Not far away, Wind Cave is one of the world's longest. 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. How to get there: Follow I-90 west out of Chicago, passing Rockford and Madison. There are also several events to mark Dia de los Muertos in late October and early November. Muskegon Farmers Market operates indoors on Saturdays through the winter so you can warm up and stock up on some fabulous local produce. If you're looking for unique and often hand-made gifts for family and friends, you'll find plenty of choice here. If an authentic windmill and fields of tulips is not Dutch enough, there is an entire Dutch Village to go to. How to get there: This is a really simple trip just follow I-90 all the way from Chicago. 15 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (960 miles). This makes for one of the best road trips from Chicago. A particular highlight in Muskegon is its Luge track, which is open to the public. There are two giant lakes right in the middle of the city, either side of downtown which creates a uniquely relaxed vibe. Head across the border to see the falls from a different perspective, or visit the fabulous wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can see how every aspect of the village life would have been complete with the blacksmith shop, school and church buildings. So if time allows on your trip, you might like to tour a brewery or two or try some of the locally produced beers. If you want to strike out a little further and explore, you can go horseback riding or cross-country skiing through the woodlands or try out snow biking for something new. With its artisan produce, a relaxed country vibe and outdoor activities on and off the lake, Harbor Country is a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city. Many of the events and installations are outdoors, so, this being Michigan, chances are you'll be enjoying them in the snow. There are a lot of activities for children - special rides and a petting zoo so bring the family and enjoy a great weekend out of the city! They don't run every day, but when they do they're really magical. How to get there: Head east out of Chicago and join Interstate 90, then just keep going! 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. Given the city's mild winter climate, it's the perfect place to end the day with a romantic stroll. The key message is to wrap up warm and be prepared for whatever weather the city throws at you - pretty standard for DC! Rising 462 feet above the sea, the carillon tower recently reopened to the public after 80 years in solitude. You could come to Cedarburg on a long day drive, but it's really perfect as a weekend getaway destination. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to just relax and unwind, maybe after a tour round the Christmas market or some time on the ice rink, head to the luxurious Aspira Spa to round off your trip. Ride down the Kalamazoo River on a paddle steamer, explore the lakeshore and river in a kayak, or charter a yacht. Southern Illinois Distance: 6-hour drive Southern Illinois has a hilly landscape and a rural vibe. The capital of Wisconsin is often overlooked in favor of its bigger brother Milwaukee 80 miles east. Once Christmas and New Year are behind you, the party season in New Orleans really gets going. Places to visit about 500 miles from Chicago - Within Hours Staying by the lake, seeing as the water freezes over, you can go ice fishing here with a guide, who can provide all the equipment you need if you don't have your own. 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 2,470-mile road trip from Chicago to San Francisco takes 38 hours to drive. 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. There are a number of museums to explore - some of the main ones located along the Museum Row. 6 Best Road Trips From Chicago | Travel + Leisure You can enjoy spending time outside, take a walk along the river, or just relax in one of Savannah's beautiful squares - the polar opposite of a Chicago winter. The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Choose from a lodge room, suite, 4-bed or 8-bed luxury cottage, ideal for multi-generation or multi-family groups. Best Travel Destinations Within Driving Distance of Chicago - Essence Whether you're looking for a rural, lake or city getaway, here are a few ideas all within 6 hours of driving distance. For the equestrian lover, Keeneland is a famous horse racing arena that attracts people from around the globe. When it's time to warm up, head back into town to Old Sugar Distillery, a small local spirits producer, for a warming taster. 4 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (290 miles). You should ride to the top of it to get unbelievable views of the city below - tickets are $14 for adults and $11 for children with discounts outside weekends. With fast lifts, extensive ski runs and stunning views, you'll probably want to spend most of your time here on the slopes. Boyne Mountain Resort Distance: 5-hour drive Michigan winters are best captured with the ski resort of Boyne. Record-breaking April 13: Chicago snaps 136-year-old warm weather The fastest way to get to Minneapolis from Chicago is to go the I-90 and I-94 route across Wisconsin. Named after the tall cedar trees, it is particularly well known for its lush forests that cover the hills around Cedarburg. 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! How to get there: Follow I-90 east towards Cleveland, switching onto I-80 just before you reach the city. Chicago is a fantastic city, known for its stunning lakeside location, the Magnificent Mile, and its world-class museums and galleries. After crossing the border into Canada, the road becomes ON-401. The city is in a prime spot with a lot of road trip options for you to escape to the surrounding destinations within 5 hrs drive. First is the village of New Glarus. It took 14 years to complete the huge memorial sculpture at Mount Rushmore. 1 hour 35 minutes from Chicago (83 miles). St Louis, MO Driving time from Chicago: 4 hrs 30 min While beer, blues and BBQ are likely on the top of your St Louis bucket list (and rightfuly. 3 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (190 miles). The town transported a 250-year old windmill from the Netherlands to Holland and placed it on its very own island that is now called the Windmill Island. 