G'day! I'm Chris. I left my home in rural Australia back in 2007 to pursue a life less ordinary.
I specialize in ambitious travel - bucket list worthy journeys such as the Great US Road Trip, the ultimate African safari, and following the length of the Silk Road.
Visiting Hawaii has been something of a travel daydream for me for quite some time now. It’s one of the top five US states I’d most like to visit (that I haven’t already), and I even wrote about my debate between Hawaii or Alaska a while ago.
A glimpse at my constantly shifting waistline should give some indication of how much I love food, and enjoying good food with family and friends is part of the Hawaiian tradition and culture. Often the best way to experience a travel destination is to talk to the locals and explore the recommended places to eat.
Like in any country, the quest to find authentic local food often leads you down winding alleys and into places that don’t look particularly appealing. My favourite dumpling place in China was in a foul-smelling alley affectionately known as ‘bird flu alley’, but damned if they weren’t amazing dumplings. Likewise, you can find some of the best Hawaiian food at some of the most ordinary-seeming restaurants.
Of course, knowing what Hawaiian food is will help you on your culinary adventure. Watch the video below as an introduction to Poi, Kalua Pig, Poke, lau lau, and lomi lomi — all dishes that are guaranteed to make your mouth water.
Once you’re up to speed on Hawaiian delicacies, you can be more excited than ever about that Honolulu hotel reservation you made on gogobot.com. Once you’ve unpacked and got yourself situation, you can seek out one or more of the following restaurants to delight your palate.
Ono Hawaiian Foods
Ono Hawaiian Foods is known for Kalua Pig, an authentic pork dish cooked in an underground oven for hours. Once done the pork has a smoky taste and resembles American pulled pork, without the BBQ sauce. This dish is succulent and full of flavour.
The restaurant is small and often has people waiting in line, but Ono is worth the wait. Don’t let the run down decor and chipped dishes fool you, the staff is friendly and helpful and the food to die for!
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Helena’s, located just outside down town Honolulu, is a quaint place serving local flavours. A must try speciality food, labelled as a comfort food, is the pikikaula ribs. Rubbed with special seasonings, marinated for hours, and smoked to perfection, the ribs are crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside.
Yama’s Fish Market
Yami’s Fish Market will delight your tastebuds with lau lau — served with either pork or chicken — and lomi lomi, a cold salmon dish with diced tomatoes and onions.
Another dish you might want to try is the Hawaiian coconut pudding, which is sweet potato haupia, a colorful dessert with a sweet and buttery crust, purple mashed sweet potatoes, and a topping of coconut and macadamia nuts.
Lani’s, a bright yellow food truck, serves some of the best Prime Rib Loco Moco on the island. Coupled with a delectable mac salad, it is known as the greatest in comfort foods. The salad is slightly tangy and sweet and is the ideal complement for the tasty, fall apart ribs. Give this truck a try.
Honolulu Farmers Market
A farmers market may seem like an unusual backdrop for traditional foods of Hawaii, but here it is easy to come by fresh, authentic fare. There are plenty of local dishes to try here, and a day of tastings will fill your belly with some of the most flavorful dishes of the islands. The poke — cubed raw tuna, seasoned with pink sea salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, seaweed, and chili pepper — melts in your mouth.
Your journey for authentic Hawaiian foods, whether traditional or non-traditional, should without a doubt take you to Honolulu. Bring your taste buds and your appetite, and enjoy!
Your Say
Have you ever been to Hawaii? What are your favourite Hawaiian dishes and the places to find them?
Maybe it’s the fact I’m now on a student budget and the culinary high points of my week tend to involve microwave pasta and/or cheese, but I’m finding I have more of a hankering than ever for the so-called finer things in life.
While it’s true I’ve spent a great deal of time travelling in the US in the past, my fine dining experiences were limited by a relatively restrictive budget. With the exception of a decadent Greek meal at The White House Grill in Post Falls and a romantic clifftop meal somewhere along Route 1, my US trips so far have been mostly junk food or home cooking.
During some idle time (which I have precious little of while I’m reading chapter after chapter about business law and management), I got Googling and came up with six decadent restaurants across six states that I’d sorely like to have.
What did I eat for dinner last night, you ask? Why, home brand ravioli in a microwave sauce!
I assure you, my tastes run considerably finer than that might indicate. Read on and you’ll see!
One of my absolute favourite guilty pleasure meals is a big, BBQ sauce drenched rack of ribs. It’s far from ideal first date food, but if I’m dining with mates or feel confident I’ve got the girl locked down – ribs are my go to treat.
Slows Bar BQ, in Detroit has been described as “consistently delicious, consistently well-crafted homage to barbecue from all regions.”
They offer barbecue styles from all over, including Texas Style Beef Brisket and Carolina Style Pulled Pork. Their sides are every bit as delectable as their BBQ. I’m itching to try the sweet potato mash or Mom’s green beans.
The Black Trumpet is a family-owned bistro in the historic heart of Portsmouth. They offer fresh-grown, farm-style meals using ingredients from local providers. The green salad with a ricotta-stuffed fig and apricot dressing looks particularly divine, while the Partridge Farm chicken leg with chickpea-fried olives, and broccoli rabe is an entree you’ll return for.
They also serve fresh-baked bread as you sit down with farm-fresh butter blended with honey, all from the owner’s farm. You’ve got to love a place that promotes sustainable dining.
I ate pretty well in Chicago despite it being the final stop on what had been a pricey trip across the United States. Thank God for tax returns!
Not only did I nearly kill myself with a sizable slice from Pizzeria Uno, but the wedding fare was as sumptuous as you’d expect from an affair at classy manor house.
Still, when I got to Chicago I wish I’d checke out the Chicago travel guide on Gogobot. I might have known to go to dinner at Girl and the Goat.
Chef Stephanie Izard is on top of her game at this West Loop restaurant. Where else can you get the mouth-watering, titular roasted goat? Or the uniquely constructed (and imaginatively named) dish called pig face?
The dishes have a restraint and balance that deliver a surprising punch of flavor. Even the deliberately simple kohlrabi salad is full of unexpected zest. Girl and the Goat is very popular, so make your reservations far in advance.
Can you tell my diet has been exceptionally low in meat lately? Photo by jlastras.
For meat lovers, the Brasa Premium Rotisserie is their favourite restaurant in the country because it’s all about the slow cooked meat.
They serve home-cooked meals based on Creole-inspired recipes using local and organic ingredients. Each dish is infused with American and Caribbean cooking traditions. I would kill (well, maybe just maim) to try the slow roasted pork, green sauce, corn bread, and guacamole, joining those other meat lovers who find the Brasa their favorite place to eat and a holy place in the church of meat.
5. New Orléans, Louisiana – Borgne
Something a little different. Photo by jspatchwork
Taking a break from red meat, let’s take a jaunt down to New Orleans where, at The Borgne you’ll find authentic Louisiana coastal cuisine. While eating authentic gumbo down in Louisiana is on my bucket list, I fear I’d be spoiled for choice at The Borgne.
I mean, I could try the empanadas, duck poppers, stuffed artichoke, garlic bread soup, or black drum – all expertly prepared by Chef Brian Landry, a native of New Orléans. Just looking at the above gets my toes curling and puts me on the verge of mouthgasm.
6. New York, New York – Restaurant Marc Forgione
A little seafood to round us out. Photo by tomer.gabel
My 24 hours in New York didn’t feature a whole lot of fine dining. The highlight would have to have been a gourmet pizza before catching Sleep No More, but just looking at the above makes my memories of said pizza turn to bitter ash in my mouth. I mean, look at it!
This TriBeCa neighborhood restaurant is a favorite with New Yorkers. The food has been described as “what happens when rockstar style meets rockstar caliber talent with a very well-traveled and observant chef.”
Plates not to be missed include all the red meat dishes, desserts that feature banana Jameson, and the (pictured) chilli lobster.
Your Say
People go out to eat for the flavour, the environment, and the originality of their favourite restaurants.
What are your favourite restaurants, be that in the United States or wherever you call home?
A few years ago, I transplanted myself from the hustle and bustle of Sydney to the even hustlier and bustlier (I know they aren’t words) world of Nanjing, China. At the time I had no idea that China would be my home for the next 30 months.
