musical mecca

In Kansas City, barbeque is king – its millions of fans have included native sons like jazz legends Charlie Parker and Count Basie. Queue up at any of the 100+ joints in town for short ribs and “brownies” – crispy, covered scraps of beef brisket, smothered in sauce. Unlike other BBQ meccas, Kansas City prides itself on its anything-goes attitude. You can try pork, beef, mutton, sausage, and chicken with a variety of sauces composed of tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, honey, molasses, mustard, and garlic.

Kansas

• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve – Strong City

Experience the almost extinct tallgrass prairie. Currently, only 4% of the original 170-million acres of tallgrass prairies remain in America. If you have never seen a tallgrass prairie, you will love the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Ohio

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum – Cleveland rocks!

The glass pyramid of the museum echoes the one in Louvre, Paris. It’s an ideal home for the heritage of rock and it guarantees a pretty fun afternoon at the museum! Exhibits are interactive, there is lots of sound and videos. The permanent collection includes instruments and costumes of famous rock stars.

Illinois

• Chicago

Chicago is an exemplary American city, its towering skyline on Lake Michigan a testament to its strong roots and rampant optimism. The “City of Big Shoulders” has a reputation of a dining hotbed, a world-class center for art and a showcase for jazz and blues. This city has a multitude of attractions:

o Art Institute of Chicago is famed for its collection of French Impressionists and Post-Impressionist paintings. Here you can see the famous painting by Grant Wood – “American Gothic”.

o Chicago Architecture Tour – a showcase of the 20th-century architecture. Visit the Skydeck of the Willis Tower and take in the sights from the new glass-floored floating 1,353 feet in the air.

o Museum of Science and Industry showcases an authentic WWII German submarine and lets you experience the simulated 40-foot tornado.

o Millennium Park to see the iconic “Bean” -officially titled Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor.

o Check out Chicago’s comedy scene at the Mainstage or the Second City theaters.

o Watch a game at the Wrigley Field, the second oldest ballpark in the majors.

o Stroll down the Magnificent Mile – 14-block stretch of North Michigan avenue famous for its architectural landmarks, high-end shopping, and luxurious hotels.

o Attend Chicago Blues Festival, held every June.

• The Lincoln Trail – Springfield

The Lincoln Trail is the unofficially designated 1,000-mile string of sites that mark Abraham Lincoln’s route from his Kentucky birthplace through Indiana to Springfield, Illinois where the 28-year-old politician moved in 1837 as a freshly minted lawyer. You should check out the Old State Capitol and his family home where Abraham and Marry Todd Lincoln raised their three children.

Indiana

• Shipshewana – the heart of America’s third-largest Amish community

Horse-drawn buggies start arriving before daybreak at the weekly Miscellaneous & Antique Auction in Shipshewana, a time-locked town. Amish Acres, in Nappanee (south of Shipshewana), features tours of a restored Amish farm and homestead made up of 18 structures from the 19th century.

Iowa

• Iowa State Fair – Des Moines

The Iowa State Fair is a classic, it inspired a Broadway musical and tree movie. For 11 days in August, more than a million people enjoy all the signatures of the modern state fair: rides, desserts, including deep-fried Oreos and big-name entertainers.

Nebraska

• Indian Cave State Park

A must see prehistoric Native American petroglyphs of unknown date and origin can be viewed from boardwalk extending the length of the cave wall. Spend a night or two camping in the park and discover the 22 miles of hike/bike trails, as well as 16 miles of equestrian trails trying to spot wild animals such as deer, turkey, woodchuck, beaver, raccoon, and many species of birds, such as barred owls and whippoorwills.

South Dakota

• Badlands National Park – Nature’s High Drama

This area once rested under the inland sea and later was a lush forest, and rich fossilized remains from both eras now lie beneath the surface. Above the ground, you can see the “bones of the Badlands”, 244,000 acres is a weirdly sparse, yet spectacular landscape. You can explore this park by foot using a quarter mile loop or if you are an extreme hiker a 10-mile Castle Trail. Or travel by car on the Badlands Loop.

• The Black Hills – Sacred land of heroes: Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse

Conceived in 1924 by Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the monument at Mount Rushmore was to be a “Shrine of Democracy”. The monument was an insult to native peoples, the Sioux. In 1939, they invited a sculptor to carve the image of their own hero, Crazy Horse, into a Black Hills mountain 17 miles southwest of Rushmore. Unfortunately, sculptor’s death has delayed the completion of this monument.

• Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

For people who like choppers, hogs and all forms of motorbikes, there’s no place like Sturgis, a small town with a population under 7 thousand people, that annually hosts the biggest motorcycle rally in America, every August.

North Dakota

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Springtime is one of the most colorful seasons to visit the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. All of the flowers are in bloom and the grasses are a vibrant green. That, combined with gorgeous skies, the barren hills really pop their colors. Enjoy the backcountry camping, hiking and fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Wisconsin

• Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Ice Age Trail is a 1,000-mile footpath contained entirely within the state of Wisconsin. Ancient glaciers carved the path through rocky terrain, open prairies, and peaceful forests. Now, day hikers, backpackers, and outdoor lovers of all ages rely on the Ice Age Trail for a place to unplug, relax, and enjoy nature. It also offers unique retreats specifically designed for women to experience adventure, freedom and a new way to be.

Other Resources

Things you need to know about Midwesterners

If ever you need a specialist of any kind while traveling the Midwest: