21 Best Day Trips From Chicago In 2024

Welcome to the Windy Metropolis! Whether or not an area or a traveler desperate to discover past the skyline, our information to one of the best day journeys from Chicago is your ticket to journey. We’ll present you 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!

Unbelievable Day Journeys from Chicago

On this information, we offer you concepts for the highest day journeys from the third most populous metropolis within the US. Positioned on the shores of Lake Michigan, many locations will tempt you away from town middle. After exploring all the awesome things to do in Chicago, from the Chicago River to historic landmarks, head to those improbable locations positioned inside straightforward attain of town.

The town is ideally positioned with straightforward border-crossing into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. Additionally it is an ideal start line for a day journey additional south into central Illinois. You’ve 4 states at your fingertips – so you need to carve out time for a day journey whereas visiting.

1. Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee is an enormous deal. This main metropolis is positioned on the shores of western Lake Michigan in Wisconsin – only a 1.5 hour practice trip or drive north of Chicago. We’d recommend catching the practice if doable, as Milwaukee is greatest identified for its breweries. Taking guided brewery excursions is among the best things to do in Milwaukee. Apart from its alcohol, although, additionally it is dwelling to the Holler Home and Milwaukee Artwork Museum. Don’t neglect the Harley-Davidson Museum, which hosts a ravishing show of bikes and paperwork iconic biker tradition. The Milwaukee Public Museum additionally has a large-scale European village.

If you would like a improbable day trip from Chicago, Milwaukee is good. It has a robust sense of tradition and plenty of area of interest pockets of curiosity, like Harley-Davidson bikes and breweries. Additionally it is a breeze to achieve by practice or automobile.

• Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
• The best way to get there: Prepare, bus or coach

Instructed 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’s improbable in case you are searching for a extra sedate metropolis expertise. You possibly can go to the College 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 middle, like automobile manufacturing from years passed by at Studebaker Nationwide Museum and the regional historical past on the Historical past Museum.

South Bend is certainly slower-paced than quick-footed Chicago. Nevertheless, it has numerous points of interest too. Consider it as a soothing and mental place to spend a day sightseeing. It has numerous enjoyable and scholar twists, like low cost bars and low spots.

The town is positioned simply east of Chicago, on the opposite aspect of Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, and on the decrease east shore of Lake Michigan. It’s best reached by automobile, and we’d advocate stopping off on the nationwide park en route.

• Distance from Chicago: 2 to three hours
• The best way to get there: Automotive or practice

3. Madison, WI

Small Madison may not appear capital-worthy, however it’s truly the capital metropolis of Wisconsin, not the key, sprawling big of Milwaukee. This smaller metropolis has lovely structure galore. You possibly can rise up near the historic domed Wisconsin State Capitol and stroll the Capital Metropolis State Path 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 low outlets. Madison is your most suitable option for those who fancy a political sightseeing day journey from Chicago.

Madison can be superbly positioned subsequent to 2 large lakes – Lake Mendota and Lake Waubesa. Summer time leaves loads of alternatives for water sports activities and sunny waterfront climbing trails. Follow this walking 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
• The best way to get there: By automobile or shuttle bus

4. Starved Rock State Park, IL

Starved Rock State Park is among the hottest points of interest in Illinois. The park sits on the banks of the Illinois River and holds a group of sandstone canyons amidst lovely forests. The canyons have been initially lower with glacial meltwater, and you may 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 this present day journey selection. Not solely is the pure surroundings astounding, however you may as well 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’s positioned inland from Chicago and Lake Michigan.

• Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
• The best way to get there: Automotive

5. Cedarburg, WI

Cedarburg has critical allure. It has old-school-style homes and is regularly 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 of a suburb of Milwaukee. Cedarburg has many cute and aesthetic issues to do, with the bonus of brewery and vineyard excursions. You possibly can stroll the vineyards and tour brewing rooms or head to distinctive points of interest just like the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Tremendous Arts. Cedarburg is an actual gem and beats to its personal drum, making it a memorable day journey from Chicago.

