20 Fun Day Trips To Take From Chicago
The famous Windy City of Chicago can be a fun day trip or an extended stay on its own as a home to iconic landmarks, iconic foods, museums, and jam-packed festivals.
But Chicago can also be the perfect starting point for many exciting day trips that allow travelers of all ages to explore more of Illinois and the wonders of surrounding states. So buckle up and prepare to explore the Midwest beyond Chi Town on these 20 day trip destinations from Chicago.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studios
About 15 minutes away
Frank Lloyd Wright is renowned as one of the greatest American architects and examples of his work can be found all over the Midwest. In Oak Park, Illinois, visitors can take tours of his home and studios to get an up-close-and-personal glimpse into where Wright worked and perfected his famous Prairie Style designs.
Oak Park is also home to more FLW buildings than anywhere else in the world and visitors can see examples of work throughout town such as the Unity Temple and the Walter Gale House as well as works by other Prairie School architects.
The Forge: Lemont Quarries
About 30 minutes away
Some of the best day trips are ones filled with adventure and this one-of-a-kind spot just outside Chicago in Lemont, Illinois is a perfect family destination. Visitors of all ages can enjoy ziplining, rope courses, climbing walls hiking, fishing, yoga, mountain biking, and more.
Indiana Dunes National Park
About 50 minutes away
For many Midwest travelers, especially Chicago-area residents, a trip to Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana is an annual rite of summer.
Visitors can explore more than three miles of scenic lakeshore marked by dunes, grassland, forests, and marshes. There are nine beaches here, so visitors can spread out and find a piece of paradise for swimming and sunbathing.
The most adventurous visitors can take on the three-dune challenge on a day of hiking — which is the equivalent of climbing 55 stories.
Volo Auto Museum
About 1 hour away
A visit to the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois is a car enthusiast’s dream, but there’s something to catch the eye of every visitor.
While exploring nearly three dozen exhibits, visitors can see plenty of famous cars, including Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine, different versions of the Batmobile, cars from the Fast and Furious movies, and exhibits dedicated to planes, animatronics, and much more.
Farnsworth House
About 1 hour away
The famous glass-walled Farnsworth house in Plano, Illinois is a stunning example of Modernist architecture. Efforts have been made to keep this decades-old wonder in tip-top shape and visitors can book guided tours of the interior or enjoy the beauty of the home’s grounds (summertime moonlight tours are a popular activity).
Michigan City, Indiana
About 1 hour away
At first glance, you may think Michigan City in Michigan, but it’s actually in northern Indiana and perfect for a quick getaway. Visitors who love sites can visit the Old Lighthouse Museum, tour the Michigan City Lighthouse, and enjoy a stroll along the pier. The Washington Park Zoo is also a fun destination with a variety of animals and some unique architecture.
New Buffalo, Michigan
About 1 hour, 10 minutes away
There are many great Michigan towns in Southwest Michigan and New Buffalo is the perfect lakefront getaway — known for its quaint downtown, harbor, and less crowded beaches. As a gateway to Southwest Michigan, New Buffalo offers a little bit of everything; from miles of sandy dunes to scenic beaches to access to local wine tours, and much more.
Route 66 in Illinois
Between 90 minutes and 3 hours away
Route 66 — the famous Mother Road — stretches from Chicago all the way to California. While you can’t do the whole route in one day, Route 66’s journey through Illinois can make for a fun day trip with plenty of photo opportunities.
Route 66 starts in Chicago — a historic Route 66 sign is mounted facing traffic on East Adams Street, just west of its crossing with South Michigan Avenue — and from there, travelers can head southwest.
Day trip destinations along Route 66 include Pontiac — about 90 minutes away — which is home to the Route 66 Association of Illinois’ Hall of Fame & Museum.
Further along the route is Springfield, Illinois’ capital city — about 3 hours away — which was famously the longtime residence of Abraham Lincoln. Curious travelers and history buffs can explore several sites dedicated to the former president, including his presidential museum and library.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
About 1 hour, 30 minutes away
Brew City is always bustling with activity and is one of the busiest college towns in the Midwest as home of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
With its location on Lake Michigan’s shoreline, Milwaukee offers a dynamic atmosphere, no matter your interests. Sports fans can cheer on the Bucks and Brewers; foodies can enjoy a variety of breweries, food trucks, and restaurants; and visitors of all ages can enjoy popular spots like the Harley-Davidson Museum and the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Anderson Japanese Gardens
About 1 hour, 30 minutes away
Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois is one of many hidden gems in Illinois worth making a day trip for. It offers a slice of tranquility to visitors of all ages. Visitors can take peaceful strolls past gentle streams, koi ponds, gravel gardens, cascading gardens, and 16th-century architecture, unwinding from the stress of life, if only for a little while.
