Here are the three Midwest cities you need to visit in 2026, according to local experts

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Ah, the Midwest – no oceans, no palm trees and blisteringly cold winters.

But in the spring, this vast region of the US becomes a hotspot for travelers enjoying expansive cityscapes with exciting events and urban delights.

If you’re going gray like me, you might remember the ’90s Hostess commercials with the punchline: “where’s the cream filling?”.

That’s essentially what the Midwest is in the spring: a happy place for vacationers, as the center of the country allows for short flights and easy weekend getaways no matter where you leave from.

At Travel Off Path we are constantly looking for the latest travel trends. In this case local experts from Midwest living struck us, revealing 3 underrated cities you must visit this year.

Indianapolis, Indiana: No longer just a sports city

There’s no trendier city in the Midwest than Indy. In fact, it is the only one on this list that had a record year for tourism.

This city’s long-standing reputation as a sports town with nothing else to do is changing. Yes, the Pacers went to the NBA Finals in 2025, yes, they hosted the NCAA championship games, and yes, NASCAR fans come in full force to the Indianapolis 500 every year, but there’s so much more to cheer about than sports and St. Elmo’s famous cocktail sauce.

Indy will open numerous major hotels in 2026, along with free admission Museum of Contemporary Artin addition to other existing attractions, such as Newfields and the Indiana State Museum, always worth a visit.

And although this capital is at record levels, you don’t feel trapped like in nearby Chicago.

Indy is also a great nature destination, whether it’s downtown’s scenic, man-made Central Canal to enjoy the outdoors, blissful walks in Eagle Creek Park, or even a beautiful beach day along the Caribbean blue waters of Lake Michigan in nearby Indiana Dunes National Park with Chicago’s towering skyline in the distance.

Kansas City, MO: 2 states, 1 incredible city

While Kansas City isn’t breaking attendance records, it’s not far behind Indy when it comes to a popular name.

What’s most surprising is that KC’s Missouri side isn’t on the rise, but Kansas’ namesake is.

Sports fans will have to wait before crossing the state line for their beloved Chiefs, but tourists will enjoy the quieter, less touristy half of the city.

But that may not last long. You might be able to imagine it Margaritaville are synonymous with beach towns, but the popular hotel planted its roots in Kansas City, Kansas, last summer.

That’s not to say exploring Missouri isn’t worth it. There’s the bustling City Market, Union Station and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, all worth visiting.

But if there’s one thing to look forward to that’s specific to 2026, it’s the long-awaited opening of Rock islanda sprawling entertainment complex on the Kansas River.

Of course, it goes without saying that it doesn’t matter what state you’re in — barbecue is a must-try here.

Since Michelin somehow hasn’t awarded any stars to KC barbecues, you’ll just have to take our word for it: no-nonsense Joe’s KC BBQ lives up to the hype as a local favorite.

Cleveland, Ohio: This place is great in more ways than one

Despite not getting a lot of love, Ohio is a great destination to visit, with Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland serving as a base for a trio of worthwhile cities.

That said, the vibrant riverside city of Cleveland leads the charge of these three for 2026 with plenty of new enticements to come here.

If Cleveland has one claim to fame, it’s certainly not the Browns – it’s the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

While you can decide for yourself whether musical legends like The Beastie Boys belong in rock music, there’s no denying that these are Cleveland’s biggest draws, and this year will be even better.

According to Midwest Living, the hall adds 50,000 square feet with new exhibition spaces and a live concert venue that can accommodate up to 1,000 attendees.

But that’s not the only newcomer in town. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is about to debut the first phase of its largest project in more than a century. Primate forest.

Our favorite addition is the new Cleveland Water Taximaking exploring the city center more fun than ever, with riverside hotspots such as the East Bank Entertainment District.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.