warm places to drive from chicago

Adventure is always around the corner. Visit in early February when the Winter Carnival comes to town and you can see firework displays or catch a fun ride on one of the resort's snow groomers. You can go on cheese tours, go to cheese tasting venues, explore local cheese producers and eat every cheese-based dish under the sun. The long rows of vines stand out proudly in the snow and make a beautiful backdrop while you're learning about Icewine production or, more importantly, tasting a glass or two. Theres more to do in winter than stew in your Snuggie cursing the heavens for your geographic predicament. Learn the ins and outs of the somehow-Olympic sport at the Summit Sports and Ice Complex with the Lansing Curling Club or, once you get tired of that and want to try a real sport, strap on some laces and suit up for hockey.Bonus points: With Michigan State next door, you can rage with college crowds at The Riv, sip craft beers at Crunchys, or take a meditative winter stroll along the postcard-perfect Red Cedar River. So if you are already in Chicago then you should explore these 12 best road trips from Chicago. Savannah is a great place to visit all year round but come in winter to enjoy this fabulous city without the summer crowds or humidity. 15 hours 10 minutes from Chicago (960 miles). 8 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (550 miles). It just depends how far you're willing to drive and how much time you have! The track is open to kids as young as 8 so bring the whole family and see if any of them catch the sliding bug. It's a popular place to visit, so book lift passes in advance if you know when you're travelling. The city's popular Longwood Gardens is transformed with amazing lights and live music, so it makes a great place to spend some time after the sun goes down (which happens early in winter!). Our travel tips: Timed tickets are needed for some of Philadelphia's winter attractions, including Longwood Gardens and Dickens Village. No, it's not a typo - this is the third destination on our list of road trips from Chicago that is exactly 300 miles away! Otherwise you can find a selection of different cheese styles and types. After Gainesville, join the Florida Turnpike which takes you the last stretch of the drive into Orlando. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Go snowshoeing at Quit Qui Oc golf course or ice skate at June Vollrath Park. If you're willing to drive farther, try 350 miles. It's not all about the outdoors though. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of the city then pick up I-94 and head east towards Detroit. And of course, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter comes into its own during the winter. Next, turn onto I-80 and head west past Des Moines and Omaha. so many authentic family artifacts. Make sure you grab some food at the Root beer Stand. Everything here looks, feels, smells and tastes Swiss. A lot of these are built indoors so you can enjoy a weekend swimming, relaxing and going down crazy slides when everything outside is frozen! The extensive and varied ski slopes here are great for a wide range of skiing abilities. In fact, plan to camp amidst the spectacular range of landscapes! The Swiss Historical Village is a great live museum which has kept 14 buildings in the style of the original 19th century settlement. The must-see attraction on your trip to Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the famous cliffside sculptures of the presidents, which you can see up close if you follow the short Presidential Trail. 2022 Girls United Summit. 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. (Getty Images) Known as . Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. Head to Macy's, Bloomingdale's or Saks Fifth Avenue for wall-to-wall shopping opportunities, or take a walk along Fifth Avenue to indulge in designer brands. Best Places to Stay The city of Madison is about a 2.5-hour drive northwest of Chicago and offers plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. You should definitely visit New York in winter so you can say you've experienced them all first-hand. The locals didn't stop at naming the lake after the slightly better known one in Switzerland. Several of the hotels in town have excellent in-house spas, so you can treat yourself to some relaxation time during your trip. Bonus: After Christmas, a free maze is built on the lake shore out of the branches of discarded Christmas trees, a custom that has become firmly cemented in Madison's holiday traditions now. You can easily fill a weekend here with fun and varied runs. How to get there: Head east out of Chicago and join Interstate 90, then just keep going! And if you're missing that traditional winter vibe, visit Now Snowing in Celebration, where frosty views meet Florida sun including hourly snow flurries. 