The Best Cities in the Midwest

Every traveler arrives in a city with some sort of wish list. Maybe great food is the priority, paired with walkable neighborhoods full of independent shops and lively bars. For a different visitor, thought-provoking museums and a thriving arts scene may be the top draw. Or perhaps it's great parks, pro sports or diverse options for entertaining the kids.

Whatever tops your wish list, these Midwestern cities deliver the goods, and then some. Best of all, they are constantly reinventing themselves, so even if you've been before, there's always a compelling reason to go back.

We selected these 9 as Best Cities in our 2026 Best of the Midwest Awards, based on our in-person reporting trips and the top-quality visitor experiences they offer.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Midwest Living.