Welcome to the Windy City! Whether a neighborhood 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 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 street – 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 town heart. After exploring all the superior issues to do in Chicago, from the Chicago River to historic landmarks, head to those implausible locations situated inside straightforward attain of town.
The metropolis is ideally situated with straightforward border-crossing into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. It can also be an important place to begin for a day journey additional south into central Illinois. You have 4 states at your fingertips – so you need to carve out time for a day journey whereas visiting.
1. Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee is a giant 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 recommend catching the prepare if attainable, as Milwaukee is greatest recognized for its breweries. Taking guided brewery excursions is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Milwaukee. Aside from its alcohol, although, it is usually house to the Holler House and Milwaukee Art Museum. Don’t neglect the Harley-Davidson Museum, which hosts a lovely show of bikes and paperwork iconic biker tradition. The Milwaukee Public Museum additionally has a large-scale European village.
If you need a implausible time out from Chicago, Milwaukee is right. It has a robust sense of tradition and lots of area of interest pockets of curiosity, like Harley-Davidson bikes and breweries. It can also be a breeze to achieve by prepare or automobile.
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 distinct vibe as a college metropolis on the St. Joseph River. It is implausible in case you are searching for a extra sedate metropolis expertise. You can go to the University of Notre Dame’s iconic campus, with its basic gold-domed constructing. There’s additionally loads of native historical past you can expertise within the metropolis heart, like automobile manufacturing from years passed by at Studebaker National Museum and the regional historical past on the History Museum.
South Bend is certainly slower-paced than quick-footed Chicago. However, it has a number of points of interest too. Think of it as a calming and mental place to spend a day sightseeing. It has a number of enjoyable and pupil twists, like low-cost bars and occasional spots.
The metropolis is situated simply east of Chicago, on the opposite aspect of Indiana Dunes National Park, and on the decrease east shore of Lake Michigan. It is greatest reached by automobile, and we’d advocate 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 truly the capital metropolis of Wisconsin, not the most important, sprawling large of Milwaukee. This smaller metropolis has lovely structure galore. You can rise 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 most suitable option when you fancy a political sightseeing day journey from Chicago.
Madison can also be fantastically situated subsequent to 2 enormous lakes – Lake Mendota and Lake Waubesa. Summer leaves loads of alternatives for water sports activities and sunny waterfront mountain climbing trails. Follow this strolling tour to see 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 automobile 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 lovely forests. The canyons had been initially reduce with glacial meltwater, and you’ll 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 at the present time journey selection. Not solely is the pure surroundings astounding, however you may also 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 situated inland from Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: Car
5. Cedarburg, WI
Cedarburg has critical allure. It has old-school-style homes and is continuously 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 situated simply north of Milwaukee’s metropolis heart. It is greatest reached from Chicago by automobile, and you’ll at all times incorporate a stop-off in Milwaukee’s metropolis heart – parking within the outskirts and commuting in.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours How to get there: By automobile
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 lovely shore path and community of mountain climbing trails. It is a perfect place for a seaside day alongside the shores of Lake Michigan. However, Illinois Beach State Park is equally greater than only a seaside vacation spot.
It has campgrounds and playgrounds, plus bathe blocks and a nature heart. Illinois Beach State Park is someplace to spend a complete day. Start with a hike and go to the character heart 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 achieve by automobile. It’s an important day journey you probably have a heat day or fancy a seaside journey. Or it’s the excellent journey when you fancy tenting an evening to interrupt up your basic metropolis break.
Distance from Chicago: 1 hour How to get there: By automobile
7. Lake Geneva, WI
Lake Geneva is a lovely 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.
Once 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. Historically, 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. Big Foot Beach State Park has good seashores, particularly for a lazy afternoon. Lake Geneva is a lovely 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 automobile
8. Rockford, IL
Rockford is a significant metropolis situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, giving it the nickname’ River City’. Rockford can also 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 well-liked points of interest and historic locations. You can cease by the koi-filled ponds at Anderson Japanese Gardens, chill in quite a few public parks, or head to the Rockford Art 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 town. It is a good stop-off level for these driving to the Wisconsin capital.
Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours How to get there: By automobile
9. Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
Forget state parks when you like pure magnificence – purpose massive with Indiana Dunes National Park. This beautiful park is excess of simply sand dunes and covers 15 miles of gorgeous shoreline excellent for swimming and sunbathing. Indiana Dunes National Park can also be a scorching spot for chicken watching and mountain climbing. The nationwide park is situated on the southern finish of Lake Michigan. It is a lovely 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 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 to get there: By automobile
10. Lakeshore State Park, WI
Everyone loves an city park. This beautiful park sits simply off Milwaukee’s shoreline. Still, we are going to embrace it as a standalone attraction because it justifies a go to by itself advantage. Lakeshore State Park is greatest explored on foot by strolling the Hank Aaron State Trail. You can take pleasure in metropolis skyline views and expansive vistas over Lake Michigan. And in case you are searching for 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 lovely spot close to town. It is situated 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 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 a large cheese status. You can go to to take meals excursions – extremely advisable – and check out native merchandise and produce. You ought to go to the National Historic Cheese Making Center Museum and the Chalet Cheese Cooperative. There’s additionally lovely structure and historic locations, just like the Green County Courthouse, accomplished in 1891. The Monroe Historic Square is within the metropolis’s heart, surrounded by outlets and aesthetic surroundings.
