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. You'll find yourself in a warm weather wonderland with trees, lights, skating and fireworks. Take a magical horse-drawn carriage ride, check out entries for the Gingerbread House competition, and enjoy endless festive lights. 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. There are a few museums and sights to see - the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Art Museum are both worth going to. This can be particularly handy if you're staying a little way out of town, or if you want to avoid a long walk back to your parking spot at the end of the day. They don't run every day, but when they do they're really magical. For summer fun during the winter months, Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort is the place to be. Nicknamed the Forest City due to the area's verdant woods and rivers, Rockford is also known as the Screw Capital of the World. 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. 2 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (130 miles). Then join I-196 and follow it north along the lake shore until you reach Holland. Boyne Mountain Resort Distance: 5-hour drive Michigan winters are best captured with the ski resort of Boyne. Utica, IL 61373. Why you should visit: This is a year-round resort, but with 140 inches of snow, it comes into its own during winter. The long rows of vines stand out proudly in the snow and make a beautiful backdrop while you're learning about Icewine production or, more importantly, tasting a glass or two. It makes sense to book ahead if you're planning on visiting between Christmas day and New Year, or weekends during January and February. How to get there: Follow I-90 east towards Cleveland, switching onto I-80 just before you reach the city. Restaurants like the Grove and Terra serve locally sourced ingredients which means the menu changes throughout the year. RV campgrounds 500 miles from Chicago. You can survey the options from atop the California Tower in Balboa Park. Chicago is a fantastic hub for history, architecture, gastronomy and sports. Join I-90 E to head out of Chicago then merge onto I-94 to continue to follow the shore of Lake Michigan. Fridays at the Hollywood Beach Theatre feature free live jazz, blues and pop music at oceanfront cafes. 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. This Mom n pop classic fast food diner has been in Oglesby since 1955 and serves top notch root beer floats and burgers. To help you make the most of this great drive, we've set out the best routes and places to stop . 2 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). Our travel tips: Book in advance if you're visiting Winterfest, as the town gets really busy. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of Chicago and east towards Cleveland. After around 250 miles of driving you'll cross the Maumee River then turn off onto I-75 heading towards downtown Toledo. 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 warm up in one of the city's fantastic museums, including the Royal Ontario Museum where you'll find a fascinating and diverse collection. Our highlights: The nation's capital is a fantastic place to visit during the holiday period. Everything here looks, feels, smells and tastes Swiss. Why you should visit: New York City puts on an amazing display for the holidays from festive lights to Christmas trees and fabulous window displays throughout the city, all with a thick covering of snow. Then, shortly after crossing the Wisconsin River, turn onto I-39 and follow it north to Granite Peak Ski Area. The classic design may look more like an East Coast city with Louisville having the second highest number of cast iron faades after New York, primarily in its West Main District. Asheville is packed full of history, but the modern city has a distinctly creative vibe that makes it really unique. After passing New Baltimore and Everett, change onto I-70 and continue on through the Appalachians before joining I-270 at Frederick and following it right into the center of Washington DC. 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. Our travel tips: Some of the outdoor activities that Niagara Falls is famous for, notably the Maid of the Mist boat cruise, do not operate in winter, but as we've identified, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy views out across the falls. The Swiss Historical Village is a great live museum which has kept 14 buildings in the style of the original 19th century settlement. Back in the city, entry to the world-class Toledo Museum of Art is free all year round. You might consider day trips from Chicago to Milwaukee on the train. You'll learn about the many faces of Lake Erie, from the Underground Railroad which ferried slaves to safety across the lake, to prohibition bootleggers. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (155 miles). 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. 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 . 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 Gainesville, join the Florida Turnpike which takes you the last stretch of the drive into Orlando. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. 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. Our travel tips: Visit the Luge in the evenings and you can warm up by a bonfire after your slide down the track. 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. The cheapest month to fly from Chicago is January. If you're thinking of setting off on a road trip from Chicago in another season, check out our ultimate guide for Best Road Trips from Chicago for ideas and inspiration. 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. The town of Holland sits along the length of Lake Macatawa that flows into Lake Michigan. One interesting place to visit is Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House. 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. There's a real variety of activities to enjoy here take to the snow for an active day outside, then relax at a beautiful spa. Our highlights: As you'd expect, the main draw of Muskegon in winter is Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. But that's just the welcome mat to this SoCal haven. 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. There are plenty of places to stop and a lot of parks and trails if you want to get out of the car. Our highlights: The highlight of most people's visit to Niagara Falls is to see the mighty waterfalls up close, but if you visit in winter you can also marvel at the massive icicles that form right by the viewing platform on the Journey Behind the Falls. Given the city's mild winter climate, it's the perfect place to end the day with a romantic stroll. You could probably make the return trip in a day, but the journey can take up to 3 hours one way from Chicago so make it into a weekend and add a few stops at Fennville and the Harbor Country (see both above) on your way. 