1. Galleries, restaurants and local businesses come together to bring some warmth and cheer to the new year, with a legendary chilli cook-off, Soup-A-Thon and ice sculptures dotted around town. Afterward, you may also be interested in reading suggestions for Head across the border to see the falls from a different perspective, or visit the fabulous wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Asheville, and you can hop onto America's favorite drive to travel a section of this fabulous scenic route. With many travelers heading to Asheville to see the stunning display of foliage in the fall, we'd recommend booking ahead to guarantee your choice of accommodation at this time of year. Of course, NYC is famous for its shops, so leave some space in your case for whatever gifts and treats you might pick up while you're in town. July 2 . How to get there: This is a really simple trip just follow I-90 all the way from Chicago. Why you should visit: The weather stays mild all year round in Savannah, so it's a great place to come and escape the Midwest chill. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE. The fastest way to get to Minneapolis from Chicago is to go the I-90 and I-94 route across Wisconsin. Given the city's mild winter climate, it's the perfect place to end the day with a romantic stroll. Indianapolis has enough indoor and outdoor activities for a fun-filled weekend. You can explore the spectacular underground rock formations on a guided tour, then spend some time looking for wildlife at the grass prairie which forms the overground part of the national park. It's a great way to spend time with friends, get into the festive mood, as well as to find some unique Christmas gifts. As well as being a relaxed and varied city, Asheville is the perfect gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, so a trip here offers a great combination of city vibes and the great outdoors. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. As you can see, there are still plenty of wintery attractions to enjoy in the city, just wrap up warm and see where your trip takes you. If you head further up the Michigan coast on a road trip around Lake Michigan from Chicago, you will get to Fennville - a small city in the Allegan County of Michigan's Agricultural Belt. There are a number of museums to explore - some of the main ones located along the Museum Row. 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House. The route up to La Crosse will pass a few great stop off points - check out the steel Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi at Lansing and the Nelson Dewey State Park has some of the best panoramic views of the river and surrounding forests. Chicago Hotels and Places to Stay. Carve into the ice at Lake Mendota, Lake Waubesa, or Lake Kegonsa and pull up a walleye or bluegill dinner way tastier than the mac and cheese pizza at Ians.Bonus points: Youre in Madison, you might as well get crazy. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (147 miles). If you're crossing over the Canadian border to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Icewine vineyards and wineries are probably the first thing that will get your attention. Bonus: These days you usually need to take a ferry across from Manhattan to Staten Island, but back in 1780 the entire harbour froze so hard that it was possible to walk all the way across the river. Just after St Joseph, turn off onto I-196 where the interstate divides, and carry on north along the shore until you reach Saugatuck. Located right by Lake Ontario, you can enjoy frosty views out across the water, then head back into the city to indulge yourself in some culture or plain old festive cheer. Heading towards Lake Michigan, you will find the small harbor village of Saugatuck. Just after London, the road merges with ON-403, which will take you right into the center of Toronto. The Cinco de Mayo festival is one of the biggest in the country, with parades, live music and dozens of food stalls to choose from. There are plenty of places to stop and a lot of parks and trails if you want to get out of the car. NOTL is also a really charming little town, and while you're here you might like to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through its historic streets - a wonderfully atmospheric way to travel through the snow-covered streets. The most costly of our cheapest air fares from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport still comes in at an attractive $167 round trip, meaning it's now easier than ever for Illinois locals to make the quick 1.25-hour hop straight across the heartlands of the Midwest. The classic design may look more like an East Coast city with Louisville having the second highest number of cast iron faades after New York, primarily in its West Main District. 13 accused of running open air drug market in Humboldt Park. Our highlights: Toronto is a vibrant cultural melting pot, so when you spend time in the city you'll be able to enjoy influences on food, art and recreation from all over the world. The classic town of Ann Arbor is a great stop on your way - this university town has classic architecture, art galleries and great small coffee shops for you to relax or grab some lunch. FWRD's Creative Director, Kendall Jenner, will curate a selection of . Then join I-196 and follow it north along the lake shore until you reach Holland. You'll finally turn off the interstate at Rapid City, joining US-16 for the last few miles of your drive to Mount Rushmore. Most popular time to fly with an average 23% increase in price. Some travellers prefer to make this journey on a longer route via the I-90, heading south near Mount Rushmore to reach Denver. Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. 2023 Wellness House. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Distance from Chicago: 83 miles northwest, 1.5-hour driveWhy it made our list: While Lake Geneva is packed with Chicagoans in summer, winter offers a whole other vibe. One interesting place to visit is Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House. At night, you can see the falls lit up in spectacular illuminations as part of the Winter Festival of Lights. Open from June 9th to August 13th is the exclusive FWRD pop-up shopnow settled at the famed Melrose Avenue shopping site. Then, follow WI-57 towards Plymouth, from where you'll pick up WI-67 to Elkhart Lake. Our highlights: Boyne Mountain is primarily a ski resort, so take to the slopes and explore more than 415 acres of ski runs. These will carry you up to a quarter of a mile across the resort's valleys, giving you a bird's eye view of your stunning surroundings. For a really exhilarating ride, fly right above the snow on one of the 9 ziplines. Join I-90 W and follow it for over 900 miles, all the way to South Dakota. The 3 tallest sand dunes are all in the State Park with the tallest, Mount Tom, standing at 192 ft. Aaron of L.A. Photography/Shutterstock.com, Sidra Monreal Photography/Shutterstock.com, Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park. You'll learn about the many faces of Lake Erie, from the Underground Railroad which ferried slaves to safety across the lake, to prohibition bootleggers. Originally a very rural part of Michigan with a few small towns and their corresponding harbors on the lake, the area has grown into a popular tourist destination. The Indian Museum of North America is nearby too. Jay Gentile is a Thrillist contributor and he also happens to be an Olympic-quality curler, as far as you know. With heavy snowfall possible, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and other smaller roads are likely to be closed at times in the winter, so check ahead if you're hoping to travel a particular route. The name gives away what this place is all about - everything here stems from Holland's Dutch origins. This idyllic shoreline in Michigan's southwestern corner stretches from the Indiana border to the town of Sawyer. If you're wondering how the town got its name, it's as simple as it sounds it's because the lake is shaped like an Elk's heart. Greater . Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin's state . The main reason to go to Lake Forest now is a weekend away at the 57-room Deer Path Inn ( from $329 per night ), a fabulous, little-known gem that puts you in arm's reach of the . If 21 miles seems a little much, focus in on the 2-mile stretch on the West End. Nearby, Biltmore is a huge gilded-age mansion with vast formal gardens, trails to explore and its own winery. And now its also in your inbox! Nashville is a great place to party, and with live music and warm weather likely to . All that snow means that you can ski in the area around Asheville. Milwaukee, WI Driving time from Chicago: One and a half hours Our neighbors to the north will make you feel right at home with a seemingly endless supply of craft beer and cheese. Get around easily when you take a rental car to this west side hub known as the longtime home to Frank Lloyd Wright. The same road takes you right into Philadelphia. During the daytime, Saugatuck Interurban Transit Authority provides an on-demand bus service which takes you to your destination of choice within the local area for just $1. Even New York City and the west coast are within reach. There are 4 large waterpark resorts (Kalahari, Great Wolf, Chula Vista and the Wilderness) and around 20 in total with more being constructed. Minneapolis straddles both sides of the Mississippi and has over a dozen lakes within it's city limits which makes for amazing scenery. Check ahead to find details of live performances and special events that are taking place. Distance from Chicago: 331 miles north, 3.5-hour driveWhy it made our list: Eagle River isnt just famous as the hometown of Charles Comiskey (thanks Wikipedia!). Denver is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as being a great place to head to in winter if you want to ski or snowboard on nearby slopes. Saugatuck, which sits at the center of the state's Art Coast, has been voted the Midwest's Best Beach Town, and its gently sloping sandy beach is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Photograph: Shutterstock. Who knows, you might even learn how to ice luge. These change year on year, but in the past have included things like silent disco, outdoor musical performances, and storytelling to mark Native American traditions or Chinese New Year. On the south side of the lake is the Black Point Estate. Our highlights: For many visitors, the main draw is the Olde World Christmas Market, a 10-day festive spectacular bringing together Czech, German and Russian Christmas traditions. 