going outside to watch the storm roll in when the tornado siren goes off

Dang I live in the suburbs. I can go to football games, play d&d, go to concerts, hang out at brewpubs, etc. The same things other Americans do to amuse themselves :)

Plus I can go rock climbing, boating on thousands of different lakes, canoeing for days, camping, hunting, stargazing, etc. It’s an amazing place to live.

Unusually, its typically leaving town to see other things in the midwest, maybe going to Chicago or Fort Wayne. Although I find Fort Wayne depressingly car dependent from what I’ve seen, so I prefer Chicago.

Food, beer, and socializing with friends and family.

float trips and camping with friends in the missouri ozark region

Being in or near water and spending the whole day drinking.

Fishing.

Random small town festivals.

Hopping on my bike and hitting the trails.

Live music on general, barn dances in particular.

Everyone gathering in Grandma’s parlor Sundays after church.

Always the nature. I’m probably more “west” than Midwest but, hiking, camping, mountain biking… What more could you want?

It may be once a year but the Iowa star fair is definitely worth the visit to Des Moines. You can even camp at the ground with an rv or a tent