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Best Places to Visit at Christmas in the Midwest
If you’re staring down a long winter and wondering the best places to visit at Christmas, let us put a few Midwest destinations on your bucket list! While the Midwest is worth visiting at any time, this region really shines during the holidays. With its mix of small towns filled with twinkling lights and traditions, and larger cities that put on world-class holiday celebrations, this part of the country captures the magic of the season in a way few other places can.
From snowy streets lined with festive displays to historic town squares hosting the most charming Christmas markets, the Midwest offers the perfect mix of cozy experiences in December. Some of the best places to visit at Christmas are already well-known, like Chicago with its Christkindlmarket and festive Navy Pier attractions, or Frankenmuth, Michigan, home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. But there are plenty of hidden gems across the Midwest that make a December getaway unforgettable, too.
Towns like Galena, Illinois, with its holiday festival weekends, and Lanesboro, Minnesota, where you’ll find a storybook small-town Christmas, add to the list of must-visit Christmas towns. Whether you want to sip hot cocoa at a holiday market, enjoy a snowy carriage ride, or see dazzling light displays, the Midwest brings us some of the best places to visit in December. The only thing that can make your Midwest Christmast getaways better is to find lodging that’s as magical and vibrant as the season.
Our Midwest Bed and Breakfasts offer incomparable lodging across the region. With locally owned and carefully curated inns across the region, you’ll find authentic hospitality, elevated comfort, and stays that reflect the character of the Christmas towns you visit. From romantic, elaborately decorated escapes in historic inns to family-friendly lodging near Christmas markets and lit displays, our Bed and Breakfasts are your best resource for turning a holiday trip into a memorable Christmas getaway filled with warmth and wonder. Book your December getaways today!
Don’t Miss These Christmas Markets in Wisconsin
Christmas markets in Wisconsin are among the most festive and inviting holiday traditions in the Midwest. They are more than worth traveling for during the season, and certainly rank as some of the best places to visit at Christmas. These Christmas Markets in Wisconsin bring together the charm of European-inspired Christkindlmarkets with the warmth of small-town gatherings, offering everything from handmade gifts and holiday décor to mulled wine, spiced nuts, and local specialties. The glow of twinkling lights, the sound of carolers, and the aroma of fresh-baked treats create an atmosphere that makes Wisconsin Christmas markets some of the best in the US.
Popular Christmas Markets in Wisconsin include the Wauwatosa Christmas Market, the Christkindlmarket Milwaukee, and the Door County Christmas Market, but these more recognizable names are just the beginning. Regardless of where you go, each of these Christmas markets in Wisconsin showcases its own festive personality and traditions. Beyond the markets, Wisconsin sparkles with seasonal attractions that make a December visit unforgettable. You can enjoy Wisconsin ski hills or snowshoeing through forests, attend holiday concerts and theater performances, or explore downtown shopping districts dressed in their holiday best. Whether you prefer a large city celebration or the intimate charm of a small-town holiday event, Wisconsin has no shortage of ways to enjoy Christmas.
To complete the perfect holiday getaway, the Midwest Association of Independent Inns offers the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Each Bed and Breakfast is unique and thoughtfully designed, offering elevated comfort along with personalized hospitality you won’t find in traditional hotels. From historic homes to boutique inns, you’ll enjoy warm service, inviting spaces, and a sense of place that enhances your holiday travel. Pairing Wisconsin’s Christmas markets with a stay at one of these exceptional properties is the perfect recipe for a Christmas getaway. Book your December getaway today!
Explore the Most Thrilling Nashville Ghost Tours
If you love a good ghost story, you’ll find no shortage of chills in Nashville. Beneath the city’s lively music scene and Southern charm lies a shadowy past filled with mysteries, hauntings, and legends that still capture the imagination. Nashville ghost tours offer a unique glimpse into the city’s history, filled with excitement and complete with spine-tingling tales of real historical events that have shaped the area.
Whether you’re a die-hard paranormal believer or enjoy exploring a place after dark, the haunted corners of Music City are known for their storied past. From back alleys and speakeasies to flickering street lights and guides who bring each story to life, adding one of these Nashville ghost tours to your itinerary is an adventure through time and mystery.
Before you book the best ghost tours in Nashville, you’ll want to secure your lodging, and there’s no better choice for a fall getaway than a historic mansion turned Luxury Bed and Breakfast. Belle Air Mansion‘s story dates back to the late 1700s and has evolved over the past few centuries. As a guest, you can choose from the main mansion rooms, featuring opulent furnishings, or the few rooms in the original 1790s construction, which are said to evoke the most eerie feelings on the property. Reserve your fun fall getaway today!
