10 Super Day Trips from Chicago for Spring Break

 

Time to get out and explore! If you are looking for ideas for day trips, here is a collection of some  ideas to inspire you to get on the road:

1. Oak Park, IL -- While not far from the city, Oak Park unfolds a fantastic day trip exploring art, architecture, nature, and small businesses. Touring the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio offers insight into the world of the renowned architect, particularly in younger years.  Learn even more about Wright on a walking tour. Oak Park Conservatory provides a slice of Oak Park history as well as a nature escape. For hiking in the area, try Thatcher Woods and make a stop at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Additionally, Oak Park has plenty of art galleries and small businesses to explore.

Wandering the green-filled paths of the Oak Park Conservancy.

2. Naperville, IL -- Naperville is one of my favorite places to visit in the region. The thriving downtown area is full of shops and eateries -- both local and national entities. A wealth of public art is threaded throughout the downtown area.  Additionally, the Riverwalk is always beckoning for a walk. There are plenty of places to hike in Naperville and nearby including Greene Valley Forest Preserve, McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, and so many more. Naper Settlement provides an interesting opportunity to adventure through Naperville in the 1800s.

3. Geneva, IL -- Geneva is quite a charming town full of quaint shops and eateries. Outdoor adventures are plentiful including Peck Farm, Fabyan Forest Preserve, and more. We enjoyed the exhibits at the Geneva History Museum which brought Geneva's history to life. We always visit All Chocolate Kitchen to see the amazing chocolate and sugar sculptures -- plus, have some nibbles for us. Plus, The Little Traveler tempts shoppers with a maze of different little shops within a historic home. We love Penrose Brewing Company for a little repose and beer sampler.

Dazzled by the magical chocolate sculpture tree at All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva, Illinois.

4 Galena, IL -- Galena delights with an adventure that really feels worlds away. Ambling down the streets of Galena transports one back in time. In addition to wandering through small businesses and sipping wine for the adults, we like to explore the West Street Sculpture Park full of sculptures crafted from reclaimed metal pieces. Additionally, the US Grant Home invites visitors to explore the life of President Grant and has quite a nice number of family artifacts. Mississippi Palisades State Park is nearby and dazzles with rock formations and magnificent Mississippi River views. Dubuque, Iowa also adds more to the adventure.

5. Joliet, IL -- Joliet has some truly interesting history to explore including the Old Joliet Prison which is featured in Blues Brothers and Prison Break. Also, visit the Joliet Area Historical Museum and enjoy the nostalgia of Route 66 along with other interesting regional history. You can even see some Route 66 sights! If you are thinking about hiking, I  recommend Pilcher Park, Hammel Woods and the.I & M Canal.

6. Madison, WI -- For an adventure a little further away, we like Madison. Visit the Wisconsin State Capitol to admire the rotunda and even stand out on balconies. The Wisconsin Historical Museum features interesting exhibits about the state. Chazen Museum of Art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison holds a pretty impressive collection of art. In nearby Middleton, enjoy the National Mustard Museum for a unique adventure. For hiking, there are many fabulous choices including Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Cherokee Marsh, UW-Madison Arboretum, nearby Blue Mound State Park, and more. Of course, a trip is not complete without a stop at Madison Chocolate Co.

7. Milwaukee, WI -- Milwaukee has become like a second home to us over the years. The city's wealth of museums, art experiences, and history opens up a plethora of adventures to all families. The Public Market is a fun spot to visit at least one and shop local food booths. Black Cat Alley offers an outdoor art gallery. We love walking along the lake -- just taking it slow. North Point Lighthouse is interesting to explore. It actually is near where my family lived about 70 years ago, so has a special meaning to me. There are plenty of places to hike in the area but our favorite is actually in South Milwaukee -- Grant Park.

8. Niles, MI -- On our recent Michigan trip, we savored visiting the small businesses of Niles, Michigan including Ven's Sweet Shop. We fell in love with Apothica tea which is a bit of a steampunk tea shop that has a tea service. Enjoy a ramble along the St. Joseph River and hike at Brandywine Creek Nature Park.

9. St. Joseph, MI -- We love, love, love slowly wandering up the Lake Michigan coast in Michigan and exploring towns and nature spaces along the way. One of our favorite Lake Michigan destinations is St. Joseph. The downtown area invites visitors to a wealth of small business explorations. No visit can be complete without a visit to Silver Beach and the Silver Beach Carousel. We loved walking to the lighthouse from Triscornia Park. On our recent trip, we wandered Riverview Park -- be sure to look for the nature trails. To marvel at art, take in exhibitions at the Krasl Art Center and shop at Gallery on the Alley. Visit The Market to enjoy local vendors and foodie items.

10. Indiana Dunes National Park -- Indiana Dunes offers hundreds of different explorations, hiking on dunes, and Lake Michigan views. There are multiple sections to explore so I recommend researching before. Last summer, we headed to a lesser know section and loved the peace. While visiting, consider visiting nearby cities such as Valparaiso, La Porte, and Michigan City to explore their museums and small businesses. The La Porte County Historical Museum has a particularly interesting collection of artifacts.