With thousands of miles of Great Lakes shoreline to explore, friendly cities brimming with culinary and cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures waiting around every corner, the Midwest is full of surprises. Follow our lead to some of the best Midwest weekend getaways in Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and beyond.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Chicago, Illinois
The nation’s third-largest city knows how to bring a good time, whether you’re just in town for a weekend or can linger longer for all the delights Chicago dishes out.
With public art installations (including the highly Instagrammable “Bean”), a rock-climbing wall and the free, event-filled Chicago Cultural Center among the many attractions at Millennium Park, you could easily pack in an entire afternoon just exploring it.
Get your fill of vintage boutiques, record shops, and killer coffee haunts (like The Wormhole Coffee) just north of downtown in stylish Wicker Park.
Whatever you do, make sure you find time to stroll down Navy Pier, aka the People’s Pier, and sink your teeth into Chicago’s legendary deep-dish pizza with a slice from Giordano’s, with a convenient location right on the pier.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Delicious local beers, lakeside living, and a down-home fish-fry meal are just a taste of what awaits when you plan a Midwest weekend getaway to the quintessential Wisconsin town of Lake Geneva.
Getting out onto Lake Geneva itself is obviously a must when the weather cooperates — whether you end up ogling posh lakeside homes during a cruise on the U.S. Mailboat Tour (on which residential mail is actually be delivered) or try to hook a walleye during a guided fishing trip with Lake Geneva Fishing Guide Service.
Back on land, tackle a zip-lining course, get mystified during a magic show at Tristan Crist Magic Theatre or sink your teeth into cheese curds and knock back a proper Wisconsin bloody mary (the state is famous for those, too) at one of Lake Geneva’s many lively bars.
Start a night at the bars with classic standby Thumbs Up. If you’re here on a Friday night, local restaurants will surely have a fish fry on offer, too.
Duluth, Minnesota
Outdoor-lovers from the Midwest and beyond know the appeal of Duluth, a buzzing town on Lake Superior that offers easy access to trails, rivers, mountains, and lakes for all-season adventuring.
You can get up to some pretty awesome city adventures here, too. Head to the Canal Park neighborhood to check out cafés, breweries, and galleries that have sprung up inside abandoned warehouses. Don’t miss a caffeine and pastry pick-me-up while you’re there from Duluth Coffee Company, or the locally sourced pub fare and craft beers on the waterside patio at Canal Park Brewing Company.
For a stellar scenic drive in the area, take to the Skyline Parkway where you can detour to hike (or snowshoe during the winter) or simply soak in the views of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River while cruising the 25-mile route.
Madison, Wisconsin
Spend any time in the Midwest and you’ll hear it from everybody — Madison is simply awesome.
Surrounded by four lakes and endless trails for year-round outdoor fun, the state capital is home to the gorgeous University of Wisconsin, where you might want to start your explorations by pedaling a bike along The Lakeshore Path for nonstop Lake Mendota views.
During the warmer months of the year, from April to November, shop for local produce, crafts and — what else? — Wisconsin cheese at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, which spills across Capitol Square.
And for a night on the town, book at table at Tempest Oyster Bar, a sophisticated spot serving up fresh seafood (oysters, Maine lobster and the like) alongside craft cocktails.
Columbus, Ohio
Another exciting city by the water awaits with a Midwest weekend getaway in Columbus. Right along the Scioto River, this city brims brimming with quaint neighborhoods like German Village & Brewery District, cool cafés, and great bites.
For a culture fix, Wexner Center for the Arts, revered for its outstanding collection of contemporary artworks; Hammond Harkins Galleries; and the Columbus Museum of Art are among a handful of heavy hitters in the Columbus art scene.
For a date night with Scioto River, fountain, and skyline views, book a table at Lindey’s, a cozy American bistro where local produce stars on the menu and the French onion soup is worth the trip alone.
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