Hidden Midwest Gems

Summary

Podcast Summary: You Betcha Radio - "Hidden Midwest Gems"

Release Date: July 28, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Hidden Midwest Gems," the hosts of You Betcha Radio, including Alex, Brad, Charlie, and Derek, delve into the lesser-known yet captivating attractions scattered across the Midwest. From quirky roadside attractions to serene natural landscapes, the gang shares their personal experiences, recommendations, and humorous anecdotes about exploring the heartland of America.

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1. Must-Visit Tourist Spots in the Midwest

The conversation kicks off with Alex sharing his enthusiasm for discovering Midwest hotspots during his biannual travels. He mentions having visited Holiday Culver's, highlighting it as a noteworthy stop.

Alex [00:00]: "I travel to the Midwest a couple times a year and was looking for spots that I have to check out. So far, I've checked off Holiday Culver's."

Brad enthusiastically endorses the iconic Wall Drug in Rapid City, suggesting it as a must-see alongside the famed Sturgis and Deadwood tours.

Brad [00:19]: "You got to check out Wall Drug... Wall Drug, Rapid City, Sturgis, Deadwood tour. Pretty good. Kind of a sick tour."

Derek adds to the list by mentioning other attractions along the stretch, such as the Reptile Gardens and Mystery Caves, albeit referring to them as typical tourist traps.

Derek [00:31]: "There's a ton of tourist trap things on that stretch. Like, you got the reptile gardens, the mystery caves for whatever."

The hosts reflect nostalgically on their childhood visits, with Brad recalling his childhood trips to Wall Drug.

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2. Unique Landmarks and Natural Wonders

The discussion transitions to various natural landmarks and unique attractions in the Midwest. Charlie recommends a visit to Devil's Lake, emphasizing its allure for fishing enthusiasts.

Charlie [04:04]: "If you like fish and I mean devil, you make a trip to Devil's Lake. You'll never. You'll never regret that."

Alex expands on the fishing spots by describing Stump Lake, a feeder of Devil's Lake, where submerged homes create an eerie yet fascinating underwater landscape.

Alex [04:09]: "Actually a really cool thing. Stump Lake which is feeds off of Devil's Lake. It flooded and you can fish over. It's super clear. You can just see fully submerged homes underneath you as you fish."

Brad shifts the focus to Wisconsin Dells, contrasting it with his preference for the North Shore of Lake Superior and Duluth, highlighting the picturesque lighthouses and vibrant party scene at the Lake of the Ozarks, dubbed the "Vegas of the Midwest."

Brad [01:36]: "Wisconsin Dells. In reality, I'd go to the north shore of Lake Superior, Duluth and up... Lake of the Ozarks, the Vegas of the Midwest."

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3. Cultural and Historical Points of Interest

The hosts explore culturally significant locations, with Charlie urging listeners to visit Lincoln, Nebraska, and attend a local college football game.

Charlie [01:57]: "You gotta go to Lincoln, Nebraska. It's a top 10 city in the United States. Just there's... Nothing."

Brad [02:13]: "I feel like going to a college football game across the board is pretty fun."

Brad further recommends exploring Big Ten football venues and visiting interpretive centers in North Dakota, such as the one in Fargo.

Brad [02:22]: "Big Ten is kind of sick... North Dakota interpretive centers as well."

Derek introduces Rugby, the geographical center of North Dakota, mentioning the unique monument located near an Anytime Fitness and a Mexican restaurant.

Derek [03:42]: "What's the name of that town on 200 nor in north north Dakota that's like the geographical center. Rugby... they have a monument in a parking lot next to an anytime fitness in a Mexican restaurant."

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4. Local Legends and Anecdotes

The conversation takes a humorous turn as the hosts share intriguing stories and local legends. Charlie recounts an incident involving his friend and an altercation outside a local establishment named Lotta.

Charlie [05:44]: "A lot of what... My buddy almost got. He, like, tried to pick a fight with some guy outside a lot of."

Brad humorously speculates about underwater treasures, suggesting the possibility of finding safes with valuables submerged in Devil's Lake.

Brad [04:46]: "Maybe there's some safes down there. [Laughs]"

The hosts also joke about a purported strip club underwater in Devil's Lake, blending satire with fascination for the area's submerged secrets.

