Featuring city breaks, small coastal harbor towns, outstanding natural parks and the occasional wineries and breweries, here are our 20 best road trips from Chicago ordered from closest to furthest away - make sure to read further down for more epic road trip itineraries! The laid-back, pretense-free. Why visit? Record-breaking April 13: Chicago snaps 136-year-old warm weather The Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Asheville, and you can hop onto America's favorite drive to travel a section of this fabulous scenic route. San Diego San Diego boasts 260 sunny days a year, miles of rugged beachside and barking seals. Savannah is a great place to visit all year round but come in winter to enjoy this fabulous city without the summer crowds or humidity. Why you should visit: As you'd expect in a town that sees significant snowfall from December to February, you can enjoy a range of winter sports. Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. Our travel tips: Don't go to DC expecting reliable snowfall daytime temperatures are milder than the more northern destinations (in the mid-40 degrees Fahrenheit and above), though it still gets pretty cold at night, and snow is likely but not guaranteed in January and February. The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Why you should visit: From January to March the town hosts the World of Winter Festival, which sees dozens of huge ice sculptures on display and special events held across the town. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (150 miles) Why you should visit: Wisconsin's state capital has all the cultural and foodie delights that you'd expect in a big city, with added snow that opens up a whole range of other activities to enjoy. If you're here in winter, check out the National Gingerbread House Competition visitors can view entries into this big-money event. It took 14 years to complete the huge memorial sculpture at Mount Rushmore. Getting to St Louis is easy - the I-55 will take you all the way to the Gateway City. Denver also has a host of fabulous cultural attractions, so don't overlook the city itself on your way up to the mountains. The World of Winter Festival is the perfect post-holiday pick-me-up - the ideal way to brighten up the dark, cold months after Christmas. Muskegon Farmers Market operates indoors on Saturdays through the winter so you can warm up and stock up on some fabulous local produce. 15 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (960 miles). You could come to Cedarburg on a long day drive, but it's really perfect as a weekend getaway destination. A particular highlight in Muskegon is its Luge track, which is open to the public. To make the most of the trip, take a couple of weeks and make a lot of stops along the way. You can easily visit on a short day road trip from Chicago, but if you want to explore the different trails and get away from it all, a weekend trip might work better despite being so close. You can survey the options from atop the California Tower in Balboa Park. Our highlights: Granite Mountain is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States, and it's been at the forefront of innovation in the skiing industry. If you're wondering how the town got its name, it's as simple as it sounds it's because the lake is shaped like an Elk's heart. 2 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (130 miles). Just after St Joseph, turn off onto I-196 where the interstate divides, and carry on north along the shore until you reach Saugatuck. At Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, you can follow the beautiful light trail through the magical gardens, for example, or take a holiday trolley tour or boat trip to see the city decked out in festive finery while enjoying a wonderful warm cider. And of course, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter comes into its own during the winter. Sept. 2, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. 24 Top Weekend Getaways From Chicago. Best for: Family fun or a romantic rendezvous. The main attractions are the two major parks - the Starved Rock State Park and the Matthiessen State Park. It's also a great place to enjoy fabulous snow-based activities - the temperature usually sits around freezing and the area experiences heavy snowfall, so conditions are perfect. This Mom n pop classic fast food diner has been in Oglesby since 1955 and serves top notch root beer floats and burgers. Expect fabulous parades, live music and all-night parties. Restaurants like the Grove and Terra serve locally sourced ingredients which means the menu changes throughout the year. Of course, there are two sides to every story, and a few miles from Mount Rushmore you can visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. 8. Although there's the regular rush hour traffic that might slow you down a little, the city doesn't experience significant congestion. As well as being able to see the famous memorial in person, this is a great road trip that takes you from one side of the Great Plains to the other via some interesting and varied cities. With fast lifts, extensive ski runs and stunning views, you'll probably want to spend most of your time here on the slopes. It's the perfect way to enjoy the snowy conditions, and there are ski runs here to suit many different abilities. If you want to head across the border to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake make sure to pack the required travel documentation, and allow extra time to make the border crossing, especially if you're heading across Rainbow International Bridge. Around one-third of the city's population is Hispanic so as you might expect, there are some big festivals and celebrations that you don't see in other parts of the US. You have a few to choose from, including the outdoor Downtown DC Holiday Market, the Swedish Christmas Bazaar in Georgetown, and the Heurich House Museum Christkindlmarkt. If 21 miles seems a little much, focus in on the 2-mile stretch on the West End. The main attraction is the carved cliff face featuring four Presidents of the United States. Morning departure is around 5% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*. You can easily fill a weekend here with fun and varied runs. How to get there: Follow the interstate east out of Chicago and then continue north, keeping Lake Michigan on your left. It is a huge historic mansion built by Chicago beer tycoon Conrad Seipp in 1888. If you're staying overnight it's best to find accommodation with private parking. This leads you south to join I-76, which you'll then follow past Pittsburgh, all the way across Pennsylvania. When you're ready to head into the warm, make your way to Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. You can even ride across the river on the Chain Ferry, one of the last remaining in America. Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. Constructed between 1906 and 1907, the Conservatory was conceived and designed by Chicago's West Park Commission's general superintendent and chief landscape architect, Jens . These will carry you up to a quarter of a mile across the resort's valleys, giving you a bird's eye view of your stunning surroundings. The two-lane road winds its way through the mountains, with plentiful overlooks and hiking trails to stop and explore. How to get there: Follow I-90 east across Indiana. Back on dry land, if you're still feeling energetic you can explore the trails of Saugatuck Dunes State Park, or follow the 300 steps to the top of Mount Baldhead to take in the lake view. Asheville is packed full of history, but the modern city has a distinctly creative vibe that makes it really unique. (866) 399-3866. www.grizzlyjacksresort.com. Once a month the district comes to life with live music and guided tours, plus the chance to taste local wine. 12 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (800 miles). 15 Best Winter Road Trips from Chicago - LazyTrips The classic town of Ann Arbor is a great stop on your way - this university town has classic architecture, art galleries and great small coffee shops for you to relax or grab some lunch. As Christmas gifts go, a whole city is one we wouldn't mind receiving! By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Change your settings: from RV campgrounds 300 miles from Chicago 299 miles north of Chicago: Mowe Lake - Manistique Rapid River Dispersed 297 miles northeast of Chicago: Aloha State Park 300 miles east of Chicago: Orchard View Park Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds 301 miles southeast of Chicago: The interstate carries on across Nebraska and then splits just as you approach the northeast corner of Colorado. Once you've arrived in Philadelphia, you can ice skate beside the Delaware River at Winterfest, then warm up with a hot chocolate - or something stronger - with a view out across Benjamin Franklin Bridge. also, you have the option of taking the ss badger car ferry across Lake Michigan to avoid traffic around the bottom of the Lake and to add an Note that to enjoy all the attractions Niagara Falls has to offer, you might need to factor in crossing the US/Canada border so make sure you have any paperwork you need (dependent on nationality). Founded in 1778, Louisville is a really amazing mix of old and new. (Disney Enterprises . Southern Illinois Distance: 6-hour drive Southern Illinois has a hilly landscape and a rural vibe. Fridays at the Hollywood Beach Theatre feature free live jazz, blues and pop music at oceanfront cafes. NOTL is also a really charming little town, and while you're here you might like to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through its historic streets - a wonderfully atmospheric way to travel through the snow-covered streets. 25 Best Road Trips From Chicago - LazyTrips If you're able to visit mid-week, you'll probably find the slopes are quieter. The best thing about Madison, like many places in Wisconsin, is the food. The same road takes you right into Philadelphia. There's a real variety of activities to enjoy here take to the snow for an active day outside, then relax at a beautiful spa. Utica, IL 61373. Everything here is about cheese. 