Welcome to the Windy Metropolis! Whether or not a neighborhood or a traveler wanting to discover past the skyline, our information to the most effective day journeys from Chicago is your ticket to journey. We’ll present you learn how to swap metropolis streets for scenic escapes, all inside a day’s attain of Chicago. From charming small cities to pure wonders, prepare to find the Midwest’s most unforgettable experiences. Pack your sense of journey, and let’s hit the highway – Chicago-style day journeys await!
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Unimaginable Day Journeys from Chicago
On this information, we offer you concepts for the highest day journeys from the third most populous metropolis within the US. Positioned on the shores of Lake Michigan, many locations will tempt you away from town middle. After exploring all the awesome things to do in Chicago, from the Chicago River to historic landmarks, head to those unbelievable locations positioned inside simple attain of town.
The town is ideally positioned with simple border-crossing into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. It is usually an awesome place to begin for a day journey additional south into central Illinois. You’ve got 4 states at your fingertips – so you need to carve out time for a day journey whereas visiting.
1. Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee is an enormous deal. This main metropolis is positioned on the shores of western Lake Michigan in Wisconsin – only a 1.5 hour prepare journey or drive north of Chicago. We’d recommend catching the prepare if doable, as Milwaukee is greatest recognized for its breweries. Taking guided brewery excursions is likely one of the best things to do in Milwaukee. Other than its alcohol, although, it’s also residence to the Holler Home and Milwaukee Artwork Museum. Don’t neglect the Harley-Davidson Museum, which hosts an attractive show of bikes and paperwork iconic biker tradition. The Milwaukee Public Museum additionally has a large-scale European village.
If you’d like a unbelievable time out from Chicago, Milwaukee is good. It has a robust sense of tradition and lots of area of interest pockets of curiosity, like Harley-Davidson bikes and breweries. It is usually a breeze to succeed in by prepare or automotive.
- Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
- The way to get there: Prepare, bus or coach
Instructed Tour: A Group Tour to Discover Milwaukee
2. South Bend, IN
South Bend has a distinct vibe as a college metropolis on the St. Joseph River. It’s unbelievable if you’re on the lookout for a extra sedate metropolis expertise. You may go to the College of Notre Dame’s iconic campus, with its basic gold-domed constructing. There’s additionally loads of native historical past you can expertise within the metropolis middle, like automotive manufacturing from years passed by at Studebaker Nationwide Museum and the regional historical past on the Historical past Museum.
South Bend is unquestionably slower-paced than quick-footed Chicago. Nonetheless, it has numerous points of interest too. Consider it as a soothing and mental place to spend a day sightseeing. It has numerous enjoyable and pupil twists, like low-cost bars and occasional spots.
The town is positioned simply east of Chicago, on the opposite aspect of Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, and on the decrease east shore of Lake Michigan. It’s best reached by automotive, and we’d suggest stopping off on the nationwide park en route.
- Distance from Chicago: 2 to three hours
- The way to get there: Automotive or prepare
3. Madison, WI
Small Madison may not appear capital-worthy, however it’s truly the capital metropolis of Wisconsin, not the key, sprawling large of Milwaukee. This smaller metropolis has lovely structure galore. You may stand up near the historic domed Wisconsin State Capitol and stroll the Capital Metropolis State Path to sightsee totally different metropolis points of interest. There’s a botanic backyard expertise, too, at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, plus a quirkier downtown space with bars and occasional outlets. Madison is your most suitable option in the event you fancy a political sightseeing day journey from Chicago.
Madison can be superbly positioned subsequent to 2 enormous lakes – Lake Mendota and Lake Waubesa. Summer time leaves loads of alternatives for water sports activities and sunny waterfront mountaineering trails. Follow this walking tour to see town’s structure together with the State Capitol, Der Rathskaller, Bascomb Hill, and Memorial Union.
