10 Budget-Friendly Midwest Cities for Your Next Winter Vacation

Your next winter vacation could be an extremely memorable one. If you visit one of these ten locations, you won’t need to break the bank for a good time.

Most people need to balance their recreation time and money with a budget that helps them live a happy and fulfilled lifestyle. This includes having the right amount of money for vacations. If you’re thinking about visiting a special location for the holidays, or you want to enjoy the fun of time away after the New Year begins, you don’t have to spend all of your money just to enjoy a winter wonderland in the Midwest.

1. Winter in Chicago Can be Amazing

Big cities are known for offering some incredible holiday celebrations and festivals. Whether you want to head to Chicago for the holidays or after, during the winter months, you’ll find a city full of life and fun. During these winter months, many of the top hotels offer amazing promotional discounts that aren’t available during the rest of the year. This means you can enjoy the fun of walking along the beach of Lake Michigan or the many stores in Chicago without overspending on accommodations.

2. Enjoy Some Outdoor Fun in Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills is located in Ohio, and it features some of the most amazing rock formations and caves in the Midwest. This is a great place for your next winter vacation, with the dramatic appeal of snow on the damp rocks, bare trees, and water that’s frozen to form icicles. Stay at Glenlaurel Inn and Spa to be near the nature area you’re sure to love. This spa is more affordable during the winter months, giving you the desired savings and a wonderful winter experience.

3. You’ll Love the Views at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

When the winter cold freezes Lake Michigan into shelf ice forms, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a great place to visit. You’ll love the views and enjoy spending time outdoors during the winter visit to this gorgeous location. This is also a great area for hiking and snowshoeing. You’ll find some affordable places to stay and lots of free activities that can make this a budget-friendly place for you to visit and enjoy during winter.

4. Minneapolis is Filled with Winter Activities

The farther north you go, the more winter you’ll get. If you plan your winter vacation or the holiday time, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has some amazing things to see and do. This state has the most Swedish and Norwegian ancestry, which means they know how to do winter. You’ll find a veritable wonderland of amazing things to see, things to do, and places to stay. Make a reservation for Mary’s Christmas Palace or enjoy some of the other amazing holiday-themed activities offered in this midwestern city.

5. Cleveland has a Lot to Enjoy in the Winter

Many people might not view Cleveland, Ohio, as a place to visit during winter, but it can be a wonderful place for you to enjoy time away from home and spend less than you would at other times of the year. Enjoy some time at the Cleveland Museum of Art, which is free, and head to West Side Market for some wonderful food vendors that offer some great items to eat. The Cleveland Winter Beerfest could be a great place to enjoy tasting some local beers.

6. Check Out the Covered Bridges of Parke County, Indiana

Parke County presents you with an incredible midwestern winter wonderland where you can have a fantastic winter vacation. This county is home to many covered bridges that can be covered in snow and offer some of the most incredible scenes where you can take photos and enjoy the local area. The bridges are all that you’ll find in this area, and you can stay at one of the quaint B&Bs during your time in the area.

7. The Covered Bridges Scenic Byway Offers an Amazing Midwestern Winter Road Trip

Even if you don’t spend your winter getaway nearby, this 82-mile-long road trip is well worth the time and travel. Its also a great way to spend time in several small towns full of winter charm, where you’ll find some wonderful places to stay and local shops and eateries. The warmth and welcoming of the Midwest are a big part of how charming and wonderful your winter trip can be.

8. Detroit Offers Many Amazing Winter Activities

Detroit used to be the location of the first car show of the year, but that’s been moved to the warmer months. This means the wintertime in Detroit, Michigan, could be ideal for you to have a fantastic experience during your winter vacation. You can go ice skating at the Rink at Campus Maritus, check out the Heidelberg Project, and enjoy one of the local jazz bars or Motown lounges. Detroit is a great place to go during your winter Midwestern getaway.

9. There’s a Lot to See in Indianapolis

Called the Circle City for the downtown area and its roundabout, Indianapolis, Indiana, offers some incredible winter activities. This city has become a hotspot for tourists during the rest of the year, but you can easily find some affordable accommodations during the winter months. There are six Cultural Districts in Indianapolis and more than 200 restaurants that offer various amazing foods for you to savor. This city is full of life and fun, and it won’t break your travel budget.

10. Door County, Wisconsin Offers Amazing Outdoor Views

Door County has been called the Cape Cod of the Midwest, which makes it a wonderful winter wonderland for you to enjoy when it’s time to get away after a hectic holiday season. You’ll want to enjoy a winter hike around Cave Point County Park, visit the various shops and galleries, and stay at some of the most historic inns found in this region. The hotel prices should be affordable, giving you a fantastic Midwestern winter vacation.

Where will you go for your winter vacation? The Midwest has so much to offer during this season, with lots of incredible cities that are affordable and enjoyable during this colder time of the year.