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. Kentucky is only about seven hours from Chicago. 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. 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. The city is famous for Mardi Gras, which takes place in late February, but warm-up events actually start in January, so you can enjoy week after week of enjoyment. 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. First is the village of New Glarus. Through the rest of the season, winter sports fans will love to ski at Wilmot Mountain, a popular ski resort with over 20 ski runs suitable for a wide range of abilities. If you're travelling at this time of the year you can also stop off at New Hope, PA, as you make your way from Chicago to New York City. Expect fabulous parades, live music and all-night parties. Our travel tips: This is a really popular ski area, and lift passes can sell out during the busiest periods. Bonus: The capital hosts a fabulous Lunar New Year Parade in January or February depending on when the new year begins. The classic town of Ann Arbor is a great stop on your way - this university town has classic architecture, art galleries and great small coffee shops for you to relax or grab some lunch. Or if you're in town with romantic intentions, a stroll through the Diamond District might go down well. 13 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (925 miles). Take I-290 W from Chicago's downtown, which leads you out onto I-88. I am actually down for anything, just to get some fresh air and get out of the city. There are plenty of places to stop and a lot of parks and trails if you want to get out of the car. 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. This Mom n pop classic fast food diner has been in Oglesby since 1955 and serves top notch root beer floats and burgers. 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. A particular highlight in Muskegon is its Luge track, which is open to the public. 6 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (430 miles). Drive, reach and enjoy the beautiful states around. Why you should visit: With festive lights, winter markets, a good chance of snow, and plenty of big city attractions, Toronto is a picture-perfect winter city trip. 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. Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Chicago. The name gives away what this place is all about - everything here stems from Holland's Dutch origins. As Christmas gifts go, a whole city is one we wouldn't mind receiving! As well as sliding the high-speed downhill ice track, you can enjoy cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating at the park. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). 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. Not far away, Wind Cave is one of the world's longest. 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. 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. This leads you south to join I-76, which you'll then follow past Pittsburgh, all the way across Pennsylvania. A lot of these are built indoors so you can enjoy a weekend swimming, relaxing and going down crazy slides when everything outside is frozen! 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. Plus the views from the vineyard are sublime! If you are looking for cheap weekend getaways from Chicago, this is a good place to stay. You can easily visit Milwaukee for a day and see the beautiful architecture and the Harley-Davidson Museum where you can learn about the infamous motorcycle brand's history and have a go on a scarily realistic simulator. The city was offered up to President Lincoln as a Christmas Gift during the Civil War. If you're in the city for Christmas itself, head out along River Road on Christmas Eve, where you'll see bonfires lit on the night of the 24th so that Papa Noel can find his way from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. In Milwaukee, switch onto I-43 and continue north, before leaving the interstate just after Saukville. Here you can join in with the 9-day Winter Festival (late January). 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. Once you get to halfway point, you should spend a day or longer on Mackinac Island. As a result, you will find some great restaurants and interesting art galleries and independent craft shops up and down the coast - New Buffalo is great for its boutiques and farm shops. How to get there: Follow I-90 west out of Chicago, passing Rockford and Madison. A quick road trip from Chicago to Milwaukee will take you north along the I-94 to the point where three separate rivers (Milwaukee, Menomonee and the Kinnickinnic) merge and flow into Lake Michigan. Then, follow WI-57 towards Plymouth, from where you'll pick up WI-67 to Elkhart Lake. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. The 2,470-mile road trip from Chicago to San Francisco takes 38 hours to drive. 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. Bozeman, MT. So if time allows on your trip, you might like to tour a brewery or two or try some of the locally produced beers. All that snow means that you can ski in the area around Asheville. 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. There are also several events to mark Dia de los Muertos in late October and early November. Motor City is the second largest city in the Midwest after Chicago and is worth making the drive for. 