The World of Winter Festival is the perfect post-holiday pick-me-up - the ideal way to brighten up the dark, cold months after Christmas. 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. Expect fabulous parades, live music and all-night parties. Take I-290 W from Chicago's downtown, which leads you out onto I-88. Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. One interesting place to visit is Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House. A Little History. The same road takes you right across Indiana and Ohio then along the whole length of Lake Erie, before you finally turn onto NY-5 through Buffalo around 5 miles before you reach your destination. Geneva, Illinois - 41.7 miles. 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. 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. Try the City Lights brewery tour - located in the renovated Milwaukee Gas Light Company buildings dating back to 1902, the brewery has a cool industrial vibe with its mix of old and new. However, it's also famous for its harsh winters, so there might be times you want to head out of the city during the coldest months of the year. If you're staying overnight it's best to find accommodation with private parking. There are plenty of places to stop and a lot of parks and trails if you want to get out of the car. Asheville is packed full of history, but the modern city has a distinctly creative vibe that makes it really unique. This tradition has grown into thriving arts scene, making Toledo a great place to visit if you like exploring street art, outdoor sculpture or a trip to the theatre or concert hall. You can even ride across the river on the Chain Ferry, one of the last remaining in America. 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. The 2,470-mile road trip from Chicago to San Francisco takes 38 hours to drive. 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). Exhibits are very interactive and fun for the whole family. Restaurants like the Grove and Terra serve locally sourced ingredients which means the menu changes throughout the year. If you head further up the Michigan coast on a road trip around Lake Michigan from Chicago, you will get to Fennville - a small city in the Allegan County of Michigan's Agricultural Belt. Don't worry about missing out on too much of that winter snow either - your drive will take you through the Appalachians so you can take in some stunning views as you make your way south to Georgia. 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. The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Our highlights: Florida is the warmest part of the continental US through the winter - perfect for escaping the sub-zero temperatures of the Midwest! That way, current and future visitors will be guaranteed the same fabulous experience of NOLA's longstanding and unique traditions. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of the city then pick up I-94 and head east towards Detroit. 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!
10 Best Road Trips From Chicago - Trips To Discover There's a real variety of activities to enjoy here take to the snow for an active day outside, then relax at a beautiful spa. Or if you're feeling more active, there are sledding slopes in the park too. If you've had about enough of cheese, you can go on an ATV ride around the trail network around Monroe. The town on its western end is called Lake Geneva, the lake just to the north is called Lake Como with the town of Como sitting along it. If you're feeling active, there are places where you can sled on the frozen sand dunes. From here, pick up I-76 and follow it straight down to Denver. It was founded by a group of Swiss settlers from the Swiss canton of Glarus in 1845. Rising 462 feet above the sea, the carillon tower recently reopened to the public after 80 years in solitude. 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. If you're travelling at this time of the year you can also stop off at New Hope, PA, as you make your way from Chicago to New York City. There are two giant lakes right in the middle of the city, either side of downtown which creates a uniquely relaxed vibe. This park is illuminated with amazing twinkling lights all through the holiday period and is a really popular local attraction. The temperatures surpassed the 136-year-old . Back in town you'll get beautiful winter views over icy Lake Michigan. It's called - you guessed it - the Cheese Country Trail System (no, really)! There are 4 large waterpark resorts (Kalahari, Great Wolf, Chula Vista and the Wilderness) and around 20 in total with more being constructed. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). Then, check out the Christmas Village or the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. For a really exhilarating ride, fly right above the snow on one of the 9 ziplines.
Road Trip! The Best Travel Destinations Within Driving Distance of Chicago And if you're missing that traditional winter vibe, visit Now Snowing in Celebration, where frosty views meet Florida sun including hourly snow flurries. Louisville is best known as the host of the Kentucky Derby - the famous horse race takes place on the first Saturday in May and has run since 1875. How to get there: After heading east out of Chicago on I-90, turn south onto I-65 and continue through Indianapolis and Louisville. Although a lot of people will travel to Wisconsin Dells for the waterparks, don't forget to go on a tour down the Wisconsin River gorge. Or explore the wintery wilderness of Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - you can rent snowshoes if you don't have your own. The name gives away what this place is all about - everything here stems from Holland's Dutch origins. 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. 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. A work on this scale had never been attempted in the country before and Gutzon Borglum, who led the project, quickly identified that chisels would hardly make a dent on the vast rockface. 1.
20 Best Weekend Getaways From Chicago - Time Out Chicago If you're in the city for Christmas itself, head out along River Road on Christmas Eve, where you'll see bonfires lit on the night of the 24th so that Papa Noel can find his way from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Like Chicago, Saugatuck is also located on the Lake Michigan shore, but it couldn't be more different. Though it was longer drive but not bad. You also don't have to book attractions weeks in advance, and you can find reasonably priced accommodation in the downtown area. When it's complete the statue of Crazy Horse will be taller than the presidents at Mount Rushmore. With no cars on the island and a super relaxed vibe, you can take strolls, visit lighthouses and hike to see the Arch Rock on the east side of the island. Then, soon after crossing the Mississippi River, change onto I-55 and follow it south. With heavy snowfall possible, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and other smaller roads are likely to be closed at times in the winter, so check ahead if you're hoping to travel a particular route. 4 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (290 miles). Our travel tips: Check ahead for dates of candle-lit snowshoe trails across the city. 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. Why you should visit: You can see the Nation's Christmas Tree, a century-old tradition in the city - it's illuminated from early December in a popular ceremony that for many marks the start of the holiday season. Get into the festive spirit and enjoy the iconic holiday views of the city - if it feels familiar, it's probably because they've featured in so many films and TV shows over the years. Everything from cow's milk to goat and sheep milk is used and there are imitations of European cheeses and unique local flavors available. Next, pick up I-40 which winds through a section of the Appalachian Mountains on its way to your destination, Asheville. September and October are the best times to come to Cedarburg - the trees glow with their oranges and maroons and the locals celebrate Oktoberfest with special events, seasonal beers and great food. Here you will find a great white sand beach and stroll along the boardwalk, watch local boats go by or explore the shops along the docks. Boyne Mountain Resort Distance: 5-hour drive Michigan winters are best captured with the ski resort of Boyne. Everything here is about cheese.
12 Short & Long Road Trips From Chicago | Budget Car Rental If you're wondering how the town got its name, it's as simple as it sounds it's because the lake is shaped like an Elk's heart. Some travellers prefer to make this journey on a longer route via the I-90, heading south near Mount Rushmore to reach Denver. You will pass through the cities of Milwaukee, Green Bay, Traverse City and Grand Rapids which are all worth going to in their own right. (866) 399-3866. www.grizzlyjacksresort.com. Afterwards, take some time to admire the cathedral's architecture - and see if you can spot the Darth Vader gargoyle. 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. You can also tour a museum ship to get a feel for the history of the lakes. Why you should visit: The weather stays mild all year round in Savannah, so it's a great place to come and escape the Midwest chill. NOTL is also a really charming little town, and while you're here you might like to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through its historic streets - a wonderfully atmospheric way to travel through the snow-covered streets. Our travel tips: Although temperatures are at or below freezing through most of the winter, you're not always guaranteed snow in Toronto, so be prepared that you might miss out on the insta-perfect images of this particular winter road trip. 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. Several of the hotels in town have excellent in-house spas, so you can treat yourself to some relaxation time during your trip. After heavy rainfall - this is also the perfect time for viewing colorful wildflowers. Leave time to explore. If you're able to visit mid-week, you'll probably find the slopes are quieter. 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.
These Are the 5 Warmest Places in Chicago Right Now - PureWow Rockford lives up to its main nickname with plenty of outdoor spaces to explore - the Anderson Japanese Gardens, Klehm Botanic Garden and the Rock Cut State Park are all within the metropolitan area. Drive time: 2 hours from downtown. Then, shortly after crossing the Wisconsin River, turn onto I-39 and follow it north to Granite Peak Ski Area. 10 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (660 miles). 11 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (700 miles). The city is famous for Mardi Gras, which takes place in late February, but warm-up events actually start in January, so you can enjoy week after week of enjoyment. I am actually down for anything, just to get some fresh air and get out of the city. The locals didn't stop at naming the lake after the slightly better known one in Switzerland. After crossing the border into Canada, the road becomes ON-401.
Warm-Weather Getaways | Midwest Living 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. From here, follow I-196 further around the lake shore. And one of the three sections of the Hoosier National Forest is immediate to this area. Kentucky might only provide about a twenty-degree warm-up, but during the super cold times, those twenty degrees can feel like heaven. There are only 3 other Luge tracks in the whole of the United States, so if you've always fancied trying out this exhilarating sport, this is probably your best chance.
