When one of our states is nicknamed “the land of 10,000 lakes,” you can be sure water adventures are on the docket all across the Midwest when warm summer weather rolls around. Though there are plenty of extraordinary things to do in the Midwest this summer, there is perhaps no better way to enjoy your summer weekend getaways than by getting out on the water. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting adventure or a more leisurely paddle on scenic lakes and rivers, there are thousands of ways to enjoy the water during your Midwest getaways this summer – and we’re here to help you plan!
We’ve just celebrated Memorial Day’s unofficial kickoff to summer and are counting down the days until the Summer Solstice ushers us into the best season for adventure in the Midwest. From the vast waters and beaches offered by the Great Lakes to the countless other gorgeous lakes and winding rivers that effortlessly flow across state boundaries, your summer adventures have never looked so appealing. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker, a leisurely paddle boarder, an avid fisherman, or a sun worshipper who loves lounging on the beach, there are countless ways to get on, in, or around the water this summer.
Of course, Midwest waterways aren’t the only attraction to enjoy this summer. There are also plenty of quaint lakeside (or riverside) towns to explore. From the River Towns along the Mississippi River’s Great River Road to the remote towns of the Boundary Waters, you’ll find endless charm in their busy city streets. Whether you’re looking for great food and drink options or want to enjoy vibrant community events and fantastic shopping, there are so many unforgettable ways to enjoy your weekend getaways this summer.
To elevate your summer weekend getaways, choose among the most unique places to stay in the Midwest. You’ll find those among our collection of Bed and Breakfasts, Inns, Boutique Hotels, Cabins, and Vacation Rentals. We truly offer the best of the Midwest. Each host offers impeccable hospitality and unbeatable insider knowledge of their respective locales, and all of our properties are licensed, insured, and inspected for quality control. Discover why our lodging properties are considered the best in the Midwest, and book your summer getaways with us today!
Where to Enjoy Your Summer Weekend Getaways
From fun-filled backyard BBQs to relaxed summer days on the water, there are plenty of things to do in the Midwest this summer. That includes planning weekend getaways around the region and enjoying some hard-earned time off. Whether you enjoy hiking and biking or swimming and boating, we’d love to share our favorite tips, tricks, and destinations to help you make the most of your time in this diverse and adventure-filled part of the country.
From the thousands of lakes and rivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin to the unique landscapes of Nebraska, Illinois, and Iowa, there are endless water activities to enjoy. Below, we offer some of the best highlights from each state, including better-known attractions and perhaps even a few hidden gems you may not have heard about yet but should! As you gear up for these fun summer weekend getaways on the water, don’t forget to include our lodging partners across the Midwest!
Explore Minnesota’s “10,000 Lakes”
In a state nicknamed “the land of 10,000 lakes,” is it any wonder Minnesota is filled with possibilities for unforgettable water-based adventures? There’s no way we can include all the options, but we’ve done our best to curate a list of the top water-related adventures to enjoy during your weekend getaways in Minnesota this summer.
- Bring on the adrenaline and head north to Duluth. There, you’ll find the St. Louis River, home to some of the best whitewater rafting in the Midwest. The river offers various class rapids and navigates through some of the state’s most pristine wilderness. If you’re experienced enough, you can tackle the rapids on your own, but plenty of guides in the area offer safer alternatives for rafting adventures.
- For something quieter and pristine, head farther north to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near Ely. This park offers over a million acres of patchwork lakes and forests. With over 1,200 miles of canoe trails and few towns in the area, you’ll find pristine, untouched wilderness, no crowds, and an unforgettable experience in the Wilderness.
- There’s excellent fishing everywhere in Minnesota, but one of our favorites is Mille Lacs Lake in Central Minnesota. It’s the second-largest lake in Minnesota and is packed with great fishing opportunities, especially walleye. Other common fish include yellow perch, northern pike, muskellunge, tullibee, and smallmouth bass.
- For a more urban lake-based adventure that includes plenty of sailing, kayaking, canoeing, standup paddleboarding, swimming, and more, head to the Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Minneapolis. In addition to being a great place to get on the water, there are plenty of park areas to enjoy, all packed with amenities, as well as a fantastic bike trail that circumnavigates the lakes.
- If you’re looking for a more classic cruise, head to the quaint town of Stillwater. There, you’ll find a classic riverboat cruise on the stunning St. Croix River, not to mention romantic gondola rides reminiscent of what you’d find in Venice. Talk about a romantic way to enjoy your summer weekend getaways!
