Whenever I tell people that I am from the Midwest, they usually give me this look of pity and proceed to tell me how boring it must be to grow up in the “middle of a cornfield.” I’ve definitely learned to brush these remarks off by now, but it still kind of upsets me that anyone who doesn't frequently visit or live in the Midwest region might still think of it as mundane and dull.

If you take a moment to really explore all of the different cities that the Midwest has to offer, you can see that we have some truly amazing destinations and cultures to appreciate. Whether you are enjoying some time out on one of the thousands of lakes in Minnesota, heading out to brunch in downtown Chicago, or maybe spending the day hiking in Missouri, you can clearly see that the rumors you have probably heard about the Midwest are simply untrue.

I hope you take the time to branch out and consider some of the cities that I have mentioned down below whenever you are planning your next trip to the Heartland. With all of the activities and attractions that these wonderful places have to offer, I promise that it will keep you coming back for more!

1. Chicago, Illinois

2. St. Louis, Missouri

3. Kansas City, Missouri

4. Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Minnesota

5. Omaha, Nebraska

6. Des Moines, Iowa

7. Cleveland/ Columbus, Ohio

8. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

9. Lake Okoboji, Iowa

10. Madison, Wisconsin