Backpacking the Rust Belt
Post-Industrial Cities. Preconceived Notions. Unexpected Magic.
Let’s get this out of the way: the Rust Belt isn’t trying to be the next "it" destination. And that’s exactly why it should be on your backpacking list.
This isn’t a region chasing Instagram fame. It’s a region full of grit, history, art, and soul. From Detroit to Pittsburgh, Cleveland to Buffalo, these cities are alive with reinvention - and surprisingly great hostels.
So if you’re craving something real on your U.S. backpacking route - fewer crowds, more character - the Rust Belt is waiting with open arms, cold beer, and one hell of a comeback story.
🧭 Wait, What Is the Rust Belt?
Roughly: the industrial core of the American Midwest and Northeast.
Think: steel towns, automotive giants, post-factory reinvention, and deeply rooted communities.
It’s:
Affordable
Walkable
Overflowing with history, food, murals, music, and wild underdog energy
🛏️ Where to Stay: Hostels in the Rust Belt
1. Detroit, MI - Hostel Detroit
A nonprofit hostel in the heart of a city reimagining itself daily. Borrow a bike, hit Eastern Market, explore Motown history, then return to a space built for connection.
✨ Best for: Art lovers, music nerds, urban explorers.
2. Cleveland, OH - The Wayfaring Buckeye
Located in the energetic University District mere blocks from downtown, killer coffee shops, and the Summit Music Hall. Also, yes, Lake Erie is beautiful.
✨ Best for: Walkable adventures, brewery crawls, lakeside hangs.
3. Chicago, IL - Wrigley Hostel
Smack in the middle of Wrigleyville, this hostel puts you steps from legendary Cubs games, late-night dives, and deep-dish worth the hype. Hop on the L right outside and be downtown in minutes - or don’t. There’s enough right here to keep your night going.
✨ Best for: Digital nomads, urban hikers, city souls and sports lovers.
4. Buffalo, NY - Hostel Buffalo-Niagara
Niagara Falls is a short drive away, but don’t sleep on Buffalo itself. Great architecture, indie art, spicy wings, and a hostel that feels like your artist friend’s apartment.
✨ Best for: Waterfall detours, local gallery nights, big Upstate energy.
💡 Why Backpackers Love the Rust Belt (Even If They Don’t Know It Yet)
It’s budget-friendly. Like, actually affordable.
The people are real. Friendly without being fake. Proud without posturing.
You’ll get space. Less tourism = more room to wander, ask questions, and connect.
It’s full of surprises. World-class museums. Underground music. Weird coffee shops. Giant old factories turned art centers.
The stories here are thick. And the hostels? They’re built by people living the story.
🎒 Route Ideas for Backpackers
Great Lakes Loop: Chicago → Detroit → Cleveland → Erie → Buffalo → Niagara
Rust Belt to Appalachia: Pittsburgh → Morgantown → Asheville
Eastward Bound: Start in St. Louis, weave your way northeast through Columbus, Cleveland, and beyond
You can pair these stops with Amtrak, Megabus, or your own rust-bucket road trip vehicle. No wrong turns - just the long way home.
Final Word: Give the Rust Belt a Chance
It’s not flashy. It’s not curated.
But it is deeply human, endlessly fascinating, and full of places that stick with you.
Hostels here aren’t trying to impress. They’re trying to welcome.
So book the bunk, ride the bus, and come see what happens when you chase the real story.
🧭 Find Hostels in the Rust Belt →
