Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Overnight trips from Chicago - looking for suggestions...

Search

Overnight trips from Chicago - looking for suggestions...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 03:03 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Overnight trips from Chicago - looking for suggestions...

Hi,
I'm looking for suggestions for a 2 night trip out of Chicago. We're an early forties couple spending a week in the windy city (May 12-21) and are considering renting a car to get out of the city for a night or two as we'll have lots of time to explore Chicago. We're fairly active and enjoy outdoor activities, scenic drives, shorelines, water activities, sightseeing options as well as unique and interesting areas to explore. Any recommendations for nice places to visit and explore along lake Michigan? or inland for something interesting?
Thanks to all!
knuk is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 05:41 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You may want to consider New Buffalo, MI area.

You can rent a car as it's a short drive but you may want to take Amtrak train instead.

http://www.harborcountry.org/
AAFrequentFlyer is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 05:54 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,728
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
There are 7 Hiawatha Service trains per day from Chicago to Milwaukee. Fare for 2 is $46 or less with a discount. AAA?
tomfuller is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 07:13 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
watch this video

http://www.harborcountry.org/videos/

and look at the pics

http://www.harborcountry.org/through_your_lens/

and it's less than 2 hours away from beautiful downtown Chicago
AAFrequentFlyer is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 11:21 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, i'll check those links out. Milwaukee is definitely not going to be a possibility, hubby is spending the previous week there for busineess, so looking for elsewhere to visit and explore...
knuk is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 11:27 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You might want to check out Door County in Wisconsin. I think it is about a 5-6 hour drive depending on whether you poke along the lakefront or take the highway. Great place for walks, scenery, and fish. It sort of reminds us of the Bar Harbor area in Maine without the salt water smell.
jcasale is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 01:15 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've never been there but my chicago sister in law loves going to Galena once in a while. It look s nice and has rolling hills so the scenery must be pretty. You might want to google "covered bridges " in case there are some on a side route on the way. Here is one website I found:

http://www.coveredbridgemap.com/il/

http://www.visitgalena.org/index.cfm
lincasanova is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2012, 02:51 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 18,050
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
When we lived in Chicago we used to take short trips to Door County,WI, American Club in Kohler,WI and New Buffalo, MI. We alos went to Galena once but moved on after a few hlurs.
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2012, 02:46 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drive around Lake Michigan to Saugatuck and Douglas. Great little downtown areas. Or Detroit is only 5 hours from Chicago. We have The Henry Ford which has an indoor museum and an outdoor village. The Detroit Institute of Arts, the Rouge Plant has tours. Great dining options.
gardendiva is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2012, 03:24 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We recently visited Ann Arbor. It is a lovely town and not too far from Detroit.
traveler2005 is offline  
Old May 1st, 2012, 10:39 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Starved Rock State Park is very popular and not far. You can rent bikes downtown and ride 7 miles north or 10 miles south on the lakefront.

http://chicagovisitor.net/
Chicagofan is offline  
Old Sep 6th, 2012, 04:38 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
REPORTED
jill_h is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rrobinson75
United States
8
Mar 31st, 2015 10:45 PM
hikrchick
United States
5
Aug 8th, 2010 07:28 PM
menomineegal
United States
6
Jul 16th, 2010 06:59 PM
Shasta7143
United States
22
Nov 30th, 2008 07:18 PM
Grisslehamn
United States
14
Jan 5th, 2006 06:11 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -