Within a short distance of the city you can ski, skate, snow tube and sled, sometimes with beautiful views across Lake Mendota. One that stands out for its festive themes is the Grinch-mas Who-liday Special at Universal Islands of Adventure. With a lot of water activities on the lake, the parking lots can fill up quickly so make sure you get here in the morning to get a spot. Back outdoors, visit DC's largest outdoor ice rink at Washington Harbour, for views out across the waterfront, or see the Holiday Boat Parade, which includes fireworks and live music as well as festively decorated boats parading down the Potomac River. Otherwise you can find a selection of different cheese styles and types. 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. 11 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (760 miles). 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. Hike along Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore on your next weekend getaway from Chicago. 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. 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. 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. Our highlights: The highlight of most people's visit to Niagara Falls is to see the mighty waterfalls up close, but if you visit in winter you can also marvel at the massive icicles that form right by the viewing platform on the Journey Behind the Falls. 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. Drive time: 2 hours from downtown. As well as being a relaxed and varied city, Asheville is the perfect gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, so a trip here offers a great combination of city vibes and the great outdoors. 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. 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 . I-80 is a notoriously busy road, with heavy commercial traffic and few landmarks of interest. You can easily do a day trip from Chicago, but if you decide to come for the weekend, you can stay over at the Starved Rock State Park Lodge that comes complete with a pool and spa to unwind after your hiking. 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. The detour will add around two and a half hours so bake that into your planning and consider stops along the way. I don't want to go to the Wisconsin Dells like every year but something different, fun, good places to visit, similar to New York. You can't take your car with you to Mackinac - you'll have to park it at one of the designated ferry parking lots and make your way across. If you're crossing over the Canadian border to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Icewine vineyards and wineries are probably the first thing that will get your attention. The best thing about Grand Rapids, however, is the food and the drink. Another is called the " Fire Sudatorium. 8 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (530 miles). Several of the hotels in town have excellent in-house spas, so you can treat yourself to some relaxation time during your trip. 3 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (190 miles). Once you get to halfway point, you should spend a day or longer on Mackinac Island. The hip city has a lot of things to see and experience. The self proclaimed moniker comes from the factories in the city that supply the rest of the country with various kinds of fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts. The main reason to go to Lake Forest now is a weekend away at the 57-room Deer Path Inn ( from $329 per night ), a fabulous, little-known gem that puts you in arm's reach of the . Boyne Mountain Resort Distance: 5-hour drive Michigan winters are best captured with the ski resort of Boyne. Combined with St Paul, the two merged metro areas are known as the Twin Cities and are one of the largest in the Midwest. 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. Bonus: Early in February Lake Geneva's Winterfest bursts into action, with an ice sculpting competition and snow races! Our highlights: Boyne Mountain is primarily a ski resort, so take to the slopes and explore more than 415 acres of ski runs. 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. 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. 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. Minneapolis straddles both sides of the Mississippi and has over a dozen lakes within it's city limits which makes for amazing scenery. So, sit back, relax, and learn all you need to know in planning a road . Why you should visit: Mild weather and weeks of flamboyant parades makes New Orleans the perfect contrast to snowy Chicago. The capitol building and a few great museums are definitely worth seeing - the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chazen Art Museum both have huge collections spanning different styles and time periods. Southern Illinois Distance: 6-hour drive Southern Illinois has a hilly landscape and a rural vibe. The dunes stretch along a 15-mile stretch of Lake Michigan and the National Park borders the State Park of the same name. A Little History. Why you should visit: This is a year-round resort, but with 140 inches of snow, it comes into its own during winter. Not far away, Wind Cave is one of the world's longest. The two-lane road winds its way through the mountains, with plentiful overlooks and hiking trails to stop and explore. SBD is a respectable 2nd place, IMO, and added attractions are wine country, nice beaches, warmer water (usually) and resort options (homestead resort near glen arbor gets high marks in the MI-Fo's). For summer fun during the winter months, Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort is the place to be. PC . The Garfield Park Conservatory, of course. There are two giant lakes right in the middle of the city, either side of downtown which creates a uniquely relaxed vibe. 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. The same road takes you right into Philadelphia. 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. You will be forgiven for thinking you were teleported to central Europe the moment you get to New Glarus. Thanks Lake ice was harvested and taken to nearby towns and cities - it was big business here as late as the 1940s. Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. Then there's dozens of amazing natural parks to explore, especially towards the northern tip of the lake. Why you should visit: This beautiful little lakeside town hosts a magical Christmas market every year. 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. 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. Our travel tips: Winter weather in Savannah is changeable, but the year-round humidity can make even warm days feel chilly when you're outdoors for a while. How to get there: Follow the interstate east out of Chicago and then continue north, keeping Lake Michigan on your left. It's a great way to experience this historic part of the city, full of character. You can see Cinderella's Castle made even more magical at Walt Disney World, or visit EPCOT's International Festival of the Holidays to take a whistle-stop tour around the world's traditions. Many of the events and installations are outdoors, so, this being Michigan, chances are you'll be enjoying them in the snow. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (155 miles). 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. 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. 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. 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 . The fast ferries will take under 20 minutes to get you there. Our highlights: The World of Winter Festival usually starts in the first week of January, and as well as ice sculptures you can see interactive installations from artists all over the world, with walking tours taking you through some of the outdoor art highlights. 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). Our highlights: Florida is the warmest part of the continental US through the winter - perfect for escaping the sub-zero temperatures of the Midwest! For the equestrian lover, Keeneland is a famous horse racing arena that attracts people from around the globe. If 21 miles seems a little much, focus in on the 2-mile stretch on the West End. 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. 1 hour 20 minutes from Chicago (80 miles). 489 miles northeast of Chicago: Lake Bernard Park. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). For added romantic charm, put your skates on and have laps on one of the city's many ice rinks - there are over 50 to choose from. With fast lifts, extensive ski runs and stunning views, you'll probably want to spend most of your time here on the slopes. Just after crossing the Ohio River at Evansville, turn onto I-69, continuing south on I-169 where the interstates divide. 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. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. Remember that Minneapolis can get cold, and even feel cool in the summer. The main attraction is a 21-mile loop around the lake with stunning forest scenery and great views of the water. These change year on year, but in the past have included things like silent disco, outdoor musical performances, and storytelling to mark Native American traditions or Chinese New Year. If you're not planning a trip until after Christmas, you'll be able to visit the Toronto Light Festival, when fabulous installations brighten up the city through the cold winter nights. You also don't have to book attractions weeks in advance, and you can find reasonably priced accommodation in the downtown area. 4 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). First is the village of New Glarus. There are also several events to mark Dia de los Muertos in late October and early November. Our travel tips: This is a really popular ski area, and lift passes can sell out during the busiest periods. 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. A wide selection of breweries includes European-style beers and the pizza-serving Harmony. 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. Morning departure is around 5% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*. 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. Why visit? 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. 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. MoneyGeek came up with this year's list by analyzing the FBI's crime statistics for 2021 (the most recent . Winters are bitterly cold and very snowy - that drive from Chicago might not be the best idea in the middle of February! 8. 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. The classic design may look more like an East Coast city with Louisville having the second highest number of cast iron faades after New York, primarily in its West Main District. 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 . 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. Olympian Mark Grimmette trained on the Luge track here when he was young and went on to compete at five Winter Olympic Games, winning medals at two of them. 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! Bonus: As well as being known for its winter sports, Grand Rapids is famous for its many craft breweries - in fact, it's been given the title of Beer City USA! 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. Hemlock Hideaway Campground. The 2,470-mile road trip from Chicago to San Francisco takes 38 hours to drive. Weekend Getaways from Chicago: Market Street Inn - 3 hours . The most accessible section of this shore extends from the Indiana line 175 miles north to Ludington. Rising 462 feet above the sea, the carillon tower recently reopened to the public after 80 years in solitude. Our highlights: Toronto is a vibrant cultural melting pot, so when you spend time in the city you'll be able to enjoy influences on food, art and recreation from all over the world. Amtrak has an overnight train (The City of New Orleans) to New Orleans where the weather will be warm. Denver also has a host of fabulous cultural attractions, so don't overlook the city itself on your way up to the mountains. 