The Best Things to do this Winter in Each Midwestern State
The only guide that actually matters
Illinois
Gather all your friends, family, and anyone else you can find and host your own version of Santacon in the middle of Chicago. What is Santacon? The New York City tradition city of Santacon consists of a group of people dressing up as Santa Claus and getting blackout drunk in the middle of the city. Hundreds, if not thousands of people dress up as Kris Kringle every single year, and I think more cities should do it. Terrorize the boring people of your state’s biggest city. Show your Christmas cheer.
Indiana
Visit Santa Claus, Indiana of course. There’s a Santa statue, kids can write a letter and mail to Santa from a special post office that sends everything to the North Pole, an authentic Christmas dinner with Santa, and of course Santa’s Candy Castle. It’s fun for the whole family and is a surefire way to make a ton of valuable memories.
Iowa
?????
Kansas
Watch Kansas basketball and lament the good old days when Bill Snyder tried to hypnotize himself so would only have to sleep one hour instead of six. Don’t really know what else there is to do.
Michigan
Talk about beating Ohio State
Talk about Tom Izzo
Cry about Detroit sports
Minnesota
Gather all your friends, family, and anyone else you can find and host your own version of Santacon in the middle of the Twin Cities. What is Santacon? The New York City tradition city of Santacon consists of a group of people dressing up as Santa Claus and getting blackout drunk in the middle of the city. Hundreds, if not thousands of people dress up as Kris Kringle every single year, and I think more cities should do it. Terrorize the boring people of your state’s biggest city. Show your Christmas cheer.
Missouri
Nope, you’re the South. Not real.
Nebraska
Go out and find yourself a pet eagle. Bald eagle watching is apparently easier to do in the winter. Grab a net, a friendly and wondrous child to use as bait, and go hunting. The state of Nebraska recommends Lake Ogallala as a tried-and-true bald eagle hotspot, but any source of water should give you a decent shot at finding one. Plus, these water sources won’t be as populated as Lake Ogallala, making it less likely you’ll be caught.
North Dakota
You may celebrate North Dakota State winning the FCS Playoffs (results pending) and watch all four seasons of Fargo, even though it takes place in Minnesota.
Ohio
Living in the shadow of the greatest state in these here United States, you can complain about Michigan football making the College Football Playoff, complain about the cheapskate owners of the Cleveland Guardians, complain about the Cleveland Browns even though they’re still having one of their best seasons this millennia, and complain about other people not liking Skyline Chili. Really, you have more options than other states. Maybe complain about Ohio State Basketball too?
South Dakota
There’s a spot for every winter sport in South Dakota: snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, etc. With maybe the largest amount of public land that’s easy and simple to roam on this list, you can safely let your imagination run wild. Bundle up, be safe, and have a good attitude. That’s all you need to have a good time.
Wisconsin
Gather all your friends, family, and anyone else you can find and host your own version of Santacon in the middle of Milwaukee. What is Santacon? The New York City tradition city of Santacon consists of a group of people dressing up as Santa Claus and getting blackout drunk in the middle of the city. Hundreds, if not thousands of people dress up as Kris Kringle every single year, and I think more cities should do it. Terrorize the boring people of your state’s biggest city. Show your Christmas cheer.
Howdy! If you have like this, have problems with it, or just want to tell me I’m an idiot, leave a comment! You can also find me on Twitter @B1GOPE if you have any stronger feelings about it. Let me know how you plan on surviving!
If you want to get more newsletters like this, with a focus on Big Ten Football and the Midwest, please subscribe! It’s completely free! I also like to talk about Detroit sports and regional foods.
Last thing! Please share this with 1 person if you can. I would love to be able to build a community here, and I’d love to have you and your friends a part of it. Thanks!