Thinking of a road trip this summer? Or maybe you’re hoping to visit some friends that live out in the midwest. Whatever the occasion, we have some cities to add to your itinerary. If you were looking for an excuse to extend your vacation, you have now found your reason!
Detroit, Michigan
Many of the northern midwestern states are connected by the Great Lakes and its tributaries and rivers. This is true for Detroit as well. This area’s population grew in the post-war era. Many African Americans went north to escape the Jim Crow laws of the time. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I have a dream” speech in Detroit first before he made the speech in Washington D.C.
Detroit has always been well known for its automobile industry. This started in the early 20th century and continued until it started to decline after the 1950s. This was due in part to the gasoline crisis of the late 1970s. You can also thank suburbanization as well, which contributed to many cities’ decline post-1950s.
However, to this day, Detroit remains a popular tourist destination. This is due to its cultural diversity, unique architecture, and its revitalized infrastructure. There are several notable museums such as the Detroit Institute of the Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Other areas to visit while in town are the Detroit Zoo and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Island.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Another prominent city during the postwar era, Indianapolis was a stop on the Underground Railroad and a prominent location for the Great Migration. Around the turn of the century, there was a large push to make Indianapolis a center for sports entertainment. This gave birth to the Indianapolis Colts and over 155 sports fields across the city.
In addition to traditional sports, motorsports are a large draw for many that visit Indy. The motorsports industry employs around 10,000 people in the region. The Indianapolis Motor Speedways is the largest sports venue by capacity in all of the U.S. This may be enough reason for some of our readers to look into Indianapolis houses for sale.
Sports are not all that Indianapolis has to offer. It is located in the Southern Great Lakes forests ecoregion and the Eastern Corn Belt Plains. Much of the land was deforested. However, there was a push for making up for this. There are 23 recreation and nature centers and 19 aquatic centers that the city implemented over the years. Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest recreational parks in the U.S.
Chicago, Illinois
It wouldn’t be much to discuss the midwest without mentioning Chicago. Chicago is the largest midwest city with a population of 2.7 million. It is also the third-largest city in the U.S. after New York City and Los Angeles. Located on Lake Michigan, Chicago is a central location for finance, technology, education, and culture. Downtown features upscale shopping, 5-star dining, and luxury skyscrapers.
Chicago saw about 120 million tourists in 2019. You know you’re bound to have a good time if these many folks come to visit. This is due to the miles of beaches on Lake Michigan, the diversity when it comes to dining, and some of the biggest sports teams in the industry. Chicago is always one of our favorite destinations.
Between these 3 cities, you can end up with a great road trip or family vacation. There are many other stops along the way if you’re interested in seeing more of the midwest. On top of these, we would suggest Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Minneapolis. With these additions, you have completed the ultimate midwestern adventure.