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. After Gainesville, join the Florida Turnpike which takes you the last stretch of the drive into Orlando. Bonus: Early in February Lake Geneva's Winterfest bursts into action, with an ice sculpting competition and snow races! LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. You'll find yourself in a warm weather wonderland with trees, lights, skating and fireworks. 1 hour 20 minutes from Chicago (80 miles). Our travel tips: This is a really popular ski area, and lift passes can sell out during the busiest periods. Motor City is the second largest city in the Midwest after Chicago and is worth making the drive for. This waterfront city is the only destination on this list that takes you to another of the Great Lakes. Thousands of people in absolutely dazzling costumes parade through the city in a historic tradition. Fun/Scenic Places within 10 hours hour or less roadtrip from Chicago - Yelp Or if you're in town with romantic intentions, a stroll through the Diamond District might go down well. You can also enjoy a number of holiday markets, to really get you into the festive spirit. Wrap up warm and walk out towards Muskegon South Breakwater Lighthouse a really stunning sight or take a walk on the lake's frozen beaches. Our highlights: Boyne Mountain is primarily a ski resort, so take to the slopes and explore more than 415 acres of ski runs. The high temperatures that hit Chicago Thursday broke a record that stretched all the way back to 1887, according to the National Weather Service. Once you get to halfway point, you should spend a day or longer on Mackinac Island. It will satisfy a wide range of abilities, and you can also try out snow tubing and snowshoeing here. Back in town, the Ice Castles at Geneva National Resort & Club are a must-see. Two different types of ski lifts were invented here - so when you ski here in modern times you'll be following the lead of some of the country's ski pioneers. The must-see attraction on your trip to Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the famous cliffside sculptures of the presidents, which you can see up close if you follow the short Presidential Trail. As you approach St Louis, you will see the first and main sight in the city - the huge 630-foot tall steel Gateway Arch. Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. 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. It's the perfect place for a romantic getaway - wrap up warm and enjoy snowy views over the beautiful city and lake before warming up with a hot chocolate and a loop or two around an outdoor ice rink. It's a great way to spend time with friends, get into the festive mood, as well as to find some unique Christmas gifts. Mount Rushmore is a unique national monument that's a must-see for many Americans and tourists alike, which makes it the perfect destination from Chicago. And one of the three sections of the Hoosier National Forest is immediate to this area. At Louisville, change onto I-64 and follow it towards Lexington onto I-75 which takes you across into Tennessee. Rib Mountain, part of the ski area here, is Wisconsin's tallest mountain so you'll find plenty of downhill runs here to suit all abilities. Of course, there are two sides to every story, and a few miles from Mount Rushmore you can visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. A new report shows the most dangerous cities in the USand the safest places. Bonus: These days you usually need to take a ferry across from Manhattan to Staten Island, but back in 1780 the entire harbour froze so hard that it was possible to walk all the way across the river. Minneapolis straddles both sides of the Mississippi and has over a dozen lakes within it's city limits which makes for amazing scenery. Other activities include spending the day at Kalapaki or Po'ipu beaches, setting. Through the rest of the season, winter sports fans will love to ski at Wilmot Mountain, a popular ski resort with over 20 ski runs suitable for a wide range of abilities. Leave time to explore. Some travellers prefer to make this journey on a longer route via the I-90, heading south near Mount Rushmore to reach Denver. Whether you want to hike, climb, bike, ski, snowshoe or simply follow miles of scenic drives to mountaintop lookouts, take your pick in this stunning national park and the surrounding winter sports resorts. 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. 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). Follow this road all the way across Illinois to Davenport, where you'll cross over the Mississippi River which forms the border between Illinois and Iowa. Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa is located on one of the island's best beaches, and offers a variety of family-friendly amenities. To make the most of the trip, take a couple of weeks and make a lot of stops along the way. Outside of the downtown Fennville, you'll find rolling fields and orchards that are both pretty and make some great food. Weather at the end of March can be iffy. Spring Break Family Destinations Near Chicago - Chicago Parent 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. This can be particularly handy if you're staying a little way out of town, or if you want to avoid a long walk back to your parking spot at the end of the day. The forest includes a remarkable 289,000 acres of nature adventures to experience. If you'd like to take a little shopping excursion, Nashville (IN) has a great many galleries and artisan shops. But is it worth a daytrip to an obscure Chicago suburb? The interstate carries on across Nebraska and then splits just as you approach the northeast corner of Colorado. You can also snowshoe, tube or skate if you want a break from the slopes. You might get spring, and then again, you might have winter still hanging on! Expect congestion on the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially if you visit at weekends. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, biking, fishing, climbing, boating and more forge incredible nature experiences in some of the most unique settings of the Midwest. Add in beautiful beaches all over, some big sand dunes, including the Indiana Dunes National Park and the pretty towns of Harbor Country. If you're travelling at this time of the year you can also stop off at New Hope, PA, as you make your way from Chicago to New York City. On the south side of the lake is the Black Point Estate. Rockford is the largest city in Illinois outside Chicagoland (the Chicago metropolitan area). 24 Top Weekend Getaways From Chicago - US News & World Report Check ahead to find details of live performances and special events that are taking place. You can survey the options from atop the California Tower in Balboa Park. Just after St Joseph, turn off onto I-196 where the interstate divides, and carry on north along the shore until you reach Saugatuck. The Swiss Historical Village is a great live museum which has kept 14 buildings in the style of the original 19th century settlement. Millions of years of geologic changes are reflected at the Garden of the Gods in Fridays at the Hollywood Beach Theatre feature free live jazz, blues and pop music at oceanfront cafes. How to get there: Similar to the Grand Rapids trip, follow I-90 then I-94 east out of Chicago as far as St Joseph. (Disney Enterprises . With heavy snowfall possible, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and other smaller roads are likely to be closed at times in the winter, so check ahead if you're hoping to travel a particular route. 6 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (430 miles). Our highlights: For many visitors, the main draw is the Olde World Christmas Market, a 10-day festive spectacular bringing together Czech, German and Russian Christmas traditions. 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. 8. This park is illuminated with amazing twinkling lights all through the holiday period and is a really popular local attraction. If you head further up the Michigan coast on a road trip around Lake Michigan from Chicago, you will get to Fennville - a small city in the Allegan County of Michigan's Agricultural Belt. 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! But that's just the welcome mat to this SoCal haven. The biggest ski area in the state is perfectly set up for skiers, with fast lifts and dozens of trails to follow. MoneyGeek came up with this year's list by analyzing the FBI's crime statistics for 2021 (the most recent . LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. 15 Best Winter Road Trips from Chicago - LazyTrips Fennville has a few quirky local museums and things to see. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (147 miles). The Garfield Park Conservatory, of course. If that gets your creative juices flowing it's also possible to take a one-day art workshop or a longer summer school in the city. (866) 399-3866. www.grizzlyjacksresort.com. All through the winter, you can also enjoy the shops and restaurants on fabulous River Street, the perfect place to spend some time whether you're looking for gifts to take home or just something special for yourself. Still under construction, this monument is dedicated to the Lakota leader who fought against the federal government to try and protect Native American land from being seized. Visit in early February when the Winter Carnival comes to town and you can see firework displays or catch a fun ride on one of the resort's snow groomers. Kentucky might only provide about a twenty-degree warm-up, but during the super cold times, those twenty degrees can feel like heaven. Treat your group to an exhilarating zip line adventure with Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour. Highlights include the cities of Indianapolis, Dayton and Columbus; as well as Wayne National Forest, Seneca Rocks, Shenandah National Park and Monongahela National Forest. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. Thanks In Milwaukee, switch onto I-43 and continue north, before leaving the interstate just after Saukville. 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. 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. Once you arrive at Mount Rushmore, you can also spend time exploring the stunning Black Hills and surrounding area. The long rows of vines stand out proudly in the snow and make a beautiful backdrop while you're learning about Icewine production or, more importantly, tasting a glass or two. 5 Winter Road Trip Ideas to Warmer Destinations - Auto Lab The parade brings together dragons and lions dancing through DC's streets, as well as drummers, dance troupes and firecrackers - it's a real feast for the senses. The two-lane road winds its way through the mountains, with plentiful overlooks and hiking trails to stop and explore. The track is open to kids as young as 8 so bring the whole family and see if any of them catch the sliding bug. Best Non-Stop Trips from Chicago to the Beach - Fodors Travel Guide For amazing views of the snow-covered landscape, head up the Skylon Tower. With art, culture, caf patios and waterfront dining, Toledo is a great short trip if you want a change of scene from Chicago. The 830-mile road trip from Chicago to Washington DC will take you around 14 hours to drive non-stop. For a really exhilarating ride, fly right above the snow on one of the 9 ziplines. It is more than 10-14 hours to get to a warm beach from Chicago. So, pack up your skis and look out for your skates - but don't worry if you're not the biggest fan of the slopes, since you'll also find great restaurants, beautiful views and stunning spas at these weekend destinations. St Julian Winery or Lemon Creek are great to visit and well located just off the interstate. 13 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (925 miles). The best thing about Madison, like many places in Wisconsin, is the food. Our travel tips: Equipment can be rented at this resort but arrive early on weekends or holidays as it's first come, first served. Drive time: 2 hours from downtown. 