Editor in Chief @Bhammag. I live for food and travel. Formerly Cooking with Paula Deen @HoffmanMedia. All opinions are my own.
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Articles by Julia Sayers Gokhale
Discover 100 Main Street Shops, Fall Treats, and a Charming Halloween Parade In This Illinois Small Town
Shops and restaurants along Galena’s Main Street. Credit: David Nevala Galena was named after a precious lead mineral abundant beneath the town’s surface. Several decades since the last mine shut down, a movie set-perfect Main Street makes this northwest Illinois town a perfect fall getaway. Main Street spans 140 mostly 19th-century buildings housing 100-plus shops, restaurants, and independent inns. After mining the shops, escape to the country for hiking, biking, and the leafy riches of autumn.
This Huge Fall Festival in Indiana is an Absolute Must for Small-Town Charm and Covered Bridges
Bridgeton, one of 9 host towns for the covered bridge festival, is home to both a bridge and historic mill. Credit: Courtesy of Parke County CVC A stately maroon-and-white bridge stands alone in the forest, a sentinel guarding the worn dirt road. Birds chirp softly from the surrounding fall foliage, seemingly hesitant to disturb the peace. Though covered bridges were once just a part of a journey—a pass-through to another place—today, they mark my destination.
Hike Among Sandstone Cliffs, Rappel Down a Waterfall, and Climb Through Caves—These Are the Top Things to Do in Ohio’s Hocking Hills
The stone arch bridge over Upper Falls is an iconic stop in Hocking Hills State Park. Credit: Randall Schieber The mist of waterfalls and the shade of hemlocks cool summer days hiking in the Hocking Hills, a forested region in southern Ohio. Dinners by candlelight and relaxing soaks warm the nights—especially when you stay in one of the area’s many luxury cabin lodgings. Check out our travel guide for what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Ohio’s Hocking Hills.
Cave Homes, Waterfall Swimming Pools, and Shipping Container Cabins—You Won’t Believe These Incredible Vacation Rentals in Ohio
The Cave House at Dunlap Hollow. Credit: Levi Kelly Nine times out of 10, when a jaw-dropping cabin comes across my Instagram feed, I discover it’s in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. And 10 times out of 10, I save it to my travel bucket list. Over the past few years, this wooded pocket of southern Ohio, long a favorite destination for hiking and traditional cabin getaways, has become a hot spot for distinctive vacation rentals.
cabin fever
Nine times out of 10, when a jaw-dropping cabin comes across my Instagram feed, I discover it’s in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. And 10 times out of 10, I save it to my travel bucket list. Over the past few years, this wooded pocket of southern Ohio, long a favorite destination for hiking and traditional cabin getaways, has become a hot spot for distinctive vacation rentals.
Take a Trip to Geneva, Ohio for Wine Tasting, Luxe Lodging and Lake Erie Views
Laurentia Vineyard and Winery is one of several estate wineries in the Grand River Valley. Credit: EE Berger Ohio’s Grand River Valley Wine Region, an hour northeast of Cleveland, is quickly and quietly becoming one of the region’s best wine destinations. Winemakers in the Grand River Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) have shifted tastes and perceptions away from syrupy sweet Midwestern fruit wines to dry, bold, mature wines worthy of the spotlight.
How to Spend a Day in Three Oaks, Michigan
If you’re heading to Michigan’s west coast this year, may we suggest taking a detour inland? Hear us out: Though the towns along Lake Michigan normally get all the attention, tiny Three Oaks is growing roots as a destination in its own right. Just 10 minutes east of beach town New Buffalo, Three Oaks gained national attention when chef Abra Berens earned a James Beard nod in 2023 for her Granor Farm dinners.
Find Painted Canyons, Roaming Bison, and Scenic Drives In This Ruggedly Beautiful National Park
The road curves sharply to the right, emerging from a copse of trees to reveal shrub-pimpled badlands. You'd be remiss to keep driving, thinking there was nothing to see among the sloping stacks of monochromatic color. Halfway up the hill, there's movement. Two dappled gray horses perch on an outcropping, the wind whipping their smoke-colored manes. The wild creatures are unfazed, standing like stoic guardians of the canyon.
