This poll is designed to see which midwestern cities get the least exposure to travelers.

I think it's also potentially very useful information, so please be honest.

You can vote for more than 1 city.

Oh, and passing through the city on the highway (or overhead by plane) doesn't count--even if you stopped for gas or McDonald's, etc..

I've been to Detroit and Chicago only. Whoops, I missed Cincy on the poll! I've lived in KC and Omaha too though.

i haven't been to detroit, cincy, or cleavland.

all of which i plan on visiting next summer.

i've been to all of them.

the only 1 million plus midwest metros that i haven't been to are columbus and KC, but they weren't included in the poll for some reason.

I've never been to STL, Detroit, or Kansas City. But I really want to go.

Never been to Cleveland, or Cincinatti

Never been to Indy, Detroit, Milwaukee, or St. Louis. Eventually I plan on going to Milwaukee to go to a Twins game and Detroit to go to the Ford Museum. I don't plan on going to Indy or St. Louis.

Never been to the Twin Cities.

what about columbus and kansas city?!

Ya I think that since Columbus wasn't even put on the poll says it might have gotten the least exposure, at least in the poll.

Never been to Cincinnatti.

I never went to Cincy only on that poll... but also Kansas City and Colombus.

St. Louis, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Cleveland.

Never been to Indy, Detroit, Milwaukee, or St. Louis. Eventually I plan on going to Milwaukee to go to a Twins game and Detroit to go to the Ford Museum. I don't plan on going to Indy or St. Louis.
You are crazy. My first idea would be to go to st louis and visit the one and only arch.

Detroit, St Louis, Cincy, Milwaukee, Cleveland. Holy Crap, I really need to get around the midwest. My first choice would be The Lou. Then Cincy, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Detroit....

KC needs to be there too, for about the 5th time. :)

Anti Cheesehead.....Why not Indy or St Louis?? I know Indy was worth my visit, and assume St Louis will be too.

Anti Cheesehead.....Why not Indy or St Louis?? I know Indy was worth my visit, and assume St Louis will be too.

I just don't think there is anything in those places that are a "must see" for me. Maybe Indy for a racing event, but I wouldn't spend the money to go to St. Louis to see the arch and "urban" neighborhoods. No offense to St. Louis, but I could think of many other cities I'd rather spend my vacation time and money on. I'm sure many feel the same way about the Twin Cities.

I really want to go to Detroit for the Ford museum and to tour the old rouge plant where the made model As and recently Mustangs. I used to have a Mustang and it was made at the rouge plant and came off the line onto a cobble stone drive. I always thought that was pretty cool that Mustangs drove off the line onto the same cobble stone drive that they had in the 1920s. Not anymore though, the new Mustangs are built at AAI Flat Rock. If it weren't for the rouge plant and the Ford Museum, I would have no reason to go to Detroit.

As far as Milwaukee is concerned, the main attaction for me there is the ballpark and it's close enough to make a weekend trip out of it. I had planned to do it this summer while I was in Chicago for a Cubs game, but we never got around to it.

^ the st. louis arch is not only one of the coolest things in the midwest, it's one of the coolest things on this planet, and it is definitely a "must see". anyone who is even remotely interested in architecture would be well served by making a trip to st. louis to see this saarinen masterpiece. our language does not have the words for me to propoerly describe just how right-fucking-on cool it is.

it might not seem like it from pics, but when you see the damn thing in person, it WILL blow your mind.

^ the st. louis arch is not only one of the coolest things in the midwest, it's one of the coolest things on this planet, and it is definitely a "must see". anyone who is even remotely interested in architecture would be well served by making a trip to st. louis to see this saarinen masterpiece. our language does not have the words for me to propoerly describe just how right-fucking-on cool it is.

it might not seem like it from pics, but when you see the damn thing in person, it WILL blow your mind.

to each his/her own. The arch doesn't do anything for me. I'd rather go to the Ford museum in Detroit than see the arch and I haven't done either.

Some people travel from very far away to see the Mall of America and I can't understand that for the life of me. It blows some people's minds, but I could care less about it. I friggen live here, a few light rail stops away from the mall, and I still never go there.

