Midwest, WY Road Trips

The term "Midwest" refers to the states generally west of Appalachia, north of the Ohio River and east of the Great Plains. This area is sometimes referred to as the "heart" or "rust belt" of America and is often associated with agriculture and industry (historically manufacturing but this has faded as years have passed). The culture of the Midwest is generally acknowledged to be "down to earth", as much of the population is far from the influences of coastal cities and cultural centers such as New York City and Los Angeles. The Midwest is largely nearly evenly divided between liberals and conservatives, and the region has the highest concentration of swing states in presidential elections. A synonym, the North Central Region, describes its geographic location more accurately; the "west" suffix is a historical artifact from the country's early history, when most of the U.S. population lived east of the Appalachian Mountains. States bordering the Great Lakes (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin) are sometimes called the "North Coast", "Third Coast" or "Fresh Coast" as parallels to the East and West coasts. These are the states of the region which make up the rust belt. Also known as "America's Heartland", for its primary role in the nation's manufacturing and farming sectors as well as its patchwork of big commercial cities and small towns that, in combination, are considered as the broadest representation of American culture. In fact, most national television broadcasters speak with a Midwestern accent.

Great Lakes Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, including Northern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan. Lake Erie Islands. Located west of Cleveland, Ohio and southeast of Detroit, Michigan, a group of picturesque and festive islands in Lake Erie are accessible via ferry. In addition to several Ohio State Parks located on the islands, there is plenty to do including wineries, restaurants, bars, marinas and beaches. North Shore Scenic Drive – Along Lake Superior in Minnesota, this picturesque route is popular for stunning vistas of the water and beautiful fall foliage. Follow Minnesota Route 61 northeasterly from Duluth all the way to Thunder Bay, Canada. The Mackinac Bridge – Connecting the two peninsulas of Michigan via I-75. An engineering marvel and an important transportation artery. River Dancing Great River Road – The Mighty Mississippi, from Wisconsin and Minnesota through Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri and south to the Gulf of Mexico Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route in Illinois Ohio River Scenic Byway – a river trail through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois Ohio & Erie Canalway – from Lake Erie in Cleveland through Ohio to the Ohio River valley Inland History and Culture Historical National Road – a trail of history running through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois Amish Country Byway in Ohio Lincoln Highway in Illinois Amana Colonies in Iowa

Great Lakes Beaches, including the dunes in Indiana along Lake Michigan. Fishing, with many charters in most major cities to choose from. Boating and camping in and around the Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin. Lighthouses worthy of a picture in Wisconsin's Door County. Resorts along the Traverse City area of Michigan. River Valleys Casino riverboats in Dubuque, Iowa. Rafting and tubing along the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Boatwatching along the Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri, Mark Twain's hometown. Amusement parks Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois Kings Island in Mason, Ohio Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan Six Flags St. Louis (Mid-America by Enchanted Parks) in Eureka, Missouri Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City have legendary jazz and blues clubs. Many of the greats have not only traveled the region extensively whilst on tour, but more than a handful were born or resided in the region, with these three cities leading the way.

The Midwest is a patchwork of big cities, small towns and farming communities. Being the epicenter of the American Industrial Revolution, it attracted an influx of immigrants and African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, resulting in a diverse ethnic culinary experience from the heavy German, Irish, Polish, Czech, Ukrainian, Italian, Greek, Scandinavian, Mexican, Puerto Rican and African-American urban populations to rural Amish and Mennonite cooking traditions. Due to its harsh climate away from the coast, as well as a history of Central European and Scandinavian settlement, Midwestern cuisines tend to be simple and hearty, with a heavy emphasis on meat, potatoes and dairy products. Being the main center of cattle farming in the United States, the Midwest is generally regarded as having the best steaks in the country. Chicago in particular is known for having an exceptionally large number of top quality steakhouses. Big Midwest cities, like Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee, are known for their bratwurst, kielbasa, Italian sausage and good old American hot dogs. Smaller, rural clusters, like the German Amana Colonies, in east-central Iowa, is home to some of the best German-American food in the Midwest. Known for family-style dining, the Amana Colonies provide hearty foods the Midwest is known for. As many African-Americans trace their family roots to the South, regional specialities of the South are often found in African-American communities. Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin have heavier Scandinavian influences.

