The 9 Top Day Trips from Chicago

With skyscrapers seemingly rising up from the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city that anchors the Midwest. Throughout the city, you will find that there's something for everyone. Families love visiting the Shedd Aquarium or Navy Pier, while adult travelers appreciate the fact that the city has a thriving theater scene and plenty of eclectic local restaurants to enjoy.

While it may be difficult to tear yourself away from the Windy City, you would be remiss if you didn't explore some of the surrounding region as well. Below, we detail the 6 top day trips from Chicago to assist you with crafting a unique and authentic vacation experience.

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Located in the southwest corner of Michigan, New Buffalo has emerged as a treasured tourist destination across the Midwest. Primarily considered to be a quiet cottage community, New Buffalo is home to plenty of vacation rentals that offer beachfront access to Lake Michigan. In addition, it has recently become a haven for foodies who are seeking delicious meals crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

New Buffalo is also the gateway to the southwest Michigan wine region, providing visitors with an opportunity to sip and savor new wines at vineyards throughout the area. If you are looking for an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, New Buffalo makes for a great Chicago day trip location.

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Combining outdoor adventure with family fun, Wisconsin Dells is a resort town with something for everyone, making it a worthwhile adventure for people of all ages. Known by most as the "Water Park Capital of the World," the water parks that are located throughout the city are easily the top attractions for tourists to enjoy. Some of the most popular water parks in the area include Noah's Ark Waterpark, Wild West Water Park and Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. In total, you will find that there are more than 20 different water and theme parks in Wisconsin Dells, allowing you to find the entertainment and thrills that are perfect for your travel party.

While you could easily spend all your time in this city at an indoor water park or theme park, you also should be sure to hike through the sandstone formations that define the local landscape. Blending outdoor adventure with plenty of theme park fun, this is a must-do day trip from Chicago.

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As members of society from New York City and the East Coast built their larger-than-life mansions in Newport, Rhode Island during the 19th century, the wealthiest members of Chicago society carved out their space along the sparkling shores of Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Today, visitors can see the glamorous Gilded Age mansions that line the Shore Path and they can also enjoy the picturesque beaches along the lake.

Combining the wholesome hospitality of the Midwest with the sophisticated and luxurious experiences of a well-established resort town, Lake Geneva provides visitors with a true respite from the rigors of daily life. From shopping and dining to golfing and enjoying refreshing visits to the spa, Lake Geneva is the kind of place where you can rest your body and restore your soul.

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For those who are searching for an adventure after spending some time in the Windy City, Starved Rock State Park is an ideal day trip spot from Chicago. This state park is located just west of Chicago and is famously known for its picturesque canyons and seasonal waterfalls.

If you want to spend your time hiking and exploring the waterfalls, the best time to visit Starved Rock State Park is during the spring, when the winter thaw is taking place. This is when the waterfalls are most active throughout the park. During the summer, the waterfalls have a tendency to dry up, unless there has recently been heavy rain. However, if you are visiting in the summer, you will find that it's the perfect time for kayaking and boating in the park.

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Families who have spent a few days visiting the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier may want to consider traveling about an hour north to one of the best theme parks in the Midwest. Six Flags Great America is a seasonal attraction that opens up in the late spring and closes in the fall, making it a favorite among travelers who are taking a summer vacation to Chicago.

Thrill-seekers will appreciate the fact that this amusement park is home to plenty of rollercoasters that twist and twirl around the park. Some of the most popular coasters in the park include Demon, Raging Bull and Sky Striker. For those searching for fewer thrills and more laughs, there also are family-friendly rides, such as the Aquaman Splashdown flume ride and the Fiddler's Fling ride.

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While there's plenty to do above ground in Chicago, you may find yourself craving an underground adventure after some time spent in the city. In that case, head a few hours outside of Chicago to Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.

Cave of the Mounds is a National Natural Landmark that offers daily guided tours, giving visitors the chance to explore the wonders of the cave throughout the entire year. There are two options for guided tours — a traditional guided tour as well as a museum-style guided tour. With a traditional guided tour, an experienced guide will lead you and your tour group throughout the cave, helping you safely navigate the cave itself and providing you with information about the formations. A museum-style tour is ideal for those who want to explore at their own pace. During this tour, you will move from one area of the cave to the next on your own and in each new space, there will be a guide waiting to provide you with additional information as needed.

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Some 15 miles of Lake Michigan shorefront between Gary and Michigan City, Indiana, compose the celebrated Indiana Dunes National Park, formerly a national lakeshore. The namesake dunes rear close to 200 feet tall and back lovely, swimmable beaches (though beware of rip currents). Back of the lakefront, there are more treasures to explore: a fantastic swath of Midwestern native habitats, from oak savanna, tallgrass prairie and wetlands to riparian woods along the Little Calumet River and other waterways. Better than 50 miles of hiking trails beckon here.

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Although Abraham Lincoln was not born in Illinois, he spent some of his formative years in the Land of Lincoln, Springfield, where he practiced law for decades before assuming the presidency in 1861, is also home to his final resting place. At the Lincoln Tomb, he lies beside his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln and three of their four sons. The granite, obelisk-topped monument, finished in 1874 (nine years after Lincoln's assassination), is a sight to behold and countless visitors have rubbed the nose of the "Honest Abe" bronze bust at the entrance for good luck.

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The impressive archaeological site protected in south-central Wisconsin's Aztalan State Park marks an ancient settlement of the Middle Mississippian culture occupied roughly 1000 to 1300 C.E. along the Crawfish River. Defined by large pyramidal platform mounds and a stockade that's been partly reconstructed, Aztalan recalls what once was a thriving Indigenous outpost connected by sophisticated trade networks to other Middle-Mississipian hubs, including the great city of Cahokia, located in southwestern Illinois.

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