Six midwest/Great Lakes towns/cities made the list:

Duluth Minnesota
Minneapolis/Saint Paul
Ely, Minnesota

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Iowa City, IA
Madison, WI
Decorah, IA

Six midwest/Great Lakes towns/cities made the list:

Duluth Minnesota
Minneapolis/Saint Paul
Ely, Minnesota

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Iowa City, IA
Madison, WI
Decorah, IA


I'm glad Asheville, NC won. That city is flat-out awesome. I won't be living in Milwaukee forever... and when I move, to Asheville I go.

I know it's surprising so many Midwestern towns made the list.

I know it's surprising so many Midwestern towns made the list.

I'm fairly surprised Madison made the list and I just don't know anything about Iowa so yeah.. can't speak for those cities. Duluth makes the most sense out of any of them and Ely is a close runner up. I think Duluth is better in this regard for two reasons - 1) size and 2) Lake Superior.

I'd imagine most people haven't even heard of Ely. After all, it's way the hell up north and it's not a very large town at all. And crap, if Ely can make it, why not every other dinky tourist town that rents kayaks?

I take the same vacations every year. I usually make it to Angel Fire, NM ... Carlsbad, NM ... Wilmington, NC ... Worshington, DC ... and Asheville, NC about once a year in a good year. The scenery around Asheville is amazing and the town itself is kinda neat, but I would never make it a serious vacation destination if it weren't on the way to Wilmington/Myrtle Beach (and I would fly except that the nearest airport that gets service from OKC is Charleston or Charlotte).

To sum up what could be a very long post and would probably offend some people, I will just say this: I would seriously challenge any ranking that says Asheville is the most wonderful town to live in. It's probably some of the best scenery in the country and I'm an outdoor type guy, so that's great. But if I go to the damn Biltbore once more I swear I'm gonna vomit and just about every town we discuss on this Midwestern board has a better scene than Asheville does. And there are entire sections of some Midwestern cities that would give Asheville a run for its money (in the literal sense).

I mean, think about it. Since most of you aren't familiar with the entire sections of OKC or Tulsa that the oil barons built in the 20s, I would draw your attention to some of the swankier parts of St. Paul, Evanston, north Indy, some swankier sections of Milwaukee and Cincinnati, and the list goes on. It's beyond me why places like Asheville and the Breakers get so much tourist traffic when these kinds of mansions on display are RIGHT in people's backyards where they're starving for visitors.

If I were to suggest some of the better outdoors cities in the Midwest, I would first of all CAN Ely, Twin Cities, and Iowa City. What about Branson, Okoboji, Flint Hills (KS), the Dells, MI's Upper Peninsula, and South Bend (on account of the Football Hall of Fame).

Anyway that's my rant for what's it worth.

whoops

I'm fairly surprised Madison made the list and I just don't know anything about Iowa so yeah.. can't speak for those cities. Duluth makes the most sense out of any of them and Ely is a close runner up. I think Duluth is better in this regard for two reasons - 1) size and 2) Lake Superior.

I'd imagine most people haven't even heard of Ely. After all, it's way the hell up north and it's not a very large town at all. And crap, if Ely can make it, why not every other dinky tourist town that rents kayaks?


I know Madison made Outside Magazine's top 20 list last year (2006) "Dream Towns"
so I was surprised as well. They did mention easy access to Devil's Lake
and the Mississippi River bluff country among the assets last year, as well as the "Portage and Paddle" competition and Fair trade coffee houses.

And Dane County Farmers' Market was "Named Best in Nation" by
EatingWell Magazine, August, 2007 issue. I think the West Allis Farmer's market is one of the best around.
And the Milwaukee Public Market though not as popular as Pike's Market in Seattle does not have a counterpart
in Madison or Chicago.

Duluth rocks so its easy to see how it made the list. There must not have been a population limit on this for Ely to make it. Ely is nice too though but I would much rather go to Grand Marais :)

SRG, I agree with you that other cities certainly have plenty to offer with regard to recreation, scenic beauty and architecture. That's the problem with lists like this... For however many cities or towns they honor with a distinction, they offend ten times more.

About Asheville though... It's an amazing place. The art scene is huge (I'm a photographer so that's big for me), the landscape is beautiful and challenging at the same time (I'm a mountain biker and backpacker), the night life is almost always fun, they've got great shops, restaurants, coffeeshops, etc... and they're all unique. None of that chain crap you find in most other places. Besides, you're only hours from insane mountain adventures, the ocean (that may be a stretch), and plenty of major cities. It's not too big, not too small either... all-in-all it's not for everyone but personally, I put it easily in my top five favorite cities.

And PS - Duluth is in the top five as well.

SRG, I agree with you that other cities certainly have plenty to offer with regard to recreation, scenic beauty and architecture. That's the problem with lists like this... For however many cities or towns they honor with a distinction, they offend ten times more.

About Asheville though... It's an amazing place. The art scene is huge (I'm a photographer so that's big for me), the landscape is beautiful and challenging at the same time (I'm a mountain biker and backpacker), the night life is almost always fun, they've got great shops, restaurants, coffeeshops, etc... and they're all unique. None of that chain crap you find in most other places. Besides, you're only hours from insane mountain adventures, the ocean (that may be a stretch), and plenty of major cities. It's not too big, not too small either... all-in-all it's not for everyone but personally, I put it easily in my top five favorite cities.

And PS - Duluth is in the top five as well.

But why would you ever want to leave Milwaukee? The city is in your name.

And crap, if Ely can make it, why not every other dinky tourist town that rents kayaks?

Well, Ely isn't just like every other dinky tourist town that rents kayaks, it's the gateway to the boundary waters.

Seems like a perfect fit for a list from Outside Magazine.

But why would you ever want to leave Milwaukee? The city is in your name.

I've lived here for a looong time and while Milwaukee certainly holds my heart, I feel as though I need to move on before it's too late. Don't be surprised to find me in Portland, OR or Asheville, NC at this time next year.

If I were to suggest some of the better outdoors cities in the Midwest, I would first of all CAN Ely, Twin Cities, and Iowa City. What about Branson, Okoboji, Flint Hills (KS), the Dells, MI's Upper Peninsula, and South Bend (on account of the Football Hall of Fame).

Anyway that's my rant for what's it worth.

Lol, why would you "CAN" Ely?

Like I said above, it's the main entry point for the Boundary Waters/Superior National Forest, Voyageurs National Park, and Quetico Parks in Canada coming from the south.

This isn't just any outdoorsy area, this is the BOUNDARY WATERS. One of the greatest wildernesses in the country, let alone the midwest. This is the REAL outdoors.

Did you know that about Ely? If you did, would you still "CAN" it and add Branson, MO or South Bend, IN to the list? :lol:

I'd actually be surprised if it wasn't on a list like that.

I've lived here for a looong time and while Milwaukee certainly holds my heart, I feel as though I need to move on before it's too late. Don't be surprised to find me in Portland, OR or Asheville, NC at this time next year.

People are life long residents of Paris France or London England
or Lake Geneva Switzerland. On the boards here everyone gushes about the growth of Milwaukee's downtown. What motivates you to leave Milwaukee?
Work? Milwaukee isn't as exciting as Portland, OR or Ashville, NC or
as pretty?

People are life long residents of Paris France or London England
or Lake Geneva Switzerland. On the boards here everyone gushes about the growth of Milwaukee's downtown. What motivates you to leave Milwaukee?
Work? Milwaukee isn't as exciting as Portland, OR or Ashville, NC or
as pretty?

I love Milwaukee more than most, that's for sure. Most of us here do though... why else would we spend so much time on this forum. For me though, it's not about wanting to leave Milwaukee... it's about wanting to experience something new, something different. I've felt it for a while now but recently I've gone through some fairly significant changes in my life here that aren't for the better. If I don't change it up now, I don't think I ever will.

I'm fairly surprised Madison made the list

c'mon, mark, you know it is a rule that when lists are made of "top cities" in any quality-of-life category, Madison makes the grade.:)

Lol, why would you "CAN" Ely?

Like I said above, it's the main entry point for the Boundary Waters/Superior National Forest, Voyageurs National Park, and Quetico Parks in Canada coming from the south.

This isn't just any outdoorsy area, this is the BOUNDARY WATERS. One of the greatest wildernesses in the country, let alone the midwest. This is the REAL outdoors.

Did you know that about Ely? If you did, would you still "CAN" it and add Branson, MO or South Bend, IN to the list? :lol:

I'd actually be surprised if it wasn't on a list like that.
Your point is well taken with me and I do agree with you. I think people need to read the title of the list and maybe then they might get it. This isn't a general list of over all best towns but best outdoors towns in America.

Lets see, between Ely and Branson; as you pointed out, Ely is the gateway to the Boundry Waters. You can spend all day outside doing a whole host of things that are considered outdoor sports and or sight see scenic beauty. In Branson you can hop from theater to theater and sit indoors and watch shows. If I had my choice of places to go if I wanted to spend my time enjoying the great outdoors I would pick Ely long before I pick Branson. The comparisons SRG listed in actuality aren't very good comparisons. Remember, the list is about best outdoor towns, not a general list of who's town is better than the other.

I think the list should've added Wisconsin Dells though, seriously.

I love Milwaukee more than most, that's for sure. Most of us here do though... why else would we spend so much time on this forum. For me though, it's not about wanting to leave Milwaukee... it's about wanting to experience something new, something different. I've felt it for a while now but recently I've gone through some fairly significant changes in my life here that aren't for the better. If I don't change it up now, I don't think I ever will.
All Milwaukeeans should be proud to have a fellow Milwaukeean like yourself. Go ahead and leave, if you don't you'll regret it for the rest of your life. I just hope that while you're away you'll be singing I left my heart in Milwaukee and will some day return. You have a great talent and I'm sure a very bright future in Photography. If that's not the direction you want to go, you should!

Your point is well taken with me and I do agree with you. I think people need to read the title of the list and maybe then they might get it. This isn't a general list of over all best towns but best outdoors towns in America.

Lets see, between Ely and Branson; as you pointed out, Ely is the gateway to the Boundry Waters. You can spend all day outside doing a whole host of things that are considered outdoor sports and or sight see scenic beauty. In Branson you can hop from theater to theater and sit indoors and watch shows. If I had my choice of places to go if I wanted to spend my time enjoying the great outdoors I would pick Ely long before I pick Branson. The comparisons SRG listed in actuality aren't very good comparisons. Remember, the list is about best outdoor towns, not a general list of who's town is better than the other.

I think the list should've added Wisconsin Dells though, seriously.

Well, I'm going to give SRG the benefit of the doubt and assume that he/she didn't know anything about Ely.

To suggest the Ely needs to be removed from a list of towns from outside magazine and replaced with Branson or South Bend is absolutely asinine, and that's a gross understatement. It doesn't have anything to do with "opinion" or subjectivity. I've actually been to both Ely and South Bend and there isn't anything remotely outdoorsy about South Bend compared to Ely.

Ely is the epitome of an outdoors town in the midwest. It is well known by those who are truly into the outdoors and appreciate pristine wilderness.

Okay fine, maybe Ely is a step above "dinky tourist town that rents kayaks". A few steps at that. I thought about it since my last post about Ely and I you're right anti, Ely is the epitome of a Midwest outdoors town.

Say, isn't that where the wolf reservation is? I remember checking that out a couple years ago on my way to the boundary waters.

Okay fine, maybe Ely is a step above "dinky tourist town that rents kayaks". A few steps at that. I thought about it since my last post about Ely and I you're right anti, Ely is the epitome of a Midwest outdoors town.

Say, isn't that where the wolf reservation is? I remember checking that out a couple years ago on my way to the boundary waters.

Yeah, the International Wolf Center is in Ely. I've never been there, but I really want to go because I like wolves. Did you like it?

http://www.wolf.org/wolves/index.asp

Yeah, the International Wolf Center is in Ely. I've never been there, but I really want to go because I like wolves. Did you like it?

http://www.wolf.org/wolves/index.asp

I remember it being very nice but quite small. Not a big deal though... I'm sure they use most of their land for the wolves, not visitors. I'd definitely recommend going to anyone who's up that way ... especially if you like wolves.

And sorry if this is slightly off topic but there's a black bear conservation area around there too... I can't remember where but it's basically the remnants of someone's terrible mistake. The story goes:

There was this huge warehouse where loggers stored their gear and what not. One day a bear came to snoop around and to keep it away from the shed, the owner threw some food out in the woods. A couple weeks later, more bears came and broke into the warehouse/shed looking for food. The owner kept feeding them to keep them out of the building...

More and more bears came and the guy ended up just using the place for the bears. He fed them every day and after a while, hundreds of bears came from all over the place to get food. One day, the guy died and the bears started to starve... After all, that's where they had learned to come for food the last sixty years or so.

So anyway, some locals took over the cause and they continue to feed the bears. It's a crazy place because you can walk around only feet from the bears. Last time I was there I counted 26 of them.

All Milwaukeeans should be proud to have a fellow Milwaukeean like yourself. Go ahead and leave, if you don't you'll regret it for the rest of your life. I just hope that while you're away you'll be singing I left my heart in Milwaukee and will some day return. You have a great talent and I'm sure a very bright future in Photography. If that's not the direction you want to go, you should!

and truth be known, it isn't just milwaukeeans who feel good about milwaukee. you guys know you have plenty support for Milwaukee among your neighbors. So many of your neighbors to the south in Chicago think Milwaukee is a terrific city...and only idiots from other places who have never been to Milw would want to see you defensive about it.

Point is, we have a pretty good thing going for us in the double metro areas along the southwest shores of Lake Michigan.

IMO I would have chosen Albert Lea, I've driven through a few times, looked pretty cool and lakey!

IMO I would have chosen Albert Lea, I've driven through a few times, looked pretty cool and lakey!

Haha, I've never heard the term "lakey" before.

IMO I would have chosen Albert Lea, I've driven through a few times, looked pretty cool and lakey!

Ahhh…that lake your driving over on I-35 is a dead lake due to past pollution from factories.

Do you want to change your answer?

IMO I would have chosen Albert Lea, I've driven through a few times, looked pretty cool and lakey!

Southern Minnesota isn't really that "lakey" and the lakes down there aren't representetive of the best Minnesota has to offer.

South and Southwestern Minnesota is my least favorite part of the state. It has fertile farm land, but that's about it. The terrain is completely different than northern Minnesota. It's an entirely different biome from northern Minnesota, prairie as opposed to northern conifereous forest.

Farms aren't good for lakes, all kinds of crap runs off and ends up in the lake. Lakes in the middle of the forest are a lot better IMO.

...Lakes in the middle of the forest are a lot better IMO.

And IMHO as well!

I was once on an extended Boundary Waters excursion in the 1980's. You got your drinking water from the middle of the lake, period.