Midwest Weekend Getaways: 18 Unforgettable Adventures

Are you looking for the best Midwest weekend getaways?

There are many fantastic weekend getaways in the Midwest from big cities to small towns to national parks.

From the shores of the Great Lakes to the lakes in the Ozarks, the Badlands to Pictured Rocks, Chicago to Cleveland, the Midwest is a very diverse area of the United States.

I am a midwestern girl through and through, born and raised in Youngstown Ohio.

I love the Midwest, and here I share a wide variety of 18 epic Midwest weekend getaways with you!

18 Epic Midwest Weekend Getaways

Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri is an inviting town situated in the Ozark Mountains.

While in Branson, you can spend the day at Table Rock Lake, experience the nightlife of Branson Landing, and visit the Silver Dollar City amusement park.

And you certainly can’t forget to explore everything the Ozark Mountains have to offer!

Stare in awe at the fall foliage in autumn, swim in the Lake of the Ozarks in the summer, and peek into the Bridal Cave at any time of year. these are just some of the best things to do in Missouri.

In other words, it is the perfect combination of nature activities and city life.

Look Here: Silver Dollar City Amusement Park Tickets

Door County, Wisconsin

Door County, Wisconsin may be one of the most romantic getaways in the Midwest.

The things to do in Door County revolve around two main things: nature and food.

For nature lovers, there is Schoolhouse Beach, Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm & Shop, and Peninsula State Park.

And for the foodie, traditional fish boils and juicy cherry pies are both must-have treats in Door County.

Click Here for a Beautiful Waterfront Cottage Rental in Door County

Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Hocking Hills State Park may be one of the coolest weekend getaways in Ohio.

It’s filled with many of the best hikes in Ohio and cabins in the state.

One of the best things to do in Hocking Hills is to go on a hike. Old Man’s Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, and Ash Cave are just a few of the most popular trails.

While in Hocking Hills, you can also kayak, stargaze, fish, rock climb, and more!

Please click here to view a cute cabin rental in Hocking Hills.

Chicago Illinois For Some Excitement

As the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago is quite an exciting vacation destination.

Especially if you are traveling to Chicago with kids!

The first thing on your Chicago bucket list should be to take a picture with The Bean. This metallic sculpture draws thousands of tourists every day.

But The Bean isn’t all that Chicago has to offer. There are so many exciting things to do in Chicago!

Catch the best views of the city from Promontory Point, relax at the beautiful Buckingham Fountain, and pay a visit to the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Click Here for a Vintage Chicago Vacation Rental Condo

Look Here: 1.5-hour Architectural Boat Tour

Look Here: Willis Tower Sky Deck and the Ledge Ticket

Mackinac Island, Michigan

The Midwestern United States boasts access to the breathtaking Great Lakes.

Many fantastic Midwest weekend getaways are located on the shores of the Great Lakes, including Mackinac Island, one of the most beautiful Islands in Michigan.

There are no cars on Mackinac Island, so you’ll need to find an alternative form of transportation.

Since the island is only about four square miles, biking, walking, carriage riding, and kayaking are popular options.

While on Mackinac Island, take a few pictures with the limestone Arch Rock, and learn the history behind Fort Mackinac. Visiting Mackinac Island is only one of the many epic things to do in Michigan.

And stare in awe at the butterflies at Mackinac Island Butterfly House and Insect World.

Click Here for a Spectacular Water And Mackinac Island Bridge Vacation Rental

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is named after the striking rock formations and cliffs lining Lake Superior.

The most famous scenic sites include Miners Castle, Paddler’s Village, Miners Falls, and Munising Falls.

You can catch a glimpse of these scenic sites through a fun hiking, kayaking, or boating adventure.

Click Here for a cozy house rental at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Look Here: Michigan Lakeshore Self-Guided Driving Tour

North Shore, Minnesota Makes For Impressive Midwest Weekend Getaways

The North Shore of Minnesota sits on the shores of Lake Superior.

This small town in Minnesota is bursting with things to do. There are fantastic activities regardless of the time of year!

In the spring, tackle the dozens of hikes and gape at the handful of waterfalls. In the summer, swim in the beautiful blue Lake Superior.

Stare in awe at the fiery leaves during fall in Minnesota. In the winter, ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile.

Visiting the North Shore of MN makes an amazing midwest weekend getaway and it is one of the best things to do in Minnesota!

Click Here for a Charming Lake Home rental on the North Shore

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

The Badlands is arguably the coolest National Park in the Midwest. And one of the best things to do in South Dakota!

These red-tinted hills contain sandstone, limestone, and volcanic ash.

There are many ways to explore this geological wonder. Hike the Notch Trail, drive the Badlands Loop Road, keep an eye out for adorable prairie dogs, and stay for a stunning sunset.

If you’d like to learn more about The Badlands, the park also offers a Park Ranger program.

You can learn about the many fossils in the area – and who knows? Maybe you’ll even find one on your archeological expedition!

This South Dakota national park is a clear winner for a Midwest weekend getaway!

Click Here for a Beautiful Home rental Near Badlands National Park

Look Here: Mount Rushmore and Badlands Self-Guided Audio Tour

Look Here: Badlands National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

As its name implies, the Lake of the Ozarks is situated in the Ozark Mountains.

Between the beautiful blue waters and the towering mountains, this spot is undoubtedly one of the best Midwest weekend getaways. It would make a fantastic Missouri road trip.

