Welcome to the Windy Metropolis! Whether or not an area or a traveler wanting to discover past the skyline, our information to the very best day journeys from Chicago is your ticket to journey. We’ll present you easy methods to 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!
Desk of Contents
Unimaginable Day Journeys from Chicago1. Milwaukee, WI2. South Bend, IN3. Madison, WI4. Starved Rock State Park, IL5. Cedarburg, WI6. Illinois Seashore State Park, IL7. Lake Geneva, WI8. Rockford, IL9. Indiana Dunes Nationwide 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 Metropolis, IN19. Peoria, IL20. Six Flags Nice America, IL21. Glacial Park Conservation Space
Unimaginable Day Journeys from Chicago
On this information, we provide you with concepts for the highest day journeys from the third most populous metropolis within the US. Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, many locations will tempt you away from the 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 the town.
Town is ideally situated with straightforward border-crossing into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. It is usually a fantastic place to begin for a day journey additional south into central Illinois. You could have 4 states at your fingertips – so it’s best to carve out time for a day journey whereas visiting.
1. Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee is an enormous deal. This main metropolis is situated on the shores of western Lake Michigan in Wisconsin – only a 1.5 hour prepare trip or drive north of Chicago. We’d counsel catching the prepare if potential, as Milwaukee is greatest identified for its breweries. Taking guided brewery excursions is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Milwaukee. Other than its alcohol, although, it is usually residence to the Holler Home and Milwaukee Artwork Museum. Don’t overlook the Harley-Davidson Museum, which hosts a fantastic show of bikes and paperwork iconic biker tradition. The Milwaukee Public Museum additionally has a large-scale European village.
If you’d like a unbelievable day trip from Chicago, Milwaukee is good. It has a powerful sense of tradition and lots of area of interest pockets of curiosity, like Harley-Davidson bikes and breweries. It is usually a breeze to succeed in by prepare or automobile.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How one can get there: Practice, bus or coach
Advised Tour: A Group Tour to Uncover Milwaukee
2. South Bend, IN
South Bend has a unique vibe as a college metropolis on the St. Joseph River. It’s unbelievable in case you are in search of a extra sedate metropolis expertise. You’ll be able to go to the College of Notre Dame’s iconic campus, with its basic gold-domed constructing. There’s additionally loads of native historical past that you may expertise within the metropolis heart, like automobile manufacturing from years passed by at Studebaker Nationwide Museum and the regional historical past on the Historical past Museum.
South Bend is unquestionably slower-paced than quick-footed Chicago. Nonetheless, it has numerous points of interest too. Consider it as a calming and mental place to spend a day sightseeing. It has numerous enjoyable and pupil twists, like low cost bars and low spots.
Town is situated simply east of Chicago, on the opposite aspect of Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, and on the decrease east shore of Lake Michigan. It’s best reached by automobile, and we’d advocate stopping off on the nationwide park en route.
Distance from Chicago: 2 to three hours How one can get there: Automotive or prepare
3. Madison, WI
Small Madison may not appear capital-worthy, however it’s truly the capital metropolis of Wisconsin, not the key, sprawling big of Milwaukee. This smaller metropolis has lovely structure galore. You’ll be able to rise up near the historic domed Wisconsin State Capitol and stroll the Capital Metropolis State Path 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 low retailers. Madison is your most suitable option in case you fancy a political sightseeing day journey from Chicago.
Madison can also be superbly situated subsequent to 2 large lakes – Lake Mendota and Lake Waubesa. Summer time leaves loads of alternatives for water sports activities and sunny waterfront climbing trails. Comply with 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 one can get there: By automobile or shuttle bus
4. Starved Rock State Park, IL
Starved Rock State Park is likely 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 lovely forests. The canyons have been initially reduce with glacial meltwater, and you may 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 this present day journey selection. Not solely is the pure surroundings astounding, however you may as well 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’s situated inland from Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How one can get there: Automotive
5. Cedarburg, WI
Cedarburg has severe appeal. It has old-school-style homes and is often 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’ll be able to stroll the vineyards and tour brewing rooms or head to distinctive points of interest just like the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Superb 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’s best reached from Chicago by automobile, and you may all the time incorporate a stop-off in Milwaukee’s metropolis heart – parking within the outskirts and commuting in.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours How one can get there: By automobile
6. Illinois Seashore State Park, IL
If you’d like seashores, Illinois Seashore State Park is the place to be on a Chicago day journey. The park covers over 4,000 acres, with a fantastic shore path and community of climbing trails. It is a perfect place for a seaside day alongside the shores of Lake Michigan. Nonetheless, Illinois Seashore State Park is equally greater than only a seaside vacation spot.
It has campgrounds and playgrounds, plus bathe blocks and a nature heart. Illinois Seashore State Park is someplace to spend a whole day. Begin with a hike and go to the character heart earlier than heading to Isherwood Seashore, 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 succeed in by automobile. It’s a fantastic day journey you probably have a heat day or fancy a seaside journey. Or it’s the excellent journey in case you fancy tenting an evening to interrupt up your basic metropolis break.
Distance from Chicago: 1 hour How one can get there: By automobile
7. Lake Geneva, WI
Lake Geneva is a fantastic resort metropolis alongside the banks of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, northwest of Chicago. As a small metropolis out of the main public transport strains, it’s best reached by automobile.
When you arrive, you’re greeted by Gilded Age mansions with dramatic structure and a scenic Shore Path that snakes across the metropolis’s part of Geneva Lake. Traditionally, Lake Geneva was used as a bolt-hole for prosperous Chicago residents, and looking out 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. Massive Foot Seashore State Park has good seashores, particularly for a lazy afternoon. Lake Geneva is a fantastic day journey vacation spot to unwind earlier than revisiting Chicago’s chaotic sightseeing scene.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How one can get there: By automobile
8. Rockford, IL
Rockford is a serious metropolis situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, giving it the nickname’ River Metropolis’. Rockford can also be known as the ‘Forest Metropolis’ due to its historical past of tree felling, forests, and furniture-making industries. It’s a shapeshifter with a protracted historical past and a distinguished place in Illinois’ society. These days, although, it is a perfect day journey candidate and is stuffed with well-liked points of interest and historic locations. You’ll be able to cease by the koi-filled ponds at Anderson Japanese Gardens, sit back in quite a few public parks, or head to the Rockford Artwork Museum. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens can also be good.
Rockford is situated in northern Illinois, proper underneath the Wisconsin border. We’d advocate combining it with a visit to Madison, situated roughly an hour above the town. It’s a nice stop-off level for these driving to the Wisconsin capital.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How one can get there: By automobile
9. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, IN
Neglect state parks in case you like pure magnificence – intention massive with Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park. This beautiful park is way over simply sand dunes and covers 15 miles of lovely shoreline excellent for swimming and sunbathing. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park can also be a sizzling spot for hen watching and climbing. The nationwide park is situated on the southern finish of Lake Michigan. It’s a lovely spot to go to to embrace the lake’s magnificence. An entrance ticket prices round $20, and you may spend the entire day exploring the park.
Indiana Dunes Nationwide 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 one can get there: By automobile
10. Lakeshore State Park, WI
Everybody loves an city park. This beautiful park sits simply off Milwaukee’s shoreline. Nonetheless, we’ll embody it as a standalone attraction because it justifies a go to by itself benefit. Lakeshore State Park is greatest explored on foot by strolling the Hank Aaron State Path. You’ll be able to 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 effectively mixed with a go to to Milwaukee. This little island state park is a fantastic spot close to the town. It’s situated off the Historic Third Ward and accessible by a pedestrianized bridge connecting it to the mainland.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How one can get there: By automobile
11. Monroe, WI
Monroe is fairly cool. The quirky metropolis is called the Swiss cheese capital. It has an unlimited historical past of dairy farming that has given it an enormous cheese status. You’ll be able to go to to take meals excursions – extremely advisable – and take a look at native merchandise and produce. It is best to go to the Nationwide Historic Cheese Making Heart Museum and the Chalet Cheese Cooperative. There’s additionally lovely structure and historic locations, just like the Inexperienced County Courthouse, accomplished in 1891. The Monroe Historic Sq. is within the metropolis’s heart, surrounded by retailers and aesthetic surroundings.
