Loaded with history and located just outside of Kansas City, Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is an adorable Midwest town to place on your travel list this year according to Erika Ebsworth-Goold. (Photo by @accordingtodes), About 90 minutes outside New York City, Bronx Yankee gives way to New England Yankee on this point overlooking a picturesque stretch of the Long Island Sound. The 71,000-acre Custer State Park also deserves a spot on your must-see list. (Photo by @beaversbendluxurycabinrentals), Cannon Beach is a 9-mile stretch on the northern Oregon coast, about a 90-minute drive from Portland. With real estate costs rising in most major U.S. cities, finding a good real estate deal seems impossible. I was in the middle of the city on the East Race Waterway, and it was quite surreal, recalls Deurlein. Literally sweep her off her feet with a hot air balloon ride. The Lerner Theatre is available to tour when no acts are performing, she says. Massimo Borchi/Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images. For all of you inner-city dwellers, trendy Detroit neighborhoods include Midtown, New Center, and Brush Park. We mean Mardi Gras World, a warehouse thats home to several of New Orleans parade floats in the off-season, and kind of an adult funhouse all year round. Sherman suggests biking on the 24-mile Sugar River State Trail and/or admiring the creativity of the Cow Parade. Any time of year is a good time to go antiquing, visit quaint shops, and enjoy the food on Main Street. You'll also find dunes and a must-see lighthouse. From a record-breaking wildlife migration in the Great Plains to the majesty of the region's national parks to can't-miss events, here's our list of quintessential Midwest trips everyone should experience at least once. What's more romantic than a day at sea (er, lake)? Just east of South Bend, Elkhart, Indiana has long been known as the RV Capital of the World, but last summer, Cindy Ladage discovered the citys art scene. As one of the least-visited national parks in the U.S., visitors won't need to battle crowds to earn some respite. Wondering where to start? If you want to get technical (why not? The Windy City has tons of wonderful venues, like the Grove Redfield Estate, Newberry Library and Loyola University. 10. (Photo by @travelzoo), They do boast that Virginia is for lovers, dont they? Going in winter, of course, is going to be a bear. Kansas City provides a balance with a low cost of . Even Minnesota -- the most expensive of the Midwestern. The hotel restaurant buys only from sustainable farms and ranches, so youre covered there, but make sure you bring your own Champagne to celebrate her yes Gorhams Bluff is in a dry county, so they cant sell you alcohol, but they will ice and open your wines and beers for you, and wont even charge a corkage fee. How about getting out of Sin City (or Reno) altogether and taking a hot-air balloon ride over the desert, far from the cha-ching of the slots? (Photo by @sandramcosgrove), A pristine reservoir in eastern Oklahoma surrounded by woods and wildlife and the kind of natural beauty that make your social-media followers weep with joy? Walk hand in hand through the botanical gardens, take in the Gateway Arch, or explore Grant's Farm. The stunning Black Hills area of South Dakota offers two distinct national parks, an impressive state park, and cute small towns, making it an ideal Midwestern getaway. An architectural marvel on its own, this institution organizes an annual "Wings Over the Platte" exhibit that changes every year, but always pays homage to the birds. Okay. French-made Staub cookware, posh Smeg small appliances, and a self-sharpening knife block are the stuff of home cook dreams., Pronounced peer, Pierre is the nations second-smallest state capital. Hike or bike on the islands trails, then relax on one of the beaches. If youre seeking to travel more sustainably, know that downtown Wichita has a robust public transportation system with a free shuttle and bike- and scooter-sharing programs. Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois Let's keep moving. Assuming, of course, that youre both the outdoorsy types. Muscatine Art Center is a historic house, art gallery, and history museum all rolled into one. 9 LITTLE-KNOWN LAKE MICHIGAN BEACHES WHERE CROWDS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. Every few minutes, theres another gem that's somehow more impressive than the last. Robidoux Row Museum features westward expansion exhibits. Another rainy-day attraction is Studio Fusion, where everyone can get involved in an art project. You could also park and hike the Devils Bathtub Trail. Explore hotels near Hocking Hills State Park. Make time at the end of the day for The Ring of Fire at the Keeper of the Plains statue. Ok, just great schooling in general Many know St. Louis as the Gateway to the West, but St. Joseph also has that claim to fame, sans fancy arch. Going in winter, of course, is going to be a bear. Summers are a great time to go, if you bring sweaters for nighttime. At about a Level 2, this unique experience is fun