midwest travel book

10+ books to inspire Midwest travel

Lisa Trudell Uncategorized 2

We are always looking for new places to travel, with so many we still need to explore right here in the Midwest.  We have a library of books ready to help us plan our next trip. From places that we need to explore further to places we’ve yet to visit, these books are full of great tips, ideas and history. We hope the inspire you, too.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, all opinions and views are ours.

Lost Restaurants of Omaha (American Palate)

Omaha has quite the growing foodie scene. Many of its eateries have also been featured on television in different spots. One thing we know is that some of our favorites over the years closed, leaving a legacy of memories behind. Our friend Kim Reiner, who also writes the blog Oh My Omaha , has uncovered the stories around some of these lost gems. If you are a fan of food, great stories about local lore, then this book is for you.

Detour Nebraska: Historic Destinations & Natural Wonders

We love our home state of Nebraska, and take as many opportunities as we can to explore it. Written by our friend, Gretchen M. Garrison, “Detour Nebraska” is divided into seven regions and highlights great things to discover in each of them, covering the majority of the state. While we’ve been to several locations mentioned in the book, there are places highlighted in the book that we still need to discover.

Secret Cleveland: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure

Tonya Prater and Deb Thompson are constant explorers and have scoured the landscape to bring you the hidden gems in and around Cleveland, Ohio. It has been years since we have been to this great Midwestern city. We will definitely use this as a guide during our next visit.

100 Things to Do in America Before You Die

Have you felt the mist from Niagara Falls? Or see the world’s tallest mailbox? Bill Clevlen takes you on a journey to nearly all of the states to give you a collage of American experiences worthy of being put on the bucket list. Midwestern attractions include eating ice cream at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, checking out some of the world’s largest items in Casey, Illinois, or visiting Johnny Carson’s hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska. With a mixture of culinary eats, culture, history, sports, and much more, make sure to pick up this book for your next road trip.

North Dakota Beer: A Heady History

Are you a fan of craft beer? Fan of history? Time to check out this book on the history of North Dakota Beer by Alicia Underlee Nelson, who loves exploring and writing about her home state. From its time as a dry state during Prohibition to the current booming craft brewpub scene, you’ll get all the heady details.

Culinary History of Iowa

Iowa is well known for its pork tenderloins, sweet corn, Maid Rites and much more. Are you familiar with the stories behind them? Find out the behind-the- kitchen accounts of how some of these food icons made their debut from Darcy Maulsby, who proudly calls Iowa home. Learn about some of the iconic favorites of the famed Iowa State Fair to some of the famous food companies that call Iowa home.

Two Lane Gems Vol. 1

What started as a road trip halfway across the country has turned into a love letter to America in this book by Theresa Goodrich. Theresa and her husband Jim take you along on their journey from Chicago to San Diego and back. From riding on a vintage train with a singing engineer to meeting a World War II veteran and much more, this was a dream trip.

The Ultimate Kids Adventure Guide to Chicago – Toddling Around Chicagoland

Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest. With things to do, from world-class museums to culinary delights and plenty of outdoor activities, the choices can be overwhelming. Sarah Parisi has put together a well-laid out book for family-friendly activities whether you are looking for a day outing to a weeklong vacation.

The Kansas Guidebook for Explorers

Co-authors Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe searched Kansas to bring you the state’s gems. Having spent four years on the road going to all 626 incorporated cities, they can give you 4,500 reasons to explore their beloved home state. From dining to history to people and more, there is something in every community worth discovering.

The Unofficial Guide to Mall of America

The Mall of America is not only a destination for shopping but also one for dining and entertainment. From how to get there, where to stay and tips on what to see and do while at the Mall, this guide by Beth Blair is well thought out to help you maximize your experience.

The Milwaukee Bucket List: 101 Real Milwaukee Adventures

Think that Milwaukee is only beer and cheese? Grab this book to learn how much more there is to explore in this large Midwest city. From outdoor activities to history and fun in its eclectic neighborhoods and unique and delightful eats, you’ll be blown away by all of the adventures you can grab in Milwaukee.

Fun Days in Kansas City

Get your kids involved with the trip by having them follow along on your travels. Take a fun journey with Luke the Detective Dog to many of the family-friendly highlights in Kansas City as written by our friend Pat McGrath Avery.

Adventures Around Cincinnati: A Parent’s Guide to Unique and Memorable Places to Explore with Your Kids

Cincinnati is on our list of places to discover and explore. This guide provides the details needed to plan your family adventure in the city. From easy-to-read maps to over 120 kid-tested destinations within a 2-hour drive of the city – including several free and low-cost attractions – this guide is family-approved.

We have a ton of reading to do. What books would you add to this list?

Lisa Trudell

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Midwest Travel Books to Add to Your Bookshelf

Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

Call me old fashioned, but I love using books and travel guides to plan a trip. Since we all have considerably more time to plan and dream about future trips while we’re staying safe at home, I wanted to share some of my favorite Midwest travel books.

From helpful travel guides to fiction inspired by real attractions and events, the books on this list hold no shortage of inspiration. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or searching for a new read yourself, the Midwest is full of captivating stories.

Especially now, independent retailers need our help to stay afloat. Whatever you’re planning to read, consider ordering your next book from your local independent bookstore. Many of them are currently even offering free shipping! Not sure where to find the closest indie bookstore to you? IndieBound is a phenomenal resource. You can also shop online via Bookshop.org to help support independent booksellers.

Midwest Travel Books

100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die

If you’re planning a visit to Omaha, Nebraska, you won’t want to miss 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die . This book is full of incredible local history, amazing places to eat, unique shops and more.

Detour Nebraska

If your travel plans include a road trip through the Husker state, Detour Nebraska is the book for you! Whether you’re a history buff or lover of offbeat attractions, this book will have something for you.

Iowa Curiosities

Iowa Curiosities is one of the reasons I became interested in roadside attractions! This book is full of all sorts of offbeat, unexpected attractions around the state.

Iowa Supper Clubs

I might be a little biased, but Iowa Supper Clubs is the perfect book for any foodie’s bookshelf! If you’re feeling nostalgic for classic restaurants (or just the restaurant atmosphere in general), you won’t want to miss this. Learn about supper club history, relive some of Iowa’s iconic clubs, and discover supper clubs you can still visit today.

The Kansas Guide Book for Explorers

I stumbled upon this incredible guide book during my own Kansas road trip a few years go. And it’s no exaggeration when I say that The Kansas Guide Book for Explorers is one of my favorite Midwest travel books. The book breaks the state down by region and no matter where you are, has something interesting for you to see. If you (or someone you know) spend time in Kansas, this book is the perfect glovebox companion.

The Lost Continent

If you haven’t read anything by Iowa-born author Bill Bryson, you’re missing out! The Lost Continent is one of my favorite books of his and it perfectly captures the feeling of a road trip through small rural towns.

Lost Restaurants of Omaha

Whether you’re from Omaha yourself or searching for a gift for your favorite Nebraskan, Lost Restaurants of Omaha is sure to inspire some serious nostalgia. This book dives deep into the stories of some of the city’s now-defunct classic eateries.

Milwaukee Ghosts & Legends

If you love a good ghost story, Milwaukee Ghosts & Legends is the book for you! Author Anna Lardinois is an amazing storyteller and these tales are sure to leave you wanting more. If you ever find yourself in Milwaukee, you can also book your own ghost tour with Anna!

North Dakota Beer

One of the things that surprised me most the first time I visited North Dakota was the number of amazing breweries! If you (or someone you know) is a fan of beer, this heady history of this northern Midwestern state is a wonderful read. Just be sure to pair North Dakota Beer with a pint!

Secret Chicago

I love an offbeat adventure or a less-traveled path and Secret Chicago delivers! This book holds so many interesting tidbits and little-known facts that are sure to surprise locals and visitors alike.

Two Lane Gems – Vol. 1 & 2

Theresa Goodrich is a roadtripper after my own heart. In her books, Two Lane Gems Volume 1 and Volume 2 , Theresa shares engaging (and often hilarious) stories from her time traveling around the U.S. by car.

Wisconsin Supper Clubs

If you still can’t get enough of the Midwest’s classic eateries, pick up Wisconsin Supper Clubs . This book is full of stories and places that are sure to make your mouth water.

Fiction (& Other Books) Inspired by the Midwest

The Bridges of Madison County

Is there a more iconic book about Iowa than  The Bridges of Madison County ? If you’re not able to visit Madison County in person, at least you can experience its iconic bridges through the eyes of Robert James Waller.

The Devil in the White City

As a fan of true crime,  The Devil in the White City is a favorite of mine. Set around Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, this gripping book follows the story of one of the city’s most cunning serial killers.

Kitchens of the Great Midwest

If you’re looking for a story that feels like stepping into the bustling kitchen of your family home, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is it. This beautifully told story weaves together characters and food in a way that will remind you why cooking is such a special part of our relationships.

I’ve also heard great things about Stradal’s second book, The Lager Queen of Minnesota , which has been on my to-read list for quite some time.

Little House on the Prairie

If you grew up in the Midwest, changes are that you probably read Little House on the Prairie as a kid. While I was more of an Anne of Green Gables girl, there’s a reason these books are iconic. They’re also the perfect gift for a reader growing up in the upper Midwest!

Roadside Attractions Adult Coloring Book

If there’s one thing I really love, it’s a good roadside attraction! And this fun coloring book is full of them. If you’re looking for a good way to relax or need a gift for an avid roadtripper, this coloring book will be just the thing!

Share Your Thoughts

I would love to hear from you! What are your favorite Midwest travel books? How are you keeping the spirit of travel alive from home?

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you. When it comes to planning a road trip, I’m always drawn…

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How to road trip through the Midwest US on a budget

Mar 2, 2022 • 6 min read

A Midwest road trip is a perfect option for a budget-friendly road trip © Visit Milwaukee / JMKE Photography

People who’ve never really considered a visit to “Flyover Country” usually find themselves pleasantly surprised — and sometimes even downright shocked — by just how much there is to see, do and experience in the great American Midwest, often for free.

Defined by wide-open swathes of farmland, friendly small towns and attractive urban cities (not to mention the bonus of much lower prices for gas and lodging than you’d expect to pay on the coasts), this down-to-earth territory holds all the makings of a memorable road trip.

Editor's note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice.

St. Louis – Missouri

With affordable attractions, tasty food and river city culture, St. Louis makes a great starting point to kick off a Midwestern road trip. At 630ft, the iconic Gateway Arch is required viewing, and America’s tallest man-made monument. The CityArchRiver project recently revamped the land that surrounds the landmark, updating facilities and adding green space and bike trails.

Take the tram ride to the top for the best bird’s eye view in town, or catch a ride to cruise the mighty Mississippi on a paddlewheel-powered riverboat (snagging an America the Beautiful Pass will save you a few bucks on ticket prices). During baseball season, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village come alive with avid Cardinals fans rooting for the home team. Even if you’re not attending the game, the sports energy in town is contagious.

Site of the 1904 World’s Fair, 1300-acre Forest Park is a one-stop cultural cache that includes museums, a zoo, a science center, a greenhouse, lakes and pedestrian paths — all free to access. There’s no charge to tour the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery grounds and admire the Budweiser Clydesdales either. After exploring, sample some classic fried ravioli at any of the old-school Italian restaurants on the Hill and order up some ice cream or frozen custard at Ted Drewe’s .

51 affordable discoveries across America 2020

Route 66 Heritage Project – Illinois

Get your kicks! Gearing up to celebrate its centennial in 2026, America’s Mother Road accounts for 300 miles of scenic byway on its Central Illinois leg between St. Louis and Chicago, (running 2,400 all told out to California). Meet up with Route 66 by crossing the Mississippi River at the Chain of Rocks Bridge and make a day of it heading northeast to take in the scenery through Litchfield, Springfield, Bloomington/Normal and Pontiac.

Commemorate the journey by snapping selfies against Americana-rich backdrops like the 30ft Gemini Giant at Wilmington’s Launching Pad drive-in  (temporarily closed), Paul Bunyon holding a hot dog in Atlanta and the Joliet Correctional Center where Jake and Elwood served time in the Blues Brothers. Hole up in a mom-and-pop motel if you need a break from the long day of driving, and keep your own motor running with a pit stop to refuel at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook.

Chicago – Illinois

Route 66 ultimately deposits travelers in Chicago at the end of the road. A two-time World’s Fair host, the Windy City delivers a winning combination of history, sports, food and culture, inviting visitors to stick around and explore for as long as they like.

Take your pick of Museum Campus attractions like the Shedd Aquarium , the  Adler Planetarium  (temporairly closed to public) and the Field Museum , then venture north up Michigan Avenue to the renowned Art Institute of Chicago . Hot tip: a CityPASS packages these and a couple other top attractions to save visitors 50% on premium admission prices across the board.

After strolling through Millennium Park and taking a few photos at the Bean, take a spin on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier and window-shop your way up the Magnificent Mile . Chicago boasts a strong theater community with performing arts showcases, concerts and events happening every night of the week, often with last-minute or day-of ticket discounts available.

You definitely won’t lack for great eats, whether you opt to indulge in affordable local favorites like deep-dish pizza , Chicago-style hot dogs and global cuisine galore, or splurge on a high-end meal at one of the city’s finest dining establishments.

Check out our Spotify Chicago playlist

Milwaukee – Wisconsin

From Chicago, it’s just a quick 90-minute journey north up I-94/I-41 to Milwaukee , a town that manages to stay humble while still impressing visitors with its style and substance. The Harley-Davidson Museum is a pilgrimage destination for legions of brand-loyal customers.

After a visit, learn all about the city’s beer heritage with a tour of Miller Brewery or Sprecher Brewery. You’ll need something to eat, and wholesome dairy is what’s on the menu (this is Wisconsin, after all), namely in the form of cheese curds, butter burgers and frozen custard. Milwaukee’s Public Market in the Third Ward offers a one-stop opportunity to sample it all under one roof.

When the weather’s nice, the river and lakefront encourage locals and visitors to get outside and enjoy some water recreation. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Art Museum (the Santiago Calatrava-designed “wings” that fan open and shut twice a day are a free show in and of themselves), a reputable repertory theater and a rocking roster of summer festivals keep Milwaukee solidly rooted in the arts. At the end of the day, the historic (and haunted?) Pfister Hotel proposes stylish confines in which to rest your weary head.

Green Bay – Wisconsin

Keep on trucking up I-43 for about two hours and join “the Pack” in Green Bay, Wisconsin’s oldest settled community where pro football reigns supreme. Don some green and yellow and visit  Lambeau Field ; the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame , tours of the stadium and the Titletown entertainment district next door are available all year long.

Sports aren’t the only attraction here, though — breathtaking hiking territory abounds with landscapes that show off dolomite cliffs, waterfalls and beachfronts. Made from hearty stock, Green Bay residents don’t shy away from the long cold winters, opting instead to make the most of the season with ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

You can always thaw out in front of any of the local restaurants, cafes and brewpubs that feature cozy fireplaces. Or, belly up to a local bar for a good old traditional Friday-night Wisconsin fish fry. 

Duluth – Minnesota

It’s a five-hour jaunt across S.R. 29 to Chippewa Falls and then up US 53 over the Minnesota state line into Duluth. Along the idyllic banks of Lake Superior, the great outdoors are alive and well here, especially during the fall when the Northwoods foliage bursts into spectacular shades of burnished orange, red and gold. Settled by the Sioux and Chippewa tribes, the city now serves as entrance to the North Shore Scenic Drive that runs 154 miles up to Grand Portage , just shy of the Canadian border.

The Aerial Lift Bridge is Duluth’s crown-jewel landmark, raising and lowering nearly two dozen times each day to accommodate the passage of ships and boats traveling into and out of the harbor. The Canal Park district appeals to visitors with charming local restaurants to frequent and the Lakewalk to wander.

Gooseberry Falls State Park – Minnesota

From Duluth, follow the North Shore Scenic Byway 40 miles northeast past glimpses of the lake, forests and rock formations to wind down the journey at Gooseberry Falls , one of Minnesota’s most stunning state parks.

Stretch your legs with a walk around the Falls View Loop to drink in the namesake Upper, Middle and Lower cascades. A slice of cherry crunch or French Silk at Betty’s Pies in nearby Two Harbors makes the perfect sweet finale.

You might also like: 

Midwest travel ideas: 8 under-the-radar destinations to visit in America’s Heartland How to road-trip Canada on a budget Audiobooks to narrate your US road trip

This article was originally published in January 2020 and updated in October 2020. 

Produced by Lonely Planet for GEICO. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality.

This article was first published January 2020 and updated March 2022

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11 Best Books Set in the Midwest

by Maggie McKneely | Jun 25, 2021 | Nebraska , North Dakota , South Dakota , USA | 19 comments

Last Updated on January 4, 2023 by Maggie McKneely

Here are the top 11 books set in the Midwest!

*This post contains affiliate links. That just means that if you happen to click on one of those links and end up making a purchase, I make a small commission (and you will have made my day!)

If I’m not traveling, I’m reading. And when I am traveling, you can bet I’ve got at least a dozen books downloaded on my Kindle just in case I have a few minutes of free time on my trip. While I’ll read anything with words on a page, I really enjoy books that are either about or take place in locations that I’ve been to or am planning a trip to. Having that background information adds to the excitement of any trip.

So I decided to put together a series of posts for all of my fellow bookworms. For this first one, I asked some fellow travel bloggers what books they think people should read traveling to and around the United States’ Midwest region. Much like the region itself, this book list has a little bit of something for everyone – some fascinating historical books, books about hiking, classic American novels, and some modern-day fiction books set in the Midwest. Happy reading, friends!

Table of Contents

Fiction Books

The adventures of huckleberry finn.

If you are planning to do some Midwest travel and especially if you plan to travel in Missouri, one of the best classic books set in the Midwest is the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri in 1835. As the story goes, he was given his pen name, Mark Twain, by a riverboat captain. Mark Twain wore many hats, including American humorist, novelist, and travel writer. Twain is best remembered as the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer written in 1876 and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written in 1885. Travelers to the Midwest should read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because Twain is widely considered one of the greatest American writers of all time.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is set in Missouri along the Mississippi River. On its surface, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a story about a boy and a runaway slave running away and floating down the Mississippi River. Dig deeper and you find it’s about friendship, integrity, and loyalty. Another key component of this book is that Twain captures the essence of everyday midwest American English during this period of time.

After reading the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn you may be inspired to visit the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site in Florida, Missouri where you can visit the cabin where Twain was born. The mission of the museum is to promote awareness and appreciation of the life and works of Mark Twain and to demonstrate the relevance of his stories.

Submitted by: Alexa from Travel in Missouri

1885 cover of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Where the Lost Wander

Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon is set along the Oregon Trail in 1853.  The novel follows a family and others that cross their path on the way to a goal of a better life.  Amy Harmon’s books are very well written and bring settings to life with believable characters.

Where the Lost Wander explores many of the hardships of travelers on the Oregon trail including sickness, injury, starvation, and attack.  Many in the story do not make it and there are several dark and sad situations.  At the heart of the book is a family trying to survive that risks everything to have a better life.

The book is not just about tragedy though; it’s mostly about love.  It’s about what people must do at times to survive and what people will sacrifice for the ones that they love.  The book also does a wonderful job of explaining how hard this trip was for early travelers.  The description of the land and the journey make you feel like you are there.

Since the Oregon Trail crossed many of the Midwestern states, this is one of the best books set in the Midwest. Where the Lost Wander is a wonderful read for anyone that loves a good story and wants to read more about traveling through the heart of the US in pioneer times.

Submitted by: Lori from Fitz5 On the Go

The Round House

The Round House is a novel by Louise Edrich. It takes place in the late 1980s and follows the story of Joe, a 13-year-old boy who is devastated when his mother, Geraldine, is violently attacked. After her attack, Geraldine stays in shock and refuses to tell any details about her aggressor. From this moment, Joe sets out to find his mother’s attacker with the help of his best friends Cappy, Angus, and Zack. The story is set in North Dakota, on an Ojibwe reservation.

In the Round House, the people who live on the reservation struggle between the old ways and traditions of their tribes with the conventions of the modern world. The Midwest is a particularly rich destination for exploring indigenous cultures. I definitely recommend this book to travelers to the Midwest who want to learn more about the Native people, their culture, and the difficulties they constantly face.

A traditional round house, or earthlodge, in North Dakota

The Grapes of Wrath

One of the best book recommendations for books set in the Midwest is The Grapes of Wrath . Perhaps due to its intimidating length (464 pages), or perhaps because so many people are forced to read it (or, more likely, the Clifnotes summary of it) in high school, The Grapes of Wrath has actually become a rather underappreciated book by recent generations.

That’s a shame because this is one school-assigned novel that is really worth a read, especially if you’re planning to do some Midwest travel.

The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939, right on the heels of the Great Depression. In this novel, Steinbeck powerfully depicts the impact and upheaval of this time period on people living in the Midwest. The story centers around the Joad family, tenant farmers in Rural Oklahoma who can no longer afford the bank payments on their small farm, which has become a barren wasteland thanks to the Dust Bowl drought.

They, like so many of their neighbors, decide to pack up all of their belongings and make their way across the United States to start anew in California, where they are promised paradise: sunny skies, a warm welcome, and lots of high-paying fruit-picking jobs to be found. If you know anything of American history, you already know that their plan would not go as they hoped.

This book is an excellent way to get a better understanding of the history of the American Midwest in the last century.

Submitted by: Constance from A Well-Read Wanderer

From the 1940 film adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath

If you’re looking for books set in the Midwest, this is a perfect choice. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson was published in 2004 and has won both a Pulitzer Prize as well as a National Book Critics Circle Award.

The novel focuses on a unique form of narration that resembles a personal journal. The story follows the life of Reverend John Ames. He lives in the town of Gilead, Iowa, which is fictional but meant to resemble local villages in the area. The book is set in 1956 and Ames is a Congregationalist pastor who is deathly ill with a serious heart issue. He writes Gilead for his young son so he can remember him.

This novel is touching and captivating and provides the perfect insight into life in the Midwest in the mid-20th century. Gilead is heartbreaking and you won’t be able to put it down. By the end of the book, you’ll find yourself wanting to visit the town of Gilead even though it doesn’t exist in the real world (so you can visit other towns in Iowa instead!). There is no better way to prepare for Midwest travel than reading one of the Midwest’s best books.

Submitted by: Victoria from Guide Your Travel 

Non-fiction Books

Killers of the flower moon.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann is a fantastic choice for travelers to the Midwest interested in history, specifically Native American history and the history of law enforcement in the United States, as well as mystery, intrigue, and cold cases.

It takes place in Osage County, Oklahoma in the early 1920s, shortly after huge quantities of oil were discovered on land belonging to the Osage tribe of Native Americans, which made them fabulously wealthy overnight. While the U.S. government ruled that the “headright” profits from the oil did in fact belong to the Osage tribe, they imposed a burdensome system of “custodianship” in order for them to reap the profits.

