Brock Wilbur

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing tends to dominate Indy’s list of things to do in the springtime, but visitors to the Circle City have more on their minds these days than just the Indianapolis 500. The national media has discovered Indianapolis, and magazines from Forbes to Food & Wine have had something to say about the city’s transformation. The growing food scene has stirred up attention, with pop-up dinners and food events taking place around the city, and top chefs and restaurants getting noticed by the James Beard Restaurant & Chef Awards. And it’s easy to get a taste of Indy. Visitors can sample the food scene with a culinary tour along the city’s innovative Cultural Trail, explore the happening downtown dining districts and head out into the neighborhoods to eat like a local. The state’s signature “Hoosier hospitality” is authentic, and travelers to Indy will likely take notice, from the moment they book a hotel to closing time at the neighborhoods bars. Plus, Indianapolis remains an affordable city, and its walkable downtown and easy-to-navigate layout makes the city particularly friendly to visitors.

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

If you’ve mentally reduced this western Chicago suburb to chain restaurants and pickup bars stuffed with North Central College students, you’re missing out on the array of flavors that Naperville has to offer. Downtown Naperville’s new Water Street District, along the south bank of the DuPage River, has brought with it the city’s first hotel and a crop of fresh restaurants serving ambitious fare. Craving Peruvian or Pakistani? You'll find even more tasty options (plus easier parking) in strip malls along 75th Street or tucked among big-name chains on Freedom Drive off I-88. There are splurges and bargains alike on our list of the best restaurants in Naperville, but wherever you land, you won’t leave hungry. 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

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 the 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 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: Full guide to the best things to do in St Louis

Whether it's local history or global visions for tomorrow, KC has incredible art for all tastes. All you have to do is head to some of the best museums in Kansas City to see an incredible array of history, art, and more. Take the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum or the American Jazz Museum for example, where you can get a deep dive into the unique history that makes Kansas City great (besides the BBQ, of course). More into contemporary art? The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art both have worthy exhibits and Instagram-worthy installations. After you see the show, head to some of the best restaurants or breweries to refuel.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Kansas City

Kansas City gets lumped into flyover country too often, and that's a mistake. The best things to do in Kansas City include an up-and-coming arts scene, a variety of restaurants serving both the signature cuisine (BBQ) and modern takes on classics and a ton of fountains. (Yes, you read that right. There are a lot of cool fountains in this city.) And aside from being a great sports town (if you think people are still celebrating the Super Bowl, you'd be right), Kansas City also boasts a long jazz heritage and a slew of year-round events. Plus, in 2020, KC began offering free public transportation, making it super easy to get around, and which means you can conquer some of the city's highlights all in one (very affordable) weekend. So go on and enjoy the best metro in the midwest before everyone beats you to it. 

Consider Kansas City a cultural oasis on the plains and a beacon to all those within 100 miles – this is where you can find a good drink. Some of the finest bartenders, cocktail crafters, breweries and distillers that the Midwest has to offer have all made KC home, producing some of the best sports bars, martini bars, beer bars and speakeasies in the Midwest. If you want to taste what Missouri has to offer, then check off the best bars in Kansas City from your bucket list. And while you're here, Kansas city has some pretty great restaurants and BBQ spots, too. 

Texas has brisket, Carolina has pulled pork and St. Louis has ribs, but the crown jewel of the Kansas City BBQ scene is a plate of burnt ends. We're talking about those wonderful bites of brisket that are caramelized and smokey on the outside and tender on the inside. Basically, they’re meat gold. Although plenty of butchers used to discard this meat because it was thought to be too chewy for sandwiches, today, the dish sells out on a daily basis all around town. That's because BBQ in Kansas City isn’t just the town’s most recognizable culinary offering (and one of the best things to do in Kansas City), it’s an institution that has shaped the entire country’s gastronomical landscape since the 1920s. (That's when Henry Perry fired up a smoker in an old streetcar barn and sold grilled meat in newspapers for customers to carry out.) Today, that tradition has expanded to more than 100 restaurants serving BBQ in the area—slathered in world-famous KC BBQ sauce (thick and sweet with a hint of spice), of course—and even BBQ-themed events and festivals. So what are you still waiting for? Put on that bib and get to these top spots for the best BBQ in Kansas City.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Kansas City

If you're hoping to maintain a strict diet, or even some semblance of self-control, then visiting the best restaurants in Kansas City probably isn't for you. Locals don't do things like "portions" and they don't count calories. In fact, eating pretty much tops the list of the best things to do in Kansas City. Gluttons, this city is for you.  KC is also a city that likes to throw down a challenge, and we find friendship in those who are willing to at least give it the old college try. There's BBQ (and the correspondeing BBQ events), of course, but you'd be surprised by what else makes it to the table. If you're planning on swingin' through, here are the spots we think show off the best of our diverse plate. Apologies in advance if you have to take a lot of naps between meals. We do what we do. RECOMMENDED: The best bars in Kansas City