Stories from the Midwest
Travel stories, practical guides, and food adventures from years of exploring the American heartland.
These are my stories — from the cities I've explored, the food I've eaten, and the experiences that make the Midwest one of America's most underrated regions.
A Summer Weekend on the Lake Michigan Shore: Dunes, Beach Towns & Pie
The western and eastern shores of Lake Michigan offer some of the best summer weekend escapes in the Midwest — sand dunes, charming towns, fresh cherries, and pie shops that are worth building a drive around.
Route 66 Through the Midwest: Illinois to Missouri the Slow Way
The Midwest stretch of Route 66 — from Chicago's Lake Shore Drive to the Missouri border — is the most drivable section of the Mother Road, with real towns, honest diners, and surprisingly good stops.
Minneapolis & the Twin Cities: The Midwest City People Underrate
Minneapolis and St. Paul are consistently ranked among the most livable cities in the US — here's what first-time visitors miss and why this metro deserves a proper trip.
Chicago Architecture Boat Tour: Is It Worth It?
Honest review of the Chicago architecture river cruise — what you see, which tours are best, how long it takes, and why it's the single best 90 minutes you can spend in the city.
Great Lakes Road Trip: The Complete Route
The full loop around the Great Lakes — Chicago to Detroit to Cleveland to Pittsburgh (bonus) to Toronto to Milwaukee — with the best stops, drives, and why this is America's most underrated road trip.
Why Chicago Keeps Pulling Us Back Every Year
We've returned to Chicago more times than any other American city. Here's what keeps bringing us back and what we've learned after multiple visits.
Road Tripping the Great Lakes: Our Honest Route
We drove the Great Lakes loop over 12 days. What the route actually looks like, what surprised us, and what we'd change on a second attempt.