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). 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. The Louisville Muhammad Ali Center and the Frazier History Museum will keep you busy! You can even ride across the river on the Chain Ferry, one of the last remaining in America. The temperatures surpassed the 136-year-old . Our travel tips: This is a really popular ski area, and lift passes can sell out during the busiest periods. 17 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (1,130 miles). People in the Dutch Village wear traditional clothing, play Dutch music and you can join in one of the mass dances if you'd like. Thousands of people in absolutely dazzling costumes parade through the city in a historic tradition. 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. It took 14 years to complete the huge memorial sculpture at Mount Rushmore. 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. 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. If you're coming for the World of Winter Festival, remember to wrap up warm. 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. Or if you're feeling more active, there are sledding slopes in the park too. 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. 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. 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. Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Chicago. So if time allows on your trip, you might like to tour a brewery or two or try some of the locally produced beers. 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. If you want to test your senses, the Limburger cheese holds the title of the world's worst smelling cheese and is only made in Monroe. Best road trips from Chicago Shutterstock 1. Further afield, the city is packed full of other shopping districts, including the West Village, Bleeker Street, Union Square and the Meatpacking District to name just a few. This popular vacation town is also less crowded in winter compared to the summer months. With a lot of water activities on the lake, the parking lots can fill up quickly so make sure you get here in the morning to get a spot. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Just after crossing the Ohio River at Evansville, turn onto I-69, continuing south on I-169 where the interstates divide. If you're able to visit mid-week, you'll probably find the slopes are quieter. 605 S. Prospect St., Galena IL, 800-717-2317. It's a great way to spend time with friends, get into the festive mood, as well as to find some unique Christmas gifts. After Grand Rapids, turn onto Route 131 and continue north past Big Rapids and Cadillac, until you reach Boyne Mountain. From here, turn onto Route 31 which takes you on to Muskegon. The forest includes a remarkable 289,000 acres of nature adventures to experience. 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 . 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (147 miles). Check ahead to find details of live performances and special events that are taking place. The local skiing may be limited, but there is a lot to see and do around Lake Geneva. Two different types of ski lifts were invented here - so when you ski here in modern times you'll be following the lead of some of the country's ski pioneers. 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. 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. This after-dark spectacle sees City Park lit up with more than a million lights. A Little History. Treat your group to an exhilarating zip line adventure with Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour. Greater . On the south side of the lake is the Black Point Estate. Our highlights: Granite Mountain is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States, and it's been at the forefront of innovation in the skiing industry. 8 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (550 miles). Outside of the downtown Fennville, you'll find rolling fields and orchards that are both pretty and make some great food. 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. Otherwise you can find a selection of different cheese styles and types. It features more than 100,000 lights and is the largest pipe organ in the world. Where's the warmest, sunniest place in Chicago during the winter months? Take I-290 W from Chicago's downtown, which leads you out onto I-88. But did you know that every single participant has to wear one? It's also a popular LGBTQ destination. 11 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (760 miles). You could . The key message is to wrap up warm and be prepared for whatever weather the city throws at you - pretty standard for DC! You can also enjoy a number of holiday markets, to really get you into the festive spirit. 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. The dunes stretch along a 15-mile stretch of Lake Michigan and the National Park borders the State Park of the same name. You can also tour a museum ship to get a feel for the history of the lakes. As with everywhere in Wisconsin, the food and drink scene takes center stage. If 21 miles seems a little much, focus in on the 2-mile stretch on the West End. 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! If you're not visiting for the Derby, it's best to avoid going in May as hundreds of thousands come for the event and prices go sky high. Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa is located on one of the island's best beaches, and offers a variety of family-friendly amenities. Although there's the regular rush hour traffic that might slow you down a little, the city doesn't experience significant congestion. Next, turn onto I-80 and head west past Des Moines and Omaha. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. The biggest ski area in the state is perfectly set up for skiers, with fast lifts and dozens of trails to follow. Named after the tall cedar trees, it is particularly well known for its lush forests that cover the hills around Cedarburg. How to get there: Follow I-90 east across Indiana. The main attractions are the two major parks - the Starved Rock State Park and the Matthiessen State Park. (866) 399-3866. www.grizzlyjacksresort.com. Nearby, Biltmore is a huge gilded-age mansion with vast formal gardens, trails to explore and its own winery. In Milwaukee, switch onto I-43 and continue north, before leaving the interstate just after Saukville. 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. Make sure you visit the Heidelberg project - the outdoor art installation uses salvage materials to highlight the plight of Detroit and its ongoing period of change through loud modern sculpture. Then, soon after crossing the Mississippi River, change onto I-55 and follow it south. With no cars on the island and a super relaxed vibe, you can take strolls, visit lighthouses and hike to see the Arch Rock on the east side of the island. To get to Louisville from Chicago, you will need to drive the length of Indiana until you reach the Ohio River - St Louis is right across the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge. Drive time: 2 hours from downtown. 