The Midwest is one of the most underappreciated regions in the United States. With cities like Chicago and picturesque scenery along the rugged shores of Lake Superior, there are an endless number of places to explore. Whether you’re looking for an urban adventure or to slow down and reconnect with nature, the Midwest holds varied landscapes, like lush forests, serene lakeshores, waterfalls, caves, and caverns, plus so much more. Apple festivals, berry festivals, and arts festivals fill the year with things to do, and friendly communities welcome people into their towns. We will always be ready for a coastal escape, but you can also find us making our way through the slower-paced, diverse goldmine that is the Midwest.

Who doesn’t love a good road trip? One of the best things about Chicago is its central location, which makes it easily accessible to many great destinations across the Midwest. With several states within a reasonable driving distance, there is an endless number of places to choose from for your next weekend retreat or extended getaway. From charming lakeside towns less than two hours away to natural marvels in every direction, while we love our hometown of Chicago, we love to get away from it once in a while, too. Whether you’re a local or visiting, consider one of these memorable road trips for your next adventure. 

Summertime in Chicago has an energy you can’t experience anywhere else. Because winters are long and can be brutal, Chicagoans go all out, from patio brunches to beach days. Even if it’s one hundred degrees and humid, rooftops will be packed and the beach will be buzzing. Whether you’re a local or visiting for a few days, we’ve got your guide to summer in Chicago, from where to eat to how to escape the heat when it becomes too much. Grab your sandals and let’s get going!

In the northwest corner of Michigan’s mitten, a small town called Charlevoix sits on an isthmus between two lakes, connected by a historic drawbridge. With fewer than 2,500 residents, Charlevoix is a tranquil and idyllic town with a genuine Midwestern spirit. Known as the home of the famous Mushroom Houses and surrounded by lakes, neighboring Petoskey often overshadows this charming Michigan town, but it is worth a visit on its own. From cozy coffee shops to ferry rides, Charlevoix might be slower paced, but there’s plenty to keep you busy during a long weekend getaway. We’d even go so far as to say it’s the perfect small town for an extended stay, encouraging slowing down and reconnecting with nature. 

Hot take: You don’t have to be extroverted for solo travel. In fact, some might argue that solo travel is made for introverts. Traveling alone versus traveling in a group already reduces human interaction, which most introverts find overwhelming. That in itself leaves more energy for meeting and interaction with strangers and exploring unfamiliar places alone. Solo travel is a great way for introverts to go out of their comfort zone on their own terms. They can structure the trip around their own needs, choose experiences catered to their interests, and make adjustments to plans without considering fellow travelers. If you are an introvert thinking about taking a trip without your emotional support human, this guide is for you.

Summer isn’t for everyone. We know, we know…it’s a small group of individuals. But they exist, nonetheless. So while many people in the northern hemisphere count down the minutes until they can clock out and head to the nearest beach for a straight shot of vitamin D, others count the days until the heat breaks and cooler temperatures blow in. With this in mind, July through September is perfect for those who favor cooler weather to go south…WAY south. The southern hemisphere is in the thick of winter, so destinations like Peru and Australia are much more temperate if the heat isn’t your speed. If staying north of the equator is more realistic, plenty of destinations have milder summers for a “coolcation,” especially in northern Europe and the upper reaches of North America. Regardless of the vibe you’re looking for, we’ve got several fantastic destinations to inspire a cooler getaway this summer. But if the heat is your speed, we’ve got you covered with our summer destination guide. Or perhaps you’re looking for destinations that are good for a digital detox to unplug fully from daily life. 

Summer is here for anyone living in the northern hemisphere! For many, that means it’s time to shut the laptop and head out for a long-anticipated vacation. Whether you’re looking for something that can be planned over a long weekend or a much lengthier adventure, we’ve compiled nine destinations to consider for your summer travels. From Turkey’s Turquoise Coast to the lesser-known Balkan city of Tirana, wildlife adventures in the Galapagos and Serengeti, a tropical escape in the Philippines, and one of the most famous destinations to catch the best DJs in the world, we’ve got a spot for whatever vibe you’re looking for this summer. Take yourself on a solo adventure and slow down to enjoy the sunshine. This time is for you, so make the most of it!  

Books have been inspiring travel for thousands of years. From the adventures of the Odyssey to the emotional journey of Eat, Pray, Love, books introduce us to places we’ve never been and might have never dreamed existed. From the haunting moors and rough coastline in England’s Yorkshire countryside to hidden corners of Paris, some of our favorite books have inspired travel over the years for us and so many others. Whether you’re looking for a great summer read or need inspiration for an upcoming trip, these eight books and destinations are strong contenders for consideration. 

Solo travel is one of the most rewarding experiences. It is liberating to travel without considering anyone else’s opinions or preferences. More importantly, embracing the discomfort of doing everything yourself teaches us much about who we are and our capabilities. Traveling alone means we are forced to have conversations with strangers and figure out the way back to the hotel on our own. Traveling alone is eating in a cafe without company and learning to be comfortable spending time with ourselves. It’s moments of quiet and solitude, and plenty of space to dive into our thoughts. It’s learning who we are without the familiarity of people we know around us. 

Art has been inspiring bucket lists for centuries. From the Greek epics to Monet’s paintings of Provence, stories of adventures around the world and descriptions of faraway lands have shown up in every medium. Today, we’re inspired to travel through movies and film. Eat, Pray, Love is a perfect example, as is White Lotus. The impact of movies and film can be so significant that destinations will capitalize on the interest and create tours or experiences dedicated to the filming locations. Harry Potter has done this for the UK, Outlander for Scotland, and Game of Thrones for many places, including Croatia. All of these introductions are a great way to dive into new cultures, traditions, and people - go outside of our comfort zones and discover somewhere new that perhaps we weren’t aware existed before. 

We’ve put together a list of destinations perfect for a digital detox. Whether you’re planning your first trip of this kind or you’ve made a habit of taking these regularly, there’s a destination on here for everyone. Some of them are truly remote, meaning that disconnecting digitally due to lack of cell or internet service will be unavoidable. While for some, that can bring immense relief, others might find it too anxiety-inducing, and that’s ok. The purpose of a digital detox is to create space for relaxation and calm the mind and nervous system. If having service available to disconnect digitally on your terms is a better option, there are plenty of spots on this list that are perfect for that, too. 

Liz Gilbert’s memoir, Eat Pray Love, took the world by storm when it was published in 2006. Selling over 10 million copies, the book was featured in Oprah’s Book Club and eventually made into a film starring Julia Roberts, which received equal acclaim. It has become a sort of Bible for young, single women seeking to find their place in the world. Women who feel lost, incomplete, or perhaps, uninspired. The impact this story has had is so profound that Bali became a sensation nearly overnight, facing issues with over-tourism and commercialization that it had not previously experienced. There’s just something about Liz’s journey, and the beautiful way she shares it, that has had millions in a chokehold for almost twenty years now.