My husband and I will be driving from Chicago to St. Louis in April, and have a few days to get there.

Any suggestions for routes or anything to do along the way? I realize this is a rather short drive, but we have time to spare because we're visiting family that will be working until the following weekend. Suggestions for accomodations are also appreciated.

We will have already spent a few days in Chicago, but if you'd like to recommend any must-see spots in the Windy City, by all means send them on. Thanks.

It's a straight shot down I-55, but there's no law that says you have to go that way. What are you interested in? That is prime Lincoln territory (Springfield, New Salem); also several good state parks (Starved Rock, Cahokia Mounds) are not too far out of your way. Avoid East St. Louis; head for the Mississippi River and then drive south, stopping in Mark Twain's hometown, Hannibal. Check out
http://WWW.STATE.il.us/state/tourism/

did you know the drive from Chicago to St. Louis is only 3 hrs!!?!!! I would go ahead and get to St. Louis and stay in a downtown hotel for a couple of days, maybe by Busch Stadium and see a baseball game.

Chicago-St. Louis=5 hours

Hi, thanks for the suggestions. We'd rather spend some time on our own rather than head straight into St. Louis, as once we arrive things will be rather sedentary for us (family in both cities).

We are active 30-somethings; not looking for miracles, just hoping to stretch our legs and maybe see something different in the meantime, even a small museum or park off the beaten path or a noteworthy coffee shop.

Nan, Springfield, the capital of Illinois, is about 1/2 between the two cities and is pretty heavy on Abraham Lincoln sites. I haven't been there since I was in the 6th grade for the mandatory school field trip so I don't have specific hints. Try www.springfield.il.us/tourism to see if it interests you.

Also along highway 55 is Bloomington/Normal which is a college town, Illinois State University is there, not sure what's there to do but it's a fairly large campus and students will still be there in April.

If you're a bit more specific about what you want to do in Chicago, I can try to help you. April is not the best month for Chicago but the weather can be nice. www.metromix.com is a good website for things to do in Chicago.

I hate to be one of those people who post big negatives all the time on this forum, but the drive from St. Louis to Chicago is very boring.

I live in St. Louis and have made the drive numerous times. If you're doing downtown to downtown it's just under 5 hours at normal speed.

Springfield is a good midpoint. See the Lincoln sites and check out the Frank Loyd Wright "Prairie House".

Also be very careful of your speed around Springfield on I-55. It's always thick with highway patrol.

The Frank Lloyd Wright house David is referring to is called the Dana-Thomas House. It is beautifully restored and well worth a visit.

Nan - I've also made this drive many times, but usually not with too much time on my hands. Springfield is a good mid-point, and there reportedly are a couple good B&B's in town (hotels are plentiful, but standard). Also, I would suggest stopping for lunch in a little town called LaSalle (I think the exit off 55 is called LaSalle/Peru). At least as of a year or so ago, there was a great, inexpensive restaurant on the main street of LaSalle - continental and vegetarian fare - but unfortunately the name is escaping me. It's easy to spot, however, as there is really only 1 main street and the rest of the establishments are bars or pizza places. Have a great trip.