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. Our highlights: Roll back 100 years and one of the biggest draws of Lake Geneva, WI, wasn't its snow, but the ice! The extensive and varied ski slopes here are great for a wide range of skiing abilities. Best for: Family fun or a romantic rendezvous. The fast ferries will take under 20 minutes to get you there. It was an early adopter of snowmaking technology in the 1950s. Harbor Country is one of the most popular getaway destinations for Chicagoans. As you approach St Louis, you will see the first and main sight in the city - the huge 630-foot tall steel Gateway Arch. Seeing the falls in winter is a magical experience, with massive icicles and undulating snow drifts surrounding the famous vistas. Several of the hotels in town have excellent in-house spas, so you can treat yourself to some relaxation time during your trip. Plus, if you're in the market for some Christmas shopping you can take your pick of fabulous department stores, designer brands and boutique sellers. 1 hour 35 minutes from Chicago (83 miles). Visitors and locals alike flock to the Macy's Light Show, running for over half a century, and the charming Dickens Village, also found at the store. You'll finally turn off the interstate at Rapid City, joining US-16 for the last few miles of your drive to Mount Rushmore. If you have time to head out of town, make your way to Tampa to see Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. You can easily fill a weekend here with fun and varied runs. Back in town you'll get beautiful winter views over icy Lake Michigan. 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). This leads you south to join I-76, which you'll then follow past Pittsburgh, all the way across Pennsylvania. And if you're missing that traditional winter vibe, visit Now Snowing in Celebration, where frosty views meet Florida sun including hourly snow flurries. Bonus: Right through January you can enjoy the Icewine Festival, which celebrates this delicious local tipple. After crossing the border into Canada, the road becomes ON-401. How to get there: After heading east out of Chicago on I-90, turn south onto I-65 and continue through Indianapolis and Louisville. Choose from a lodge room, suite, 4-bed or 8-bed luxury cottage, ideal for multi-generation or multi-family groups. St Julian Winery or Lemon Creek are great to visit and well located just off the interstate. For a really exhilarating ride, fly right above the snow on one of the 9 ziplines. The smell is so bad, the United States Postal Service banned the posting of Limburger because of the stench. 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. Rockford is the largest city in Illinois outside Chicagoland (the Chicago metropolitan area). To make the most of it, though, you really should consider stopping the night and exploring the local beer scene. Many visitors head to Denver en route to the Rockies, which are right on your doorstep if you're staying in the city. 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. Heading towards Lake Michigan, you will find the small harbor village of Saugatuck. A wide selection of breweries includes European-style beers and the pizza-serving Harmony. Head up the CN Tower for great views of the city and Lake Ontario, which is particularly stunning when it starts to freeze over through the winter. Went to New York (which was fun) so that is covered. 1. " There's also an "Amethyst Room," whirlpools infused with jasmine and weirdly good organic fried chicken. Located 90 . Amtrak has an overnight train (The City of New Orleans) to New Orleans where the weather will be warm. Chicago is a fantastic city, known for its stunning lakeside location, the Magnificent Mile, and its world-class museums and galleries. The Garfield Park Conservatory, of course. 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. As you make your way from Chicago to Philadelphia, make sure to fit in a visit to Bethlehem, PA, too. Your email will not be provided to third parties. 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. One that stands out for its festive themes is the Grinch-mas Who-liday Special at Universal Islands of Adventure. If you're visiting later in the season, check out Winter Restaurant Week. Get into the festive spirit and enjoy the iconic holiday views of the city - if it feels familiar, it's probably because they've featured in so many films and TV shows over the years. For amazing views of the snow-covered landscape, head up the Skylon Tower. You can see how every aspect of the village life would have been complete with the blacksmith shop, school and church buildings. 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. 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. It's the perfect way to enjoy the snowy conditions, and there are ski runs here to suit many different abilities. The Cinco de Mayo festival is one of the biggest in the country, with parades, live music and dozens of food stalls to choose from. 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. 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. Weekend Getaways from Chicago: Market Street Inn - 3 hours . Or if you're in town with romantic intentions, a stroll through the Diamond District might go down well. The detour will add around two and a half hours so bake that into your planning and consider stops along the way. 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. After Hopkinsville, join I-24 and follow it through Nashville to Chattanooga where you'll switch onto I-75 which runs all the way to Florida. 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. Cities 9 hours from Chicago 9 hours: Ely, MN 8 hr 56 min: State College, PA 8 hr 55 min: Huntsville, AL 8 hr 51 min: Pigeon Forge, TN 8 hr 46 min: Lutsen, MN 8 hr 46 min: Fergus Falls, MN 8 hr 41 min: Joplin, MO 8 hr 35 min: Niagara Falls, NY 8 hr 32 min: Topeka, KS 8 hr 31 min: Grand Rapids, MN 8 hr 27 min: Tunica, MS 8 hr 24 min: Hibbing, MN Then, follow WI-57 towards Plymouth, from where you'll pick up WI-67 to Elkhart Lake. 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. A few of the upcoming options on our road trip list are all due north in Wisconsin. 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. Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. 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. 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. 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 are a number of museums to explore - some of the main ones located along the Museum Row. 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. 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.
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