Midwest Travel Journalists Association

Iowa City Pride: The places, people that make this city so LGBTQIA+ friendly From Prairie Lights Books to the Studio 13 club, Iowa City is a queer travel destination right alongside San Francisco, New York and Miami.

Iowa City - such a cool place for everyone. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake of the Ozarks: Fun Central A one-night stay at the Margaritaville Lake Resort at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri gave me a taste of what the resort offers. I found plenty to bring me back.

Summer time 😎is margarita time! 🍹 Let's explore the Margaritaville Lake Resort at Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks - with MTJA's Jamie Rhein. www.hotel-scoop.com/margaritavil...

Kentucky hosts Bourbon and Belonging event to welcome LGBTQ+ revelers Bourbon and Belonging was a first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+-friendly event in Kentucky bringing bourbon lovers to sip and sample from all over the country.

Make plans to celebrate PRIDE and the authenticity of Kentucky bourbon in the Bourbon and Belonging event in Louisville, and this story by MTJA @dianalm.bsky.social www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Iowa City Iowa is such a cool town where Pride is on display everyday. MTJA’s @dianalm.bsky.social shows us why. www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa...

For a slice of Parisian charm without the crowds, consider Quebec City Cobblestone streets, cafes, and French cuisine await you in this Canadian provincial capital.

Oh, Quebec City. What a lovely French city here in North America. MTJA's Courtney Fries fell in love with it when she was researching this story for National Geographic. www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/artic...

Little Medora Preserves North Dakota’s Western Spirit - Journal & Topics Media Group Joe Wiegand, as Teddy Roosevelt, leads a hike for tourists in Medora. (Randy Mink Photo) It may be just a tiny dot on the map in this largely rural state, but Medora looms big for vacationers scouting...

Are you planning your summer vacation? Plan on North Dakota and the wonderful community of Medora. MTJA's Randy Mink loved it. Here's why. www.journal-topics.com/articles/lit...

Route 66 Discoveries in Northeastern Oklahoma With the fabled highway’s centennial coming up in 2026, now is the time to plan a road trip into yesteryear. Oklahoma communities have the welcome mat out.

You know that next year is the 100th anniversary of Route 66, right? The Mother Road is having a 2,448 mile party from Chicago to the Santa Monica pier.
MTJA's Randy Mink takes a look at some of the quirky fun in Oklahoma. leisuregrouptravel.com/route-66-dis...

Cruisin’ Down the Highway Illinois was made for road tripping. Its cities, towns and natural areas are packed with fun things to see and do.

Summer road trips are meant to explore the small towns and lesser known areas. MTJA's Randy Mink found some great ones in Illinois. leisuregrouptravel.com/cruisin-down...

From Wild West To Mild West - Journal & Topics Media Group Beneath the three block houses positioned across the green landscape of North Dakota, a stiff breeze from the west constantly re-shapes the fluttering tall grass. The mid-June afternoon weather in the...

Here's a pro-tip: Put Bismarck-Mandan on your travel agenda and embrace the Wild West/Mild West experiences MTJA's Todd Wessell found on his visit to North Dakota! www.journal-topics.com/articles/fro...

Train Travel to Tiny Towns Think beyond popular metro stops when planning a train trip

We love travel of all kinds, but MTJA's Mary Bergin loves train travel and shares these great little towns you can visit via Amtrak. www.nextavenue.org/train-travel...

The lighthouse in Grand Haven Michigan, photographed by MTJA’s Elizabeth Granger.
What are your summer travel plans? ☀️⛱️

And it’s free!

Travel left a $2.9 trillion footprint on the U.S. economy last year impacting 15 million jobs and creating $1.9 billion in tax revenue.
That’s the power of travel and why we celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week. #nttw25

In southern Minnesota, the Pipestone National Monument is worth a few hours of relaxing exploration

Today marks the beginning of National Travel and Tourism Week, bringing attention to the $2.9 trillion economic engine that impacts every state and businesses large and small.
Travel with us every day of the year! #NTTW25

From Wild West To Mild West - Journal & Topics Media Group Lone visitor to Fort Abraham Lincoln makes her way toward one of the replica block houses on the grounds. During the 1870s, soldiers stationed in the wooden block houses would keep watch for Indian ra...

From the Old West to the Mild West - what fun headlines and what fun to be had in Bismarck North Dakota with MTJA's Todd Wessell. www.journal-topics.com/articles/fro...

Coke Attraction Captivates Visitors to Atlanta For those thirsting for nostalgia, World of Coca-Cola is the Real Thing. Tasting stations offer samples of beverages from around the globe.

Such a colorful and flavorful destination in Atlanta. MTJA's Randy Mink takes us on a tour of the World of Coke. leisuregrouptravel.com/coke-attract...

