Welcome to the Windy City! Whether a neighborhood 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 one 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 highway – 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 the town middle. After exploring the entire superior issues to do in Chicago, from the Chicago River to historic landmarks, head to those unbelievable locations positioned inside simple attain of the town.
The metropolis is ideally positioned with simple border-crossing into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. It can be a terrific place to begin for a day journey additional south into central Illinois. You have 4 states at your fingertips – so it is best to carve out time for a day journey whereas visiting.
1. Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee is a giant deal. This main metropolis is positioned on the shores of western Lake Michigan in Wisconsin – only a 1.5 hour prepare journey or drive north of Chicago. We’d counsel catching the prepare if doable, as Milwaukee is finest recognized for its breweries. Taking guided brewery excursions is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Milwaukee. Aside from its alcohol, although, it’s also dwelling to the Holler House and Milwaukee Art Museum. Don’t overlook the Harley-Davidson Museum, which hosts a good looking show of bikes and paperwork iconic biker tradition. The Milwaukee Public Museum additionally has a large-scale European village.
If you desire a unbelievable time out from Chicago, Milwaukee is good. It has a robust sense of tradition and plenty of area of interest pockets of curiosity, like Harley-Davidson bikes and breweries. It can be a breeze to succeed in by prepare 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 in search of a extra sedate metropolis expertise. You can go to the University of Notre Dame’s iconic campus, with its traditional gold-domed constructing. There’s additionally loads of native historical past that you may expertise within the metropolis middle, 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 plenty of points of interest too. Think of it as a soothing and mental place to spend a day sightseeing. It has plenty of enjoyable and pupil twists, like low-cost bars and occasional spots.
The metropolis is positioned 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 prepare
3. Madison, WI
Small Madison may not appear capital-worthy, however it’s really the capital metropolis of Wisconsin, not the key, sprawling large of Milwaukee. This smaller metropolis has stunning structure galore. You can stand up near the historic domed Wisconsin State Capitol and stroll the Capital City State Trail to sightsee completely different metropolis points of interest. There’s a botanic backyard expertise, too, at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, plus a quirkier downtown space with bars and occasional outlets. Madison is your best option if you happen to fancy a political sightseeing day journey from Chicago.
Madison can be superbly positioned 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 the 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 set of sandstone canyons amidst stunning forests. The canyons had been initially lower with glacial meltwater, and you’ll discover the surroundings utilizing a community of clearly marked picket boardwalks. Starved Rock State Park additionally has tons of waterfalls, which get impressively highly effective in wetter months.
Nature lovers will adore today journey alternative. Not solely is the pure surroundings astounding, however you can even 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 positioned inland from Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: Car
5. Cedarburg, WI
Cedarburg has severe attraction. It has old-school-style homes and is incessantly in comparison with a film set. The city was based within the 1840s by a combination 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 positioned simply north of Milwaukee’s metropolis middle. It is finest reached from Chicago by automotive, and you’ll all the time incorporate a stop-off in Milwaukee’s metropolis middle – 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 good looking 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 middle. Illinois Beach State Park is someplace to spend a complete day. Start with a hike and go to the character middle earlier than heading to Isherwood Beach, and even tenting in a single day in case your schedule permits it.
The park is kind of near Chicago, taking lower than an hour to succeed in by automotive. It’s a terrific day journey in case you have a heat day or fancy a seashore journey. Or it’s the good journey if you happen to fancy tenting an evening to interrupt up your traditional metropolis break.
Distance from Chicago: 1 hour How to get there: By automotive
7. Lake Geneva, WI
Lake Geneva is a good looking 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 simple 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 good looking 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 positioned on the banks of the Mississippi River, giving it the nickname’ River City’. Rockford can 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 stuffed with widespread 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 be good.
Rockford is positioned in northern Illinois, proper below the Wisconsin border. We’d suggest combining it with a visit to Madison, positioned roughly an hour above the 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 if you happen to like pure magnificence – goal large 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 be a scorching spot for hen watching and climbing. The nationwide park is positioned on the southern finish of Lake Michigan. It is a good looking 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 positioned 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 are going to embody it as a standalone attraction because it justifies a go to by itself advantage. 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 in search of a romantic day journey from Chicago, head to Lakeshore State Park at sundown with a picnic.
The state park is clearly properly mixed with a go to to Milwaukee. This little island state park is a good looking spot close to the town. It is positioned 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 an enormous cheese repute. You can go to to take meals excursions – extremely really helpful – and take a look at 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 middle, surrounded by outlets and aesthetic surroundings.