South Bend, Indiana
About 1 hour, 30 minutes away
The famous home of the University of Notre Dame sits on the St. Joseph River and offers a plethora of activities. Visitors can tour the famous campus, kayak on the river, indulge in some retail therapy or eat at the trendiest restaurants in the town. “The Bend” truly offers something for everyone. The only limit to fun is your imagination.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
About 1 hour, 30 minutes away
Known in some circles as “Newport of the West,” Lake Geneva is a year-round destination that’s perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Visitors can spend time in the sunshine at the beach, enjoying a hot air balloon ride over the city, relaxing during a spa day, or even interacting with and feeding animals at Safari Lake Geneva.
National Historic Cheesemaking Center Museum
About 2 hours, 10 minutes away
Escaping to America’s Dairyland is easy at this wondrous place in the heart of Wisconsin cheese country in Monroe, Wisconsin. Visitors of all ages can take a step back through time into cheesemaking history in a restored, century-old cheese factory, which can be experienced on guided and self-guided tours.
Holland, Michigan
About 2 hours, 15 minutes away
Nestled on the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, Holland is steeped in Dutch history which is showcased in its museums, architecture and the town’s annual Tulip Time Festival draws thousands of visitors. The festival is highlighted by the millions of tulips that bloom around town and also features authentic Dutch dancing, food, and a chance to visit a 250-year working windmill at Windmill Island Gardens.
Peoria, Illinois
About 2 hours, 30 minutes away
Once named the “Whiskey Capital of the World,” but perhaps better known as the “River City.” Peoria is a thriving town with plenty to explore.
Thirsty travelers can explore a variety of breweries (including an arcade bar), wineries, and distilleries. Elsewhere, visitors can enjoy a vibrant arts scene including pottery shops and historic theatres, the animals of the Peoria Zoo, or even a leisurely drive through Grandview Drive and Park.
Galena, Illinois
About 2 hours, 40 minutes away
“The Town That Time Forgot” is nestled on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River and filled with rich architecture and timeless charm. Visitors can explore stunning homes like the Belvedere Mansion and the Ulysses S. Grant home, visiting captivating museums, and more to gain a wondrous glimpse into the past.
Marshall, Michigan
About 3 hours away
Marshall Michigan is a small town steeped in history, including more than 800 historical buildings. Marshall is also home to eight different museums which are all within a mile of downtown.
Marshall’s museums include the American Museum of Magic, which features the nation’s biggest collection of magic artifacts, and the Governor’s Mansion Museum, which is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks and offers a look at Greek Revival architecture.
Wisconsin Dells
About 3 hours away
With nearly 100 attractions, four local state parks, and more than 100 restaurants, the Wisconsin Dells are the perfect family vacation spot; somewhere where every family member can find something to do and enjoy.
Kids of all ages can spend the day at an outdoor waterpark or playground, and families can see the wonders of the Dells on a double-decker boat tour of the Wisconsin River.
RELATED: For a thrilling adventure in the heart of the Dells, take a tour of Witches Gulch — a narrow, winding gorge that offers stunning beauty.
London Dairy Alpaca Farm
About 3 Hours Away
This working alpaca farm in Two Rivers, Wisconsin offers a unique look into the lives of alpacas, with educational tours and content sure to delight anyone who visits. Guests aren’t permitted to pet the farm’s animals, but guided tours offer an up-close look into alpacas and the farm’s gift shop offers an interesting variety of products for guests to remember their trip by.
Casey, Illinois
About 3 hours, 15 minutes away
Casey (that’s KAY-ZEE) has a BIG claim to fame in Illinois and the Midwest as the town with huge attractions — many of which hold the title of “World’s Largest”. On a trip through town, visitors can discover the most unique (and colossal) creations including the World’s Largest Mailbox, the World’s Largest Wind Chime, the World’s Largest Key, and the World’s Largest Barbershop Pole.
Hit the Open Road on a Day Trip From Chicago
Whether you’re looking for a quick trip not too far from home or you seek an all-day adventure further away, Chicago is the perfect starting point for any number of fun-filled day trips across the Midwest. No matter your interests, your budget, or your timeframe, there’s a day trip from Chicago beckoning you to go and explore the many wonders of the Midwest.