Essentially, they were forced to appoint a white male “guardian” of the money, who took a hefty portion of the profits (and sometimes all of them.) Shortly thereafter, several Osage men and women began turning up dead, either murdered outright or dying from mysterious causes. The newly-formed FBI comes to investigate, led by former Texas Ranger Tom White.

In early 2021, it was announced that a movie was in the works, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons, and Robert De Niro.

Travelers to the Midwest should read this book because it is crucial for visitors and residents alike to learn more about the Native American experience in the United States and this devastating time known as the “Osage Reign of Terror.” This book offers an intriguing and saddening look into a series of murders and court cases that many people don’t know about. It is well worth a read.

Submitted by: Submitted by Tegan + Alex from Why Not Walk Travel Guides

The Fourth Coast

Is your Midwest travel adventure going to include the Great Lakes? Then The Fourth Coast needs to be on your reading list! The Fourth Coast by Mary Blocksma is the perfect book to read before (or on) a Great Lakes road trip, whether it’s just around Lake Michigan or around all or some of them.  Mary starts her solo camping road trip adventure at the St. Lawrence Seaway, making her way 5,000 miles along the North Coast on the American side of the Great Lakes.

In this book, you’ll get to read about her experiences camping along the Great Lakes, hiking in Michigan , visiting small towns dotting their coasts, and meeting friendly locals along the way.  It’s perfect for outdoor lovers, especially those that like more soft outdoor adventure, and road trip fanatics.  If you want a light travel book that isn’t history heavy, this is a great choice.

Submitted by: Megan from Hey, I’m Reading

The Devil in the White City

The Devil in the White City is a nonfiction book written by Erik Larson in 2003 and is one of the best history books set in the Midwest. It’s set in Chicago, Illinois during the 1893 World’s Fair. It is an interwoven story, telling the history of how Chicago won the World’s Fair over New York. It tells about the planning process, the buildings, gardens and landscaping, as well as key players during the fair. But underneath all that, there is another, more sinister story about a prolific serial killer in Chicago during this time.

While many of the buildings in the Chicago World Fair of 1893 do not exist anymore, this book is an insight into what the city would have looked like. This is one of the main reasons why people went up to Chicago, to see different cultures, beautiful architecture, and exhibitions from other parts of the world. This was the golden age of train travel, with working-class people saving a few weeks’ worth of wages, coming from near and far just to enjoy a day (or more) in the fair.

The book is also an interesting insight into the early days of travel, and why the World’s Fair is still one of the reasons to travel to see and enjoy a new city. It also provides insights into architecture, which Chicago is still famous for today. It is a city with towering buildings yet manicured garden landscapes, a great reason to visit the city.

This book provides a fascinating perspective on Chicago from the 19th century. Chicago is the Midwest’s biggest city, so reading about how it came to be the city it is today is a great way to inspire Midwest travel.

Submitted by: Ruby from A Journey We Love

Ferris wheel built for the 1893 World Fair

Chicago: City on the Make

One of the best books set in the Midwest is Chicago: City on the Make by Nelson Algren. This is actually an essay that has the length of a book, but you can consider it as a book. The book was published in 1951. At first, it received a lot of criticism, but nowadays, it is one of the most popular books about the city.

In the book, you can read about 120 years of the city’s history. It tells about the dark sides of the city, such as gangsters, hustlers, and corrupt politicians. It talks about the plight of the city’s downtrodden and looks at important events such as the 1919 Black Sox Scandal . But it is also about why the city of Chicago is such a great place in the Midwest and why so many people love it.

With this book, you know better what the city of Chicago is about, which makes a trip to the city much more exciting! Knowing the background of the city allows you to better enjoy the sights and culture of the city. Also, the instagrammable places in Chicago are much more fun to go to after reading the book.

Submitted by: Dymphe of Dyma Abroad

1919 Chicago White Sox team, a major subject of Chicago: City on the Make

Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail

If you’re a fan of books about walking long distances  and thru-hiking, look no further.  Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail by Melanie Radzicki McManus is the tale of her trek along the 1,100-mile Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin, one of the longest hiking trails in the Midwest.  At the end of her hike, McManus became part of the elite group of hikers that have completed the trail: the Thousand Milers.

We get to follow her adventures through Wisconsin’s woods, prairies, wetlands, farms, and bars while she worries about blisters and wildlife encounters and searches for Papa Bear, an elusive fellow hiker.  We also get to learn about the trail’s first-ever thru-hiker Jim Staudacher.

This is a great book for those Midwest travelers who love hiking and the outdoors. It’s definitely s a must-read if you’re going to be hiking the Ice Age Trail.  Don’t want to actually hike it?  Well, this will at least make you feel like you might have.

Submitted by: Megan from Red Around the World

Interstate State Park, part of the Ice Age trail

Mornings on Horseback

This is an absolutely must-read if you’ve been to or have plans to visit North Dakota. Mornings on Horseback is historian David McCullough’s phenomenal biography on the early life and career of Theodore Roosevelt, the future 26th president. McCullough is both a thorough historian and an exceptional storyteller, which makes his books both fascinating and engaging. Mornings on Horseback is one of his best.

The book details Teddy’s childhood as a young boy in New York high society, who was crippled by both an extreme case of asthma and an eccentric personality that made him an outsider. It follows him as he grows up and struggles to find his place in the world, and deals with multiple family tragedies.

The last section of the book is about Teddy’s experience in North Dakota as a rancher before he got involved in politics full-time. He talks about the history of Medora, the biggest town in western North Dakota at the time, and the many adventures the young Roosevelt had during his time “out west.” His ranch was located in what is now Theodore Roosevelt National Park , which should be a part of any Midwest roadtrip.

Mornings on Horseback gives a glimpse into life on the Midwestern frontier in the late 1800s, and into the life of a man who was shaped by his experiences spent there. It’s an excellent read to inspire Midwest travel and one of the best biography books set in the Midwest.

Submitted by: Maggie (me!) from Pink Caddy Travelogue

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Have you read any of these books set in the Midwest? Do you think any books were left off this list? Let me know in the comments!

Other Bookish Posts in the Series:

Best Books about the UK

Best Books about Italy

Books about Greece

Books about Egypt

Books about Turkey

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Related posts:

19 Comments

I love the Devil in the White City! Such a well researched book and it reads so well. I definitely learned a lot from it about the city I grew up in 🙂

This is a great post! I love reading books that are linked to the places I travel. When I next travel to these areas I’ll definitely check out some of these books. Thanks for sharing!

A great booklist! I’ve never been to America’s mid-west but I loved reading Huckleberry Fin so perhaps I should go. There’s quite a few books on your list I haven’t read yet but would love to like Gilead! Thanks for sharing

What a great list. Unfortunately I have never been much of a reader, but I loved watching Huckleberry Finn movies when I was a child.

So many great suggestions. I’m putting THE GRAPES OF WRATH on my list of books to read. The only one on the list that I’ve read is Huckleberry Finn. I actually finished reading it when I was staying at a shelter during Hurricane Ivan back in 2004.

It looks like we are doing a road trip west in the fall. So these books might help to inspire our stops through the midwest. Or at least round out our knowledge of the history of some of the areas along our path. Maybe we will even look for some of these as audio books for our travels.

A great selection of books starting with the reminder to reread Huckleberry Finn and The Grapes of Wrath!

I’ve heard of most of these books before but have never read them. This is giving me some inspiration to get back into reading now!

What an awesome idea of a travel book list!!! I’ve never read these so I’ll def have to check some of them out! I grew up in the Midwest

I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read any of these books and I know I should have, even if I never visit the Midwest. I really should get on that, maybe they will inspire me to plan a trip!

I also love reading about a destination before I visit it. I haven’t read any of these books but there are some great options here 🙂

This is exactly what I needed! I have read some of these books, but some I never heard about.. great list, well done! 🙂

Aye Carumba Maggie, you have made me wonder what I have been doing with my life since I have only heard of 3 of these Midwest inspired travel books. Since we just got back from Casper, Wyoming where we learned more about the Oregon trail, I think we may have to check out “Where the Lost Wander” by Amy Harmon next because that definitely seems a bit interesting.

I have heard of The Grapes of Wrath but haven’t read it yet. I’ll make sure to read it before we travel to the Midwest, which I hope we’ll be able to do in a year or two!

There are lots of great options here. I love the Grapes of Wrath. I wish I knew about The Fourth Coast before my Lake Michigan Road Trip.

I actually…haven’t read any of these! And I had no idea so many of the “school classics” (that i clearly didn’t read hahah) were set in the midwest!

I love the Grapes of Wrath. That’s a great suggestion. Have you read Before We Were Yours? That is a great addition to the list as well.

There are a lot of books on this list I hadn’t even heard of! I definitely want to check out Gilead and Where The Lost Wander

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I’m Maggie, a 30-something politico from Washington, DC, who always has one foot off the ground, looking for adventure. I work full-time in the Swamp, but use travel as a way to stay sane! Read on for my crazy stories from the road, and tips to help you in your own travels! Learn more about me

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16 Best Midwest Road Trips – Scenic Routes You Can’t Miss

Posted on Published: May 25, 2020  - Last updated: February 9, 2024

Ahhh, the Midwest. Vast landscapes with beautiful scenery, the ability to connect with nature and fun attractions. One of the best ways to explore the middle of the USA is with a Midwest road trip!

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my  disclosures .

For those of us who live here, we know there’s so much to offer. Our waving grasses with rolling hills make for beautiful, peaceful sunsets. Gorgeous lakes simply begged to be explored.

Our cities each have something unique to offer, and mix that with Midwest charm, it makes for a great place for a road trip!

Midwest road trip ideas

I’ve explored many places across the Midwest, but I haven’t covered it all. So I turned to other experts to help me out to create this list of best Midwest road trips!

Here’s a bunch of Midwest road trip ideas, ranging from 2 days to 10. From outdoorsy to artsy, there’s truly something for everyone in the Midwest!

List of Midwestern States

But before we dive in, let’s clarify the states that cover the Midwest to help you plan your trip:

• Indiana (IN)
• Illinois (IL)
• Missouri (MO)
• Kansas (KS)
• Nebraska (NE)
• South Dakota (SD)
• North Dakota (ND)
• Minnesota (MN)
• Wisconsin (WI)
• Michigan (MI)

Looking for more Midwest adventures? Check out these 16 trails – the best hiking in the Midwest !

Ready to hit the road? Here’s the best Midwest road trips

Black hills, south dakota (a classic).

Recommended trip: 7-10 days

The Black Hills in South Dakota is one of the best places for a road trip in the Midwest.  There is so much to see and do, you could easily spend months here, but for a shorter trip, 7-10 days would be great.

Rapid City is probably the best place to fly in and out of for a Black Hills trip. I would start with a couple of days in Badlands National Park .  Spend the night in Wall, visit Wall Drug and the Badlands from here, then head over to Wind Cave National Park.

Spend a night or 2 in Hot Springs to easily access the park where you can do some hiking, look for bison, and do a cave tour. Make a stop at the Mammoth site while you’re here, too.

Finally, head to Keystone for a few days. This is the perfect base for exploring the Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park area. 

Some of the must-do activities here are visiting Mount Rushmore (of course), driving Iron Mountain Road , driving the Needles Highway, driving the Custer Wildlife Loop Road, hiking Cathedral Spires Trail, and relaxing at Sylvan Lake. If you want a little side trip, you can easily visit Devils Tower in Wyoming, too.  

