7 Affordable Midwest Getaways

he Midwest is home to some of the most beautiful, historic, and affordable destinations in America.

If you're looking for a getaway that won't break your budget, consider making one of these 7 Midwestern cities your next vacation destination:

1. Toledo, Ohio

This Midwest destination offers something for everyone, including art museums, zoos, and aquariums that are sure to impress even the most discriminating tastes.

Toledo is home to The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) which houses one of the largest collections of paintings by artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Claude Monet in the United States. There's also plenty to do outside the museum if you're looking for something a little more active; check out their walking tours that take visitors through some of their favorite historic neighborhoods or head over to Glass City Gardens where you can see how plants grow from seedlings all year round!

For those looking for more than just culture there are plenty of places around town where you can enjoy some downtime with friends or family members. Don't miss out on stopping by The Docks Bar & Grill located on North Shore Lake Erie where they offer live music every night alongside great food options like tacos or burgers (they'll even let you order off menus!).

For those who want something less rowdy but still want good food then try out one of their many restaurants—they've got everything from Thai food at Bangkok Thai Restaurant & Sushi Bar up through German cuisine at Hofbrauhaus Heidelberg Restaurant & Lager Haus!

2. Madison, Wisconsin

Madison is one of the Midwest's most underrated cities. It is home to many attractions, including Elver Park Arboretum, the Madison Children's Museum, and the Wisconsin State Capitol Building. Madison also has plenty of restaurants and bars that are worth visiting while you're there.

You don't have to spend a lot of money when visiting Madison because it's an affordable place to go on vacation. For example, if you plan on staying in a hotel while you're in town then look at booking one through Travelocity or Priceline since they offer discounted rates at hotels all over the country.

You can also save money by getting around town using public transportation instead of renting a car or taking a taxi everywhere that you go (which will add up fast!).

3. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and has a population of just over 381,000. It's also home to two professional sports teams: The Twins and Vikings. If you're into music, Minneapolis is known for having a thriving music scene with performers like Prince, Bob Dylan and Hüsker Dü calling it home at one point or another.

There are also plenty of parks to visit when you're not taking in the city's sights!

4. Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Urbana-Champaign is a great place to go if you want to get away but don't have a ton of money to spend. It's located in the central part of Illinois and is home to the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, which has its own small town feel.

You'll find plenty of things to do here whether you're into art museums or sports: for example, there's an art museum called Krannert Art Museum that features one-of-a-kind exhibits from local artists as well as national artists, while the Krannert Center for Performing Arts hosts some incredible concerts throughout the year—and it's free!

You can also engage in some outdoor activities like hiking through trails around campus or biking along paths that wind through residential neighborhoods with beautiful green spaces. For those who prefer staying indoors and gaming, Game On! Pinball Ike's Arcade Bar has all sorts of pinball machines (and other games) available for play. And if food is what you're looking for? Well then there are plenty of restaurants serving up signature dishes ranging from fantastic burgers at Burger Up (located right on campus) to traditional Italian cuisine at Ristorante Lui Lui Italiano & Wine Bar (across town).

5. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Downtown Ann Arbor is a charming place to begin exploring the city. From local gems like Literati Bookstore and The Himalayan Bazaar, to trendy chains like Fjallraven—the options are endless

Head west until you reach the University of Michigan campus, which is surrounded by blocks of shops, casual eateries and two historic theaters: The State Theatre and Michigan Theater—both host concerts!

Nickels Arcade and Kerrytown Market & Shops are two of Ann Arbor's best-kept secrets, offering an array of spice merchants, Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars and vintage finds. After a day of enjoying the sights and sounds of Detroit, stop at The Last Word for carefully crafted classic cocktails.

Learn More: Destination Michigan

6. St. Louis, Missouri

The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission has a few suggestions for your visit to the Midwest:

• The Missouri Botanical Garden is a sprawling green space with more than 5,000 plant species from all over the world. The greenhouse features a tropical rainforest and an orchid garden, as well as special exhibits that change throughout the year.
• The St. Louis Zoo displays over 2,000 animals in naturalistic habitats with educational information about each species on display signs throughout its grounds.
• The St. Louis Art Museum houses over 40 galleries featuring art from around the world, including Greek vases and Native American artifacts in addition to contemporary pieces by local artists like Wes Wilson who designed posters for Woodstock (1969).
• City Museum is home to an underground network of tunnels filled with old cars, boats and industrial machinery; explore an airplane suspended from the ceiling; climb up into a tree house high above ground level; walk through an aquarium filled with sharks and large fish; crawl through caves or take part in other interactive activities at this unique urban playground just south of downtown St.-Louis where adults can be children again!

7. Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is a great place to visit any time of year, but it particularly shines in spring and summer. The city has a lot of free activities you can enjoy without spending any money, including the Smale Riverfront Park, which features an outdoor performance space and plenty of green space for picnics. If you want to spend some cash on fun things like tours or dinner out with friends, Cincinnati also has affordable options like its many food trucks that sell delicious meals for around $10 per person.

Cincinnati's affordable nature makes it easy for visitors to stay longer than just one weekend—and most people do so by staying at one of the many charming bed-and-breakfasts in town. It's worth noting that these bed-and-breakfast inns tend to be quite small (some only have five rooms), so make sure you book well ahead if your trip falls during peak season (which runs from late March through October).

There are many affordable destinations in the Midwest.

The Midwest is a great place to visit, with many affordable destinations. You'll find places to stay, eat, and explore that won't break the bank. You can get a lot for your money in this part of the country!

Learn More:

• Affordable Midwest Getaways: Michigan
• How To Save On Travel As a Senior
• 7 U.S. Cities Perfect for a Long Weekend Getaway