Brad [05:14]: "I think there's a strip club in Devil's Lake, too. Right?"

Charlie [05:17]: "Well, the one got shut down."

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5. Outdoor Activities and Recreation

Wrapping up their exploration of Midwest offerings, Brad recommends golfing in the Brainerd area, praising its quality and appeal.

Brad [05:43]: "Golfing in the Brainerd area. It's good golf."

Additionally, the hosts touch upon various recreational activities, including scuba diving certifications in Fargo and the potential for discovering hidden gems beneath the water's surface.

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Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode nears its end, Brad encourages listeners to support the podcast through their Patreon, highlighting exclusive content available to subscribers.

Brad [05:56]: "Guys, if you want more, you bet your radio. You gotta check out our Patreon... we have hundreds of hours of other episodes on there that you can't get unless you're signed up."

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Final Thoughts

"Hidden Midwest Gems" offers a blend of travel tips, personal stories, and lighthearted banter, painting a vivid picture of the Midwest beyond its well-trodden paths. Whether you're a Midwest native or an adventurous traveler, this episode serves as an engaging guide to uncovering the region's unique attractions and cultural treasures.

Transcript

[Alex]

I travel to the Midwest a couple times a year and was looking for spots that. That I have to check out. So far, I've checked off Holiday Culver's. Quick trip. As I've heard mentioned on YBR. For reference, I am a Canadian 511, size 12. Also, Miles was right. Culver's Root Bear.

[Brad]

Let's go.

[Charlie]

That does.

[Brad]

You got to check out Wall Drug.

[Derek]

Yeah, you do.

[Brad]

I think the. The Wall Drug, Rapid City, Sturgis, Deadwood tour. Pretty good. Kind of a sick tour.

[Derek]

There's a ton of tourist trap things on that stretch. Like, you got the reptile gardens, the mystery caves for whatever.

[Brad]

Maybe just because I went there as a kid, for whatever reason, I want to get touristly trapped.

[Derek]

Yeah.

[Brad]

In the stuff around that area.

[Derek]

Yeah. It drives me nuts. Like when we drive through that and nobody wants to stop but me.

[Charlie]

Yeah.

[Derek]

And I got my family to stop at Wall Drug on the way home from Yellowstone, and that was the only time.

[Brad]

Also, I'm pretty sure they're working on Crazy Horse again.

[Derek]

Hell, yeah.

[Alex]

I think they always have, haven't they?

[Brad]

I thought they stopped for a while and that's what we were like. Crazy Horse awareness. You know, we were like, hey, we should. We should raise some money to get this thing going again. And maybe we did it.

[Alex]

I think they're just going really slow.

[Derek]

Because it's volunteers only. Yeah.

[Brad]

Yeah. I think. I think we were. I think we were the linchpin in the whole thing. To get it going again brought it back to, like.

[Charlie]

So if it's volunteers, like, who's doing the carving? I mean, I can't just volunteer. And they're like, all right, here's your pick.

[Brad]

You can remove rocks and.

[Charlie]

Okay.

[Derek]

I'm sure there's like a lead volunteer in charge of design.

[Charlie]

Sure.

[Derek]

You gotta go to the Dells, Wisconsin Dells.

[Brad]

Wisconsin Dells. In reality, I'd go to the north shore of Lake Superior, Duluth and up.

[Derek]

Yeah.

[Brad]

Great area. Check out the lighthouses for one. Good party weekend. You got to go. Lake of the Ozarks, the Vegas of the Midwest.

[Charlie]

That's a great time. You gotta go. You gotta. You gotta go to Lincoln, Nebraska. It's a top 10 city in the United States. Just there's. I mean, nothing.

[Alex]

Corn Oscars game would be great.

[Charlie]

Corn Oscar's great. Game is awesome. Nothing particular in Lincoln. Just to Lincoln.

[Brad]

Yeah. I feel like going to college football game across the board is pretty fun.

[Charlie]

Yeah.

[Alex]

Any Big Ten? Really?

[Brad]

Yeah. Big Ten is kind of sick. Yeah. You could also check out some North Dakota interpretive centers as well. You also could make the drive from Fargo to Bismar and see the hill of Bismar.

