4 Surprising Midwest Destinations Crowned Summer’s Top Vacation Spots


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Locals often claim “Midwest is best”, but is that really the case with so many vibrant beach towns to vacation along the West, East, and even the Gulf Coast?

Well, it’s true in the eyes of USA Today, whose avid readers awarded 4 Midwest destinations out of the top 10 overall in the U.S.

Turquoise waters of Mackinac Island

In fact, it wasn’t a proper beach town to come out on top — the Midwest rounded out the top 2 as well.

It turns out its not only fall when this sprawling region comes alive, nor do you have to sip an obligatory PSL while rockin’ a fuzzy flannel in every photo op.

Whether it’s crystalline lakes, under-hyped cities, or even storybook islands, the Midwest is proving summer isn’t tailor-made for Florida after all.

4) Branson, Missouri (Ozarks)

Can we get a “Yeehaw!”?

Branson is Nashville Jr. to some as you never know when country music star is taking stage. To others, it’s a grand gateway into some of the Midwest’s most astounding nature, including lakes and rolling green ridges.

Swimming hole in the Ozarks

If you were glued to Ozark like I was, then you know the Ozarks has more shoreline than California and it’s nowhere near the hillbilly-haven as portrayed on Netflix’s hit show.

It’s actually very family-friendly, laden with waterparks and soon-to-be fun-filled Osage Beach resort I’ve been keeping my eye on for years.

‘Til it opens, you have name-brands like Margaritaville anchoring gorgeous lakefront property or you can stay in the heart of the action in Branson.

3) Madison, Wisconsin

Madison has long been viewed Wisconsin’s most beautiful city, as well as one of America’s most underrated capitals.

Aerial view of Madison, WI

Also being a college town, summer is the perfect time to visit considering you won’t have to deal with any college sports crowds, though the must-visit Dane County Farmers’ Market does draw a lot of foot traffic.

If you’re a foodie, don’t tell your doctor you’re heading to Madison, a city known for its immaculate selection of beer and cheese, the former being a great way to cool down in the summer humidity.

And there are plenty of outdoor activities like various water sports and biking trails to burn off the calories.

Like the Ozarks, Madison is also a stunning lake destination, boasting five lakes overall as the cityscape is sandwiched between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona — truly one of the Midwest’s most aesthetically captivating cities.

Fiery skies over Madison, WI

No matter where you’re off to next, make sure to double check Travel Alerts and our Safety Index.

2) Indianapolis, Indiana

You might not believe it, but Indy may be America’s trendiest city, overall, not just in the Midwest.

With the Pacers making an NBA Finals run and the Indianapolis 500 more popular than ever, sports tourism has one of many reasons driving the city’s sudden rise.

Besides sports, festivals galore here. No matter if you’re into food, culture, or both, you’ll find your niche throughout the year.

For summer, locals and tourists are both stoked about the 21st IndyFringe Festival, set to throw a birthday party to level up what’s already one of the coolest events in town,

Riverwalk in Indianapolis at night

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Indianapolis, and I gotta say it’s one of the most walkable downtowns I’ve been to, and a scenic urban River Walk that doesn’t get enough hype.

But since my last visit, Mass Ave. has been revitalized, breathing new life into a city generally not known for being a vacation hotspot.

Oh, and if you want an absolute must-eat, you gotta have St. Elmo’s famous shrimp cocktail. It’s truly famous, not just a marketing gimmick.

1) Mackinac Island, Michigan

Sometimes all the latest gizmos and gadgets just don’t cut it — it’s nice to turn back the clock.

Horse taxi at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

That’s why Mackinac Island, a car-free oasis nestled along the shimmering waters of Lake Huron, has been crowned the #1 summer vacation spot in the country.

Think Victorian architecture, horse carriage rides instead of Ubers, world-famous fudge shops, and incredible hotels like The Inn at Stonecliff.

It doesn’t matter if you’re craving a low-key summer in a charming town or want your days packed with outdoor adventure.

Despite being relatively small, Mackinac packs a punch, especially if you venture outside the town center into such places as Mackinac Island State Park, which is open 24 hours to kickstart your day with a bike ride or cap off a fun day by stargazing the night sky.





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2026 has shaped up to be a big year for Milwaukee, and the company shows no signs of slowing down as it expands its product line. For example, it has announced that some solid new Milwaukee hand tools and organizers will be arriving throughout the summer, but that’s not all. At the end of the day, you need somewhere to put all of this stuff, and while the Milwaukee Packout storage system is deep and varied as is, the company will expand the line in the summer months.

More methods for organizing your tools are on the way, too, with the Milwaukee Packout line set to introduce some new entries this summer. They vary in size, purpose, and price point, but they’re all compatible with the wider Packout line. That means they can connect to each other, making transportation easier. In some cases, they’ll be able to help keep tools and other items secure and organized while on the move. Additionally, all of these new Packout products are covered by Milwaukee’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

So, what new products does Milwaukee have to offer from its Packout line this summer? Here are the drops you can look forward to throughout June and July 2026.

Milwaukee compact crate

Sometimes, a massive Packout crate isn’t a necessity, which is why the line has its share of smaller options. Yet another will be coming to the Milwaukee catalog in the form of the Milwaukee Packout compact crate, which is set for a June 2026 release and will cost $39.97. It has a 30-pound weight capacity, comes in at 8.75 inches tall, 9.5 inches wide, 15.5 inches long, and 3.75 pounds, and includes two removable dividers to create up to three sections within the crate. The dividers can also be customized by cutting them to size along the pre-made score lines.

This compact crate features a wide front opening for easy access to its contents while on the job, as well as a metal top handle to carry it around on its own. Should you want to add it to your current Packout stack, you can use the connection points at the top and bottom of the crate. Speaking of durability, Milwaukee notes that it has an impact-resistant body along with weep holes to prevent water collection. At the same time, there is some nuance regarding the waterproof nature of Milwaukee Packout products, so keep that in mind before letting this crate get soaked.

Milwaukee Packout low-profile crate

A shorter but equally mighty Milwaukee Packout container is also on its way to customers this summer. The Milwaukee Packout low-profile crate is the shortest of the new releases at just 6.625 inches tall, though it makes up for what it lacks in height with a 15-inch length and an 18.625-inch width. Even though it’s slightly heavier than the compact crate at 4.85 pounds, it wins out in weight capacity with a 50-pound limit. It will be released in June 2026 and will cost $44.97.

For added modularity, the low-profile crate includes three different divider types: eight short, two long, and one for the middle of the container. When combined, they form up to 12 individual sections for tool and accessory organization. In terms of connecting to other Packout containers, it can do so from the top and bottom. Alternatively, built-in side handles are integrated into the design to make it easier to carry the crate on its own. The crate has weep holes for water drainage and an impact-resistant body.

Milwaukee Packout XL crate

Moving on to one of the larger upcoming Milwaukee Packout releases — even if it ultimately lands somewhere in the middle of the smallest and largest Packout containers for sale — there’s the aptly-named Milwaukee Packout XL crate. This release will hit shelves in June 2026 and comes with a $69.97 price tag. The 8.03-pound crate can take on some serious tools with its 75-pound weight capacity. It measures 15 inches tall, 15.75 inches long, and 18.625 inches wide. Despite its size, it can be hung up on a wall like most other Packout containers.

While some may hang this crate in their workshop, many will use it as part of their mobile Packout stack. You can connect it to your existing setup via the top and bottom connection points. It can also be used with Milwaukee toolbox attachments to hold smaller tools and batteries with connection points on the sides. Alternatively, you can move the crate around using its built-in side handles. It’s advertised as having an impact-resistant body along with anti-water collection weep holes. Suffice to say, there’s more to this seemingly simple crate than initially meets the eye.

Milwaukee Packout Wire Pulling XL Crate

For the most part, the Milwaukee Packout line is so popular because of its versatility. While most entries can be used for just about anything, there are those that come with a specialized function. Case in point, the forthcoming Milwaukee Packout Wire Pulling XL crate, which is designed for dispensing wire. This involves inserting and locking in spools of the user’s needed material, threading the wire through the wire retention slots, and using the fold-down panel to keep the end of the wire from rolling back into the box.

Overall, this crate has the same dimensions and weight capacity as the previously covered Packout XL crate, though it is the heavier of the two at 9.85 pounds. It can accommodate up to six spools, can be stacked onto other Packout containers or hung up, and has an impact-resistant body. This is the most expensive of the new Packout releases at a hefty $119.97, and it’s set to release during July 2026. Alongside the best Milwaukee power tools for electrical work, this crate seems like a vital piece for any Milwaukee-enthusiast electrician’s kit.

New Milwaukee Packout inserts are coming, too

That’s it for the new Milwaukee Packout containers set to debut this summer, but there are more new releases yet to cover. To pair with some of these containers and improve their levels of organization and function, come two new insert sets. First is the divider for the Milwaukee Packout XL crate, which splits the container into two sections. It simply slides down the middle of the crate and fits snugly into place, while retaining its ability to connect with smaller Packout attachments. It will be released in July 2026 for $29.97.

Alongside the Packout XL crate divider is the set of Packout wire pulling inserts for the XL crate. You’ll need these if you end up buying an XL crate and later want to use it as a wire-pulling crate. These inserts allow you to convert it instead of having to buy a new designated wire pulling crate. They attach to two of the inner sides of the crate via T-25 screws and include wire puller guards as well. The Milwaukee product listing says these inserts are meant for 1/2-inch EMT conduit. This insert set also comes out in July and will cost $49.97. 





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