This Wisconsin city is positioned simply north of Milwaukee’s metropolis middle. It’s best reached from Chicago by automobile, and you may all the time incorporate a stop-off in Milwaukee’s metropolis middle – parking within the outskirts and commuting in.

• Distance from Chicago: 2 hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile

6. Illinois Seashore State Park, IL

If you would like seashores, Illinois Seashore State Park is the place to be on a Chicago day journey. The park covers over 4,000 acres, with a ravishing shore path and community of climbing trails. It is a perfect place for a seaside day alongside the shores of Lake Michigan. Nevertheless, Illinois Seashore State Park is equally greater than only a seaside vacation spot.

It has campgrounds and playgrounds, plus bathe blocks and a nature middle. Illinois Seashore State Park is someplace to spend a whole day. Begin with a hike and go to the character middle earlier than heading to Isherwood Seashore, and even tenting in a single day in case your schedule permits it.

The park is sort of near Chicago, taking lower than an hour to achieve by automobile. It’s an ideal day journey when you have a heat day or fancy a seaside journey. Or it’s the excellent journey for those who fancy tenting an evening to interrupt up your basic metropolis break.

• Distance from Chicago: 1 hour
• The best way to get there: By automobile

7. Lake Geneva, WI

Lake Geneva is a ravishing 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.

When you arrive, you might be greeted by Gilded Age mansions with dramatic structure and a scenic Shore Path that snakes across the metropolis’s part of Geneva Lake. Traditionally, 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. Large Foot Seashore State Park has sensible seashores, particularly for a lazy afternoon. Lake Geneva is a ravishing day journey vacation spot to unwind earlier than revisiting Chicago’s chaotic sightseeing scene.

• Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile

8. Rockford, IL

Rockford is a serious metropolis positioned on the banks of the Mississippi River, giving it the nickname’ River Metropolis’. Rockford can be known as the ‘Forest Metropolis’ due to its historical past of tree felling, forests, and furniture-making industries. It’s a shapeshifter with an extended historical past and a distinguished place in Illinois’ society. These days, although, it is a perfect day journey candidate and is filled with well-liked points of interest and historic locations. You possibly can cease by the koi-filled ponds at Anderson Japanese Gardens, chill in quite a few public parks, or head to the Rockford Artwork Museum. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens can be sensible.

Rockford is positioned in northern Illinois, proper below the Wisconsin border. We’d advocate combining it with a visit to Madison, positioned roughly an hour above town. It’s a nice stop-off level for these driving to the Wisconsin capital.

• Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile

9. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, IN

Neglect state parks for those who like pure magnificence – purpose huge with Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park. This beautiful park is way over simply sand dunes and covers 15 miles of gorgeous shoreline excellent for swimming and sunbathing. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park can be a sizzling spot for hen watching and climbing. The nationwide park is positioned on the southern finish of Lake Michigan. It’s a lovely spot to go to to embrace the lake’s magnificence. An entrance ticket prices round $20, and you may spend the entire day exploring the park.

Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park is positioned 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
• The best way to get there: By automobile

10. Lakeshore State Park, WI

Everybody loves an city park. This beautiful park sits simply off Milwaukee’s shoreline. Nonetheless, we’ll embody 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 Path. You possibly 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 ravishing spot close to town. It’s positioned off the Historic Third Ward and accessible by a pedestrianized bridge connecting it to the mainland.

• Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile

11. Monroe, WI

Monroe is fairly cool. The quirky metropolis is called the Swiss cheese capital. It has an enormous historical past of dairy farming that has given it an enormous cheese fame. You possibly can go to to take meals excursions – extremely really helpful – and check out native merchandise and produce. It’s best to go to the Nationwide Historic Cheese Making Middle Museum and the Chalet Cheese Cooperative. There’s additionally lovely structure and historic locations, just like the Inexperienced County Courthouse, accomplished in 1891. The Monroe Historic Sq. is within the metropolis’s middle, surrounded by outlets and aesthetic surroundings.