This time around, I know I’ve committed to calling Coffs Harbour home for the next three years. After three weeks of beach days, orientation week drinking, and entirely too much Cards Against Humanity – I’ve come up with a few reasons why I’m happy to be calling Coffs Harbour home for the foreseeable future.
#5 – Close to Home
While it’s true that in the past I’ve given reasons why I hate living in Australia, one of the biggest drawbacks to being abroad semi-permanently has been missing out on so many important moments with my family and my friends.
While in China I missed the birth of my niece and the deaths of my last two grandparents. I missed engagement parties, important birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmases as well. When a 12-20 hour flight separates you from those you love, those moments become an unfortunate sacrifice you have to make.
Being home for Christmas was a real thrill for me, and one I hope to repeat this year.
I do miss my cosmopolitan life abroad, but I’m glad to be within a relatively short three hour bus ride of my family home in the mountains. It means I’ll be home for the birth of my niece or nephew this September, it means I get to catch up with my siblings more often than once a year, and it means being home for those important moments that I’ve missed so sorely while being on the road.
I’m also quite close to friends in Sydney, Brisbane, and Newcastle – as well as located close enough to an airport that visits to places like Melbourne aren’t beyond the realms of possibility. I’m hoping this year sees me being a much better brother, son, uncle, and friend.
#4 – Studying (Again)
I sometimes think that going straight from high school to university is hopelessly wasted on 18 year olds entirely too unprepared for the experiences they’re about to have. I don’t mean that as a slight against 18 year olds or their intelligence. I just mean that you’re thrust from the relative ease of high school and parents looking after your every whim to suddenly having near complete control over things.
In between the parties and the spending all of your grocery money on ice cream and video games, you sometimes get a little lost when it comes to the actual academia.
I look back at my first Bachelor’s degree and I remember precious little about it. I did a whole lot of growing socially and emotionally (although the lion’s share of that was done in South Korea, if I’m being honest) – but so many of the academic opportunity I was presented with were wasted. I did the majority of my essays on the night before they were due, I didn’t bother attending a lecture in my second two years, and my priorities seemed to start at ‘girls’, ‘parties’, and ‘sleeping in’, with studying a very distant seventh or eighth.
I loved my time studying theatre, but if I’m being brutally honest – I was never that interested in the subject. I enjoyed acting and I got good marks in the course, but it wasn’t a passion.
Travel is my passion, and studying Tourism Management will hopefully lend me a better understanding of the industry and open some doors for me farther down the line.
Classes don’t start for me until this Wednesday, but I’m already balls deep in readings and notes for two of my classes. Experience, a genuine interest in the subject, and a somewhat deeper well of self discipline ought to make this a much more pleasant study experience with (I hope) less 5am rushes to get essays written.
#3 – Keeping Busy
When I decided to come back to university, I really wanted to live on campus. Not only is it dreadfully convenient being a five minute walk from my classes (something I’m sure I’ll avail myself of when it comes to my 8am business law lectures), but it means having access to a social calendar that I don’t need to populate myself.
While my photos and my background running pub crawls might paint me as an extrovert, I’m actually very introverted. Without a little external motivation, there’s every chance I’ll waste away my free time on video games, books, and marathoning TV shows.
In the three weeks I’ve lived on campus here at Carina College I’ve played laser tag & mini golf, indulged in cruisy beach days, road tripped to the grandly named Promised Lands, gone shopping at markets, eaten out, enrolled in casual sports clubs, and done a bunch of other fun stuff. It’s a variety of social opportunities I didn’t really have in China, and I’m hoping to take full advantage of it this year.
An impromptu water fight breaks out after water balloon volleyball. Photo by Paige Higgins.Riding the waterslide and doing some deep thinking at the O-Week Coastal Carnival. Photo by Paige Higgins.
#2 – Friends
It’s certainly been an experience adapting to being the ‘old head’ in a group of 17-21 year olds, but I’ve found myself a pretty rad group of friends here. Blue (my adopted son), Buh, Wild Twerkey, Skit, Scout, Norm, Ains, Socrates, Emulee, and the various other comers and goers have made things anything but dull.
Our near daily games of pool or Cards Against Humanity are liberally interspersed with video nights, trips to Maccas, or just lazing about talking shit.
I won’t lie: there’s been a whole lot of drinking and bad dancing as well.
Getting my clown on for an Alphabet Party during O-Week.
It’s a pretty cool gang of people, and it’s been a trip down memory lane to witness all of the drama, heart-break, and teeth-gnashing that comes with being young and feeling everything so keenly. It’s reminded me what a melodramatic kid I was when I went through my first year of university, and it’s an experience that is entirely surreal.
Most recently, the always dreadful Valentine’s Day was salvaged by said group of loveable misfits. Between getting a Valentine from one of the gang (henceforth known as The most amazing chick in this galaxy) and spending the afternoon having a delicious brunch in Sawtell with the whole mob, it made the sting of my desperate loneliness a tad more bearable.
Getting so drunk I couldn’t feel feelings any more certainly helped as well.
#1 – The Beach(es)
I live for the beach, and I am so glad to finally have a home that is achingly close to it.
Coffs Harbour may not boast the beaches that the Sunshine Coast or Newcastle have, but the beaches here are nothing to be sneezed at. Jetty Beach is a perfect place to lie out, swim, or throw yourself off of the jetty, and options like Boambee Creek give a nice change of pace from white sand and breakers.
Chilling in the current as it pulls you out towards the ocean at Boambee Creek is pretty amazing.
I can definitely foresee this year being one of finally achieving a tan and, if the last three weeks is anything to go by, burning away hangovers on a baking hot beach every Sunday morning.
Bliss!
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Life is pretty good at the moment. I’m enjoying my studies, I finally have a social life after a few months of relatively isolation in Ben Lomond, and I’ve got some exciting potential trips on the horizon that ought to keep the travel bug satisfied.
Keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks for a long overdue and shiny new design as well. I can’t wait to share it with you!
My visit to the Sunshine State came over the 4th of July holiday and saw Nomadic American and I hit South Beach in Miami, beautiful Sanibel Island, and quaint Sarasota before we parted ways – her to return to work and myself to achieve a few lifelong dreams by visiting Disney World and seeing a pro wrestling pay-per-view live.
Orlando is famed the world around as a vacation spot for family trips, retreats for couples, or gatherings of friends alike. The city offers a bit of everything, and there are attractions for all ages, ranging from exciting amusement parks to beautiful beaches.
Even if you aren’t one for “tourist traps” such as theme parks, I found that Orlando was a whole lot of fun. It’s all well and good to put your nose up and sniff with disdain at such noise and colour, but my time in Orlando rekindled a bit of my childhood sense of wonder that had been dulled by my time in often dreary China. For affordable lodging options in Orlando, check out gogobot.
You’d be hard pressed to find a child who didn’t grow up with the movies and music of Disney playing some part in their formative years. Whether you were raised on a diet of Snow White & Bambi, The Lion King & The Little Mermaid, or more recent Pixar offerings – a visit to Disney World is an opportunity to rediscover some of your inner child.
Walt Disney World (of which I only got to experience Magic Kingdom) is actually four unique parks: The Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. It’s almost certainly not possible to do a single park justice in just the one day, so someday I’ll need to go back and catch up on all I missed. These four parks are in addition to shopping areas such as Downtown Disney and the two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
Hanging out with my boy Goofy when I visited the Magic Kingdom in 2012.
The traditional rides and more iconic areas of Walt Disney World are in the Magic Kingdom, so you can take a scary ride through the Haunted Mansion or say hello to Mickey Mouse and other favorites.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the second largest theme park on earth and the largest of the Disney parks, and straddles the line between zoo and theme park. Whether you’re keen to see some of Africa or Asia’s most famous animals roaming or want to ride rides such as Expedition Everest or DINOSAUR, there’s plenty to occupy adventurers both young and old. In the future, an Avatar themed portion of the park will only further add to its allure.
Hollywood Studios is born of the now defunct MGM studios, and much of that former park can be seen in this tinseltown themed portion of the park. Rides such as the famous Tower of Terror as well as live performance keep visitors entertained. In nearby Epcot, is more a world showcase than it is a theme park proper, allowing visitors to ‘tour’ countries such as Japan, the UK, and China.
Daytona Beach is a little over an hour away from the downtown area of Orlando, Florida. Home to one of the biggest NASCAR races of the year, Daytona Beach is more than just a race location.
