Think the Midwest is just a cornfield you fly over between coasts? Don’t be fooled by that nonsense. The region holds impressive cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis, full of creativity, diversity, and mouthwatering food. It also cradles the Great Lakes, which are like huge inland seas, offering beaches, dunes, and scenic views dotted with lighthouses. Then there are the quirky roadside attractions—like the National Mustard Museum or the world’s largest ball of twine—that pop up throughout the area, plus a rich beer-making legacy still in full flow, all at reasonable travel costs.