In this issue

YES, TOP CHEF TV’s biggest cooking competition returns to the Midwest for Season 21—with new host Kristen Kish.

I SET OUT TO WALK 210 MILES AROUND CHICAGO Few people know about the Outerbelt, a trail route around the metro. Our writer hiked and biked the whole thing.

SPRING AWAKENING

Brown County: You might know the southern Indiana region for its namesake state park or shop-packed main street in tiny Nashville. Or maybe you know it as the muse of Impressionist painter T.C. Steele. But do you know the people who call it home? Those producing sweet mash whiskey, farming sustainably or running an artsy inn that stands out among chockablock cabins? Meet three entrepreneurs and the creative pursuits they're bringing to this popular area.

4 mins

Pats of gold

The first thing to know about Royal Guernsey The first Creamery butter is that the sticks are round.

1 min

FEEL the RHYTHM

WITH HER HEART KEEPING TIME, INTERIOR DESIGNER CANDACE GRIFFIN CRAFTED A WARM, PERSONAL HOME THAT'S PERFECTLY ON BEAT WITH HER FAMILY.

3 mins

Not about to join the 210-mile club?

HERE ARE A FEW FUN WALKS I’?D RECOMMEND ALONG THE OUTERBELT.

3 mins

I set out to walk 210 miles around Chicago Here's how it went.

I STEP INTO THE WOODS, take a big breath in, let out a heavy sigh, and feel tensions drain.

2 mins

IRIS OF MY EYE

ONCE SPRING HAS SETTLED IN TO STAY, BEARDED IRISES STAND UP TALL, SHAKE OUT THEIR SKIRTS AND PUT ON A SHOW IN A CLOUD OF NOSTALGIC PERFUME.

1 min

YES, TOP CHEF

THIS SPRING, TV’S BIGGEST COOKING COMPETITION RETURNS TO THE MIDWEST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2008.

7 mins

SONG OF THE PRAIRIE

SMOKE AND SYMPHONY HERALD THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS IN THE KANSAS FLINT HILLS, WHERE FLAMES RENEW THE LAND, AND MUSIC CONNECTS US TO IT.

3 mins

STUDIO SESSION STYLE ON REPEAT

WHICH COMES FIRST: THE COLOR OR THE PATTERN? CHRISTIANA COOP AND AIMEE LAGOS, THE DUO BEHIND WALLPAPER COMPANY HYGGE AND WEST, SAY THE QUALITIES NEED TO BE IN PERFECT SYNCJUST LIKE THEIR PARTNERSHIP.

3 mins

Real Talk

Through colorful collage, Detroit artist Judy Bowman tells vibrant stories of the Black experience.

4 mins

Studio Session

In their hometown of Kearney, Nebraska, Jeff and Teegan Nordhues are lighting up the design industry (literally). Their secrets? Mastery, tenacity, integrity and a proprietary blend of terra-cotta.

3 mins

THE CALM OF THE WILD

WENDING THROUGH THE WATERS, WHISPERING OVER THE PEAKS-NATURAL RHYTHMS SOOTHE IN THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

5 mins

BEGINNER'S PLUCK

A pair of condo dwellers from Chicago decamps to farm outside the city, trading dinner parties and oat milk a lattes for a life that moves at a at a walk.

3 mins

folk lore

In the early 1900s, artists and socialites traveled to an Illinois estate to unwind and create. Now you can, too, at the state's first folk school.

2 mins

feeling grand

Calling all culinary aficionados: A weekend celebrating female talent beckons you to Mackinac Island this fall.

1 min

deeply rooted

Plant-shop owner Cotto shares his top spots in Chicago's flourishing Logan Square neighborhood.

1 min

refueling station

Forty strangers partake in a three-hour, chef-driven meal in an unlikely setting: a gas station in a Twin Cities suburb.

2 mins

prime time

Tapas on patios, spirited festivals, foliage shrouded museums: In Kansas City, Missouri, fall is a long, leisurely and resounding last hurrah to summer.

3 mins

happy mess

Sugared berries and bittersweet memories mingle with meringues and whipped cream in a dessert that celebrates tousled, summer ease.

2 mins

Hey Chef!

We asked Chicago's Erick Williams, who won a James Beard Award for best chef last year, what to throw on the grill this summer.

2 mins

cherry bombs

Sweet cherries have a more generous season than the elusive tart cherry. That means extra time to blow up your social feeds with pictures of recipes like these.

2 mins

HOT TROPICS

PUT THE LIME IN THE COCONUT-AND THE ISLAND SPIRIT IN YOUR CONTAINERS WITH THE BOLD FOLIAGE OF HEAT-LOVING TROPICAL PLANTS

1 min

DESIGNED FROM MEMORY

SHARED STYLE CRUSHES HELP A DESIGNER TURN HER CHILDHOOD FRIEND'S NEW HOME INTO A MASTERFUL MASH-UP OF '70S AND '80s DECOR HITS.

3 mins

ALL EARS

In the kitchen, on the patio, at the campsite or right in the field, shucking sweet corn is one of summer's great unifying rituals.

10+ mins

HOME ΟΝ THE RANCH

IN A FAR-FLUNG CORNER OF NORTHWEST NEBRASKA, A 136-YEAR-OLD RANCH WELCOMES GUESTS TO CREATE, WORK AND LEARN FROM THE LAND.

8 mins

WHERE THE SUN MEETS THE WATER

FOR OUR 7TH ANNUAL ROAD RALLY, WE TRACED MICHIGAN'S SUNSET COAST, GETTING OUR FEET WET AND DISCOVERING THE TOWNS ALONG THE WAY.

7 mins

FIELDS of DREAMS

A PAIR OF FLOWER FARMERS SOWS A NEW BEGINNING-TWICE-IN MADISON COUNTY, IOWA.

3 mins

written in the water

On Chicago's South Side, a new river trail guides the way through nearly two centuries of Black history.

2 mins

dock's orders

If you haven't vacationed in Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes area for a while, here are 10 reasons (plus, of course, the 400 lakes) to return.

3 mins

on lake time

In the sweet Indiana town of Winona Lake, restored cottages house shops while boats ply a peaceful canal.

1 min

Read all stories from Midwest Living

Midwest Living Magazine Description:

Embark on a journey through the heartland of America with Midwest Living Magazine. We're excited to introduce you to this publication, your ultimate source for all things related to Midwest culture, travel, and the unique lifestyle that defines the region. Immerse yourself in the world of Midwest charm, culinary delights, and travel adventures.

Midwest Living Magazine, published by Dotdash Meredith, is not just a magazine; it's your guide to the heart and soul of the Midwest. As you explore the pages of Midwest Living Magazine, you'll find a world of content that celebrates the charm and lifestyle of the Midwest:

* Travel Adventures: Dive into travel features showcasing the best destinations, hidden gems, and scenic landscapes in the Midwest.

* Culinary Delights: Explore the diverse and delicious culinary scene of the Midwest, from comfort food to innovative cuisine.

* Home and Garden: Discover tips and ideas for creating a Midwest-inspired home, gardening in the region, and embracing the local lifestyle.

* Local Culture: Immerse yourself in the culture of the Midwest, featuring stories of local artisans, events, and community highlights.

* Outdoor Activities: Find inspiration for outdoor adventures, exploring nature reserves, parks, and recreational activities in the Midwest.

Midwest Living Magazine is your essential resource for celebrating the charm and lifestyle of the Midwest, understanding the culture, and connecting with a community that values the unique character of the heartland. Subscribe now and become part of a community that appreciates the beauty and lifestyle of the Midwest.