- Distance from Chicago: 2 to 4 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive or shuttle bus
4. Starved Rock State Park, IL
Starved Rock State Park is likely one of the hottest points of interest in Illinois. The park sits on the banks of the Illinois River and holds a group of sandstone canyons amidst lovely forests. The canyons had been initially reduce with glacial meltwater, and you may discover the surroundings utilizing a community of clearly marked picket boardwalks. Starved Rock State Park additionally has tons of waterfalls, which get impressively highly effective in wetter months.
Nature lovers will adore today journey selection. Not solely is the pure surroundings astounding, however it’s also possible to spot wildlife like white-tailed deer and bald eagles. Starved Rock State Park covers over 2,600 acres and has 13 miles of trails, with 18 canyons to admire. It’s positioned inland from Chicago and Lake Michigan.
- Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
- The way to get there: Automotive
5. Cedarburg, WI
Cedarburg has severe appeal. It has old-school-style homes and is incessantly in comparison with a film set. The city was based within the 1840s by a combination of predominantly Irish and German settlers and is now thought of a suburb of Milwaukee. Cedarburg has many cute and aesthetic issues to do, with the bonus of brewery and vineyard excursions. You may stroll the vineyards and tour brewing rooms or head to distinctive points of interest just like the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Advantageous Arts. Cedarburg is an actual gem and beats to its personal drum, making it a memorable day journey from Chicago.
This Wisconsin city is positioned simply north of Milwaukee’s metropolis middle. It’s best reached from Chicago by automotive, and you may at all times incorporate a stop-off in Milwaukee’s metropolis middle – parking within the outskirts and commuting in.
- Distance from Chicago: 2 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive
6. Illinois Seashore State Park, IL
If you’d like seashores, Illinois Seashore State Park is the place to be on a Chicago day journey. The park covers over 4,000 acres, with an attractive shore path and community of mountaineering trails. It is a perfect place for a seashore day alongside the shores of Lake Michigan. Nonetheless, Illinois Seashore State Park is equally greater than only a seashore vacation spot.
It has campgrounds and playgrounds, plus bathe blocks and a nature middle. Illinois Seashore State Park is someplace to spend a complete day. Begin with a hike and go to the character middle earlier than heading to Isherwood Seashore, and even tenting in a single day in case your schedule permits it.
The park is kind of near Chicago, taking lower than an hour to succeed in by automotive. It’s an awesome day journey you probably have a heat day or fancy a seashore journey. Or it’s the excellent journey in the event you fancy tenting an evening to interrupt up your basic metropolis break.
- Distance from Chicago: 1 hour
- The way to get there: By automotive
7. Lake Geneva, WI
Lake Geneva is an attractive resort metropolis alongside the banks of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, northwest of Chicago. As a small metropolis out of the main public transport strains, it’s best reached by automotive.
When you arrive, you might be greeted by Gilded Age mansions with dramatic structure and a scenic Shore Path that snakes across the metropolis’s part of Geneva Lake. Traditionally, Lake Geneva was used as a bolt-hole for prosperous Chicago residents, and searching on the metropolis’s surrounding pure magnificence, it’s simple to see why.
Admire Victorian historical past and Gilded Age structure, and go to the Lake Geneva seashores. Massive Foot Seashore State Park has sensible seashores, particularly for a lazy afternoon. Lake Geneva is an attractive day journey vacation spot to unwind earlier than revisiting Chicago’s chaotic sightseeing scene.
- Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive
8. Rockford, IL
Rockford is a serious metropolis positioned on the banks of the Mississippi River, giving it the nickname’ River Metropolis’. Rockford can be known as the ‘Forest Metropolis’ due to its historical past of tree felling, forests, and furniture-making industries. It’s a shapeshifter with an extended historical past and a distinguished place in Illinois’ society. These days, although, it is a perfect day journey candidate and is stuffed with well-liked points of interest and historic locations. You may cease by the koi-filled ponds at Anderson Japanese Gardens, relax in quite a few public parks, or head to the Rockford Artwork Museum. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens can be sensible.
Rockford is positioned in northern Illinois, proper below the Wisconsin border. We’d suggest combining it with a visit to Madison, positioned roughly an hour above town. It’s a nice stop-off level for these driving to the Wisconsin capital.
- Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive
9. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, IN
Neglect state parks in the event you like pure magnificence – purpose huge with Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park. This gorgeous park is excess of simply sand dunes and covers 15 miles of lovely shoreline excellent for swimming and sunbathing. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park can be a scorching spot for hen watching and mountaineering. The nationwide park is positioned on the southern finish of Lake Michigan. It’s a lovely spot to go to to embrace the lake’s magnificence. An entrance ticket prices round $20, and you may spend the entire day exploring the park.
Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park is positioned simply southeast of Chicago and is ideally mixed with visits to South Bend or day journeys into Michigan or Indiana.
- Distance from Chicago: 50 minutes
- The way to get there: By automotive
10. Lakeshore State Park, WI
Everybody loves an city park. This gorgeous park sits simply off Milwaukee’s shoreline. Nonetheless, we are going to embody it as a standalone attraction because it justifies a go to by itself benefit. Lakeshore State Park is greatest explored on foot by strolling the Hank Aaron State Path. You may take pleasure in metropolis skyline views and expansive vistas over Lake Michigan. And if you’re on the lookout for a romantic day journey from Chicago, head to Lakeshore State Park at sundown with a picnic.
The state park is clearly effectively mixed with a go to to Milwaukee. This little island state park is an attractive spot close to town. It’s positioned off the Historic Third Ward and accessible by a pedestrianized bridge connecting it to the mainland.
- Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive
11. Monroe, WI
Monroe is fairly cool. The quirky metropolis is called the Swiss cheese capital. It has an unlimited historical past of dairy farming that has given it a large cheese repute. You may go to to take meals excursions – extremely really useful – and check out native merchandise and produce. You must go to the Nationwide Historic Cheese Making Heart Museum and the Chalet Cheese Cooperative. There’s additionally lovely structure and historic locations, just like the Inexperienced County Courthouse, accomplished in 1891. The Monroe Historic Sq. is within the metropolis’s middle, surrounded by outlets and aesthetic surroundings.
Monroe is a tiny metropolis in comparison with a few of Chicago’s neighboring giants. It’s roughly positioned midway between Madison and Rockford. It’s undoubtedly greatest accessed by automotive.
- Distance from Chicago: 2 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive
12. St. Joseph, MI
St Joseph is a scenic coastal metropolis in southwest Michigan and a perfect day journey if you wish to enterprise into MI on a day journey from Chicago. It sits alongside the shore of Lake Michigan with lovely points of interest like Silver Seashore County Park and Lions Park Seashore. Silver Seashore is especially cute to go to, with a 1910 carousel and restored pavilion that carry an exquisite, vintage-style aesthetic to town. A basic purple and white lighthouse is close to town’s North Pier.
St Joseph is an attractive selection if you need a type of conventional seaside day journeys. It is just a brief drive from Chicago, even though you’ll be venturing by means of Indiana and crossing the Michigan border. Hooray for Lake Michigan’s shut community of US states. It’s unbelievable to mix with Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park and Michigan Metropolis.
- Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
- The way to get there: By Automotive
13. Channahon State Park, IL
Channahon State Park is an absolute should. The state park sits on among the most historic Illinois canals, housing a restored lock tender’s home for further historic worth. You may take pleasure in a community of mountaineering trails with waterfalls, birds, and historic towpaths to snap photographs of. Distance isn’t a difficulty when visiting inland Illinois; Channahon State Park is lower than an hour’s drive from central Chicago. It’s a nice day journey if you need minimal journey time and an perception into Illinois’ canal historical past.
You may manage guided excursions round Channahon State Park, together with canoe journeys. The state park is a chosen a part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Nationwide Heritage Hall. It’s extensively hailed as a vital a part of the state’s historical past. It’s a nature-given journey park.
