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MAP BY JOE ELBERSON
Travel Treasures Beyond Chicago
Take this Midwest drive to discover nature’s beauty and historic sights in Illinois and Wisconsin.
By Stacey Zable
Whether you fly into Chicago and spend an extended time in the Windy City before heading for the highway or simply jumpstart this road trip from the airport, you’ll soon discover that there is much to explore beyond the city’s environs. Drive to the suggested stops below as a looping roundtrip from Chicago, or use the city as your base and visit some of these sights and cities as day trips.
Lake Geneva Cruise Line offers boat rides on Lake Geneva.
Lake Geneva Cruise Line
Life at the Lake
Start your journey by heading north out of Chicago and then west to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The approximately 90-mile drive takes you to an ideal four-season destination, where the AAA Four Diamond Grand Geneva Resort & Spa welcomes visitors year-round. (See our Diamond Spotlight on this resort at the end of this page.) If traveling in the summer, the town’s Geneva Lake, of course, should be your focus. Get acquainted with the deep-blue waters on a cruise with Lake Geneva Cruise Line, which has been taking visitors and locals on boat rides for some 150 years. A host of tours are available, including the one-hour Best of the Lake Tour that showcases gorgeous shoreline estates—including those owned by the Wrigley and Maytag families. Another choice is the unique experience of the 2 1/2-hour U.S. Mailboat Tour, during which mail jumpers literally hop off the boat while it’s still moving to deliver the mail to about 75 lakeside residents. Alternatively, if it’s a day on the sands you seek, Riviera Beach is your fun-in-the-sun destination. Take time to explore the town of Lake Geneva itself, browsing the shops and boutiques. Grab a cone to go from Scoops ice cream shop and take a walk, starting from the Lake Geneva Public Library and traversing parts of the nearly 22-mile-long Shore Path around the lake. Conclude your day at Sopra Bistro, which serves delicious Italian-American cuisine.
Town of Galena at sunset
galena illinois tourism
Historic Stop in Galena
It’s about a 2 1/2-hour drive from Lake Geneva west to Galena, Illinois. Here, you’ll find a former home of President Ulysses S. Grant and a number of other 19th-century historic sites—including many listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can tour the Ulysses S. Grant Home, which was the house given to the Civil War general upon his return in 1865. It opened to the public in 1904 and includes original furnishings. Take one of Amelia’s Galena Ghost Tours to discover the city’s spooky, haunted locales at night. Galena’s Main Street is the city’s real allure, with more than 125 shops and restaurants. Stop at Galena’s Kandy Kitchen for a big assortment of goodies. Step back in time and enjoy another sweet treat at the American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor—quite a nostalgic feel. Try The Public House at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. for tapas-style food.
Anderson Japanese Gardens
ADOBE STOCK
Scenic Beauty of Rockford
Continuing the road trip from Galena to Rockford, Illinois, is a 90-minute drive east. Once arrived, take a guided tour of the lovely Anderson Japanese Gardens, its 16th-century Sukiya-style Guest House, built by Japanese Craftsmen in 1985, and the Laurent House, the only home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright specifically for a client with a physical disability. The one-story, mid-century Usonian hemicycle-designed home was constructed from 1949 to 1952. You can also walk the gardens on your own. Up your strolling to hiking at Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve just outside nearby Cherry Valley. The preserve features a 2.3-mile, paved recreation path, as well as 7.5-miles of easy to moderate hiking trails that wind through woods, prairie and along the Kishwaukee River. Keep your eyes out for birds, including bald eagles. “A League of Their Own" movie fans can follow the Fan Trail of the Rockford Peaches women’s professional baseball team.
Waterfall at Starved Rock State Park
ADAM ALEXANDER/ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM
More Illinois State Beauty
Next, drive 75 minutes south from Rockford to Starved Rock State Park, situated along the Illinois River outside of Utica. The park contains 18 canyons with moss-laden St. Peter Sandstone walls and more than 13 miles of trails leading into the canyons, and to seasonal waterfalls and other lovely views. Besides hiking, the park is a good spot for fishing, boating and camping. Overlooks have lots of steps, so keep that in mind. Pack a picnic lunch for a relaxing meal within the park’s dedicated picnic areas that offer tables, drinking water and restrooms.
Chinatown is a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago.
ADAM ALEXANDER/CHOOSE CHICAGO
Cultural Immersion in Chicago
It’s about a 90-minute drive from Starved Rock back to Chicago. The city itself is worthy of at least a week’s worth of exploration, but for this drive choose just one of the city’s cultural neighborhoods in which to conclude your fun-filled journey. Chinatown is a top pick, especially for its wonderful dining options. If you stay at a downtown hotel, it’s easy to hop on a water taxi to get to this historic neighborhood, coupling it with great views of the city along the way. Pedestrian-friendly Chinatown Square is the place to go for a wide choice of restaurants, stores and more. In fact, it’s an ideal place to conclude your road trip with a meal worth the miles.
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DIAMOND SPOTLIGHT: LAKE GENEVA
Aerial view of Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Wisconsin
Make your visit to Lake Geneva stand out with a stay at the AAA Four Diamond Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Set on 1,300 acres, the all-season resort is about 80 miles from Chicago. Choose from 358 guest accommodations, including deluxe rooms, suites and 29 villas. On the grounds is also the 225-suite Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, boasting a 50,000-square-foot, year-round, indoor/outdoor aquatic playground. Within the boundaries of the resort, you can ski and snowboard in winter, and hike, bike, play two championship 18-hole golf courses and more in the warmer months. Active types find indoor and outdoor pickleball and tennis, rock climbing, disc golf, horseback riding, basketball and fitness classes. Looking for even more activities? Swim in the indoor and outdoor pools, enjoy live entertainment, play in the arcade or try mini bowling and golf—activities that appeal to the kid in everyone. Dine in the resort area’s many restaurants, and be sure to plan a day of pampering at its spa and salon. Everything you need for leisure and relaxation at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.
Superior King guest room overlooking the golf course
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