If Chicago were farther away and I didn't have relatives there, I probably wouldn't need to go there either.

To be honest, there really isn't anywhere in the midwest that I'd choose to go to over somewhere on the coasts.

The only reason I've been to Cleveland is because it's on the way to New York and we always stop there since it's about half-way. The only reason why I've been to Cincy is because I was stranded overnight there because of a snowstorm.

I have a limited number of vacation days and money and I like to spend those wisely, so why would I go to St. Louis or Indy if there isn't anything I want to do there? Why would I go to STL over say, San Fran, LA, DC, NYC, etc.?

And don't think I'm picking on Indy or STL, I'm not. I realize it's the same thing with pretty much any midwestern city, it just depends on what interests you and what you like to do.

For the most part, the visitors to the Twin Cities are either:

A: Business Travelers
B: People from the 5 state area (the appeal is the proximity)

If you don't fit into one of those two categories, I cannot think of a legitimate reason to come to the Twin Cities. The Mall is not a legitimate reason IMO.

^ Yeah, well, a lot of people do consider the Mall to be a legitimate reason...thus they come to your city. So...that doesn't make sense. If I move to Orlando and say that Disney World is not a legitimate reason to visit my city, does that mean that it's not? I'm confused.


As for this list, I was in Detroit for about 10 hours a few weeks ago. Got a VERY abbreviated tour, but I saw enough to count it here. I've been to MSP three times, I just went on a tour of Ohio's cities (right before seeing Detroit) and spent a day in each...all three are WELL worth the visit. Especially Cincy...I'm shocked to see so many people are missing out on that, so far. Anyone who claims to give half a shit about Midwestern urbanity needs to see Cincinnati. I spent a day in Indy a few months ago. I've been to Chicago something like eight or nine times. And I live in that Milwaukee place.

The only city on this list that I've missed so far is St. Louis, which I'm aiming to change this year. Amtrak does very cheap tickets to the Lou, and you can get even cheaper ones from STL to KC and back.

And add me to the list of people getting tired of random major cities being left off of polls all the time.

^ Yeah, well, a lot of people do consider the Mall to be a legitimate reason...thus they come to your city. So...that doesn't make sense. If I move to Orlando and say that Disney World is not a legitimate reason to visit my city, does that mean that it's not? I'm confused.


Maybe "legitimate" wasn't the right word. I personally wouldn't go somewhere for a huge mall or a huge arch or a huge ball of twine. Coming to the Twin Cities just to go to the mall doesn't seem like a good reason to me. I remember when it first opened and there were travel agencies in Japan that had Mall of America packages, just like Disney World. People flew from Japan just to go shopping at a mall in Minnesota. Those people are absolutely nuts. I know there are things to do besides the mall, but the mall seems to be the main attaction, as is the arch in St. Louis.

to each his/her own. The arch doesn't do anything for me. I'd rather go to the Ford museum in Detroit than see the arch and I haven't done either.

Some people travel from very far away to see the Mall of America and I can't understand that for the life of me. It blows some people's minds, but I could care less about it. I friggen live here, a few light rail stops away from the mall, and I still never go there.

If Chicago were farther away and I didn't have relatives there, I probably wouldn't need to go there either.

To be honest, there really isn't anywhere in the midwest that I'd choose to go to over somewhere on the coasts.

The only reason I've been to Cleveland is because it's on the way to New York and we always stop there since it's about half-way. The only reason why I've been to Cincy is because I was stranded overnight there because of a snowstorm.

I have a limited number of vacation days and money and I like to spend those wisely, so why would I go to St. Louis or Indy if there isn't anything I want to do there? Why would I go to STL over say, San Fran, LA, DC, NYC, etc.?

And don't think I'm picking on Indy or STL, I'm not. I realize it's the same thing with pretty much any midwestern city, it just depends on what interests you and what you like to do.

For the most part, the visitors to the Twin Cities are either:

A: Business Travelers
B: People from the 5 state area (the appeal is the proximity)

If you don't fit into one of those two categories, I cannot think of a legitimate reason to come to the Twin Cities. The Mall is not a legitimate reason IMO.

i would hate to go on a trip with you. you sound like a very boring traveller.

to each their own indeed.

I will say I do not understand for the life of me how anyone could travel thousands of miles to go to a mall. I've been to MOA, and to me it is basically a mall. A really, really big mall. A really big overpriced mall. With a Camp Snoopy that costs something like $165 to ride. I remember there was one store there that sold nothing but John Deere paraphanalia. Now that was something.

Being an urban planning dork, I can think of many reasons to go to Minneapolis. The Mill City area is awesome.

I just love visiting cities. Big cities, small cities. New cities, old cities. Any city has something to offer. Except that dump Davenport, Iowa. Mother of God why would anyone ever go there.

i would hate to go on a trip with you. you sound like a very boring traveller.

to each their own indeed.

When I travel, I try to do non-tourist type things. The Arch and the Mall of America are boring tourist traps to me. That kind of stuff is boring to me.

For example, when I go to LA, I don't go to Disneyland or Universal Studios, I'll go to LA county raceway for the wednesday and friday night drag races and find out from the locals where people go street racing. How many tourists try to find the street racing spots in LA? I'll bet not many.

When I'm in New York, I'll take a train from Manhattan all the way out to Coney Island just ride the train through Brooklyn. Many tourists in NY don't leave Manhattan unless they're going to the airport. Those people are boring to me.

^ i was not speaking about the touristy vs. non-touristy issue, i was speaking more to your seeming attitude of "why the hell would i want to visit a place that didn't have cool things about cars to see?" that kind of narrow-mindedness makes for an extremely boring traveller, the whole touristy/non-touristy issue aside.

^ i was not speaking about the touristy vs. non-touristy issue, i was speaking more to your seeming attitude of "why the hell would i want to visit a place that didn't have cool things about cars to see?" that kind of narrow-mindedness makes for an extremely boring traveller, the whole touristy/non-touristy issue aside.

and that's where "to each his/her own" comes in. Someone asked me why I didn't plan on going to St. Louis and I thought I explained it pretty well. Everyone is saying "oh, you gotta s

You might not be into cars, so I guess that's why you might find me to be a boring traveler, although everything I do on vacation is not car related. Riding the train from Manhattan to Coney Island isn't car related at all. Even going to the street races in LA isn't 100% car related. You're doing something that the locals do and hanging out with local people and having conversations with them about something that you're both interested in. I think staring at an arch is boring and cannot imagine my mind being blown.

So I don't think St. Louis would be a good vacation destination for me and I'd rather go somewhere else, that makes me boring and narrow minded?

^ oh i like car related stuff too, i've been to the henry ford museum in dearborn, and i've gone down to indy for the 500, both of which were absolutely fantastic experiences. but i would never dismiss a place simply because it didn't have anything in my narrow range of interest, i'm a well rounded person who likes to see and experience all sorts of things when i travel.

i can understand that there would be some places tha tyou might want to see more than others based on you're personal preferences, but to say that you have no interest in visiting any midwest cities does indeed make you extremely narrow-minded in my opinion.

and i also cannot understand why someone who doesn't have any interest in architecture, such as yourself, would spend so much of their time posting on an internet website dedicated to skyscrapers. that just doesn't make any sense.

Haven't been to Detroit, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Of the pictures I've seen though I would like to visit all three.

^ oh i like car related stuff too, i've been to the henry ford museum in dearborn, and i've gone down to indy for the 500, both of which were absolutely fantastic experiences. but i would never dismiss a place simply because it didn't have anything in my narrow range of interest, i'm a well rounded person who likes to see and experience all sorts of things when i travel.

i can understand that there would be some places tha tyou might want to see more than others based on you're personal preferences, but to say that you have no interest in visiting any midwest cities does indeed make you extremely narrow-minded in my opinion.

and i also cannot understand why someone who doesn't have any interest in architecture, such as yourself, would spend so much of their time posting on an internet website dedicated to skyscrapers. that just doesn't make any sense.

I'd rather go to LA, SF, NYC, San Diego, Philly, Boston, or DC than anywhere in the midwest. Like I said before, my vacation days and money are limited and I don't waste them. If that makes me narrow minded, then I'm narrow minded.

