We're going to be in Chicago in mid-October. We'd like to take a 2 day driving trip to somewhere within 2-4 hours to stay overnight and see autumn leaves (which we don't get in S. CA and really miss). Suggestions of good destinations with nice places to stay (inns, B&B, hotels), nice restaurants, shopping, activities would be much appreciated!

Galena, IL would be ideal, it's in the NW corner of IL, one of the few hilly parts of IL, so the autumn leaves are very pretty there. It has lots of B&B's, antique shopping, good restaurants, etc.

I second the Galena suggestion. The colors should be very nice. You might also consider Starved Rock State Park. We used to go hiking there every fall and it was great. They have a hotel on the grounds with a great brunch.

I agree with Galena and would add St. Charles, IL or Lake Geneva in Wisconsin to the list of possiblities as well.

One problem though I think prime time for leaves here is more towards the beginiing of October (we are pretty far north). I could be wron but I think the first weekend in October is the biggie for leaf viewing. Go a little further south to another beautiful area Brown Co., Indina (about 4 hours from here) and you will get the peak season in mid-October. You might try that area, it is just south of Indianapolis but a neat little tourist area.

I was going to suggest central Indiana, as well...a little south of Chicago and more likely to still have some good color. Turkey Run State Park area in Indiana is a good place to consider. Having lived my whole life in the midwest, I can't imagine October coming and going w/o being able to see a wonderful color display; hope you can catch one.