ever. Kohler also manages the James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden, one of several artist-built environments throughout the state. The heart of Indiana Amish country is a great option for a convenient road trip perfect for families, history buffs and, most of all, antiquers. Another one of the great things to do in Elgin is visit Lords Park and Zoo. There are also several historic buildings, and the Ulysses S. Grant Home is one of the most popular places to visit for a look into the past. Despite what Blackhawks fans may chant, there is plenty about Detroit that doesnt suck. Pull up through scenic rolling hills to go back in time because the Galena Historic District is made up of cobblestone streets and over 1,000 buildings from the 19th century. If youre thinking a little shorter, then read on. Planning a Road Trip in the USA: 13 Best Routes! Then these Chicago road trips are only 4 hours away. Breakfast is included, and its one of the better spreads Ive seen. Youll learn about the towns very beginnings, as well as its role in the Underground Railroad. But one of the main reasons visitors flock to Indianapolis is its incredible food scene, which has, in recent years, exploded into national prominence. And of course, make sure you have some cheese curds, brats, and beer. The city now has 10 tourable distilleries, includingEvan Williams,Angels EnvyandOld Forester. Discover the best things to do in Ann Arbor. Its right downtown, providing easy access to the river walk. The Children's Museum is sure to be a hit for younger travellers - it's the world's largest children's museum. A fun way to get an overview is to take a Segway tour. The museum began in 1956 and now covers a sprawling 33-acre campus. On the way home, stop in neighboring Dearborn, home to the largest and most diverse Arab community in the U.S., for delicious food at spots like, OK, just hear us out. When you go, Id love it if youd share your photos in our Facebook group. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Kenosha is the fourth largest metro area in Wisconsin, as well as the fourth-largest city on the shores of Lake Michigan, and there are TONS of things to do. Youll never get tired of exploring its orchards, coves, lighthouses and wineries. Auto enthusiasts will love The Automobile Gallery. Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington: The Great Northern on U.S. Route 2 Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along U.S. 2 is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the vast diversity and expansiveness of North America. You can take a steamboat tour or an American Lady River Cruise aboard a yacht. The city of Indianapolis is one of the best road trips from Chicago during winter because of its incredible indoor entertainment: museums. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Beer fans will want to belly up at Junk Ditch, The Hoppy Gnome, and Hop River Brewing Company. Consider a train to Seattle heres what its really like to ride the Amtrak Empire Builder! If youre looking for a quick getaway or even a day trip, these locations are short road trips from Chicago and all within two hours of the Windy City. bagel. (Yeah, I know you're from Chicago). Just don't forget to leave room for a meal at, Despite what Blackhawks fans may chant, there is plenty about Detroit that doesnt suck. Lake Geneva is one of the few places left in the country where mail is delivered by boat. Ive got even more places to visit in Lafayette. The towns tagline is Wisconsins Great Outside, and there are thirty miles of trails in Janesville, including a portion of Wisconsins Ice Age Trail. Folks head to the Chippewa Valley in northern Wisconsin for its rolling hills and colorful foliage (plus plenty of beer and cheese to smuggle back to Chicago), but there are some worthy sights along the road as well. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ive gone from weekend traveller, to solo digital nomad, to owning a home in sunny Southsea, UK holidaying when I can. Clinch Park and Bryant Park have gorgeous, popular beaches while the more remote Haserot and North Bar Lake beaches offer the chance for a secluded getaway. When I stayed, the hot items were frequently replenished and there were several options including both waffles and mini-waffles. Not only can you taste wines, when you take a weekend road trip from Chicago, you can do so while listening to live music. This is about as far south as you can drive from Chicago in 8 hours, so if you are looking to warm up Memphis is a great destination. When temperatures are cold, cold, cold you might opt for staying indoors. driving from chicago to kentucky have 7 days. Its a large county comprised of several towns. Pumpkin patches, race-tracking and fishing are all inclusive! There are also horses, that you can ride. ), the Gemini Giant, Bunyons Statue, and Carlinvilles Million Dollar Courthouse. While the forested grounds offer romantic snow-covered views, dont miss out on the epic zip lines that