Do you yearn for freedom from the bus-bunching, the traffic gridlock and the throngs of tourists on Michigan Avenue? It’s OK: Even the most devout city dweller needs a change of scenery once in a while. No vacation time, you say? There are more than a few hidden gems within a couple of hours’ drive from Chicago, perfect for a quick day or weekend trip.
Lucky for you, our RedEye crew is a well-traveled bunch, especially when it comes to weekend getaways.
Madison, Milwaukee, Michigan City — we’ve been there, and we’re sharing our favorite day/weekend trips, complete with insider information (like how to get to Miller Park for less than $10). Sometimes all it takes is a set of wheels, a tank of gas and a few hours on the road to find yourself in a completely different world. And that little break from the city may be just what you need.
[ MARK THOMTON CONTRIBUTED. ]1. Galena
Distance: 163 miles
When I want to travel, my eyes instinctively look west and I dream of dramatic mountain ranges, lonely deserts and desolate landscapes. And then I remember that I live in Chicago.
While the Midwest is vertically challenged, I have discovered a few places that offer some unique landscapes. Galena is one of those places, with a beautiful, downright rugged landscape by Midwest standards.
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The town itself is a destination for history buffs (Ulysses S. Grant once lived here). Take a few hours to stroll the main drag, aptly named Main Street. The architecture dates to the early-to-mid 19th Century and gives the city an old fashioned vibe. There are plenty of local shops and restaurants to explore.
Make sure you sample the local vino at the Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery (515 S. Main St.; 800-397-9463; galenacellars.com; $2 for six samples). The winery bottles its own wines and grows 15 percent of its grapes right in Galena.
If you go: Stop by Fried Green Tomatoes (213 N. Main St.; 815-777-3938), a popular local eatery in the same location where Ulysses S. Grant’s father once owned a business.
— MARK THOMTON, REDEYE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
2. Madison
Distance: 147 miles
When I need a break from the city, I like to go to Madison, Wis., for its laid-back college-town feel. In fact, when I hit town, I drive right to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and park the car there for a day of walking (Madison was rated the No. 1 walking city in America by Prevention Magazine this year).
A wooded path along Lake Mendota hugs the campus and offers a beautiful walk/hike. Veer off the path a little and discover some real ice cream at the university’s dairy store in Babcock Hall (1605 Linden Dr.).
Then it’s back to the campus student union to grab a pitcher of beer and relax on the huge Memorial Union Terrace, which is right on the lake. One catch: Only union members can buy beer and drink it on the terrace, but the bartender at the union will give you a day pass for free. (They’re very nice in Wisconsin.)
If you go: Head over to State Street for blocks and blocks of cool shops and restaurants. Two can’t-miss stops are indie record store B-Side Records (436 State St.; 608-255-1977) and Nepali restaurant Himal Chuli (318 State St.; 608-251-9225).
— JANE HIRT, REDEYE
3. Milwaukee
Distance: 92 miles
No car? No money? No problem. Do what I do and hop on the Megabus for a day of baseball, brats and beer in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Brewers make their home just 90 miles north of Wrigley Field at beautiful Miller Park. The Brewers play most of their day games on Sundays, but there are a few weekday games during the season, such as the 1:05 p.m. matchup with the Cubs on June 6. I book my tickets at megabus.com; prices start at just $1 and increase incrementally as the date nears. (At press time, an outbound ticket to Milwaukee was $5 and the return was just a buck.) The Megabus leaves from outside of Chicago’s Union Station.
Your trek north should take just under two hours. A shuttle three blocks north of your drop-off location (across from the Miller Time Pub) will take you to the ballpark (round-trip fare for adults is $2). After the game, hop back on the shuttle to catch the Megabus back to the city. Total cost: less than $10 (brats and beer not included).
If you go: Pop into the Miller Time Pub (509 W. Wisconsin Ave, 414-271-BEER; millertimepub.com) for free popcorn and a cold one; it’s the second largest brewery in the U.S.
— MIKE RICH, REDEYE
4. Kenosha/Alpine Valley/Lake Geneva
Distance: 65 miles to KENOSHA, Wis.
Let’s face it, when given the choice, most of us would rather see a bad show at Alpine Valley over anything at the World/Tweeter Center/whatever they are calling it this week. But after trekking north, most still choose to leave just enough time to park the car and see the show. What a waste of the perfect day trip opportunity.
Kenosha and Lake Geneva are easily doable in an afternoon of pre-show sightseeing and cheese guzzling. In Kenosha, hit Mars Cheese Castle (2800 120th Ave; 262-859-2244) and the Brat Stop (12304 75th St.; 262-857-2011). Both are easily accessible from Interstate 94 and have the largest assortment of cheese that you will likely see in a lifetime.
