Distance from Chicago: 353 miles northeast, five-hour drive Why it made our list: Sprawling over 850 acres, the Midwest's largest ski resort offers everything from skiing and snowmobiling to. to the Bacon and Brews event where you can sample fine bacon and beer pairings, there is always something happening. 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. A little further north from Chicago than Milwaukee is the town of Cedarburg. Of course, there are two sides to every story, and a few miles from Mount Rushmore you can visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. 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. You will pass by some imposing homes and quiet lakeside neighborhoods with picturesque cafes. Everything here is about cheese. Why you should visit: This beautiful little lakeside town hosts a magical Christmas market every year. 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. Or if you're in town with romantic intentions, a stroll through the Diamond District might go down well. As Christmas gifts go, a whole city is one we wouldn't mind receiving! Sept. 2, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. 24 Top Weekend Getaways From Chicago. There are 4 large waterpark resorts (Kalahari, Great Wolf, Chula Vista and the Wilderness) and around 20 in total with more being constructed. It makes sense to book ahead if you're planning on visiting between Christmas day and New Year, or weekends during January and February. 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. 2643 Illinois Route 178. The laid-back, pretense-free. Head to Macy's, Bloomingdale's or Saks Fifth Avenue for wall-to-wall shopping opportunities, or take a walk along Fifth Avenue to indulge in designer brands. The hip city has a lot of things to see and experience. For the perfect post-ski wind down, visit the Spa at Boyne Mountain before you head home. While both parks are not as large as some, there is plenty to explore with trails going through canyons and some amazing rock formations. The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Whatever kind of winter road trip you're interested in, we've put together some of the key facts for a whole host of fabulous destinations. Heading towards Lake Michigan, you will find the small harbor village of Saugatuck. Back outdoors, visit DC's largest outdoor ice rink at Washington Harbour, for views out across the waterfront, or see the Holiday Boat Parade, which includes fireworks and live music as well as festively decorated boats parading down the Potomac River. 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 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. 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. 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago (100 miles). Amtrak has an overnight train (The City of New Orleans) to New Orleans where the weather will be warm. Founded in 1778, Louisville is a really amazing mix of old and new. If that gets your creative juices flowing it's also possible to take a one-day art workshop or a longer summer school in the city. If you're not planning a trip until after Christmas, you'll be able to visit the Toronto Light Festival, when fabulous installations brighten up the city through the cold winter nights. Alternative options are the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park and the Fish Ladder Park. People in the Dutch Village wear traditional clothing, play Dutch music and you can join in one of the mass dances if you'd like. Our travel tips: The town will be extremely busy while the Christmas market is running, so book accommodation and any special activities well in advance. This award-winning, community-focused gallery always has something new to see, and with sculptures and exhibits inspired by nature, it makes the perfect complement to a day enjoying the views out on the mountain. Starved Rock State Park is just 100 miles southwest of Chicago, offering an ideal spot to enjoy nature with more than a dozen sandstone canyons along with beautiful waterfalls that are especially powerful in the spring. This after-dark spectacle sees City Park lit up with more than a million lights. If you are looking for cheap weekend getaways from Chicago, this is a good place to stay. Bonus: As well as being known for its winter sports, Grand Rapids is famous for its many craft breweries - in fact, it's been given the title of Beer City USA! If you've had about enough of cheese, you can go on an ATV ride around the trail network around Monroe. 3 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (190 miles). First is the village of New Glarus. The extensive and varied ski slopes here are great for a wide range of skiing abilities. 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. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. And one of the three sections of the Hoosier National Forest is immediate to this area. If you're coming for the World of Winter Festival, remember to wrap up warm. As a result, you will find some great restaurants and interesting art galleries and independent craft shops up and down the coast - New Buffalo is great for its boutiques and farm shops. As well as Mardi Gras, New Orleans is also a vibrant city where you can enjoy live music, fabulous food and warm winter weather - perhaps the closest you can get to a trip overseas without needing a passport! Bonus: These days you usually need to take a ferry across from Manhattan to Staten Island, but back in 1780 the entire harbour froze so hard that it was possible to walk all the way across the river. Best for: Family fun or a romantic rendezvous. As you'd expect, with much of the Midwest sitting under snow through the winter, the weekend trips you can take from Chicago all have a winter sports element to them. 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. Visit the theme parks in their holiday finest whether your first choice is Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld or Legoland Florida, each one will be suitably festive with parades and events to match. Visit in early February when the Winter Carnival comes to town and you can see firework displays or catch a fun ride on one of the resort's snow groomers. You can go on cheese tours, go to cheese tasting venues, explore local cheese producers and eat every cheese-based dish under the sun. 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. Weather at the end of March can be iffy. From mid-January you can see parades and events starting up, then the main event, Mardi Gras, starts on Shrove Tuesday and carries on for two weeks. There are two giant lakes right in the middle of the city, either side of downtown which creates a uniquely relaxed vibe. The event runs in late Jan or early Feb, and hundreds of the city's restaurants showcase their best meals at reasonable prices - the perfect way to brighten up a long, cold winter. Snow in the city often isn't much fun, so head out to one of the mountains or lakes for a one-day road trip that lets you enjoy the winter weather at its best. With fast lifts, extensive ski runs and stunning views, you'll probably want to spend most of your time here on the slopes. Make sure you visit the Slugger Museum and Factory - this baseball bat manufacturer has tours where you can see the whole process and the side of the building has an exact scale replica of the Babe Ruth's Louisville Slugger bat, albeit a little larger at a length of 120 feet. You will be forgiven for thinking you were teleported to central Europe the moment you get to New Glarus. Thousands of people in absolutely dazzling costumes parade through the city in a historic tradition. Why you should visit: As its name suggests, Granite Peak is a fabulous and long-established ski destination with some top-class runs and luxurious resort choices. Other activities include spending the day at Kalapaki or Po'ipu beaches, setting. After around 250 miles of driving you'll cross the Maumee River then turn off onto I-75 heading towards downtown Toledo. Your email will not be provided to third parties. One is the Forever Curious Children's Museum - a non-profit organization created to spark a love for learning in kids of all ages. 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. Our highlights: From Thanksgiving onwards, enjoy a Reveillon Dinner a local tradition which now sees restaurants across the city offering seasonal Creole-inspired food all through December. In the evenings from May to September there's also a 45-minute ranger talk which ends with the lighting ceremony. Indiana Dunes, Indiana 1 hour from Chicago (50 miles) To get to Louisville from Chicago, you will need to drive the length of Indiana until you reach the Ohio River - St Louis is right across the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge. One of the great things about Toledo is that although it's one of the largest cities in Ohio, visiting is relatively straightforward. 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. With many travelers heading to Asheville to see the stunning display of foliage in the fall, we'd recommend booking ahead to guarantee your choice of accommodation at this time of year. 1. Once a month the district comes to life with live music and guided tours, plus the chance to taste local wine. Then head quickly back into the warmth of your hotel to warm up. 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. Why you should visit: The shortest trip on the list, Lake Geneva makes a great weekend getaway due to the short driving time, plus the area is perfectly set up for visitors to enjoy the winter weather. To help you make the most of this great drive, we've set out the best routes and places to stop . The capitol building and a few great museums are definitely worth seeing - the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chazen Art Museum both have huge collections spanning different styles and time periods. Canada produces a significant proportion of the world's Icewine, a dessert wine created from grapes left on the vine to freeze before being harvested. How to get there: Head north on I-90 out of Chicago then join I-94. 