- The Mississippi River features so prominently in water activities across the Midwest, so why not see where it all starts? Head to Itasca State Park in Minnesota and explore the boundary waters area. In addition to walking through the headwaters, there’s excellent fishing and boating on Lake Itasca, as well as Ozawindib Lake, Elk Lake, and Mary Lake.
Go Paddling in Iowa
Iowa’s rolling farmland has plenty of meandering rivers that are perfect for paddling but don’t forget about Iowa’s Great Lakes Region—a hidden gem in the state offering unforgettable summer adventures on the water.
- We recently wrote about the Wapsipinicon River Water Trail in Iowa. It’s one of the top rivers in the state for canoeing and kayaking, offering a scenic and winding route through some of Iowa’s most beautiful scenery. Towards its southern end, it flows into the community of Clinton, where it broadens and meets up with the Mississippi River.
- Aside from the Wapsipinicon River Trail, you’ll find more fabulous paddling along the Upper Iowa River, an area known for its legendary scenery. The Upper Iowa River is one of the first in the nation to be nominated as a National Wild and Scenic River.
- Head to Iowa’s Great Lakes Region for boating, fishing, paddling, and every other quintessential summer activity you can think of. For many Iowans (and Midwesterners in general), Iowa’s Great Lakes Region is a time-honored summer tradition, with generations of families retreating to these beautiful waters summer after summer. With nostalgic attractions like Arnold’s Amusement Park and the expansive waters of Lake Okoboji, it’s easy to see why the Great Lakes Region is the perfect spot for summer weekend getaways.
- The St. Croix River in Minnesota isn’t the only place to enjoy an old-fashioned riverboat ride. You can also hop on the Riverboat Twilight in LeClaire and discover one of the Mississippi River’s most memorable rides. The trip includes fun stops in historic towns, live banjo music, and a narrated guide.
- If you’re in the Des Moines Area, don’t miss a relaxing paddle or float down the Raccoon River. It’s a fantastic spot for river tubing, a quintessential summer activity for weekend getaways! The northern part of the Raccoon River is also a fabulous destination for paddling.
- Don’t miss the storied bridges of Madison County, only this time, see them by water! The Middle River Water Trail takes you a scenic 39 miles through beautiful countryside, passing gorgeous covered bridges along the way.
Get Wild on Nebraska Rivers and Lakes
Like Iowa, the rolling plains of Nebraska offer plenty of hidden secrets worth exploring during your summer getaways, some in the form of wild and scenic rivers and lakes.
- One of the most unique-to-Nebraska adventures that involves the water is tanking. It involves floating down a beautiful Nebraska river in a cattle tank. You can’t miss the chance to enjoy this activity during your summer weekend getaways! The best places to enjoy this unforgettable adventure are the Calamus, Middle Loup, and Cedar Rivers.
- One of the most beautiful places in Nebraska, especially for those who want to enjoy a little quiet time on the water, is the Niobrara National Scenic River. This incredible waterway offers days of calm paddling through some of Nebraska’s most beautiful scenery. There are also plenty of spots to pull off and hike, including at Smith Falls State Park, making this an epic place to spend your summer weekend getaways in the Midwest.
- If you’re looking for traditional summer lake time, head to the Calamus Reservoir for boating, fishing, and swimming.
- The Platte River Canoe Trail in Nebraska is another exceptional place to paddle your way through a summer day. The river meanders across channels, offering endless ways to explore and paddle through some of Nebraska’s beautiful plains.
- While you’re in the Platte River area, don’t miss Lake McConaughy. The 35,700-acre lake is home to some of the state’s best fishing. It’s been named one of the country’s best lakes for walleye. It’s also an excellent spot for recreational boating, swimming, and unforgettable summer fun in the Midwest.
- If you find yourself in Omaha, don’t miss a fun tubing or paddleboarding adventure down the Elkhorn River. There’s also another fabulous opportunity for tanking here with several local outfitters.
More Midwest Adventures on the Water
The Midwest is vast and filled with incredible things to do – and those summer adventures continue in Wisconsin and Illinois, too! Don’t overlook these fabulous weekend getaway destinations.
Get Out on the Water in Wisconsin
Like Minnesota, Wisconsin offers endless opportunities for water activities, making it a premier candidate for your summer weekend getaways this year! From the Great River Road along its western boundary to the stunning waters of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, Wisconsin offers plenty of adventures in, on, and around the water.
- One of the most storied destinations for weekend getaways in Wisconsin is Bayfield, the launch point for the breathtaking Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The Apostle Islands, located on Lake Superior, encompass 22 islands, many beautiful kayak and canoe routes, hidden sea caves, dramatic cliffs, and secluded beaches. It’s one of the most pristine water activities in the Midwest.
- You’ll find similarly dramatic scenery along Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shoreline, including near Sturgeon Bay on the Door County Peninsula. There, you’ll find beautiful parks like Peninsula State Park and miles of jaw-dropping scenery to explore by water. Sturgeon Bay is also a fantastic spot to fish for walleye and smallmouth bass.
- No water-based summer getaway is complete without a trip to Wisconsin’s Chain O’Lakes Area near Waupaca. The area is home to 22 inter-connected spring-fed lakes, with plenty of opportunities for boating, tubing, paddling, water skiing, and more!
- Pack some adrenaline into your summer weekend getaways, and enjoy whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo River in northern Wisconsin. Known as the “Roaring Rapids,” this class II-IV river has one of the longest whitewater stretches in the Midwest.
- If you’re looking for a beach day during your summer getaways, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better beach vacation spot in the Midwest. Some of our favorite beaches can be found near Manitowoc and Two Rivers, Sheboygan, and, of course, those beaches near Milwaukee.
- Enjoy incredible scenery in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region while paddling your way down the Lower Wisconsin River. It’s the longest free-flowing stretch of river in the Midwest, flowing 92 miles from Prairie du Sac to the Mississippi River.
- Some of the best fishing in the state is found on Lake Winnebago near Appleton – which also happens to be a fantastic gateway to paddling adventures on the Fabulous Fox River Trail.
Paddle Through Illinois
Finally, don’t skip the diverse and beautiful state of Illinois, a state filled with myriad ways to enjoy your summer weekend getaways in the Midwest. That includes, of course, plenty of ways to get on and in the water.
- Whenever we write about great things to do in the Midwest, especially for things like summer weekend getaways, Starved Rock State Park pops up. It’s truly a gem, but it’s not just for hiking. Starved Rock State Park is also an excellent place for paddleboarding and kayaking. As you move down the river, you’ll pass jagged sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and diverse birdlife.
- For jaw-dropping scenery, head to the swampy Cache River State Natural Area, where you’ll paddle through the hush of ancient cypress trees. It’s simply breathtaking and the northernmost marsh of its kind in the country.
- You don’t even have to leave the city to enjoy the water. Chicago sits on the shores of Lake Michigan, offering plenty of water activities during your urban getaway to this incredible city. Aside from Lake Michigan, you can take a guided float down the Chicago River for an entirely new perspective on the city’s architectural gems.
- When you visit the historic town of Galena, get out on the Mississippi River and enjoy a narrated cruise through this historic waterway, spotting plenty of wildlife along the way.
- The Mississippi River isn’t the only water-based attraction in Galena. You can also paddle your way through the heart of the historic town on the beautiful Galena River.
Unique Places to Stay in the Midwest
If you want to spend your summer exploring some of the best water-based adventures in the country, then it’s time to plan your weekend getaways in the Midwest. Not only are our waterways vast and beautiful, but they offer a fantastic way to explore small towns across the region and meet the people who make the Midwest the special destination it is. When it comes to finding unique places to stay in the Midwest that reflect this local charm, the best place to turn is the Midwest Association of Independent Inns.
Our unique lodging properties showcase the best of the Midwest, with exceptional accommodations, authentic and friendly hospitality, top-notch amenities, and locations near many of the top lakes and rivers across the Midwest. Whether planning a brief visit or an extended stay, the group of properties represented by the Midwest Association of Independent Inns offers the perfect place to relax, unwind, and embrace the best of summer.
Midwest Inns is a collection of boutique hotels, Inns, Bed and Breakfasts, cabins, and vacation rentals. We represent properties in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which means that wherever you travel, you’ll find dedicated innkeepers who excel at offering top-tier lodging and accommodations. Our properties are a far cry from what you’d experience at modern hotel chains and larger properties. Not only do we offer a more personalized and unique place to stay than traditional hotels, but we also offer a welcome alternative to unregulated and impersonal vacation rental properties.
Each association member is properly licensed and inspected, offering peace of mind for your summer weekend getaways. From urban guest rooms to rural farm stays, our members provide the most unique places to stay in the Midwest. Seek out the best of the best this summer, and book your stay at one of our properties today!