Weekend Breaks in Chicago
Chicago might be a wonderful city to live in, but everyone needs to get away now and again.
Starved Rock State Park
Web: www.starvedrockstatepark.org
Starved Rock State Park is located 95 miles southwest of Chicago, two hours away by car. The name of the Park originates from a war between two Indian tribes. One of them sought refuge atop the rock and was surrounded by their enemies. They starved to death. The main attraction of the park is the famous rock, a 125-pound sandstone. There are also waterfalls and trails that are very easily accessible for young children. Depending on the season you are visiting, different kinds of activities are available: cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and canoeing.
Galena
Web: www.cityofgalena.org
Galena is located 170 miles west of Chicago, three hours away by car.
Located in the countryside of Illinois, Galena is the right place for a total break from the intense city life of Chicago.
Springfield
Web: www.springfield.il.us
Springfield is located 200 miles southwest of Chicago, three and a half hours away by road. This town is the capital of Illinois and is the birthplace of one of the most famous US citizens, Abraham Lincoln. The main attractions are the historic and government buildings (free of charge), Lincoln’s home, Lincoln’s tomb, the state capitol, the Illinois State Museum, and the Dana-Thomas House.
Lake Geneva
Web: www.lakegenevawi.com
Lake Geneva is located around 80 miles north of Chicago, less than two hours drive time. The main attractions lay around the lake. A good way to discover the area is to do a sightseeing tour on the lake on a restored paddle wheeler. Onboard you can see the elegant Victorian estates that dot the water’s edge. Other activities in the areas are: boating, fishing, hiking, and skiing.
Madison
Web: www.cityofmadison.com
Madison is located in the South of Wisconsin, three hours away.
Madison is the capital of the Wisconsin state and is positioned near four lakes. An isthmus formed by the two larger lakes (Mendota and Monoma) and forms the heart of the city. Madison is also the home of the University of Wisconsin and is a recreational area all year around. The activities available include fishing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, golf and water sports.
Milwaukee in Wisconsin.
Web: ci.mil.wi.us
Milwaukee is just one hour drive from Chicago. It has been strongly influenced by the old European world and one can still feel it in the city atmosphere. Milwaukee is mainly known for its breweries but has a lot of others interesting attributes: parks, lake shore, ethnic restaurants, and the Milwaukee Zoo county.
Wisconsin Dells
Web: wisdells.com
Ideal for children because of the water parks, but it requires more than a weekend because it is far away from Chicago. This is an ideal place for the Labour Day weekend, just before back to school in September.
Many expats will be suprised to learn that the Midwest has a selection of great resorts.
In Illinois:
Chestnut Mountain
Web: www.chestnutmtn.com
In Michigan:
Boyne Mountain
Web: www.boyne.com
Crystal Mountain
Web: crystalmountain.com
Shanty Creek Resorts
Web: shantycreek.com
In Wisconsin:
Devil’s Head Resort
Web: devilsheadresort.com
Weekend breaks in Illinois
Starved Rock State Park
Web: www.starvedrockstatepark.org
Starved Rock State Park is located 95 miles southwest of Chicago, two hours away by car. The name of the Park originates from a war between two Indian tribes. One of them sought refuge atop the rock and was surrounded by their enemies. They starved to death. The main attraction of the park is the famous rock, a 125-pound sandstone. There are also waterfalls and trails that are very easily accessible for young children. Depending on the season you are visiting, different kinds of activities are available: cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and canoeing.
Galena
Web: www.cityofgalena.org
Galena is located 170 miles west of Chicago, three hours away by car.
Located in the countryside of Illinois, Galena is the right place for a total break from the intense city life of Chicago.
Springfield
Web: www.springfield.il.us
Springfield is located 200 miles southwest of Chicago, three and a half hours away by road. This town is the capital of Illinois and is the birthplace of one of the most famous US citizens, Abraham Lincoln. The main attractions are the historic and government buildings (free of charge), Lincoln’s home, Lincoln’s tomb, the state capitol, the Illinois State Museum, and the Dana-Thomas House.
Weekend breaks in Wisconsin
Lake Geneva
Web: www.lakegenevawi.com
Lake Geneva is located around 80 miles north of Chicago, less than two hours drive time. The main attractions lay around the lake. A good way to discover the area is to do a sightseeing tour on the lake on a restored paddle wheeler. Onboard you can see the elegant Victorian estates that dot the water’s edge. Other activities in the areas are: boating, fishing, hiking, and skiing.
Madison
Web: www.cityofmadison.com
Madison is located in the South of Wisconsin, three hours away.
Madison is the capital of the Wisconsin state and is positioned near four lakes. An isthmus formed by the two larger lakes (Mendota and Monoma) and forms the heart of the city. Madison is also the home of the University of Wisconsin and is a recreational area all year around. The activities available include fishing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, golf and water sports.
Milwaukee in Wisconsin.
Web: ci.mil.wi.us
Milwaukee is just one hour drive from Chicago. It has been strongly influenced by the old European world and one can still feel it in the city atmosphere. Milwaukee is mainly known for its breweries but has a lot of others interesting attributes: parks, lake shore, ethnic restaurants, and the Milwaukee Zoo county.
Wisconsin Dells
Web: wisdells.com
Ideal for children because of the water parks, but it requires more than a weekend because it is far away from Chicago. This is an ideal place for the Labour Day weekend, just before back to school in September.
Skiing in the Midwest
Many expats will be suprised to learn that the Midwest has a selection of great resorts.
In Illinois:
Chestnut Mountain
Web: www.chestnutmtn.com
In Michigan:
Boyne Mountain
Web: www.boyne.com
Crystal Mountain
Web: crystalmountain.com
Shanty Creek Resorts
Web: shantycreek.com
In Wisconsin:
Devil’s Head Resort
Web: devilsheadresort.com
