Then, take I-40 from Knoxville to Asheville then join I-26 south passing Spartanburg and Columbia. Then, soon after crossing the Mississippi River, change onto I-55 and follow it south. Beer and baseball are the two things the city is particularly known for. Most people come to Saugatuck to spend time by the water, enjoying the sunshine and refreshing lake water by day then watching the sun go down with a local craft beer. Then head quickly back into the warmth of your hotel to warm up. 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. 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. 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. After around 250 miles of driving you'll cross the Maumee River then turn off onto I-75 heading towards downtown Toledo. 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 Once you arrive at Mount Rushmore, you can also spend time exploring the stunning Black Hills and surrounding area. Everything here looks, feels, smells and tastes Swiss. This leads you eventually onto I-95, which you'll follow south to Savannah. Then there's dozens of amazing natural parks to explore, especially towards the northern tip of the lake. As well as being beautiful, the crowds that flock to Niagara Falls are slightly less during winter. PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's St. Maarten Guide Jo Ann. Along the way you'll pass the cities of Madison, La Crosse and Sioux City, and you'll cross both the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Also B&Bs. Drive past snowy landscapes to reach 850 acres of skiing, snowmobiling, dogsledding and photography escapades. Nearby, Biltmore is a huge gilded-age mansion with vast formal gardens, trails to explore and its own winery. 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. 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! The high temperatures that hit Chicago Thursday broke a record that stretched all the way back to 1887, according to the National Weather Service. 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. Once you get to halfway point, you should spend a day or longer on Mackinac Island. Expect congestion on the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially if you visit at weekends. Stop at the Crane Orchards to sample one of their legendary pies as you make your way around! Parking can be difficult, especially in the summer months when hundreds of visitors head to town. Chicago is a fantastic hub for history, architecture, gastronomy and sports. 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. There are 4 large waterpark resorts (Kalahari, Great Wolf, Chula Vista and the Wilderness) and around 20 in total with more being constructed. 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. Follow this road all the way across Illinois to Davenport, where you'll cross over the Mississippi River which forms the border between Illinois and Iowa. Driving time from Chicago: One and a half hours Our neighbors to the north will make you feel right at home with a seemingly endless supply of craft beer and cheese. 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. Everything here is about cheese. If you're staying overnight it's best to find accommodation with private parking. 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. 8 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (530 miles). Whether you're looking for a festive shopping experience to ease you into the holiday mood, or a snowbird heading south for the winter, there are plenty of fabulous longer road trips that start out from Chicago. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. Or if you're here a little earlier in winter, you can get yourself into the holiday spirit with a snowy visit to the Sculpture Gardens or enjoy some exhilarating winter sports. Motor City is the second largest city in the Midwest after Chicago and is worth making the drive for. 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. For a really exhilarating ride, fly right above the snow on one of the 9 ziplines. 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. Also, although this isn't a ski destination like some of the other trips, you can still enjoy some winter sports in Elkhart Lake. 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. 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. Thousands of people in absolutely dazzling costumes parade through the city in a historic tradition. Chicago is a fantastic city, known for its stunning lakeside location, the Magnificent Mile, and its world-class museums and galleries. Further up the road, you'll find a truly unique destination in Holland, where Dutch colonists established a foothold in the 1800s, bringing with them their culture, architecture, pastries (check . With heavy snowfall possible, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and other smaller roads are likely to be closed at times in the winter, so check ahead if you're hoping to travel a particular route. 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. Just after St Joseph, turn off onto I-196 where the interstate divides, and carry on north along the shore until you reach Saugatuck. As you make your way from Chicago to Philadelphia, make sure to fit in a visit to Bethlehem, PA, too. 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. Here you can see works by some of the great European artists as well as a wide collection of American art. To make the most of it, though, you really should consider stopping the night and exploring the local beer scene. 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. Plus, you can fill yourself with festive cheer with a visit to the traditional market at Love Park's Christmas Village, or a stroll through streets filled with fabulous Christmas lights. Exhibits are very interactive and fun for the whole family. (Disney Enterprises . You might consider day trips from Chicago to Milwaukee on the train. 