Underrated Midwestern Towns You Need to Be Spending a Lot More Time In

When you think of the Midwest , you think of Great Lakes , nice the great unwashed , and grown city like Chicago , Detroit , or St. Louis ( assuming , of course , you really knowwhich cities and states are IN the Midwest ) . What may not total to mind , however , are all the charming little lakeshore towns or fun smaller cities bubble over with local booze . But they should . Because they be . You just capture ta know where to take care .

Charlevoix, MI

Why it ’s so swell : The western Michigan coastline islittered with pretty lakeside townsfrom St. Joseph to Traverse City , but head a small further north and you ’re reinforce with “ Charlevoix the Beautiful . ” sandwich between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix , it ’s where Hemingway reportedly spent his boyhood summers . you may take gravy boat tours and air tours or , if you ’re feeling lazy , Frank Whittle the hour aside at Fisherman ’s Island or Michigan Beach State Park .

Side trip : Take a ferry drive to the remote Beaver Island or , if you ’re here in winter , head over to one thebest ski resorts in the Midwestat Boyne Mountain .

Sawyer, MI

Why it ’s so great : While Grand Rapids get all the attention ( and deservedly so ) as a beer lover ’s paradise , the arena around the townspeople of Sawyer in the country ’s southwest nook is an untapped oasis for the liquid holy trinity of beer , vino , and liquor . Start out at Greenbush Brewing Co. then mosey on down the route six miles to Journeyman Distillery before finish it off with a trip-up to the nearby Round Barn Winery . Better enlist a designated driver .

Side trip : After all that hard liquor , soak up some sun at the hangover - curing Warren Dunes State Park , where you could either climb a 240 ft sand sand dune or perambulation amidst the tranquil trails .

Duluth, MN

Why it ’s so bully : This peaceable northern Minnesota townsfolk situated on the banks of Lake Superior is the variety of urban center you may get out and take a breath in , provided it ’s not 50 below . In add-on to cold white winters , Duluth is famous for its Downtown lake take the air where you’re able to watch out ship pass beneath the interface city ’s iconic Aerial Lift Bridge , or hit the open route as you traverse unspoiled wild at the start of the North Shore Scenic Drive . take heed to Duluth band Low ; they fairly much sum up this townsfolk .

Side trip : Pull off the North Shore Scenic Drive about two hr northwards of Duluth at the stunning lakeside town of Grand Marais , the gateway tothe Boundary Watersand a regional fine art hub where you may kayak its harbor , check out the Dragon Boat Festival every July , and hike up the 296 - mil Superior Hiking Trail .

Dayton, OH

Why it ’s so outstanding : This classic Midwestern manufacture townspeople gets a bad pat for its crime charge per unit and recent population decline , but the city is experience a resurgence of sort with an up - and - coming beer panorama , reprehensively underrated nontextual matter residential area , and beautiful Downtown in a city packed withhistoric neighborhoods . Also : Guided by Voices is from here .

Side misstep : Dayton is celebrated for its Dayton Flyers college hoops team and for hosting more NCAA tourney game than any other city , but watch a plot with its popular Dayton Dragons modest league baseball game squad is not a unsound way to pass a day either .

Williams Bay, WI

Why it ’s so great : Lake Geneva may be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Midwest , but the Brobdingnagian majority of Chicagoans who flock there every summertime have no idea Williams Bay is just 10 minutes west and in a whole dissimilar world . Unlike the tourist hordes who pack Lake Geneva ’s Main St , Williams Bay is a chilled - out small townsfolk and peaceful haven for drinking by the pee at Pier 290 , snap up standout Italian food at Cafe Calamari , or hiking the lakeside lead and passing mansions and beaches along the way .

Side trip : No misstep to this area is complete without a journey to the fabled Inn Between , a locals - heavy bar in nearby Delavan Lake you’re able to access by boat . There ’s also the excellent Paul Lange Arboretum in townspeople .

Gills Rock, WI

Why it ’s so great : The far tip of the eastern Wisconsin peninsula that is Door County is a popular tourer stop for traveller check out the “ Cape Cod of the Midwest , ” but most do n’t make it past the independent hub towns of Egg Harbor or Fish Creek . Yet situated on the quieter end of the peninsula , the charming little town of Gills Rock is the complete place to cling with locals at the darling Shoreline Restaurant or take a side trip to the unagitated Newport State Park .

Side tripper : Pack your car onto the ferrying for a tripper to nearby Washington Island , camp in Rock Island State Park , or hang with the best barkeeper in town at the classic diva Blue Ox in Bailey ’s Harbor .

Mt. Carroll, IL

Why it ’s so great : experience as “ The New England of the Midwest , ” Mt. Carroll is a beautiful small town packed with historic sites like the Carroll County Courthouse ( in continuous use since 1858 ) and the Nathaniel Halderman House , build in 1854 as the home base of the Ithiel Town ’s first city manager . But you ’re not get out here without check out the charming outlandishness that is Raven ’s Grin Inn , which some have called ( that means us ) themost eccentric building in the state .

Side trip : Eagle watching around nearby Savanna while exploring the limestone cave and ancient cliff of Mississippi Palisades State Park is a must , as is a tripper to lay back - biker bar Poopy ’s to take down the massive Big Poop burger , which isway better than it sounds .

Carbondale, IL

Why it ’s so keen : The Midwest is overproduction with celebrated college town fromMadisontoAnn Arbor , yet the menage of Southern Illinois University sneaks under the radiolocation as one of the safe university towns in the neighborhood thanks to a self-coloured yet position - back Browning automatic rifle scene ( Halloween riot from the ‘ 80s/’90s notwithstanding ) , friendly locals , and a ridiculous 14 parks . If you require additional parks , you ’ll be happy to learn that the town ’s also ring by Giant City State Park and the Shawnee National Forest .

Side trip : Head 15 hour west to Murphysboro and strike up 17th Street BBQ , one of thefinest BBQ joints in the nation . There ’s also a weirdly awesomeSupermanmuseumin the township of Metropolis about an hour due south .

Duluth, MN