Midwest (United States of America)
The Midwest is a region of the United States of America known as "America's Heartland", which refers to its primary role in the nation's manufacturing and farming sectors as well as its patchwork of big commercial cities and small towns that, in combination, are considered as the broadest representation of American culture. In fact, most national television broadcasters speak with a midwestern accent. The Midwest was the home of more than one quarter of U.S. Presidents as well as the birthplace of the inventors and entrepreneurs of most of the technology that fuels the world's economy (airplane, automobile, electric lighting, petroleum, steel production - to name a few).
States
The following eight states of the Midwest account for one-fifth of the U.S. population, according to the 2005 Census estimates taken by the United States Census Bureau:
Cities
See also the pages for the states of the Midwest, for smaller but still substantial cities in the region. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2005 population estimates, the Midwest includes 9 of the 25 largest combined metropolitan statistical areas in the United States.
- Chicago - the "Windy City" and third largest city in the U.S.
- Cincinnati - the "Queen City"
- Cleveland - the "Heart of Rock and Roll"
- Detroit - the "Motor City", a.k.a. "Motown"
- Indianapolis - the "Circle City" and "Crossroads of America;" home of the Indy 500
- Kansas City - the "City of Fountains"
- Milwaukee - "Mil Town," "Cream City" and the "City of Festivals"
- Minneapolis - "Twin City" (with Saint Paul)
- St. Louis - "Gateway City" home of Anheuser-Busch beer breweries and Gateway Arch
Other destinations
Culture and History
The term "Midwest" refers to a collection of states just east of center in the United States. This area is sometimes referred to as the "heart" of America and is often associated with agriculture and industry. The culture of the midwest is generally acknowledged to be "down to earth", as much of the population is far from the influences of coastal cities and cultural centers such as New York City and Los Angeles. The biggest city in the midwest region is Chicago, Illinois, the third largest city in the U.S.
States bordering the Great Lakes (Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin) are sometimes called the "North Coast", "Third Coast" or "Fresh Coast" as parallels to the East and West coasts.
Talk
English is, as with the rest of the US, the de facto official language. Some areas with large Hispanic populations might have a majority speaking Spanish, but most have at least basic English skills. Some of the larger cities, such as Cleveland, Chicago and Milwaukee have diverse ethnic communities with many first generation immigrants.
Travel to Midwest (United States of America), visa requirements
By air
The Midwest is served by several international airports, including many of the major US airlines' national hubs. O'Hare International (United and American), Cleveland (Continental), Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky (Delta), Detroit (Northwest), Minneapolis-Saint Paul (Northwest) and Milwaukee (Midwest). Many major metropolitan areas also have secondary international and regional airports, supporting discount airlines.
By car
The Midwest is served by several interstate highways. Most of the states in the Midwest can be access by the major east-west corridors of:
- I-90 - connects five of the Midwest states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
- I-80 - connects four of the Midwest states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa.
- I-70 - connects four of the Midwest states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.
Additionally, several major interstate highways have their northern termini in Midwest states including:
- I-77 - starts in Cleveland, Ohio and runs all the way to South Carolina
- I-75 - starts in northern Michigan, serving and Detroit, Michigan and Cincinnati, Ohio, ultimately terminating in Florida
- I-71 - starts in Cleveland, also serving Columbus and Cincinnati then unto Kentucky
- I-65 - starts just outside of Chicago in Gary, Indiana, serves Indianapolis and utlimately terminates in Alabama
- I-55 - starts in Chicago, serves St. Louis and ultimately reaches New Orleans
- I-35 - starts in northern Minnesota, serves Minneapolis-Saint Paul and follows through Texas
By train
Amtrak also operates several routes through the Midwest, including several that primarily connect Chicago directly to other major Midwest cities. The major routes running through several Midwest states and major cities include:
- Capitol Limited (Chicago, Cleveland and onto Washington, D.C.)
- Cardinal/Hoosier State (Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and onto Washington, D.C. and New York City)
- Empire Builder (Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-Saint Paul and onto Seattle)
- Lake Shore Limited (Chicago, Cleveland and onto Boston)
- Texas Eagle (Chicago, St. Louis and onto Texas)
Buses to Midwest (United States of America)
- Greyhound offers passenger bus service from many U.S. cities.
- Megabus is a low-cost bus company primarily offering service in the Midwest connecting its hub in Chicago to Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Toledo.
By boat
- Great Lakes - The northern Midwest can be traversed by boat throughout the Great Lakes. Many boaters utilize the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway and their connection points as a travel route. The Great Lakes Cruising Company and the American Canadian Caribbean Line provide cruises with several Midwest cities (including Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee) in their itineria.
- River Travel - Additionally, the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio Rivers are some of the primary navigable waters in the US. There are also steamboat and cruise options connecting points along Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
Get around
By air
Many major metropolitan areas also have secondary international and regional airports, supporting national, discount and commuter airlines.
By car
In addition to the major interstates listed above, many Midwest cities have secondary interstate service such as outerbelt and by-pass systems.
By train
Most of the Midwest lacks regional passenger rail service, but segments of Amtrak routes may suffice.
Buses to Midwest (United States of America)
- Greyhound and Megabus offer a variety of routes and connections to guide through the Midwest.
Midwest (United States of America) attractions and sightseeing
Great Lakes
- Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail - including Northern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan
- Lake Erie Islands. Located west of Cleveland, Ohio and southeast of Detroit, Michigan, a group of picturesque and festive islands in Lake Erie are accessible via ferry. In addition to several Ohio State Parks located on the islands, there is plenty to do including wineries, restaurants, bars, marinas and beaches.
River Dancing
- Great River Road - the Mighty Mississippi, from Wisconsin and Minnesota through Illinois and Iowa and south to the Gulf of Mexico
- Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route - Illinois
- Ohio River Scenic Byway - a river trail through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
- Ohio & Erie Canalway - from Lake Erie in Cleveland through Ohio to the Ohio River valley
Inland History and Culture
- Historical National Road - a trail of history running through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
- Amish Country Byway - Ohio
- Lincoln Highway - Illinois
City tours
Great Lakes
- Beaches
- Fishing
- Boating
- Lighthouses
- Resorts
River Valleys
- Riverboats
Amusement Parks
- Cedar Point
- Six Flags
- Kings Island
Good restaurants and cheap meals
The Midwest is a patchwork of big cities, small towns and farming communities. Being the epicenter of the American Industrial Revolution, it attracted an influx of immigrants and African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, resulting in a diverse ethnic culinary experience from the heavy German, Irish, Polish and African-American urban populations to rural Amish and Mennonite cooking traditions. Big Midwest cities, like Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee, are known for their bratwurst, kielbasa, Italian sausage and good old American hot dogs. Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin have heavier Scandinavian influences. Large hispanic, pan-Asian, Middle-eastern and Indian now add spice to this international potpouri.
Locally grown food is seasonally available in rural areas, often at roadside stands. Spring crops include salad greens, radishes, sweet peas and spinach. Summer's abundance includes sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, onions, melons, berries, apples, peaches and pears. The agricultural abundance can be excellent in season and seems to encourage large helpings year around.
Midwest (United States of America) nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Beer - Major domestic breweries, Annheuser-Busch and Miller are headquartered in the Midwest. Many renowned microbreweries dot the landscape as well.
- Wine - Wine is made in every state of the Midwest. Catawba grapes were first discovered in Ohio in 1802 and thus Catawba vineyards line the shores and islands of Lake Erie. Michigan and Missouri also have significant wine countries.
Stay safe
- Dial 911 from any telephone for emergency police, medical, and fire services.
Get out
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows
