6 Midwest Culinary Road Trips for Fall – Where to Eat and Stay from Michigan to Iowa

The crisp autumn air signals that it’s time to hit the road and indulge in the hearty, comforting flavors that the Midwest is known for. As a food and travel writer with over 7 years of experience road tripping through the region, I’ve discovered the top culinary destinations and dining gems scattered throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa. Read below about “6 Midwest Culinary Road Trips for Fall – Where to Eat and Stay from Michigan to Iowa”.

Grab your flannel shirt, load up the car with friends or family, and get ready to dive into fall foodie road trip bliss. Here are six routes packed with cozy inns, farm-to-table restaurants, u-pick orchards, farmers markets, craft breweries, bakeries, cheese shops and more.

6 Midwest Culinary Road Trips for Fall

Traverse City, Michigan Loop

Traverse City is the perfect base for an early fall culinary trip. Start your day with a fresh pastry and coffee at The Omelette Shoppe. Their giant cinnamon rolls and turnover pastries are worth the drive.

Next, head to Left Foot Charley, an urban winery specializing in Pinot Noir. The rustic tasting room occupies a former fruit packing warehouse. Sample award-winning wines and stroll through the backyard vineyards.

For lunch, visit Amical near the shore of West Grand Traverse Bay. I dined on an unforgettable mushroom pizza with leeks, Parmesan and truffle oil. Everything is prepared from scratch using regional ingredients.

Check into the Hotel Indigo, a boutique property with a rooftop terrace overlooking the bay. Then explore the lively Front Street district. My favorite stops were Kilwins for fudge and ice cream and the Spice and Tea Exchange, where you can sample over 140 spices.

End the day with dinner at Sleder’s Family Tavern, Traverse City’s oldest restaurant. Their famous chicken booyah soup is the perfect autumn meal. It’s packed with chicken, veggies and rice in a hearty broth.

Door County, Wisconsin Loop

Door County draws crowds in the summer, but fall is an ideal time to visit when the colors are vibrant and crowds are thinner. Plus, orchards are in full swing.

Begin your road trip in Sturgeon Bay at Kick Ash Coffee for nitro cold brews and breakfast sandwiches served on fresh-baked bread. Next, head north on County Road 42 making stops at farm stands and orchards.

I recommend:

• Seaquist Orchards for apple and pumpkin picking
• Lautenbach’s Orchard Country for fresh apple cider donuts
• Wood Orchard for homemade pies like apple crumb and cherry

In Fish Creek, fuel up on a smoked fish sandwich at Pelletier’s, a neighborhood market since 1962. The whitefish is caught fresh from Lake Michigan and served on marble rye.

Spend the afternoon in Ephraim wandering through galleries and shops. Meals shouldn’t be rushed, so relax over dinner at Wilson’s. Their cozy pub features nightly fish specials like whitefish piccata and pan-seared trout. I stayed at the lively Eagle Harbor Inn with comfortable rooms and a great happy hour.

Milwaukee & Madison, Wisconsin Loop

This road trip loops from Milwaukee to Madison with lots of tempting stops in between. Milwaukee dazzles with urban culinary gems, while Madison delights with its funky and eclectic food scene.

In Milwaukee, take a tour and tasting at Lakefront Brewery, home of the iconic Riverwest Stein. Have lunch at the Milwaukee Public Market to sample local meats, cheeses, breads and pastries from vendors.

Next, head to New Glarus to visit the New Glarus Brewing Company, famous for Spotted Cow beer. Spend the night in picturesque Monroe at The Inns of Switzerland, a Swiss-inspired village with charming cottages.

Make your way to Madison the next day. Browse the Capitol Square Farmers’ Market and stop at Gotham Bagels for a smoked salmon bagel stacked high with fixings.

For dinner, I recommend Tempest Oyster Bar, known for perfect oyster pairings and seafood towers. Then check into The Edgewater on Lake Mendota and watch the sunset over the water before turning in.

Central Illinois Farm Tour

Get a taste of rural life as you wind through central Illinois farmland. This route connects Havana, Bloomington and Springfield with stops at roadside farm stands, u-pick orchards and family-owned restaurants along the way.

Start your trip in Havana at White Pines Ranch, where you can pick your own pumpkins and apples. Next, drive to Bloomington for lunch at Destihl Brewery and sampling of their award-winning beers like the vanilla bean stout.

Afterwards, stretch your legs at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, a goat dairy and shop. Sample their handmade cheeses and walk the trails.

Before checking into your Springfield hotel, stop for dinner at Custom Cup Coffee Shop. The cozy eatery uses local ingredients in comfort foods like pot roast and chicken & dumplings.

The next morning, don’t miss the Old Capitol Farmers Market in downtown Springfield. It’s one of the best markets in central Illinois with meats, cheeses, baked goods and produce.

Indiana Amish Country

Take a peaceful drive through Indiana’s Amish farmlands for a glimpse of a traditional way of life. This area boasts excellent comfort food, homemade jams and baked goods, farm-fresh produce and more.

Begin your journey in Middlebury, located in Indiana’s Amish Country. Have breakfast at the quaint Das Dutchman Essenhaus. Their family-style spreads include scrapple, creamed eggs, pancakes and cinnamon rolls.

Next, spend some time browsing the shops of downtown Middlebury like Dutch Country Market, a bulk foods store, and Krider World’s Fair Garden, featuring jams, salsas and more.

Stop at Rise ‘n Roll Bakery in Shipshewana for enormous cinnamon rolls and other Amish baked treats. While you’re there, peruse the flea market shops.

For dinner, don’t miss the famous broasted chicken and homemade pies like shoofly and sugar cream at the Blue Gate Restaurant in Shipshewana. Spend the night at Farmstead Inn, a lovely Amish-run B&B.

Ohio’s Butler County Donut Trail

No road trip is complete without a themed trail. Donut lovers, this one’s for you. Located just north of Cincinnati, Ohio’s Butler County Donut Trail features 11 mom-and-pop donut shops.

I began my tour at Kelly’s Bakery in picturesque Middletown. Their classic glazed and chocolate iced donuts hit the spot. In Monroe, Stan the Donut Man has been serving apple fritters, blueberry cake and maple bacon long johns since 1968.

My next stops were Milton’s Donuts in West Chester for red velvet and cream-filled delights and Martin’s Donuts in Hamilton for old fashioned cake donuts.

Don’t miss Holtman’s in Middletown, widely regarded as the best donuts in Ohio. I personally loved their maple bacon version. End your tour on a sugar high at Jupiter Coffee & Donuts in Fairfield with apple cider and pumpkin spice donuts.

Iowa Amish Country

Iowa’s Amish communities offer a peaceful country escape complete with homemade foods, vintage shops and slow-paced farm life.

Begin your visit in Kalona, the heart of Amish Country. My first stop was the Kalona General Store, featuring bulk foods, fresh baked goods and cheeses from local Amish farms.

Next, I took a horse-drawn buggy tour from Miller’s Homestead to learn about Amish history and traditions from an Amish guide.

When hunger strikes, head to Yotty’s for traditional Amish cooking, including pot pie, fried chicken and homemade pies. I spent the night at Country Inn & Suites, a nice hotel with an indoor pool and hot tub.

Before leaving town, shop for quilts and crafts at the Kalona Quilt Museum. Then make your way to Madison County, stopping at farm stands and shops along the way.

Don’t miss Winter’s Orchard just outside Des Moines for apple picking and cinnamon donuts. Then reward yourself with an Amish dinner at The Amish Haus restaurant in Mitchellville. Everything is made from scratch, from breads to pies.

Conclusion

Hitting the open road is one of the best ways to experience Midwestern hospitality and flavors. Follow these culinary trails to indulge in hearty comfort foods, sip craft beverages at local breweries, pick fresh produce at orchards and farms, and stay at charming inns and B&Bs along the way. From Michigan cherry pie to Iowa apple fritters, a bounty of tasty treats awaits this fall. I hope you like reading “6 Midwest Culinary Road Trips for Fall – Where to Eat and Stay from Michigan to Iowa”.