And yes, architecture interests me, but admitedly not as much as it does some of you. Definetely not enough to make a trip to St. Louis to see the arch.

you are either interested in architecture or you're not. if i had a magic wand that i could wave right now that would wisk you down to st. louis to see and experience the arch and then wisk straight back to minnesota without any expense of money or time to you, would you do it?

i don't think you would because as you stated, and i quote, "I think staring at an arch is boring". therefore i can only deduce that this interest in architecture that you profess is insincere.

I just love visiting cities. Big cities, small cities. New cities, old cities. Any city has something to offer. Except that dump Davenport, Iowa. Mother of God why would anyone ever go there.

(Lol, about Davenport...) Yeah, I share your opinion, I love going to new cities, period. I am a pretty well traveled guy, overall, but i have some pretty big gaps in the midwest that i really want to see. And the entire southern half of the United States, really, is foreign to me... Anyways, it annoys me to no end when someone says, I don't want to go to X city, that place is a dump! Even if the place is a dump, I still find value in visiting it to see something new.

to each his/her own. The arch doesn't do anything for me. I'd rather go to the Ford museum in Detroit than see the arch and I haven't done either.

Some people travel from very far away to see the Mall of America and I can't understand that for the life of me. It blows some people's minds, but I could care less about it. I friggen live here, a few light rail stops away from the mall, and I still never go there.

If Chicago were farther away and I didn't have relatives there, I probably wouldn't need to go there either.

To be honest, there really isn't anywhere in the midwest that I'd choose to go to over somewhere on the coasts.

The only reason I've been to Cleveland is because it's on the way to New York and we always stop there since it's about half-way. The only reason why I've been to Cincy is because I was stranded overnight there because of a snowstorm.

I have a limited number of vacation days and money and I like to spend those wisely, so why would I go to St. Louis or Indy if there isn't anything I want to do there? Why would I go to STL over say, San Fran, LA, DC, NYC, etc.?

And don't think I'm picking on Indy or STL, I'm not. I realize it's the same thing with pretty much any midwestern city, it just depends on what interests you and what you like to do.

For the most part, the visitors to the Twin Cities are either:

A: Business Travelers
B: People from the 5 state area (the appeal is the proximity)

If you don't fit into one of those two categories, I cannot think of a legitimate reason to come to the Twin Cities. The Mall is not a legitimate reason IMO.

^Llving hear on the coast, I must ask: are you an idiot? You'd visit Philly or DC over Chicago?

Have you actually been to these places? Philly is just plain depressing, and DC gets boring REAL quick. It's a conservative-as-shit town that's very small, no late night clubs, and only 2-3 neat hoods that get old very fast. The only thing worth seeing are the monuments and museums.

You're either just plain bored with the midwest or something, but you clearly don't care much for your own region and, in fact, show a lot of animosity towards it--I am aware of your desire to move to the west coast. I think it's a dumb choice but what I consider boring may seem like a fun or exhilarating change for you. Perhaps you don't really belong on the midwest forum, hmmm?

^Ok, so the thing is, that post was just exactly the same as The anti-cheesehead's, only with the oposite attitudes to the respective regions... And you are calling him an idiot...

Cleveland.

:ohno: ^Ok, so the thing is, that post was just exactly the same as The anti-cheesehead's, only with the oposite attitudes to the respective regions... And you are calling him an idiot...

I never claimed to love the east coast.

But I'm not tramping around the east coast forums insulting it, either. So now I'm calling you an idiot, too

:ohno:

I don't plan on going to Indy or St. Louis.


First of all, there is only ONE "T" in Cincinnati! UGH

Ok, now that I have that off of my chest...may I ask why? I was just in St. Louis this past weekend and loved it. Certainly downtown needed some work, but the potential is huge. I explored some hoods that were cool, won a $1000 at the casino and rode the "pod" to the top of the Arch. All in all, an enjoyable time.

As for Indy, I can guarrantee that you could go downtown and stay the weekend and have a great time. You could go to the museums, see some nearby hoods and go out!

you are either interested in architecture or you're not. if i had a magic wand that i could wave right now that would wisk you down to st. louis to see and experience the arch and then wisk straight back to minnesota without any expense of money or time to you, would you do it?.

Why wouldn't I? And I don't agree with "either interested in architecture or you're not." Some people are more into it than others.

^Llving hear on the coast, I must ask: are you an idiot? You'd visit Philly or DC over Chicago?

Have you actually been to these places? Philly is just plain depressing, and DC gets boring REAL quick. It's a conservative-as-shit town that's very small, no late night clubs, and only 2-3 neat hoods that get old very fast. The only thing worth seeing are the monuments and museums.

You're either just plain bored with the midwest or something, but you clearly don't care much for your own region and, in fact, show a lot of animosity towards it--I am aware of your desire to move to the west coast. I think it's a dumb choice but what I consider boring may seem like a fun or exhilarating change for you. Perhaps you don't really belong on the midwest forum, hmmm??.

Yes, I've been to those places and hell yeah I'd rather go to Philly or DC than Chicago. I've been to Chicago many times and I've only been to Philly and DC once each. I can go to Chicago for the weekend in my car. Can't do that with Philly or DC.

You think wanting to move to the West Coast is a dumb choice? Good for you. I like southern California and I wouldn't mind living there someday. I think wherever you may plan on moving is a dumb choice. How do ya like that?

Oh yeah, are you an idiot?

Why wouldn't I?

because you said, and again i am directly quoting you, "I think staring at an arch is boring".

are you switching your story now and saying that seeing the arch is something you'd be interested in, it's just not very high on your priority list of things to see in this world?

because you said, and again i am directly quoting you, "I think staring at an arch is boring".

are you switching your story now and saying that seeing the arch is something you'd be interested in, it's just not very high on your priority list of things to see in this world?

No, I'm not switching my story at all. I thought I made it very clear that it wasn't high on my priority list and I still think it would be boring, but I would see it for free because it's a national landmark. Same thing with Mt. Rushmore. I'd see it for free, that's about it. Why are we even discussing this hypothetical crap? Nothing is free and I'll never have spare time to do those things.

Why does everything have to be so black and white with you? Either your interested in architecture or you're not. Something is either boring or it's not boring. Don't you realize that there are varying degrees of being interested or being bored by something? Compared to other things and places, the arch is relatively boring to me. Is that better, or do you need further clarification?

anti-cheesehead, to say that STL offers nothing more to visitors than the Arch is really dumb. You can't possibly believe that. It's like me saying that I have no interest in going to Minneapolis because I'm not into the whole Mall of America thing. What a small-minded comment.

No, I'm not switching my story at all. I thought I made it very clear that it wasn't high on my priority list and I still think it would be boring, but I would see it for free because it's a national landmark. Same thing with Mt. Rushmore. I'd see it for free, that's about it. Why are we even discussing this hypothetical crap? Nothing is free and I'll never have spare time to do those things.

Why does everything have to be so black and white with you? Either your interested in architecture or you're not. Something is either boring or it's not boring. Don't you realize that there are varying degrees of being interested or being bored by something? Compared to other things and places, the arch is relatively boring to me. Is that better, or do you need further clarification?

you're right, shades of gray. i just don't understand the reason why someone who obviously has a very weak interest in architecture would spend a significant amount of time participating in a forum community built around architecture.

it's just confusing, that's all, but you obviously have your reasons so carry on i suppose.

^Llving hear on the coast, I must ask: are you an idiot? You'd visit Philly or DC over Chicago?

Have you actually been to these places? Philly is just plain depressing, and DC gets boring REAL quick. It's a conservative-as-shit town that's very small, no late night clubs, and only 2-3 neat hoods that get old very fast. The only thing worth seeing are the monuments and museums.

You're either just plain bored with the midwest or something, but you clearly don't care much for your own region and, in fact, show a lot of animosity towards it--I am aware of your desire to move to the west coast. I think it's a dumb choice but what I consider boring may seem like a fun or exhilarating change for you. Perhaps you don't really belong on the midwest forum, hmmm?
Saying phrases like "Philly is just plain depressing" goes to show how much you know and it hurts to see that people still have a warped 80's view of the city that is rebounding REAL fast. Yes, it has some crappy (really crappy)areas ,which I might add, is slowly genrifying seeing as though surburbanites are moving back in but as a whole the city is pretty stable.

anti-cheesehead, to say that STL offers nothing more to visitors than the Arch is really dumb.

I never said that.

Saying phrases like "Philly is just plain depressing" goes to show how much you know and it hurts to see that people still have a warped 80's view of the city that is rebounding REAL fast.

Don't worry about that turd. Philly kicks ass. It's one of my favorite cities in the country.

So now I'm calling you an idiot, too

:ohno:

Ouch, man! Haha, I knew you had orgasms about all things relating to Chicago, I just didn't realize you had so much animosity towards the East Coast... and the West Coast... and anywhere that isn't Chicago. :D

Me, I would go to Philly or DC over Chicago too, but that is mainly because I have been to Chicago countless times, but Philly only once and DC only twice.

Yes, I've been to those places and hell yeah I'd rather go to Philly or DC than Chicago. I've been to Chicago many times and I've only been to Philly and DC once each. I can go to Chicago for the weekend in my car. Can't do that with Philly or DC.

You think wanting to move to the West Coast is a dumb choice? Good for you. I like southern California and I wouldn't mind living there someday. I think wherever you may plan on moving is a dumb choice. How do ya like that?

Oh yeah, are you an idiot?

I just know, being a midwesterner myself, that you have this naive fascination with the coasts because you've barely been to them (and I guarantee that you're under 25), and it's so pathetic that you can't even see through your own boredom and appreciate the region that you're from. I used to hate the midwest growing up because I thought it was so lame, until I spent years living on the east coast (and dealing with people constantly insulting your home region) and I realized that the midwest isn't so bad, and that Chicago easily has any cities out here beat by a long shot except for NYC. Cities like Detroit and St Louis could also easily be on par with Philly and Boston if they weren't constantly loathed and abandoned by midwesterners (such as yourself) who are deluded that they'll find what they've been "missing all of their lives" on the coast. I've got news--it's not here. But whatever, just get out of the midwest so that you can stop insulting it, dude..

I also find it hilarious how you defend Minneapolis so religiously, as if it's not stuck in one of the most barren and freezing places on earth (Minnesota). Have fun in Southern Cali dealing with all the jokes and insults about that one

Ouch, man! Haha, I knew you had orgasms about all things relating to Chicago, I just didn't realize you had so much animosity towards the East Coast... and the West Coast... and anywhere that isn't Chicago. :D

Me, I would go to Philly or DC over Chicago too, but that is mainly because I have been to Chicago countless times, but Philly only once and DC only twice.

^Actually I like the east coast as an urban region--it's just that the people here think they're the center of the earth and they always insult the midwest--it's one of the big things that really angers me about this place.

The west coast (esp. southern cali) annoys me in its arrogance though, and I always laugh when they consider themselves even remotely "equal" to the east coast--a lot of nerve for a bunch of sprawl (SF excluded). However, my fiance is from the Bay Area so I can't be too negative about it ;)

I also find it hilarious how you defend Minneapolis so religiously, as if it's not stuck in one of the most barren and freezing places on earth (Minnesota).

Sure looks barren and freezing to me:
http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/lrt/stations/Over62and55_900.jpg

I think you have Minneapolis confused with Iqaluit, Nunavut:
http://www.arcticcircle.ca/Baffin/Iqaluit/0904/ir2r1437_std.jpg

I don't know what kind of scene you're in to, but I don't know how you can call one of the most cosmopolitan and intl. cities in the us, dc, conservative as shit, not even at the polls, but culturally, the city is nothing but, especially compared to midwestern cities. Some think it's boring, which I don't, I find more and more about the city every week almost, and this boredom is just being accustomed to, just like nyc was to me after a year and a half in college there, but I think it's fine, esp. if you're black or gay.

And again, depending on what kind of social scene you're interested in, can very much change your idea of nightlife in dc. From going to college in the midwest and going to around it quite a bit, I see nothing except chi that's even close to the level of interest of the major cities on the east.

Talk about depressing, if Philly is, what do you think the rust belt towns that have had much better times than the ones they're facing right now, and I'm not bashing midwestern towns at all.

And the people are arrogant, yes, they are, but that shouldn't skew your ability to see things accurately. Being on these boards, it sure as hell seems like the midwest is arrogant esp. to the southern states.

Part of it is my pride for the east coast, but I find the revolt towards the midwest's inferiority complex towards the coasts a little overboard.

Sure looks barren and freezing to me:

^I appreciate the pics, but I think you misinterpreted my statement. Nobody is denying that Minneapolis is a vibrant city with a great skyline.

I think the midwest needs more cities like it. It also needs more people who will invest in its cities instead of running away to other places.

Oh, and I get the irony of me saying that. I plan to come back to the midwest--believe it or not, it wasn't my 1st choice to be out here in DC to begin with...

Maybe "legitimate" wasn't the right word. I personally wouldn't go somewhere for a huge mall or a huge arch or a huge ball of twine.

The Arch is not in the same category as a huge mall or a ball of twine. Not seeing it is your loss. But, I understand your argument regarding limited time. There are tons of places I would like to go and may never get to.

Oh, and I get the irony of me saying that. I plan to come back to the midwest--believe it or not, it wasn't my 1st choice to be out here in DC to begin with...

Urban Politician, you and I are in the same boat. DC is a great city, but I would return to the midwest tomorrow. I love midwestern cities and midwestern people. I don't agree that DC is boring or Philly is depressing.

I've been to seven of the eight cities that is posted in this thread. I've never been to Milwaukee yet. My ranking from most favorite to least favorite for the seven cities are:


1) Chicago
2) St. Louis
3) Cleveland
4) Cincinnati
5) Indianapolis
6) Detroit
7) Minneapolis-St. Paul

I just know, being a midwesterner myself, that you have this naive fascination with the coasts because you've barely been to them (and I guarantee that you're under 25), and it's so pathetic that you can't even see through your own boredom and appreciate the region that you're from. I used to hate the midwest growing up because I thought it was so lame, until I spent years living on the east coast (and dealing with people constantly insulting your home region) and I realized that the midwest isn't so bad, and that Chicago easily has any cities out here beat by a long shot except for NYC. Cities like Detroit and St Louis could also easily be on par with Philly and Boston if they weren't constantly loathed and abandoned by midwesterners (such as yourself) who are deluded that they'll find what they've been "missing all of their lives" on the coast. I've got news--it's not here. But whatever, just get out of the midwest so that you can stop insulting it, dude..

I also find it hilarious how you defend Minneapolis so religiously, as if it's not stuck in one of the most barren and freezing places on earth (Minnesota). Have fun in Southern Cali dealing with all the jokes and insults about that one

Well, your guarantees aren't worth shit because I just turned 29. You don't know me very well.

First of all, I've been to southern California at least 20 times. My Dad used to live in San Diego and I still have unlcles, aunts and cousins in SD and LA. I haven't had any trouble dealing with Minnesota "jokes and insults". I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with that on the east coast. UP: "They're picking on me, I want to go home" Lol. Maybe you need to grow thicker skin?

Second of all, I'll be the first one to bitch about the weather here in Minneapolis. It is easily the worst thing about the city IMO and the main reason why I'd consider moving.

As far as Minneapolis being in "barren and freezing" Minnesota---what state is the city that you defend religiously in? Yeah, Minneapolis is in Minnesota and Chicago is in Illinois. Big cities aside in each state and Minnesota shits all over Illinois.

Well, your guarantees aren't worth shit because I just turned 29. You don't know me very well.

First of all, I've been to southern California at least 20 times. My Dad used to live in San Diego and I still have unlcles, aunts and cousins in SD and LA. I haven't had any trouble dealing with Minnesota "jokes and insults". I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with that on the east coast. UP: "They're picking on me, I want to go home" Lol. Maybe you need to grow thicker skin?

Second of all, I'll be the first one to bitch about the weather here in Minneapolis. It is easily the worst thing about the city IMO and the main reason why I'd consider moving.

As far as Minneapolis being in "barren and freezing" Minnesota---what state is the city that you defend religiously in? Yeah, Minneapolis is in Minnesota and Chicago is in Illinois. Big cities aside in each state and Minnesota shits all over Illinois.


^Ahhh, so you've got all these family connections there. I figured your strange and insulting animosity towards the midwest that has pervaded this forum had to be from somewhere.

Well, I'm done with this crap--this conversation is getting nowhere. So lets just agree to drop it

Urban Politician, you and I are in the same boat. DC is a great city, but I would return to the midwest tomorrow. I love midwestern cities and midwestern people. I don't agree that DC is boring or Philly is depressing.

I may have exaggerated. I guess DC just frustrates me because of its size, but it definitely has a cool vibe. However, certain places can be snotty and conservative, like Georgetown. Also, I HATE its liquor laws and the fact that it has no late night clubs.

Philly also has some weird liquor laws. I call Philly depressing because I lived there in the late 90's and all I saw were dirty streets and a TON of beggars--the only thing being built were parking garages. Certainly this has changed, and I acknowledge that I need to go back there and take a look.

anti-cheesehead, to say that STL offers nothing more to visitors than the Arch is really dumb. You can't possibly believe that. It's like me saying that I have no interest in going to Minneapolis because I'm not into the whole Mall of America thing. What a small-minded comment.

Word.

Looks like Indy and Chicago are the most visited.

Looks like Indy and Chicago are the most visited.

Chicago, obvious. Indy...I bet because of being the "crossroads of america."

MSP is the only major midwestern city I haven't been to. I would like to go but I wish it wasn't so isolated from the rest of the midwest.

As far as Milwaukee is concerned, the main attaction for me there is the ballpark and it's close enough to make a weekend trip out of it. I had planned to do it this summer while I was in Chicago for a Cubs game, but we never got around to it.

you should go to one of the Brewers-Twins series next year. Probally our second biggest rivalry next to the Cubs.

Word.

Word? I never made the "small minded comment" that he said I did. That came out of thin air. Putting words into someone's mouth seems to be easy to do here.

you should go to one of the Brewers-Twins series next year. Probally our second biggest rivalry next to the Cubs.

I will, but I said that this year and it never happened.

Where is Kansas City? I guess KC is so hated by midwestern forumers that they leave it off of lists.

Twins, Cincinnatti, and Clevland.

Never been to Cleveland, but may have to go for work in the spring. I've never been to the twin cities and have no immediate or future plans to go there. I'm sure they are lovely, but they never really held that much interest for me, nor do I know anybody who lives there, so until one of those two things changes, I don't know when or if i'll ever get up there (I've never made it up to minnesota)

I've been to all the other cities on this list though.

Minneapolis:

I never been in this city, although ironically I visited South Saint Paul, a metropolitan area suburb of Minneapolis, outside of Saint Paul.

Cleveland:

I passed thru it on the outside, I didn't get to see it's skyline.


Other midwestern cities I never been to, that I would like to visit:

Madison (WI)
Akron (OH)
Kansas City (MO)
Ann Arbor (MI)
Davenport (IA)
Rochester (MN)
Cedar Rapids (IA)

never been to Milwaukee

Maybe Indy for a racing event, but I wouldn't spend the money to go to St. Louis to see the arch and "urban" neighborhoods. No offense to St. Louis, but I could think of many other cities I'd rather spend my vacation time and money on. I'm sure many feel the same way about the Twin Cities.

As far as Milwaukee is concerned, the main attaction for me there is the ballpark and it's close enough to make a weekend trip out of it. I had planned to do it this summer while I was in Chicago for a Cubs game, but we never got around to it.

A lot of Twins/Cubs/Cards fans come to see Miller Park. You should definitely make the trip next summer - it's a great stadium. I actually like seeing opposing fans enjoying our stadium.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/baseball/mlb/08/31/fvi/

I actually made a "weekend trip" to St. Louis this summer for the same reason - to see a baseball game. I had a lot of fun in St. Louis, and the arch is actually really cool.