Travel Trip Ideas Around the Midwest 11 Extraordinary Outdoor Travel Experiences to Try This Year Have you ever slept in a treehouse? Paddled by moonlight? Seen the Milky Way? We challenge you to try one of these activities. By Julia Sayers Gokhale Julia Sayers Gokhale Julia Sayers Gokhale is the travel editor at Midwest Living, where she gets to traverse the region and share its fascinating stories. Born and raised in the South, Julia is embracing her new identity as a Midwesterner. She previously was editor in chief of Birmingham Magazine and prior to that spent two years working—and eating—with celebrity chef Paula Deen. Her personal mission is to visit all 50 states (currently at 45!), all U.S. national parks and at least one new country a year. When she's not on the road, she's cooking, discovering new restaurants and hanging out with her French Bulldog—and Instagramming it all. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Published on March 6, 2023 Corey Gaffer Say Namaste in a Forest Tree pose is even better when you're surrounded by, well, trees. Take a yoga class outdoors or sign up for a retreat at places like Wild Rice Retreat (Bayfield, Wisconsin, shown), In Your Element Forest Yoga (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Soul Farm (Amboy, Illinois). Try Mushrooms Not that kind of mushroom. Wild, edible 'shrooms can be found throughout the Midwest, but it takes an expert to identify and safely indulge in them. In Minneapolis, the Gentleman Forager leads seasonal classes as well as overnight expeditions for those with mycological motivations. Where to Find Morel Mushrooms in the Midwest (Without Foraging for Them Yourself) Brave the Rapids Step aside, Colorado. Book thrilling rafting trips with Kosir's in Wisconsin (Peshtigo or Menominee rivers); Swiftwater Adventures (St. Louis River) or Hard Water Sports (Kettle River) in Minnesota; or Vermillion River Rafting in Illinois (Vermilion River). Courtesy of Hocking Hills Treehouse Cabins Sleep in a Treehouse Pull up Airbnb and filter by "tree house," and you'll find all types of treetop escapes (like the TreeLoft at BaseCamp in Missouri). Though most of those are individual rentals, the Midwest also has a few tree house resorts. Our picks: Hocking Hills Treehouse Cabins (South Bloomingville, Ohio, shown), Tree Vistas (Ionia, Michigan) and The Mohicans (Glenmont, Ohio). Camp in a Floating Tent Yes, you read that right. At Float Troy in Troy, Ohio, you can sleep in the middle of the Great Miami River. You'll kayak to and from your anchored tent, which sleeps four. Floating firepits add to the ambience, while gentle waves rock you to sleep. Go Spelunking Channel your inner cave dweller on a spelunking trip in Corydon, Indiana. With Indiana Caverns' Deep Darkness adventure, you'll spend three hours squeezing, wriggling and splashing through the state's longest cave system. Courtesy of Wateriders Paddle by Moonlight Imagine dipping your paddle into black water, breaking the reflection of the moon. Peace transcends city life on a nighttime kayak trip. Wateriders' Moonlight Tours, shown, begin after dark, guided by Chicago's lights. In Detroit, the full moon sets the schedule for Detroit River Sports' tours—where kayaks come decked with twinkle lights. Howl Like a Wolf Minnesota is home to the largest wolf population in the Lower 48. At the International Wolf Center in Ely, observe wolves in their natural habitats and learn about efforts to protect these beautiful creatures. 12 of the Best Zoos, Nature Preserves and Wildlife Refuges Across the Midwest Drive a Camper Van Beep beep! Test out #vanlife on a camper van road trip to visit state and national parks. Most park campgrounds allow vans. Pick from three size options at Aclipse Campervans, a women-owned business in Cincinnati. Blaine Moats See the Milky Way There's nothing quite like cresting a ridge and seeing North Dakota's badlands stretched out before you, then zooming on two wheels down a winding trail into a juniper and cedar forest. Dakota Cyclery, based in Medora, leads mountain biking tours for both beginners and experts on the 144-mile Maah Daah Hey Trail. The Best Midwest Stargazing Destinations Mountain Bike on a Cliff Ponder the cosmos at über-dark places like Headlands International Dark Sky Park (Mackinaw City, Michigan), Whiterock Conservancy (Coon Rapids, Iowa), Badlands National Park (South Dakota), Merritt Reservoir (southwest of Valentine, Nebraska) or Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (Strong City, Kansas). 14 Great Midwest Bike Trails Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit