Discover the Midwest: Your Ticket to Affordable Adventures! Often overshadowed by its more charming counterparts, this area is a haven for budget-conscious travellers. The Midwest is home to some of the “most budget-friendly cities in the US,” keeping costs low without compromising on experiences. Get ready to explore a world where affordability meets excitement, proving that adventure doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag.
Chicago Holidays
You've seen Jim Carrey fly to Nebraska in Yes Man, but the perfect travel movie to the Midwest has to be Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Ferris climbed to the top of the Sears Tower, visited the Art Institute of Chicago, and took in a game at Wrigley Field — all classic things to do in Chicago. If they remade Ferris, he'd probably take a selfie at The Bean. Chicago is the third largest city in America, with seventy-seven distinct community areas, so there's plenty of urban adventure around.
Chicago has grown due to its excellent land connectivity, so driving there is easy. Flying is also available with two major airports and an L train that will pick you up when you land. Hotel and restaurant prices are lower than in New York or Boston, and some people say Lakeside Park and Navy Pier can compete with Central Park or Boston Commons. However, there is plenty you can do in the Windy City to put it in the lead position in Midwest vacations.
Detroit weekend
Some say visiting Detroit for Devil's Night is a riot, but they've never witnessed a renaissance in the Motor City. Old favorites, like the Ford Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts, still have great appeal, but with urban renaissance projects like Eastern Market and the world-class sports and entertainment district, Detroit is getting rave reviews. Even the Heidelberg project offers a ray of light to overcome urban blight. If you haven't been to Motown lately, you really should go. Plus, you can't beat the summer weather.
Detroit hotels and restaurants are a great value, and many city tours are also available at good prices. The airport has many Frontier and Spirit flights coming from all over the country, and is very close to most of the Midwest by car.
St. Louis Holidays
There was a time before trains when riverboats were king, and St. Louis was the premier city in the Midwest. Naturally, it was the “Gateway to the West” in those times and still retains some of its pioneering spirit today, including the famous Gateway Arch. To paraphrase – the pioneering spirit embodies the smallest man. This is quite a rude thing to say in St. Louis because of the thriving culture that still has global roots since St. Louis was the crossroads of America.
St. Louis is well connected to Midwestern cities by road and is a reasonable distance for a weekend getaway. When you arrive, choose your hotel as the base for your adventure because each neighborhood offers different things to do. Budget travelers will enjoy the St. Louis Zoo, perhaps the best free zoo in the country. Urban explorers will want to stay downtown to visit the Arch and its riverfront attractions, while others may want to get closer to Six Flags, a top-tier roller coaster park.
Upper Peninsula Vacations
If you point at the house with your right glove and talk about the trolls living under the bridge, you must be a Yooper, wouldn't you know. The Upper Peninsula includes the furthest wilderness east of the Mississippi River, of Isle Royale National Park, where moose outnumber humans and incredible diving at the Algiers Underwater Sanctuary. Some of these people comment on how clear the water is and how well preserved the shipwrecks are. The other just says how cold the water is. Even if you're not brave enough to wade into the water, there are still plenty of scenic hiking trails and treks in UP.
It's hard not to take a budget vacation when your vacation depends on road trips and outdoor recreation. However, you can even get a room on Mackinac Island for less than $100 in high season. Oh, and by the way, fall is gorgeous in the UP. Summer is very nice too, but make sure you pack your bug spray.
Weekend in West Virginia
If you don't want to drive cross-country to the UP, take the country roads home to wild, wet, gorgeous West Virginia. The Gauley and New Rivers are home to the most extreme whitewater on the East Coast, and the New River Gorge has become an adrenaline-pumping outdoor playground, including the longest and fastest ziplines in the East. Don't worry; There are plenty of hiking, canoeing, and bike trails for the less sedate outdoors enthusiast.
Like UP, West Virginia vacations are naturally well-priced because you arrive by car and focus on outdoor adventures. You may want to make room in your budget for some big thrills, but that's easier to come by with reasonable lodging offers and a much lower burn rate than in larger cities.
Lake of the Ozarks
The Lake of the Ozarks is conveniently located in the heart of Missouri, in the heart of America. It has been called “America's Best Recreational Lake.” The Lake of the Ozarks has a larger shoreline than the entire coast of California, so it's a boaters' paradise. On land, visitors will enjoy the shores of Lake of the Ozarks State Park and the stunning beauty of Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
The Lake of the Ozarks is a tremendous value, especially if you have a camper or boat. From show caves to Caribbean-themed beaches, each cove seems to offer a unique experience. Accommodations range from boutique hotels to golf resorts, spas and an amazing array of restaurants. Whether by land or water, Lake of the Ozarks is one of the best vacation destinations in the Midwest.
Branson
A wise man once said that quantity has its own quality. Now, he may have been a genocidal dictator, but that's not the point of this clip. This means that Branson has earned the title of “Live Music Capital of the World” with over 100 live shows playing at any given time. Branson has more seats than Broadway with much lower ticket prices.
Branson has every family-friendly entertainment option you can think of. That doesn't mean there isn't a romantic side to Branson as well. With a little shopping around, you can find boutique hotels on the outskirts of town and great Ozark Mountain getaways like biking in Dogwood Canyon, spa days, wineries, and boating on Table Rock Lake. Of course, everything is remarkably affordable with all this competition, and Branson is within a day's drive of 50% of the US population.
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Hello! We are Ed and Jane Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