17. San Diego San Diego boasts 260 sunny days a year, miles of rugged beachside and barking seals. Why you should visit: Mild weather and weeks of flamboyant parades makes New Orleans the perfect contrast to snowy Chicago. If you have time to head out of town, make your way to Tampa to see Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. From Chicago To Driving Time: Lake Geneva, WI: 1 hour and 30 minutes: Galena, IL: 2 hours 45 minutes: Kohler, WI: 2 hours and 20 minutes . Constructed between 1906 and 1907, the Conservatory was conceived and designed by Chicago's West Park Commission's general superintendent and chief landscape architect, Jens . 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. 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). 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. Rising 462 feet above the sea, the carillon tower recently reopened to the public after 80 years in solitude. Whether you want to hike, climb, bike, ski, snowshoe or simply follow miles of scenic drives to mountaintop lookouts, take your pick in this stunning national park and the surrounding winter sports resorts. You'll finally turn off the interstate at Rapid City, joining US-16 for the last few miles of your drive to Mount Rushmore. Then, check out the Christmas Village or the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. Next, pick up I-40 which winds through a section of the Appalachian Mountains on its way to your destination, Asheville. It's the perfect place for a romantic getaway - wrap up warm and enjoy snowy views over the beautiful city and lake before warming up with a hot chocolate and a loop or two around an outdoor ice rink. 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. As well as being able to see the famous memorial in person, this is a great road trip that takes you from one side of the Great Plains to the other via some interesting and varied cities. Seeing the falls in winter is a magical experience, with massive icicles and undulating snow drifts surrounding the famous vistas. 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. 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. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of Chicago and east towards Cleveland. 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). 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 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 hip city has a lot of things to see and experience. This popular vacation town is also less crowded in winter compared to the summer months. As well as the festive markets that take place across the city, where you can admire beautiful decorations and gifts or enjoy some fabulous food and drink, you can take in a carol concert at the National Cathedral. 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. You can see how every aspect of the village life would have been complete with the blacksmith shop, school and church buildings. For the perfect post-ski wind down, visit the Spa at Boyne Mountain before you head home. RV campgrounds 500 miles from Chicago. Denver also has a host of fabulous cultural attractions, so don't overlook the city itself on your way up to the mountains. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. 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. Images by Dr. Alan Lipkin/Shutterstock.com, Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park, 22. How to get there: Follow I-90/I-94 north out of Chicago, then continue north on I-94 when the interstate divides. September and October are the best times to come to Cedarburg - the trees glow with their oranges and maroons and the locals celebrate Oktoberfest with special events, seasonal beers and great food. Your email will not be provided to third parties. 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. 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. 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (145 miles). 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. Sept. 2, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. 24 Top Weekend Getaways From Chicago. Our highlights: Roll back 100 years and one of the biggest draws of Lake Geneva, WI, wasn't its snow, but the ice! St Julian Winery or Lemon Creek are great to visit and well located just off the interstate. To make the most of the trip, take a couple of weeks and make a lot of stops along the way. Don't worry about missing out on too much of that winter snow either - your drive will take you through the Appalachians so you can take in some stunning views as you make your way south to Georgia. 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. 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 fastest way to get to Minneapolis from Chicago is to go the I-90 and I-94 route across Wisconsin. The cheese fondue is right up there on our list of the best foods in the world! You will be forgiven for thinking you were teleported to central Europe the moment you get to New Glarus. From Louisville, I-64 takes you east to Lexington, then turn onto I-75 to make your way through Tennessee to Knoxville. The must-see attraction on your trip to Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the famous cliffside sculptures of the presidents, which you can see up close if you follow the short Presidential Trail. 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. For a more magical festive feel, head to Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens. Asheville is packed full of history, but the modern city has a distinctly creative vibe that makes it really unique. Sitting on Lake Michigan with the Great Lakes and a number of states within easy reach, there is every reason to get in the car and explore the surrounding areas of Chicago whether you are looking for a day trip, a weekend out or a longer adventure. A wide selection of breweries includes European-style beers and the pizza-serving Harmony. 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. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (280 miles). Our travel tips: Book in advance if you're visiting Winterfest, as the town gets really busy. There are a few museums and sights to see - the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Art Museum are both worth going to. The temperatures surpassed the 136-year-old . 