{"id":73151,"date":"2018-09-20T11:26:44","date_gmt":"2018-09-20T16:26:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=73151"},"modified":"2018-10-19T13:10:32","modified_gmt":"2018-10-19T18:10:32","slug":"6-fun-and-easy-side-trips-from-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/6-fun-and-easy-side-trips-from-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"6 fun and easy side trips from Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"

With its millions of things to see and do,\u00a0Chicago is one of America’s greatest cities to visit. But if you\u2019re not taking side trips outside of the city, you\u2019re missing out. You see, the Windy City<\/a> is surrounded by a bunch of fun spots that offer a totally different Midwestern perspective\u2014and they\u2019re super close and deserving of a day trip or even a weekender. Here are our six of our faves.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Three perfect days in Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n

\"great-wolf-lodge-wisconsin-dels\"

Photo courtesy of the Great Wolf Lodge<\/p><\/div>\n

Wisconsin Dells <\/b><\/h2>\n

This is a must-do if you\u2019ve got kids (or if you\u2019re an adult who loves waterparks). It\u2019s just 3 hours outside of Chicago, and the entirety of this resort community surrounds major waterpark hotels<\/strong>. It\u2019s basically the waterpark capital of the world. What makes it even better is that the majority of the parks are indoors, so you can come here in the middle of a Chicago winter, and spend the entire time in a bathing suit. Our favorite spot is the Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells<\/a><\/strong>, but the Kalahari and the Wilderness are also amazing.
\nDistance from Chicago<\/strong>: 191 miles<\/em><\/p>\n

\"trover-Meghan-hernandez-starved-rock-illinois\"

Trover photo by Meghan Hernandez<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Starved Rock <\/b><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s the reason that Chicagoans don\u2019t necessarily need to pack their bags and fly to Colorado. This day trip to Oglesby provides waterfalls<\/strong>, trails<\/strong>, fishing<\/strong> and the most amazing views. Did we mention that it\u2019s totally gratis? If you\u2019re feeling extra outdoorsy, stay in a cabin inside the park\u2014or you can spend the night just a mile away at Grizzly Jack\u2019s Grand Bear Resort<\/strong><\/a>.
\nDistance from Chicago<\/strong>: 90 miles<\/em><\/p>\n

\"milwaukee-art-museum\"

Trover photo by Honoka<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Milwaukee <\/b><\/h2>\n

Get out of Chicago for a day or a weekend, and check out Wisconsin, which is just an hour away. Binge on cheese, beer and motorcycles (the Harley-Davidson Museum<\/strong> contains one of Elvis Presley\u2019s babies). Take a stroll along the Riverwalk<\/strong>, wander through the Milwaukee Art Museum<\/strong> and nibble your way through the Milwaukee Public Market<\/strong>. There are so many great hotels in downtown Milwaukee, but we keep returning to The Pfister Hotel<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong>
\nDistance from Chicago<\/strong>: 90 miles<\/em><\/p>\n

ALSO:<\/strong> Earn rewards instantly on your trip, and start planning your next one!\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Lincoln-Home-National-Historic-Site\"

Trover photo by Michelle M<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Springfield <\/b><\/h2>\n

History buffs should take a few days to check out Abraham Lincoln\u2019s home<\/strong>, along with all the governmental workings of the state. Learn more about Lincoln via the Presidential Library and Museum<\/strong>, tour his restored home and check out the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery<\/strong>. The Route 66 Car Museum<\/strong>, Mother\u2019s Brewing Company<\/strong> and the Fantastic Caverns<\/strong> are also popular. Staying at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre <\/a><\/strong>keeps you close to the action.
\nDistance from Chicago<\/strong>: 200 miles<\/em><\/p>\n

\"trover-indiana-state-dunes-Gizmo-Goes-West\"

Trover photo by Gizmo Goes West<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Indiana Dunes <\/b><\/h2>\n

Take a day or two to relax where Chicagoans like to go when they have some time to chill. There are sandy beaches<\/strong> lacking big Chicago crowds, as well as dunes<\/strong>, marshlands<\/strong>, forests<\/strong> and tons of places to escape if you don\u2019t want to see anyone. It should be ranked on lists of the most beautiful places on earth, but we\u2019re not complaining: We like it untouched, just the way it is. It\u2019s an easy day trip from Chicago, but if you want to stay overnight, we recommend Blue Jay Manor<\/strong><\/a>.
\nDistance from Chicago<\/strong>: 50 miles<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Old building on a street of Galena, Illinois<\/p><\/div>\n

Galena <\/b><\/h2>\n

This is the quaintest little town ever. It\u2019ll remind you of Small Town, USA, complete with an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor, an old blacksmith shop (now a museum) and antique malls galore. Many people like to travel here to ski, to play golf and go horseback riding\u2014and the spas are also infamous. It\u2019s basically where Chicagoans go to have a weekend of luxury. Stay at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa<\/strong><\/a> to truly get pampered in every way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Save a few days to explore outside the city!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":245,"featured_media":73594,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2747,2749,21],"tags":[2722],"class_list":["post-73151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chicago","category-chicago-midwest","category-midwest","tag-long-weekend"],"acf":{"api_active":null,"api_title":null,"api_excerpt":null,"api_featured_image":null,"api_lob":null},"posts_api_cpm_point":"","yoast_head":"\n6 fun and easy side trips from Chicago | Orbitz<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From beach to big city and small town to state capital, there's a lot to see and do within a few hours of the Windy City!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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