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. The capital of Wisconsin is often overlooked in favor of its bigger brother Milwaukee 80 miles east. Lake ice was harvested and taken to nearby towns and cities - it was big business here as late as the 1940s. Then join I-196 and follow it north along the lake shore until you reach Holland. PC . 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. It is a huge historic mansion built by Chicago beer tycoon Conrad Seipp in 1888. Our travel tips: Check ahead for dates of candle-lit snowshoe trails across the city. Around 20 miles south of New Glarus and a little closer to Chicago is the city of Monroe. 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. How to get there: Follow I-90/I-94 north out of Chicago, then continue north on I-94 when the interstate divides. Afterwards, take some time to admire the cathedral's architecture - and see if you can spot the Darth Vader gargoyle. The detour will add around two and a half hours so bake that into your planning and consider stops along the way. 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. 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. A little further north from Chicago than Milwaukee is the town of Cedarburg. It's also a popular LGBTQ destination. Whether you want to enjoy the winter weather or escape from it, a winter road trip from Chicago can mean hitting the slopes at a ski resort, viewing iconic landmarks, taking a festive shopping trip or relaxing in the winter sun in the Southern states. 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. 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. Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. Why you should visit: Mild weather and weeks of flamboyant parades makes New Orleans the perfect contrast to snowy Chicago. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of Chicago and east towards Cleveland. But that's just the welcome mat to this SoCal haven. High season is considered to be June and July. 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. 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. Where to Stay. I-80 is a notoriously busy road, with heavy commercial traffic and few landmarks of interest. Then, join I-80 and follow it around the south of Cleveland before switching onto I-76 and continuing southeast past Pittsburgh. 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. 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). You'll have seen pictures of the beautiful and elaborate masks that are such a feature of the Mardi Gras parades. 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. You must try the Glarner Stube restaurant in town. The main attraction is a 21-mile loop around the lake with stunning forest scenery and great views of the water. Weekend Getaways from Chicago: Market Street Inn - 3 hours . 809 Civic Center Dr., Niles; 847-972-2540 or kingspa.com. 4 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). That way, current and future visitors will be guaranteed the same fabulous experience of NOLA's longstanding and unique traditions. You could . As far as Nashville I-55 runs parallel to the Mississippi before passing through Jackson. You can even ride across the river on the Chain Ferry, one of the last remaining in America. The biggest ski area in the state is perfectly set up for skiers, with fast lifts and dozens of trails to follow. With art, culture, caf patios and waterfront dining, Toledo is a great short trip if you want a change of scene from Chicago. The local Fermentorium brewery has some 24 different beers on tap - not too shabby for a local place! If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. 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 cheapest month to fly from Chicago is January. You can also tour a museum ship to get a feel for the history of the lakes. If you're here to relax, escape the hustle and bustle with a stroll around Toledo Botanical Gardens or head out to Wildwood Preserve Metropark to follow its many trails on foot or 2 wheels. 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. Flight $$$: $500. If you're visiting later in the season, check out Winter Restaurant Week. Tickets for guided tours at Wind Cave National Park often sell out, so advance booking is recommended, especially if you're travelling in the busier summer months or over holiday periods. If you'd like to take a little shopping excursion, Nashville (IN) has a great many galleries and artisan shops. After a rapid period of growth through the first two thirds of the 20th century, Detroit suffered an economic collapse and a massive decline since the 70s. Chicago is a fantastic city, known for its stunning lakeside location, the Magnificent Mile, and its world-class museums and galleries. 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. Adrenaline junkies can ride ziplines in several places around Asheville, take a rafting trip or go canyoneering. You can go on cheese tours, go to cheese tasting venues, explore local cheese producers and eat every cheese-based dish under the sun. At night, you can see the falls lit up in spectacular illuminations as part of the Winter Festival of Lights. The high temperatures that hit Chicago Thursday broke a record that stretched all the way back to 1887, according to the National Weather Service. 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. 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.
Food Runner Tip Out Percentage,
Lighthouse Bible Church Alameda,
Articles W