Make It To The Midwest: Neglected U.s. Vacation Destinations

In the United States, at least, the general rule of travel pricing is that the closer the destination is to sea level, while still being as far away as possible from any actual ocean, the cheaper that destination will be. This denies the coasts outright, so popular choices like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Atlantic City, and to a certain extent New York can afford to charge sky high prices.

Speaking of high, the sloping whites of the Rockies in towns such as Denver and Aspen are a mile if not more above sea level, so they too can up the prices. And because all rules have exceptions, Las Vegas, Reno, Branson, Washington D.C., and Austin manage to sneak themselves into the cavalcade of cost in spite of their inland and fairly short stature.

Where is one on a budget to go then? Why, the Midwest, of course. Representing twelve rather flat states and over 26% of the nation's total geographical area, the Midwest has long gone neglected by neophyte travelers wooed by the big names and big budgets of destinations mention above. However, the Midwest has a bunch to offer the adventurous, budget-conscious traveler. You'll enjoy savings in everything from flights to car rental to accommodations to dining, while the wide reach of attractions is enough to match anywhere else in the country.

Here we'll take some of the biggest cities in the Midwest and make a case for your future visit. Affordable hotel recommendations will be included at each stop.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is a big corporate travel city with its relatively high per capita presence of major businesses. Corporate travel is good, it focuses the travel profile of a destination towards transportation, dining, shopping, and entertainment that is fast, convenient, and inexpensive. As such, Cincinnati doesn't have a lot of resort thrills, but that won't stop you from having a great time. Here are some of the best things to do in Cincinnati:

Newport on the Levee – Technically in the Cincinnati suburb of Newport, this wildly popular entertainment and lifestyle center proves how in the Midwest they can do upscale without making you pay for it. Built around an expansive shopping district, Newport on the Levee goes on to include sensational restaurants on the river, art galleries, a comedy club, and even the Newport Aquarium. Newport on the Levee is best reached via the Southbank Shuttle.

Cincinnati Zoo – No matter how many times you've been to your local zoo, chances are good that the average Cincinnatian has visited this one more. That's because it's easily one of the nation's best. Not only is it among the largest, but its broad sweeping collections and preservation of several extremely endangered species attract yearly visits from locals and out-of-towners alike.

Chili – There's no better way to truly get the feel for a place than to dive into its food culture. After all, you wouldn't expect to go to Chicago and not get a deep dish pizza or to Philadelphia and not get a cheesesteak sandwich, would you? In Cincinnati, the perennial dish du jour is Chili, but not the way you think. Here, far out spices (like Cocoa Powder?) melt into the rich stew of beef, pork, and sometimes lamb, but it’s the presentation more than the flavor that will throw you. The popular serving in Cincinnati is right on a heaping plate of spaghetti. It's different, but it's worth a taste.

For a great Cincinnati hotel near the Southbank Shuttle, consider Embassy Suites Cincinnati – RiverCenter. Or if you prefer to keep it close with a Cincinnati Airport hotel, the Hilton Cincinnati Airport offers affordable lodging.

Cleveland, Ohio

Sticking to the Buckeye State for the time being, Cleveland defends the eastern edge of the Midwest admirably with world-class museums, festivals, and opportunity for outdoor fun. Here's a glimpse of the favorites:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – The Rock Hall is the most popular Hall of Fame in the world, and its also Cleveland's biggest crowd getter. Located on the shores of Lake Eerie in the quickly reshaping downtown area, the Rock Hall is an outrageous museum dedicated to outrageous personalities, notably those that have shaped rock and roll music (and all music, really) over the last seventy years. It's Cleveland's rendition of the must-see.

Golf – When you hear names like Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Springs, you think golf. Be prepared to add Cleveland to that list. In fact, Cleveland has the second highest ratio of golf courses per capita in the country, and the result is a wealth of top-tier courses offering competitive prices to win your time and money. If you live for the links, Cleveland's dynamic golf culture will not disappoint.

University Circle – With more than fifty museums, performance halls, restaurants, and art galleries, University Circle is a one-stop-shop in fine entertainment. Popular attractions in the circle include The Children's Museum of Cleveland, the Botanical Garden, the Crawford Auto Museum, and especially the Cleveland Playhouse, boasting itself the nation's first professional theatre. If you time it right, you might catch a festival at University Circle's Wade Oval. They occur regularly throughout the year.

For a rewarding choice in hotels near downtown Cleveland, visit the Embassy Suites Cleveland Rockside.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

In Milwaukee, culture is king, and the range of vibrant cultures in this southern Wisconsin city is so vast that they practically hold a festival to celebrate one of them every week (and that's not a joke). Among so many others, Milwaukee is a great place to discover German culture, from the dance to the humor, from the food to the…

…Beer! – Despite undergoing some efforts to expand its image in recent years, Milwaukee will never be able to hide the fact that it’s a brewer's town. And you know what? It shouldn't! Along with excellent brewpubs, offering samples and all-round good times, one of the most popular attractions in Milwaukee is the tour at Miller Brewery. One of the last major breweries in the area and one of only two Miller Breweries to offer tours, the Miller Brewery is as much a landmark in this town as anything else. The tour ends with an enjoyable stop at a tasting pub.

