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Day Trips from Chicago

Exploring Around Chicago

Chicago is a great city, full of things to see and do. From the aquarium to the museums to Navy Pier to Millenium Park, there is always something to explore. However, there is no need to be limited to the city when you’re taking in the sights. If you’re ready to get outside the city lights and explore, Midway Moving and Storage offers some great suggestions for day trips from Chicago.

Trips from Chicago to Other Towns

Chicago gets most of the press, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t noteworthy towns just around the corner. These day trips can be tailored to anyone’s interest and budget. Here are just a few of the interesting small towns within in a few hours of Chicago.

  • New Glarus, Wisconsin is a small town with Swiss heritage and a historic spirt. Located just two and a half hours or so from Chicago, it features a downtown with Swiss-German eateries and great local shops, as well as the 24-mile Sugar River State Trail and New Glarus Woods. Visit the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum, which holds a huge collection of Swiss artifacts, or relax and try some wine at the Primrose Winery, or beer at New Glarus Brewing Company.
  • Holland Michigan is a perfect getaway for a romantic weekend. Small town charm and big city amenities converge on the shores of the Lake Michigan coastline. It’s known for the Tulip Festival in May, but there is always something exciting happening in this little town. Come to explore, shop, eat, drink, play, and relax.
  • Utica, Illinois is full of history, art, and hometown warmth. It’s a picturesque river town about 90 minutes from Chicago, featuring antiques, open-air markets, wineries, and the beautiful Starved Rock State Park.
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a city with plenty to recommend it. Populous and culturally diverse, it has a wide variety of eateries and breweries, dozens of museums and cultural events, and a three mile River Walk that shows off gorgeous views of the city and provides access to historical and architectural delights in the museum.
  • Grand Rapids, Michigan, is known as America’s Furniture Capital. There’s much more to do here than shop for furniture, starting with Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, with its gardens and galleries, the Downtown Market, and tons of museums. It’s a foodie’s paradise, with abundant farm to table options, and if you’re into architecture, it’s also home to the Meyer May House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
  • South Bend, Indiana is a town with a rich history and artistic spirit. The University of Notre Dame is located here, along with historic mansions, the National Studebaker Museum, the South Bend Museum if Art, and Morris Performing Arts Museum. Potawatomi Park is great for seeing cultural sights and perfect for a picnic.
  • Madison, Wisconsin is the state capital. It’s an amazing option for a day trip because of its wide range of recreational opportunities. Don’t miss the Wisconsin State Capitol, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Estate, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
  • Fennville, Michigan is popular for its wine making. The Fenn Valley Vineyards, in fact, are known for producing some of Michigan’s best wines. The food and drinks in Fennville are unsurpassed, and should you visit in October, you can check out the Goos Festival, with actual geese as well as a parade, carnival rides, and live music.

For the Thrill Seekers

If you’re in the area, and you love roller coasters, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit Six Flags, Great America. 45 minutes outside of Chicago, this theme park is made up of four themed zones, fifteen roller coasters, and a  water park. There are rides for kids as well as breathtaking rollercoasters, it’s easy to find something to eat, and Six Flags Great America often has entertaining live shows, fireworks displays, and holiday festivals.

Exploring in Nature

It’s hard to even know where to begin with the natural wonders just a short drive away from Chicago. There’s the Kankakee River State Park, with scenic trails, canoeing, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. There’s also Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, where fishing, hunting, hiking, and picnicking are all popular. Moraine Hills State park is full of lakes and wetlands, free, and perfect of anyone who likes hiking, biking, fishing, or birding. The Anderson Japanese Gardens are one of the best Japanese gardens in North America, and Indiana Dunes National Park is famous for its biodiversity, featuring gorgeous wildflowers in the summer. If you’re craving a beach day, there are plenty of options near Chicago, including Illinois Beach State Park and Harrington Beach State Park.

Moving to Chicago

Chicago is a great place to visit, but if you’re ready to move to this amazing area, call Midway Moving and Storage. Started by an entrepreneur in his parent’s basement, Midway Moving and Storage has grown to become a team of professional movers respected in and around Chicago and beyond. We’re not your typical moving company, and the qualities that set us apart from the competition include professional movers, trained at our Moving Training Center in Chicago on the latest best practices, moving strategies, and packing techniques, ensuring that well-trained, certified, insured moving professionals are used for every job, with no use of subcontractors, students or day laborers. We provide service to residential and commercial customers, handling jobs of all sizes, including local moves and relocations to and from 48 states. You can count on our estimates to be accurate and our service to be dependable and exceed your expectations. For more information or to request a custom quote, call (800) 659-0874 or contact us through our website.