I Traveled to Columbus for a 13-Course Meal—And Found a City That Refuses to Be Boring
Agni is the Sanskrit word for fire, a nod to Avishar Barua’s live-fire cooking and his Bengali heritage. Credit: Erika Gene Clark Photography I'm sitting down to dinner at Agni, an upscale tasting-menu restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, when I’m served a “happy meal” as my first course. A nod to chef Avishar Barua’s childhood, the Happiest Meal is the kickoff to a parade of dishes heavily influenced by his personal experiences and travels. But you won’t find anything like this under the Golden Arches.
play date
I’m sitting down to dinner at Agni, an upscale tasting-menu restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, when I’m served a “happy meal” as my first course. A nod to chef Avishar Barua’s childhood, the Happiest Meal is the kickoff to a parade of dishes heavily influenced by his personal experiences and travels. But you won’t find anything like this under the Golden Arches. A layered, steamed, and fried potato dusted with cumin becomes a singular french fry atop a spicy mala mayo.
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.
Is This Ohio Wine Region the Midwest's Napa Valley?
Kosicek Vineyards has been growing grapes on their land for almost 100 years. Credit: EE Berger Barrels stack floor to ceiling in the small aging room at Kosicek Vineyards. Emma Kosicek clambers up one of the racks and contorts herself between barrels to get to the one she really wants: a Merlot aged in French oak. She extracts a taste via a wine thief and dribbles it into my glass. I take a sniff. Plum. Black cherry. And is that coffee? My taste buds confirm what my nose has picked up.
This New Greenway Aims to Make an Entire Major Midwest City Walkable
The Riverwalk passes through William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. Credit: EE Berger Detroit wears tire tracks all over its history. But on a recent trip to the Motor City, I wondered if I'd be able to get around this gas-powered town without four wheels. During the last two decades, Detroit has implemented several projects to improve walkability and connect neighborhoods. It began in 2007 with the Riverwalk, a 3.5-mile pedestrian route in the heart of the city.
Our 2026 Hotel of the Year Includes a Walk-Up Poutine Window, Skyline Views, and Luxe Lodging
The Junto in Columbus is our 2026 Hotel of the Year. Credit: Courtesy of The Junto When I arrive to The Junto Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, on a Wednesday afternoon, the lobby is buzzing. But it's not your average check-in rush. No, the hotel's communal spaces have been full all day. People co-work on laptops around a long table, while others meet with colleagues or friends on velvet couches or plush chairs. Several people have posted up with a drink from the lobby coffee shop.
walk this way
Detroit wears tire tracks all over its history. But on a recent trip to the Motor City, I wondered if I’d be able to get around this gas-powered town without four wheels. During the last two decades, Detroit has implemented several projects to improve walkability and connect neighborhoods. It began in 2007 with the Riverwalk, a 3.5-mile pedestrian route in the heart of the city.
A 139-Year-Old Nebraska Ranch Welcomes Guests to Create, Work and Learn From the Land
Jean Norman rides through the lands of her northwest Nebraska ranch. Credit: Ackerman + Gruber I'm somewhere way out in Nebraska—twisting my way through sandy hills and pine forests and quickly approaching Wyoming—when Jean Norman calls. "What car are you driving?" "A Chevy Malibu." A moment of silence. "An SUV would have been better." When I pitched my editor a story on Our Heritage Guest Ranch, I sold it as a dude ranch.
A Century-Old Cheese Factory in Wisconsin is Now a Cool Boutique Hotel and Micro-Dairy
Decor and memorabilia in Seven Acre Dairy Company nods to the building's former life. Seven Acre Dairy Company's restaurant, Little Cloud, supports local farmers and producers. Decor and memorabilia in Seven Acre Dairy Company nods to the building's former life. PHOTO: Kevin J. Miyazaki Seven Acre Dairy Company's restaurant, Little Cloud, supports local farmers and producers. PHOTO: Kevin J.
Supper Clubs Are Trending Everywhere-Here's Why Wisconsin's Are Still the Best
"We have to get an after-dinner drink," says a woman in a chic black-and-gold jacket. "We're celebrating, remember?" It's a Tuesday evening at The Butterfly Club in Beloit, Wisconsin, and three friends at a window table are reminiscing over dinner. The occasion? The 53rd anniversary of the couple in the group. As they chatter about old memories, they keep coming back to nights spent at the nearly 100-year-old supper club.
13 Dreamy Sauna Experiences that Feel Like Scandinavia—But They're Closer Than You Think
It’s late January in Minneapolis, and there’s a sea of people in bathing suits. Outside. Armed with beanies and boots, folks shuffle through a cluster of mobile saunas. Some watch the action from barrel saunas while others join guided experiences in larger cedar structures. Many emerge steaming and head straight for an icy dunk tank. The Sauna Village is part of The Great Northern, an annual arts and activism festival dedicated to celebrating winter.
19 Ideas for Winter Fun Around the Midwest
Snow tubers shoot down the hill at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan. Photo: Ryan Donnell Midwesterners don't buy gloves, hats, and snow pants to leave them in the closet all winter. We pull on the layers to explore our winter playground, gliding across the ice or pedaling a fat-tire bike along snow-packed trails. Not your style? Fly a colorful kite or try to reel in that prized walleye.
Unplug with Sauna Steams, Frozen Waterfalls, and Cozy Lodging in This Serene Minnesota Destination
Lake Superior rarely freezes fully, but it deposits itself in dramatic ice formations caused by crashing waves. Photo: Ojas Gokhale There's an oddly comforting feeling along Minnesota's North Shore in winter—one of being wholly alone yet never quite so. I find myself considering this fact as I slog through calf-deep powder on a half-mile trek to Palisade Head near Silver Bay. Late afternoon light filters through the trees, shattering into a spray of diamonds as it hits cottony mounds of snow.
The 20 Best Winter Festivals to Cure Your Cabin Fever
If you can't get a hit of sunshine on a winter day, the colorful kites of Clear Lake's festival are an excellent alternative. Photo: Ryan Donnell Midwest winters are long, cold, and dark—which is exactly why the region has gotten so good at turning them into a party. Throughout the Midwest you’ll find festivals built around ice sculpture showcases, sled races, twinkling light displays, live music, food, and plenty of hot drinks.
Experience an Old-Fashioned Main Street Christmas in St. Charles, Missouri
Holiday lights (and maybe some snow!) make the Saint Charles, Missouri, Christmas Traditions festival magical. Photo: Emily Lansche Katski/@dogwoodchannelcat With apologies to Nat King Cole, Jack Frost might not actually nip your nose in St. Charles, Missouri—but you can run into him dashing down Main Street amidst revelers at the Saint Charles Christmas Traditions festival, celebrating its 50th season in 2024.
Why I Return to This Magical Minnesota Town Every Winter—And Why You'll Fall For It Too
Snow makes downtown Stillwater's historic redbrick buildings even more charming. Photo: Ackerman + Gruber When I first moved to Iowa four years ago, my husband and I were looking for the closest decent place to ski. As Epic Pass holders, we landed on Afton Alps, just 30 minutes southeast of St. Paul. We wondered, could we convince our southern ski buds to come up to Minnesota?
This Lakeside Town Might Be the Coziest Holiday Escape in Wisconsin
The Santa Cruise on Geneva Lake leads to Santa's Hideaway, where the big man greets everyone. Photo: Courtesy of Visit Lake Geneva Twinkling lights dance across the midnight black surface of Geneva Lake. An elf testing toys with Rudolph winks from his reflection as you float by, en route to Santa's Hideaway—the finale to the Santa Cruise boat tour.
come ski about me
When I first moved to Iowa four years ago, my husband and I were looking for the closest decent place to ski. As Epic Pass holders, we landed on Afton Alps, just 30 minutes southeast of St. Paul. We wondered, could we convince our southern ski buds to come up to Minnesota that year? And we did, unknowingly launching a tradition where our Alabama friends brave temperatures of sometimes 9 degrees below zero to ski with us newly minted Midwesterners.
Meet Curt Basina, Owner of the First Native American-Owned Distillery
The Copper Crow Distillery in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Credit: Aaron Peterson In the northern coastal town of Bayfield, Wisconsin, a striking black building houses something significant: the country’s first Native American-owned distillery. Owned by Linda and Curt Basina, Copper Crow began production in 2017 and now has a tasting room slinging cocktails and selling bottles.
Find Fall Treats, More than 100 Shops, and a Huge Halloween Parade in This Illinois Small Town
Stroll down Galena's Main Street to discover shops, boutiques, and cozy cafes. Photo: David Nevala Galena was named after a precious lead mineral abundant beneath the town's surface. Several decades since the last mine shut down, a movie set-perfect Main Street makes this northwest Illinois town a perfect fall getaway. Main Street spans 140 mostly 19th-century buildings housing 100-plus shops, restaurants, and independent inns.
This Midwestern Town is a Real-Life Stars Hollow
Stroll down Galena's Main Street to discover shops, boutiques, and cozy cafes. Photo: David Nevala Galena was named after a precious lead mineral abundant beneath the town's surface. Several decades since the last mine shut down, a movie set-perfect Main Street makes this northwest Illinois town a perfect fall getaway. Main Street spans 140 mostly 19th-century buildings housing 100-plus shops, restaurants, and independent inns.
Andrew Zimmern Chats with Minneapolis' Best Chefs about Heritage, Foodways, and Why the City Keeps Winning James Beard Awards
Gather around a table in Minneapolis and you’ll notice something about the city’s dining scene. The food on your plate is more than just a dish; it represents someone’s culture and history, the roadblocks or challenges they faced to get where they are, the result of hard work and a dedication to authenticity. Minneapolis has a strikingly diverse food landscape, led in large part by chefs who hail from (or have recent roots in) other parts of the world.
A Sauna Social Club, An Art Fair Celebrating Black Artists, and a New Food Festival in Michigan—Here are 15 Things Our Editors are Excited About in August
Our travel writers, editors, and contributors to Midwest Living are always on the pulse of the latest and greatest things happening in the Midwest. This August, we're especially excited about two new festivals (in two favorite summer destinations!), a slew of new restaurants from well-known chefs, and a unique art festival in Indianapolis. Here are the 15 things we're buzzing about this month.
cook your story
GATHER AROUND A TABLE in Minneapolis and you’ll notice something about the city’s dining scene. The food on your plate is more than just a dish; it represents someone’s culture and history, the roadblocks or challenges they faced to get where they are, the result of hard work and a dedication to authenticity. Minneapolis has a strikingly diverse food landscape, led in large part by chefs who hail from (or have recent roots in) other parts of the world.
A Fitness Fest, a Tropical Resort, and a Baroque-Inspired Hotel Bar—Here Are 15 Things Our Travel Editor is Excited For This July
Our travel writers, editors, and contributors to Midwest Living are always on the pulse of the latest and greatest things happening in the Midwest. This July, we're especially excited about cage diving with sharks, some cool new festivals, Frank Lloyd Wright cruises, and more. Here are the 15 things we're buzzing about this month. A New Restaurant at Our Favorite Place in Paoli Order the Dairy Experience for a selection of Landmark Creamery’s seasonal cheeses.
Find Your Perfect Midwest Lake Based on Your Personality
If you're seeking solitude, consider the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, where you might find you have a sunset all to yourself. Photo: Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux Though it's not in our nature to brag, we think the Midwest has saturated the market for freshwater bliss.
Frank Lloyd Wright-Inspired Treehouses, Secret River Concerts, and Ramen Lattes—Here are 15 Things Our Editors are Excited About in June
Our travel writers, editors, and contributors to Midwest Living are always on the pulse of the latest and greatest things happening in the Midwest. This June, we're especially excited about some unique concert experiences, new Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired treehouses, the country's first opera produced by Black women, and more. Here are the 15 things we're buzzing about this month.
Why The Untamed Beauty of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula Is Worth the Journey
Brockway Mountain Drive is one of the most scenic lookouts in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Photo: Felicia Fullwood The Keweenaw is a not a place you find. The upper peninsula of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Keweenaw feels like the end of the earth. (At the very least, it’s one end of US-41, which runs to Miami.) Reaching into Lake Superior, the Keweenaw Peninsula looks like a hooked finger, beckoning those who know its magic. It takes work to get here. There are no major airports nearby.
Take a Road Trip Through Wisconsin with Midwest Living
In Wisconsin, lakes shine by day, and the sky sparkles at night. That sentiment inspired our ninth annual Road Rally, this year in partnership with Travel Wisconsin. We built the itinerary around the state’s liquid assets and sent our Midwest Living team on an epic five-day road trip. We kicked things off in Lake Geneva before making our way north, stopping in Milwaukee and climbing our way up the Door Peninsula.
Everything We Ate and Drank on Our Epic Wisconsin Road Trip
Our meal at Pier 290 in Lake Geneva had great vibes and great food. Just look at that view. Photo: Starboard & Port Wisconsin food is so much more than just brats and cheese curds (although there's plenty of that too, and it's all delicious). You'll find award-winning restaurants, inventive brunches, sandwiches stacked with artisan cheese, and luxe pastries.
How to Spend 24 Hours in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Did you know the town is called Lake Geneva but the lake is called Geneva Lake?. Photo: Starboard & Port Every summer, a team of Midwest Living editors heads out on our annual Road Rally trip. This year we went to Wisconsin, where we kicked things off in Lake Geneva. In partnership with Travel Wisconsin, we created epic day-by-day itineraries for each stop along the way. It's always a whirlwind trip and we typically have about 24 hours in each destination, but we always make the most of it.
How to Spend 24 Hours in Milwaukee
Take a stroll along the Milwaukee River behind Lakefront Brewery. Photo: Starboard & Port Every summer, a team of Midwest Living editors heads out on our annual Road Rally trip. This year we went to Wisconsin, where we made a stop in Milwaukee. In partnership with Travel Wisconsin, we created epic day-by-day itineraries for each destination along the way. It's always a whirlwind trip and we typically have about 24 hours in each place, but we always make the most of it.
How to Spend 24 Hours in Door County, Wisconsin
In Baileys Harbor, Cana Island Lighthouse has guided ships to safety since 1869. Photo: Starboard & Port Every summer, a team of Midwest Living editors heads out on our annual Road Rally trip. This year we went to Wisconsin, where our final stop was Door County and several of its quaint communities. In partnership with Travel Wisconsin, we created epic day-by-day itineraries for each destination along the way.
Find Your Wisconsin Adventure Based on Your Personality
On the Cave and Dunes Kayak Tour, you'll paddle along the rocky shoreline of Door County. Photo: Starboard & Port Wisconsin has something for everybody, no matter your interests. We've rounded up some of the most fun activities you can do in the state (all vetted and personally experienced by our Midwest Living editors on our annual Road Rally trip) and sorted them by interest. There are water activities, sports, museums and more.
The Ultimate Guide to the Most Rugged and Beautiful Region of Michigan
The Keweenaw Peninsula draws travelers looking for rugged beauty and adventure. Photo: Felicia Fullwood Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula is a magical and rewarding place. The northernmost part of the Upper Peninsula, the Keweenaw's stunning beauty and remote ruggedness is a draw for many travelers, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges—small airports, long drives, spotty phone service. But it's one of those places where the payoff is much bigger than the effort.
A Taco Omakase, a Floating Eco Park and a Glowing Trail—Here are 15 Things Our Editors are Most Excited About in May
Our travel writers, editors and contributors to Midwest Living are always on the pulse of the latest and greatest things happening in the Midwest. This May, we're especially excited about some new hotel openings (both large-scale and small-scale), innovative tasting menus and a floating eco park. Here are the 15 things we're buzzing about this month.
Taste Ube Croissants, Matcha Eclairs and Barbecue Pork Buns at These 15 Great Asian Bakeries
The Croissant Wheel at Swadesi is filled with pistachio cream, dipped in chocolate and garnished. Photo: Courtesy of Swadesi Why settle for a plain croissant when you can have one stuffed with ube cream? What about a matcha eclair? Or maybe savory is more your style and a kimchi croissant or barbecue pork bun sounds tempting. Whatever is most appealing to you, these incredible Asian bakeries will take your taste buds on a flavor adventure.
A New Dark Sky Park, a Barbecue Museum, and a Frank Lloyd Wright-Inspired Hotel—Here are Our Travel Editor's April Picks
Our travel writers, editors and contributors to Midwest Living are always on the pulse of the latest and greatest things happening in the Midwest. This April, I'm especially excited about a new International Dark Sky Park, a museum dedicated to barbecue (!), a couple of fun sports happenings, and a new restaurant from a fave chef of mine. Here are the 15 things we're buzzing about this month.
Visit Ohio's Grand River Valley Wine Region
Kosicek Vineyards has been growing grapes on their land for almost 100 years. Photo: EE Berger Barrels stack floor to ceiling in the small aging room at Kosicek Vineyards. Emma Kosicek clambers up one of the racks and contorts herself between barrels to get to the one she really wants: a Merlot aged in French oak. She extracts a taste via a wine thief and dribbles it into my glass. I take a sniff. Plum. Black cherry. And is that coffee? My taste buds confirm what my nose has picked up.
Take a Trip to Geneva, Ohio for Wine Tasting, Luxe Lodging and Lake Erie Views
Laurentia Vineyard and Winery is one of several estate wineries in the Grand River Valley. Photo: EE Berger Ohio's Grand River Valley Wine Region, an hour northeast of Cleveland, is quickly and quietly becoming one of the region's best wine destinations. Winemakers in the Grand River Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) have shifted tastes and perceptions away from syrupy sweet Midwestern fruit wines to dry, bold, mature wines worthy of the spotlight.
the buzz
FARRAND HALL COLON, MICHIGAN Set on a historic 12-acre estate in southern Michigan, Farrand Hall is known for its popular multicourse dinners. In-house chef Ken Miller leads meals every Wednesday through Friday year-round. Guest chefs, like Sarah Welch from Marrow in Detroit, come in for the sell-out Saturday series, March through October. Didn’t score tickets to a dinner? They’ve also opened a bakery and artisanal market in downtown Colon.
Molly Yeh Chats about Her New Cookbook, Dessert Salads and Her Favorite Pizza Style
Molly Yeh's newest cookbook focuses on all things sweet. Courtesy of Molly Yeh Molly Yeh always knew she'd write a cookbook focused on sweet treats. Sweets are her number one creative outlet, she says, and always have been since she started her blog back in 2009. She loves the act of physically building cakes and cupcakes, as well as decorating. Add to that the fact that she married a sugar beet farmer, and it was written in the star-shaped sprinkles. "I speak fluent sugar," Yeh laughs.
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