Key stops include Minneapolis, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Monterey, plus the Grand Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone National Park. As you'd expect, with much of the Midwest sitting under snow through the winter, the weekend trips you can take from Chicago all have a winter sports element to them. The city was offered up to President Lincoln as a Christmas Gift during the Civil War. 12 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (800 miles). For a more magical festive feel, head to Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens. Once Christmas and New Year are behind you, the party season in New Orleans really gets going. There's a real art to making Icewine and the conditions have to be just right to freeze the grapes for long enough on the vine. Heading towards Lake Michigan, you will find the small harbor village of Saugatuck. 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. How to get there: After heading east out of Chicago on I-90, turn south onto I-65 and continue through Indianapolis and Louisville. The festival also hosts many fun events. Seeing as you've travelled from one Great Lake to another, a visit to the National Museum of the Great Lakes seems like a good place to start when you arrive in Toledo. 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. 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. You might not have thought of Minneapolis as a city break destination from Chicago, but Minnesota's largest city is an amazing mix of culture, music, awesome food and the outdoors which you really have to visit. Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. The same road takes you right into Philadelphia. 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. It was founded by a group of Swiss settlers from the Swiss canton of Glarus in 1845. How to get there: Follow I-90 east across Indiana. Best attractions: The Museum of the Rockies, which has the largest collection of dinosaur bones in the U.S. Also, just a 90-minute drive . You could . Once you've arrived in Philadelphia, you can ice skate beside the Delaware River at Winterfest, then warm up with a hot chocolate - or something stronger - with a view out across Benjamin Franklin Bridge. 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. (Disney Enterprises . 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. Kentucky might only provide about a twenty-degree warm-up, but during the super cold times, those twenty degrees can feel like heaven. This means you probably won't see the grape harvest unless you're out in the vineyards at night - pickers tend to work by hand to make sure of the most perfect harvest possible. Although a lot of people will travel to Wisconsin Dells for the waterparks, don't forget to go on a tour down the Wisconsin River gorge. Then head quickly back into the warmth of your hotel to warm up. The two-lane road winds its way through the mountains, with plentiful overlooks and hiking trails to stop and explore. It was an early adopter of snowmaking technology in the 1950s. Denver also has a host of fabulous cultural attractions, so don't overlook the city itself on your way up to the mountains. Drive, reach and enjoy the beautiful states around. 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. This makes for one of the best road trips from Chicago. Given the city's mild winter climate, it's the perfect place to end the day with a romantic stroll. The most accessible section of this shore extends from the Indiana line 175 miles north to Ludington. Just after London, the road merges with ON-403, which will take you right into the center of Toronto. The lake freezes over right through the winter, so you can head out with a guide for a unique ice-fishing experience. to the Bacon and Brews event where you can sample fine bacon and beer pairings, there is always something happening. Everything here looks, feels, smells and tastes Swiss. Founded in 1778, Louisville is a really amazing mix of old and new. Join I-90 E to head out of Chicago then merge onto I-94 to continue to follow the shore of Lake Michigan. Sundays have a free Jazz Brunch outdoor concert series along the scenic Riverwalk. The same road takes you right across Indiana and Ohio then along the whole length of Lake Erie, before you finally turn onto NY-5 through Buffalo around 5 miles before you reach your destination. Back in town, tour the River Arts District on foot to meet artists at work in their studios. If St Louis Cardinals are playing, it's worth going if you can get your hands on some (expensive) tickets - they are one of the most successful baseball teams of all time and baseball is the number one sport in town. The cheapest month to fly from Chicago is January. Bonus: As well as being known for its winter sports, Grand Rapids is famous for its many craft breweries - in fact, it's been given the title of Beer City USA! Southern Illinois Distance: 6-hour drive Southern Illinois has a hilly landscape and a rural vibe. From mid-January you can see parades and events starting up, then the main event, Mardi Gras, starts on Shrove Tuesday and carries on for two weeks. Don't forget to check out some of the Smithsonian museums too they're free to enter so you can visit one or many, and enjoy some of the more popular sites without the crowds, especially if you're visiting after the holiday period. It is a huge historic mansion built by Chicago beer tycoon Conrad Seipp in 1888. While you're in town you can take a magical snowy hike through the trees at Madison Arboretum, then round off your day with outdoor dining - several Madison restaurants have heated outdoor domes so you can enjoy snowy views while dining al fresco. There are a number of museums to explore - some of the main ones located along the Museum Row. 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. Head up the CN Tower for great views of the city and Lake Ontario, which is particularly stunning when it starts to freeze over through the winter. The local skiing may be limited, but there is a lot to see and do around Lake Geneva. After crossing the border into Canada, the road becomes ON-401. 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. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). Follow this road all the way across Illinois to Davenport, where you'll cross over the Mississippi River which forms the border between Illinois and Iowa. 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. How to get there: Head north on I-90 out of Chicago then join I-94. 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. Another is called the " Fire Sudatorium. getty. 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. Our highlights: The World of Winter Festival usually starts in the first week of January, and as well as ice sculptures you can see interactive installations from artists all over the world, with walking tours taking you through some of the outdoor art highlights. 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. How to get there: Follow I-90/I-94 north out of Chicago, then continue north on I-94 when the interstate divides. Absolutely. Thanks If you're feeling active, there are places where you can sled on the frozen sand dunes. How to get there: Follow I-90 out of Chicago and east towards Cleveland. 489 miles northeast of Chicago: Lake Bernard Park. 