I've been to all 50 states and grew up in the Midwest. Here are my favorite things to do in this underrated region of the US.

My favorite thing to do in the Midwest is visit Bayfield, Wisconsin, which is often considered the smallest city in the state.

Located on Lake Superior, Bayfield has a quaint downtown for shopping, plenty of local restaurants, and fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities.

The city is also the gateway to Apostle Islands National Seashore, which offers lots of opportunities for hiking and sea kayaking. I recommend taking a ferry to Madeline Island and Big Bay State Park.

Despite being a major city, Chicago doesn't always get enough credit. However, it's one of my favorite spots for a weekend getaway.

When visiting The Windy City, I always make sure to visit Millennium Park — where the iconic Cloud Gate (aka "The Bean") is located — before exploring the nearby Art Institute of Chicago.

I always recommend attending an improv-comedy show at The Second City, which has been a launchpad for "Saturday Night Live" cast members like Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, and John Belushi.

Whether you're into deep-dish pizza or love exploring neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Hyde Park, Chicago has something for everyone.

In my opinion, Minnesota is one of the most beautiful states in the country. It's also home to one of my favorite drives — the North Shore Scenic Drive.

The 154-mile drive along Highway 61 starts in Duluth and makes its way along the rugged Lake Superior shoreline, offering breathtaking views, opportunities to stop in charming small towns, and access to some of Minnesota's most iconic outdoor destinations.

My favorite spots to stop are Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Tettegouche State Park.

Although Illinois isn't necessarily known for its canyons, waterfalls, or hiking trails, there are many spots to find all three — my favorite being Starved Rock State Park.

The popular park is just around 100 miles southwest of Chicago, making for an easy day trip or weekend getaway from the city.

With 13 miles of trails, 18 canyons, and beautiful seasonal waterfalls, visiting Starved Rock feels like stepping into a different state.

Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage site just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, is an essential stop for anyone fascinated by history, archaeology, or Indigenous culture.

This Illinois state-historic site preserves the remnants of the largest pre-Columbian site north of Mexico. At its height around AD 1100, Cahokia was a thriving metropolis and is believed to have had a population of nearly 20,000 people.

A visit isn't complete without climbing Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthen structure in North America, built by the Indigenous people who once lived here. Make it to the top for sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, dotted with 70 preserved mounds.

South Dakota probably isn't the first state that comes to mind when considering the Midwest. However, this sparsely populated state on the region's westernmost edge is packed with natural beauty.

One of my favorite stops in the state is Badlands National Park, a rugged and awe-inspiring landscape with dramatic scenery of eroded buttes, pinnacles, spires, sprawling grasslands, abundant wildlife, and fossils.

Take a scenic drive or hike through the otherworldly landscape that feels far away from the Midwest.