Recommended by Megan of Red Around the World

Chicago to St. Louis road trip

Recommended trip: 4-6 days

Driving from Chicago, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri should be on any midwest road trip. This journey is part of Route 66, one of the original highways in the United States. Route 66 was the primary route for people wishing to move west. Opt to spend one day driving this four and a half-hour drive, or break it up and spend the night in Springfield, Illinois.  

For this journey, start in Chicago. Make sure to spend at least 3 days in Chicago. Stay in the centrally located Downtown/River North area. Do not miss the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum.

Grab some pictures at “The Bean” in Millenium Park. Daredevils can opt for “The Edge” experience at the Skydeck or the Tilt Experience at the John Hancock Building. 

In the morning depart Chicago to drive south towards Springfield, the capital of Illinois . Stop by the capitol building and take a free tour of the building.

Visit Abraham Lincoln’s grave at Oak Ridge Cemetery and then visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Grab a custard at Krekel’s before heading onward to St. Louis, Missouri. 

Plan to spend at least 2 days in St. Louis to explore the main sites. Plan to stay in the Downtown area. Ride to the top of the St. Louis Arch at Gateway Arch National Park.

Take a peek into history at the Old Courthouse, where the Dread Scott decision was made. Make sure to eat some delicious BBQ before departing St. Louis.

Recommended by Francesca of Home Room Travel

You might also like: 101 Road Trip Food Ideas: Best Fun and Healthy Snacks You’ll Love

Indianapolis, IN to Boyne City, MI

Recommended trip: 2-3 days

Ready for a fantastic Midwest road trip? Regardless of the time of year, driving from Indianapolis, Indiana to Boyne City, MI is a perfect way to enjoy a long weekend.

Day one, you’ll want to get up early and head to Lansing, MI. It’s about 3.5 hours from Indy, so if you time it right, be sure to stop for lunch at Soup Spoon Cafe – a flight of soup is a fun way to start your mini-vacation. Next, if you have younger kids, head over to the Impression 5 Science Center – they’ll love the full sensory experiences. 

After the museum, finish your drive north and check-in at Boyne Mountain for the night. Enjoy a full day of exploring Boyne Mountain and nearby Boyne City the next day. If it’s winter, hit the slopes for a little skiing or even tubing.

If it’s summertime, enjoy hiking, ziplining, or swimming. Downtown Boyne City is situated right on Lake Charlevoix and the town is full of delicious restaurants such as Cafe Sante and Red Mesa as well as unique local boutiques.

Leave Boyne Mountain, and head over to Petoskey for your final day. Start it off right with amazing bagels and donuts at Johann’s Bakery and then hurry over to the main Kilwins location for a factory tour. Kilwin’s offers free tours Monday – Friday every half-hour from 10 – 4:30, and each one ends with a decadent chocolate treat.

After the tour, spend a little time poking around downtown Petoskey for lunch and to pick up a few Michigan souvenirs before heading back to Indianapolis.

Recommended by Pam of Our Adventure is Everywhere

You might also like: Road Trip with Kids: 15 Essentials to Pack

Central Iowa road trip

We highly recommend taking a road trip through Central Iowa. You’ll pass through  Des Moines , Iowa’s capital and other smaller towns that have some fun and interesting attractions.

Heading east along I-80, your first stop should be the town of Winterset. It’s famous for having the  actual  bridges of Madison County. Six of the original 19 covered bridges in Madison County have been preserved just outside of town. Winterset is also the birthplace of John Wayne. There is a museum dedicated to him, with lots of personal and movie memorabilia.

Continuing east, you reach Des Moines. We love this artsy city! It’s easy to find street art there and downtown has a 4.4-acre sculpture park that is free to the public. There’s also a really lovely botanical garden in Des Moines.

Of course, visiting the Capitol Building is a must. You can do a free self-guided tour and marvel at the building’s incredible architecture.

The next stop on your road trip should be the town of Grinnell. Home to Grinnell College, they have a small but impressive art museum on campus.

Grinnell is also the home of one of eight “jewel-box” banks built by legendary architect Louis Sullivan. He is considered the father of modern American architecture and mentored Frank Lloyd Wright. The bank is beautiful, with large stained-glass windows and pink Tennessee marble floors.

Recommended by Vicky of Buddy The Traveling Monkey

More road trip destinations in the Midwest

St. louis to kansas city.

Recommended trip: 3-5 days

While many people think of Missouri as a fly-over state, it’s full of not-to-be-missed gems, from St. Louis to Kansas City. So why not see some of them in one fell swoop with a 5-day road trip?

Start in St. Louis, a city bursting with historic architecture and a thriving food and cocktail scene. Spend 2 days here, exploring the City Museum, an adult playground/art installation of interactive salvaged architectural objects. Visit Forest Park, one of the country’s largest urban parks and its world-class museums, all boasting free admission. And, of course, the Missouri Botanical Gardens, consistently ranked one of the best in the nation.

At night, eat your way through the exploding culinary landscape, with one of the many restaurants helmed by James Beard nominated chefs, like Vicia or Lona’s Lil’ Eats.

Once you’ve gotten your fill, drive west to Hermann, a tiny town that has several wineries, breweries, and distilleries nestled in its idyllic grassy hills. For just $20, the Hermann Trolley will shuttle you between these establishments all day, so you can responsibly imbibe in as many craft beverages as you please.

After a day here, finish your trip with 2 days in Kansas City, famous for its jazz scene. To get a taste of it yourself, head to the American Jazz Museum during the day and the Green Lady Lounge at night to see some of the world’s best musicians in action. By the end of the trip, you’ll be ecstatic to have discovered some of the Show Me State’s abundant treasures! 

Recommended by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler

Oh, and if you’re planning to rent a car for one of these Midwest road trip routes, be sure to check out the cheap rates on Discover Cars . I usually save 10-30%, which can really add up! Discover Cars searches the top carriers to find the best deal, at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win! Search cheap rental cars now .

Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells

One of the best Midwest road trips you can take is exploring the highlights of Wisconsin. The ideal road trip itinerary takes you from Milwaukee to Green Bay and ends in Wisconsin Dells.

Start your road trip in Milwaukee , but you can’t leave without spending at least 2 days in this vibrant city. As a matter of fact, people flood from all over the United States to visit Milwaukee for its food, attractions and history.

Must do’s are the Harley Davidson Museum and the historic Third Ward.  Stay in the iconic Pfister Hotel in downtown.

From here you finally head out to the beautiful North of Wisconsin. Along the Michigan river you’ll cross scenic towns such as Port Washington. When you arrive in Green Bay, get ready to explore this vibrant town located in Door County. 

Some of the best things to do here are visiting the Heritage Hill State Park and watch a game by the legendary Green Bay Packers. Plan at least 1 day to visit the city and all the best things to do in Door County .

From Green Bay you’ll drive to Wisconsin Dells which is famous for its waterparks. However, there is so much more to do here. From shopping to hiking in the Dells or staying overnight in one of the  most romantic cabins in Wisconsin , there will be plenty of options to spend at least 2 days in Wisconsin Dells.

Recommended by Paulina of Paulina on the Road

Southern Minnesota road trip

Eat, relax and have fun in Southern Minnesota! Enjoy a food lovers paradise in Austin, Minnesota. Known for having some of the best Mexican food in the state of Minnesota, Austin is also known for award-winning BBQ sauces, french onion soup and stuffed raspberry french toast.

Want to have a food challenge, then be sure to stop by the Tendermaid. Also, don’t forget to visit the one and only SPAM Museum ! Yes – it’s real and there are nearly 20 restaurants with SPAM on the menu.

Then sit back, relax and enjoy the view in Fairmont, Minnesota . Home to a chain of 5 lakes and 29 parks in city limits, Fairmont provides you that opportunity to become one with nature. Explore lakeside dining, outdoor recreation and an arts and culture scene that is sure to impress .

Next discover how  Germans Have More Fun  in New Ulm! Enjoy a road trip through the MN River Valley National Scenic Byway to the most German city in America.

In New Ulm you can climb 102’ to the top of the ‘Herman the German’ monument. Enjoy a tour/tasting at Schell’s Brewery, MN’s oldest brewery. Shop the unique boutiques in the historic downtown. Hear bells chime at our Glockenspiel. See the 1873 murals in the rathskeller at Turner Hall. 

With so much to do in Southern Minnesota, there’s something for everyone!

Read next: How to Save Money for Travel: Your Vacation Savings Plan

Richmond, IN to Butler County, OH

If you’re looking for a cool trip, head to Indiana and Ohio! Starting off in Richmond, Indiana, visit the Wayne County Historical Museum and the Levi Coffin House. Be sure to hear their amazing story of the Underground Railroad!

Stay at the Starr Loft in Richmond before heading to Ohio. On your way to Ohio’s Lake Erie Islands, take a diversion into Bremen at the Bicycle Museum of America. Then onto the Marblehead Lighthouse in Marblehead, Ohio where this historic lighthouse guided sailors safely since 1822.

That night stay at Port Clinton’s Fairfield Inn & Suites. The next morning, head over to Ohio’s Lake Erie Islands. Take Miller Boat Line’s Ferry to Put-in-Bay where you can ferry your car over to the island.

Visit Perry’s Peace Memorial which honors the War of 1812. Check out the view up the 352-foot tower! The memorial honors those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie. The next day, on Kellys Island, take a tour in a golf cart to check out natural phenomenons like the Glacial Grooves.

Be sure to hang out for an afternoon in Downtown Sandusky, Ohio . Take a Segway tour, visit Cedar Point Amusement Park, visit the Merry-Go-Round Museum or go parasailing.

Last stop on this road trip is Butler County, Ohio! Enjoy the Donut Trail and tour outdoor art at the Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park.

Recommended by Cindy of Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl

Related read: Best Midwest Camping Spots

Loess Hills Scenic Byway (Missouri to Iowa)

The Loess Hills Scenic Byway takes its travelers through the most extensive loess (essentially, ancient wind-blown silt deposits) outside a remote region of China! While the byway officially starts at the Iowa state border, the hills themselves run north-south a bit east of the Missouri River, from St. Joseph, Missouri to the Sioux City, Iowa area, passing near Omaha, Nebraska in the middle of the journey.

Each of these cities are destinations in their own right, and combined, they make a road trip full of scenic views and ample entertaining places to stop along the way.  

In St. Joe, Missouri, local museums provide fascinating looks at the history of the Pony Express, the art of Thomas Hart Benton (often depicting loess hills!) and the life of the nefarious Jesse James. Near Mound City, Missouri, visit the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge to see waterfowl and bald eagles.

The Hitchcock Nature Center near Omaha and the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center in Sioux City provide more information about the unique geology, flora, and fauna of the Loess Hills along with opportunities for hiking, boating, and more!

For ideal cruising food, try Billy Boy Drive-through just a few miles from the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center in Soiux City for a burger and a shake! 

Recommended by Lindsay of Siouxland Families

More ideas: Midwest road trips

Minneapolis to omaha.

Recommended trip: 4-5 days

Get a nice mix of cities and wide open spaces on a Midwest road trip from Minneapolis to Omaha. Starting in Minneapolis, you’ll want to spend 1-2 days visiting the lakes, restaurants and of course, checking out the Mall of America .

Visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in downtown and grab an ice cream cone at Izzy’s Ice Cream . The largest mall in North America (Mall of America) is a whole lot more than shopping, too. With an indoor amusement park, it’s the perfect activity for any weather.

Then hit the road! Next stop: Northwestern Iowa. Stop in Estherville, Iowa for a rustic winery , experience an 80-year old swinging bridge or to visit the site of the largest known meteorite seen crashing into North America.

