Welcome And Road Trip Setup

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Welcome to the See Michaelson Travel Podcast, a Zmax Radio production presented by Collage Travel Media Network. This is your space for inspiration, confidence in travel, and a little bit of luxury and adventure. So whether you're traveling across the world, rediscovering America, or simply dreaming about your next escape, we hope we can help guide you. Now, here's See

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You know, there is something wonderful about discovering America from the road. Not just the famous places, not just the destinations we've seen in all the photographs, but the places that make you stop and say, "Hey, I never knew this was here." This is Z. Michaelson, and welcome back to my episodes on Rediscovering America that we are doing during the summer of 2026. So far, where have we been? We've been to the national parks in California, North Carolina, Alaska, Hawaii. We did New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. We visited Oregon and Washington, Tennessee, and Georgia. We even did Utah and Colorado. However, today we are heading into the heart of America, the Midwest. And when you hear the word Midwest, you might picture some farms, small towns, big cities, and endless highways. I know. I've been on a lot of endless highways in the Midwest. But the Midwest is also home to some extraordinary national destinations. The National Park Services Midwest region stretches across, get this, 13 states, and includes a remarkable variety of landscapes, historic places, and national treasures. However, we're not gonna visit all 13 states today. Today we're gonna focus on Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. Only four states. That's right, only four, 'cause we got a lot to talk about with these four, and they're gonna be very different national park experiences. We're going to walk through Lake Michigan, or should I say walk along Lake Michigan. Can't walk through it. We're going to imagine ourselves surrounded by the wilderness of Lake Superior. We'll travel through one of Ohio's most beautiful valleys, and we'll finish our journey standing beneath one of America's most recognizable landmarks, the Gateway Arch. And yes, I have spoken about the Gateway Arch. As a matter of fact, you may have heard myself and Jay Lawrence talk about the Gateway Arch when we were doing Route 66. So get comfortable, picture yourself behind the wheel, and let's go Okay, stop one.

Indiana Dunes Beaches And Trails

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Ah, where should we go on our first stop? I say Indiana. Indiana Dunes National Park. This is our first stop, and this is one of those destinations that can completely change your perception of the state Because along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, you'll find Indiana Dunes National Park. Think about that for a minute. A national park in Indiana with beaches, sand dunes, wetlands, prairies, forests, and Lake Michigan stretching toward the horizon Indiana Dunes protects more than 16,000 acres and includes approximately 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The park has more than 50 miles of trails running through the dunes, the woodlands, the prairies, and the wetlands. And that makes Indiana Dunes a wonderful destination for travelers who want variety. You don't have to be an extreme hiker. You don't have to spend a week in the wilderness. You can visit for a few hours, or a half a day, or spend several days exploring the region. That's one of the things you gotta love about national parks. They don't all have to be the same. Indiana Dunes is about discovering a landscape created by wind and water. Where else have we heard that? The dunes themselves are fascinating. Over thousands of years, Lake Michigan and the winds along its shoreline helped shape this environment. And when you stand on one of those dunes and you look across the lake, you may find yourself forgetting that you're in the Midwest. It feels like a real coastal destination, and that's exactly why Indiana Dunes belongs on your travel list. The beach experience. Well, if you like beaches, imagine starting your morning with a walk along Lake Michigan. The air is cool. The water is moving. The sand is beneath your feet, and there is something incredibly peaceful about watching the waves of one of the Great Lakes. You could spend the morning on the beach and then head inland and explore a trail. The park has 15 distinct trail systems, giving visitors many different ways to experience the landscapes. And if you're traveling with family, this can be a great destination because everyone doesn't have to want the same thing. That's always really good. When you have a whole bunch traveling together, some people can do this, some people can do that. Like one person can go and enjoy the beach. Somebody else can do a little bit of a hike, and maybe another traveler might enjoy bird watching or photography. And someone else may simply want to sit and take the scenery in However, when should you visit? 'Cause, yeah, it can get a little nippy over there. Indiana Dunes changes dramatically throughout the year. Summer is perfect for combining hiking and beach time. Fall brings the changing foliage, and spring brings new growth and migrating birds. And winter offers a completely different, quieter landscape. Of course, always check current park conditions and weather before heading out. And remember, Lake Michigan may look peaceful, but water conditions can change quickly. The National Park Service recommends visitors prepare for conditions and pay attention to safety information, particularly around the beaches and water. Okay, how do you get there? Indiana Dunes is particularly accessible for a Midwest road trip. The park can be reached using major highways, including Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road, US Highway 12 N20, and Indiana State Road 49. And that accessibility is part of the appeal. You can make Indiana Dunes a destination, or you can make it stop on a large Midwest adventure. And here's my travel tip to you: don't rush it. How many times have you heard me say, "Don't rush these trips"? If you have only an hour, you can enjoy the shoreline, but if you have a full day, give yourself time to experience the dunes, the trails, the beaches, and the wetlands because Indiana Dunes just isn't just one attraction. It's an ecosystem. It's a landscape. It's a Great Lakes experience. And it's a reminder that some of America's most surprising destinations are hiding right there in plain sight. Now, I have been through Indiana, but I have not been to the Dunes. I guess I'm gonna have to put that on my bucket list So now we're gonna leave Indiana and we're gonna go to Michigan Okay, what's in Michigan?

Isle Royale Lake Superior Wilderness

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Isle Royale National Park. That's north. Way north. Okay, so that's of course in Michigan. And we're gonna go to one of the most remote national parks in the entire Midwest. Now, you heard me say that, most remote national park, Isle Royale National Park. Now, if Indiana Dunes is accessible and easy to add to a road trip, Isle Royale is completely different. This is an adventure. So for those that like adventures, think this. It's located in Lake Superior. That's right, I said in Lake Superior. And the island's isolation is a huge part of what makes it special. So when you visit Isle Royale, you're not simply checking off another national park. You're stepping into a wilderness experience. Okay, so it's a wilderness experience, so if you're into the wilderness, this might be your place. Imagine forests, rocky shorelines, quiet trails, Lake Superior, and wildlife, and a feeling that you've left the everyday world behind you. This is quite the getaway. The National Park Service identifies Isle Royale as one of Michigan's national park sites, along with places such as Keweenaw National Historic Park, and Pictured Rocks, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores. But why is Isle Royale so different? One of the most important things to understand about Isle Royale is that getting there is part of the adventure. This isn't the kind of national park where you simply pull into a parking lot and start exploring. You will need a plan. Visitors typically reach the island by ferry, seaplane, or private boat. That means your trip requires some more advanced preparation. When it comes to more advanced preparation, talk to your travel advisor. They can help. And that's actually part of the charm. The journey separates you from the ordinary. As the mainland disappears behind you and Lake Superior is surrounding you, you begin to understand that you're going somewhere different. For instance, the wilderness. Isle Royale is known for hiking, paddling, camping, boating, and wildlife. And for travelers who enjoy getting away from crowds, this can be extraordinary. Imagine walking a trail and hearing nothing but the wind through the trees. Or imagine sitting beside Lake Superior and watching the sunlight change across the water. That's the kind of experience that makes a national park trip memorable. Now, what about the wildlife? If you're into wildlife, well, there's wildlife there Isle Royale is particularly famous for moose and wolves. The relationship between predator and prey on the island has been studied for decades and has become an important part of the ecological research. But remember something important. Seeing wildlife is never guaranteed, and that's part of the experience. You're visiting their home, not the other way around. Also, keep your distance from the wildlife. Don't feed them and stay away from them. I always recommend getting a pair of binoculars. This way it'll feel like you're up close, but you are in safe distance. And always, always, always follow the park regulations Okay, who should visit? Well, I recommend Isle Royale for travelers who love adventure. So if you like hiking, photography, camping, kayaking, or simply escaping the noise of everyday life, put this one on your list. But if you're looking for an easy weekend getaway with minimal planning, this might not be the best choice for you. This park is where planning matters. Transportation schedules matter. Weather matters, and conditions can change. So check the official park information before traveling. Here's a travel tip: build flexibility into your schedule. So when you're traveling to a remote destination, don't plan your entire trip around one tight connection. Give yourself breathing room And bring layers. Lake Superior can create changing conditions. Isle Royale isn't about rushing. It's about slowing down. It's about allowing the wilderness to become the itinerary, and that may be exactly what many of you travelers might want. Sometimes people just wanna get away and relax. This is one way to do it. You can get away and relax, but again, you have to have some planning Wow. I haven't been there. Sounds interesting. However, as people know me from other podcasts, I'm not a camper. So this might be some place that I stop to see, maybe do a little bit of a hike, but I'm not going to be camping. All right, let's move on to Ohio.

Cuyahoga Valley Waterfalls And Comeback

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Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Okay. Cuyahoga Valley National Park We're going from the wilderness of Michigan, and we're heading south now to Ohio. And our next stop proves another point about America's national parks. Sometimes you don't have to travel hundreds of miles from civilization to find a spectacular piece of nature. Welcome to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It's located between Cleveland and Akron It is a wonderful example of a national park woven right into a larger community. Here you're gonna have forests, waterfalls, rivers, trails, and historic landscapes all coming together. The National Park Service lists Cuyahoga Valley as Ohio's national park alongside a number of other nationally significant historic and cultural sites, such as the Cuyahoga River. It is central to this landscape, and this isn't simply a story about scenery. Nope, mm-mm. It's also a story about environmental recovery. The river became a symbol of America's environmental movement after highly publicized pollution and fires helped draw attention to the condition of America's waterways. Today, the valley represents something very different. It's a place where nature, recreation, and conservation all comes together, and that's one of the most important stories our national parks can tell. They aren't just about what America looked like. They're also about what America can become So one of the major highlights here in this park, and many visitors love it, the waterfalls. Brandywine Falls is the most recognizable. So here you go. Picture this: a wooden walkway, trees surrounding you, the sound of rushing water, and the waterfall appears. It's one of the moments you realize you don't have to travel to Yellowstone or Yosemite to experience a beautiful waterfall. That's right. Right here, right in the Midwest. Extraordinary. Are you into hiking? Well, Cuyahoga Valley is also a great hiking destination. They do have trails for different ability levels, making it easier for travelers to create a day that fits their interest. You might spend the morning hiking, mm, maybe have lunch nearby, then explore another section of the park in the afternoon. And here's something we recommend: don't try to see everything. How many times have you heard me say that? I'm becoming repetitive. Choose a few experiences. Slow down. Enjoy them. Take some pictures. Listen to what's around you. Look around. This is how the memories are created when you go to our national parks, when you take a trip Now, another special way to experience the valley is by train. That's right, you heard me right, train. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates through the region, giving visitors another perspective on the landscape. So for travelers who prefer not to spend an entire day hiking, a scenic rail experience can be perfectly complementary to a national park experience. And that brings me to one of my favorite things about Cuyahoga Valley: it works for different generations. That's right. Remember I said they had different levels on the hiking, and then you have the train. So you could have grandparents, parents, childrens, couples, solo travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, history lovers. You can build a trip around whatever you enjoy So how do you get there? Well, because Cuyahoga Valley sits between Cleveland and Akron, it's relatively easy to combine with a broader Ohio trip. That means you could fly into Cleveland, you can rent a car, you could Explore the national park, and then continue your Ohio adventure. Or you can make it part of a larger Great Lakes road trip. And that's another lesson from today's journey. National parks don't always have to be the entire vacation. Sometimes they're the centerpiece of a larger itinerary. So what's my travel tip for Cuyahoga Valley? Wear comfortable shoes, and give yourself more time than you think you'll need You may arrive planning to take a short hike, and suddenly you find yourself wanting to explore another trail. You know I always say when you're doing these hikes, you must be hydrated. Make sure you have your water with you. You can stop at a waterfall, take some photographs, or simply sit beside the river. Very relaxing, don't you think? And that's what happens when you rediscover America. The itinerary changes, and sometimes that can be the best part of the trip. Learn to go with the flow, just like with the river Now, this is my fourth one that we're gonna hit today.

Gateway Arch And The Westward Story

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We're gonna talk about Missouri, Gateway Arch National Park. It's our final stop today, and this time we're gonna leave the forests and the lakes and heading into the city. You know I'm a city girl. We're heading into St. Louis. And here we are gonna go to one of the most recognizable landscapes in America. You've heard me mention this many, many times over, the Gateway Arch. I've seen it. I've been there But here's something really interesting. It's officially a national park. The National Park Service lists the Gateway Arch National Park among Missouri's national park sites, and this park is very different from the others we visited today. Indiana Dunes is about dunes and Lake Michigan. Isle Royale is about wilderness. Cuyahoga Valley is forests, waterfalls, and environmental history. Gateway Arch is about the story of America moving west, and you've heard me talk about it many times over. You t- heard me talk with Jay Lawrence on Route 66. But the Gateway Arch really brings that feeling forward. Standing beneath the Gateway Arch is a true experience. It's enormous, it's elegant, and it dominates the St. Louis skyline The arch reaches 630 feet above the ground and represents the historic role of St. Louis as the gateway to the American West But the real story isn't just the structure. It's the people. It's the explorers. It's the settlers, the entrepreneurs, the indigenous peoples whose lands were profoundly affected by the westward expansion. It's the immigrants. It's the community, and the complicated history of how the United States expanded. That's what makes the Gateway Arch National Park much more than a photo op. It's a place to think about America's past Now there's the Mississippi River right there standing near the riverfront and imagine the importance of the waterway before highways, before airplanes, before modern transportation. The rivers connected the communities and moved people and goods. The Mississippi became one of the most important transportation corridors in the country. And St. Louis grew because of its location. That's right, because of the location. Now there is a museum. So when you get to visit the Gateway Arch National Park, make time for the museum. I love to go to museums. I like to go and explore in the museum and see what's there and see the history behind things. It's exciting. This is important because the park is not just about looking at the arch. It's about understanding the history behind it. The museum can help put the westward expansion story into context. And that's something I encourage you to do whenever you visit a national park. Go beyond the photograph. Ask the questions. Learn the stories. Talk to the park rangers. Visit the museums. Read the exhibits. Because when you understand the history, the landscape becomes more meaningful and more alive. And of course, don't forget that you're in St. Louis. This is a destination in its own right. You can combine the national park with the city's restaurants, neighborhoods, museums, music, sports, cultural attractions. So the Gateway Arch National Park is a perfect example of a national park that can anchor an urban getaway. You don't have to choose between city travel and national park travel. You can do both. It's St. Louis Okay, what's my travel tip? Let me think. Give yourself at least a full day to experience the park and the surrounding areas. Don't just drive into St. Louis, take a picture of the Arch, and leave. That's too fast. You want to walk the grounds. You want to explore the museums. You want to spend time along the riverfront. You want to learn the history and then enjoy the city. Because the best travel experiences aren't always about how many places you can see. They're about how much you can experience And like I said, if you're traveling with small children and they're learning history, what a way to bring that history to life. I know history was one of my worst subjects in school until I started exploring, then all of a sudden I loved it Well, that was our Midwest road trip.

How To Combine All Four Stops

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Now let's put these four destinations together. Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri. Could you visit all four in one trip? Absolutely. Would I recommend trying to do it in a single weekend? Oh, boy, definitely not. Instead, think about creating a series of Midwest adventures. You could begin in Indiana with the Indiana Dunes, then travel north to Michigan. If you're looking for major wilderness experience, plan a separate trip to Isle Royale. Then explore Ohio and the Cuyahoga Valley and finish with city and history gateway of St. Louis. Or you can reverse the journey. You can start in Missouri, move east towards Ohio, continue north into Michigan, and then finish along Lake Michigan in Indiana The road is wide open. Just remember, you have to make plans. The National Park Service provides Midwest trip planning resources, and they organize it by state, activities, and destination, which can be useful when building a multi-stop itinerary. The important thing is to recognize that the Midwest isn't simply a place you drive through. It's a place you can explore. So before we close today's Rediscovering America adventure, here are five travel tips for exploring the Midwest National Parks.

Five Midwest National Park Travel Tips

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Tip one: check the conditions before you go. Weather can change quickly, particularly around the Great Lakes. Check current conditions, alerts, road closures, and seasonal information before leaving. The National Park Service recommends planning ahead and preparing for conditions that could affect your visit. Tip two: don't underestimate distances. The Midwest looks familiar on a map, but it's big. Give yourself some time, build in rest stops, and don't make every day a race to the next destination Travel tip number three: plan around your travel style. You don't have to hike 10 miles to enjoy a national park. Maybe your perfect day includes a one-mile hike. Maybe it's photography, or perhaps bird watching, or something I love, a scenic train. Or maybe it's just sitting beside the lake. There's no wrong way to experience a national park as long as you're respecting the environment and following park rules. Tip number four: travel in the shoulder seasons. What does that mean? Spring and fall can be wonderful times to explore the Midwest. You may experience changing landscapes, fewer crowds, but beautiful photography opportunities. But always check seasonal operating schedules before traveling. And tip five. I've said this a million times: talk to the rangers. This is one of my favorite travel tips anywhere. Ask a ranger, "If you only had one day here, what would you do?" You'll often get an answer you won't find in a generic travel guide. The travel rangers can always help. They give you tips. I remember I used to go fishing. And the ranger told me exactly where to go and what to watch out for and be careful of. And he told me where to get the best fish too. All righty, so four states, four national experiences. Indiana

Final Thoughts And Sign Off

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gave us Lake Michigan and the extraordinary landscape of the Indiana Dunes. Michigan took us to the wilderness of Isle Royale. Ohio showed us the natural beauty of the history of the Cuyahoga Park. And Missouri brought us to the Gateway Arch and the story of America's westward expansion. But there's a bigger story here. The Midwest reminds us that you don't have to travel to the other side of the country to rediscover America. Adventure can be closer than you think. Sometimes it's a beach beside a great lake. Sometimes it's a trail through the forest. Sometimes it's just a waterfall, and sometimes it's standing beneath a monument that tells the story of a nation. And sometimes it's simply getting in the car, turning off the highway, and taking the scenic route. That's what rediscovering America is all about:. finding the places that remind us how extraordinary this country really is. I'm Z. Michaelson. Thank you for traveling with me today. So until our next adventure, keep exploring, keep discovering, and remember, America is waiting to be discovered. And like I always say, reach for those stars, and if you only get to the moon, at least you made the trip. Thank you for listening to me. This is Z. Michaelson, and I'll see you on the road