Fantastic & Unique Wedding Venues in the Midwest
Planning a wedding is one of the most personal decisions a couple can make, and for many, smaller celebrations feel more authentic and meaningful. Instead of grand ballrooms and cookie-cutter venues, couples are increasingly drawn to unique wedding venues that reflect their story. Bed and Breakfasts and boutique Inns throughout the Midwest offer just what you’re looking for, with a tasteful mix of intimacy, charm, and individuality. These small wedding venues are designed to feel like an extension of the couple’s love, providing a personalized experience that simply cannot be replicated.
Choosing to host an elopement, vow renewal, or micro wedding at unique wedding venues is a romantic alternative to the traditional big-day format. With fewer guests, couples can focus on the details that matter most, from customized menus and personal touches to time spent with those they love most. The intimacy of these non-traditional wedding venues makes every moment feel intentional, allowing couples to celebrate without the stress and distraction of a large crowd.
Our Bed and Breakfasts offer goes far beyond a simple wedding venue, though. These are truly unique places to get married that set the tone for a lifetime of memories. Across the Midwest, the Midwest Association of Independent Inns offers properties that are as diverse as the couples who book them. From Minnesota barn weddings and waterfront wedding venues in Michigan to historic boutique hotels and charming Inns in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, each destination offers its own unique sense of place.
These unique wedding venues are not only where you begin your journey together, they are destinations to return to for honeymoons, anniversary trips, romantic getaways, and even babymoons. Couples find themselves returning again and again, keeping the magic alive well beyond their wedding day. Find Bed and Breakfasts, Boutique Hotels, and farm wedding venues from our curated group of properties today!
The Best Ski Resorts in Wisconsin
Wisconsin might not always be the first place that comes to mind when you think about skiing, but there are actually some incredible ski resorts in Wisconsin worth exploring. Surprisingly, the state is home to more than 30 ski hills, each offering something a little bit different. Granite Peak Ski Area consistently ranks as one of the top ski hills in Wisconsin, while Cascade Mountain and Devil’s Head are also popular favorites. Get off the beaten path at places like Whitecap in the northern part of the state. From big mountain energy to a quieter experience, ski resorts in Wisconsin offer something for everyone.
Many of the best ski resorts in Wisconsin are within easy reach for Midwest travelers looking for a quick winter escape, not to mention the host of other great skiing in the Midwest. But winter in Wisconsin isn’t just about skiing. It’s a season filled with outdoor adventures, from snowmobiling and snowshoeing to cross-country skiing and unique experiences like dog sledding. In between the winter chill outside, there are plenty of wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, museums, and unique attractions worth seeing all around the state. There are four seasons of things to do in Wisconsin, and this one is just getting underway!
When it comes to lodging near these ski resorts in Wisconsin, staying somewhere memorable makes all the difference. Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts, Inns, and Boutique Hotels offer some of the most inviting accommodations in the state. With thoughtful hospitality, character-filled spaces, and comfort that feels personalized, these properties give you the perfect place to relax after a day on the slopes or while enjoying other things to do in Wisconsin during winter. But now’s the time to start planning! Book your stay at one of Wisconsin’s charming Inns or Bed and Breakfasts today and experience the best of Wisconsin skiing this winter.
The Best Weekend Getaways in Iowa For Couples
Are you looking for unique getaway destinations? Iowa may surprise you! Beyond its rolling fields and vast skies, weekend getaways in Iowa are filled with opportunity. You’ll find plenty of romantic places to visit where small towns, cultural hubs, and natural escapes invite you to slow down and reconnect. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a spontaneous couples trip, or simply looking for a new adventure together, Iowa offers destinations that are as charming as they are memorable.
Couples who choose Iowa for their couples getaways will find a mix of outdoor recreation, historic sites, arts and culture, and authentic local dining. Spend a morning biking scenic trails, wander through museums and boutiques in the afternoon, then wrap up the day with a cozy dinner for two before retreating to your cozy accommodations. From picturesque river towns to European-inspired communities, these destinations highlight some of the best things to do in Iowa for couples.
The Midwest Association of Independent Inns offers accommodations that elevate weekend getaways in Iowa, turning a simple trip into something truly special. With Bed and Breakfasts scattered throughout the Midwest, including Iowa, couples can count on comfort, personalized service, and memorable amenities as the backdrop to their getaway. These properties rank among the best places to stay in Iowa for romantic getaways. Book your weekend getaways in Iowa today!