The Midwest is stepping into the spotlight in a major way. With Michelin’s long-anticipated expansion drawing new attention to the dining scene, record-breaking airfares continuing to shift demand toward drive-market travel, and a full lineup of major sporting events attracting national audiences, the region is gaining fresh momentum as an unexpected late summer destination. Add in easy access to Great Lakes shorelines and vibrant urban energy, and there’s never been a better time to rediscover America’s heartland.
Here’s a route worth mapping out. Four dynamic cities, all drivable from Nashville/Franklin, each offering a distinct take on a high-impact summer getaway.
Starting Place: Franklin
Franklin → Cincinnati, OH (Drive time: ~4 hours): An ideal starting point, Cincinnati blends historic charm with a fast-evolving food scene now gaining national recognition. Set along the Ohio River, the city comes alive in summer with riverfront festivals, Reds games, and a walkable downtown core that feels both relaxed and energized.
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Where to stay: Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel — Opened in late July. This thoughtfully restored, 165-room property brings boutique sensibility to downtown, pairing the historic grandeur of the 1913 Beaux-Arts Gwynne Building with modern, Parisian-inspired design and a layered, art-driven aesthetic. Guests can expect apartment-style accommodations, a trio of distinct dining concepts, and more than 7,700 square feet of flexible event space, all contributing to an intimate, lifestyle-driven guest experience that aligns with the city’s creative resurgence.
Cincinnati, OH → Cleveland, OH (Drive time: ~4–4.5 hours)
Just a few hours north, Cleveland offers one of the Midwest’s most underrated summer experiences, thanks to its prime positioning on Lake Erie. Think waterfront parks, beach access, and a cultural scene anchored by institutions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Plus a growing culinary profile that dovetails with Michelin’s regional debut.
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Where to stay: Cleveland’s Fidelity Hotel — Ohio’s first hotel to receive a Michelin Guide distinction, this boutique property channels the city’s industrial past through a refined, design-forward lens, blending historic architecture with warm, contemporary interiors and a strong sense of place. Thoughtful details, from locally inspired art and richly layered materials to inviting social spaces and chef-driven dining, create a polished yet approachable atmosphere, offering travelers a stylish, culture-forward home base in the heart of downtown.
Cleveland → Chicago, IL (Drive time: ~5–5.5 hours)
A natural next stop, Chicago is the Midwest’s heavyweight—especially in summer, when the city buzzes with lakefront activity, major league sports, and one of the country’s most decorated dining scenes, now further amplified by Michelin’s regional expansion. From rooftop bars to beaches along Lake Michigan, it’s urban summer at its best.
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Where to stay: Pendry Chicago — Set in the iconic 1920s-era Carbide & Carbon Building, the hotel offers a fantastic starting point for exploring Chicago or venturing out on Route 66 during its 100th anniversary. Enjoy seasonal spritz and DJ sounds at the rooftop restaurant, Chateau Carbide and Bar Pendry.
Chicago → Oklahoma City, OK (Drive time: ~11–12 hours)
Oklahoma City is fast emerging as a destination in its own right, with a summer packed full of headline events and new attractions. Sports fans can visit the home of the 2025 NBA Champions, OKC Thunder. The 2028 Summer Olympic canoe slalom events will also be held here. This year also marks the centennial of Route 66, and Oklahoma—home to the longest drivable stretch of the Mother Road—is celebrating with road-trip–themed festivities all year long. On the riverfront, the OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, which opened in 2025, is now in its second season, while the First Americans Museum (FAM) ferry landing just debuted this spring and connects OKANA and FAM to downtown via the river. Inside the museum, the new FAMily Discovery Center offers families a deeper dive into cultural experiences just steps from the waterpark / resort.
- Where to stay: OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark — For the first time since opening, every restaurant, venue, and attraction, from the much-anticipated Boardwalk to all 14 dining outlets, will be open and operating for the entire summer season. OKANA offers something for every traveler: an award-winning indoor waterpark, OKANA Beach (home to the fourth-largest pool in the nation), and The Boardwalk — a newly debuted entertainment and dining district with a BBQ smokehouse, baseball simulator eatery, axe-throwing speakeasy, and full-service spa. Plus, find a packed calendar of events that include weekly fire shows and salsa nights.
Oklahoma City → Franklin (Drive time: ~10–11 hours)