You could stay in Esterville for the night, or head about half an hour west to Lake Okoboji. In Okoboji, Iowa you’ll find shopping, dining and a bunch of water activities , of course! Try the Arnold’s Park Amusement Park or live music after a day on the water.

Next on this Midwest road trip is Sioux City, Iowa. Grab lunch or dinner at the Fourth Street Historic District in downtown Sioux City , catch a show at the Orpheum Theatre or visit Palmer’s Old Tyme Candy Shoppe for a sweet treat before leaving town.

Omaha, Nebraska is the final destination on this Midwest road trip itinerary. You’ll want to spend 1-2 days visiting this fun city. Omaha is known as the silicone prarie, a tech hub that’s family-friendly, yet trendy enough to support a vibrant art scene and plenty of outdoor space.

One of the best things to do in Omaha is to visit the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium , It’s the largest tourist attraction in the state, and regularly competes with the San Diego Zoo as the #1 zoo in the country! It really is that fantastic!

Check out North America’s largest indoor rain forest, feed the giraffes, walk under sharks in the aquarium and watch the animals in the world’s largest indoor desert dome. Tip: be sure to buy your tickets in advance online and arrive early to avoid the crowds as best as you can.

Get a good tour of the city while taking fun photos at the most Instagrammable places in Omaha . Spend some time wandering the Lauritzen Gardens or check out the Fun-Plex Waterpark.

For some mystery check out the Joslyn Castle , and for some history visit the Lewis and Clark Landing. The Old Market in downtown is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat after a long day touring the city.

Recommended by me! Nikki of She Saves She Travels

Duluth to Grand Marais, Minnesota

Recommended trip: 1-2 days

A Minnesota road trip on Highway 61 between Duluth and Grand Marais will offer you amazing views of Lake Superior, numerous options for a delicious bite to eat, and some can’t miss attractions .

As you leave Duluth, choose the 24-mile scenic route to Two Harbors, and take in the view of Lake Superior along the way. In Two Harbors you can walk along the breakwater to the lighthouse, and watch the ore ships coming and going. Enjoy a local brew at Castle Danger Brewery after doing some shopping in Agate Bay.

Just north of Two Harbors is Betty’s Pies and you don’t want to miss stopping here ! This is a full service restaurant, but they also have a walk up counter where you can order their famous pie. The pie flavors change every day, but you definitely want to try the Great Lakes Fruit Pie . This pie is filled with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples, and rhubarb and it is one of a kind.

It is 11 miles to the next stop, in Castle Danger, but get your camera ready because you’ll be driving through 2 large tunnels, and the exits of both perfectly frame Lake Superior. 

Castle Danger is home to Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse State Parks. You can learn a little history of the area while touring the lighthouse and take a hike down the hillside to dip your toes in the cool Lake Superior water.

Gooseberry Falls State Park has 5 waterfalls that you can hike to, and a very nice visitor center to buy some souvenirs at.

Along the remaining 72 miles to Grand Marais, take the time to stop at a beach or two to hunt for agates. The beaches along the North Shore are loaded with agates and it’s fun to find a few to bring home.  

The city of Grand Marais has a main street full of local shops that ends on the shore of Lake Superior.  The beach is a popular spot to watch the water, and to eat a delicious donut from World’s Best Donuts or maybe you’ll want a slice of thin crust pizza from Sven and Ole’s.  

Grand Marais is also the start of the Gunflint Trail. This is a 57-mile paved roadway that ends in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area near the border of Ontario.

This 110 mile road trip between Duluth and Grand Marais can be made in one day, but why not take your time and really discover the beauty of Lake Superior and the North Shore.

Recommended by Vicki of That Was a First

I-70 Kansas road trip: Abilene to Kansas City

Recommended trip: 2-4 days

Enjoy a wealth of historic, cultural, and recreational activities along Interstate 70 in northern Kansas. Start in Abilene, Kansas with visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. Head over to pet Ginger, the greeter at the Greyhound Hall of Fame. Enjoy award-winning fried chicken at the Brookville Hotel.

Next stop along I-70 in Kansas is Junction City, home to Milford Lake and the Fishing Capital of Kansas. Tour Fort Riley’s museums, but prepare for security. Eat Munson-raised, dry-aged beef at Munson’s Prime restaurant, a local favorite. A perfect spot to call it a night is by the lake at Acorns Resort.

Then you’ll hit Manhattan, Kansas. For high adventure, fly zip lines at Wildwood Adventure Park. Afterwards, relax and eat and drink at Liquid Art Winery & Estate!

Slide into Topeka, Kansas where you can dive into history and visit the state capitol and the national historic site where the Supreme Court reversed segregation in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka . A great way to end the day is with elegance at the Cyrus Hotel.

As you head east on I-70, you’ll get to Lecompton, Kansas. Learn more about where slavery began to die at Constitution Hall State Historic Site and the Territorial Capitol. Then lighten things back up by grabbing a slice of gourmet pie at Aunt Netter’s Cafe. Delicious!

Next up is Lawrence, Kansas and downtown is the place to be! Experience downtown Lawrence during the day or night. See basketball’s original rules at The Cradle of Basketball. And if you’re looking for a brewery, Free State Brewing Co. is Kansas’ first post-prohibition brewery. Stay at in the heart of Lawrence at The Oread.

The final stop on this Northern Kansas road trip before arriving at Kansas City is Leavenworth, Kansas. Visit Fort Leavenworth, or ride antique carousels at C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. A must-try in Leavenworth is the steak house tenderloin at Metropolitan Steakhouse.

Wrapping up the I-70 Kansas road trip is of course, Kansas City! Enjoy the major leagues: sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park and NASCAR at Kansas Speedway. Eat top-notch barbecue at SLAP’s BBQ. After a great road trip in Kansas, stay in the Chateau Avalon.    

Recommended by Roxie of Roxie on the Road

Midwest road trip: Missouri Route 66

While most people think of a  Route 66  Road Trip as starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, you don’t need to take two weeks and traverse half the country to get in a taste of the Mother Road. Instead, you can pick a portion and explore it in-depth.

Missouri has a great stretch of Route 66 right here in the Midwest. It starts in the northeast crossing over from Illinois into St. Louis and ends at the Oklahoma border after passing through Joplin.

Obviously the most iconic site on Missouri’s portion of Route 66 is the Gateway Arch, which practically welcomes you onto the road. Make sure to tour Meramec Caverns , see the one-room jail in Cuba, and explore the interesting history of Carthage. 

Take advantage of the fun roadside kitsch of the route and get out at as many stops as you can. A real Route 66 road trip means you need to spend a few nights in the state’s retro motels and enjoy some diners and dive bars.

Recommended by Stephanie of Oklahoma Wonders

Driftless Area Scenic Byway (Iowa)

Recommended trip: 1-3 days

Allamakee County is the home to the most scenic byway in the state of Iowa, Driftless Area Scenic Byway. This beautiful scenic byway zigzags its way on hard-surfaced and gravel roads through the high relief, pre-glacial landscape in extreme northeastern Iowa in Allamakee County. 

This byway has been voted most scenic byway in the state of Iowa . It’s 100 miles of amazing! Along the Driftless Area Scenic Byway you will find…

Effigy Mounds National Monument , the 2,526-acre park by the Yellow River has walking trails with modest to extended routes, allowing you to select your route and view a variety of mounds. An accessible boardwalk trail into the wetlands near the visitor center is available for persons of all walking abilities.

Yellow River State Forest was first acquired as a state forest in 1935, the Yellow River State Forest has grown to encompass nearly 9,000 acres of natural beauty.

Great River Road , where you can enjoy 36.2 miles of the Great River Road in Allamakee County. You will discover the best of the Great River Road right here!

Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center , where you’ll see live animals, interpretative displays, 2 viewing decks of the Mississippi River, and a great group educational experience.  Located just south of Lansing.

This Midwest road trip takes your scenic adventure to another level with:

• Wine Tasting – Madigan Winery, Lansing & Empty Nest Winery, Waukon
• Bird Watching
• Beer Tasting – Safe House Saloon in Lansing
• Trout Fishing
• Cheese Curd Tour – WW Homestead Dairy in Waukon
• Shopping – Horsfall’s in Lansing, Paint Creek Gifts in Waterville and City Meat Market inNew Albin

Recommended by Val of Allamakee County

Take these tips with you! Download the free road trip checklist!

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Triple Nickel Byway (Ohio)

Winding through the southern part of Ohio is the  Triple Nickel  which encompasses parts of State Route 555. If you’ve never been on this scenic, twisting by-way through the hills of Ohio, you need to put it on your bucket list! This is a perfect day trip that takes you from the picturesque town of Zanesville to the history-rich city of Marrietta.  

The Triple Nickel is one of the more challenging roads in Ohio, but you can take in some of the amazing historical sites when you’re in the area. While touring through Morgan County you can see the Big Muskie bucket part of the world’s largest earth-moving machine in Miner’s Memorial Park and Barkhurst Mill Covered Bridge.  

No trip on the Triple Nickel is complete without stopping to eat at the Triple Nickel Diner in Chesterhill. Pro-tip: Make sure to check their website for the hours of operation because they vary with the seasons.  

If you’re looking for a great place to stay while on the route, take a small detour to the  Stockport Mill Inn located in Stockport, Ohio . You’ll be treated to stunning views of the Muskingum River and the operating locks. Dotty, the owner, will treat you like family and feed you amazing comfort foods only found at the Inn.

The Triple Nickel doesn’t disappoint the road tripper looking for a challenge in the Midwest.

Recommended by Brandy of Gleason Family Adventure

Madison to Spring Green, Wisconsin

One of the most exciting small cities in the Midwest is  Madison, Wisconsin . It has a wonderful dining scene and miles of shoreline and bike trails.

A culmination of a college-town and a bustling city, Madison is also home one of America’s most beloved architects: Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright used Madison and its neighborhoods as a canvas, where visitors can see his many designs come to life. Although several of Madison’s Wright-designed houses are private residences, designs like the First Unitarian Meeting Houses and Monona Terrace are must-see spots for any architectural buffs! Both buildings are just a short 10-minute drive away.

If you want to see more of the city’s art scene , visit either the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art or the Chazen Museum of Art! Both museums boast both Wisconsin-based artists, as well as international artists too. Furthermore, admission is free for adults, making this the perfect stop for anyone that loves to travel on a budget. 

While you’re in Madison we also highly recommend grabbing tacos from Matthew Danky and his exciting outpost El Grito Tacqueria.  

From Madison, drive about 40 minutes to the quaint town of New Glarus , Wisconsin. The main attraction here is New Glarus Brewing, one of the most highly regarded breweries by beer snobs across the country so make sure to spend a few hours there. 

New Glarus also has rich Swiss heritage. Explore and find an authentic Swiss bakery or locally made raclette and cheese fondue.

Our last stop is very enjoyable Spring Green, an hour away down winding country roads.  Frank Lloyd Wright spent the better part of his life living and working in Spring Green and maintained a school at Taliesin. Wright’s students designed many unique buildings in and around Spring Green.

Recommended by Nick of Road Goat

16 best Midwest road trips

Well there you have it! I hope you’ve found some inspiration on which route you’ll take on your upcoming Midwest road trip! Midwest states have a lot to offer for any type of road trip you’re looking for!

Comment below on which you’re considering – or which route surprised you most!

