These Are The Midwest’s 3 Must-Visit Cities For 2026, According To Local Experts

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Ah, the Midwest — no oceans, no palm trees, and blistering cold winters.

Yet, come springtime, this sprawling region of the U.S. becomes a hotspot for travelers who enjoy vast cityscapes holding thrilling events and urban delights.

If you’re becoming a gray-beard like me, perhaps you remember 90’s Hostess commercials with the punchline, “where’s the cream filling?”.

That’s essentially what the Midwest is during spring — a sweet spot for vacationers as the middle of the country makes for short flights and easy weekend getaways no matter where you depart from.

Here at Travel Off Path, we’re constantly on the prowl for the latest travel trends. In this case, local experts at Midwest Living caught our eye, revealing 3 underrated cities you have to visit this year.

Indianapolis, Indiana: No Longer Just A Sports Town

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

This city’s longstanding reputation as a sports town with nothing else to do is shifting. Yes, the Pacers went to the NBA Finals in 2025, yes, they played host to the NCAA championship games, and yes, NASCAR fans arrive in full force for the Indianapolis 500 each year, but there’s so much more to cheer for beyond sports and St. Elmo’s famous cocktail sauce.

Indy is opening numerous major hotels in 2026, along with a free-to-enter Contemporary Art Museum, among other already in place attractions, such as Newfields and Indiana State Museum, always worth a visit.

And even though this capital city is on a record-setting tear, you don’t feel packed in like you do in nearby Chicago.

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

Kansas City, MO: 2 States, 1 Incredible City

While not breaking visitor records, Kansas City isn’t far behind Indy as far as being a hot name.

What’s most surprising is the Missouri side of KC isn’t what’s on the up and up — it’s the namesake of Kansas.

Sports fans will have to wait to cross state lines for their beloved Chiefs, but tourists will enjoy the city’s quieter, less-touristy half.

But that may not last for long. You might think of Margaritaville being synonymous with beach towns, but the popular hotel planted roots in Kansas City, Kansas just 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 worthy of checking out.

But if there’s one thing to look forward to that is 2026 specific, it’s the highly anticipated opening of Rock Island, a sprawling entertainment complex straddling the Kansas River.

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

Since Michelin has somehow skipped dishing out any stars to KC barbecue joints, you’ll have to take our word for it that no-frills Joe’s KC BBQ lives up to the hype as a local favorite.

Cleveland, Ohio: This Place Rocks In More Ways Than One

Despite not getting much love, Ohio is an awesome destination to visit, with Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland anchoring a trio of worthwhile cities.

That said, the vibrant riverside city of Cleveland leads the charge of these 3 for 2026 with ample new enticements to make your way 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 if such musical legends as The Beastie Boys are classified as rock music, there’s no denying that it’s Cleveland’s biggest attractions, and it’s set to be even better this year.

According to Midwest Living, the hall is adding 50,000 square feet that includes new exhibit spaces, a live concert venue seating up to 1,000 attendees.

But that’s not the only newbie to the city. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is set to debut the first phase of its biggest project in more than a century, Primate Forest.

Our favorite addition is the new Cleveland Water Taxi, making downtown exploration more fun than ever, with riverside hotspots like the East Bank Entertainment District.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.