Our travel tips: Timed tickets are needed for some of Philadelphia's winter attractions, including Longwood Gardens and Dickens Village. If you're in the city for Christmas itself, head out along River Road on Christmas Eve, where you'll see bonfires lit on the night of the 24th so that Papa Noel can find his way from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. 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. You can also find out more about the site at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, or visit the Sculptor's Studio to find out more about how the monument was created. How to get there: Head north on I-90 out of Chicago then join I-94. For amazing views of the snow-covered landscape, head up the Skylon Tower. Combined with St Paul, the two merged metro areas are known as the Twin Cities and are one of the largest in the Midwest. So, without further ado, here's what I would recommend for the Chicagoans ready to take on the road and create life-long Spring Road Trip memories with family and friends. (Getty Images) Known as . But that's just the welcome mat to this SoCal haven. How to get there: Follow I-90 east towards Cleveland, switching onto I-80 just before you reach the city. 6 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (430 miles). Kentucky is only about seven hours from Chicago. PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's St. Maarten Guide Jo Ann. Make sure you check out a few live music venues. And of course, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter comes into its own during the winter. There are a few museums and sights to see - the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Art Museum are both worth going to. Why you should visit: You can see the Nation's Christmas Tree, a century-old tradition in the city - it's illuminated from early December in a popular ceremony that for many marks the start of the holiday season. 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. (Disney Enterprises . 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. 15 Best Winter Road Trips from Chicago - LazyTrips The key message is to wrap up warm and be prepared for whatever weather the city throws at you - pretty standard for DC! Best Travel Destinations Within Driving Distance of Chicago - Essence Whether you're looking for a rural, lake or city getaway, here are a few ideas all within 6 hours of driving distance. The 2,470-mile road trip from Chicago to San Francisco takes 38 hours to drive. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Our travel tips: Some of the outdoor activities that Niagara Falls is famous for, notably the Maid of the Mist boat cruise, do not operate in winter, but as we've identified, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy views out across the falls. Our highlights: There might not be snow and ice on the ground, but Savannah manages to fill the holiday season with its very own brand of festive charm. 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. After passing New Baltimore and Everett, change onto I-70 and continue on through the Appalachians before joining I-270 at Frederick and following it right into the center of Washington DC. From here, pick up I-76 and follow it straight down to Denver. Road Trip from Chicago to San Francisco - LazyTrips Roadtrips to do in 3 days from Chicago 8-9 hours driving max Car production moved to other cities in the US, factories in Asia and Mexico and large blocks of Detroit became ghosts of their own past. As well as being beautiful, the crowds that flock to Niagara Falls are slightly less during winter. Back in the city, entry to the world-class Toledo Museum of Art is free all year round. If you want to strike out a little further and explore, you can go horseback riding or cross-country skiing through the woodlands or try out snow biking for something new. Adrenaline junkies can ride ziplines in several places around Asheville, take a rafting trip or go canyoneering. Our highlights: Roll back 100 years and one of the biggest draws of Lake Geneva, WI, wasn't its snow, but the ice! You should ride to the top of it to get unbelievable views of the city below - tickets are $14 for adults and $11 for children with discounts outside weekends. From Chicago To Driving Time: Lake Geneva, WI: 1 hour and 30 minutes: Galena, IL: 2 hours 45 minutes: Kohler, WI: 2 hours and 20 minutes . Alternatively, tour the galleries and independent shops in the city's downtown area, which showcase the work of the thriving local arts community. Back in town, the Ice Castles at Geneva National Resort & Club are a must-see. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of the city then pick up I-94 and head east towards Detroit. The extensive and varied ski slopes here are great for a wide range of skiing abilities. This after-dark spectacle sees City Park lit up with more than a million lights. Weekend Getaways from Chicago: Market Street Inn - 3 hours . 