Lake Monroe is the state's largest man-made lake. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (145 miles). The best thing about Grand Rapids, however, is the food and the drink. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. 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. 2 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (145 miles). You can survey the options from atop the California Tower in Balboa Park. 3 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (190 miles). 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. The whole town gets decked out in style for the holidays. These change year on year, but in the past have included things like silent disco, outdoor musical performances, and storytelling to mark Native American traditions or Chinese New Year. Of course, there are two sides to every story, and a few miles from Mount Rushmore you can visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. 489 miles northeast of Chicago: Lake Bernard Park. And if you're missing that traditional winter vibe, visit Now Snowing in Celebration, where frosty views meet Florida sun including hourly snow flurries. Flight $$$: $500. Not far away, Wind Cave is one of the world's longest. How to get there: Head north on I-90 out of Chicago then join I-94. The first week of December is particularly busy, but many travellers report that the crowds and prices calm down a little mid-month. Alternative options are the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park and the Fish Ladder Park. From jazz to soul, St Louis has been one of the most prominent musical cities in the US - Tina Turner and Scott Joplin started their careers here among others. Ice sculptors spend nearly 2 months creating spectacular icy towers and turrets which are especially beautiful when they're illuminated at night. Our travel tips: Equipment can be rented at this resort but arrive early on weekends or holidays as it's first come, first served. All things considered, it's easy to see why Niagara-on-the-Lake's Icewine is such a special product to try during your visit. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. Geneva, Illinois - 41.7 miles. Join I-90 E to head out of Chicago then merge onto I-94 to continue to follow the shore of Lake Michigan. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (155 miles). A work on this scale had never been attempted in the country before and Gutzon Borglum, who led the project, quickly identified that chisels would hardly make a dent on the vast rockface. Distance from Chicago: 150 miles north, 2.5-hour drive This charming little hideaway about 30 minutes west of Sheboygan is often overlooked but shouldn't be. Wrap up warm and walk out towards Muskegon South Breakwater Lighthouse a really stunning sight or take a walk on the lake's frozen beaches. Olympian Mark Grimmette trained on the Luge track here when he was young and went on to compete at five Winter Olympic Games, winning medals at two of them. A particular highlight in Muskegon is its Luge track, which is open to the public. The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Or if you're feeling more active, there are sledding slopes in the park too. So, without further ado, here's what I would recommend for the Chicagoans ready to take on the road and create life-long Spring Road Trip memories with family and friends. Go snowshoeing at Quit Qui Oc golf course or ice skate at June Vollrath Park. 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. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). 1. Just after St Joseph, turn off onto I-196 where the interstate divides, and carry on north along the shore until you reach Saugatuck. 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. As you make your way from Chicago to Philadelphia, make sure to fit in a visit to Bethlehem, PA, too. Our highlights: There might not be snow and ice on the ground, but Savannah manages to fill the holiday season with its very own brand of festive charm. 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. Key stops include Minneapolis, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Monterey, plus the Grand Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone National Park. The village represents a historic view of Dutch settlements and you can even visit a wooden clog (shoe) making factory. Our travel tips: Timed tickets are needed for some of Philadelphia's winter attractions, including Longwood Gardens and Dickens Village. 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 830-mile road trip from Chicago to Washington DC will take you around 14 hours to drive non-stop. Absolutely. This popular vacation town is also less crowded in winter compared to the summer months. The Louisville Muhammad Ali Center and the Frazier History Museum will keep you busy! Best attractions: The Museum of the Rockies, which has the largest collection of dinosaur bones in the U.S. Also, just a 90-minute drive . Traffic in Denver is heavy at rush hours as you might expect, but the Friday peak is a little earlier than other days so factor this in if you're trying to beat the crowds. As you approach St Louis, you will see the first and main sight in the city - the huge 630-foot tall steel Gateway Arch. It's all a little strange, perhaps. You could . Restaurants like the Grove and Terra serve locally sourced ingredients which means the menu changes throughout the year. Any suggestions fellas? The interstate carries on across Nebraska and then splits just as you approach the northeast corner of Colorado. You can enjoy spending time outside, take a walk along the river, or just relax in one of Savannah's beautiful squares - the polar opposite of a Chicago winter. Leave time to explore. 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. Although there's the regular rush hour traffic that might slow you down a little, the city doesn't experience significant congestion. 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. If you have time to head out of town, make your way to Tampa to see Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. While both parks are not as large as some, there is plenty to explore with trails going through canyons and some amazing rock formations. New this winter, try curling. If you're able to visit mid-week, you'll probably find the slopes are quieter. 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. 15 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (960 miles). Why you should visit: The weather stays mild all year round in Savannah, so it's a great place to come and escape the Midwest chill. This Mom n pop classic fast food diner has been in Oglesby since 1955 and serves top notch root beer floats and burgers. Around one-third of the city's population is Hispanic so as you might expect, there are some big festivals and celebrations that you don't see in other parts of the US. Featuring city breaks, small coastal harbor towns, outstanding natural parks and the occasional wineries and breweries, here are our 20 best road trips from Chicago ordered from closest to furthest away - make sure to read further down for more epic road trip itineraries! Then, shortly after crossing the Wisconsin River, turn onto I-39 and follow it north to Granite Peak Ski Area. San Diego San Diego boasts 260 sunny days a year, miles of rugged beachside and barking seals. 13 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (925 miles). 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). Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. From Louisville, I-64 takes you east to Lexington, then turn onto I-75 to make your way through Tennessee to Knoxville. If you want to strike out a little further and explore, you can go horseback riding or cross-country skiing through the woodlands or try out snow biking for something new. 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. If you're staying overnight it's best to find accommodation with private parking. Back in town you'll get beautiful winter views over icy Lake Michigan. 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. The fast ferries will take under 20 minutes to get you there. For something a little different, visit Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum to see a large collection of planes, including many vintage models. 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. The same road takes you right across Indiana and Ohio then along the whole length of Lake Erie, before you finally turn onto NY-5 through Buffalo around 5 miles before you reach your destination. If you're coming for the World of Winter Festival, remember to wrap up warm. Just after crossing the Ohio River at Evansville, turn onto I-69, continuing south on I-169 where the interstates divide. From here, follow I-196 further around the lake shore. Exhibits are very interactive and fun for the whole family. 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. Morning departure is around 5% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*. Cool down in warmer weather by riding the natural waterslide at Sliding Rock. Only an hour away from downtown Chicago, Indiana Dunes became the newest National Park in the United States in 2019. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, biking, fishing, climbing, boating and more forge incredible nature experiences in some of the most unique settings of the Midwest. 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. also, you have the option of taking the ss badger car ferry across Lake Michigan to avoid traffic around the bottom of the Lake and to add an You won't need any previous experience or equipment, as your entrance to the track includes a lesson and all the equipment you'll need to enjoy your visit safely. There are only 3 other Luge tracks in the whole of the United States, so if you've always fancied trying out this exhilarating sport, this is probably your best chance. You'll have seen pictures of the beautiful and elaborate masks that are such a feature of the Mardi Gras parades. 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. For those who want to go on a longer road, trip, the options above may not quite cut it so here are some longer routes that you might like the sound of: By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. As well as being a relaxed and varied city, Asheville is the perfect gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, so a trip here offers a great combination of city vibes and the great outdoors. There's another dozen smaller lakes dotted around which breaks up the city into smaller neighborhoods and adds a lot of character. You can even ride across the river on the Chain Ferry, one of the last remaining in America. But is it worth a daytrip to an obscure Chicago suburb? Originally a very rural part of Michigan with a few small towns and their corresponding harbors on the lake, the area has grown into a popular tourist destination. Where's the warmest, sunniest place in Chicago during the winter months? Also running from Thanksgiving right up to New Years Day is Celebration in the Oaks. Afterwards, take some time to admire the cathedral's architecture - and see if you can spot the Darth Vader gargoyle. If you're visiting at other times during the winter, there's still plenty to do in Elkhart Lake. The city's popular Longwood Gardens is transformed with amazing lights and live music, so it makes a great place to spend some time after the sun goes down (which happens early in winter!). Once a month the district comes to life with live music and guided tours, plus the chance to taste local wine. 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. Bonus: If you're here before the holidays, get into the festive spirit at the Distillery District Christmas Market, which runs from mid-November until New Year. 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! A complete circle of Lake Michigan to Mackinac Island, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago To Mackinac Island, Asheville is the perfect gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago to Asheville, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago to Mount Rushmore, Denver is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago to Denver, Road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park. A few of the upcoming options on our road trip list are all due north in Wisconsin. You should definitely visit New York in winter so you can say you've experienced them all first-hand. Home to the huge Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee is better known for having a huge selection of seriously good micro-breweries and small beer manufacturers. Seeing the falls in winter is a magical experience, with massive icicles and undulating snow drifts surrounding the famous vistas. (866) 399-3866. www.grizzlyjacksresort.com. 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. 