3 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (190 miles). Only an hour away from downtown Chicago, Indiana Dunes became the newest National Park in the United States in 2019. Our highlights: As you'd expect, the main draw of Muskegon in winter is Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. To get to Louisville from Chicago, you will need to drive the length of Indiana until you reach the Ohio River - St Louis is right across the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge. 25 Weekend Getaways Near Chicago | Midwest Living You must try the Glarner Stube restaurant in town. Given the city's mild winter climate, it's the perfect place to end the day with a romantic stroll. 506 miles southeast of Chicago: Toe River Campground. Sundays have a free Jazz Brunch outdoor concert series along the scenic Riverwalk. You should definitely visit New York in winter so you can say you've experienced them all first-hand. Lake ice was harvested and taken to nearby towns and cities - it was big business here as late as the 1940s. First is the village of New Glarus. No, it's not a typo - this is the third destination on our list of road trips from Chicago that is exactly 300 miles away! There's another dozen smaller lakes dotted around which breaks up the city into smaller neighborhoods and adds a lot of character. It is more than 10-14 hours to get to a warm beach from Chicago. Head across the border to see the falls from a different perspective, or visit the fabulous wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Other activities include spending the day at Kalapaki or Po'ipu beaches, setting. 14 most adorable direct flights from Chicago - Time Out Chicago Our travel tips: Pack layers, as even Florida can experience cooler days, but rest assured that with heated pools and plenty of daytime sunshine, you can enjoy yourself outdoors right through the winter. You can also tour a museum ship to get a feel for the history of the lakes. The Great River Road runs the length of the Mississippi river and you can drive part of it on a scenic road trip from Chicago. When it's time to warm up, head back into town to Old Sugar Distillery, a small local spirits producer, for a warming taster. For summer fun during the winter months, Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort is the place to be. Any suggestions fellas? Book a fantastic treatment or simply hang out in the sauna, steam room or heated outdoor pool to enjoy the mountain vibes from a different angle. From jazz to soul, St Louis has been one of the most prominent musical cities in the US - Tina Turner and Scott Joplin started their careers here among others. If you have time to head out of town, make your way to Tampa to see Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. If there's one reason to visit Milwaukee, it is to see for yourself what the beer capital of the United States really looks like! Our travel tips: Visit the Luge in the evenings and you can warm up by a bonfire after your slide down the track. Remember that Minneapolis can get cold, and even feel cool in the summer. Car production moved to other cities in the US, factories in Asia and Mexico and large blocks of Detroit became ghosts of their own past. Check ahead to find details of live performances and special events that are taking place. Make sure you visit the Slugger Museum and Factory - this baseball bat manufacturer has tours where you can see the whole process and the side of the building has an exact scale replica of the Babe Ruth's Louisville Slugger bat, albeit a little larger at a length of 120 feet. Best Winter Road Trip Destinations Near Chicago - CBS Chicago - CBS News The 830-mile road trip from Chicago to Washington DC will take you around 14 hours to drive non-stop. Further up the road, you'll find a truly unique destination in Holland, where Dutch colonists established a foothold in the 1800s, bringing with them their culture, architecture, pastries (check . These Are the 5 Warmest Places in Chicago Right Now - PureWow September and October are the best times to come to Cedarburg - the trees glow with their oranges and maroons and the locals celebrate Oktoberfest with special events, seasonal beers and great food. For the perfect post-ski wind down, visit the Spa at Boyne Mountain before you head home. You can explore the spectacular underground rock formations on a guided tour, then spend some time looking for wildlife at the grass prairie which forms the overground part of the national park. Within a short distance of the city you can ski, skate, snow tube and sled, sometimes with beautiful views across Lake Mendota. Just after crossing the Ohio River at Evansville, turn onto I-69, continuing south on I-169 where the interstates divide. The temperatures surpassed the 136-year-old . Snow in the city often isn't much fun, so head out to one of the mountains or lakes for a one-day road trip that lets you enjoy the winter weather at its best. Winter Weekend Getaways Near Chicago - Chicago Parent Head to Macy's, Bloomingdale's or Saks Fifth Avenue for wall-to-wall shopping