- Distance from Chicago: 50 minutes
- The way to get there: By automotive
14. Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is an attractive village within the suburbs of Chicago. It actually packs a punch past fairly structure for such a small space. Guests can take pleasure in points of interest just like the Frank Lloyd Wright Residence and Studio, Ernest Hemingway’s Boyhood Residence, the Nationwide Historic Landmark of Mills Park and the Oak Park River Forest Museum. Oak Park is a quickfire number of museums in a tiny space, accessible from central Chicago utilizing public transport. What’s to not love? It’s the excellent selection if you need journeys from Chicago carried out simply.
It’s so useful to leap on a prepare and be amongst dozens of museums. Moreover, its Unity Temple was just lately designated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2019. Regardless of all its current points of interest and choices, Oak Park may be very a lot up and coming when it comes to customer recognition and worth for tourism.
- Distance from Chicago: 15 to twenty minutes
- The way to get there: By prepare
Instructed Tour: Private Frank Lloyd Wright Tour from Chicago
15. Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids is one other main metropolis – suppose skyscrapers and an attractive riverside setting with dramatic bridges. Grand Rapids has loads of tradition, with museums just like the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum and Grand Rapids Public Museum. It additionally has a cool, protected, and walkable downtown district, which incorporates the Grand Rapids Artwork Museum, an attraction and initiative that spotlights native artists.
We prefer to catch a shuttle to Grand Rapids, because it has an illustrious brewery historical past. Particularly, it’s recognized for New Holland Brewing, and you may take guided tasting excursions on the native breweries which are nonetheless operating. In any other case, driving is faster, and you may cease off at spots like Indiana Sand Dunes Nationwide Park, St Joseph, and South Bend. You hug the decrease shoreline of Lake Michigan, which is an extended however very scenic drive. Ideally, rotate drivers and have a number of totally different stops en route.
- Distance from Chicago: 3 to five hours
- The way to get there: By automotive in slightly below 3 hours or by shuttle in below 4
- Instructed Tour: Grand Rapids Ghost Tour
16. Windmill Island Gardens, MI
Chicago may be often known as ‘Windy Metropolis,’ however try Windmill Island Gardens. This seasonal park incorporates a 250-year-old windmill in an ode to town’s Dutch affect. You may take self-guided excursions of the park, admire the windmill, and meet guides in conventional Dutch costumes. There’s additionally a tulip backyard, which is gorgeous in spring.
This is likely one of the main day journeys from Chicago if you need Dutch heritage, and it’s even positioned outdoors of a metropolis named Holland. Windmill Island Gardens is positioned in Michigan, so that you’ll be driving the south coast of Lake Michigan, slicing by means of northern Indiana and throughout the Michigan border. In terms of visiting Michigan, distance is usually a concern. Is it an extended day of driving? Sure. However it’s extremely scenic and an effective way to mix a number of points of interest. When you have a number of drivers, you received’t have any hassle as you possibly can simply rotate driving time.
- Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive
17. Galena, IL
Galena is an absolute gem of an enthralling small city, sitting on the banks of the Galena River with tons of Civil Struggle historical past. The city was residence to the Civil Struggle Normal Ulysses S. Grant, and his former house is a State Historic Website. In fact, Ulysses S. Grant later grew to become a US president, so his story is immortalized. Galena is a good place to go to if you’re serious about politics and historical past. Its city middle is comparatively walkable and is stuffed with tales and scenic Nineteenth-century structure.
Galena is true within the prime left nook of Illinois, on the border of Iowa and Wisconsin. It’s a fabulous add-on from Rockford or Starved Rock State Park, round 1.5 hours away by automotive.
18. Michigan Metropolis, IN
Michigan Metropolis is simply an hour away and is sensible, accessible day journey materials. If you’d like a straightforward journey from Chicago, Michigan Metropolis is it. Fancy a drive? You may drive there in an hour, passing Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park. Fancy a prepare journey? You may learn or nap and attain town in lower than 2 hours. There’s numerous lakeside tradition and historical past, with a number of lighthouses to admire and the quaint Washington Park Seashore.
There’s additionally interval historical past on the Barker Mansion, which showcases English-inspired decor and furnishings in a Nineteenth-century mansion. Admire the historical past, have a seashore day, or take pleasure in inner-city purchasing at outlet shops. Michigan Metropolis provides masses and, on the very least, is a change of scene.
