30 Truths Every Midwesterner Knows
From culinary delights to scenic lakeside towns to national landmarks, the Midwest is a wonderland filled with hidden gems, quirks, and traditions that make it a beloved part of the country.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a frequent visitor, or you’ve never been to the Midwest, there’s no denying it’s a unique place — a place with many universal truths that are part of everyday Midwestern life.
The Midwest is the Land of Presidents
About a third of the men elected President of the United States have Midwest roots, including Gerald Ford, Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower, and Barack Obama. Growing up in the Midwest helped shape their lives and their legacies can be found throughout the region. Plus, the Midwest is home to the biggest presidential shrine — Mount Rushmore.
In the Midwest, it’s Pop, not Soda
Ask for a can of Coke or Pepsi in the Midwest and you’ll be handed a pop. Other regions of the country may call it soda, soda pop, or Coke (no matter the brand), but Midwesterners proudly call it pop — possibly because of the sound a can makes when it’s opened.
Midwest Residents Love Going “Up North”
In Midwest states, going “Up North” means getting away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and having fun in quieter, more rural areas. In Michigan, that usually means anywhere north of Saginaw; in Wisconsin, it can mean regions like the Northern Highland and Lake Superior Lowland; in Minnesota, it can mean many areas north of the Twin Cities.
Midwesterners are Passionate About Football
Saturdays and Sundays in the fall and winter in the Midwest are all about football. The Midwest has some of the oldest and most successful pro football franchises — including 11 Super Bowl winners. Midwesterners also take Big Ten football very seriously and the region is home to some of the country’s best teams and fiercest rivalries.
The Midwest is the Cradle of Basketball
Basketball originated in Massachusetts, but it was quickly adapted in Indiana, where it became a way of life. The state was famously the setting for the movie “Hoosiers,” it has produced many notable NBA players, and its state high school basketball tournament is known as Hoosier Hysteria, showcasing just how important basketball is in Indiana culture.
The Midwest Does Pizza Right
The Midwest gives residents and visitors plenty to choose from with some of the nation’s best pies. Detroit-style square pizza, with its thick, crispy, cheesy crust and reverse layering is one of the nation’s favorite pies. Chicago pizza is equally iconic and offers both deep dish and tavern-style pies. St. Louis pies delight tastebuds with a thin, cracker-like crust topped with a sweet tomato sauce and Provel cheese.
The Midwest Has Some of the Best Zoos
From the heart of Chicago to the plains of Kansas to the shores of Lake Erie, the Midwest has some of the country’s best zoos, offering visitors of all ages a chance to see thousands of animals, enjoy interactive experiences, and ultimately have fun.
The Midwest’s Musical Roots Run Deep
The Midwest has a strong musical heritage, influencing genres like jazz, blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and country and many of the Midwest artists have gone on to national stardom. Residents and visitors can learn about that heritage at spots like the Motown Museum in Detroit, the National Music Museum in South Dakota, and the National Blues Museum and American Jazz Museum in Missouri.
Ice Cream in the Midwest is Unique and Delicious
Ice cream isn’t unique to the Midwest, but America’s Heartland is home to the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” in Le Mars Iowa, and tasty flavors that are Midwest staples. Midwesterners may never know what’s in Blue Moon or Superman ice cream, but they’re colorful, delicious, and the perfect treat on a hot day.
The Midwest is So Cool, Other States Want to Join
The U.S. Census Bureau’s definition of the Midwest includes Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The Bureau divides the Midwest into two divisions: The East North Central Division includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The West North Central Division includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. These groupings include states considered to be in the Great Lakes region and Great Plains region.
But the Midwest is so popular that a 2023 survey found that nearly half the country considers itself a part of the Midwest, including Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. However you define the Midwest, there’s no denying it’s a great place to live and visit.
Midwest Slang is a Way of Life
If you’re from the Midwest, then chances are you use words like “ope,” “uff da,” “pop” and “yeah, no” every day. It may sound like gibberish to the untrained ear, but it makes perfect sense to those who make the Midwest their home. Spend a little time in the Midwest and you may find yourself asking “Jeet?” or reaching for your “gym shoes.”
The Midwest has Some of the Nation’s Most Visited Attractions
The Midwest has lots of hidden gems, but it’s also home to some of the nation’s biggest and most popular attractions, including Mount Rushmore (about 2 million visitors a year), Willis Tower (1.7 million), and the Gateway Arch (1.6 million). These iconic attractions showcase the best of the Midwest and keep thousands of visitors coming back each year.
Michigan Has a Unique Way of Turning Left
If you’re driving in Michigan, then you know Michigan Lefts are as common as turn signals. Also known as indirect left turns, they require drivers to make U-turns at median crossovers if they want to make left turns in busier areas.
You Can Drive South From Detroit to Get to Canada
Michiganders and Midwesterners head over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada every day. But to do so, they actually drive south. Following the Lodge Freeway to its end, drivers will see Windsor Ontario across the Detroit River and a small bend in the river puts a small part of Windsor just south of Detroit.
Midwest Cities Have Some Awesome Nicknames
The Midwest has many nicknames, including the Corn Belt, the “Nation’s Breadbasket,” and the “Heartland of America.” But Midwest cities have a range of colorful nicknames, including the Windy City, the Motor City, Paris of the Plains, Mad City, the Twin Cities, The City of Five Seasons, Indy, the Queen City, and Husker City.
The Midwest is the Home of the Great Lakes
Michigan is famously known as the Great Lakes State and is bordered by Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Superior. Together with Lake Ontario, they account for more than 20% of the world’s freshwater and span more than 4,500 miles of coastline. The Great Lakes also border Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio in the Midwest.
DID YOU KNOW: Iowa also can also stake a claim as a Great Lakes state with seven lakes that make Northwest Iowa a popular tourist spot.
People in the Midwest are Very Nice
Midwesterners tend to be very friendly and polite, a trait that’s usually referred to as “Midwest Nice.” Some Midwesterners may avoid talking about controversial topics in their politeness, but generally speaking, visitors will find Midwest residents to be very kind, helpful, and well-meaning people.
Midwesterners Love Lakefront Vacations
Because the Great Lakes border so many Midwest states, lakefront vacations are a popular summertime activity. During the summer, quaint lakefront towns offer a slice of tranquility away from big cities. To Midwesterners, there’s nothing better than being by the water — relaxing on the beach, boating, fishing, and camping.
The Midwest Knows How to Handle Snow
Many areas of the Midwest get hammered with snow in the winter, especially lake-effect snow. But when snow hits the ground, Midwesterners break out the shovels, snowmobiles, and snow pants and head outdoors to have fun. To a Midwesterner, wintertime is one of the best times of the year and no amount of cold is too cold.
Midwesterners Are Prepared For All Seasons
Midwest residents love all the seasons and they definitely prepare for all of them. In states like Michigan, it’s not uncommon to experience several seasons in the same day, perhaps even in the span of a few hours. That’s why the trucks of Midwest vehicles often include sunscreen, raincoats, sweatshirts, and whatever else the weather may dictate.
Wisconsin is a Cheese Mecca
The Badger State is also known as America’s Dairyland with more than 100 cheese plants and more than 600 types of cheese produced. It’s little wonder then that Midwesterners can’t get enough of cheese curds and Green Bay Packer fans are affectionately known as Cheeseheads.
Michiganders Use Their Hand to Show Where They’re From
Michigan is shaped like a mitten — Wisconsin also claims to be, but that’s a debate for another day. Because of Michigan’s shape, Michiganders often will use their hand to show residents and visitors alike where in Michigan they’re from.
The Midwest Gets Unique With Chili
Chili is the ultimate comfort food and the Midwest uses it in creative ways.
- In Michigan, a beefy “chili-like” coney sauce is a staple over top of coney dogs.
- In Cincinnati, residents and visitors can enjoy chili different “ways” and overtop hot dogs, spaghetti, and other dishes.
- A slinger in St. Louis is a favorite late-night dish of chili, burger, hashbrowns, cheese, onion, and egg.
- In states like Kansas and Nebraska, chili is sometimes served with cinnamon rolls.
The Midwest Has Awe-Inspiring Bridges
There’s a lot to see in the Midwest and that’s especially true of its bridges. From the Mackinac Bridge to Iowa’s famous Bridges of Madison County to Parke County Indiana’s many covered bridges, these spots are historic, scenic, and fun to drive over (where permitted of course).
The Midwest has Ties to Route 66
The famous Mother Road runs all the way from Illinois to California and it’s the perfect way for roadtrippers to discover historic towns, hidden gems, big attractions, and so much more. The route goes from Chicago to St. Louis to Kansas and plenty of points in between, allowing travelers to go at their own pace to discover more of the Midwest.
The Midwest is a Land of Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President, grew up and lived in the Midwest for much of his life and his Midwestern roots and legacy can be found all over the region. From historic homes to monuments to tourist attractions to his presidential library, there are plenty of ways for Midwesterns to celebrate and learn about his fascinating life.
The Midwest Has Magnificent Waterfalls
While it’s known for expansive farmlands and historic landmarks, the Midwest is also full of hidden gem waterfalls that offer incredible views and tranquil escapes into nature for those willing to get off the beaten path and go on an adventure.
Kansas City is the City of Fountains
Kansas is known for its Super Bowl-winning football team and mouthwatering ‘que, but it’s also home to more than 200 fountains, making it a scenic tourist destination. Varying in size and intricacy, the fountains are a source of local pride, make for great photo ops, and are peaceful to sit by.
The Midwest is Full of Unique Museums
From national historical sites and quirky shrines to food to famous childhood homes and extensive collections of memorabilia, museums in the Midwest delight even the most skeptical of museum-goers who can find something fun, unique, or just plain weird that they connect with.
Some of the Nation’s Best College Towns are in the Midwest
From urban centers to idyllic small towns, the Midwest is home to charming and vibrant college towns. Residents and visitors can find passionate sports fanbases, iconic eateries, fun photo ops, and thriving arts and music scenes as they soak up the strong feeling of Midwest community and camaraderie.
Explore What Makes the Midwest Unique
No matter where you go in the Midwest, there’s always something to discover. So even if you’re not up on common Midwest slang, you’ve never had a slice of Detroit-style pizza or you’re not sure how to handle snow, take time to discover all that makes the Midwest unique.