809 Civic Center Dr., Niles; 847-972-2540 or kingspa.com. Located right by Lake Ontario, you can enjoy frosty views out across the water, then head back into the city to indulge yourself in some culture or plain old festive cheer. Afterwards, take some time to admire the cathedral's architecture - and see if you can spot the Darth Vader gargoyle. Around 20 miles south of New Glarus and a little closer to Chicago is the city of Monroe. Fridays at the Hollywood Beach Theatre feature free live jazz, blues and pop music at oceanfront cafes. At night, you can see the falls lit up in spectacular illuminations as part of the Winter Festival of Lights. Adrenaline junkies can ride ziplines in several places around Asheville, take a rafting trip or go canyoneering. 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: About 12,000 acres of lakes, sand dunes and oak savannas are wide open for exploration, including ice fishing, skating, sand dune sledding, fat tire biking and snowman building. The interstate carries on across Nebraska and then splits just as you approach the northeast corner of Colorado. Where's the warmest, sunniest place in Chicago during the winter months? The City of Lakes is a bustling hub of activity - 6 of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here and it's known as a major cultural and arts center. One of the best places to visit in Illinois, this state park features 18 canyons and 13 miles of hiking trails to explore. 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. There are plenty of places to stop and a lot of parks and trails if you want to get out of the car. As far as Nashville I-55 runs parallel to the Mississippi before passing through Jackson. After Grand Rapids, turn onto Route 131 and continue north past Big Rapids and Cadillac, until you reach Boyne Mountain. The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Some travellers prefer to make this journey on a longer route via the I-90, heading south near Mount Rushmore to reach Denver. Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Chicago. 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. 5 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (350 miles). The small town of Oglesby, home to 3,600 people, is renowned for its natural beauty. 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. 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. Our travel tips: Visit the Luge in the evenings and you can warm up by a bonfire after your slide down the track. 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. Parking can be difficult, especially in the summer months when hundreds of visitors head to town. Wisconsin Dells is known for two things - its scenic Wisconsin River gorge and the high number of waterparks which has given the town its nickname as the Waterpark Capital of the World. 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago (93 miles). New this winter, try curling. A quick road trip from Chicago to Milwaukee will take you north along the I-94 to the point where three separate rivers (Milwaukee, Menomonee and the Kinnickinnic) merge and flow into Lake Michigan. It was founded by a group of Swiss settlers from the Swiss canton of Glarus in 1845. Just after London, the road merges with ON-403, which will take you right into the center of Toronto. How to get there: This is a really simple trip just follow I-90 all the way from Chicago. You could come to Cedarburg on a long day drive, but it's really perfect as a weekend getaway destination. There are a number of different trails that will take you up and down the dunes, past groups of trees that have been overcome by the sand, dune blowouts and pine forests. 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 village represents a historic view of Dutch settlements and you can even visit a wooden clog (shoe) making factory. 506 miles southeast of Chicago: Toe River Campground. To make the most of the trip, take a couple of weeks and make a lot of stops along the way. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of Chicago then merge onto US-41 at the southern tip of Lake Michigan and continue south past Terre Haute and Vincennes. And one of the three sections of the Hoosier National Forest is immediate to this area. Although it serves a lot of dishes to serve American tourist tastes, you can try the Wienerschnitzel (pan fried breaded veal cutlet) or the cheese fondue (dipping pieces of bread into molten cheese). Go snowshoeing at Quit Qui Oc golf course or ice skate at June Vollrath Park. 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! Saugatuck, which sits at the center of the state's Art Coast, has been voted the Midwest's Best Beach Town, and its gently sloping sandy beach is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. You'll finally turn off the interstate at Rapid City, joining US-16 for the last few miles of your drive to Mount Rushmore. 605 S. Prospect St., Galena IL, 800-717-2317. You can also go on a tour of the Cedar Creek Winery and try the local wines which might just surprise you. Nicknamed the Forest City due to the area's verdant woods and rivers, Rockford is also known as the Screw Capital of the World. Alternatively, tour the galleries and independent shops in the city's downtown area, which showcase the work of the thriving local arts community. Take a carriage ride through Central Park, which is even more magical when there's snow on the ground. If you're feeling active, there are places where you can sled on the frozen sand dunes. 13 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (925 miles). Although there's the regular rush hour traffic that might slow you down a little, the city doesn't experience significant congestion. Our highlights: As you'd expect, the main draw of Muskegon in winter is Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. As well as all the holiday attractions and the chance to see some of the world-famous monuments beautifully surrounded by snow, the crowds at the city's museums are likely to be quieter during the winter. 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.

Celebrities With Leo Sun Libra Moon, Towcester Pedestrian Killed, Dr Ramani Durvasula Daughters, When Did President Nelson Marry Wendy, Consumer Brand Relationship Interdependence, Articles W