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. There are a number of different trails that will take you up and down the dunes, past groups of trees that have been overcome by the sand, dune blowouts and pine forests. 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago (88 miles). 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 town on its western end is called Lake Geneva, the lake just to the north is called Lake Como with the town of Como sitting along it. Of course, NYC is famous for its shops, so leave some space in your case for whatever gifts and treats you might pick up while you're in town. Here you can join in with the 9-day Winter Festival (late January). The Garfield Park Conservatory, of course. 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. The lake freezes over right through the winter, so you can head out with a guide for a unique ice-fishing experience. For the equestrian lover, Keeneland is a famous horse racing arena that attracts people from around the globe. Book a fantastic treatment or simply hang out in the sauna, steam room or heated outdoor pool to enjoy the mountain vibes from a different angle. 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. The village represents a historic view of Dutch settlements and you can even visit a wooden clog (shoe) making factory. 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. Denver is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as being a great place to head to in winter if you want to ski or snowboard on nearby slopes. 4 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). It's all a little strange, perhaps. The City of Lakes is a bustling hub of activity - 6 of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here and it's known as a major cultural and arts center. 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. 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! Our travel tips: Winter weather in Savannah is changeable, but the year-round humidity can make even warm days feel chilly when you're outdoors for a while. Where to Stay. Bonus: Early in February Lake Geneva's Winterfest bursts into action, with an ice sculpting competition and snow races! Our travel tips: Visit the Luge in the evenings and you can warm up by a bonfire after your slide down the track. This waterfront city is the only destination on this list that takes you to another of the Great Lakes. If you've had about enough of cheese, you can go on an ATV ride around the trail network around Monroe. When you're ready to head into the warm, make your way to Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Here are several interesting options that make a great family road trip and all within easy driving distance of Chicago. 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 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. Geneva, Illinois - 41.7 miles. Why visit? Then, join I-80 and follow it around the south of Cleveland before switching onto I-76 and continuing southeast past Pittsburgh. All through the winter, you can also enjoy the shops and restaurants on fabulous River Street, the perfect place to spend some time whether you're looking for gifts to take home or just something special for yourself. Given the city's mild winter climate, it's the perfect place to end the day with a romantic stroll. The smell is so bad, the United States Postal Service banned the posting of Limburger because of the stench. The local Fermentorium brewery has some 24 different beers on tap - not too shabby for a local place! Drive, reach and enjoy the beautiful states around. 17 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (1,130 miles). If you head further up the Michigan coast on a road trip around Lake Michigan from Chicago, you will get to Fennville - a small city in the Allegan County of Michigan's Agricultural Belt. Of course, there are two sides to every story, and a few miles from Mount Rushmore you can visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. 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. Once Christmas and New Year are behind you, the party season in New Orleans really gets going. You could . The city is in a prime spot with a lot of road trip options for you to escape to the surrounding destinations within 5 hrs drive. It's also a great place to enjoy fabulous snow-based activities - the temperature usually sits around freezing and the area experiences heavy snowfall, so conditions are perfect. Hot Springs (Arkansas) Distance: 650 miles. 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. Check ahead to find details of live performances and special events that are taking place. 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. Harbor Country is one of the most popular getaway destinations for Chicagoans. getty. 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. 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. Morning departure is around 5% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*. No need to get on the flight. Boyne Mountain Resort Distance: 5-hour drive Michigan winters are best captured with the ski resort of Boyne. 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. Take a carriage ride through Central Park, which is even more magical when there's snow on the ground. Things to do on Kauai include exploring the Waimea Canyon, Kkee State Park, Na Pali Coast and the Kalalau Trail. If you're visiting later in the season, check out Winter Restaurant Week. 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago (93 miles). And one of the three sections of the Hoosier National Forest is immediate to this area. On the south side of the lake is the Black Point Estate. The extensive and varied ski slopes here are great for a wide range of skiing abilities. Though it was longer drive but not bad. 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. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (147 miles). 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. 1. 11 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (700 miles).

Darcey Silva Perfume, Garry Tallent Wife, Prayer When Visiting The Grave Islam, Kotlin Return Interface Implementation, Articles W