opportunities, or take a walk along Fifth Avenue to indulge in designer brands. Tickets for guided tours at Wind Cave National Park often sell out, so advance booking is recommended, especially if you're travelling in the busier summer months or over holiday periods. If you're looking for unique and often hand-made gifts for family and friends, you'll find plenty of choice here. Alternatively, tour the galleries and independent shops in the city's downtown area, which showcase the work of the thriving local arts community. Also running from Thanksgiving right up to New Years Day is Celebration in the Oaks. Our travel tips: Equipment can be rented at this resort but arrive early on weekends or holidays as it's first come, first served. Whether you want to enjoy the winter weather or escape from it, a winter road trip from Chicago can mean hitting the slopes at a ski resort, viewing iconic landmarks, taking a festive shopping trip or relaxing in the winter sun in the Southern states. Visit the theme parks in their holiday finest whether your first choice is Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld or Legoland Florida, each one will be suitably festive with parades and events to match. Towns like New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Holland, Saugatuck and Grand Haven provide pristine beaches, great shopping, lakeside restaurants and front-row view of sunsets over Lake Michigan. It runs parallel to Lake Erie, so if you have a little longer to make your trip then you might like to pause along the way to admire views across the lake. The 10 Cheapest Flights from Chicago | Hopper Overnight on the California Zephyr gets you to Denver where the weather is just as cold as Chicago but you'd be in a cosmopolitan city. Make sure you check out a few live music venues. One interesting place to visit is Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House. The Louisville Muhammad Ali Center and the Frazier History Museum will keep you busy! There are a number of museums to explore - some of the main ones located along the Museum Row. Take I-290 W from Chicago's downtown, which leads you out onto I-88. Spring Break Family Destinations Near Chicago - Chicago Parent For a more magical festive feel, head to Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens. Rockford lives up to its main nickname with plenty of outdoor spaces to explore - the Anderson Japanese Gardens, Klehm Botanic Garden and the Rock Cut State Park are all within the metropolitan area. If you want to maximize your Swiss experience, then combine your road trip to New Glarus with a stop in Monroe - the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA. Why you should visit: Mild weather and weeks of flamboyant parades makes New Orleans the perfect contrast to snowy Chicago. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. Why you should visit: As its name suggests, Granite Peak is a fabulous and long-established ski destination with some top-class runs and luxurious resort choices. Places to visit about 9 hours from Chicago - Within Hours The route up to La Crosse will pass a few great stop off points - check out the steel Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi at Lansing and the Nelson Dewey State Park has some of the best panoramic views of the river and surrounding forests. Road Trip From Chicago To Washington DC - LazyTrips Ice sculptors spend nearly 2 months creating spectacular icy towers and turrets which are especially beautiful when they're illuminated at night. After Grand Rapids, turn onto Route 131 and continue north past Big Rapids and Cadillac, until you reach Boyne Mountain. Best road trips from Chicago Shutterstock 1. Oglesby and its neighbor Utica lie nestled into a curve of the Vermilion River and is perfect for exploring some of the best outdoors in Illinois. It's a great way to spend time with friends, get into the festive mood, as well as to find some unique Christmas gifts. Our highlights: From Thanksgiving onwards, enjoy a Reveillon Dinner a local tradition which now sees restaurants across the city offering seasonal Creole-inspired food all through December. The festival also hosts many fun events. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, biking, fishing, climbing, boating and more forge incredible nature experiences in some of the most unique settings of the Midwest. 