Monroe is a tiny metropolis in comparison with a few of Chicago’s neighboring giants. It is roughly situated midway between Madison and Rockford. It is certainly greatest accessed by automobile.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours How to get there: By automobile
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 lovely 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 deliver an exquisite, vintage-style aesthetic to town. A basic pink and white lighthouse is close to town’s North Pier.
St Joseph is a lovely selection if you need a type of conventional seaside day journeys. It is simply a brief drive from Chicago, although you’ll be venturing by way of Indiana and crossing the Michigan border. Hooray for Lake Michigan’s shut community of US states. It is implausible 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 among the most historic Illinois canals, housing a restored lock tender’s home for additional historic worth. You can take pleasure in a community of mountain climbing trails with waterfalls, birds, and historic towpaths to snap pictures of. Distance isn’t a problem when visiting inland Illinois; Channahon State Park is lower than an hour’s drive from central Chicago. It is a good 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 chosen a part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. It is extensively hailed as a necessary 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 automobile
14. Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is a lovely village within the suburbs of Chicago. It actually packs a punch past fairly structure for such a small space. Visitors can take pleasure in 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 choice of museums in a tiny space, accessible from central Chicago utilizing public transport. What’s to not love? It is the proper selection if you need journeys from Chicago carried out simply.
It is so helpful to leap on a prepare and be amongst dozens of museums. Additionally, its Unity Temple was lately designated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2019. Despite 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 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 lovely 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 prefer to catch a shuttle to Grand Rapids, because it has an illustrious brewery historical past. In explicit, it’s recognized for New Holland Brewing, and you’ll take guided tasting excursions on the native breweries which might be 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 a number of completely different stops en route.
Distance from Chicago: 3 to five hours How to get there: By automobile in just below 3 hours or by shuttle in underneath 4 Suggested Tour: Grand Rapids Ghost Tour
16. Windmill Island Gardens, MI
Chicago is likely to be often known as ‘Windy City,’ however take a look at Windmill Island Gardens. This seasonal park encompasses a 250-year-old windmill in an ode to 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 beautiful in spring.
This is without doubt one of the main day journeys from Chicago if you need 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 by way of northern Indiana and throughout the Michigan border. When it involves visiting Michigan, distance generally is a concern. Is it a protracted day of driving? Yes. But it’s extremely scenic and a good way to mix a number of points of interest. If you might have a number of drivers, you gained’t have any hassle as you possibly can simply rotate driving time.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours How to 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 War historical past. The city was house to the Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant, and his former house is a State Historic Site. Of course, 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 curious about politics and historical past. Its city heart 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 automobile.
18. Michigan City, IN
Michigan City is simply an hour away and is good, accessible day journey materials. If you need a simple 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 trip? You can learn or nap and attain town in lower than 2 hours. There’s a number 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 seaside day, or take pleasure in inner-city buying at outlet shops. Michigan City presents 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 automobile or 2 hours by prepare
19. Peoria, IL
Peoria is a lovely 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 is situated a lot additional inland in central Illinois. It is simply an hour or so additional central than Starved Rock State Park – hiya, 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 Historical Society. It is 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.
The metropolis is situated southwest of Chicago and is greatest accessed by automobile. This manner, you may also cease off at Starved Rock State Park on the best way.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours How to get there: By automobile
20. Six Flags Great America, IL
What a couple of 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 very best 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, strive 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 town to take pleasure in some high quality ‘fun’ time. It is the best place to let your hair down and has a powerful vary of rides, making it appropriate for adults and youngsters. Six Flags Great 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 to get there: 1 hour by automobile 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 using tour. The park has a grand complete of 8 miles of shared-use trails, and also you’ll positively need to deliver a digicam.
Glacial Park Conservation Area opens from dawn till sundown all yr spherical. It is right 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 to 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 War, or using water park rides at Six Flags America. You can embrace small-town allure 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 might have a number of range when selecting day journeys. And the ever-presence of gorgeous Lake Michigan means a continuing barrage of water sports activities and seashores. Hopefully, you might have not less than 5 or 6 day journey decisions.
Are you searching for 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 acquired notes on the very best, most distinctive issues to do in Northern Michigan particularly, so examine that out you probably have time so as to add a few days to the top of your Chicago journey. If you might have longer, why not take a 2-3 day tour from Chicago? It is a superb launchpad to find extra of the experiences within the states round Lake Michigan. Chicago’s location is by far its profitable high quality, and you need to benefit from it when planning day journeys and excursions.