nice day trips near chicago

1. Milwaukee, WI. Photograph: John Karpinsky. Driving time from Chicago: One and a half hours. Getting to the Cream City requires a painless drive, but if you plan to fully indulge, ditch the car ...

3. Cedarburg. Location: Wisconsin. Distance from Chicago: 112.5 miles. Driving Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. In case you're not looking to waste a lot of time traveling from Chicago, Cedarburg could be your absolute go-to for a day trip! It's 20 miles north of Milwaukee and about a 2-hour drive from Chicago.

The 23 most unique day trips from Chicago Break the mold with these under-the-radar, kitschy or otherwise unique trips within a few hours' drive of Chicago. Thursday April 11 2024

Springfield is one of the easiest day trips from Chicago. The capital city of Illinois, Springfield is about 3 hours from Chicago, so it's either a really long day trip, or a nice overnight journey. You can tour the State Capitol building, as well as the Old State Capitol Building (which served from 1839-1876.)

Oak Park, Illinois Is One Of The Best Day Trips From Chicago. Oak Park Illinois is the shortest distance you'll have to travel for a day trip on this list as it's just under 20 minutes outside of Chicago. Despite that, many people in Chicago, or even visiting Chicago, don't think to explore Oak Park. Admirers of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of ...

New Glarus, WI. Get a taste of Swiss heritage in this small Wisconsin town with great cheese and great local beer. 🗺️ Distance from Chicago: 2.75 to 3 hours | Google Maps | New Glarus Website. For visitors of all ages, New Glarus is one of the more unique day trips.

Starved Rock State Park. Voted at the number 1 attraction in all of Illinois, Starved Rock State Park is a must-visit, a highlight of all the day trips from Chicago. The hiking trails are some of the best in all of the United States of America and although some are challenging overall this is a really accessible park.

Phone +1 847-835-6801. Web Visit website. Just one hour north of Chicago sits Chicago Botanic Garden, a haven for plants and flowers from around the globe. Plan on spending a few hours here, exploring the grounds, having lunch or a snack at the Garden View Café, and shopping for unique items in the Garden Shop.

How to get to Milwaukee from Chicago: Amtrak runs seven trains daily to downtown Milwaukee, with a journey time of 90 minutes. By car, take the I-94 for the roughly two-hour trip. 3. Tour the lakeside hamlets of Harbor Country. Travel time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Embrace the slower pace of life as you get to know the farm's beloved sheep by name and take a tour of their fiber production facilities. Allison Yates. Advertising. 3. Galena, IL. Photograph ...

Mount Morris, Illinois: 100 miles northwest of Chicago. Jason Donnelly. With its rolling terrain, state parks and preserves traversed by the mighty Rick and Mississippi rivers, plus biking and hiking trails crisscrossing the area, the Blackhawk Waterways region of northwest Illinois promises outdoor recreation bliss.

2. Glencoe, Illinois. 42.1342106,-87.7985822, map. Distance: 24.3 mi / 31 min. Things You Can't Miss: Chicago Botanic Garden, Skokie Lagoons, Home Alone House. What to Eat: Frank & Betsie's Restaurant , Bake Homemade Pizza. The village of Glencoe on Chicago's north shore is a quick and easy day trip from Chicago.

Starved Rock State Park. Distance from Chicago: 91 miles/146 km. How Long it Takes: 1½ Hours. Settled along the Illinois River, Starved Rock State Park is an oasis teeming with seasonal waterfalls, towering sandstone canyons, thriving wildlife, and scenic hiking trails.

Located just an hour and a half southwest of Chicago is Starved Rock State Park, IL. And it's an absolute paradise for nature lovers. With free entry and free parking, Starved Rock State Park is the perfect low-cost day trip, allowing you to focus on the beauty all around you. Spanning over 2,630 acres, Starved Rock State Park features ...

You have four states at your fingertips - so you should carve out time for a day trip while visiting. 1. Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee is a big deal. This major city is located on the shores of western Lake Michigan in Wisconsin - just a 1.5 hour train ride or drive north of Chicago.

1. Cycle Around Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is one of the best day trips to take in the warmer months. It's a small city on the shore of Geneva, Lake in Wisconsin. The city is a resort town with many hotels, shops, and tourists. The Lake Geneva Shore Path is the main attraction.

Find recommendations and ideas on the best day trips from Chicago, Illinois, with pictures, details, and travel tips. See the best places to visit outside Chicago, based on your interests.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn Bourbonnais Kankakee. 5. Fairbury, IL. Foodies will enjoy a day out in Fairbury, home to the popular Slagel Family Farms and Kilgus Farmstead, both favorites among top chefs in the state. Fairbury sits at the heart of Illinois, two hours away from Chicago.

25 Best Day Trips from Chicago: 1. Milwaukee (1 hour 35 minutes) 2. Holland, Michigan (2 hours 30 minutes) 3. Kettle Moraine State Forest (2 hours 40 minutes) 4. Lake Geneva (1 hour 40 minutes) 5. Naperville (40 minutes) 6. Village of Oak Park (15 minutes) 7. Six Flags Great America (1 hour) 8. North Utica (1 hour 45 minutes) 9. Chicago Botanic ...

Less than 1.5 hours north of Chicago, near the Wisconsin border, is Chain O'Lakes State Park. This stunning state park is a popular recreational area situated on 11 beautiful lakes. ... Rockford is one of the best day trips from Chicago for a family getaway with children. The Discovery Center Museum in Rockford will keep kids entertained for ...

Fox River Valley, Illinois. Getty Images. Located along the picturesque Fox River on the western outskirts of Chicago lie the small towns that make up Illinois' Fox River Valley. Stretching from ...

Just a short drive or train ride from downtown Chicago, it's an easy day trip from the city. Travel time: 1 hr drive, 90 min on South Shore Line Entry fee: $7 in-state vehicles, $12 out-of-state ...

Getty Images. For a family-friendly getaway, opt for a weekend trip to Wisconsin Dells, a three-hour drive from Chicago. This area, known as the "water park capital of the world," is packed with ...