Hi

Coming to Chicago in April, will be staying in city for a few days before heading out of town.

We have no idea what the surrounding area has to offer and would want to spend 6 nights, could be in same place or 3 nights at each at 2 different places.

What fab accommodation, scenery etc. Don't want to travel hundreds of miles, say up to 2-3 hours out of Chicago.

Many thanks.

The Lake Geneva area is very nice. I've heard it called the "Cape Cod of the midwest" which may be overstating it a bit but its very up-scale with lots of very fancy accomodations, high end shops and great dining. The lake itself is very pretty with opportunities for sailing and boating.
It used to be THE vacation destination of the very wealthy from Chicago in the early 1900's and still retains much of that glamour.

Jette

Thank you for your response to my posting - I have begun researching the Lake Geneva area and it looks really nice.

Can you suggest a stopover from Chicago to Lake Geneva - I realise it's easily drivable, but I think 6 nights may be too long there and would like to see another place en-route.

Many thanks.

It's been a long time but I used to live in CHicago. We frequently took overnight trips when I was growing up. Some of the places were THe Wisconsin Dells ( I think a little ways past Lake Geneva.
We also travelled to Galena IL and Cedar Rapids IA. I'm not sure what might still be there, but Galena had some nice quaint shops and historical sights.

Former Chicagoan here and a former tour operator employee out of Chicago. Lake Geneva has never been considered the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Lake Geneva is very nice and a great place to vacation, but it has never gone by this description.

Door County is considered the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Quaint little area, great scenery, shopping etc. It is little over the three hours driving time, but well worth the trip. If need be you can overnight in Manitowoc or even Green Bay. Milwaukee is also a fun stop on the way to Door County.

Lizzy - Chicago and Lake Geneva and Chicago are so close, by the time you get through the northern suburbs and across the state line, you're practially there. I'm not sure why the stopover has to be between Chicago and Lake Geneva - why not use it as a stopover to Door County and somewhere else?

If you're interested in antiques, crafts, and Amish culture, you might try a side-trip to Shipshewana, Indiana, about 100-125(?) miles east of Chicago. I'm not sure it would be worth a full 3 nights though.

There's a fabulous Frank Loyd Wright home, Taliesan, in Spring Green Wisconsin,near Madison, that might interest you.About 150 miles away,I think.