You may simply go to Michigan Metropolis; correct day-long journeys are low on journey time and excessive on points of interest. And that sums up this lakeside metropolis.
- Distance from Chicago: 1 to 2 hours
- The way to get there: 1 hour by automotive or 2 hours by prepare
19. Peoria, IL
Peoria is an attractive metropolis in Illinois. It was primarily established as a port metropolis and buying and selling middle because of its place on the Illinois River. It’s positioned a lot additional inland in central Illinois. It’s simply an hour or so additional central than Starved Rock State Park – howdy, potential mixed day journey.
Peoria has lovely riverside parks, together with Peoria Riverfront Park and Liberty Park. There’s additionally the Riverfront Museum and Peoria Historic Society. It’s a beautiful place to simply stroll and discover on foot. And the distinction between hectic Chicago and sedate Peoria is huge, making it a worthwhile day journey.
The town is positioned southwest of Chicago and is greatest accessed by automotive. This manner, it’s also possible to cease off at Starved Rock State Park on the best way.
- Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours
- The way to get there: By automotive
20. Six Flags Nice America, IL
What a few day at an amusement park? Six Flags Nice America is a sequence of amusement parks scattered throughout the US. And there may be one on the outskirts of Chicago, creating the most effective day journey for fun-loving vacationers. The park has water park rides, rollercoasters, and all-round enjoyable leisure. You may get adrenaline on rides like Sky Striker or the American Eagle. Alternatively, attempt the sedate, family-friendly rides just like the Massive Straightforward Balloons or Cubasco tea cups.
Everybody loves a enjoyable time out. And Six Flags Nice America is the proper day journey to skip sightseeing and escape town to take pleasure in some high quality ‘enjoyable’ time. It’s the ideally suited place to let your hair down and has a formidable vary of rides, making it appropriate for adults and youngsters. Six Flags Nice America is positioned north of Chicago, slightly below the Wisconsin border. Get your tickets in advance here.
- Distance from Chicago: 1 to 2 hours
- The way to get there: 1 hour by automotive or 2 hours by prepare then bus
21. Glacial Park Conservation Space
Lastly, there’s the gorgeous Glacial Park Conservation Space. This 3,400-acre reserve is a surprising mixture of wetlands and prairie, with glacial kames and ample scenic canoeing or fishing alternatives. It is likely one of the most photogenic locations to expertise pure magnificence on a day journey from Chicago. You may discover Glacial Park on foot or by water or shake issues up and e-book a horseback driving tour. The park has a grand whole of 8 miles of shared-use trails, and also you’ll undoubtedly need to carry a digital camera.
Glacial Park Conservation Space opens from dawn till sundown all yr spherical. It’s ideally suited if you wish to change from the usual suburban park expertise to a little bit of rugged, distant nature.
- Distance from Chicago: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- The way to get there: By automotive
There’s a lot to expertise on day journeys from Chicago – whether or not that’s Dutch heritage, wealthy historical past associated to the Civil Struggle, or driving water park rides at Six Flags America. You may embrace small-town appeal at Oglesby, pure magnificence and pure wonders at Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, or craft beer at a neighborhood brewery. Chicago’s location proper subsequent to 3 different state borders means you’ve gotten numerous variety when selecting day journeys. And the ever-presence of lovely Lake Michigan means a relentless barrage of water sports activities and seashores. Hopefully, you’ve gotten no less than 5 or 6 day journey selections.
Are you on the lookout for extra inspiration? Why not try our guides on the best things to do in Wisconsin and the best places to visit in Michigan? We’ve additionally received notes on the most effective, most unique things to do in Northern Michigan particularly, so test that out you probably have time so as to add a few days to the tip of your Chicago journey. When you have longer, why not take a 2-3 day tour from Chicago? It’s a sensible launchpad to find extra of the experiences within the states round Lake Michigan. Chicago’s location is by far its successful high quality, and you need to make the most of it when planning day journeys and excursions.
