Welcome to the Windy City! Whether an area or a traveler desperate to discover past the skyline, our information to the perfect day journeys from Chicago is your ticket to journey. We’ll present you how you can 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 street – Chicago-style day journeys await!
Table of Contents
Incredible Day Trips from Chicago1. Milwaukee, WI2. South Bend, IN3. Madison, WI4. Starved Rock State Park, IL5. Cedarburg, WI6. Illinois Beach State Park, IL7. Lake Geneva, WI8. Rockford, IL9. Indiana Dunes National Park, IN10. Lakeshore State Park, WI11. Monroe, WI12. St. Joseph, MI13. Channahon State Park, IL14. Oak Park, IL15. Grand Rapids, MI16. Windmill Island Gardens, MI17. Galena, IL18. Michigan City, IN19. Peoria, IL20. Six Flags Great America, IL21. Glacial Park Conservation Area
Incredible Day Trips from Chicago
In this information, we offer you concepts for the highest day journeys from the third most populous metropolis within the US. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, many locations will tempt you away from town heart. After exploring the entire superior issues to do in Chicago, from the Chicago River to historic landmarks, head to those unbelievable locations situated inside straightforward attain of town.
The metropolis is ideally situated with straightforward border-crossing into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. It can also be an awesome place to begin for a day journey additional south into central Illinois. You have 4 states at your fingertips – so you must carve out time for a day journey whereas visiting.
1. Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee is a giant deal. This main metropolis is situated on the shores of western Lake Michigan in Wisconsin – only a 1.5 hour practice journey or drive north of Chicago. We’d counsel catching the practice if attainable, as Milwaukee is finest identified for its breweries. Taking guided brewery excursions is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Milwaukee. Aside from its alcohol, although, additionally it is dwelling to the Holler House and Milwaukee Art Museum. Don’t neglect the Harley-Davidson Museum, which hosts a wonderful show of bikes and paperwork iconic biker tradition. The Milwaukee Public Museum additionally has a large-scale European village.
If you need a unbelievable time out from Chicago, Milwaukee is right. It has a powerful sense of tradition and lots of area of interest pockets of curiosity, like Harley-Davidson bikes and breweries. It can also be a breeze to achieve by practice or automotive.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: Train, bus or coach
Suggested Tour: A Group Tour to Discover Milwaukee
2. South Bend, IN
South Bend has a special vibe as a college metropolis on the St. Joseph River. It is unbelievable in case you are on the lookout for a extra sedate metropolis expertise. You can go to the University of Notre Dame’s iconic campus, with its basic gold-domed constructing. There’s additionally loads of native historical past which you can expertise within the metropolis heart, like automotive manufacturing from years passed by at Studebaker National Museum and the regional historical past on the History Museum.
South Bend is unquestionably slower-paced than quick-footed Chicago. However, it has a number of points of interest too. Think of it as a calming and mental place to spend a day sightseeing. It has a number of enjoyable and pupil twists, like low cost bars and low spots.
The metropolis is situated simply east of Chicago, on the opposite aspect of Indiana Dunes National Park, and on the decrease east shore of Lake Michigan. It is finest reached by automotive, and we’d suggest stopping off on the nationwide park en route.
Distance from Chicago: 2 to three hours How to get there: Car or practice
3. Madison, WI
Small Madison won’t appear capital-worthy, however it’s really the capital metropolis of Wisconsin, not the main, sprawling large of Milwaukee. This smaller metropolis has stunning structure galore. You can rise up near the historic domed Wisconsin State Capitol and stroll the Capital City State Trail 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 low outlets. Madison is your most suitable option in case you fancy a political sightseeing day journey from Chicago.
Madison can also be fantastically situated subsequent to 2 enormous lakes – Lake Mendota and Lake Waubesa. Summer leaves loads of alternatives for water sports activities and sunny waterfront climbing trails. Follow this strolling 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 How to get there: By automotive or shuttle bus
4. Starved Rock State Park, IL
Starved Rock State Park is without doubt 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 stunning forests. The canyons had been initially reduce with glacial meltwater, and you’ll discover the surroundings utilizing a community of clearly marked wood 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 you may also 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 is situated inland from Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: Car
5. Cedarburg, WI
Cedarburg has critical appeal. It has old-school-style homes and is regularly in comparison with a film set. The city was based within the 1840s by a mix of predominantly Irish and German settlers and is now thought-about a suburb of Milwaukee. Cedarburg has many cute and aesthetic issues to do, with the bonus of brewery and vineyard excursions. You can stroll the vineyards and tour brewing rooms or head to distinctive points of interest just like the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fine Arts. Cedarburg is an actual gem and beats to its personal drum, making it a memorable day journey from Chicago.
This Wisconsin city is situated simply north of Milwaukee’s metropolis heart. It is finest reached from Chicago by automotive, and you’ll at all times incorporate a stop-off in Milwaukee’s metropolis heart – parking within the outskirts and commuting in.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours How to get there: By automotive
6. Illinois Beach State Park, IL
If you need seashores, Illinois Beach State Park is the place to be on a Chicago day journey. The park covers over 4,000 acres, with a wonderful shore path and community of climbing trails. It is a perfect place for a seashore day alongside the shores of Lake Michigan. However, Illinois Beach State Park is equally greater than only a seashore vacation spot.
It has campgrounds and playgrounds, plus bathe blocks and a nature heart. Illinois Beach State Park is someplace to spend a complete day. Start with a hike and go to the character heart earlier than heading to Isherwood Beach, and even tenting in a single day in case your schedule permits it.
The park is sort of near Chicago, taking lower than an hour to achieve by automotive. It’s an awesome day journey you probably have a heat day or fancy a seashore journey. Or it’s the good journey in case you fancy tenting an evening to interrupt up your basic metropolis break.
Distance from Chicago: 1 hour How to get there: By automotive
7. Lake Geneva, WI
Lake Geneva is a wonderful resort metropolis alongside the banks of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, northwest of Chicago. As a small metropolis out of the main public transport traces, it’s best reached by automotive.
Once 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. Historically, Lake Geneva was used as a bolt-hole for prosperous Chicago residents, and searching on the metropolis’s surrounding pure magnificence, it’s straightforward to see why.
Admire Victorian historical past and Gilded Age structure, and go to the Lake Geneva seashores. Big Foot Beach State Park has good seashores, particularly for a lazy afternoon. Lake Geneva is a wonderful day journey vacation spot to unwind earlier than revisiting Chicago’s chaotic sightseeing scene.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: By automotive
8. Rockford, IL
Rockford is a serious metropolis situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, giving it the nickname’ River City’. Rockford can also be known as the ‘Forest City’ due to its historical past of tree felling, forests, and furniture-making industries. It is a shapeshifter with a protracted historical past and a outstanding place in Illinois’ society. Nowadays, although, it is a perfect day journey candidate and is filled with standard points of interest and historic locations. You can cease by the koi-filled ponds at Anderson Japanese Gardens, sit back in quite a few public parks, or head to the Rockford Art Museum. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens can also be good.
Rockford is situated in northern Illinois, proper below the Wisconsin border. We’d suggest combining it with a visit to Madison, situated roughly an hour above town. It is a superb stop-off level for these driving to the Wisconsin capital.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: By automotive
9. Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
Forget state parks in case you like pure magnificence – purpose huge with Indiana Dunes National Park. This gorgeous park is way over simply sand dunes and covers 15 miles of lovely shoreline good for swimming and sunbathing. Indiana Dunes National Park can also be a scorching spot for chook watching and climbing. The nationwide park is situated on the southern finish of Lake Michigan. It is a wonderful spot to go to to embrace the lake’s magnificence. An entrance ticket prices round $20, and you’ll spend the entire day exploring the park.
Indiana Dunes National Park is situated 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 How to get there: By automotive
10. Lakeshore State Park, WI
Everyone loves an city park. This gorgeous park sits simply off Milwaukee’s shoreline. Still, we’ll embody it as a standalone attraction because it justifies a go to by itself benefit. Lakeshore State Park is finest explored on foot by strolling the Hank Aaron State Trail. You can get pleasure from metropolis skyline views and expansive vistas over Lake Michigan. And in case you are 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 a wonderful spot close to town. It is situated off the Historic Third Ward and accessible by a pedestrianized bridge connecting it to the mainland.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: By automotive
11. Monroe, WI
Monroe is fairly cool. The quirky metropolis is called the Swiss cheese capital. It has an enormous historical past of dairy farming that has given it a large cheese status. You can go to to take meals excursions – extremely really useful – and check out native merchandise and produce. You ought to go to the National Historic Cheese Making Center Museum and the Chalet Cheese Cooperative. There’s additionally stunning structure and historic locations, just like the Green County Courthouse, accomplished in 1891. The Monroe Historic Square is within the metropolis’s heart, surrounded by outlets and aesthetic surroundings.
Monroe is a tiny metropolis in comparison with a few of Chicago’s neighboring giants. It is roughly situated midway between Madison and Rockford. It is unquestionably finest accessed by automotive.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours How 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 stunning points of interest like Silver Beach County Park and Lions Park Beach. Silver Beach is especially cute to go to, with a 1910 carousel and restored pavilion that deliver a beautiful, vintage-style aesthetic to town. A basic crimson and white lighthouse is close to town’s North Pier.
St Joseph is a wonderful selection if you need a kind of conventional seaside day journeys. It is just a brief drive from Chicago, although you’ll be venturing by means of Indiana and crossing the Michigan border. Hooray for Lake Michigan’s shut community of US states. It is unbelievable to mix with Indiana Dunes National Park and Michigan City.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: By Car
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 can get pleasure from a community of climbing trails with waterfalls, birds, and historic towpaths to snap images of. Distance isn’t a difficulty when visiting inland Illinois; Channahon State Park is lower than an hour’s drive from central Chicago. It is a superb day journey if you need minimal journey time and an perception into Illinois’ canal historical past.
You can set up guided excursions round Channahon State Park, together with canoe journeys. The state park is a delegated a part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. It is extensively hailed as a vital a part of the state’s historical past. It is a nature-given journey park.
Distance from Chicago: 50 minutes How to get there: By automotive
14. Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is a wonderful village within the suburbs of Chicago. It actually packs a punch past fairly structure for such a small space. Visitors can get pleasure from points of interest just like the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Ernest Hemingway’s Boyhood Home, the National 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 is the proper selection if you need journeys from Chicago executed simply.
It is so helpful to leap on a practice and be amongst dozens of museums. Additionally, its Unity Temple was lately designated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2019. Despite all its present 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 How to get there: By practice
Suggested Tour: Private Frank Lloyd Wright Tour from Chicago
15. Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids is one other main metropolis – suppose skyscrapers and a wonderful 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, secure, and walkable downtown district, which incorporates the Grand Rapids Art 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. In explicit, it’s identified for New Holland Brewing, and you’ll take guided tasting excursions on the native breweries which might be nonetheless operating. Otherwise, driving is faster, and you’ll cease off at spots like Indiana Sand Dunes National Park, St Joseph, and South Bend. You hug the decrease shoreline of Lake Michigan, which is a protracted however very scenic drive. Ideally, rotate drivers and have just a few totally different stops en route.
Distance from Chicago: 3 to five hours How to get there: By automotive in slightly below 3 hours or by shuttle in below 4 Suggested Tour: Grand Rapids Ghost Tour
16. Windmill Island Gardens, MI
Chicago could be often known as ‘Windy City,’ however take a look at Windmill Island Gardens. This seasonal park encompasses a 250-year-old windmill in an ode to town’s Dutch affect. You can 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 without doubt one of the main day journeys from Chicago if you need Dutch heritage, and it’s even situated exterior of a metropolis named Holland. Windmill Island Gardens is situated 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. When it involves visiting Michigan, distance generally is a concern. Is it a protracted day of driving? Yes. But it’s extremely scenic and an effective way to mix a number of points of interest. If you will have just a few drivers, you gained’t have any hassle as you may simply rotate driving time.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours How 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 War historical past. The city was dwelling to the Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant, and his former house is a State Historic Site. Of course, Ulysses S. Grant later grew to become a US president, so his story is immortalized. Galena is a superb place to go to in case you are considering politics and historical past. Its city heart is comparatively walkable and is filled with tales and scenic Nineteenth-century structure.