take you through the trees and slopes. The climate is very similar to Napa Valley, and the areas known for its award-winning wines. Each place is special and offers unique experiences. An experience thats both fun and tasty is taking a class at Lake Geneva Cooking School. If you can spare a month, make it all the way down to the Pacific Ocean. Wine tasting in Galena, Illinois. In addition to being the only Sandusky hotel thats on the water, its also got a rooftop bar and an on-site restaurant. This four-mile road course is considered the best in the United States and one of the top in the world. Beasleys Orchard has the best apple cider. Families and romantics will love Starved Rock State Park for reasons that include: 13 miles of hiking, 18 canyons, free entry and nature-surround lodge. sandwich. My grandparents lived in West Lafayette, Indiana, so I grew up visiting. Where to stay in Green Bay, Wisconsin: Stay in the heart of Green Bay at the historic Hotel Northland. Another spot for great views is Eagle Point Park. March/April Road trip ideas from Chicago - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums The Civil War Museum is an impressive look at Wisconsins role in the war. The McHenry County Conservation District manages more than thirty conservation areas, and most of them have hiking trails. You can even stay in the same bed and breakfast where Bill Murrays character woke up again, and again, and again. Enjoy a leisurely morning browsing at at, showcasing dozens of artisan food producers, makers and crafters, and then check out the tempting restaurant and bar options nearby. From the Indianapolis Museum of Art to the Indianapolis Childrens Museum to quirky Indiana Medical History Museum, you can escape the cold all day! 12 Best Small Towns in the U.S. for Families, Best Road Trips for Every Decade of Your Life, 16 Best Places to Visit in Michigan, According to Locals, 12 Romantic Getaways in Michigan From Small Towns to Car-free Islands. 1. One of the most famous attractions is in nearby Dyer. Road Trips Perfect Spring Road Trips for When You Need to Escape Chicago There are plenty of day trips near the Windy City when you need a quick reset. 1 hour Lake Kegonsa State Park. This Chicago road trip will have you hopping between wineries and breweries, not to mention the beach. The Field of Dreams Movie Site is surprisingly moving, especially now that you can tour the house. If Skyline Chili is not your bag, dont worrytheres a whole lot more to the Queen City than its most famous tourist foodstuff. For transportation of another kind, visit the National Railroad Museum. If you need more than wine to prompt a trip, there's plenty of nature in the vicinity and the nearby town of Murphysboro is home to some of the finest BBQ in the Midwest at 17th Street Barbecue. Located 164 miles (264 kilometers) west of Chicago, Galena, Illinois, is one of the best road trip destinations from Chicago for history buffs. Huron River entertains with kayaking, paddle-boarding, tubing and swimming; Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum displaying beautiful foliage. Want your road trips from Chicago for a special weekend? Golf is one of Lake Genevas biggest draws. Youre also within a stones throw of the coastal M-22, one of the most scenic drives in America, as well photo-ops at the Grand Traverse and Little Sable lighthouses. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. If you'd rather stick to less-crowded cities, skip Detroit and opt for Ann Arbor instead. St Louis is a 5-hour drive and has lots to do - much of it free, and hotels/motels are cheaper than in other large cities. Its proximity makes it perfect for a day trip, but theres enough to do that youll want to make a weekend of it. If you plan on spending time outsideand you shouldbe sure to pack accordingly with warm layers, protection from the sun, and sturdy closed-toed walking shoes. You also have three rivers and five state parks within an hours distance, and the lovely 100-mile Lower Wisconsin River Scenic Byway for more driving way. Some are large, like Plainfield and Avon, and others are small, like the tiny Lizton, which is home to the best barbecue and pecan pie in Indiana (and possibly the Midwest). There are also 53 public beaches, five state parks, and 300 miles of shoreline so get ready to put some miles on your car. While beer, blues and BBQ are likely on the top of your St Louis bucket list (and rightfuly so), there's a lot more to discover in the Gateway to the Westlike custard from Ted Drewes and a walk around Forest Park. You can take a pontoon boat ride, or go kayaking or paddle boarding. Depending on when you leave for your weekend road trips from Chicago, traffic could increase times by at least an hour, so check Google maps or Waze before you go. Road Trip From Chicago To New York City - LazyTrips Best Weekend Getaways From Chicago: Road Trips & Itineraries - Thrillist Today, many of those mansions still stand. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co.