for the whole family. Dont miss delicious food served near an elegant hand-carved bar downstairs. Wilson, Kansas is home to the largest hand-painted Czech Egg in the world. So you want to stage the best proposal ever the kind she will describe with teary awe in years to come but you dont know where to start. (Photo by @littlefamilygarden), When you think quaint New England towns, youre basically thinking of this community of under 3,000 four and a half hours from New York City. Katy Spratte Joyce is a freelance food, business, and travel writer based in Omaha, Nebraska. Stop by the Art Institute of Chicago, catch a game at Wrigley Field (home of the Cubs), or attend a show at the birthplace of improv, The Second City. backdrop for any proposal. Three simple words can describe this Root River Valley favorite: agriculture, outdoors, and arts. This is easier to find than you would thinkhead to Shaw Nature Reserve, a 2,400-acre space just outside St. Louis. (Photo by @thelashe), You dont have to be a Hoosier or even a basketball or football fan to find a worthy Indiana location in which to slip in a marriage proposal. Consider another of Viking's regional options, a cruise expedition to all five Great Lakes. While its hard to pick the prettiest spots (because there are just so many options), we love a good challenge. Although the average property price in this idyllic little town is slightly above the US average, it's still eminently affordable at $216,800 for a single-family home. 2. The 10 best places to live in the Midwest Rogers Park (Chicago), Illinois Ann Arbor, Michigan Naperville, Illinois Carmel, Indiana Overland Park, Kansas Madison, Wisconsin Woodbury, Minnesota Eagan, Minnesota Troy, Michigan St. Peters, Missouri Ad Take the first step to becoming a homeowner today Get a Mortgage Rate that works for you. The beach itself is beautiful, but its the dramatic 235 foot sea-stack known as Haystack Rock that really makes this an ideal proposal spot. (Photo by @allwilderness), Everyone heads to the controversial Skywalk these days, but those people would propose at the fake Eiffel Tower in Vegas and say it counted as going to Paris. Go up to when the autumn colors are at their peak. Stevenson enjoyed going up to the bluff to explore Horseshoe Mound preserve for expansive views of the Mississippi River and the valleys below. Either way, both overused expressions fully apply to this absolutely stunning place thats packed with native plants and animals. My 9 Favorite Restaurants In Puerto Vallarta Plus What To Order, 7 Things To Do In Beautiful Edmonton, Canada, My 9 Favorite World Heritage Sites I Visited In Japan, 9 Historic Midwest Homes That Bring The Holidays To Life, 17 Fantastic Apple Festivals To Experience In The Midwest This Fall (2022), 5 Midwest Cities I Love Visiting In The Summer, Explore The Past At These 11 Midwest Living History Museums, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, George Washington Carver National Monument, Patee House Museum & the Jesse James Home, 9 Beautiful Waterfalls To Visit In The Midwest, 9 Life Lessons From A Multigenerational Midwest Road Trip. Pack up the tent (or RV) and camp in these well-appointed parks. Located on the Des Moines River in central Iowa, this family-friendly destination combines history and art. Below are the 12 best Midwest cities based on population, cost of living, job opportunities, crime rates, availability of things to do, and more! Its in Hot Springs National Park, so if you prefer a wilder, more ungroomed look for your proposal, untamed spots lie a short hike away. The Farm at Walnut Creek is a working farm but also home to enough exotic animals (giraffes, camels, kangaroos) to make it special even for a farm gal. Go in spring or fall to avoid the towns less pleasant temperatures. (Photo by @erinelizabeth1031), If your lucky lady loves the hooch as much as you do and youre not in Kentucky for the horses then what better place to propose than the mecca of bourbon, Bardstown? Potato Creek State Park offers plenty of activities, including kayaking through wetlands, biking along woodlands, and bird watching on Lake Worster. Whether you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime destination or a place you can return to and build on tradition year after year, the often-overlooked Midwest offers a myriad of getaway options. Chicago The Windy City is, in itself, worthy of bucket-list status.Catch soaring views at Skydeck Chicago (pictured), walk among majestic architecture in Grant Park (also home to Millennium Park), explore the world-class Art Institute of Chicago, catch a Chicago Cubs game at legendary Wrigley Field and gush over a gooey slice of Chicago deep dish pizzafor starters. Sandy beaches, dense forests and crystal-clear lakes make it ideal . The town might be small but the attractions are mighty in Chamberlain, says Shel Zolkewich of the south central South Dakota town nestled at the crossroads of Interstate 90 and the Missouri River. (Photo by @vmsnm), In a city as big as New York, what counts as romantic depends a lot on the peculiarities for your relationship. 14. Comprising 3,000 acres of ancient land formations and vast prairie lands, this living legend is widely beloved for its rugged beauty. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. (Photo by, The falls that give the town is namethe gateway to the Snake River Canyonare so magical they seem to be festooned with rainbows in every Instagram photo. backdrop for any proposal. These majestic creatures find overnight solace in the vast, flat, and shallow Platte River. Now its all on you, buddy. Jason Kessler September 17, 2018 Your proposal is going to be a moment you'll both remember forever. Instead, make the trip up Mount Tantalus to Tantalus Lookout, day or night, to enjoy a rare urban landscape of Honolulu. Meanwhile, Wind Cave, one of America's oldest national parks, has one of the world's longest and most complex cave systems. Seriously, tie one into a knot and slide it onto your girlfriends finger, and shell be yours for sure. For all you Midwest guys, we've rounded up the top 15 most popular and unique places to propose around the Lou. Each July, a huge Czech festival is held, celebrating generations of culture, food, and crafts. And, since we only live once, you have to be a bit choosy when making a to-do list in this region. Galena, Illinois The reservoir offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, making Pierre a four-season destination. Thank you! Its a low-speed road, so there are plenty of opportunities to stop safely and find an excuse to ask your girlfriend to join you for some sightseeing ending in an engagement. Its the perfect trip to take the grandkids on during summer vacation, Piper tells us. The Iowa town is known as the Pearl of the Mississippi because of the history of the pearl button industry, which started when a German immigrant brought this huge manufacturing story to the shores of the Big Muddy! she tells us. With enough activities to fill 2 days to a week, the flexibility of Wichita is a huge perk for travelers. The grand lobby of The Elms Hotel & Spa, Excelsior Springss lovely, soothing and historic resort. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. No matter the age of your grandchildren, theres plenty to keep them interested and cheerfully busy in Fort Dodge. Keep scrolling to find out what has made it a favorite year after year and for the full list of the best resort hotels in the Midwest. The Fisher of Clams statue in Muscatine is located along the River Walk and is titled Mississippi Harvest.. An outdoor paradise in Missouri thats among the best and most beautiful vacation destinations in the Midwest, it welcomes 2.5 million people each year. If you're searching for a quieter home base, Deer Path Inn another reader favorite in nearby Lake Forest is a lovely choice in the area. Lets start by crossing off the obvious pics, like anything involving Waikiki or, in fact, any beach. Hocking Hills State Park Camping Ohio. So here it isthe 13 most beautiful places in the Midwest. Wed be remiss not to mention the plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Nineteen miles of driving heaven, the byway cuts through mountains and past waterfalls, gentle slopes of foliage and striking landscapes. But we like Jones Point Park, just south of Old Town, with its unconventional lighthouse, wooded paths and the waterside walkway under the yawning George Washington Memorial Parkway a juxtaposition of man against nature that somehow works. Barring summer busyness and fall leaf peepers, the whole peninsula is very drivable according to Sherman. Arkansas: Garvan Woodland Gardens Garvan Woodland Gardens, Arkridge Road, Hot Springs, AR, USA The botanical garden of the University of Arkansas, and part of the school of design and architecture, this whole place looks like history's most romantic genie snapped his fingers just so you could get your lady to say yes to tying the knot. Population: 491,800 (2.14 million in metro area) Unemployment rate: 6.7%. After moving from Texas, she and her husband rambled about the Midwest in a camper for a couple of years before finally settling on 35 acres in their home state of Kentucky. Lets start by crossing off the obvious pics, like anything involving Waikiki or, in fact, any beach. While the name sounds strange, this is one of the most unique spots in the Midwest and it's clean, updated, has affordable lodging and is overall one of the best spots in the state for visitors. Falls also a good time to go to avoid the tourists. Its the limestone cliffs, caves, arches and columns that really do it for usone glance at the striated rock formations and youll surely agree. Sandy beaches, dense forests and crystal-clear lakes make it ideal for all sorts of outdoor recreation, from hiking and cycling to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Willis Tower) or the John Hancock Center, iconic as they may be to the Windy City skyline. Patee House Museum & the Jesse James Home showcases the two things St. Joseph is famous for: the Pony Express headquarters and the place where outlaw Jesse James was shot and killed. 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