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. Featuring city breaks, small coastal harbor towns, outstanding natural parks and the occasional wineries and breweries, here are our 20 best road trips from Chicago ordered from closest to furthest away - make sure to read further down for more epic road trip itineraries! 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. The museum also contains an extensive selection of art by well-known artists and has a collection of Native American Art. The key message is to wrap up warm and be prepared for whatever weather the city throws at you - pretty standard for DC! to the Bacon and Brews event where you can sample fine bacon and beer pairings, there is always something happening. It's a great way to experience this historic part of the city, full of character. 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. You can see Cinderella's Castle made even more magical at Walt Disney World, or visit EPCOT's International Festival of the Holidays to take a whistle-stop tour around the world's traditions. After Grand Rapids, turn onto Route 131 and continue north past Big Rapids and Cadillac, until you reach Boyne Mountain. Then, take I-40 from Knoxville to Asheville then join I-26 south passing Spartanburg and Columbia. 11 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (700 miles). St Julian Winery or Lemon Creek are great to visit and well located just off the interstate. For added romantic charm, put your skates on and have laps on one of the city's many ice rinks - there are over 50 to choose from. 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. 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. Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Chicago. The high temperatures that hit Chicago Thursday broke a record that stretched all the way back to 1887, according to the National Weather Service. The hip city has a lot of things to see and experience. Getting to St Louis is easy - the I-55 will take you all the way to the Gateway City. Many visitors head to Denver en route to the Rockies, which are right on your doorstep if you're staying in the city. 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. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (150 miles) 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. These will carry you up to a quarter of a mile across the resort's valleys, giving you a bird's eye view of your stunning surroundings. (Disney Enterprises . To make the most of the trip, take a couple of weeks and make a lot of stops along the way. This waterfront city is the only destination on this list that takes you to another of the Great Lakes. One interesting place to visit is Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House. Millions of years of geologic changes are reflected at the Garden of the Gods in Louisville is best known as the host of the Kentucky Derby - the famous horse race takes place on the first Saturday in May and has run since 1875. 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. 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. The Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Biergarten are the home of Budweiser but there are loads of small local breweries where you will get a more authentic experience. You can easily fill a weekend here with fun and varied runs. 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. The 3 tallest sand dunes are all in the State Park with the tallest, Mount Tom, standing at 192 ft. 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 can also tour a museum ship to get a feel for the history of the lakes. The cheapest month to fly from Chicago is January. The Great River Road runs the length of the Mississippi river and you can drive part of it on a scenic road trip from Chicago. Alternatively, tour the galleries and independent shops in the city's downtown area, which showcase the work of the thriving local arts community. The route up to La Crosse will pass a few great stop off points - check out the steel Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi at Lansing and the Nelson Dewey State Park has some of the best panoramic views of the river and surrounding forests. 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. RV campgrounds 500 miles from Chicago. 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. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). If there's one reason to visit Milwaukee, it is to see for yourself what the beer capital of the United States really looks like! 17 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (1,130 miles). 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (180 miles). After around 250 miles of driving you'll cross the Maumee River then turn off onto I-75 heading towards downtown Toledo. The area is also home to a number of very decent wineries. At Louisville, change onto I-64 and follow it towards Lexington onto I-75 which takes you across into Tennessee. The temperatures surpassed the 136-year-old . It's called - you guessed it - the Cheese Country Trail System (no, really)! If your time is limited, take your sled and enjoy a free downhill ride at one of the several hilly public parks in the city. Muskegon Farmers Market operates indoors on Saturdays through the winter so you can warm up and stock up on some fabulous local produce. Fennville has a few quirky local museums and things to see. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. 10 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (660 miles). 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). Other activities include spending the day at Kalapaki or Po'ipu beaches, setting. You'll finally turn off the interstate at Rapid City, joining US-16 for the last few miles of your drive to Mount Rushmore. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. Towns like New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Holland, Saugatuck and Grand Haven provide pristine beaches, great shopping, lakeside restaurants and front-row view of sunsets over Lake Michigan. First is the village of New Glarus. It makes sense to book ahead if you're planning on visiting between Christmas day and New Year, or weekends during January and February. 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. Went to New York (which was fun) so that is covered. Why you should visit: From January to March the town hosts the World of Winter Festival, which sees dozens of huge ice sculptures on display and special events held across the town.