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. The cheese fondue is right up there on our list of the best foods in the world! Why you should visit: Mild weather and weeks of flamboyant parades makes New Orleans the perfect contrast to snowy Chicago. Kentucky is only about seven hours from Chicago. That way, current and future visitors will be guaranteed the same fabulous experience of NOLA's longstanding and unique traditions. The village represents a historic view of Dutch settlements and you can even visit a wooden clog (shoe) making factory. Rockford is the largest city in Illinois outside Chicagoland (the Chicago metropolitan area). 13 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (925 miles). If you're here to relax, escape the hustle and bustle with a stroll around Toledo Botanical Gardens or head out to Wildwood Preserve Metropark to follow its many trails on foot or 2 wheels. 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. But did you know that every single participant has to wear one? 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. 506 miles southeast of Chicago: Toe River Campground. Images by Dr. Alan Lipkin/Shutterstock.com, Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park, 22. Utica, IL 61373. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, biking, fishing, climbing, boating and more forge incredible nature experiences in some of the most unique settings of the Midwest. Fly from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, for $167 round trip The most costly of our cheapest air fares from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport still comes in at an attractive $167 round trip, meaning it's now easier than ever for Illinois locals to make the quick 1.25-hour hop straight across the heartlands of the Midwest. You can't take your car with you to Mackinac - you'll have to park it at one of the designated ferry parking lots and make your way across. At night, you can see the falls lit up in spectacular illuminations as part of the Winter Festival of Lights. How to get there: Follow I-90 east across Indiana. They don't run every day, but when they do they're really magical. If you're crossing over the Canadian border to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Icewine vineyards and wineries are probably the first thing that will get your attention. The temperatures surpassed the 136-year-old . About 12,000 acres of lakes, sand dunes and oak savannas are wide open for exploration, including ice fishing, skating, sand dune sledding, fat tire biking and snowman building. Then warm up in one of the city's fantastic museums, including the Royal Ontario Museum where you'll find a fascinating and diverse collection. 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. You could probably make the return trip in a day, but the journey can take up to 3 hours one way from Chicago so make it into a weekend and add a few stops at Fennville and the Harbor Country (see both above) on your way. Our highlights: Toronto is a vibrant cultural melting pot, so when you spend time in the city you'll be able to enjoy influences on food, art and recreation from all over the world. Chicago is a fantastic hub for history, architecture, gastronomy and sports. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to just relax and unwind, maybe after a tour round the Christmas market or some time on the ice rink, head to the luxurious Aspira Spa to round off your trip. Combined with St Paul, the two merged metro areas are known as the Twin Cities and are one of the largest in the Midwest. 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago (93 miles). During the daytime, Saugatuck Interurban Transit Authority provides an on-demand bus service which takes you to your destination of choice within the local area for just $1. Flight $$$: $500. The 3 tallest sand dunes are all in the State Park with the tallest, Mount Tom, standing at 192 ft. Our travel tips: Timed tickets are needed for some of Philadelphia's winter attractions, including Longwood Gardens and Dickens Village. Less than half of Toronto's residents were born in Canada, making for a varied and welcoming city that's the perfect place to head to on a road trip. Staying by the lake, seeing as the water freezes over, you can go ice fishing here with a guide, who can provide all the equipment you need if you don't have your own. Around 20 miles south of New Glarus and a little closer to Chicago is the city of Monroe. Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Chicago. It's a tiny city with less than 1000 residents but its white-boarded houses, scenic sand dunes and fabulous beach make it a popular place to come to escape the city. The local skiing may be limited, but there is a lot to see and do around Lake Geneva. 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. It's all a little strange, perhaps. Rib Mountain, part of the ski area here, is Wisconsin's tallest mountain so you'll find plenty of downhill runs here to suit all abilities. There are also several events to mark Dia de los Muertos in late October and early November. 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). Key stops include Minneapolis, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Monterey, plus the Grand Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone National Park. 15 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (960 miles). When it's complete the statue of Crazy Horse will be taller than the presidents at Mount Rushmore. If you're thinking of setting off on a road trip from Chicago in another season, check out our ultimate guide for Best Road Trips from Chicago for ideas and inspiration. How to get there: Similar to the Grand Rapids trip, follow I-90 then I-94 east out of Chicago as far as St Joseph. As far as Nashville I-55 runs parallel to the Mississippi before passing through Jackson. 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. 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. As you approach St Louis, you will see the first and main sight in the city - the huge 630-foot tall steel Gateway Arch. 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. It was an early adopter of snowmaking technology in the 1950s. Continue along the interstate then, after skirting the west side of Lake Pontchartrain, merge onto I-10 which takes you into the center of New Orleans. Ride down the Kalamazoo River on a paddle steamer, explore the lakeshore and river in a kayak, or charter a yacht. Wisconsin Dells is known for two things - its scenic Wisconsin River gorge and the high number of waterparks which has given the town its nickname as the Waterpark Capital of the World. Our highlights: You can see all the historic gems of Philly decked out with lights and trees for the holiday season, and the city's beautiful riverside setting just adds to the magic. With art, culture, caf patios and waterfront dining, Toledo is a great short trip if you want a change of scene from Chicago. 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. You can even ride across the river on the Chain Ferry, one of the last remaining in America. New this winter, try curling. The Cinco de Mayo festival is one of the biggest in the country, with parades, live music and dozens of food stalls to choose from. Alexander Molony as Peter Pan, Ever Anderson as Wendy, Joshua Pickering as John Darling and Jacobi Jupe as Michael Darling in "Peter Pan & Wendy," directed by David Lowery. This park is illuminated with amazing twinkling lights all through the holiday period and is a really popular local attraction. Once you arrive at Mount Rushmore, you can also spend time exploring the stunning Black Hills and surrounding area. As well as sliding the high-speed downhill ice track, you can enjoy cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating at the park. Back in town you'll get beautiful winter views over icy Lake Michigan. Once you get to halfway point, you should spend a day or longer on Mackinac Island. This is a trip that will show off the best of what Lake Michigan has to offer - a complete circle of the lake, heading to Mackinac Island on the opposite corner before making the return trip. As you can see, there are still plenty of wintery attractions to enjoy in the city, just wrap up warm and see where your trip takes you. The smell is so bad, the United States Postal Service banned the posting of Limburger because of the stench. If an authentic windmill and fields of tulips is not Dutch enough, there is an entire Dutch Village to go to. Then, shortly after crossing the Wisconsin River, turn onto I-39 and follow it north to Granite Peak Ski Area. For a different experience of New York in winter, skip the crowds and visit in January to enjoy NYC Winter Jazz Fest or NYC Restaurant Week, where restaurants put on their best fare at affordable prices. Why you should visit: Orlando is known as a winter sun favorite so pack your sun cream and enjoy some time outdoors. This means you probably won't see the grape harvest unless you're out in the vineyards at night - pickers tend to work by hand to make sure of the most perfect harvest possible. I am actually down for anything, just to get some fresh air and get out of the city. Galleries, restaurants and local businesses come together to bring some warmth and cheer to the new year, with a legendary chilli cook-off, Soup-A-Thon and ice sculptures dotted around town. Only an hour away from downtown Chicago, Indiana Dunes became the newest National Park in the United States in 2019. Located 90 . Our travel tips: You don't have to have your own equipment to enjoy skating, snowshoeing or skiing it's available to rent at many of the attractions. At Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, you can follow the beautiful light trail through the magical gardens, for example, or take a holiday trolley tour or boat trip to see the city decked out in festive finery while enjoying a wonderful warm cider. If you're in Grand Rapids earlier in the season, you can enjoy some great skiing at Cannonsburg Ski Area. The same road takes you right into Philadelphia. There are a number of museums to explore - some of the main ones located along the Museum Row. The dunes stretch along a 15-mile stretch of Lake Michigan and the National Park borders the State Park of the same name. It's called - you guessed it - the Cheese Country Trail System (no, really)! Next, turn onto I-80 and head west past Des Moines and Omaha.