You might also like: Best Hiking in the Midwest – 16 Cool Hikes You’ll Love Denver to Moab Road Trip: 16 Scenic Stops You Gotta See to Believe 27 Awesome Things to Do in Sandusky, Ohio You Can’t Miss Perfect Colorado Itinerary: 22 Road Trip Stops You Need to See Miami to Key West Road Trip: 22 Stops Along the Way 26 Best Places to Visit in October in the US

Planning to rent a car for one of these scenic routes? Check out the cheap rental car rates on my favorite site. I save up to 30%, which is awesome!

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Saturday 25th of September 2021

Awesome. I'm wanting to take a scenic drive from Kansas to Ohio, off the beaten path. What are your recommendations?

Sunday 26th of September 2021

Where in Kansas and Ohio? I've spent time in Kansas City and St. Louis which may be along the way, but aren't necessarily off the beaten path. Perhaps a bit more southern, I've heard the Mark Twain National Forest and Shawnee National Forest are both gorgeous! Otherwise I've recently spent time in Sandusky Ohio, Put-in-Bay Ohio and the Lake Erie area. I'm sorry, I'm not sure I have a whole lot of suggestions for that specific route since I haven't personally done it. Best of luck on your road trip!

Alice Peace

Wednesday 27th of January 2021

Thank you for this! A road-trip in the States is definitely on the cards in the future.

Yay! How fun, Alice. I'm crossing my fingers it's soon!

Pamela Foester

Tuesday 12th of January 2021

I love exploring the Midwest, thanks for sharing.

You're so welcome, Pamela!

Tuesday 25th of August 2020

You missed a Gem of the Midwest. Part of the Driftless region on NE Iowa you need to check out the town of Decorah and the area around it. River bluffs, water falls, bike trails, 3 award winning breweries, big Scandinavian culture and museum.

Wednesday 26th of August 2020

Great suggestion! I've heard of Decorah but have never been!

Christa Ellis

Tuesday 9th of June 2020

I love that you included the Levi Coffin House. I have a post about it on my blog. Levi Coffin was a distant cousin to me through his grandmother Prudence Beals/Bales.

Friday 12th of June 2020

Oh very cool! What a small world, Christa! My pleasure to feature it. :)

Midwest Travel Guides

TravelGuides.com is your comprehensive, one-stop source for the best travel guides, vacation brochures, maps and planning kits. Whether you want them in your mailbox or your email inbox, these travel guides and travel brochures help you plan the perfect vacation. The desire to travel can be spontaneous. But great trips are carefully planned.

These free travel guides will help you make your vacation as fun as it should be.

Why order with TravelGuides.com? We have the broadest selection of USA travel brochures available online. We've delivered over 1.7 million tourism brochures and vacation guides. You can choose between print versions via mail or download ebooks. Planning a road trip? There's no need to go from one destination website to another. Just visit TravelGuides.com to order all your destinations at once.

As The great Eastern philosopher Lao-Tzu once said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." At TravelGuides.com we want to be that first step you take that enables you to embark on the great adventures of your lifetime. Our Free Travel Guides and travel brochures of the United States and surrounding regions are the perfect way to begin your exploration of destinations that will suit your travel wishes and help you determine which trip is right for you.

TravelGuides.com is the perfect one-stop website to meet all of your pre-travel planning needs. You can use our site to review and order free brochures from over a hundred unique destinations, saving you the trouble of searching through multiple websites for the tools you need to plan your trip.

Our site is easily searchable by the state or city maps, and you will be able to instantly select any of the brochures or guides you are interested in from any page you choose.

Our mission at TravelGuides.com.com is to put the world you want to visit at your fingertips with quick and easy access to maps, travel tips, local discounts, up to date information and the expert advice found in our offered brochures. Many of our guides are available for instant download, or you can choose to have the guides and brochures mailed to you at no cost. Get the most fun out of your vacation with free travel guides.

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Ohio travel author has area signings.

Brandy Gleason, author of “100 Things to Do in Ohio Before You Die,” will do two book signings in Trumbull County on Saturday.

“100 Things …” is the latest work by Gleason, whose other books include “100 Things to Do in Ohio’s Amish Country Before You Die,” “Midwest Road Trips” and “Midwest State Parks.” She also is the creator of the Ohio Road Trips group on Facebook.

She will do book signings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at End of the Commons General Store, 8719 state Route 534, Mesopotamia, and from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Books-A-Million, Eastwood Mall, 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles.

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Books | The most infamous serial killers all seem to…

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Books | the most infamous serial killers all seem to have something in common — they’re from the midwest.

What is it about the Midwest that breeds so many serial killers?

What is in the soil that grows the sort of grisly murderers who launch a million headlines? Adam Rapp has wondered for a long time. He was born in Chicago and raised in Joliet in the 1970s, when Joliet was not the best place to grow up. Gangs proliferated. There were rumors of white vans whose drivers offered neighborhood boys a peek at a Playboy. You couldn’t escape to Chicago — killer clown John Wayne Gacy and nurse killer Richard Speck came out of there. Rapp’s father lived in Wilmette, but then John Carpenter’s “Halloween” came out when he was 10 and was based in Haddonfield, a fictional Illinois town “that looked like Wilmette, oak trees, porch swings. And that drove home the immediacy of my worries — I mean, how was I going to use my keys to get into my house and escape from a killer if my hands were shaking that bad?”

Rapp was closer to his fears than he knew.

When he was 5, his family was leaving the Kankakee area when “a driver pulled up next to us on I-57 brandishing a rifle, traveling in the oncoming lane.” Rapp was asleep beside his sister, who locked eyes with the gunman. Their mother, sitting in the passenger’s seat, looked over and clutched their baby brother (Anthony Rapp, who later became an acclaimed theater actor).

The gunman drove on.

That night, the mystery driver, a Chicagoan named Henry Brisbon, later dubbed the “I-57 killer,” killed three people. He was sent to Stateville Correctional , where Rapp’s mother worked as a nurse. (She would also serve as a material witness in Brisbon’s trial.) Stateville, a stone’s throw from their apartment, was home to Speck; Rapp’s mother was friends with the nurses that Speck killed. Stateville also briefly housed Gacy, and near the end of her career, Rapp’s mother attended to Gacy on the day of his execution.

Adam Rapp went on to become a Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright and author whose themes tend to spring out of legacies of stray violence and social alienation. His new adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders” — arguably the greatest young adult novel to address those topics — recently opened in previews on Broadway. But also nested in that career has been a question that Rapp hasn’t been able to shake since he was a child:

Why do so many famous murderers come out of the Midwest?

This story offers no answers. How could it? Murder is not a Midwest invention. But why then does the Midwest — and the Chicago area, in particular — appear to nurture such a grim, sensational history of unimaginable killings? Rapp can’t say. But lots of writers have tried. This spring alone, a pair of new novels chew over the question: There’s Rapp’s family epic, “Wolf at the Table,” and Cynthia Pelayo’s “Forgotten Sisters,” which tackles the persistent real-life rumor that a serial killer is targeting young men and dumping their bodies in the Chicago River. Spoiler: As compelling as both of these books read, neither get any closer to an understanding. Next month is the 100th anniversary of the killing of 14-year-old Bobby Franks by two University of Chicago students named Leopold and Loeb. At least morally, we are no closer to understanding that, either. Statistically, historically, New York and California generate more killers than the Midwest, but neither of those places wear them quite like the wheat fields and anonymous apartment complexes of the Midwest.

One reason, perhaps: Free-floating menace doesn’t slip into densely-populated areas as cleanly, or lazily, as it does in literature about the Midwest. I’ve been reading a lot of recent novels and histories about famous (and fictional) Midwest murders and often the covers match the barrenness of the land to a moral barrenness: Bleak horizons and cobalt skies, windmills watching in silence, rusting pitchforks, crumbling wells, dirt-cellar floors and miles of unmarked graves. Our ominous middle of the nowhere seems to be everywhere from Ohio to Nebraska.

As a native of the East Coast (the seat of publishing), I confess to plenty of regional biases: The terrific first line of Chicago novelist Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl” — “When I think of my wife, I always think of her head” — lands differently knowing it takes place in Missouri. I don’t think I’m being mean. Lori Rader-Day, another Chicago novelist with  knack for Midwest murder, explained: “Cornfields are creepy, man. The Midwest may be written off as a harmless nowhere, where community is everything, everyone cares for each other. But people do feel isolated. I think it’s one reason people turn towards evil.”

As she once wrote: There’s so much potential for darkness in the Midwest.

And that’s not even including Chicago, the nation’s haunted house. Pelayo was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Northwest Side neighborhood of Hermosa, and still writes her books from there. She said whenever she tours for a new novel, she inevitably meets audiences that assume she pens her horror-tinged thrillers “from a bombed-out hellhole, so I tell them: I’m not scared of Chicago, I love it, I raised children here, I do dumb stuff at night.

“And yet, of course — we have this history of murder that’s hard to really understand.”

Her novels regard Chicago’s past and present as uneasy neighbors, sometimes fantastically, usually violently. We’re reminded in “Forgotten Sisters” of generations of “long-submerged bloated corpses” settled on the floor of the Chicago River. Characters hear echos from the old Union Stockyards — “a great cacophony” of butchering. As in her other books — which address the local history of gun violence and inequality — our contemporary ugliness gets pressed against the city’s paradoxical history with Walt Disney (born here) and “The Wizard of Oz” (written here). Without giving anything away, “Forgotten Sisters” offers a bit of “The Little Mermaid,” meets the real-life S.S. Eastland river disaster of 1915, meets recent whispers (denied by Chicago authorities) of a “Smiley Face” serial killer stalking the city, targeting predominantly young white males.

“We romanticize the death of millionaires on the Titanic,” she said, “and forget the 844 people who died on the Eastland (in the Chicago River) were largely immigrants who helped to build Chicago. And the way we’ve forgotten their loss, that’s a double tragedy.”

So, in her novel, there’s karmic, supernatural revenge for the wrongs of the past.

Pelayo has always wondered, she said, “if there’s something more”  to so much horrible spectacle in the Midwest. But then, she brakes just short of supernatural explanations.

His mother kept most of her professional connections to famous killers a secret. She rarely discussed her work at Stateville with her children. They knew she had lived in Manteno not far from the state psychiatric hospital, but not until after she died in 1997 and an aunt gave Rapp a shoebox of his mother’s possessions did he piece together her broader history with mental illness: “That started my weird fascination with this simple woman’s frequent proximity to extraordinary acts of male violence.” But of course, there’s nothing supernatural to that. His book, “Wolf at the Table,” is fiction: It tells the story of a family marked by mental illness. A father abandons his North Shore life after a voice tells him to kill. A brother spends years wandering, and killing, largely unrecognized. There’s also a main character who reads an awful lot like Rapp’s mother.

She’s a nurse who works with Gacy, and also knew Gloria Davy, one of the (real-life) nurses killed by Speck in 1966 on the Far South Side. The morning she learns Davy was murdered, Rapp’s character still puts on her nurses uniform and reports to work. “As her train clatters past Wrigley Field,” Rapp writes, she gets hyper-aware of her uniform, and this latest Chicago tragedy: “Do they think she’s playing some cruel joke?”

In the second season of the Hulu series “Fargo,” an unseen narrator (voiced by Martin Freeman) reads from a volume titled “The Big Book of True Crime in the Midwest.” It’s a fictional book conceived by series creator Noah Hawley (a New Yorker), and like many histories of Midwest murder, it looks light on Native American massacres and white supremacy. But it also appears ancient and dusty, and therefore, irrefutable.

