20 Day Trips from Chicago That Will Blow Your Mind

Chicago is a great city to visit with many attractions ranging from museums, vibrant neighborhoods, lovely constructed buildings, and lake views. I do know, nevertheless, that one sometimes must flee the concrete jungle. Luckily, a few hours' trip from the Windy City reveals a plethora of wonderful sites. The following 20-day Chicago tours will wow you: These 20-day excursions from Chicago will wow you:

1. Starved Rock State Park, 95 miles from Springfield

This stunning state park is home to enormous sandstone bluffs, vivid green forests, stunning canyons, powerful waterfalls, and a diverse wildlife population. For a full day, go for a hike along many trails that are available or visit certain areas of interest such as LaSalle Canyon.

2. Galena (165 miles)

Take a day trip to the well-preserved 1800s river town of Galena to get an authentic taste of history. Stroll the Avanti Main Street where you can find shops, restaurants, galleries, and wineries within the historic brick structure.

3. Indiana Dunes (45 miles)

Take a break and make your way to the lake shore along Lake Michigan and the largest park in Indiana, boasting 15 miles of beaches, dunes reaching up to 250ft, swamps, forests, meadows, and whatnot.

4. Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH (279 miles)

The gorgeous lakeside region dotted with old vineyards, stores, amusement parks, and breathtaking views of the lake will be reached from the Geneva-on-Lake trip in Ohio. You should not miss an opportunity to visit the Lodge Winery & Spa where you may sample their wine in addition to seeing the vineyard.

5. New Glarus, WI (140 miles)

A look at the New Glarus community makes one feel that he or she is in Switzerland without a passport. New Glarus Brewing Company – try the spotted cow beer, and the specialty stores, and gawk at the alpine styling of most buildings in town.

6. Turkey Run State Park (210 miles)

One of Indiana’s most beloved state parks, Turkey Run is filled with postcard-worthy sights like sandstone gorges, river views, thick forests, and the showstopper: a suspension bridge made by Frank S. Herring manually in 1886 crossing Sugar Creek.

7. Madison-Wisconsin (157 miles)

This is the hipsterish capital of Wisconsin with lots of things to do and places to visit. Stroll through the massive UW grounds, have a meal on historical State Street, visit quirky stores, and enjoy time with college youth at the terrace of any bar.

8. Holland, MI(179 miles)

Holland is also known for the Holland Michigan Dutch heritage and tourists can expect to see canals, tulip gardens, wooden shoes, and the Dutch Village containing miniatures depicting Holland Michigan. You should consider visiting the city when the Tulips are in full bloom in the middle of May.

9. Cave-In-Rock, IL (338 miles)

Florida is not the only place where you can find a cave; there is a beautiful one located in the southern part of Illinois called Cave-In-Rock that is 55 feet wide and 31 feet tall and that overlooks the Ohio River. Cross the water by ferry for the most splendid views with an evening hike through the River View Trail.

10. Saugatuck, MI (165 miles)

Don your finest ART gear in the hip, artistic, Lake Michigan harbor village of Saugatuck. Cafes, shops, art galleries, boutiques, and innovative food and drink outlets are featured on the picturesque networks of pedestrianized lanes and pathways with beautiful beaches incredible sunsets, and dunes nearby.

11. Springfield (200 miles)

The visitors interested in history shall make good use of a day trip to the state capital of Illinois which was once the home of Abraham Lincoln. Visit the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, pay respect to him at his tomb, and also marvel at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library.

12. Milwaukee, Wisconsin (90 miles)

Milwaukee is worth visiting whether for its distinctive urban parks and lakes, many arts and cultural events, great culinary scene, or fashionable Third Ward neighborhood ideal for shopping and eating out. Beer drinkers especially like seeing and tasting not just the Miller Brewery but also other city craft brewers.

13. Bloomington, IN (185 miles)

The weekend trip to one of the greatest university cities, Bloomington, Indiana, will allow meeting the spirit of IU, vibrant nightlife, and extraordinary shops downtown. Don’t forget to visit the colorful Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market in Bogota.

14. Iowa City, IA (322 miles)

In one of the most literary cities in America, the inhabitants are treated to author readings, book signings, tribute events, and other cultural activities throughout the year. Book lovers will certainly have a field day going through the bookstores and authors’ collections/exhibits in this Main Library of The University of Iowa.

15. Kalamazoo, MI – 145 miles

Get your grapes at the fun Kalamazoo city in southwest Michigan that offers 11 cool wineries at the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Between tastes, wander around some of the fabulous botanical gardens at Bronson Park.

16. Cedarburg, WI (85 miles)

This is a perfect place to hide from the bustle and hustle of the big city, only 30 minutes from Milwaukee with lovely shops, cafes, and galleries located in the historical 19th-century buildings. There is no way you should prepare to leave without visiting the wonderful Cedar Creek Winery which offers some of the best wines.

17. Frank Lloyd Wright Trail (85 miles)

The recommended one-day driving tour for fans of modern architecture would take you to the works of Frank Lloyd Wright in southeast Wisconsin. It is interesting to drive through his Taliesen house to get to the house called Wingspread, Monona Terrace, and the SC Johnson campus with Racine.

18. Belleville/National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (295 miles)

Get to Belleville in southern Illinois for splendid religious constructions, retail and abstract gardens, and the campus of The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows which is considered one of the biggest Catholic shrines in North America.

19. Lafayette IN 179

Lose yourself in the Christmas history of Star City, a town located in Indiana that lights up its downtown with spectacular Christmas lights from the middle of November to the last days of the year.

20. House on the Rock (173 miles)

Perched majestically on a rock in the middle of Wisconsin’s beautiful countryside, House on the Rock is one of the most bizarre architectural attractions offering an interesting collection of artifacts and an otherworldly feeling with its infinity rooms hanging precariously over the valley and its aura of unexplained weirdness that is a celebration of quirkiness. This is something for the eye to behold and an unmissable attraction!

Chicago offers fantastic and incredibly diverse places – from astonishing state parks to historical small towns, college cities, vineyards, and architectural masterpieces all within driving distance; the selection of breathtaking and amazingly diverse day trip locations is simply matchless and will keep your soul traveling for days!