Growing up in the heart of the good ole' USA has been friendly, frustrating, fun, difficult, and amazing all at once. Whether you live on the lakes of Minnesota, in the suburbs or the city of Chicago, the farmlands of Iowa, or the forests of northern Wisconsin or Michigan you can agree that living in the land of four seasons and county fairs has been a ride.

I grew up in the border town of Antioch, Illinois which is a small village that's equidistant from Milwaukee and Chicago. Now that I am about to graduate from college I have to decide what I am going to do and where I am going to go. I have had to do a lot of thinking about whether to stay in the Midwest or to venture to the coasts or gulf. So I have taken some time to come up with a list of things that makes the Midwest home to me.

1. Chicago and Milwaukee

These cities may share a coast line but not much else. Chicago is modern, crowded, bustling, and edgy where Milwaukee is a more laid back and casual big city with a small town feel. Both cities have awesome attractions like ballparks, markets, beaches, festival grounds, and amazing restaurants and night life. Whether you choose the Windy City or Brew City you've made the right choice.

2. Strange Small Town Traditions

From the top down: Mattoon Bagelfest - Mattoon, IL, Grumpy Old Men Festival - Wabasha, MN, Duct Tape Festival - Avon, OH

These are just a handful of the unique and sometimes strange festivals and traditions of Midwest towns.

3. The friendly Midwest culture.

4. Summer.

Summers are for BBQ, camping, fairs, family, running barefoot on beaches, and going to music festivals for nights on end. The Midwest is the best place to be in the U.S. during the Summertime, in my opinion.

5. The Wisconsin Dells

6. Fairs and Festivals

Besides the hundreds of county fairs that happen across the heartland, the Midwest is host to the largest music festival in America, Summerfest, every July in Milwaukee, WI.

7. Outdoor Adventures

Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin

8. Colleges and College Towns

Mizzou (above), Iowa City, University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of Illinois, Carthage College (my school, *ahem*), University of Minnesota, Northwestern....I could go on.

9. The Great Lakes

We've got 'em all.

10. Beer and Cheese

Heaven on Earth does exist....

and it's found in beer and cheese curds....

11. Midwest Cuisine

Wisconsin fish boil (Top left), Cherry Pie, Chicago style hot dog, and Deep Dish pizza are only a few of the dozens of signature Midwestern specialties

12. Orchards and Farms

And the pies that are made from the delicious harvest!

13. Pro Sports Teams (and rivalries)

Between the Packers vs. Bears rivalry and the SIX TIME STANLEY CUP CHAMPION Chicago Blackhawks there's no shortage of competition to see in the Midwest.

14. Museums and Historical Sites

At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (above) in Cleveland,OH you can see the Beatles' original Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band set and costumes! There's also the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL, the Henry Ford Museum of Detroit, and the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, WI designed by Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava that the Midwest plays host to if you're looking for more culture and history.

15. Autumn

Pictured Above: Lake Maria State Park, MN

Autumn is the best time of year (aside from Summer) in the Midwest. Bonfires, hayrides, corn mazes (Illinois is home to the largest one in the world), pumpkin patches, football, and homecomings are the elements that add to the gorgeous crimson and gold landscapes of the season.