Galena is correct within the prime left nook of Illinois, on the border of Iowa and Wisconsin. It is a superb add-on from Rockford or Starved Rock State Park, round 1.5 hours away by automotive.
18. Michigan City, IN
Michigan City is simply an hour away and is good, accessible day journey materials. If you need a simple journey from Chicago, Michigan City is it. Fancy a drive? You can drive there in an hour, passing Indiana Dunes National Park. Fancy a practice journey? You can learn or nap and attain town in lower than 2 hours. There’s a number of lakeside tradition and historical past, with a number of lighthouses to admire and the quaint Washington Park Beach.
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 get pleasure from inner-city purchasing at outlet shops. Michigan City provides masses and, on the very least, is a change of scene.
You can simply go to Michigan City; 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 How to get there: 1 hour by automotive or 2 hours by practice
19. Peoria, IL
Peoria is a wonderful metropolis in Illinois. It was primarily established as a port metropolis and buying and selling heart due to its place on the Illinois River. It is situated a lot additional inland in central Illinois. It is simply an hour or so additional central than Starved Rock State Park – hey, potential mixed day journey.
Peoria has stunning riverside parks, together with Peoria Riverfront Park and Liberty Park. There’s additionally the Riverfront Museum and Peoria Historical Society. It is a beautiful place to only stroll and discover on foot. And the distinction between hectic Chicago and sedate Peoria is huge, making it a worthwhile day journey.
The metropolis is situated southwest of Chicago and is finest accessed by automotive. This means, you may also cease off at Starved Rock State Park on the way in which.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours How to get there: By automotive
20. Six Flags Great America, IL
What a couple of day at an amusement park? Six Flags Great America is a series of amusement parks scattered throughout the US. And there’s one on the outskirts of Chicago, creating the perfect day journey for fun-loving vacationers. The park has water park rides, rollercoasters, and all-round enjoyable leisure. You can get adrenaline on rides like Sky Striker or the American Eagle. Alternatively, attempt the sedate, family-friendly rides just like the Big Easy Balloons or Cubasco tea cups.
Everyone loves a enjoyable time out. And Six Flags Great America is the proper day journey to skip sightseeing and escape town to get pleasure from some high quality ‘fun’ time. It is the perfect place to let your hair down and has a powerful vary of rides, making it appropriate for adults and kids. Six Flags Great America is situated north of Chicago, slightly below the Wisconsin border. Get your tickets prematurely right here.
Distance from Chicago: 1 to 2 hours How to get there: 1 hour by automotive or 2 hours by practice then bus
21. Glacial Park Conservation Area
Finally, there’s the gorgeous Glacial Park Conservation Area. This 3,400-acre reserve is a shocking mixture of wetlands and prairie, with glacial kames and ample scenic canoeing or fishing alternatives. It is without doubt one of the most photogenic locations to expertise pure magnificence on a day journey from Chicago. You can 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 wish to deliver a digicam.
Glacial Park Conservation Area opens from dawn till sundown all 12 months spherical. It is right 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 How 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 War, or driving water park rides at Six Flags America. You can embrace small-town appeal at Oglesby, pure magnificence and pure wonders at Indiana Dunes National Park, or craft beer at an area brewery. Chicago’s location proper subsequent to 3 different state borders means you will have a number of 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 will have a minimum of 5 or 6 day journey selections.
Are you on the lookout for extra inspiration? Why not take a look at our guides on the finest issues to do in Wisconsin and the perfect locations to go to in Michigan? We’ve additionally received notes on the perfect, most distinctive issues to do in Northern Michigan particularly, so verify that out you probably have time so as to add a few days to the top of your Chicago journey. If you will have longer, why not take a 2-3 day tour from Chicago? It is a superb 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 must make the most of it when planning day journeys and excursions.
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