After all, the image of Midwest as a cauldron of violence was shaped through writing, and predates the days of Al Capone. Journalists recycled the idea that the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was divine retribution for a place so corrupt. As early as 1899, Henry Blake Fuller, among Chicago’s first full-time novelists, gave a talk at the Fine Arts Building in which he described the city as “a hideously makeshift horror.” He wasn’t even referring to H.H. Mudgett, executed three years earlier, and now considered among the United States‘ first serial killers. From his Englewood drugstore, Mudgett (better known as H.H. Holmes) preyed on visitors to the World’s Columbia Exposition; more than century later, he’s known as the subject of the best-selling “Devil in the White City.” Yet not long after the fair closed in 1893, there were already best-selling accounts — written by Chicago police officers — of crime at the event.

By the time Theodore Dreiser published “An American Tragedy” (1925) and Richard Wright wrote his own American tragedy “Native Son” (1940) — both centered on accidental, yet seemingly inevitable killings — the image of a fetid metropolis encircled by dark fields of scarecrows was indelible. It became less shocking to hear of a William Heirens, the Lipstick Killer of Lincolnwood, who wrote in lipstick at the scene of a 1946 murder: “Catch me before I kill more. I can not control myself.” Yet, as Sarah Weinman, among our finest contemporary crime writers, told me: “It’s important not to think of these things as happening because of something in the local water. There’s nothing in the water. People link horrible events, though the only thing connecting killers like this is the often-marginalized communities they prey on. And that’s not a Midwestern thing.”

Still, when Harry MacLean was growing up in Nebraska, if you wanted to know where the violent people were, he said, you looked east to Chicago. “Then Charlie Starkweather came along in 1958 and transformed our perception of ourselves,” MacLean said. As he wrote in last winter’s “Starkweather: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree that Changed America,” the landscape may be cold and lonely, populated by cows “huddled” against haystacks on bland afternoons, but if you “played by the rules,” took care of your family, remained decent and went to church, then “life will be good.”

It was a white Protestant worldview, and Starkweather, at 19, upset its math. He drove through Lincoln towards Wyoming with his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, killing indiscriminately. He killed in homes, fields and on highways. He had no history of behavioral issues. He had a stable home. “But I remember true fear on adult faces,” MacLean told me. “There was a sense Charlie Starkweather could be hiding in your barn, or step into your living room. I heard stories of people hiding out as far as Iowa. A sense of terror, across a region, was new.” Starkweather eventually killed 10 people.

A year later, four members of the Clutter family were murdered in Kanas, also seemingly at random, a crime immortalized by Truman Capote in his classic “In Cold Blood,” which painted a portrait of endless fields of wheat so isolating it was mainly called “out there.”

The land itself, see, was lethal.

As far back as the 19th century, when the homicidal Bender family trapped, robbed and murdered wayward travelers who happened to be passing by their home on the southwest Kansas plains — recounted by Susan Jonusas’s history, “Hell’s Half-Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, a Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier” (2022) — visitors wrote home that the buildings here wanted to sink into the dirt. When husbands vanished en route to Illinois, wives were told that it was as if the prairie swallowed them.

Rapp, who is also writing an upcoming TV series about the Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein, “can find the bleakness of this region at times especially isolating, opening brooding thoughts for certain men in need of vitamin D.” Gein’s crimes inspired the Maywood native Robert Bloch’s 1959 novel “Psycho,” subsequently inspiring the Alfred Hitchcock film, and decades later, the Buffalo Bill killer of Thomas Harris’ “Silence of the Lambs.” After Gein’s mother died, he started robbing graves and killing people, partly for taxidermy. He lived alone in a farm house without water, due north of Wisconsin Dells.

Indeed, isolation, physical and mental, plays an outsize role in these tales.

“Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls,” Kathleen Hale’s 2022 account of a stabbing outside Milwaukee, is driven by boredom, a suburban legend and the 12-year-olds who believe it. Yet, as Bloch wrote about Gein, Wisconsin was “hardly the proper setting for such characters.” The Slenderman incident was not unlike the killing of Bobby Franks by Leopold and Loeb in that both crimes came out of intense friendships between seeming innocent kids. Leopold and Loeb, college students, came from rich Chicago families. Leopold, wrote crime writer Miriam Allen deFord decades later, was taught as a young child that his family’s “great wealth gave him special privileges and immunities.”

Because of course it does.

But that doesn’t fit the archetypal Midwest character. Generosity, ordinariness, neighborliness — that’s who we are. It’s also those qualities, however, that led John Wayne Gacy — a party clown and REO Speedwagon fan in good standing with the Junior Chamber of Commerce — to go unsuspected. When women began vanishing around Gein’s farm, he would joke with locals that he was definitely responsible. As if in a parody of Midwest naiveté, Leopold and Loeb went to a hardware store on 43rd Street and bought a single rope, one chisel and a vat of hydrochloric acid, no questions asked.

Is this why the Midwest has so many notorious crimes?

Because Midwesterners are too nice? It’s as good an answer as any. But doubtful. Rapp believes: “This is an American narrative, a dream of a home, a garage, a car, four kids, and what comes with it are killing sprees. And we don’t know why, not really.” Evanston writer Nina Barrett, author of a 2018 history “The Leopold & Loeb Files,” said the relative newness of the University of Chicago in 1924 led some Chicagoans to ask if liberal art educations were breeding immorality. In Nebraska, after Starkweather’s capture, locals blamed the radicalness of Elvis, James Dean, greasers and the sudden popularity of rock music. Today, MacLean said, people still visit the open pastures where the killings occurred, as though some new clue might reveal itself in the soil.

But if I had to bet, Bruce Springsteen has come the closest to the truth.

His bone-dry 1982 acoustic masterwork “Nebraska” was written about Starkweather, and narrated by the killer. At the song’s end, Charlie is asked why he did it, and his reply is plaintive, honest and chilling: “Well, sir, I guess there’s just a meanness in this world.”

[email protected]

Update: This story has been changed to correct information about the Slenderman crime.

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EAPA Case 7818: AMVC-Midwest LLC aka Midwest Livestock Systems, LLC (Notice of Determination as to Evasion, April 9, 2024)

WASHINGTON— On April 9, 2024, CBP issued the notice of determination as to evasion for EAPA case 7818 filed by Hog Slat, Inc., against U.S. importer AMVC-Midwest LLC, also known as Midwest Livestock Systems, LLC (Midwest Livestock), for evasion of AD/CVD orders A-570-947 and C-570-948 on steel grating from China.  Specifically, evidence on the record indicates that Midwest Livestock misclassified steel gratings as farrowing crates and gestation pens.  CBP has determined that there is substantial evidence of evasion of AD/CVD duties by Midwest Livestock and, therefore, CBP issued a formal notice of determination as to evasion and has taken enforcement actions.

In light of CBP’s findings, CBP will:

• CBP will suspend or continue to suspend the entries covered by this investigation, until instructed to liquidate.
• For those entries previously extended in accordance with Interim Measures, CBP will rate adjust and change those entries to type 03 and continue suspension until instructed to liquidate these entries.
• CBP will continue to evaluate Midwest Livestock’s continuous bonds in accordance with CBP’s policies.

For additional information on CBP and EAPA, please visit the  EAPA Homepage . If you suspect an importer of duty evasion, CBP encourages you to submit an allegation through our  online portal .

Follow CBP Office of Trade on Twitter @CBPTradeGov.

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Up to a Trillion Cicadas Are About to Emerge in the U.S.

Two periodical cicada broods are appearing in a 16-state area in the Midwest and Southeast for the first time in centuries. Can you get rid of them? Do they bite you? We answer your questions.

By Aimee Ortiz

In a rare occurrence, a trillion cicadas from two different broods are expected to begin appearing in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States at the end of April.

It’s the first time since 1803 that Brood XIX, or the Great Southern Brood, and Brood XIII, or the Northern Illinois Brood, will appear together in an event known as a dual emergence.

Thomas Jefferson was president the last time that the Northern Illinois Brood’s 17-year cycle aligned with the Great Southern Brood’s 13-year period. After this spring, it’ll be another 221 years before the groups, which are geographically adjacent, appear together again.

A roughly 16-state area will be center stage for these periodical cicadas, which differ from those that appear annually in smaller numbers.

Forested areas, including urban green spaces, are more likely to see higher numbers of cicadas than agricultural regions. To put into perspective just how many of these bugs could emerge, one trillion cicadas, each just over an inch long, would cover 15,782,828 miles if they were placed end to end, said Floyd W. Shockley, an entomologist and collections manager at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

“That cicada train would reach to the moon and back 33 times,” Dr. Shockley said.

When are the cicadas coming out?

The first cicadas are expected to start emerging in late April. Temperature determines when they come out, said Gene Kritsky, a retired professor of biology at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, and the author of several books on cicadas, including “A Tale of Two Broods.”

Professor Kritsky said that first the soil needs to reach 64 degrees Fahrenheit, about six inches deep, and “then you get a good soaking rain, and that’s when they really pop,” he said.

They’ll use their forelegs to tunnel out from the earth, their beady red eyes looking for a spot where they can peacefully finish maturing. A few days after they emerge and molt, the males will start buzzing in an effort to find a mate, a slow-building crescendo of noise that as a chorus can be louder than a plane .

Where will they be?

The first waves of cicadas will emerge in northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, northern Georgia, and up into western South Carolina, Professor Kritsky said.

Then they’ll surface in central North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and northern Arkansas, followed by southern Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky . Finally, he said, the cicadas will appear throughout central and northern Missouri and Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.

How long will the dual emergence last?

The Midwest and Southeast should be buzzing for about six weeks.

In most cases, Dr. Shockley said, the cicadas, which live about a month, will die not far from where they had emerged.

Are cicadas dangerous?

Cicadas don’t bite or sting, nor do they carry any diseases. But since they’re “not great fliers and even worse landers,” cicadas often end up on sidewalks and city streets, where they can be squished by people or cars and “could conceivably make things slick.”

“In urban areas, there will be sufficient numbers to necessitate removal of their bodies,” Dr. Shockley said. “But rather than throwing in the trash or cleaning up with street sweepers, people should consider them basically free fertilizer for the plants in their gardens and natural areas.”

If you have a dog that likes to eat them, it’s not good to let them gorge themselves on the insects because it can lead to intestinal blockage, said Professor Kritsky.

How do I get rid of cicadas?

The short answer is: You don’t. If you have delicate plants that you want to protect, then use special netting created for that purpose.

The bugs are beneficial to the environment, acting as natural tree gardeners. The holes they leave behind when they emerge from the ground help aerate the soil and allow for rainwater to get underground and nourish tree roots in hot summer months. The slits they make in trees can cause some branches to break, and the leaves then turn brown in a process known as “flagging,” which is a kind of natural pruning. When the branch grows again, the fruits it yields will tend to be larger. When they die, the cicadas’ rotting bodies provide nutrients that trees need.

John R. Cooley, a biology professor at the University of Connecticut, said that his best advice for people living in the regions of the dual emergence is to let the bugs be.

“The forest is where they live,” he said. “They are a part of the forest. Don’t try to kill them. Don’t try to spray insecticide, all that kind of thing. That’s just going to end badly because there are more than you could possibly kill with insecticide. You’d end up killing everything.”

Aimee Ortiz covers breaking news and other topics. More about Aimee Ortiz

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USA TODAY 10Best

Enjoy waterfront charm at the 10 best coastal small towns across the US

Best Coastal Small Town (2024) April 10, 2024

Big cities on the water have their perks, but these 10 coastal small towns — nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the country — offer a calm and charm that is hard to find in more heavily populated areas. You can enjoy scenic views, historic attractions, delicious food, and plenty of things to do both on and off the water.

