6 Midwest cities to visit in 2023
If traveling more was at the top of your New Year’s resolutions, it’s time to hit the road.
From breath of fresh air city living to small town charm with artistic flair, all without leaving the Midwest, here are our top destinations for 2023.
Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s capital is far from being all business — Madison certainly knows how to have a good time. The city’s official bird is the plastic pink flamingo, after all. Each February, locals take to Lake Mendota for the Frozen Assets Festival (cleanlakesalliance.org). This weekendlong celebration, which takes place Feb. 4-5 this year, includes a 5K run, kite flying, sustainability panels and more, all to raise funds for lake improvement projects. In warmer months, take advantage of the extensive network of bike paths. Madison is one of only five U.S. cities certified as a platinum-level bicycle friendly city by the League of American Bicyclists.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to The Harvey House (644 W. Washington Ave., 608-250-9578, theharveyhouse.com), a modern take on Wisconsin supper clubs, tucked behind Madison’s historic train depot. With dining spaces housed in the depot’s former baggage claim house — and a lovingly restored train car — Harvey House is cozy and refined, down to a menu of classics with luxe flair, such as the ever-present supper club relish tray, re-imagined with local seasonal vegetables and apple wood smoked trout dip. For a nightcap, indulge in a classic Pink Squirrel cocktail, a Wisconsin original.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town settled on Lake Superior’s shore has coastal charm in abundance. The early fishermen and fur traders that frequented the city were kept safe by the rocky outcroppings that formed natural breakwalls in the port. These days, Grand Marais’ harbor is the perfect spot for looking out on the waves, boats and the town’s two lighthouses — ideally from the deck of the Angry Trout Cafe (408 West Highway 61, 218-387-1265, angrytroutcafe.com) over a cup of the fish of the day chowder.
As the local fishing industry downsized, creatives moved in. The North House Folk School (500 West Highway 61, 218-3879762, northhouse.org), was founded by locals looking to embrace traditional crafting and folk arts. The school offers plenty of classes that can be completed in a few days, and the eclectic course catalog includes offerings from birch bark basket making to Anishinaabe finger weaving. Further immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area by visiting in the fall when the foliage lights up the backdrop of Superior National Forest in shades of red, yellow and gold.
Columbia, Missouri
Home to University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens College, this town is actually one of Missouri’s fastest growing cities. Each fall, the Roots N Blues Festival (rootsnbluesfestival.com) brings the community together for three days for family fun, local food and a wide array of musical performances, including 2023 headliners Wilco, Chaka Khan, and more Sept. 29-Oct. 1. In the spring, the Ragtag Film Society hosts the True/False Film Festival (truefalse.org), transforming the city’s center with documentary showings, art installations and a parade March 2-5.
After soaking in so much local culture, it’s high time for a little rest and relaxation. Built in 1928, the lavish Tiger Hotel (23 S. 8th St., 573-875-8888, thetigerhotel.com) was the first skyscraper between Kansas City and St. Louis, and remains an iconic part of the Columbia skyline thanks to the red neon Tiger sign perched atop the building. For a sweet ending to your trip, head around the corner to Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream (21 S. 9th St., 573-4437400, facebook.com/sparkyshomemade), where you can get a taste of distinctive flavors such as Black Currant Balsamic and Berry Brie, made with local balsamic vinegar from Boone Olive Oil Co.
Nashville, Indiana
American Impressionist painter Theodore Clement “T.C.” Steele was so inspired by Nashville that he made the landscape a frequent subject in his work and called the area home for many years. His studio spaces and house are now part of the T.C. Steele State Historic Site (4220 T.C. Steele Road, 812-988-2785, indianamuseum.org). Visitors can explore the lush scenery that inspired Steele, including a 92-acre nature preserve.
Nashville has maintained a reputation as an artistic haven and the center of the Brown County Art Colony. For picturesque, old-school accommodations within walking distance of all downtown Nashville has to offer, stay at the Brown County Inn (51 State Road 46, 812-9882291, browncountyinn.com). In town, visit galleries and stock up on souvenirs from local artisans — from handcrafted soaps to homemade jams and everything in between. When you’re all shopped out, head back to the inn to take advantage of the property’s walkable gardens and miniature golf course, or kick back and enjoy the live music offered every weekend.
Charlevoix, Michigan
This northern Michigan city has no shortage of colorful history. Boutique hotel The Earl (120 Michigan Ave., 231-5476565, hotelearl.com) was named after local architectural designer Earl Young, who built the original hotel property in 1959. It was thoughtfully renovated in 2019, combining modern amenities such as a rooftop bar with nostalgic design elements. Young designed more than 30 structures in the Charlevoix area, including what are lovingly called his “mushroom houses.” Stroll the streets and create your own selfguided tour of these quirky Hobbit-like homes.
April through December, take the ferry out to Beaver Island, Lake Michigan’s largest island. Called “America’s Emerald Isle” because of the many Irish families who migrated there, the island offers plenty of outdoor recreation, incredible stargazing within the island’s designated dark sky sanctuary and some infamous local history. In 1848, religious leader and politician James Jesse Strang, after breaking with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, led his followers to the island and proclaimed himself a king. While his followers were ousted from the island after Strang’s murder in 1856, remnants, including King’s Highway — one of Beaver Island’s main roads — still hint at the area’s “royal” history.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Nicknamed the Queen’s City, Cincinnati is another spot with a royal reputation to put on your list. Check into the 21c Museum Hotel (609 Walnut St., 513-5786600, 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati), part boutique accommodations and part contemporary gallery space. Then hop on Cincinnati’s free Connector streetcar for dinner at Mid City Restaurant (40 E. Court St., midcitycinti.com), a delicious and decidedly unfussy spot where you can start the night ordering a griddled baguette with pickle butter and an ice cold martini, and finish things off with seasonal fruit slab pie.
For a bigger bite of Cincinnati’s culinary history, stop by the oldest existing Skyline Chili location on Ludlow Avenue (290 Ludlow Ave., 513-221-2142, skylinechili. com) and order a five-way — that’s spaghetti with a secret recipe chili sauce, plus beans and diced onions, all topped with shredded cheddar cheese. Immigrant brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff began offering a Mediterranean-spiced stew as a topping at their hot dog stand outside the Empress burlesque theater in the early 1920s, later adding the option to order the sauce over spaghetti. Now considered one of the city’s signature dishes, Cincinnati chili has inspired countless variations and many chili parlors across the region; a few other local favorites include that original Empress Chili, Blue Ash Chili (which boasts the addition of jalapeños) and Pleasant Ridge Chili (with gravy fry specialties that shouldn’t be overlooked).
After fueling up, it’s just a short walk to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (3400 Vine St., 513-281-4700, cincinnatizoo.org), home of internet-sensation hippo Fiona — and her new baby brother, Fritz. If the weather isn’t cooperating, head to the Cincinnati Museum Center (1301 Western Ave., 513-287-7000, cincymuseum. org) instead, where the Cincinnati History Museum, the Children’s Museum and the Museum of Natural History and Science are all housed under one roof in the art-deco Union Terminal train station — a crown jewel of local architecture.