Travel2

windmills among tulips

Road trip season is finally here, which means it’s time to plan a getaway. Instead of pointing out the obvious spots, we’re uncovering 20 under-the-radar destinations that offer plenty of small-town charm.

These Midwest destinations are just a car ride away, tempting travelers to pick a random weekend, get on the road and drive. Each of these spots has something special to offer regardless of whether you travel for food, attractions, history, views or outdoor adventures.

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

LaSalle County Court House (Courtesy of Ottawa Visitors Center)

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Holland Harbor “Big Red” Lighthouse (Photo by Getty Images)

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Photo by Zach Ellefson, Drone City

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

St. Joseph (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Courtesy of Elkhart County, Indiana CVB, Das Dutchman Essenhaus

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Courtesy of Elkhart Lake Tourism

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Stone Hill Winery (Photo by Matt Wilson, Courtesy of Visit Hermann)

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Courtesy of Brown County BCVB

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Courtesy of Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Courtesy of Cynthya Porter

Midwest gems to travel to this summer

Algoma (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Senior Editor

Maggie Ginsberg is a senior editor at Madison Magazine. Her long-form features have garnered numerous honors since 2006 including from the National City Regional Magazine Association, the Milwaukee Press Club and the American Society of Journalist and Authors. In addition to helping edit the work of Madison Magazine's contributing writers, freelancers and essayists, she writes features and the monthly Looking Back historical photo department page. Online, Maggie conducts monthly author Q&As and covers the local literary scene with her Sunday Reads monthly e-newsletter. Her own debut novel, "Still True," was published by the University of Wisconsin Press in September 2022 and was the honorable mention selection for the 2022 Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award, as well as a 2023 Midwest Book Award honoree. 

You can also find her on Instagram.