No. 10: Long Beach, Washington

Not to be confused with the Southern California city, Washington's Long Beach is just as relaxed, albeit with a different vibe (and somewhat chillier weather come winter). People-watch on the boardwalk, go birding or biking along their nature trails, take a leisurely lighthouse tour, check out the unique World Kite Museum, or just go restaurant-hopping — the choice is yours in this quaint seaside spot.

No. 9: Washington Island, Wisconsin

Trek to Wisconsin's Washington Island via car ferry and then let your adventure begin! Whether you do some biking and hiking, go back in time at the local history museums, or slow down to smell the lavender at Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm, you're bound to go home with plenty of marvelous memories of this delightful town.

No. 8: Cape May, New Jersey

This seaside town in the southernmost part of the Cape May Peninsula is a popular destination that's quieter and cleaner than its more boisterous cousin to the north, Atlantic City. Families love the free Cape May County Park and Zoo, as well as free summer movies on the beach, while couples might enjoy a sunset cruise, strolling through the various gardens and parks, and getting pampered at the local Cape May Day Spa.

No. 7: Sandusky, Ohio

This Ohio town on the coast of Lake Erie is home to Cedar Point — one of the top roller coaster-laden amusement parks in the country — but there's more to Sandusky than thrill rides. Visitors can enjoy learning more about the town's maritime heritage at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, visit scenic Shoreline Park, go on an island-hopping cruise, and dine at a number of top-notch waterfront restaurants.

No. 6: Newport, Rhode Island

This Rhode Island town has a little something for everyone, from breweries and wineries to regattas and Gilded Age mansions — and that's just the start. Go paddleboarding or sailing, visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame, hike along the Cliff Walk with gorgeous ocean views, or simply stroll about downtown to grab a bite and do some souvenir shopping.

No. 5: Pismo Beach, California

Located along California's Central Coast, Pismo Beach draws in plenty of visitors with its quiet beaches and array of wineries and outlet shopping. Other highlights to check out include Dinosaur Caves Park, the Monarch Butterfly Grove, and the award-winning boardwalk. You might also enjoy some fishing or surfing if you prefer to stay on the water.

No. 4: Gulf Shores, Alabama

Drive an hour west of Pensacola, Florida, and you'll find yourself in the midst of Alabama's best beaches aka Gulf Shores. Swim, surf, and sunbathe by the sea, and then check out some of the area's top attractions like Waterville USA, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (home to sloths and kangaroos), and Gulf State Park. Visitors also love the multitude of beachfront restaurants.

No. 3: Key West, Florida

Key West boasts everything from conch train tours and six-toed cats to a bevy of bars and festivals, not to mention it's the southernmost point in the continental United States. This walkable Florida town is full of historic and coastal charm, with gorgeous white sand beaches and palm-tree lined streets. It's also home to a robust arts scene, a butterfly garden, an aquarium, and buskers a-plenty for year-round entertainment.

No. 2: Saugatuck, Michigan

This lakeside destination is home to award-winning beaches, spas, breweries, art galleries, and so much more. Whether you're looking for a wedding venue or a romantic place to renew vows, want to enjoy a fun wine tasting, or take an unforgettable family vacation with plenty of outdoor time, Saugatuck has it all.

No. 1: Stuart, Florida

Part of Florida’s Treasure Coast, with the impressive Roosevelt Bridge to its north, is the under-the-radar town of Stuart. Walk along the St. Lucie River at Flagler Park or Shepard Park, both great spots for picnicking, fishing, or otherwise relaxing. The Stuart Heritage Museum, Road to Victory Military Museum, and restaurant-lined downtown Stuart are all among the local attractions.

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Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

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MSC Cruises' Latest Sale Has Voyages Starting at $179 — When to Book

The sale is running until April 18.

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is offering monumental savings on sailings to warm weather destinations starting at less than $200 per person.

The sale, which was extended and must be booked by April 18, offers cruises starting at just $179 per person, according to MSC. The sale rate is based on double occupancy and does not include the taxes, fees, or port expenses.

Travelers who take advantage of this deeply-discounted rate can sail on three and four night journeys from Miami for just $179, or from Orlando starting at just $189, MSC shared with Travel + Leisure .

“It’s a great opportunity, whether you’re curious about cruising for the first time or you’re an avid cruiser looking to book your next sailing,” Koreen McNutt, the senior vice president and commercial sales officer for MSC Cruises USA, told T+L. “These quick getaways let guests discover everything we have to offer from world-class onboard entertainment and outstanding family programming to a variety of delicious dining venues and wonderful amenities. Plus, these short cruises all visit our private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, with beautiful white-sand beaches and pristine water brimming with vibrant marine life.” 

The sale also includes MSC’s cruises from Galveston , which the company plans to introduce as its newest homeport in the United States in 2025. The cruise line expects to sail 7-night trips to Mexico and Central America on the MSC Seascape out of Galveston, which start at just $459 per person during the sale.

In addition, MSC is offering savings on its newest ship, the MSC World America , which the company plans to launch next year complete with a thrilling over-water swing ride, 13 different restaurants, an 11-deck-high dry slide, and more. Cruises on this ship start at just $649 per person as part of the sale.

“Cruising offers an unbeatable value proposition for vacations and we’re offering more itinerary options from a larger selection of embarkation ports than ever before, which makes it even easier for more people to discover what MSC Cruises is all about,” McNutt added.

Beyond the cruise fare, MSC is offering the option for travelers to add a drink package and Wi-FI to their booking starting at just $329.

'Expensive in every way': What travelers should expect this summer

Summer travel in 2024 will be "expensive in every way," said Katharine Nohr. And she should know.

She's planning a two-week adventure to Europe in June, which starts with a marathon flight from Honolulu to Zurich, where she'll speak at a conference. Then, she's hopscotching across Europe – to Vienna, then on to the Olympics. Nohr made plans to be in Nantes, France, to watch a soccer game, in Lille for basketball, and in Paris for gymnastics, boxing, and swimming.

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All told, it'll set her back five figures despite her best efforts, which include flying economy class and staying in the lowest-priced hotels. 

"The trip is pricey, even with my efforts to economize," said Nohr, an attorney from Honolulu. "But it's a once-in-my-life adventure." 

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Summer travelers are pursuing exciting, expensive vacations

Nohr is part of a wave of travelers who are making big plans for this summer. The itineraries are exciting – and expensive. 

Pretty much every barometer of travel intent is up for the summer travel season. Inflation and unemployment are low, and consumer sentiment and curiosity are high, fueling an unprecedented interest in travel during the summer of 2024. 

"Bookings are rising," said Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips , a travel agency. "Unfortunately, hotel, tour, and air prices are not falling. So, if you plan on hitting the road this summer, make sure you are willing to splash some cash."

Travel companies say they're overwhelmed with summer reservations.

"The travel economy is booming," said Joe Ialacci, owner of Yacht Hampton Boating Club , a company that rents yachts in Sag Harbor, New York. He's seeing a 40% increase in rentals this summer compared to last year as Americans shift some of their vacation dollars to domestic destinations.

Prices aren't the only thing trending higher. People's expectations for their summer vacation are also higher than at any time since the pandemic, said Sangeeta Sadarangani, CEO of Crossing , a multinational travel agency headquartered in London. 

"They're embracing the unknown," she said.

And one of the great unknowns is travel prices. How much higher will they be?

What will prices be like this summer?

It depends on where you're going. There's good news if you're traveling within the U.S.: flights and hotels are a little less expensive than last summer . But they're rising elsewhere. Here's the breakdown:

• Airfares are mixed. Domestic roundtrip airfares for summer will peak at $315 per ticket, according to the travel platform Hopper . Flights to Europe are cheaper, too. They've fallen 10% from last year to $882. But flights to South America are up 2% and flights to Canada have risen 7%. You'll pay an average of $708 to fly south of the border and $419 to head north.
• U.S. hotel rates are down. Domestically, they're about the same as last year at an average of $206 per night.
• Car rental prices are rising. Average domestic car rental rates are only up 3% this summer to $42 per day on a four-day rental, according to Hopper. 

But you can avoid the high prices with a little strategic planning, experts say.

What to avoid this summer

American travelers are becoming more predictable in their summer vacation choices, said John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group . Immediately after the pandemic, they embarked on "revenge" vacations to far-flung locations. Now they're returning to more conventional vacations.

"We continue to see U.S. travelers heading back to the more traditional locations across Europe this year, like London, Rome, Athens and Munich," he said.

There are places that will be exceptionally busy – and exceptionally pricey – this summer.

• Paris during the Olympics. The Olympic Games are taking place in Paris this summer. Rooms are more than double the normal rates . which is typical of the Olympics. Paris is already crowded with tourists during the summer, so you can probably imagine what it will be like with the Olympics. Zut, alors!
• Taylor Swift is touring Europe this summer. Prices will be higher and the crowds will be denser. "If you aren't planning to attend one of her concerts, I recommend planning around those European cities when she's there," said Betsy Ball, co-founder of Euro Travel Coach . (Want to know if your schedules overlap? Here's Taylor Swift's concert schedule .)
• Other big summer events. Even if you steer clear of Taylor and the Olympics, you're still not out of the woods. There's the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament in Germany in June. There's the Tour de France in July, which begins in Florence and finishes in Nice. France is also hosting the Paralympic Games in August and September, which will take place in Paris, Nice, Marseille and Bordeaux.

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When is the best time to book a 2024 summer vacation?

Since this is going to be a busy one, the sooner you book, the better. Hopper recommends buying your airfare two to three months before your departure for domestic flights, and for international – well, it's probably too late to get that rock-bottom fare. If you're reading this in April, you can still find something for late August or early September, according to its airfare experts.

As always, you can save money by booking a flight for midweek instead of on the weekend – and, of course, by keeping far, far away from the big travel holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. 

Also, if you're going overseas, remember their holiday calendar is different. For example, half of Europe shuts down during August for summer vacation. It's worth a look-up, otherwise, you could face some real disappointments.

Strategies for traveling better during the summer

One tactic that consistently works is splitting your getaway into two sections. Take that required summer vacation with your family somewhere less expensive during the high season. Then, wait until shoulder season for the big trip. 

That's what Ross Copas, a retired electrician from Tweed, Canada, is doing during the summer of 2024. It's a road trip across the northern U.S. by motorcycle – New York to Washington State, and then back east through Canada. 

Then he's heading to Amsterdam in September for a 23-day European river cruise. He said the late summer getaway will be costly, but he doubts fares will fall anytime soon. "So price be damned," he added.

Actually, that's pretty smart. I took the same cruise he's planning on Viking River Cruises many years ago, and it was worth every penny.

With hotel rates rising in some places this summer, this is the right time to consider alternatives. Monica Fish, a writer from Glen Rock, N.J., is headed to Ireland to catch one of Taylor Swift's performances. She said hotel rooms in Dublin are overpriced if they're even available. But Fish found an affordable vacation rental. 

"We just had to book it farther in advance than we normally would," she said. 

Go ahead, follow the crowds this summer

I think it's fine to follow the crowds this summer. I'll be doing it. I'm planning to rent an apartment for a month in Switzerland with Blueground, a long-term apartment rental company. Then I'm crashing on a friend's sofa in Spain, then heading to Sweden to see other friends and visiting my brother in Finland. Yes, travel writers know people everywhere . 

But don't follow the crowds off a cliff. There are places even I won't go. I might take the four-hour train trip from Zurich to Paris in June to check out my favorite patisseries, but I wouldn't go anywhere near the City of Lights during the summer games in July unless I made a reservation a long time ago.

And Taylor Swift? Puh-leeze. I'm more of a jazz guy.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .