Places to visit about 300 miles from Chicago - Within Hours If you're feeling active, there are places where you can sled on the frozen sand dunes. 24 Top Weekend Getaways From Chicago - US News & World Report 20 Best Weekend Getaways From Chicago - Time Out Chicago If you're able to visit mid-week, you'll probably find the slopes are quieter. Bonus: The capital hosts a fabulous Lunar New Year Parade in January or February depending on when the new year begins. You can also delve into the natural wilderness of Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests where you'll find more hiking opportunities, mountain biking routes, and the North Carolina Arboretum. The Louisville Muhammad Ali Center and the Frazier History Museum will keep you busy! Best road trips from Chicago Shutterstock 1. Our highlights: Just outside the city at Cascade Mountain and Devils Head Resort you'll find some exhilarating downhill skiing as well as snowtubing and sledding. The first week of December is particularly busy, but many travellers report that the crowds and prices calm down a little mid-month. 14 most adorable direct flights from Chicago - Time Out Chicago Only an hour away from downtown Chicago, Indiana Dunes became the newest National Park in the United States in 2019. Morning departure is around 5% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*. 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, join I-80 and follow it around the south of Cleveland before switching onto I-76 and continuing southeast past Pittsburgh. There are two giant lakes right in the middle of the city, either side of downtown which creates a uniquely relaxed vibe. This waterfront city is the only destination on this list that takes you to another of the Great Lakes. Hike along Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore on your next weekend getaway from Chicago. Fridays at the Hollywood Beach Theatre feature free live jazz, blues and pop music at oceanfront cafes. If you're here in winter, check out the National Gingerbread House Competition visitors can view entries into this big-money event. Alternatively, tour the galleries and independent shops in the city's downtown area, which showcase the work of the thriving local arts community. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of Chicago then merge onto US-41 at the southern tip of Lake Michigan and continue south past Terre Haute and Vincennes. You might not have heard of it, but the United States has its very own Gevena Lake and it's located in Wisconsin, just across the border from Illinois. Key stops include Minneapolis, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Monterey, plus the Grand Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone National Park. 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. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of Chicago and east towards Cleveland. 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. Our travel tips: Equipment can be rented at this resort but arrive early on weekends or holidays as it's first come, first served. There's a real art to making Icewine and the conditions have to be just right to freeze the grapes for long enough on the vine. The main attractions are the two major parks - the Starved Rock State Park and the Matthiessen State Park. You can go on cheese tours, go to cheese tasting venues, explore local cheese producers and eat every cheese-based dish under the sun. 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. Treat your group to an exhilarating zip line adventure with Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour. The area is also home to a number of very decent wineries. You will pass by some imposing homes and quiet lakeside neighborhoods with picturesque cafes. This leads you south to join I-76, which you'll then follow past Pittsburgh, all the way across Pennsylvania. Another is called the " Fire Sudatorium. PC . How to get there: Follow I-90 east across Indiana. The 2,470-mile road trip from Chicago to San Francisco takes 38 hours to drive. One is the Forever Curious Children's Museum - a non-profit organization created to spark a love for learning in kids of all ages. As well as being beautiful, the crowds that flock to Niagara Falls are slightly less during winter. Note that to enjoy all the attractions Niagara Falls has to offer, you might need to factor in crossing the US/Canada border so make sure you have any paperwork you need (dependent on nationality). Mount Rushmore is a unique national monument that's a must-see for many Americans and tourists alike, which makes it the perfect destination from Chicago. You should definitely visit New York in winter so you can say you've experienced them all first-hand. 1 week road trip within 10 hours or so of Chicago - Tripadvisor 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. Indiana Dunes, Indiana 1 hour from Chicago (50 miles) 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. Then, follow WI-57 towards Plymouth, from where you'll pick up WI-67 to Elkhart Lake. 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. If you're in Philadelphia towards the end of the holiday season, you'll be able to watch the Mummers' Parade on New Year's Day. No, it's not a typo - this is the third destination on our list of road trips from Chicago that is exactly 300 miles away! Rising 462 feet above the sea, the carillon tower recently reopened to the public after 80 years in solitude. The high temperatures that hit Chicago Thursday broke a record that stretched all the way back to 1887, according to the National Weather Service. Nicknamed the Forest City due to the area's verdant woods and rivers, Rockford is also known as the Screw Capital of the World. 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. 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. 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago (93 miles). How to get there: Follow the interstate east out of Chicago and then continue north, keeping Lake Michigan on your left. Top tips for finding a cheap flight out of Chicago Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. The cheapest month to fly from Chicago is January. 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. But is it worth a daytrip to an obscure Chicago suburb? Best Winter Road Trip Destinations Near Chicago - CBS Chicago - CBS News 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. Getting to St Louis is easy - the I-55 will take you all the way to the Gateway City. 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. 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. Like Chicago, Saugatuck is also located on the Lake Michigan shore, but it couldn't be more different. Why you should visit: Seeing the famous falls cascading through the snowy ground is a truly magical experience and one that's different to any other trip you might take. As well as all the holiday attractions and the chance to see some of the world-famous monuments beautifully surrounded by snow, the crowds at the city's museums are likely to be quieter during the winter. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). And if you're missing that traditional winter vibe, visit Now Snowing in Celebration, where frosty views meet Florida sun including hourly snow flurries. 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! A Little History. After crossing the border into Canada, the road becomes ON-401. 25 Best Weekend Getaways from Chicago - VacationIdea Founded in 1778, Louisville is a really amazing mix of old and new. The main attraction is a 21-mile loop around the lake with stunning forest scenery and great views of the water. 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. Our highlights: For many visitors, the main draw is the Olde World Christmas Market, a 10-day festive spectacular bringing together Czech, German and Russian Christmas traditions. 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. Thousands of people in absolutely dazzling costumes parade through the city in a historic tradition. 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 main reason to go to Lake Forest now is a weekend away at the 57-room Deer Path Inn ( from $329 per night ), a fabulous, little-known gem that puts you in arm's reach of the . 506 miles east of Chicago: Upper - Kettle Creek State Park. 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. How to get there: Head east out of Chicago and join Interstate 90, then just keep going! You can also find out more about the site at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, or visit the Sculptor's Studio to find out more about how the monument was created. Our highlights: Boyne Mountain is primarily a ski resort, so take to the slopes and explore more than 415 acres of ski runs. You also don't have to book attractions weeks in advance, and you can find reasonably priced accommodation in the downtown area. It will satisfy a wide range of abilities, and you can also try out snow tubing and snowshoeing here. Parking can be difficult, especially in the summer months when hundreds of visitors head to town. 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. Places to visit about 500 miles from Chicago - Within Hours RV campgrounds 500 miles from Chicago. When it's complete the statue of Crazy Horse will be taller than the presidents at Mount Rushmore. 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. 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). 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (155 miles). 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. And one of the three sections of the Hoosier National Forest is immediate to this area. 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. Once you arrive at Mount Rushmore, you can also spend time exploring the stunning Black Hills and surrounding area. 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. Follow the Great River Road as it twists and turns and you will be rewarded with great views the entire way. 19 Awesome Road Trips from Chicago (with Timings) - VickyFlipFlopTravels Whether you're looking for an active break or a peaceful boat trip, there are plenty of opportunities to get out onto the water. 809 Civic Center Dr., Niles; 847-972-2540 or kingspa.com. Back in town you'll get beautiful winter views over icy Lake Michigan. If 21 miles seems a little much, focus in on the 2-mile stretch on the West End. 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. Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Chicago. 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. 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. For amazing views of the snow-covered landscape, head up the Skylon Tower. There are a few museums and sights to see - the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Art Museum are both worth going to. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. Then join I-196 and follow it north along the lake shore until you reach Holland. After around 250 miles of driving you'll cross the Maumee River then turn off onto I-75 heading towards downtown Toledo. Our travel tips: Don't go to DC expecting reliable snowfall daytime temperatures are milder than the more northern destinations (in the mid-40 degrees Fahrenheit and above), though it still gets pretty cold at night, and snow is likely but not guaranteed in January and February. 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 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. 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. Then, soon after crossing the Mississippi River, change onto I-55 and follow it south. You will be forgiven for thinking you were teleported to central Europe the moment you get to New Glarus. 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.