Undeniably, Chicago itself is filled with a plethora of amazing tourist attractions but it is always fun and fulfilling to get away from the city and go exploring the places around. Just a short drive away from the city lie several other interesting destinations worth visiting. Whether you are traveling to the Windy City on cheap flights for the first time or you are a Chicagoan looking for weekend getaway ideas, here are some of the best road trips from Chicago you should consider going on.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
A quick road trip from Chicago brings you to Milwaukee, the Brew City. Famous for its rich brewing heritage that spans nearly two centuries, Milwaukee has got the nickname Brew City. It is home to a great number of renowned microbreweries and beer manufacturers, including big names like Miller Brewing Company. Obviously, the best thing to do here is to tour any of its breweries (you have a total of 15 different brewery tour options to pick from). The other popular attractions to visit in Milwaukee are the Harley-Davidson Museum and Milwaukee Art Museum.
Approximate distance from Chicago: 93 miles
Approximate driving time: One and a half hours
Indianapolis, Indiana:
A road trip from Chicago to Indianapolis is recommended for those travelers whose fascination with city life never fades. Festivals, parties, and celebrations of some sort happen at some or the other corner of this bustling city. Indianapolis enthralls visitors with its happening lifestyle and tempting food scene. However, museums are its major draw. This city is home to several interesting museums like the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, the Indianapolis 500 Museum, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, etc. Explore its museums and drop by City Market to sample delicious local dishes.
Approximate distance from Chicago: 183 miles
Approximate driving time: Three hours
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois:
If you want to hang out at a peaceful place rather than visit another busy city, then drive toward Starved Rock State Park in Illinois. This Park has splendid waterfalls, spectacular sandstone cliffs, and other natural attractions. It also boasts 13 miles of hiking trails and hence, it is the best place for hiking. Not only that, but outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy a wide range of activities, from horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, rafting on the Illinois River to ice climbing, and cross-country skiing. After a tiring day, unwind at the Starved Rock State Park Lodge that comes with a pool and spa.
Approximate distance from Chicago: 95 miles
Approximate driving time: Two hours
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana:
Sprawled across 15,000 acres of land, Indiana Dunes National Park boasts rich ecological diversity, featuring prairies, wetlands, highlands, lowlands, forests, rivers besides 15 miles of Lake Michigan’s southern shoreline. The national park is famous for its sunny beaches, hiking trails, and towering sand dunes. It is home to three of the area’s tallest dunes. The park’s 50 miles of trails are all available for winter activities, making this place one of the best winter road trips from Chicago. You can explore the park’s walking/ biking trails, go hiking, skiing, bird watching, and enjoy the pristine Lake Michigan shoreline.
Approximate distance from Chicago: 50 miles
Approximate driving time: 1 hour
Door County, Wisconsin:
Boasting nearly 300 miles of shoreline, Door County is often referred to as the Cape Cod of the Midwest. The 70-mile peninsula is blessed with thousands of acres of parks, pretty seaside towns, pristine Lake Michigan beaches, historic lighthouses, harbors, cherry orchards, seafood restaurants, and plenty of wineries. Cross-country skiing, wintry hikes, and ice fishing on the frozen Lake Michigan are among the favorite winter activities at Door County. Another winter attraction is the Door County Winter Festival that hosts firework displays, romantic candlelight skiing, and many fun games. Door County is also known for its amazing wine tasting tours and a great shopping experience.
Approximate distance from Chicago: 240 miles
Approximate driving time: Four hours
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin:
Another of the best winter road trips from Chicago, Lake Geneva is the perfect place to relax over the weekend. While a summer holiday at Lake Geneva is mostly about sunbathing at beaches, boating, fishing, and other lakeside activities, winter gives you an opportunity to indulge in a variety of winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, snow sculpting, ice fishing on a frozen lake, ziplining, hot air ballooning, and more! There is live entertainment too. Moreover, most of the resorts at Lake Geneva offer cozy outdoor fireplaces for holidaymakers to snuggle around with a hot chocolate or cocktail on a chilly winter night.
Approximate distance from Chicago: 85 miles
Approximate driving time: 1 and half hours
Planning a trip to Chicago? Don’t fail to add at least one of these winter road trips from Chicago to your Chicago itinerary. For the best deals on international flight tickets to Chicago, check out Indian Eagle. This online flight booking agency is known to offer incredible flight deals all through the year!
