Why You Should Plan a Vacation to the Midwest This Summer

As a kid growing up in the Midwest, I thought it was perhaps the least exotic and least interesting place on the planet. I couldn't fathom why anyone would live there, much less visit for a vacation. Now that I'm an adult who lives in sunny, swampy Florida, I find myself yearning to get back to the region of the country that will always be home. There's an under-the-radar allure to the north-central United States that many people overlook when choosing their summer vacation destinations. Here's why the flyover states are anything but boring.

Do you know how long winter lasts in the Midwest? Eternity, that's how long. Or at least it feels that way some years. That's why when summer finally rolls around, everyone makes every effort to be outdoors as much as possible. It's usually warm, but not stifling, and so much more bearable than the southern states during summer. The joy of millions of people finally feeling the sun on their skin is contagious, and there are myriad ways to enjoy the great weather such as visiting farmers markets, taking long hikes or tailgating at a ball game.

When you're flocking to the same tourist destinations as everyone else, you'll likely pay the price. Inexpensive accommodations will be hard to find, and things like food and transportation will really eat into your budget. In the Midwest, prices are more affordable due to smaller populations and less demand from the tourism industry. Families will stretch their vacation dollars further when they choose to visit the lesser-known destinations in the beautiful region of the country.

"Midwest Nice" is a real thing. There's a reason my favorite airport in the world is Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. The friendly folks that work there are always willing to lend a hand and actually seem to enjoy their jobs. Whether you're in Minnesota, Indiana or South Dakota, people will smile and wave as they pass, hold doors open and serve you with good cheer. Midwesterners are unpretentious and happy to help, which means you'll feel welcome and relaxed for your entire vacation.

The middle of the country is famous for comfort foods like tater tot casserole, Culvers Butter Burgers, deep-dish pizza, cheese curds, and Kansas City barbecue. Midwesterners can slay a church potluck like nobody's business, but you'll also notice an innovative foodie scene on the rise in many of the area's larger cities. There's an abundance of multicultural fare in Minneapolis and Toledo, innovative restaurants using local ingredients in Traverse City, craft breweries in Milwaukee and a great food truck scene in Des Moines.

With Instagram and Facebook readily available, we see every friend and acquaintance's vacation pictures, and it seems like everyone is flocking to the same destinations. So many cities in the Midwest fly under the radar, which means you'll enjoy fewer crowds, cheaper prices and unique travel stories to tell your friends. Plus you'll get to experience the destination for yourself without expectations.

The Midwest takes its festivals and fairs very seriously. Move over, Coachella! Summerfest in Milwaukee is the world's largest music festival. Enjoy other musical celebrations like the Detroit Jazz Festival and Chicago's Lollapalooza, or head to South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. There are countless county fairs throughout America's Heartland and each state boasts the best food, rides and attractions for their respective state fairs, though Minnesota is rumored to have the largest in the country.

Even in bigger cities like Omaha and Milwaukee, the pace feels a bit slower and the people seem a bit friendlier. You get all the perks and amenities of living in a metropolis without the stress. There is a true feeling of community and camaraderie, less traffic and more space.

There's a certain narrative about the Midwest that it's all farmland and cornfields and there's nothing to do. That couldn't be further from the truth. This area of the country has such diverse landscapes. There are the Great Lakes, the Badlands of South Dakota, the bluffs of northern Michigan and the Ozark Mountains. Midwesterners know that nothing beats spending a day boating on the lake, laying in a soft bed of lush green grass gazing at clouds or enjoying the mild summer weather by hiking, kayaking or biking.

If you've heard that the Midwest is full of uninteresting and simple-minded folk, you've heard wrong my friend. Some of the most creative and intelligent people have come from this region, like Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest Hemmingway, Walt Disney and Henry Ford. You can appreciate art at the Art Institute of Chicago or the Calatrava in Milwaukee, soak in the impressive architecture of Columbus, Indiana, see live music in Branson or check out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, just to name a few cultural activities found in the Midwest.

You've never met fans that are more dedicated to their teams. Some may say it's because there's nothing else to do during the long winters besides cheering on the local sports franchise. I say it's because Midwesterners are proud of where they're from. Hoosiers basketball fans, Nebraska football fans and Cheeseheads from Green Bay aren't just fair-weather fans. They're in it for the long haul, and their enthusiasm is contagious! If you're not into professional sports, you can get active yourself with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking or biking.

I could wax poetic about the charm of America's Heartland during the summer months, but it's just something you have to experience yourself to understand. It's a place where families can breathe in the clean air, swim in a freshwater lake and smile at strangers. The Midwest is simply the best place to be when the weather warms up-but that's just one Wisconsinite's opinion.