Given the city's mild winter climate, it's the perfect place to end the day with a romantic stroll. With large distances to cover, some of the early pioneers of flight lived and worked in this part of the country and you can also find out about the former Air Force base where the museum is located. 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. The main attractions are the two major parks - the Starved Rock State Park and the Matthiessen State Park. How to get there: Head east out of Chicago on I-90, keeping Lake Michigan on your left, then continue on I-94 as far as Lake Joseph. Named after the tall cedar trees, it is particularly well known for its lush forests that cover the hills around Cedarburg. Alternative options are the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park and the Fish Ladder Park. 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. SBD is a respectable 2nd place, IMO, and added attractions are wine country, nice beaches, warmer water (usually) and resort options (homestead resort near glen arbor gets high marks in the MI-Fo's). After taking I-90 E towards the edge of the city, turn onto I-65 and follow the interstate south, driving past Indianapolis and right the way across Indiana until you reach Louisville, Kentucky. 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. 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. Millions of years of geologic changes are reflected at the Garden of the Gods in 2 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (140 miles). Skate beneath the massive Christmas tree at the famous Rockefeller Ice Rink, before heading up to the Top of the Rock to take in the view of New York in the snow. 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. If you're feeling active, there are places where you can sled on the frozen sand dunes. First is the village of New Glarus. It eventually turns inland to take you right to Grand Rapids. And if you're missing that traditional winter vibe, visit Now Snowing in Celebration, where frosty views meet Florida sun including hourly snow flurries. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Why you should visit: With festive lights, winter markets, a good chance of snow, and plenty of big city attractions, Toronto is a picture-perfect winter city trip. With art, culture, caf patios and waterfront dining, Toledo is a great short trip if you want a change of scene from Chicago. You can also snowshoe, tube or skate if you want a break from the slopes. 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. If 21 miles seems a little much, focus in on the 2-mile stretch on the West End. 12 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (800 miles). 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. You can also go on a tour of the Cedar Creek Winery and try the local wines which might just surprise you. It runs parallel to Lake Erie, so if you have a little longer to make your trip then you might like to pause along the way to admire views across the lake. If you want to maximize your Swiss experience, then combine your road trip to New Glarus with a stop in Monroe - the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA. Report Ranks America's 15 Safest (And Most Dangerous) Cities - Forbes 6 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (430 miles). If you want to encourage a little less screen time during the summer break, take your family to explore the great outdoors in a Budget rental. 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! Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan after Detroit and has gained notoriety for its cool vibe and hipster feel over the recent years. 1. 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. 489 miles northeast of Chicago: Lake Bernard Park. Best Warm Weather Destinations For Winter - CBS Chicago 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 visit? Next, pick up I-40 which winds through a section of the Appalachian Mountains on its way to your destination, Asheville. Cheap Flights from Chicago from $36 - KAYAK 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. A particular highlight in Muskegon is its Luge track, which is open to the public. Still under construction, this monument is dedicated to the Lakota leader who fought against the federal government to try and protect Native American land from being seized. 1. 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. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of the city then pick up I-94 and head east towards Detroit. Then join I-196 and follow it north along the lake shore until you reach Holland. How to get there: Head north on I-90 out of Chicago then join I-94. Once you arrive at Mount Rushmore, you can also spend time exploring the stunning Black Hills and surrounding area. 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. 8. And one of the three sections of the Hoosier National Forest is immediate to this area. Time in the air: 3 hours. 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. 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. 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. Back in the city, entry to the world-class Toledo Museum of Art is free all year round. All that snow means that you can ski in the area around Asheville. 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). From wherever you're starting in Chicago, pick up I-90 E and follow it out of the city then right the way across Indiana passing La Porte and Shipshewana. Bonus: Macy's Christmas Light Show another of the city's festive traditions is a record breaker! 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. How to get there: Follow I-90 east across Indiana. Utica, IL 61373. For a more magical festive feel, head to Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens. How to get there: Follow I-90/I-94 north out of Chicago, then continue north on I-94 when the interstate divides. If you're here in winter, check out the National Gingerbread House Competition visitors can view entries into this big-money event. As Christmas gifts go, a whole city is one we wouldn't mind receiving! 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. There are plenty of places to stop and a lot of parks and trails if you want to get out of the car. This park is illuminated with amazing twinkling lights all through the holiday period and is a really popular local attraction. 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. 6 Best Road Trips From Chicago | Travel + Leisure Then there's dozens of amazing natural parks to explore, especially towards the northern tip of the lake. The Garfield Park Conservatory, of course. If it's your first time in Toronto, you'll probably want to see some of the city's sights while you're in town too. Back in town, the Ice Castles at Geneva National Resort & Club are a must-see. In Wasau, the nearest town to Granite Peak, there are some great food and drink options for the essential apres-ski part of the day! Mount Rushmore is set on the edge of the Black Hills, so if you're spending longer in the area you can head out into the great outdoors to hike, bike and enjoy the scenic drive along the Needles Highway. 1 hour 20 minutes from Chicago (80 miles). You might not have thought of Minneapolis as a city break destination from Chicago, but Minnesota's largest city is an amazing mix of culture, music, awesome food and the outdoors which you really have to visit. Went to New York (which was fun) so that is covered. 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! Other activities include spending the day at Kalapaki or Po'ipu beaches, setting. A wide selection of breweries includes European-style beers and the pizza-serving Harmony. Make sure you check out a few live music venues. The route then follows the river north - you can cross in and out of Iowa and then Minnesota from Illinois and Wisconsin as the river continues to be the state border along the length of this drive. How to get there: Follow I-90 east towards Cleveland, switching onto I-80 just before you reach the city. Bonus: Early in February Lake Geneva's Winterfest bursts into action, with an ice sculpting competition and snow races! 8 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (530 miles). Overnight on the California Zephyr gets you to Denver where the weather is just as cold as Chicago but you'd be in a cosmopolitan city. 14 most adorable direct flights from Chicago - Time Out Chicago Best Non-Stop Trips from Chicago to the Beach - Fodors Travel Guide Then, join I-80 and follow it around the south of Cleveland before switching onto I-76 and continuing southeast past Pittsburgh. 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. A new report shows the most dangerous cities in the USand the safest places. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. Head across the border to see the falls from a different perspective, or visit the fabulous wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Also, although this isn't a ski destination like some of the other trips, you can still enjoy some winter sports in Elkhart Lake. 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. 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. Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. High season is considered to be June and July. Add in beautiful beaches all over, some big sand dunes, including the Indiana Dunes National Park and the pretty towns of Harbor Country. Choose from a lodge room, suite, 4-bed or 8-bed luxury cottage, ideal for multi-generation or multi-family groups. Check ahead to find details of live performances and special events that are taking place. 'Peter Pan & Wendy' review: A real-live adventure this time from Disney Another is called the " Fire Sudatorium. Little Orleans Campground. In Milwaukee, switch onto I-43 and continue north, before leaving the interstate just after Saukville. Spring Break Family Destinations Near Chicago - Chicago Parent 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.
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