Brock Wilbur

The perfect midwestern weekend away can be found in St Louis, and finding an equally-perfect lodging for your adventure is just as important as what you'll do once you're there. Luckily, there are both affordable and high-end options at your disposal in Gateway City. And it’s worth taking into account that while most of the city’s hotels are downtown, some of the best attractions, restaurants, things to do, and neighborhoods are spread out – so staying downtown isn’t necessarily the best way to experience all that the city has to offer. If you're wondering what there is to do though, there are a ton. If you're a loyalty member, then you'll find that the hotel scene in St Louis is full of all the usual suspects – but if you’re looking for something more authentic and local, this list also includes boutique stays that boast movie theaters, casinos, and cozy pubs in them, as well as historic locations and even one lunar-themed hotel. Far out.  RECOMMENDED: 📍See our full guide to the best things to do in St Louis 🍴Dine out at the best restaurants in St Louis Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

Fondly known as the City of Fountains (with over 200 of them), Kansas is the place to be for those who love jazz, art and a decent barbeque. Along with a thriving cultural and culinary scene, the people of Kansas are a warm bunch, so no doubt you’ll feel right at home while you’re in town. In this neck of the woods, as with most of the Midwest, the attractions and entertainment districts are more spread out, with plenty of lodging options depending on the reason for your visit. Most hotels can either be found in the downtown Power and Lights District or the shopping mecca of Country Club Plaza. There isn’t much in the way of public transportation, but most hotels will offer complimentary shuttles within a certain radius. Whether you’re looking to stay in a historic Art Deco-inspired boutique or just looking for the best place to stay for a Royals game, check through our pick of the city’s best hotels and you’re sure to find something you’ll like. RECOMMENDED:⛲️Check out the best things to do in Kansas City🏛Visit the best museums in KC🍔Eat your way around Kansas City 🛏️ Check out the best Airbnbs in Kansas City Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information,

Don’t dismiss Naperville’s food scene as a load of chain restaurants, pickup bars and spots frequented mainly by North Central College students. Its food scene has been booming over the last few years, and if you don’t know, it’s time to get to know.  From the Water Street District to further afield, this city is awash with great foodie spots; whether you’re looking for Peruvian sandwiches, fluffy falafel or plates of curry and paratha, you’ll find it all here. Oh, and there’s more tasty options (plus easier parking) in strip malls along 75th Street or tucked among big-name chains on Freedom Drive off I-88. For bargains and splurge meals alike, read on for the best restaurants in Naperville.  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Chicago📍 The best things to do in Chicago🌸 The most beautiful cities in the US This guide is by Illinois-based writer Lisa Arnett and Brock Wilbur, who was previously Time Out’s Midwest editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

If there’s one thing you should know about Kansas City, it’s that you’re never far away from a good drink. This city is a cultural oasis on the plains and a beacon to all those within 100 miles, with some of the finest bartenders, cocktail crafters, breweries and distillers that the Midwest has to offer. The result? A place where you’ll find something for every taste; sports bars, martini bars, beer bars and speakeasies, and a hell of a lot more on offer too. If you want to experience Missouri in all its glory, we’re here to help. Here are the best bars in Kansas City.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Kansas City🍴 The best restaurants in Kansas City🏨 The best hotels in Kansas City🏨 The best Airbnbs in Kansas City Brock Wilbur is a writer based in Kansas City. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

The Heart of America doesn’t get the attention afforded to larger Midwest cities like Chicago and St. Louis, but the best things to do in Kansas City showcase a town packed with character, culture, and culinary charm. Sports, music, food, and arts take top billing, and the city is filled with gorgeous walks and beautiful fountains. They don’t call it the City of Fountains for no reason. KC embraced free public transportation in 2020, making it incredibly easy to get around to see the city’s attractions. If you want to punctuate your sightseeing with delicious food and crisp craft beers, you are on the right track. This is Kansas City, a city of heritage, history, and a whole lot of fun. 🛏️ Check out the best Airbnbs in Kansas City🏨 Check in at the best Kansas City hotels