2 hours 45 minutes from Chicago (186 miles). As you'd expect, with much of the Midwest sitting under snow through the winter, the weekend trips you can take from Chicago all have a winter sports element to them. If you're coming for the World of Winter Festival, remember to wrap up warm. After Grand Rapids, turn onto Route 131 and continue north past Big Rapids and Cadillac, until you reach Boyne Mountain. Why you should visit: With festive lights, winter markets, a good chance of snow, and plenty of big city attractions, Toronto is a picture-perfect winter city trip. 10 Best Road Trips From Chicago - Trips To Discover There are also scenic boat rides out to historic Toledo Lighthouse, where tours are available make sure to climb to the top for great views along the shoreline. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (280 miles). 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (180 miles). You won't need any previous experience or equipment, as your entrance to the track includes a lesson and all the equipment you'll need to enjoy your visit safely. Then, take I-40 from Knoxville to Asheville then join I-26 south passing Spartanburg and Columbia. ETA: 10+ hours with couple of short breaks. Key stops include Minneapolis, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Monterey, plus the Grand Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone National Park. Take I-290 W from Chicago's downtown, which leads you out onto I-88. Driving time from Chicago: One and a half hours Our neighbors to the north will make you feel right at home with a seemingly endless supply of craft beer and cheese. If you're thinking of setting off on a road trip from Chicago in another season, check out our ultimate guide for Best Road Trips from Chicago for ideas and inspiration. San Diego San Diego boasts 260 sunny days a year, miles of rugged beachside and barking seals. Denver is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as being a great place to head to in winter if you want to ski or snowboard on nearby slopes. Aaron of L.A. Photography/Shutterstock.com, Sidra Monreal Photography/Shutterstock.com, Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park. RV campgrounds 500 miles from Chicago. 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. Where's the warmest, sunniest place in Chicago during the winter months? Amtrak has an overnight train (The City of New Orleans) to New Orleans where the weather will be warm. Places to visit about 300 miles from Chicago - Within Hours Join I-90 E to head out of Chicago then merge onto I-94 to continue to follow the shore of Lake Michigan. The route then follows the river north - you can cross in and out of Iowa and then Minnesota from Illinois and Wisconsin as the river continues to be the state border along the length of this drive. Bonus: Right through January you can enjoy the Icewine Festival, which celebrates this delicious local tipple. After a rapid period of growth through the first two thirds of the 20th century, Detroit suffered an economic collapse and a massive decline since the 70s. Then, check out the Christmas Village or the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. As Christmas gifts go, a whole city is one we wouldn't mind receiving! 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. 10~14 drive from Chicago - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums If you want to get better scenery, you can always cut across to the Mississippi and drive up the Great River Road (see #18 above). There are 4 large waterpark resorts (Kalahari, Great Wolf, Chula Vista and the Wilderness) and around 20 in total with more being constructed. Warm-Weather Getaways | Midwest Living Best Warm Weather Destinations For Winter - CBS Chicago It's not all about the outdoors though. 17. Getting to St Louis is easy - the I-55 will take you all the way to the Gateway City. In the evenings from May to September there's also a 45-minute ranger talk which ends with the lighting ceremony. 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. There are a few museums and sights to see - the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Art Museum are both worth going to. You could probably make the return trip in a day, but the journey can take up to 3 hours one way from Chicago so make it into a weekend and add a few stops at Fennville and the Harbor Country (see both above) on your way. Our highlights: Roll back 100 years and one of the biggest draws of Lake Geneva, WI, wasn't its snow, but the ice! The first week of December is particularly busy, but many travellers report that the crowds and prices calm down a little mid-month. One interesting place to visit is Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Restaurants like the Grove and Terra serve locally sourced ingredients which means the menu changes throughout the year. Follow the Great River Road as it twists and turns and you will be rewarded with great views the entire way. Also running from Thanksgiving right up to New Years Day is Celebration in the Oaks. The Cinco de Mayo festival is one of the biggest in the country, with parades, live music and dozens of food stalls to choose from. One that stands out for its festive themes is the Grinch-mas Who-liday Special at Universal Islands of Adventure. The Warmest Place in Chicago. The town of Holland sits along the length of Lake Macatawa that flows into Lake Michigan. How to get there: Follow the interstate east out of Chicago and then continue north, keeping Lake Michigan on your left. Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. Everything here is about cheese. Head up the CN Tower for great views of the city and Lake Ontario, which is particularly stunning when it starts to freeze over through the winter. 2643 Illinois Route 178. 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! I am actually down for anything, just to get some fresh air and get out of the city. Today the city is undergoing a massive regeneration effort - downtown Detroit is becoming more hip and vibrant and one by one, the delapidated old factory buildings are being converted or replaced by new structures. 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. Then, follow the Christmas Parade, which makes its way through the city's streets and squares in early December. 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. The 3 tallest sand dunes are all in the State Park with the tallest, Mount Tom, standing at 192 ft. Everything here looks, feels, smells and tastes Swiss. 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
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