Beer – The Midwest was historically the center of the American brewing industry, and major domestic breweries Anheuser-Busch (St. Louis) and Miller (Milwaukee) remain headquartered in the area. Many well-known craft breweries are also in the region, including Summit (St. Paul), Goose Island (Chicago), Great Lakes (Cleveland, OH), Bell's (Kalamazoo, MI), New Glarus (New Glarus, WI), Gluek's (Cold Spring, MN), Schell's (New Ulm, MN), Leinenkugel's (Chippewa Falls, WI). Microbreweries and brew-pubs can be found throughout the area. Millstream Brewery, located in the Amana Colonies, Iowa is home to the world's best (2010 World Beer Cup, Gold medal winner) Vienna style lager beer. Milk – Wisconsin in particular is renowned for its fresh dairy: milk, cream, and all manner of cheeses. Wine – Wine is made in every state of the Midwest. Catawba grapes were first discovered in Ohio in 1802 and thus Catawba vineyards line the shores and islands of Lake Erie. Michigan and Missouri also have significant wine countries. The Amana Colonies, located in Iowa, is home to five wineries featuring their traditional sweet, fruit wines, as well as many varieties of German and French-style wineries. Iowa is home to almost 90 wineries, many featuring the unique flavors of "cold-climate" grapes.

The Midwest is served by several international airports, including many of the major US airlines' national hubs. Chicago-O'Hare (United and American), Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky (Delta), Detroit (Delta), and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (Delta). Many major metropolitan areas also have secondary international and regional airports, served by minor and discount airlines. The Midwest is served by several interstate highways. Most of the states in the Midwest can be accessed by the major east-west corridors of: I-94 – connects Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota I-90 – connects Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota I-80 – connects Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa I-70 – connects Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri Additionally, several major interstate highways have their northern, eastern and western termini in Midwest states including: I-24 – connects southern Illinois to the Southeastern U.S. I-29 – starts in Kansas City and provides an important link to Canada by running through northwestern Missouri, western Iowa, and up through the Dakotas I-35 – starts in northern Minnesota, serves Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Des Moines, Kansas City and ends in Texas I-39 – gives traffic from north and northwest a bypass around Chicago when heading south. I-43 – Links Milwaukee to I-39, thus allowing them to avoid to Chicago to get further south. I-44 – begins in St. Louis, runs through the Missouri Ozarks into Oklahoma and Texas and thus provides an important link between the Midwest and Southwest. I-55 – starts in Chicago, serves St.

Many major metropolitan areas also have secondary international and regional airports, supporting national, discount and commuter airlines. In addition to the major interstates listed above, many Midwest cities have secondary interstate service such as outerbelt and by-pass systems. With the exception of Chicago, Midwestern cities have unreliable public transportation networks, making driving the best way to get around. Most of the Midwest lacks regional passenger rail service, but segments of Amtrak routes may suffice. Chicago, however, is a major Amtrak hub, and also has a relatively comprehensive urban rail network.

The rural areas and small cities of the Midwest are among the safest for travelers and residents in all America. Parts of the larger cities—particularly the south side and west side Chicago, north side of Milwaukee, east side of Cleveland, East St Louis and north side of St Louis, and much of Detroit outside its downtown—should you use extra caution and completely avoid after dark. Weather in the Midwest ranges from blistering heat waves in July and August, to fierce blizzards in January and February. Tornadoes are common in the southern parts of this region in the springtime, but ample warnings are often given to help protect property and lives. If the weather on the road appears to be turning inclement, local radio and television stations will continuously offer advice and information. Disastrous weather is rare and the region is not earthquake prone.