When you need a day trip from Chicago or a weekend getaway from the big city, you don’t have to go far. These escapes—including Amish Country, Indiana; Galena, Illinois; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; and Holland, Michigan—are within a one- to three-hour drive and offer a variety of activities that will recharge your life. Parks and gardens call to nature lovers; museums and outdoor theater provide plenty of culture; shopping abounds in towns both large and small. Here are 25 of our favorite weekend getaways from Chicago.
Indiana Dunes: 54 miles southeast of Chicago Indiana Dunes National Park lies across Lake Michigan from Chicago. Kevin J. Miyazaki
This stretch of Lake Michigan coastline offers wide sandy beaches, towering dunes, great birding, easy bike trails and interesting history. Head to neighboring Chesterton for creative burgers at the Octave Grill and to Valparaiso for a pleasant night at Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: 80 miles northwest of Chicago Take a Lake Geneva Cruise Line boat tour to learn about the history of Lake Geneva. Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux
This resort town of 7,600 has draws for summer and winter. Hotels, resorts and restaurants hug the lakeshore. Most visitors loll on the beach or cruise the lake during summer, but you can also experience the warmth of its winter in January and February during the annual Winterfest.
Michigan’s southwest shore: 70 to 150 miles east of Chicago Relax on Silver Beach at St. Joseph, Michigan. Joshua Nowicki
Towns like New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Holland, Saugatuck and Grand Haven provide pristine beaches, great shopping, lakeside restaurants and front-row view of sunsets over Lake Michigan. The most accessible section of this shore extends from the Indiana line 175 miles north to Ludington. How far you drive is up to you —each town has its own personality. Take a spin on the carousel at St. Joe, tour a working windmill in Holland or just stretch out on a beach—preferably with a view of a lighthouse.
Galena, Illinois: 163 miles west of Chicago The Galena River flows near charming historic downtown Galena. Troy Walsh/Visit Galena
Shops and restaurants in century-old buildings have long attracted visitors to this town of 3,500. But take time to hike, cruise the river or ski the slopes, sip local wines, taste beer and … do some shopping.
Cedarburg, » Read More
Get involved!
Comments