20 Best Weekend Getaways From Chicago - Time Out Chicago How to get there: Head north on I-90 out of Chicago then join I-94. You can also delve into the natural wilderness of Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests where you'll find more hiking opportunities, mountain biking routes, and the North Carolina Arboretum. Keep reading to find out where you could go, how to get there, and our pick of what's waiting for you when you arrive. Best attractions: The Museum of the Rockies, which has the largest collection of dinosaur bones in the U.S. Also, just a 90-minute drive . After taking I-90 E towards the edge of the city, turn onto I-65 and follow the interstate south, driving past Indianapolis and right the way across Indiana until you reach Louisville, Kentucky. Then, join I-80 and follow it around the south of Cleveland before switching onto I-76 and continuing southeast past Pittsburgh. MoneyGeek came up with this year's list by analyzing the FBI's crime statistics for 2021 (the most recent . Along the way you'll pass the cities of Madison, La Crosse and Sioux City, and you'll cross both the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. At Denver Art Museum you can see another collection dedicated to the heritage of this part of the country, as the Petrie Institute for Western American Art is housed here. Ride down the Kalamazoo River on a paddle steamer, explore the lakeshore and river in a kayak, or charter a yacht. The extensive and varied ski slopes here are great for a wide range of skiing abilities. For the equestrian lover, Keeneland is a famous horse racing arena that attracts people from around the globe. With large distances to cover, some of the early pioneers of flight lived and worked in this part of the country and you can also find out about the former Air Force base where the museum is located. Named after the tall cedar trees, it is particularly well known for its lush forests that cover the hills around Cedarburg. Why you should visit: New York City puts on an amazing display for the holidays from festive lights to Christmas trees and fabulous window displays throughout the city, all with a thick covering of snow. After passing New Baltimore and Everett, change onto I-70 and continue on through the Appalachians before joining I-270 at Frederick and following it right into the center of Washington DC. Although this is a long drive, it's a really straightforward one. The Dells Boat Tours will take you through the narrow river passages - these Dells are gorges through layered rock formations that become small tall islands as the river widens. (Getty Images) Known as . The rinks are super-festive in the run up to the holidays, and you can relax with a hot chocolate or a local craft beer afterwards. If your time is limited, take your sled and enjoy a free downhill ride at one of the several hilly public parks in the city. As with everywhere in Wisconsin, the food and drink scene takes center stage. 605 S. Prospect St., Galena IL, 800-717-2317. You might get spring, and then again, you might have winter still hanging on! 17. Plus the views from the vineyard are sublime! No need to get on the flight. Roadtrips to 5/6 days from Chicago 8-9 hrs driving max Kentucky might only provide about a twenty-degree warm-up, but during the super cold times, those twenty degrees can feel like heaven. Join I-90 E to head out of Chicago then merge onto I-94 to continue to follow the shore of Lake Michigan. You will pass by some imposing homes and quiet lakeside neighborhoods with picturesque cafes. There are 4 large waterpark resorts (Kalahari, Great Wolf, Chula Vista and the Wilderness) and around 20 in total with more being constructed. But did you know that every single participant has to wear one? Best Winter Road Trips to Take From Chicago - Thrillist Our highlights: Just outside the city at Cascade Mountain and Devils Head Resort you'll find some exhilarating downhill skiing as well as snowtubing and sledding. 17 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (1,130 miles). You will pass through the cities of Milwaukee, Green Bay, Traverse City and Grand Rapids which are all worth going to in their own right. Our highlights: You can see all the historic gems of Philly decked out with lights and trees for the holiday season, and the city's beautiful riverside setting just adds to the magic. Here you can join in with the 9-day Winter Festival (late January). Beer and baseball are the two things the city is particularly known for. There are festivals throughout the year from the world's largest Bratfest (you can eat a lot of sausages here!) If you're feeling active, there are places where you can sled on the frozen sand dunes. You can also go on a tour of the Cedar Creek Winery and try the local wines which might just surprise you. Don't forget to check out some of the Smithsonian museums too they're free to enter so you can visit one or many, and enjoy some of the more popular sites without the crowds, especially if you're visiting after the holiday period. In Wasau, the nearest town to Granite Peak, there are some great food and drink options for the essential apres-ski part of the day! If you're here to relax, escape the hustle and bustle with a stroll around Toledo Botanical Gardens or head out to Wildwood Preserve Metropark to follow its many trails on foot or 2 wheels. From Chicago To Driving Time: Lake Geneva, WI: 1 hour and 30 minutes: Galena, IL: 2 hours 45 minutes: Kohler, WI: 2 hours and 20 minutes . After crossing the border into Canada, the road becomes ON-401. Starved Rock State Park is just 100 miles southwest of Chicago, offering an ideal spot to enjoy nature with more than a dozen sandstone canyons along with beautiful waterfalls that are especially powerful in the spring.
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