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. If an authentic windmill and fields of tulips is not Dutch enough, there is an entire Dutch Village to go to. The forest includes a remarkable 289,000 acres of nature adventures to experience. Plus the views from the vineyard are sublime! The high temperatures that hit Chicago Thursday broke a record that stretched all the way back to 1887, according to the National Weather Service. Next, turn onto I-80 and head west past Des Moines and Omaha. When it's complete the statue of Crazy Horse will be taller than the presidents at Mount Rushmore. It's also a popular LGBTQ destination. Why you should visit: The shortest trip on the list, Lake Geneva makes a great weekend getaway due to the short driving time, plus the area is perfectly set up for visitors to enjoy the winter weather. You will pass by some imposing homes and quiet lakeside neighborhoods with picturesque cafes. 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. Why you should visit: This is a year-round resort, but with 140 inches of snow, it comes into its own during winter. 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. 2 hours 20 minutes from Chicago (145 miles). Places to visit about 500 miles from Chicago - Within Hours They don't run every day, but when they do they're really magical. Olympian Mark Grimmette trained on the Luge track here when he was young and went on to compete at five Winter Olympic Games, winning medals at two of them. Or if you're feeling more active, there are sledding slopes in the park too. The best thing about Grand Rapids, however, is the food and the drink. PC . It's a great way to experience this historic part of the city, full of character. Our travel tips: This is a really popular ski area, and lift passes can sell out during the busiest periods. Roadtrips to 5/6 days from Chicago 8-9 hrs driving max Here are several interesting options that make a great family road trip and all within easy driving distance of Chicago. For added romantic charm, put your skates on and have laps on one of the city's many ice rinks - there are over 50 to choose from. 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. 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. People in the Dutch Village wear traditional clothing, play Dutch music and you can join in one of the mass dances if you'd like. Nearby, Biltmore is a huge gilded-age mansion with vast formal gardens, trails to explore and its own winery. This is a trip that will show off the best of what Lake Michigan has to offer - a complete circle of the lake, heading to Mackinac Island on the opposite corner before making the return trip. Kentucky might only provide about a twenty-degree warm-up, but during the super cold times, those twenty degrees can feel like heaven. Fun/Scenic Places within 10 hours hour or less roadtrip from Chicago - Yelp Named after the tall cedar trees, it is particularly well known for its lush forests that cover the hills around Cedarburg. No need to get on the flight. 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. Our highlights: Florida is the warmest part of the continental US through the winter - perfect for escaping the sub-zero temperatures of the Midwest! Our travel tips: Parts of the city get extremely crowded in December, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. Harbor Country is one of the most popular getaway destinations for Chicagoans. As far as Nashville I-55 runs parallel to the Mississippi before passing through Jackson. It's a great way to spend time with friends, get into the festive mood, as well as to find some unique Christmas gifts. The festival also hosts many fun events. In the evenings from May to September there's also a 45-minute ranger talk which ends with the lighting ceremony. For a more magical festive feel, head to Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens. To make the most of the trip, take a couple of weeks and make a lot of stops along the way. Just before Cleveland, merge onto I-80 and follow this all the way across Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey before crossing into Manhattan via George Washington Bridge. Our highlights: Boyne Mountain is primarily a ski resort, so take to the slopes and explore more than 415 acres of ski runs. A particular highlight in Muskegon is its Luge track, which is open to the public. It was founded by a group of Swiss settlers from the Swiss canton of Glarus in 1845. 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. 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. All things considered, it's easy to see why Niagara-on-the-Lake's Icewine is such a special product to try during your visit. The cheese fondue is right up there on our list of the best foods in the world! There are only 3 other Luge tracks in the whole of the United States, so if you've always fancied trying out this exhilarating sport, this is probably your best chance. 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. 25 Best Weekend Getaways from Chicago - VacationIdea Constructed between 1906 and 1907, the Conservatory was conceived and designed by Chicago's West Park Commission's general superintendent and chief landscape architect, Jens . September and October are the best times to come to Cedarburg - the trees glow with their oranges and maroons and the locals celebrate Oktoberfest with special events, seasonal beers and great food.
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