First time trip to Chicago this Summer--How much time should we spend in the city and what are some worthwhile side trips to nearby states that are less than a 3-hour drive? We're planning a 7-8 day vacation.

Any takers on the subject?

I have lived in the burbs for the last 2 years having moved from NJ. We love the City. To see most of everything I would allow at least 4 days. As for worthwhile side trip---trust me, there is nothing here. We have tried. You could go to Kohler Wisconsin and stay at the American Club but if you are not a golfer you will be bored in 24 hours. St. Louis is about a 5 hour drive, haven't been there but heard its nice. If you want to spend 7 days you could easily spend all that time in Chicago. Get a hotel w/a pool. Check Quickbook.com and try the Swisshotel, Penninsula, Four Seassons, Renaissance, Ritz Carlton, or Embassy Suites.

Mary,
Thanks for some great suggestions. If you were to choose one other destination to visit during your stay in Chicago, would you pick any of these: Madison, Milwaukee, or somewhere in IL or IN?

Your question is a little open-ended to invite many serious replies. What do you like to do, and what are you interested in seeing? Chicago has a variety of world-class museums, shopping, two major league baseball teams, an outstanding lakefront with beaches, two noted zoos, boat trips both on the lake and the Chicago River, architecturally oriented tours in a city noted for stunning architecture and leafy neighborhoods, too many fabulous restaurants to count. You tell us how long you would be entertained by this.

What is a worthwhile side trip to you? Do you want to relax at a resort, poke through antique stores, go hiking or camping? It's just too much effort trying to answer such an open-ended question, yet note the many responses when someone lays out their plans specifically and asks for feedback.

Marilyn,
Ok-I'll take my lashings. Let's see, boat trips, lakes, people-watching, great scenery, shopping, dancing and dining, seeing the architecture--these things all sound great to me! And then more of that in nearby states-if realistic given the time we have.

As a Chicago resident, I can suggest 2 very different type of side trips both of which I enjoyed I might add. If you have kids, try the Wisconsin Dell 3 hours north. Yes it is very cheesy but sometimes cheesy can be fun especially for kids or kids at heart. Many of the hotels have large water parks and it is a mecca for go kart/miniature golf type entertainment. I night and two days would be plenty here.

My other suggestion totally different is the more adult relaxes trip to Sagatauk and Fennville Michigan. You can stay at a very nice antique victorian Bed and Breakfast or local inn by the lake. Obviously boating, people watching, antiqueing and quiet bike rides/walks through the woods would be activities. If you want suggestions we stayed at a great B&B, there is also a vieyard and winery there that you can ride bikes to and then tour. This area is about 150 miles from Chicago and a litlle less than 3 hours away as well.

I would not take the side trip to another state. Summer traffic times etc. make doing Wisconsin or Michigan within a 7-8 day vacation way too rushed. There is just too much to see in the Chicagoland area to get into the lines of cars going around the lake instead. How about some of these all in state and within an hour from downtown: Glencoe's Chicago Botanical Gardens (my grandkids loved it too and you could couple it with the Bai'hai Temple), Brookfield Zoo (terrific gorilla house and there is an interactive house for small kids and a children's zoo too), Great America theme park in Gurnee for the kids and/or Gurnee Mills- with biggest bass shop if Dad is a fisherman &Rain Forest Cafe etc. across the expressway. There is so much in the surrounding Chicago area that it really does not make sense to try to travel out of state in that time period. You won't do any justice to Indiana, Michigan or Wisconsin either.

You could go to Galena, Illinois. It is very quaint. Lots of B&B's or they have hotels. It is beautiful there.

Ang: What is the great B&B you stayed at in the Saugatuck/Fennville area? I'd love to know. Thanks.

Hey Pat, we stayed at the Kingsley House, very quaint and wonderful. They have a website you should check out. Think it is just www.kingsleyhouse.com but not positive. It is actually in Fennville which is not directly on the lake. Saugatuck is located directly on the lake and in the same area, I think something like 5-10 miles apart. Great area, highly recommend it!

Ang: Thanks - I'll check it out - can you also help me with restaurants in that area? Thanks again, Ang!

Sorry Pat but I am not what you would call a foodie. Burger King drive thru or pizza is what we eat most of the time LOL! I do remember the great, lavish breakfasts though. For other meals, we just stopped at little places, never went anywhere fancy or asked for recs. We were ther last September or October jsut for the weekend. It was the perfect time to visit the vineyards, winery, and orchard though. Definitely something I would again!

Pepper -

No need to leave Chicago. The best side trip is a drive up the north shore of Chicago, through very affluent suburbs, beautiful homes, and great views of the lake. Take Lakeshore Drive / Sheridan Road up to Lake Forest. Stop along the way to eat somewhere. The round trip will take 2-3 hours and you'll find it very relaxing.