Monroe is a tiny metropolis in comparison with a few of Chicago’s neighboring giants. It is roughly positioned 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 an excellent 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 convey a beautiful, vintage-style aesthetic to the town. A traditional crimson and white lighthouse is close to the town’s North Pier.
St Joseph is a good looking alternative if you need a type of conventional seaside day journeys. It is simply a brief drive from Chicago, even if you’ll be venturing by 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 a few of 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 arrange 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 broadly 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 good looking 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 alternative if you need journeys from Chicago achieved simply.
It is so helpful to leap on a prepare and be amongst dozens of museums. Additionally, its Unity Temple was just 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 prepare
Suggested Tour: Private Frank Lloyd Wright Tour from Chicago
15. Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids is one other main metropolis – suppose skyscrapers and a good looking 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, protected, and walkable downtown district, which incorporates the Grand Rapids Art Museum, an attraction and initiative that spotlights native artists.
We wish to catch a shuttle to Grand Rapids, because it has an illustrious brewery historical past. In specific, it’s recognized for New Holland Brewing, and you’ll take guided tasting excursions on the native breweries which are nonetheless working. 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 completely 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 is perhaps generally known as ‘Windy City,’ however take a look at Windmill Island Gardens. This seasonal park contains a 250-year-old windmill in an ode to the 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 positioned outdoors of a metropolis named Holland. Windmill Island Gardens is positioned in Michigan, so that you’ll be driving the south coast of Lake Michigan, slicing by northern Indiana and throughout the Michigan border. When it involves visiting Michigan, distance is usually 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’ve got just a few drivers, you received’t have any bother as you possibly can 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 a captivating 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 turned a US president, so his story is immortalized. Galena is a superb place to go to in case you are fascinated by politics and historical past. Its city middle is comparatively walkable and is stuffed with tales and scenic Nineteenth-century structure.
Galena is correct within the high left nook of Illinois, on the border of Iowa and Wisconsin. It is a wonderful 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 straightforward journey from Chicago, Michigan City is it. Fancy a drive? You can drive there in an hour, passing Indiana Dunes National Park. Fancy a prepare journey? You can learn or nap and attain the town in lower than 2 hours. There’s plenty 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 buying 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 prepare
19. Peoria, IL
Peoria is a good looking metropolis in Illinois. It was primarily established as a port metropolis and buying and selling middle because of its place on the Illinois River. It is positioned a lot additional inland in central Illinois. It is simply an hour or so additional central than Starved Rock State Park – whats up, 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 stunning 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 positioned southwest of Chicago and is finest accessed by automotive. This means, you can even cease off at Starved Rock State Park on the best way.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours How to get there: By automotive
20. Six Flags Great America, IL
What a few day at an amusement park? Six Flags Great America is a sequence of amusement parks scattered throughout the US. And there may be 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 the town to get pleasure from some high quality ‘fun’ time. It is the perfect place to let your hair down and has a formidable vary of rides, making it appropriate for adults and youngsters. Six Flags Great America is positioned north of Chicago, slightly below the Wisconsin border. Get your tickets upfront right here.
Distance from Chicago: 1 to 2 hours How to get there: 1 hour by automotive or 2 hours by prepare then bus
21. Glacial Park Conservation Area
Finally, there’s the attractive 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 complete of 8 miles of shared-use trails, and also you’ll undoubtedly need to convey a digital camera.
Glacial Park Conservation Area opens from dawn till sundown all 12 months spherical. It is good if you wish to swap 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 attraction at Oglesby, pure magnificence and pure wonders at Indiana Dunes National Park, or craft beer at a neighborhood brewery. Chicago’s location proper subsequent to a few different state borders means you’ve got plenty of range when selecting day journeys. And the ever-presence of lovely Lake Michigan means a continuing barrage of water sports activities and seashores. Hopefully, you’ve got no less than 5 or 6 day journey selections.
Are you in search of 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 acquired notes on the perfect, most distinctive issues to do in Northern Michigan particularly, so verify that out in case you have time so as to add a few days to the top of your Chicago journey. If you’ve got longer, why not take a 2-3 day tour from Chicago? It is an excellent launchpad to find extra of the experiences within the states round Lake Michigan. Chicago’s location is by far its profitable high quality, and it is best to make the most of it when planning day journeys and excursions.