Jess Hoffert
(He/Him)
- Custom Project Editor, Midwest Living
- Senior Projects Editor, People Inc.
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People Inc.
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Articles by Jess Hoffert
Big 12 Spirit Fuels This Fun Kansas College Town—Here’s How to Spend a Day
Shoppers on Mass Street in downtown Lawrence. Credit: Aaron Patton When traveling Interstate-70 through Kansas, I always make time for Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas. I’ve been to many college towns across the country, but the city of Jayhawks is hard to top when it comes to its variety of dining options, creativity-fueled shops, and vibrant cafes and cocktail bars—most within walking distance of each other on Massachusetts Street (Mass Street if you want to sound like a local).
One of the Twin Cities’ Best Meals is a Five-Course Chef Dinner in a Gas Station
Karen and Cristian De Leon at the original El Sazon. Credit: Courtesy of El Sazon I’m seated at a communal table with strangers, tucked between shelves holding beef jerky and Tylenol Extra Strength, staring at a dish of buttermilk-fried quail garnished with an orchid petal. The venue? A BP filling station outside Minneapolis. Yes, you read that correctly.
This Incredible State Park Has Scenery and Wildlife to Rival a National Park
Sylvan Lake Loop Trail in Custer State Park offers an easy lakeside hike with stunning views. Credit: Ackerman + Gruber It’s early June at Custer State Park, and the 18-mile-long Wildlife Loop Road is experiencing another traffic jam caused by a few hundred head of bison parading with their newborn calves—the occasional young one springing out of line as its mother huffs and chases it back into the fold.
This Legendary Lakeside Supper Club Pours More than 500 Brandy Old Fashioneds Every Day
A classic Old Fashioned at Ishnala. Credit: Courtesy of Ishnala Supper Club Thirty years ago, Wisconsin Dells would have been my dream destination. Sunburned, splashy family outings to Noah’s Ark waterpark play like a happy vintage reel in my memory. But today, as my partner and I are driving Interstate-90 home from Madison, Wisconsin, to Minneapolis, we have something tamer in mind. Enter Ishnala Supper Club.
Nordic Saunas, Lake Superior, and Award-Winning Gin—Why This Underrated Midwest City Is The Perfect Weekend Getaway
Cedar and Stone's Floating Sauna sits next to the Pier B Resort. Credit: Ethan Schultz The first glimpse of Lake Superior sneaks up on you—well, as stealthily as the world’s largest freshwater lake can. It comes into focus at the top of a hill after some two hours of level and landlocked freeway driving north of the Twin Cities.
Paddle a Cypress Swamp, Hike to Incredible Vistas, and Visit Wineries In This Scenic National Forest
Visitors flock to Shawnee National Forest's Garden of the Gods at sunset. Arrive early to beat the crowds. Credit: Starboard and Port My husband Andrew and I typically vacation much the way we live—amid urban bustle. But once or twice a year, we escape along roads less traveled. And we found plenty of those in Southern Illinois, where we were never more than 30 minutes away from the next adventure.
40 Top Midwest Resorts for Lakeside Escapes and Cozy Retreats
Grand View Lodge, Spa, and Golf Resort. Credit: Graddy Photography Whether your dream getaway is on the shores of a Great Lake, in a sprawling state park, or in a classic small town, the Midwest has a resort for you. These properties offer more than just a place to sleep—they're destinations all by themselves. Amenities might include fine dining, four-season sports, luxe (or nostalgic!) decor, a pampering spa, complimentary classes, or water parks. Here are 40 top resorts around the Midwest.
Skip the Crowds: 8 Midwest State Parks That Feel Like National Parks
Picture our Midwest national parks. The alien formations of the Badlands, the rippling waters of Voyageurs, the sandy slopes of Indiana Dunes. Now imagine each one has a counterpart. A sibling, of sorts, living in another state, with similar genes—jaw-dropping landscapes, roaming wildlife—but a distinct personality. While national parks have big-sibling swagger, state parks bring a scrappy, middle-child energy.
21 Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings You Can Tour in the Midwest
Taliesin, a National Historic Landmark, reflects many key elements of Frank Lloyd Wright's style. Photo: Kevin J. Miyazaki Wisconsin-born Frank Lloyd Wright left behind a legacy of about 500 structures, a good portion of which still stand in the Midwest. Many of Wright's homes remain privately owned, but other places—including former residences as well as commercial buildings—are open for tours. Visitors marvel at his signature Prairie School and Usonian architectural styles.
Here's Why You Definitely Shouldn't Overlook the Kansas Side of Kansas City
Get a kick attending a Major League Soccer match at Children's Mercy Park, home of Sporting KC. Photo: Courtesy of Sporting KC All-too-often overlooked by its identically named sibling to the east, Kansas City, Kansas, boasts its own beefy lineup of fun and flavor. Yep, there's saucy-good barbecue on this side of the border, too. But go beyond the bun, and you'll also encounter one of the country's best taqueria scenes.
The Midwest's Trippiest Art Experience Just Landed in Kansas City, Kansas
Guests explore the Concession Caverns at Atlas 9 in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo: Courtesy of Violet PR I’ve just purchased my ticket at the front counter of Atlas 9 and am directed to the ‘90s-themed movie theater lobby for a briefing. An agent informs us we’re not here to catch the latest blockbuster; we’re here to help normalize forces that have turned the films into fully dimensional environments with clues, puzzles, and live performers that pop up in multiple rooms.
This Incredible State Park Has Scenery and Wildlife to Rival a National Park
Sylvan Lake Loop Trail in Custer State Park offers an easy lakeside hike with stunning views. Photo: Ackerman + Gruber It’s early June at Custer State Park, and the 18-mile-long Wildlife Loop Road is experiencing another traffic jam caused by a few hundred head of bison parading with their newborn calves—the occasional young one springing out of line as its mother huffs and chases it back into the fold.
This City on Lake Superior is Worth a Weekend Visit
A fixture in Canal Park, Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge has been in operation since 1905. Photo: COURTESY OF EXPLORE MINNESOTA The first glimpse of Lake Superior sneaks up on you—well, as stealthily as the world’s largest freshwater lake can. It comes into focus at the top of a hill after some two hours of level and landlocked freeway driving north of the Twin Cities.
Holiday Getaway to Chicago
Midwest Living Travel Destinations Illinois Chicago, Illinois Holiday Getaway to Chicago Chicago’s most festive hot spots take you above the lights—or at least strolling through them. Advertisement Pin FB Tweet Email Send Text Message Print Chicago has a way of constantly one-upping itself. If you've explored the many attractions of Millennium Park in summer, you can imagine the allure in winter, when you can glide on the park's free skating rink, perhaps surrounded by twirling snowflakes.
Fine Dining in the Most Unlikely Setting: A Gas Station
Midwest Living Travel Destinations Minnesota Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota Fine Dining in the Most Unlikely Setting: A Gas Station Forty strangers partake in a three-hour, chef-driven meal in an unexpected location: a gas station in a Twin Cities suburb.
Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Buildings You Can Tour in the Midwest
Genius. Murders. Affairs. No architect packed more drama into a lifetime than Frank Lloyd Wright, who left a thousand stories in a collection of Midwest homes and other structures. More than two dozen are open for tours. By Jess Hoffert and Ginger Crichton Updated May 27, 2023 Wisconsin-born Frank Lloyd Wright left behind a legacy of about 500 structures, a good portion of which still stand in the Midwest.
Explore the Twin Cities' Distinctly Different Worlds of Art, Food and Attractions
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similar in nature
Picture our Midwest national parks. The alien formations of the Badlands, the rippling waters of Voyageurs, the sandy slopes of Indiana Dunes. Now imagine each one has a counterpart. A sibling, of sorts, living in another state, with similar genes—jaw-dropping landscapes, roaming wildlife—but a distinct personality. While national parks have big-sibling swagger, state parks bring a scrappy, middle-child energy.
9 Ways to Navigate Minneapolis' Chain of Lakes Like a Local
An early September sunrise casts an orange glow over the lakeshore, briefly fooling lakefront power walkers into thinking the leaves have already turned. Here in southwest Minneapolis, rush hour traffic looks—and sounds—a little different. You might hear the soft whiz of a bike, the splash of a canoe paddle or the occasional roar of a plane coming in for landing at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
12 of the Midwest's Most Intriguing Wild Landscapes
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Explore Music History, Leafy Parks and Mod Museums in Cleveland
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Experience Minneapolis' Vibrant Theater Community, Trails and Dining Scene
My Perfect Day Share a size-of-your-face cinnamon roll from Isles Bun and Coffee before hopping on a Nice Ride bike rental to explore the "City of Lakes." Minneapolis has a vast trail network that hugs the second-longest river in America—the Mississippi. Following the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, trace the Chain of Lakes and drool over waterfront mansions along Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska.
Find Great Food, Vineyards and Lighthouses in Traverse City
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St. Louis is Home to a National Park, Imaginative Museums and Incredible Restaurants
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Enjoy a River Cruise, World-Class Theater and Fine Dining in Chicago
Bucket List A Museum OK, we're cheating and listing a few: Join the fun at The Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium or Field Museum, or discover a gem like the DuSable Museum of African American History. A Boat Ride Chicago has two waterfronts—Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Explore with Kayak Chicago tours and rentals. Or hop aboard Chicago's First Lady for a Chicago Architecture Foundation Center cruise.
This Minnesotan is Making the Great Outdoors a Safe Space for All
In 2019, Mikah Meyer became the first person to experience all 400-plus U.S. National Park Service sites in a single 200,000-mile swoop. The three-year trek evolved from a bucket list journey to a mission of promoting his LGBTQ+ Outside Safe Space initiative to nearly 70,000 Instagram followers and beyond. What sparked your adventure? MM: My dad passed away from cancer at age 58.
A Romantic Winter Weekend Escape to Stillwater
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Fall Getaway to St. Joseph, Minnesota
I hadn't been to St. Joseph in my home state of Minnesota since performing a concert at St. John's University during my college days (more than a decade ago). Even during our choir's short visit to the campus, we were enchanted by its natural blend of quiet landscapes and unique architecture. It sounded like the perfect medicine for cabin fever during the pandemic, and my partner had never been, so we decided to make the easy 70-mile drive up Interstate-94 from Minneapolis to St. Joseph.
Former Dixie Chick Finds New Haven at Kansas Arboretum
A rural Kansas arboretum takes an unexpected star turn—and a drop-in visitor finds himself planting trees with a musical legend. By Jess Hoffert February 22, 2021 I recognize Robin Macy's platinum hair almost instantly as she crosses the White Bridge with a bucket of garden trimmings. Don't ask about the Dixie Chicks, I remind myself as she approaches. It's not that she doesn't like the group now known as The Chicks. It's that she was one. A founding member. But that's her past.
8 Great Places to Explore in Northwest Kansas
For decades, travelers along US-83 would speed right past Kansas’ best natural secret: the state’s largest Niobrara chalk formation, tucked in a valley between Scott City and Oakley. Today, this mile-long treasure chest of 100-foot-tall rock faces and pillars is Kansas’ newest state park, Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Visitors hike a scenic rim trail around the towering city of stone, adjacent to The Nature Conservancy’s 17,520-acre Smoky Valley Ranch.
Holiday Getaway to Chicago
After Thanksgiving, Chicago’s most festive hot spots take you above the lights—or at least strolling through them. By Jess Hoffert Godfrey Hotel Chicago has a way of constantly one-upping itself. If you’ve snapped an after-dark selfie at The Bean in summer, you can imagine the allure in winter, when you can glide past the silvery orb on Millennium Park’s free skating rink, snowflakes and holiday lights mirrored in the reflection. But why stop there?
Epic landscapes and Adventures in Kansas
Head west to a land of craggy canyons, towering rock formations and sprawling sand dunes. Bring your hiking shoes—or a dune buggy—and explore. Most people wouldn’t expect 1,300 acres of sand dunes to sit within sight of grain elevators, with cattle ranches dominating much of the landscape. But that’s what makes it all the more epic.
50 Midwest Museums We Love
Seeking a world of discovery? Embark on a Midwest museum getaway! Spend the day interacting with paintings, planets and U.S. presidents at small-town gems or big-city draws. Dearborn, Michigan: The Henry Ford This world-class destination in Henry Ford's hometown includes the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village (pictured) and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. The museum showcases remarkable artifacts, such as the bus in which Rosa Parks refused to relinquish her seat for a white man.
A Colorful Winter Escape to San Antonio
While serving jicama shrimp tacos and a cucumber margarita along San Antonio's splashy River Walk, a waitress at Ácenar nearly spills the drink when she realizes an out-of-town visitor hasn't visited the humble crown jewel of her city: "You've at least seen the Alamo, right?
Giving Green in Indianapolis
Young farmer Tyler Henderson tugs carrots and ruby beets from long rows of raised beds surrounded by industrial buildings. Tyler looks twice for bicyclists before crossing the Monon Rail Trail in north Indianapolis on his way to drop the veggies off at Public Greens, the restaurant that owns the garden-and the country's first establishment to use all of its proceeds to feed children. Tomatoes, herbs and dozens of other ingredients from the garden (plus 25 local farms) inspire the menu.
Treasures of Ohio's Lake Erie Shore
Sandusky It's the morning rush hour in Sandusky. The causeway connecting the mainland and Cedar Point practically sags under the line of cars, all pointed toward a looming skyline of looping, arcing steel that sends kids in a thousand minivans into a frenzy at first sight. The 364-acre park generously sprinkles family favorites among the thrillers. There's a water park with a lazy river, musical revues and an animatronic dinosaur exhibit.
Great State Park Stays: Illinois' Pere Marquette Lodge
Since the 1930s, the 50-foot limestone fireplace at Pere Marquette State Park's lodge has stood as a source of warmth. A young couple calls on that strength and longevity as they exchange vows in this haven known for its classy architecture and rustic setting. Set amid 8,000 hilly, tree-dappled acres, the renovated Civilian Conservation Corps-built lodge provides thoughtful hospitality in Grafton, an hour north of St. Louis.
15 Favorite Midwest Amusement Parks
Credit: Courtesy of Arnolds Park Whether you're looking for thrill rides or family time, these Midwest theme parks deliver a day (or more!) of fun. Check out our tips to make the most of your trip. Bloomington, Minnesota: Nickelodeon Universe Bubble Guppies, Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America Credit: Courtesy of Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America It's hard to miss this colorful indoor park when you visit Bloomington's Mall of America.
20 Top Things to Do in Kansas
Open year-round, Wichita's Botanica celebrates the seasons with flower festivals, concerts and the illuminating finale: gardens aglow with 2 million holiday lights. Sculptures, water features, 4,000 plant species and a restored 1949 carousel accent more than 30 themed areas. Once a rarity on the treeless prairie, the wooded Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine (30 minutes south of Wichita) flourishes a century later with flowering pathways and a rich pastoral spirit.
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