Once more of a destination for students on spring break or those looking to party, the city has made an effort to tone this down; and it is now a great destination for families as well. The beaches have plenty of parking, and with the beautiful weather throughout most of the year, it is a great spot to visit.
Motorheads can get their rev on by visiting the famous speedway or even participating in the Richard Petty Driving Experience, but those looking for more sedate pleasures might enjoy visiting sites such as the historic Ponce de Leon Lighthouse or the various museums and historic homes in the area.
Kids can be entertained along the boardwalk at a variety of exciting stops as well, so there really is something for all walks of life on this world famous beach.
I came in at the wrong age to really get into Harry Potter fever. I was a tad too old to get into the books when they started hitting the shelves, and only really developed an appreciation for the series as its films matured.
That being said, visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is very much on my radar. I’m a sucker for the pageantry of a well designed theme park, and I reckon I’d get a real kick out of exploring the world of the popular books/movies.
Thankfully, Muggles are welcome at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where guests can enjoy a walk through Hogwarts, sip on pumpkin juice or Butterbeer, or shop for a wand at Ollivander’s.
Much as I felt enchanted by the fact I could shake hands with Goofy or dine with Ariel at the Disney Parks, Harry Potter fans of all ages will doubtless enjoy the excitement of spending a day in the life of Harry, Hermione, and even Draco. There are rides throughout the park, including two thrilling rollercoasters. The park recently underwent some renovations, which added several more rides and restaurants that serve some of Harry’s favorite meals.
Depending on how much credence you give Blackfish (and I’d recommend you check it out, one way or the other), you might baulk at paying a visit to SeaWorld. I’m not here to judge or guilt you either way.
The fact is, SeaWorld is a famous park and it’s the kind of place kids are going to love. The park features exciting aquatic life shows and rides for guests, but there is also a separate water park with exciting slides that help you and your family keep cool on a hot day. This is a great attraction to visit if your vacation is during the summer months, since it gets warm and humid in Orlando throughout June, July, and August.
With all of that variety, nobody is forcing you to go watch the live animal performance aspects of the park. There’s certainly enough going on that you can entertain the kids (or the big kid in you) without feeling guilty for watching a killer whale or dolphin show.
Whether you want to get a little more Game of Thrones (sans the incest) in your life or you’re hoping to recreate the famous scene from the criminally underrated The Cable Guy, you’ll be pleased to know that Medieval Times is a thing and it’s close to Orlando.
How close? Kissimmee is located just over 22 miles from downtown Orlando. Medieval Times offers both dinner and a thrilling show. The entertainment portion includes tales of love, courage, and devotion, with knights travelling across the stage on horses and engaging in sword fights. You can also dine on four courses of delicious food such as tasty meats, soups, side dishes, breads, and pastries. There are also vegetarian options available.
It may be the shameless D&D nerd in me, but I kind of dig the idea of chowing down on a sizeable turkey leg while watching dudes in armour wail on one another.
One of the highlights of my very awesome US trip was checking out a TNA pay-per-view live. I was lucky enough to be crammed in at ringside to see my favourite wrestler at the time win his first world title, and it was a whole lot of fun.
Whether or not you’re a fan of the pomp and circumstance that is professional wrestling, it’s something I’d suggest anybody who enjoys a bit of theatre experience. The storylines may be low brow and the acting often terrible, but there’s plenty to be admired in the physical aspect of a pro wrestling show.
While TNA have since taken their show on the road, I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the NXT shows that take place at Orlando’s Full Sail University. I’d definitely see an NXT show if my travels took me back to Florida.
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Your Say
What are your favourite spots in and around Orlando when you travel?
I’ve highlighted some of the more well known above, so I’d love your more off-the-beaten-track suggestions!
I’ve been lucky enough to have visited the United States twice in my life, spending a little over three months road-tripping and romancing my way through fifteen of the country’s fifty states.
While I’ve hit some of the more iconic places such as New York City, Washington DC, the beaches of Florida and California, and hit a few less common tourist spots like Idaho and Maryland, the two big glaring omissions on my US travel ticket have been the southern US and the Midwest.
The United States of America is a big place with a variety of distinct cultures and landscapes, meaning a trip there is far more than just visiting a country and collecting the passport stamp. Both of my trips to the United States have been different and fascinating, and I know if I’m ever lucky enough to visit again I’ll be similarly amazed by the sheer variety of places to be experienced there.
Coastal American destinations usually grab the attention, but today it’s all about the American Midwest. Referred to as “flyover states” by coastal Americans accustomed to taking nonstop flights to either end of the country, the Midwest carries a reputation for being simple and backward.
Nothing could be further from the truth, as the following five culturally significant American Midwestern destinations prove:
Cleveland, Ohio
Sitting just on the far-east border of what is known as the American Midwest, the old rust-belt city of Cleveland, Ohio serves as a unique peek into the country’s past and present.
Classic mid-20th century downtown architecture towers over both Lake Erie and the city’s roughly 400,000 inhabitants. Intelligent urban planning allows for easy navigation to and from Cleveland’s many attractions including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the city’s highly praised Botanical Gardens.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a must for lovers of rock music. Photo by Tony Fischer.
Chickasaw Nation
Technically located in the mid-southernmost section of Oklahoma, the Chickasaw tribe is a federally-recognized Native American nation with their own constitution, economy, and centers for cultural appreciation and learning.
The story of the Chickasaw people and their forcible removal from native lands at the hands of the federal government is a sad chapter of American history more people should know about. Additionally, the Chickasaw Nation operates a wide variety of resorts, gaming institutions, and outdoor activities.
For those with an interest in America’s original inhabitants, it is a journey not only into their troubled past, but also into their regeneration in a rapidly developing world.
Austin, Texas
One of the most glaring absences on my list of states visited would have to be Texas. The Lone Star State is often described as being like Australia, and it seems a shame that I’ve not yet had the pleasure of experiencing it for myself.
It’s no Sydney Harbour Bridge, but Austin’s Pennybacker (Loop 360) bridge is pretty fine. Photo by Jim Nix.
“Keep Austin weird” is a slogan you’ll keep seeing plastered on bumper stickers if you ever visit the capital of the Lone Star State. Though originating with efforts to support the city’s small businesses the motto has become a statement referencing Austin culture’s stark contrast with that of the rest of the state. Much like Portland, Austin prides itself on being a cultural oasis in a much more conservative state.
The more traditional regions of Texas ought to be explored as well, but Austin is a one-stop destination for travellers looking for eclectic fun. It’s also host to a number of globally-recognized arts events such as the Austin Film Festival and South by Southwest.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis was once recognized as a city equal to New York and San Francisco. While it has not lived up to its previous reputation as one of the US’ cultural and financial pinnacles, there’s still plenty to be admired about this “big small town”.
If anything, St. Louis is worth visiting for a real-life look at the Gateway Arch, one of the shining examples of mid-20th century neofuturistic architecture perfected by famed Finnish architect Eero Saarinen.
St. Louis’ Gateway Arch is as synonymous with American architecture as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building to my mind. Photo by Kelsey.
The city’s zoo remains one of the world’s highest regarded, and the art museum nearby is not in want of masterpieces and fascinating exhibits.
Chicago, Illinois
My sole foray into the Midwest has been a two day visit to Chicago in 2012. There to attend the wedding of two old friends, my visit was a blur of suit shopping, deep dish pizza, seeing The Dark Knight Rises, and attending the wedding in question.
I didn’t get to see such iconic Chicago sights as ‘the bean’ or Wrigley Field, so I’m definitely due a return visit someday.
The Bean in Chicago is one of the stranger sights on my bucket list. Photo by Justin Kern.
De facto capital of the American Midwest, Chicago, Illinois is perhaps the only Midwestern city likely to be known the world over; thanks largely to a particular sporting team not named the Bears.
An impressively simple mass transit system accessed with relatively inexpensive passes allows for sandbox exploration of this massive American metropolis.
Two whole days could be devoted to the sights and sounds of the Navy Pier and surrounding museums. After that, try and catch a game at Wrigley Field or the United Center, depending on the season – though these days you might not want to count on seeing a home team win.
Your Say
The United States has a lot to offer. The coastal regions are packed with worldly destinations, but don’t underestimate the potential of the country’s Midwestern region. There’s no shortage of unique cities to explore and culture to absorb. Sure you can choose to fly over, but if so, you’re missing out.
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