While at Lake of the Ozarks, you should enjoy the water. Fish, swim, jet ski, and suntan to your heart’s content.

And if you’d prefer to stay dry for a little while, you can also hike, golf, and spelunk.

Click Here for a Condo with Spectacular Views near Land of the Ozarks

Covered Bridges, Madison County, Iowa

The Covered Bridges area has made a name for itself due to the high density of covered bridges in the area.

This little Iowa town has the most covered bridges in a single area west of the Mississippi River!

The first thing you must do in Covered Bridges is to check out the covered bridges. You might discover some Iowa hidden gems as well!

And after you’ve checked that off your list, you can stop by the Covered Bridges Winery and visit Winterset City Park. This is a great location to go camping in Iowa!

Click Here for a Cozy Cabin near the Covered Bridges

Flint Hills, Kansas Is One Of The Most Unique Things To Do In Kansas

Named after the flint in the bedrock, Flint Hills is an awesome place for a quiet getaway in the Midwest. And probably one of the more unique things to do in Kansas.

You can take in the natural beauty all around you and relax.

While in Flint Hills, you can hike through the Konza Prairie Biological Station, and learn about the importance of agriculture at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.

Make sure to take a tour of the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve.

This is one of the best places for hiking in Kansas!

Medora, North Dakota

The main highlight of Medora, North Dakota is Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

While at this amazing national park, you can hike, camp, horseback ride, snowshoe, and ski. It is one of the best things to do in North Dakota.

But the fun doesn’t stop once the sun has set. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the best places in the Midwest for stargazing!

This national park hosts the three-day Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival each year.

Medora has historic sites, museums, restaurants, and campgrounds to cater to everyone!

Click Here for a downtown Medora rental escape with views!

Northwoods, Wisconsin Is One Of The Best Midwest Weekend Getaways For Nature Lovers

The Northwoods, Wisconsin is one of the best Midwest weekend getaways for those who love nature.

With hundreds of lakes and green trees all around, the Northwoods is a great place to escape the busyness of life.

Since the area known as the Northwoods is so large, there is also quite a wide variety of things to do.

Go tubing down the Wisconsin River, watch the Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Show, hike the pine-filled Raven Trail, and feed the animals at Wildwood Wildlife Park.

One of the best places to visit in Wisconsin is the Northwoods area.

Click Here for a Cozy Studio vacation rental in the Northwoods.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is stunning.

Visiting here is one of the best things to do in Michigan.

The best thing to do at this national lakeshore is climb the dunes. While it will take effort to reach the top, the Lake Glenn views are worth it.

If you’re not up for hiking the dunes, head down the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive and walk the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

This Midwest weekend getaway would make one of the best Michigan road trips!

Look Here: Michigan Lakeshore, Self-guided Audio Driving Tour

Cleveland, Ohio Is One Of The Fun Midwest Weekend Getaways

As the largest city in Ohio, Cleveland is one of the best Midwest vacation spots for an urban getaway destination. There are so many awesome things to do in Cleveland OH!

While in Cleveland, check out the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the West Side Market, and the A Christmas Story house.

Look Here: Cleveland Ghost Tour

Look Here: Cleveland History Center Admission Ticket

Custer State Park, South Dakota

Custer State Park is the most visited state park in South Dakota, and for good reason.

With over 70,000 gorgeous acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park in South Dakota is a nature enthusiast’s paradise. Hike, bike, fish, camp, and kayak to your heart’s content.

The most popular things to do at Custer State Park include tackling the Cathedral Spires Hike and spotting bison and donkeys on the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop.

Meandering along the Needles Highway Scenic Drive is one of the top things to do in South Dakota!

Look Here: Custer: Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunset.

Click Here for a Chic Log Cabin near Custer State Park

Visiting Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin Is One Of The Best Midwest Weekend Getaways

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin is one of the most popular Midwest weekend getaways, thanks to its breathtaking natural landscapes.

Visiting the Apostle Islands is one of the best things to do in Wisconsin.

This group of 22 islands in Lake Superior is located near the small town of Bayfield and is filled with amazing activities.

Kayak through sea caves, glamp on the lakeshore, and wander into ice caves.

You can take an Apostle Islands cruise, and even see shipwrecks.

Click Here for a lovely guest house near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Visiting Indianapolis Motor Speedway Is One Of The Most Exciting Midwest Weekend Getaways

Whether you are into racing or not, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an exhilarating experience.

This is one of the best things to do in Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the third oldest automobile track in the world built in 1909. And one of the things Indianapolis is known for.

It is one of the largest outdoor sports venues in the world able to seat over 250,000!

You can see NASCAR and Formula 1 races at this National Historic Landmark and if you attend a race, be prepared to be swept away by the energy that fills the stadium.

If not, take an unforgettable guided tour of the track and the garage.

Visiting here is one of the best things to do in Indiana and will make the perfect Midwest weekend getaway!

Look Here: 3-Day Indy Attraction Pass

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Packing List For Your Midwest Weekend Getaways

To prepare for your Midwest weekend getaway here are some tips on how to pack lightly.

This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and in several colors.

These RFID sleeves are another option.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and is easy to us

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is the perfect size. It fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.

The replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh water whenever you want it.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for storing snacks, water bottles, phones, extra clothes, etc…

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There are so many activities to choose from in the Midwest, from Midwest hiking to the most vibrant Midwest cities, to chasing Midwest waterfalls. There is always something to please everyone!