Looking for destinations about 4-5 hours from chicago - nature destinations or historical sites, but warmer than chicago preferably. any suggestions

As a native-born Chicagoan, I can sympathize with your wish for somplace warmer in winter. But "4-5 hours"? No way. Best you get on a plane and head for Arizona. Near Chicago, however, you might find picturesque Galena (Gen. Grant's home town) just ideal. South, you go to Springfield and New Salem and all those historic sites of Abraham Lincoln's early life as well as his home and tomb. If architecture is your thing, be sure to go to Oak Park on Chicago's west side and tour all the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright around the turn of the century. Near Spring Green, WI, see Taliesin, his home and school (I understand it recently suffered fire damage; is this correct?). If you like wildlife, Chicago's Brookfield Zoo is splendid. If the ducks are still flying, drive north into Wisconsin and see Horicon Marsh -- fantastic.

About 5 hours away, but not any warmer, is Dearborn, MI where the Henry Ford museum is. From there you are close enough to go into Windsor, Canada or to Detroit. Another idea, once again not any warmer is Frankenmuth, MI which is a bavarian town with the world's largest Christmas store, a couple of good restaurants and lots of shopping. About 4 hours to the south in Indiana is Brown County for nature activites (near Bloomington and Indiana University), although, once again not much warmer than Chicago in winter. Not far from there is Columbus, Indiana which is supposed to have wonderful architecture. A little further south from Bloomington is French Lick, Indiana where they have recently restored the historic spa resort which is supposed to be quite impressive.

Visit St. Louis area. They have a wonderful zoo, lots of culture. People from the area can tell you more. Heading south on I55 it's about a five hr. drive.

My two picks would be: St. Louis and Ann Arbor, Michigan and surrounding areas. Ann Arbor is a great town with a lot of things to do and we have all kinds of nature destinations for great hikes or mtn. biking. As for historical...not quite, but the U of M Campus area is beautiful and has it's own history. If you need any more info. please email me.

Historical - visit Springfield Illinois (about 3 hours) for the Lincoln stuff, also New Salem State Park, just a little farther.

Not so far from home is Starved Rock State Park, very rugged and pretty for hiking.