1. If you're travelling at this time of the year you can also stop off at New Hope, PA, as you make your way from Chicago to New York City. There are two giant lakes right in the middle of the city, either side of downtown which creates a uniquely relaxed vibe. Not far away, Wind Cave is one of the world's longest. A complete circle of Lake Michigan to Mackinac Island, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago To Mackinac Island, Asheville is the perfect gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago to Asheville, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago to Mount Rushmore, Denver is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, READ MORE - Road trip from Chicago to Denver, Road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park. Our highlights: Florida is the warmest part of the continental US through the winter - perfect for escaping the sub-zero temperatures of the Midwest! The Dells Boat Tours will take you through the narrow river passages - these Dells are gorges through layered rock formations that become small tall islands as the river widens. You can't take your car with you to Mackinac - you'll have to park it at one of the designated ferry parking lots and make your way across. The route then follows the river north - you can cross in and out of Iowa and then Minnesota from Illinois and Wisconsin as the river continues to be the state border along the length of this drive. Fly from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, for $167 round trip. Our highlights: Just outside the city at Cascade Mountain and Devils Head Resort you'll find some exhilarating downhill skiing as well as snowtubing and sledding. The self proclaimed moniker comes from the factories in the city that supply the rest of the country with various kinds of fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts. The town transported a 250-year old windmill from the Netherlands to Holland and placed it on its very own island that is now called the Windmill Island. And if youve always wanted to learn how to helm the sled, there are also crash courses in mushing. 5 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (350 miles). It's also a popular LGBTQ destination. Harbor Country is one of the most popular getaway destinations for Chicagoans. Located three hours west of Chicago and right along the. Visit the theme parks in their holiday finest whether your first choice is Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld or Legoland Florida, each one will be suitably festive with parades and events to match. Why you should visit: Mild weather and weeks of flamboyant parades makes New Orleans the perfect contrast to snowy Chicago. St Louis, MO Driving time from Chicago: 4 hrs 30 min While beer, blues and BBQ are likely on the top of your St Louis bucket list (and rightfuly so), there's a lot more to discover in the. Back outdoors, visit DC's largest outdoor ice rink at Washington Harbour, for views out across the waterfront, or see the Holiday Boat Parade, which includes fireworks and live music as well as festively decorated boats parading down the Potomac River. Looking to get out and explore? Distance from Chicago: 218 miles northeast, three-hour driveWhy it made our list: Besides maple syrup and Strange Brew, the Canadians have left the world with another pinnacle of human achievement: ice curling. Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. The small town of Oglesby, home to 3,600 people, is renowned for its natural beauty. It's the perfect way to enjoy the snowy conditions, and there are ski runs here to suit many different abilities. 5. Sundays have a free Jazz Brunch outdoor concert series along the scenic Riverwalk. Bonus: The capital hosts a fabulous Lunar New Year Parade in January or February depending on when the new year begins. Located just 75 miles northwest of Chicago on the other side of the Wisconsin border, Lake Geneva provides a year-round escape from hectic city life and is a short day trip from Chicago or great weekend destination. So if time allows on your trip, you might like to tour a brewery or two or try some of the locally produced beers. So, pack up your skis and look out for your skates - but don't worry if you're not the biggest fan of the slopes, since you'll also find great restaurants, beautiful views and stunning spas at these weekend destinations. A few of the upcoming options on our road trip list are all due north in Wisconsin. How to get there: Head east out of Chicago on I-90, keeping Lake Michigan on your left, then continue on I-94 as far as Lake Joseph. 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (180 miles). Here you can join in with the 9-day Winter Festival (late January). The detour will add around two and a half hours so bake that into your planning and consider stops along the way. Why you should visit: From January to March the town hosts the World of Winter Festival, which sees dozens of huge ice sculptures on display and special events held across the town. Geneva, Illinois An hour by car. It's overnight- I'd get a sleeping accommodation . $57. Louisville is best known as the host of the Kentucky Derby - the famous horse race takes place on the first Saturday in May and has run since 1875. Adrenaline junkies can ride ziplines in several places around Asheville, take a rafting trip or go canyoneering. Click for the best long drive quotes to inspir e your next adventure! Today the city is undergoing a massive regeneration effort - downtown Detroit is becoming more hip and vibrant and one by one, the delapidated old factory buildings are being converted or replaced by new structures. With fast lifts, extensive ski runs and stunning views, you'll probably want to spend most of your time here on the slopes. A little further north from Chicago than Milwaukee is the town of Cedarburg. Our highlights: The nation's capital is a fantastic place to visit during the holiday period. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to just relax and unwind, maybe after a tour round the Christmas market or some time on the ice rink, head to the luxurious Aspira Spa to round off your trip. Where to Stay. You can also go on a tour of the Cedar Creek Winery and try the local wines which might just surprise you. Join I-90 E to head out of Chicago then merge onto I-94 to continue to follow the shore of Lake Michigan. Also, although this isn't a ski destination like some of the other trips, you can still enjoy some winter sports in Elkhart Lake. This waterfront city is the only destination on this list that takes you to another of the Great Lakes. Named after the tall cedar trees, it is particularly well known for its lush forests that cover the hills around Cedarburg. There's another dozen smaller lakes dotted around which breaks up the city into smaller neighborhoods and adds a lot of character. Try the City Lights brewery tour - located in the renovated Milwaukee Gas Light Company buildings dating back to 1902, the brewery has a cool industrial vibe with its mix of old and new. 2 hours 50 minutes from Chicago (150 miles). The best thing about Madison, like many places in Wisconsin, is the food. Distance from Chicago: 398 miles northwest, six-hour driveWhy it made our list:It doesnt get any better for skiing in the Midwest than a trip to Michigans placid, snow-covered Upper Peninsula, where the resorts of Indianhead, Big Powderhorn, and Blackjack offer a welcome respite from the shitty ice trails near Chicago.Bonus points: All three resorts are good but if you have to pick one, go with Indianhead. Courtesy of Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, Official Indianhead Mountain Resort Group, Go on a hedonistic tour of local spas in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Go ice fishing in the Wisconsin state capital in Madison, Wisconsin, Learn how to mush a team of dogsleds in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Go ice luging on an outdoor course designed by an Olympian in Muskegon, Michigan, Practice the fine Canadian art of ice curling in Lansing, Michigan, Pop a wheelie in the "Snowmobile Capital of the World in Eagle River, Wisconsin, Ride a zip line through the mountains at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne City, Michigan, Ski the holy trinity of fresh powder in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, Drive across a road of ice to the Apostle Islands ice caves in Bayfield, Wisconsin, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Drop your bags at the boutique Herrington Inn & Spa, located on the Fox River, and set out to explore the city's walkable downtown on foot.Public art abounds here, as do independent shops and restaurants (all told, there are more than 150 of them in . Our travel tips: Pack layers, as even Florida can experience cooler days, but rest assured that with heated pools and plenty of daytime sunshine, you can enjoy yourself outdoors right through the winter. Why you should visit: As you'd expect in a town that sees significant snowfall from December to February, you can enjoy a range of winter sports. Around 20 miles south of New Glarus and a little closer to Chicago is the city of Monroe. Back on dry land, if you're still feeling energetic you can explore the trails of Saugatuck Dunes State Park, or follow the 300 steps to the top of Mount Baldhead to take in the lake view. With its artisan produce, a relaxed country vibe and outdoor activities on and off the lake, Harbor Country is a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city. Plus, if you're in the market for some Christmas shopping you can take your pick of fabulous department stores, designer brands and boutique sellers. For a more magical festive feel, head to Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens. Do you have a favourite road trip quote? Further up the road, you'll find a truly unique destination in Holland, where Dutch colonists established a foothold in the 1800s, bringing with them their culture, architecture, pastries (check . Our highlights: You can see all the historic gems of Philly decked out with lights and trees for the holiday season, and the city's beautiful riverside setting just adds to the magic.

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