Hidden Gems of Illinois Some of Illinois’ most intriguing attractions are often overlooked in favor of the obvious crowd-pleasers. Trips that veer off the beaten path give tour members a chance to make fresh discoveries

The great state of Illinois is more than Abe Lincoln, Route 66 and Chicago. There are some adorable hidden gems tucked throughout the state and MTJA's Randy Mink visited all of them. We ♥️ the really big rocking chair and other big things in Centralia. leisuregrouptravel.com/hidden-gems-...

Nayarit takes center stage as one of the best places to visit in 2025 This stunning state on Mexico’s Pacific Coast offers a captivating blend of pristine beaches, vibrant cultural experiences, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered, making it the ultimate fall and winter escape. Endless Sunshine and Stunning Beaches Nayarit boasts over 200 miles of Pacific coastline, with golden beaches, turquoise waters, and lush mountain backdrops. And no matter the season, the state’s year-round warm climate is a dream come true. Destinations like Sayulita, Punta Mita, and San Blas provide the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, offering everything from world-class surfing and paddleboarding to sun-soaked afternoons under swaying palm trees.

Nayarit takes center stage as one of the best places to visit in 2025

This stunning state on Mexico’s Pacific Coast offers a captivating blend of pristine beaches, vibrant cultural experiences, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered, making it the ultimate fall and winter escape. Endless…

Home :: Tulip Time Visit Tulip Time, the Holland, Michigan festival that boasts over 5 million tulips, planted & ready to burst forth in bloom in early spring.

Tulip Time is coming to Holland Michigan this next weekend. Such an authentic experience. Learn more at tuliptime.com?fbclid=IwY2x...

Antalya, Türkiye: A modern era for an ancient world on the Mediterranean Sea. And cats. Turkey's fifth largest city offers an alluring mix of ancient history and modern comforts, making it a must-visit for tourists. Explore its rich archaeological sites, beautiful vineyards, and the char...

Who is considering a trip to Turkiye? MTJA's Pamela McKuen, @pamelamckuen.bsky.social, was there recent and shares her experiences in Antalya. www.loopnorth.com/news/antalya...

Celebrating independent bookstore day! We encourage you to support them today and every day, hopefully with a purchase from the travel section.

Embrace your inner foodie with St. Lawrence Market Food Tours in Toronto Ontario Check out this behind-the-scenes foodie experience that offers tastings and artful storytelling about the city’s rich food culture.

This Foodie Friday, let's take a road trip to the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto with MTJA's @pamelamckuen.bsky.social
Yummmm! long-weekends.com/articles/spr...

Coke Attraction Captivates Visitors to Atlanta For those thirsting for nostalgia, World of Coca-Cola is the Real Thing. Tasting stations offer samples of beverages from around the globe.

When you next visit Atlanta, you must visit the World of Coke. MTJA's Randy Mink tells us visitors can sample soft drinks from around the world and so much more. leisuregrouptravel.com/coke-attract...

I voted for #KamalaHarris - not whatever TF this Banana Republic nonsense is

Grand Canyon Photo Workshop Join us on an active adventure down the Colorado River! Explore the geology, history, and ecology of the legendary Grand Canyon while capturing its beauty. Fully-outfitted camping and fresh meals prep...

The Colorado River, deep in Grand Canyon. I am thrilled that I get to run the river through this incredible landscape again for another photography workshop adventure. Want to join me? muenchworkshops.com/workshops/gr...

Vietnam is such an interesting and inexpensive country to visit. MTJA's Jamie Rhein was there recently and stayed in the best place in Trang An. Put this one on your list for your travel planning to Vietnam.
www.hotel-scoop.com/trang-an-eco...

MTJA’s Elizabeth Granger has been hanging out with Bob Dylan in Kalamazoo Michigan. Did you know he was born in Hibbing Minnesota? Two great Midwest destinations to visit for Dylan fans.

Cruisin’ Down the Highway Illinois was made for road tripping. Its cities, towns and natural areas are packed with fun things to see and do.

Right smack in the middle of the Midwest is Illinois with so many fun road trips from top to bottom. A native of the Land of Lincoln, MTJA's Randy Mink shows us some of his favorite stops in Illinois. leisuregrouptravel.com/cruisin-down...

Wisconsin Food Tourism in 2025 In recent years, many Wisconsin chefs and restaurants have been named semifinalists for James Beard Awards, often described as the Oscars of the food world.

#FoodieFriday let's make plans for Wisconsin, a great food destination with numerous James Beard award winning chefs, Native foods, wine cranberries and more. MTJA's Randy Mink tried them all! leisuregrouptravel.com/wisconsin-fo...