Monroe is a tiny metropolis in comparison with a few of Chicago’s neighboring giants. It’s roughly positioned midway between Madison and Rockford. It’s undoubtedly greatest accessed by automobile.

• Distance from Chicago: 2 hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile

12. St. Joseph, MI

St Joseph is a scenic coastal metropolis in southwest Michigan and a great 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 Seashore County Park and Lions Park Seashore. Silver Seashore is especially cute to go to, with a 1910 carousel and restored pavilion that convey a beautiful, vintage-style aesthetic to town. A basic crimson and white lighthouse is close to town’s North Pier.

St Joseph is a ravishing selection if you would like a kind of conventional seaside day journeys. It’s only a brief drive from Chicago, even supposing you’ll be venturing by way of Indiana and crossing the Michigan border. Hooray for Lake Michigan’s shut community of US states. It’s improbable to mix with Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park and Michigan Metropolis.

• Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours
• The best way to get there: By Automotive

13. Channahon State Park, IL

Channahon State Park is an absolute should. The state park sits on a number of the most historic Illinois canals, housing a restored lock tender’s home for further historic worth. You possibly can take pleasure in a community of 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’s a nice day journey if you would like minimal journey time and an perception into Illinois’ canal historical past.

You possibly can manage guided excursions round Channahon State Park, together with canoe journeys. The state park is a delegated a part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Nationwide Heritage Hall. It’s extensively hailed as a necessary a part of the state’s historical past. It’s a nature-given journey park.

• Distance from Chicago: 50 minutes
• The best way to get there: By automobile

14. Oak Park, IL

Oak Park is a ravishing village within the suburbs of Chicago. It actually packs a punch past fairly structure for such a small space. Guests can take pleasure in points of interest just like the Frank Lloyd Wright Dwelling and Studio, Ernest Hemingway’s Boyhood Dwelling, the Nationwide 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’s the excellent selection if you would like journeys from Chicago accomplished simply.

It’s so helpful to leap on a practice and be amongst dozens of museums. Moreover, its Unity Temple was not too long ago designated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2019. Regardless of all its current points of interest and choices, Oak Park may be very a lot up and coming when it comes to customer recognition and worth for tourism.

• Distance from Chicago: 15 to twenty minutes
• The best way to get there: By practice

Instructed Tour: Private Frank Lloyd Wright Tour from Chicago

15. Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids is one other main metropolis – suppose skyscrapers and a ravishing 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, secure, and walkable downtown district, which incorporates the Grand Rapids Artwork Museum, an attraction and initiative that spotlights native artists.

We wish to catch a shuttle to Grand Rapids, because it has an illustrious brewery historical past. Specifically, it’s identified for New Holland Brewing, and you may take guided tasting excursions on the native breweries which can be nonetheless operating. In any other case, driving is faster, and you may cease off at spots like Indiana Sand Dunes Nationwide Park, St Joseph, and South Bend. You hug the decrease shoreline of Lake Michigan, which is an extended however very scenic drive. Ideally, rotate drivers and have just a few completely different stops en route.

• Distance from Chicago: 3 to five hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile in slightly below 3 hours or by shuttle in below 4
• Instructed Tour: Grand Rapids Ghost Tour

16. Windmill Island Gardens, MI

Chicago is perhaps often known as ‘Windy Metropolis,’ however try Windmill Island Gardens. This seasonal park incorporates a 250-year-old windmill in an ode to town’s Dutch affect. You possibly 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 among the main day journeys from Chicago if you would like Dutch heritage, and it’s even positioned exterior of a metropolis named Holland. Windmill Island Gardens is positioned in Michigan, so that you’ll be driving the south coast of Lake Michigan, reducing by way of northern Indiana and throughout the Michigan border. In the case of visiting Michigan, distance generally is a concern. Is it an extended day of driving? Sure. However it’s extremely scenic and an effective way to mix a number of points of interest. In case you have just a few drivers, you received’t have any hassle as you’ll be able to simply rotate driving time.

• Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile

17. Galena, IL

Galena is an absolute gem of an enthralling small city, sitting on the banks of the Galena River with tons of Civil Warfare historical past. The city was dwelling to the Civil Warfare Normal Ulysses S. Grant, and his former house is a State Historic Web site. After all, 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 eager about politics and historical past. Its city middle is comparatively walkable and is filled 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’s a fabulous add-on from Rockford or Starved Rock State Park, round 1.5 hours away by automobile.

18. Michigan Metropolis, IN

Michigan Metropolis is simply an hour away and is sensible, accessible day journey materials. If you would like a simple journey from Chicago, Michigan Metropolis is it. Fancy a drive? You possibly can drive there in an hour, passing Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park. Fancy a practice trip? You possibly can learn or nap and attain town in lower than 2 hours. There’s numerous lakeside tradition and historical past, with a number of lighthouses to admire and the quaint Washington Park Seashore.

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 Metropolis provides masses and, on the very least, is a change of scene.

You possibly can simply go to Michigan Metropolis; 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
• The best way to get there: 1 hour by automobile or 2 hours by practice

19. Peoria, IL

Peoria is a ravishing metropolis in Illinois. It was primarily established as a port metropolis and buying and selling middle due to its place on the Illinois River. It’s positioned a lot additional inland in central Illinois. It’s simply an hour or so additional central than Starved Rock State Park – whats up, 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 Historic Society. It’s a pretty 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 town is positioned southwest of Chicago and is greatest accessed by automobile. This fashion, you may as well cease off at Starved Rock State Park on the way in which.

• Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours
• The best way to get there: By automobile

20. Six Flags Nice America, IL

What a few day at an amusement park? Six Flags Nice America is a sequence of amusement parks scattered throughout the US. And there may be one on the outskirts of Chicago, creating one of the best day journey for fun-loving vacationers. The park has water park rides, rollercoasters, and all-round enjoyable leisure. You may get adrenaline on rides like Sky Striker or the American Eagle. Alternatively, attempt the sedate, family-friendly rides just like the Large Simple Balloons or Cubasco tea cups.

Everybody loves a enjoyable day trip. And Six Flags Nice America is the right day journey to skip sightseeing and escape town to take pleasure in some high quality ‘enjoyable’ time. It’s the best place to let your hair down and has a formidable vary of rides, making it appropriate for adults and kids. Six Flags Nice America is positioned north of Chicago, slightly below the Wisconsin border. Get your tickets in advance here.

• Distance from Chicago: 1 to 2 hours
• The best way to get there: 1 hour by automobile or 2 hours by practice then bus

21. Glacial Park Conservation Space

Lastly, there’s the attractive Glacial Park Conservation Space. This 3,400-acre reserve is a surprising mixture of wetlands and prairie, with glacial kames and ample scenic canoeing or fishing alternatives. It is among the most photogenic locations to expertise pure magnificence on a day journey from Chicago. You possibly can discover Glacial Park on foot or by water or shake issues up and e book a horseback driving tour. The park has a grand complete of 8 miles of shared-use trails, and also you’ll undoubtedly need to convey a digital camera.

Glacial Park Conservation Space opens from dawn till sundown all 12 months spherical. It’s best 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
• The best way 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 Warfare, or driving water park rides at Six Flags America. You possibly can embrace small-town allure at Oglesby, pure magnificence and pure wonders at Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, or craft beer at an area brewery. Chicago’s location proper subsequent to 3 different state borders means you could have numerous range when selecting day journeys. And the ever-presence of gorgeous Lake Michigan means a relentless barrage of water sports activities and seashores. Hopefully, you could have no less than 5 or 6 day journey decisions.

Are you searching for extra inspiration? Why not try our guides on the best things to do in Wisconsin and the best places to visit in Michigan? We’ve additionally acquired notes on one of the best, most unique things to do in Northern Michigan particularly, so test that out when you have time so as to add a few days to the top of your Chicago journey. In case you have longer, why not take a 2-3 day tour from Chicago? It’s a sensible launchpad to find extra of the experiences within the states round Lake Michigan. Chicago’s location is by far its successful high quality, and you need to make the most of it when planning day journeys and excursions.