Chicago is a world-class city. It boasts of deep-dish pizza and well-known museums. but you have to get out of the concrete sometimes. You have to get out and breathe and move more gradually. Fortunately, you have the charming lake towns, the green state parks, as well as Day Trips From Chicago the old villages.
This blog has the most recommended places to see in a few hours of the city. We are going to consider beach escapes and hiking trails. We also will explore the location of the best local delicacies. Now let us start out on a trip outside of the Loop.
A Quick Look at Your Options
Chicago is the most ideal location to go on road trips. On the east you have Lake Michigan and on the west great prairies. In a jiffy, you can cross state borders to Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan. The average length of these journeys is 90 minutes and above three hours.
Who will love these trips? There will be sand dunes and forest trails to nature lovers. History enthusiasts are free to visit 19 th -century architecture. Water parks and petting zoos will be available to the families. The destination suits every mood there is.
It is not difficult to get out of the city. Simply pick your car keys and a bottle of water. Also, most of these locations are affordable. You do not have to have a plane ticket in order to explore a new world visit altogether.
How to Get Out of Town
The majority of the tourists drive. Owning your own car gives you time to sightsee on your own time.
- To the North: Exit 94 to Milwaukee.
- To the East: Take I-90 around the lake to Indiana as well as Michigan.
- Westward: Take I-88 or I-80 to access the river valleys.
In case you are not interested in the driving, then you can try the train. The Metra commuter railway serves numerous suburbia as well as scenic towns. The Indiana dunes can be visited in the South Shore Line. It is a peaceful mode of transport that will not subject one to the stress of traffic.
I have at one point spent two hours in traffic attempting to drive out on a Friday afternoon. A lengthy wait was in store of a brief journey. It is advisable to leave before 7:00 AM or after 10:00 AM so as to avoid the rush.
Best Time for a Day
There is a reason why summer is the peak season. It is a blue lake and hot weather. The day has come to have a beach Day Trips From Chicago in New Buffalo or St. Joseph.
Autumn is also stunning. The trees on the river valleys change into orange and red. This would be the most preferable to pick an apple or visit a pumpkin patch. Besides, the air is clear and ideal to take a long walk.
Winter is the magic of another sort. There are snowshoe trails. Other towns are equipped with out of doors ice skating rink and warm cafes. All you need to do is to check the weather report about lake-effect snow before you go.
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Top Day Trips From Chicago
The places to visit are numerous. These are the best choices to spend your next Saturday.
Indiana Dunes National Park
It is among the recent national parks in the country. It is also within an hour of downtown. You will be able to ascend gigantic sand dunes and take a peep at the Chicago skyline. The paths go through woods as well as wetlands. It is a hiker’s paradise.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
This is an ordinary Chicagoan getaway. The town is located on a clear lake which is beautiful. The 21-mile walk around the shore has historic mansions. Moreover, the downtown is packed with adorable shops besides ice cream salons. It is as though it were a movie film high-end resort town.
Starved Rock State Park
The canyons and waterfalls, you desire, go west. It is a secret in the flat Illinois landscape, this park. The trails have a length of 13 miles. The stone structures are old as well as fascinating. It is highly attended and therefore, be early.
Galena, Illinois
This is a town that is a little farther off. The drive there would take approximately three hours. But it is worth the effort. It appears to be the same one as it used to be in the 1800s. The main street boasts of both boutiques as well as old buildings. You may pay a visit to the house of Ulysses S. Grant.
Saugatuck, Michigan
On the opposite side of the lake is an attractive arts colony. Saugatuck boasts of great sand dunes and a bustling downtown. A chain ferry is available which is hand-cranked across the river. The art galleries and local restaurants are of the best standard. It is slightly further, and hence start early.
Hiking and Outdoor Adventure
They say that you are lucky in case you are fond of the outdoors. There is more than cornfields in the Midwest.
Easy Walks
Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencore. It is a short drive north. The roads are tarmac and the flowers international. Another good choice is the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. It is a living museum of trees with comfortable, picturesque loops.
Challenging Hikes
To exercise, go back to Indiana Dunes. Your legs will be tested in the 3-Dune Challenge. It will entail hiking up the three highest dunes in the park. The sand doubles all the steps. It is a wonderful sight, however, to see down the top.
Water Activities
Take a kayak in lake geneva during summer. You may row along the beach as well as view the large houses. Grand Haven, Michigan, is the place to see, in case you want waves. The pier and the lighthouse are symbolic.
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Food and Local Delights
Each day tour must be accompanied with a nice meal.
- Cheese Curds: When you enter into Wisconsin, you have to get fresh cheese curds. And when you bite them they should squeak.
- Fruit Orchards: The neighbourhood of St. Joseph, Michigan is Fruit Belt country. During the summer months seek out road-stands with cherries, and peaches.
- Classic Dhabas as well as Diners: A lot of small towns have 1950s-style diners. They sell huge milkshakes and huge burgers.
One time I discovered in Galena a little bakery that offered the best cinnamon rolls that I have ever had. It was a total accident. The finest aspects of a day trip are sometimes those things that you have not planned.
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Essential Travel Tips
- Watch the Tolls: Chicago has most highways that have tolls. Ensure that you have your I-PASS or E-ZPass.
- Pack Layers: The lake weather can be ten degrees lower than the city weather. Also carry a light jacket in July.
- Get Maps: State parks in some areas have poor cell reception. You can download your Google Maps of the area before you arrive.
- Fill the Tank: Gas was frequently cheaper after going across the state border into Indiana or Wisconsin.
- Bring a Towel: The lake is never to be resisted, even when you are not even going to swim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest day trip to Chicago?
The nearest are the Indiana dunes. It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to get there.
Would I manage to do such trips without a car?
Yes. Metra can be taken to Lake Forest or Geneva, Illinois. The Indiana Dunes can be reached by the South Shore Line.
Are these spots pet-friendly?
There are a lot of state parks and lake towns that are very accepting of dogs. All you need to do is to check the rules of the particular beach before going.
Should I have a pass to the National Park?
Indeed, there is an entrance charge or a National Park Pass in Indiana Dunes National Park. One of them can be purchased at the visitor center.
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Final Thoughts
The surrounding of Chicago is full of life as well as beauty. You do not have to spend long holiday to be refreshed. At times all you need is a couple of hours in a new town.
Go slow and have fun working on the road. see the cornfields grow into forests. Experience the fresh air of the lake Michigan. When you come back the city will be there.
Then take up your bag, evade the crowds, and have a view. You have a tremendous day out of Chicago.
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