If you’re in St Louis, it’s likely you’re here for at least a few of the following; blues, baseball, beer and a whole lot of BBQ. Most likely, you’re here to tick off every single one. And mark our words, they’re all well worth visiting for. But when we’re talking about its foodie scene, there’s tons more going on than just BBQ.  In fact, this city is home to a whole host of incredible restaurants, from tasty tapas to all-American burger joints and New York-style sandos to spicy Northern Thai curries. Fancy egg noodle soup? You got it. Buttermilk cornmeal pancakes? You got it. We’ve got it all on our radar. Here are the best restaurants in St Louis right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in St Louis🏨 The best hotels in St Louis📍 The best things to do in Indianapolis📍 The best things to do in Kansas City✈️ The ultimate guide to Missouri

Kansas City is famed for its fantastic BBQ, from cheesesteaks to ribs and brisket. But to put the city down to simply a BBQ haven is to do it a disservice (though they do do a damn good brisket). Kansas City is home to a whole array of world cuisines, from Ethiopian to Mexican and family-run Italian joints to swanky cocktails and small plates. This is the place to get delicious wood-fired pizza, sumptuous fried chicken, and unreal pulled pork, and then spend your evening sipping on cocktails at a speakeasy, or heading to a wine bar. From old city classics to modern new twists, here are the best restaurants in Kansas City right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ Where to eat the best BBQ in Kansas City🍷 The best bars in Kansas City🍺 The best breweries in Kansas City📍 The best things to do in Kansas City🏨 The best hotels in Kansas City

Baseball, beer, blues and BBQ: That’s what most people think of when they talk about this city. But it’s time to look beyond that and discover the other amazing things to do in St Louis—the kind of activities that make the Gateway to the West oh-so-special. From delicious restaurants to picture-perfect views, fantastic festivals and stunning hotels, St Louis deserves to be explored and lived-in like a local, whether you’re visiting for just a couple of days or have a whole week. RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in St LouisRECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in St Louis

Celebrations marked Detroit's recent entrance into the world of legalized marijuana, and the state of Michigan has wasted no time in flinging open the door to dozens upon dozens of dispensaries. If you're in the Motor City and looking for an ‘elevated’ experience – or just hoping to unwind after a long day – these are our recommendations for the best dispensaries in Detroit.  There’s a little bit of everything sprinkled in here – from high-end, curated lounges to off-the-grid spots with surprisingly expansive selections of flower, edibles and more. Many of them even offer curbside pick-up or delivery straight to your... couch. (Assuming you've already stocked up on food from one of the best restaurants in Detroit, that is.)   RECOMMENDED: The 20 best things to do in Detroit

Located just a few train stops from O’Hare International Airport, Rosemont serves as a waypoint for travelers and a destination for residents of the suburbs north of Chicago. Fittingly, the restaurants that populate the area offer an array of cuisines, including outposts of popular Chicago restaurants as well as local eateries serving Italian and Indian fare. The nearby convention centers and hotels host people from all around the world, and Rosemont’s restaurant scene reflects that diversity, offering everything from Southern-inspired barbecue to authentic Bavarian cuisine. While the Village of Rosemont isn’t all that large, it is filled with interesting dining options, no matter what you’re in the mood for. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Illinois

The vast array of natural resources at hand in Northern Michigan has fostered a deep appreciation for locally-sourced fare. 'Foraged' isn’t just an industry buzzword at the best restaurants in Traverse City: the local food scene is season-driven and revolves around getting creative with basics. Nearly every menu boasts something root-based and basically all desserts make outstanding use of cherries. The area is renowned for its cherries, after all – Traverse City is home to the National Cherry Festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Planning a visit? Check out our list of the best things to do in town and browse through the following collection of best restaurants in Traverse City. Make sure to dine at them all. Yes, all.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Michigan  

Although the town’s dining scene still skews towards comfort food, one scroll through our list of the best restaurants in Des Moines will convince you that Iowa's culinary landscape is about much more than just corn, pork and fried food on a stick. (Surprising in the Midwest, we know.) In step with the rapidly growing and diversifying population, a handful of new hotspots are highlighting flavors from all over the world, elevating the city’s food scene to uncharted new heights. Throw in the variety of fun things to do in town and beautiful hotel options and Des Moines might actually start to look like a very exciting destination for a domestic vacation.  But let’s get down to it: From elbows-on-the-table to worth-the-splurge meals, you won’t regret spending a penny at these Des Moines gems. Many are offering meals sourced by local purveyors (we are blessed with some of the richest soil in the country, after all), these eateries will delight you in new and exciting ways. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Iowa