Monroe is a tiny metropolis in comparison with a few of Chicago’s neighboring giants. It’s roughly situated midway between Madison and Rockford. It’s undoubtedly greatest accessed by automobile.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours How one can get there: By automobile
12. St. Joseph, MI
St Joseph is a scenic coastal metropolis in southwest Michigan and a really 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 lovely points of interest like Silver Seashore County Park and Lions Park Seashore. Silver Seashore is especially cute to go to, with a 1910 carousel and restored pavilion that convey a beautiful, vintage-style aesthetic to the town. A basic pink and white lighthouse is close to the town’s North Pier.
St Joseph is a fantastic selection if you would like a type of conventional seaside day journeys. It’s only a brief drive from Chicago, although you’ll be venturing via Indiana and crossing the Michigan border. Hooray for Lake Michigan’s shut community of US states. It’s unbelievable to mix with Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park and Michigan Metropolis.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How one can get there: By Automotive
13. Channahon State Park, IL
Channahon State Park is an absolute should. The state park sits on a number of the most historic Illinois canals, housing a restored lock tender’s home for additional historic worth. You’ll be able to get pleasure from a community of climbing trails with waterfalls, birds, and historic towpaths to snap images of. Distance isn’t a problem when visiting inland Illinois; Channahon State Park is lower than an hour’s drive from central Chicago. It’s a nice day journey if you would like minimal journey time and an perception into Illinois’ canal historical past.
You’ll be able to 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 Nationwide Heritage Hall. It’s broadly hailed as an important a part of the state’s historical past. It’s a nature-given journey park.
Distance from Chicago: 50 minutes How one can get there: By automobile
14. Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is a fantastic village within the suburbs of Chicago. It actually packs a punch past fairly structure for such a small space. Guests can get pleasure from points of interest just like the Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio, Ernest Hemingway’s Boyhood House, the Nationwide 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’s the excellent selection if you would like journeys from Chicago completed simply.
It’s so helpful to leap on a prepare and be amongst dozens of museums. Moreover, its Unity Temple was not too long ago designated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2019. Regardless of all its current points of interest and choices, Oak Park may be very a lot up and coming by way of customer recognition and worth for tourism.
Distance from Chicago: 15 to twenty minutes How one can get there: By prepare
Advised Tour: Personal Frank Lloyd Wright Tour from Chicago
15. Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids is one other main metropolis – suppose skyscrapers and a fantastic 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 Artwork 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. Specifically, it’s identified for New Holland Brewing, and you may take guided tasting excursions on the native breweries which can be nonetheless working. In any other case, driving is faster, and you may cease off at spots like Indiana Sand Dunes Nationwide 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 one can get there: By automobile in just below 3 hours or by shuttle in underneath 4 Advised Tour: Grand Rapids Ghost Tour
16. Windmill Island Gardens, MI
Chicago could be generally known as ‘Windy Metropolis,’ 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’ll be able to 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 beautiful in spring.
This is likely one of the main day journeys from Chicago if you would like 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 via northern Indiana and throughout the Michigan border. In relation to visiting Michigan, distance is usually a concern. Is it a protracted day of driving? Sure. However it’s extremely scenic and a good way to mix a number of points of interest. In case you have just a few drivers, you received’t have any hassle as you’ll be able to simply rotate driving time.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours How one can get there: By automobile
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 Battle historical past. The city was residence to the Civil Battle Common Ulysses S. Grant, and his former house is a State Historic Web site. After all, Ulysses S. Grant later grew to become a US president, so his story is immortalized. Galena is a good place to go to in case you are fascinated by politics and historical past. Its city heart is comparatively walkable and is stuffed with tales and scenic Nineteenth-century structure.
Galena is true within the high left nook of Illinois, on the border of Iowa and Wisconsin. It’s a fabulous add-on from Rockford or Starved Rock State Park, round 1.5 hours away by automobile.
18. Michigan Metropolis, IN
Michigan Metropolis is simply an hour away and is good, accessible day journey materials. If you’d like a simple journey from Chicago, Michigan Metropolis is it. Fancy a drive? You’ll be able to drive there in an hour, passing Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park. Fancy a prepare trip? You’ll be able to learn or nap and attain the town in lower than 2 hours. There’s numerous lakeside tradition and historical past, with a number of lighthouses to admire and the quaint Washington Park Seashore.
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 seaside day, or get pleasure from inner-city buying at outlet shops. Michigan Metropolis provides masses and, on the very least, is a change of scene.
You’ll be able to simply go to Michigan Metropolis; 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 one can get there: 1 hour by automobile or 2 hours by prepare
19. Peoria, IL
Peoria is a fantastic 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’s situated a lot additional inland in central Illinois. It’s simply an hour or so additional central than Starved Rock State Park – good day, potential mixed day journey.
Peoria has lovely riverside parks, together with Peoria Riverfront Park and Liberty Park. There’s additionally the Riverfront Museum and Peoria Historic Society. It’s 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.
Town is situated southwest of Chicago and is greatest accessed by automobile. This manner, you may as well cease off at Starved Rock State Park on the way in which.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours How one can get there: By automobile
20. Six Flags Nice America, IL
What a couple of day at an amusement park? Six Flags Nice America is a sequence of amusement parks scattered throughout the US. And there may be one on the outskirts of Chicago, creating the very best day journey for fun-loving vacationers. The park has water park rides, rollercoasters, and all-round enjoyable leisure. You may get adrenaline on rides like Sky Striker or the American Eagle. Alternatively, attempt the sedate, family-friendly rides just like the Massive Straightforward Balloons or Cubasco tea cups.
Everybody loves a enjoyable day trip. And Six Flags Nice America is the proper day journey to skip sightseeing and escape the town to get pleasure from some high quality ‘enjoyable’ time. It’s the supreme place to let your hair down and has a powerful vary of rides, making it appropriate for adults and kids. Six Flags Nice America is situated north of Chicago, just below the Wisconsin border. Get your tickets upfront right here.
Distance from Chicago: 1 to 2 hours How one can get there: 1 hour by automobile or 2 hours by prepare then bus
21. Glacial Park Conservation Space
Lastly, there’s the gorgeous Glacial Park Conservation Space. 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 likely one of the most photogenic locations to expertise pure magnificence on a day journey from Chicago. You’ll be able to discover Glacial Park on foot or by water or shake issues up and guide a horseback driving tour. The park has a grand whole of 8 miles of shared-use trails, and also you’ll undoubtedly wish to convey a digital camera.
Glacial Park Conservation Space opens from dawn till sundown all 12 months spherical. It’s supreme 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 one can get there: By automobile
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 Battle, or driving water park rides at Six Flags America. You’ll be able to embrace small-town appeal at Oglesby, pure magnificence and pure wonders at Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, or craft beer at an area brewery. Chicago’s location proper subsequent to a few different state borders means you will have numerous range 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 at the very least 5 or 6 day journey decisions.
Are you in search of extra inspiration? Why not take a look at our guides on the greatest issues to do in Wisconsin and the very best locations to go to in Michigan? We’ve additionally bought notes on the very best, 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. In case you have longer, why not take a 2-3 day tour from Chicago? It’s a good launchpad to find extra of the experiences within the states round Lake Michigan. Chicago’s location is by far its successful high quality, and it’s best to make the most of it when planning day journeys and excursions.