Festivals Aplenty – To visit Milwaukee at a time when there isn't a festival going on would require significantly more work than to perform the opposite feat. The town is so inundated by weekly festival activities that it's even earned the unofficial nickname "The City of Festivals". The biggest of the year is undoubtedly Summerfest, which proudly declares itself "The World's Largest Music Festival". It's a great choice, but you might find you enjoy the personality of one of the ethnic festivals such as German Fest, African World Festival, and Irish Fest a little more.

Wisconsin State Fair – 900 thousand annual visitors have made the Wisconsin State Fair one of the largest of its kind, certainly one of the biggest events on Milwaukee's summer calendar. Expect all the regulars like cooking competitions, arts and crafts, out-of-this-world food oddities, boisterous musical acts, and livestock shows, all with Milwaukee's personable down-home attention.

For hotels in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, consider the Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee / Brookfield.

Detroit, Illinois

Home of loud music and loud cars, the Motor City has a personality all its own, and the entertainment steps up to match it. In fact, with such wildly diverse attractions from enormous outdoor museums, to trendy nightclubs, to casinos, it's a surprise that Detroit has never taken off as the first-class tourist destination it's primed to be. It has kept the prices low, though, so take advantage of it while you can with these exciting options:

The Henry Ford – An unusual name for an unusual attraction. Formally known as the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, this place will blow you away with one unexpected delight after another. A history museum dedicated to the preservation of American artifacts, simply walking its halls will bring you face to face with impacting items like the Rosa Parks bus, Thomas Edison's lab, Abraham Lincoln's chair at the Ford Theatre, and the limousine in which John F. Kennedy was shot. It's important to note that these are not recreations or models. These are the actual objects.

Music – The early soul sound of Detroit is so distinct they named the style after the record company that produced it: Motown Records, and there's still no better place on the planet to hear old-fashioned R&B. But that's just the beginning of a city that has hot music in its veins. Anywhere you turn you can find a club jumping with anything from golden oldies, classic rock, jazz, blues, techno, modern rock, and hip hop. If a night out for you is dinner, drinks, and a dynamite band, Detroit has got you covered.

MGM Grand Detroit – By staying away from Vegas you've saved yourself loads on the room, but that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun at the casino. Located downtown, the MGM Grand Detroit (along with a few other casinos) brings all the glitz and glamour of a Vegas Strip resort without the high prices and the bad traffic. On site you'll find great restaurants, lounges where some of that great music we just discussed is sure to be blaring, and of course rows of slots and table games as far as the eye can see.

For cozy Detroit area hotels, consider the Doubletree Detroit / Novi, MI Hotel.

Chicago, Illinois

Of course, the Windy City isn't really neglected like some of these other destinations, it turns a giant tourist business every year and it has more than enough entertainment to go around, but somehow doing a tribute to the Midwest and not including the Big Daddy feels wrong. So whether or not Chicago really needs someone making its case, here are some of our favorite things to do around town:

Food – A food town if there ever was one, there are a number of things you must plan to have on your plate during the trip. Despite the overwhelming popularity of deep dish pizza worldwide, if you've never had it in Chicago, you've never really had it at all. Truth is, your local pizza joint probably isn't going far enough. Real Chicago deep dish is DEEP, sometimes the wall of crust can reach a full two inches, and they aren't timid with the toppings either - rich tomato sauce, and entire layer of whole sausage (no crumbled little spheres here) and mounds of cheese. Until you take that first sinful bite, you won't believe how much better it can be.

While pizza is certainly the star of the show, you should make time for the Chicago-style hot dogs and also the famous Italian beef. In fact, those two items go very well together, so you might be able to kill two birds with one bite.

Navy Pier – This summery attraction finds its way onto a lot of travel lists, and it deserves to be there. Located on what used to be an actual shipping pier that served the Chicago River, Navy Pier is a part-carnival, part-theme park, part-mall, all-family-friendly, all-the-time attraction that has remained as popular with the locals as with the tourists for over fifty years. Like stepping into another time, Navy Pier captures the effortless enthusiasm of the fifties and sixties like you've seen in the movies so many times. Ferris wheels, buzzing lights, cotton candy, it's old-fashioned entertainment at its finest.

Six Flags Great America – A little nod to Chicago's affluent North Shore, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois is only a short drive for North Shore hotels and a reasonable but easy drive from downtown Chicago. The park currently has twelve roller coasters, a water park in the form of Hurricane Harbor, a "film ride", and dozens more for adults and children alike. Avoid the lines by ordering a Flash Pass. While you must technically still wait, you don't have to wait in line. You simply scan yourself into the queue and the system will inform you when your ride time is approaching.

Due to the sheer size and accommodation saturation of Chicago, there are multiple recommendations.

Chicago proper, to visit Navy Pier:

For a Chicago hotel near the Magnificent Mile, consider Hilton Garden Inn Chicago.

For a hotel near O'Hare Airport, consider the Wyndham O'Hare.

Chicago's North Shore, to visit Six Flags Great America:

For a North Chicago hotel in Wood Dale, consider the Doubletree Wood Dale / Itasca.

For Northwest Chicago hotels, consider the Doubletree Chicago – Schaumburg.

For a Chicago North Shore lodging in Deerfield, choose the Embassy Suites Deerfield.

This is just a glimpse into the wonderful vacation options that the oft-overlooked Midwest has to offer. Save yourself a little dough, without sacrificing any of the fun, by traveling to any of these remarkable cities.

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