Fun/Scenic Places within 10 hours hour or less roadtrip from Chicago - Yelp The famous architect built the house in 1951 and it is interesting to see how far ahead of its time it is in terms of its design and accessibility - the look is incredibly modern despite some 70 years passing! The 3 tallest sand dunes are all in the State Park with the tallest, Mount Tom, standing at 192 ft. Of course, there are two sides to every story, and a few miles from Mount Rushmore you can visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. 17 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (1,130 miles). 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. 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. 15 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (960 miles). Around 20 miles south of New Glarus and a little closer to Chicago is the city of Monroe. The biggest ski area in the state is perfectly set up for skiers, with fast lifts and dozens of trails to follow. Outside of the theme parks, you can enjoy the Winter Park Christmas Parade, a long-standing Florida tradition, with dozens of troupes followed by Santa. 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. One of the best places to visit in Illinois, this state park features 18 canyons and 13 miles of hiking trails to explore. 5 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (350 miles). Bonus: After Christmas, a free maze is built on the lake shore out of the branches of discarded Christmas trees, a custom that has become firmly cemented in Madison's holiday traditions now. Greater . The local Fermentorium brewery has some 24 different beers on tap - not too shabby for a local place! Next, turn onto I-80 and head west past Des Moines and Omaha. Today the city is undergoing a massive regeneration effort - downtown Detroit is becoming more hip and vibrant and one by one, the delapidated old factory buildings are being converted or replaced by new structures. Why you should visit: Pennsylvania combines the kind of winter fun you might expect, like sledding and skating, with some unique winter traditions. When you're ready to head into the warm, make your way to Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (145 miles). 3 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (190 miles). Nearby, Biltmore is a huge gilded-age mansion with vast formal gardens, trails to explore and its own winery. In the evenings from May to September there's also a 45-minute ranger talk which ends with the lighting ceremony. Just before Cleveland, merge onto I-80 and follow this all the way across Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey before crossing into Manhattan via George Washington Bridge. The main attraction is a 21-mile loop around the lake with stunning forest scenery and great views of the water. 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. 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. Our highlights: There are so many memorable festive moments to fit into a winter trip to New York City, it's hard to know where to begin.
1 week road trip within 10 hours or so of Chicago - Tripadvisor If you're looking for unique and often hand-made gifts for family and friends, you'll find plenty of choice here. It's all a little strange, perhaps. Alternative options are the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park and the Fish Ladder Park. It's not all about the outdoors though. You can see how every aspect of the village life would have been complete with the blacksmith shop, school and church buildings. There are a few museums and sights to see - the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Art Museum are both worth going to. Sept. 2, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. 24 Top Weekend Getaways From Chicago. 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. 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. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). It's also a popular LGBTQ destination. 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. At Denver Art Museum you can see another collection dedicated to the heritage of this part of the country, as the Petrie Institute for Western American Art is housed here. 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. Best Travel Destinations Within Driving Distance of Chicago - Essence Whether you're looking for a rural, lake or city getaway, here are a few ideas all within 6 hours of driving distance. How to get there: Follow I-90 east towards Cleveland, switching onto I-80 just before you reach the city. 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. Hemlock Hideaway Campground. All things considered, it's easy to see why Niagara-on-the-Lake's Icewine is such a special product to try during your visit. From Louisville, I-64 takes you east to Lexington, then turn onto I-75 to make your way through Tennessee to Knoxville. You won't need any previous experience or equipment, as your entrance to the track includes a lesson and all the equipment you'll need to enjoy your visit safely. The long rows of vines stand out proudly in the snow and make a beautiful backdrop while you're learning about Icewine production or, more importantly, tasting a glass or two. As with everywhere in Wisconsin, the food and drink scene takes center stage. If you want to get better scenery, you can always cut across to the Mississippi and drive up the Great River Road (see #18 above). The village represents a historic view of Dutch settlements and you can even visit a wooden clog (shoe) making factory. The small town of Oglesby, home to 3,600 people, is renowned for its natural beauty. For those who want to go on a longer road, trip, the options above may not quite cut it so here are some longer routes that you might like the sound of: By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Our travel tips: Timed tickets are needed for some of Philadelphia's winter attractions, including Longwood Gardens and Dickens Village. Denver also has a host of fabulous cultural attractions, so don't overlook the city itself on your way up to the mountains. Take a magical horse-drawn carriage ride, check out entries for the Gingerbread House competition, and enjoy endless festive lights. A wide selection of breweries includes European-style beers and the pizza-serving Harmony. 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. Back in town, Denver has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the US, so the city's Museo de las Americas is well worth a visit, covering Hispanic culture and art. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. Hot Springs (Arkansas) Distance: 650 miles. As Christmas gifts go, a whole city is one we wouldn't mind receiving! 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. Instead, workers used dynamite to shape most of the sculpture. The city's popular Longwood Gardens is transformed with amazing lights and live music, so it makes a great place to spend some time after the sun goes down (which happens early in winter!).
25 Weekend Getaways Near Chicago | Midwest Living If you want to head across the border to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake make sure to pack the required travel documentation, and allow extra time to make the border crossing, especially if you're heading across Rainbow International Bridge. Once you arrive at Mount Rushmore, you can also spend time exploring the stunning Black Hills and surrounding area. Rockford is the largest city in Illinois outside Chicagoland (the Chicago metropolitan area). Cities 9 hours from Chicago 9 hours: Ely, MN 8 hr 56 min: State College, PA 8 hr 55 min: Huntsville, AL 8 hr 51 min: Pigeon Forge, TN 8 hr 46 min: Lutsen, MN 8 hr 46 min: Fergus Falls, MN 8 hr 41 min: Joplin, MO 8 hr 35 min: Niagara Falls, NY 8 hr 32 min: Topeka, KS 8 hr 31 min: Grand Rapids, MN 8 hr 27 min: Tunica, MS 8 hr 24 min: Hibbing, MN