[Derek]

Yeah.

[Alex]

The riverboat.

[Derek]

Quite literally. The highlight on that drive is the buffalo in Jamestown.

[Charlie]

Yeah.

[Alex]

And a little past Bismarck. You got the Salem sue, the big cow.

[Charlie]

Yep. And then keep going. You. There's a big pheasant on the side of the road, isn't there?

[Alex]

Well then steel. There's the world's largest sandhill crane.

[Charlie]

Yeah.

[Derek]

Nice.

[Charlie]

Yeah, I think Rich. I don't know if it's Richard 10. I don't rich. It's kind of actually cool to go like to cross a time zone like on a road. Richard in is where the time zone goes to. Mountain time.

[Alex]

Kind of a vibe.

[Charlie]

Straight down the inter.

[Brad]

Yes, it is worth six hour drive.

[Charlie]

Yep.

[Alex]

From Fargo. The Fargo wood chipper. That's a cool thing to look at.

[Derek]

Yeah.

[Brad]

It's in the Confargo community center or whatever.

[Derek]

Which is. Other people would call it an interpretive center.

[Brad]

Is it an interpretive center?

[Charlie]

Yeah. I don't even know if they have interpreters there. But it's an interpreter.

[Brad]

Well, no, it's just a place that you get to interpret things. There's you. There's no interpreter. You are in doing the interpreter. You are the interpreter.

[Derek]

What's the name of that town on 200 nor in north north Dakota that's like the geographical center. Rugby rugby. Rugby rugby geographical center. They have a monument in a parking lot next to an anytime fitness in a Mexican restaurant.

[Charlie]

Yep. Yeah.

[Alex]

Niffle soup.

[Brad]

Got it. Yeah.

[Charlie]

If you like fish and I mean devil, you make a trip to Devil's Lake. You'll never. You'll never regret that.

[Derek]

Actually a really cool thing. Stump Lake which is feeds off of Devil's Lake. It flooded and you can fish over. It's super clear. You can just see fully submerged homes underneath you as you fish. Because it like flooded people's homes out wild. It's cool.

[Brad]

A lot of good structure though for him to swim around.

[Charlie]

Yeah. A lot of good rock beds and.

[Derek]

And where are you fishing this weekend? I think I'm gonna go over the Olson's house.

[Brad]

Yeah.

[Charlie]

Yeah. Minnewak and Flats. My buddies from Tall. Now you can go see my buddy.

[Brad]

Could be. It could be a great place to scuba. Maybe there's some safes down there.

[Derek]

They find a painting in a safe like the Titanic. Yeah.

[Charlie]

I think they have a good scuba certification in Fargo.

[Brad]

Might be some good emeralds down there in a safe.

[Alex]

I don't know.

[Derek]

I think they're just making this up. What do you mean?

[Alex]

I think there's a strip club in Devil's Lake, too. Right?

[Derek]

Right underneath.

[Brad]

Underneath the water.

[Charlie]

Well, the one got. The one got shut down.

[Brad]

Stripper poles. A lot of good structure for fish to swim around.

[Charlie]

Yeah, there was.

[Derek]

There was no fishy in there.

[Charlie]

There was one highway two driving into Devil's Lake, but I think shut down because someone got shot.

[Brad]

But then there's one downtime scene.

[Charlie]

There's one downtown called Lottas. A lot of what just. It's just called lotta.

[Brad]

I know, but a lot of what?

[Charlie]

A lot of. My buddy almost got. He, like, tried to pick a fight with some guy outside a lot of.

[Derek]

Us did he what?

[Charlie]

It never. It manifested in anything. Thank God.

[Derek]

Yeah. Did somebody throw dice at the back of his head or what?

[Charlie]

No, I think he just started just. We got outside and just started talking to this other guy. I'm like, the. Is going on here, Lotus, you go.

[Brad]

Golfing in the brainerd area. It's a good golf. Turned into a little bit of a golf. Dusty bully pulpit. Guys, if you want more, you bet your radio. You gotta check out our Patreon. You gotta go to patreon.com you bets radio or look us up on the app. And we have hundreds of hours of other episodes on there that you can't get unless you're signed up. So you gotta check us out on Patreon. You bet your radio, baby.