I love nature and long walks. I also enjoy flea markets and novelty shops.
2007-07-05 14:47:58 · 9 answers · asked by dsrspring 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Chicago
You'll love Galena, Illinois. One of the few hilly areas in Illinois, it's an old town frozen in time built on a hillside near the Mississippi River. A charming little city with lots of places to walk in town and in nature. It's actually just under 4 hours away but well worth it and you'll feel like you've really been away from the city.
Milwaukee is a great short trip away, not quite two hours. They have a beautiful lakefront park and lots to do if you wander the city.
Go to Starved Rock State Park - beautiful nature and only 1.5 hours away. Three little towns surround it on the Illinois River - Peru, LaSalle and Ottawa.
As far as nature - don't overlook all of the forest preserves in Chicagoloand! I recommend you buy a Chicagoland 7 county Atlas which will show you all of them. Also if you like riding bikes, get the Chicagoland Bicycle map, which shows all of the bikes trails in the seven county area.
I recommend you get an Illinois Atlas and Gazetteer that shows all of the little towns around Chicago and all major back roads and bodies of water. It's only about $20 and a great starting point to explore areas that interest you further on the Internet.
2007-07-07 09:09:45 · answer #1 · answered by MICHAEL B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flea markets and shops....well theres amish country, indiana..the town of Shipshewana has a HUGE flea market on tues and wed..and the town has shops and bed and breakfasts. Since it will be more than a two hr drive, dont drive back, stay the weekend at a bed and brkfst.
You can find Shipshewana at : amishcountry.org..and when you get to this site youll see more towns in that area that have bed n'breakfasts and shops etc.
Or to Michigan... South Haven, you have a bit of everything.. beaches, shops, lighthouse, cottages on the lake, inns. Sept would be a good month to go, summer crowds are gone. You can visit a nearby U-pick farm. October would be nice too, you can drive around to see fall foliage. You can vacation in SHaven, rent a cottage/cabin or stay at a resort. Its a 2 and a half hr drive from Chicago.
S.Haven is very popular with Chicagoans.
In Illinois...Kankakee River State Park.. Apple River Canyon St Prk.
2007-07-06 04:06:36 · answer #2 · answered by Joshua M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out the web sites for Galena, IL about a 3 hour drive or Saugatuck, MI. about 2 1/2 hours drive.
2007-07-05 22:28:51 · answer #3 · answered by rt11guru 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever been to Green Lake, Wisconsin? My sister and her family own a home up there,and it is gorgeous!
Every once in awhile, the town has a craft show, and the downtown itself have some cute stores-I guess the town of Princeton has great shopping.
2007-07-06 10:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by Learning is fun! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The out of state places above are great spots but much farther than 2hrs unless you fly...both have small plane airports.
For a short drive as you mention, you can easily stay in Illinois for what you want. All sites and more can be found at the Illinois DNR site.
Less than a 2 hr drive is a Lake Michigan beach with hiking, biking, camping, and swimming. There is even a resort with fine lake view rooms and amenities:
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R2/ILBEACH.HTM
2 hrs might get you to Starved Rock ...hiking and has lodging in modern cabins or lodge with pool:
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/I&M/EAST/STARVE/PARK.HTM
Nearby, Matthiessen State Park has great trails:
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/mttindex.htm
Also within 2 hrs is White Pines State Park which offers cabins and lodge with hiking in the woods and a theatrical playhouse...interesting.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/WHITEPNS.HTM
3 hrs drive takes you to Savanna. You'll find more serious hiking, climbing, and camping at Mississippi Palisades State Park. Savanna has a Super 8:
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/PALISADE.HTM
3 hrs will also get you to Apple River Canyon State Park for outside activities. Closeby is Galena for great food and lodging:
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/APPLE.HTM
2007-07-06 00:01:24 · answer #5 · answered by tichur 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try Wisconsin Dells or Mackinaw Island, Michigan.
2007-07-05 21:58:07 · answer #6 · answered by JY. 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take 94 north through Wisconsin. I'm sure between Chicago and Milwaukee you should find lots of interest.
2007-07-05 21:59:03 · answer #7 · answered by Jess 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the dells is calling you. also check out starve rock.
2007-07-06 12:52:41 · answer #8 · answered by Igloo Man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can try wisconson dells, if your looking to spend the day somewhere try starved rock.
2007-07-06 11:14:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