Just south of Alpine Valley is Lake Geneva. Don’t be fooled by the Taco Bell and Home Depot at the Highway 12 bypass; there’s a quaint little town by the lake just over the hill. Drop in for some great frozen treats at Kilwin’s Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop (772 W. Main St.; 262-248-4400) and a stroll along the picturesque lakefront.
It’s great way to make just another concert trip seem more like a weekend getaway.
If you go: Book a ride 4 to 6 weeks ahead of time with the Lake Geneva Balloon Co. (lakegenevaballon.com). The hot air balloon company flies all summer.
— CHRIS COURTNEY, REDEYE
5. Palos Forest Preserve
Distance: 24 miles
My husband and I live in the suburbs and have easy access to a number of forest preserves, which are great for hiking or taking our dogs for walks.
But when I really want to get away, a day trip for me usually involves my bike. My favorite is a mountain bike ride at Palos Hills. Located in the Palos Forest Preserve near I-83, it’s the place to go near Chicago for mountain biking. The preserve offers wide gravel trails, single track trails, logs to jump over (or go around, as I often do), rocky terrain, steep descents, trees, grass — everything you could want in a mountain bike adventure.
The varied trails let you take it easy or challenge yourself. But the best part is that once you get into the heart of the trails, you would never know you are so close to a major city.
If you go: Check out the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers Web site (cambr.org) for events, tips, trail conditions and to meet up with other bikers.
— WENDY PIERRO, REDEYE
6. Indiana Dunes
Distance: 46 miles
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What better way to spend a day away than hiking near the beach — and then shopping? A favorite day trip destination for my husband and me is just over the Illinois-Indiana border, along the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, where there are almost a dozen hiking trails from which to choose. The trails’ terrains are as varied as their distances (from 3/4 of a mile to 6.4 miles). Two of our top picks are the Bailly Homestead & Chellberg Farm Trail, 2 1/2 miles through beautiful woods and old fields, and the Cowles Bog Trail, with its ponds and marshes, as well as a stretch of open beach.
The steep sand dunes and magnificent lake views here can’t be beat. Bring your lunch and a blanket for a picnic on the beach. After a nature-filled morning, we usually head to the nearby Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets (601 Wabash St.; 219-879-6506) in Michigan City, Ind., for some retail therapy. With 120-brand name outlets to browse, there’s plenty to keep us busy — and by us, I mean me. (An added bonus: The sales tax in Indiana is only 6 percent).
If you go: Be sure to hike up Mount Baldy. The dune is 126 feet above Lake Michigan and provides expansive views of the area. For more information, check nps.gov/indu/.
— TRAN HA, REDEYE
7. Great Lakes Circle Tour
Distance: 70 miles to New Buffalo, Mich.
For me, everything is relaxing when I have a camera in my hand. Luckily, we’re close to some of the nation’s most beautiful beaches. The Lake Michigan sunsets over there are breathtaking, and each town has its own charm, whether photography is your thing — or wineries, antiques or lighthouses.
Getting around couldn’t be easier thanks to the Great Lakes Circle Tour, a scenic road system that hugs the shoreline on both sides of Lake Michigan and beyond. Cross the Skyway Bridge and follow I-94 to Michigan.
The first town you’ll come to is New Buffalo. Continue northeast, following the Circle Tour, stopping at each town. When it’s time to come back, you can either turn around and follow the Circle Tour or take I-94 to Chicago. Or, if you have more time, take the 21/2 hour ferry ride from Muskegon to Milwaukee and drive back on the other side of the lake. Either way, you’ll come home with some great memories.
If you go: Try the homemade pizza and have a pint on the roof of the Stray Dog Bar and Grill (245 N. Whittaker St.; 269-469-2727) in New Buffalo, where you can look out over the New Buffalo harbor.
— SCOTT KLEINBERG, REDEYE
3 FOR THE ROAD
Starved Rock, Ill.
Distance: 92 Miles
Starved Rock State Park is a system of 18 canyons that provide many overlooks of the scenic Illinois River.
Saugatuck, Mich.
Distance: 141 Miles
Saugatuck is known for its artist-friendly vibe. Tourists flock here for the art galleries and local beaches.
St. Charles, Ill.
Distance: 43 miles
This Fox River town has a quaint downtown for the shopping and dining crowd. Rent a canoe or kayak at the Canoe Shack (630-584-8017; canoeshack.com) and let the current of the Fox take you away. [ M.T. ]