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. Named after the tall cedar trees, it is particularly well known for its lush forests that cover the hills around Cedarburg. You won't need any previous experience or equipment, as your entrance to the track includes a lesson and all the equipment you'll need to enjoy your visit safely. 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. 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. If you're visiting at other times during the winter, there's still plenty to do in Elkhart Lake. The dunes stretch along a 15-mile stretch of Lake Michigan and the National Park borders the State Park of the same name. The capital of Wisconsin is often overlooked in favor of its bigger brother Milwaukee 80 miles east. 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago (88 miles). Some travellers prefer to make this journey on a longer route via the I-90, heading south near Mount Rushmore to reach Denver. Chicago is a fantastic city, known for its stunning lakeside location, the Magnificent Mile, and its world-class museums and galleries. 17 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (1,130 miles). You will pass through the cities of Milwaukee, Green Bay, Traverse City and Grand Rapids which are all worth going to in their own right. Otherwise you can find a selection of different cheese styles and types. If you're not planning a trip until after Christmas, you'll be able to visit the Toronto Light Festival, when fabulous installations brighten up the city through the cold winter nights. 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. 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!). Little Orleans Campground. Our travel tips: Timed tickets are needed for some of Philadelphia's winter attractions, including Longwood Gardens and Dickens Village. 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. Outside of the theme parks, you can enjoy the Winter Park Christmas Parade, a long-standing Florida tradition, with dozens of troupes followed by Santa. 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. Mount Rushmore is set on the edge of the Black Hills, so if you're spending longer in the area you can head out into the great outdoors to hike, bike and enjoy the scenic drive along the Needles Highway. No need to get on the flight. Further afield, the city is packed full of other shopping districts, including the West Village, Bleeker Street, Union Square and the Meatpacking District to name just a few. You can easily visit for a day or stay the night to see more of the local sights and museums. You could come to Cedarburg on a long day drive, but it's really perfect as a weekend getaway destination. The hip city has a lot of things to see and experience. It is the only working Dutch windmill in the United States and it is beautiful in May when the weather gets good and the thousands of tulips flower. If you want to maximize your Swiss experience, then combine your road trip to New Glarus with a stop in Monroe - the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA. (866) 399-3866. www.grizzlyjacksresort.com. Why you should visit: This beautiful little lakeside town hosts a magical Christmas market every year. There's another dozen smaller lakes dotted around which breaks up the city into smaller neighborhoods and adds a lot of character. Our travel tips: You don't have to have your own equipment to enjoy skating, snowshoeing or skiing it's available to rent at many of the attractions. For the perfect post-ski wind down, visit the Spa at Boyne Mountain before you head home. Millions of years of geologic changes are reflected at the Garden of the Gods in Time in the air: 3 hours. Whatever kind of winter road trip you're interested in, we've put together some of the key facts for a whole host of fabulous destinations. Our highlights: The nation's capital is a fantastic place to visit during the holiday period. Bozeman, MT. If you're coming for the World of Winter Festival, remember to wrap up warm. PC . 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. Two different types of ski lifts were invented here - so when you ski here in modern times you'll be following the lead of some of the country's ski pioneers. 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. After around an hour, exit at Kenosha and pick up WI-50 west which will take you to Geneva. You can easily do a day trip from Chicago, but if you decide to come for the weekend, you can stay over at the Starved Rock State Park Lodge that comes complete with a pool and spa to unwind after your hiking. Nearby, Biltmore is a huge gilded-age mansion with vast formal gardens, trails to explore and its own winery. The Great River Road runs the length of the Mississippi river and you can drive part of it on a scenic road trip from Chicago. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. Afterwards, take some time to admire the cathedral's architecture - and see if you can spot the Darth Vader gargoyle. 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 . Thousands of people in absolutely dazzling costumes parade through the city in a historic tradition. The Garfield Park Conservatory, of course. But that's just the welcome mat to this SoCal haven. Why you should visit: Mild weather and weeks of flamboyant parades makes New Orleans the perfect contrast to snowy Chicago. Add in beautiful beaches all over, some big sand dunes, including the Indiana Dunes National Park and the pretty towns of Harbor Country. At Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, you can follow the beautiful light trail through the magical gardens, for example, or take a holiday trolley tour or boat trip to see the city decked out in festive finery while enjoying a wonderful warm cider. Our travel tips: Although average temperatures sit around 60 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, they can drop much lower or rise as high as 80, so it's wise to pack for three seasons to be prepared for a winter trip here! As well as being able to see the famous memorial in person, this is a great road trip that takes you from one side of the Great Plains to the other via some interesting and varied cities. Remember that Minneapolis can get cold, and even feel cool in the summer. If you want to get better scenery, you can always cut across to the Mississippi and drive up the Great River Road (see #18 above). 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. From wherever you're starting in Chicago, pick up I-90 E and follow it out of the city then right the way across Indiana passing La Porte and Shipshewana. 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. If you're thinking of setting off on a road trip from Chicago in another season, check out our ultimate guide for Best Road Trips from Chicago for ideas and inspiration. Traffic in Denver is heavy at rush hours as you might expect, but the Friday peak is a little earlier than other days so factor this in if you're trying to beat the crowds. Utica, IL 61373. If you're staying overnight it's best to find accommodation with private parking. It makes sense to book ahead if you're planning on visiting between Christmas day and New Year, or weekends during January and February. The town of Holland sits along the length of Lake Macatawa that flows into Lake Michigan.
Suny Broome Baseball Schedule,
St Richard's Hospital Chichester Map,
Blade Cutting Force Calculation,
Articles W