Weekend Getaways Near Chicago

[Rwarky]

Originally Posted by pooholla

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone's got some recommendations on a weekend getaway not too far from Chicago. My boyfriend and I aren't going to be able to get home to our families (in Pennsylvania) for the holidays, so we're looking to take a mini vacation somewhere around here and we've only been living in the city for about eight months, so we're not too familiar with our options.

I think our driving limit would be around 4hrs, because we've only got a 3 1/2 day window to work with so I don't want to waste an entire day driving. I'd love to go somewhere on the lake, but I'm not opposed to somewhere that's not. It doesn't have to be super romantic, but hopefully not too touristy. We like seclusion and the woods and quaint little towns.

I should note that we'll be doing this trip the 27th through the 29th and not on Christmas.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Try underrated Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by Rwarky

Try underrated Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

Well, I don't think Milwaukee fulfills what the OP said they were looking for:

"We like seclusion and the woods and quaint little towns."

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by gomexico

well, i don't think milwaukee fulfills what the op said they were looking for:

"we like seclusion and the woods and quaint little towns."

lol

[ChiGuide65]

Might I be so bold as to recommend that you consider wonderfully quaint Lemont, IL? It is about 27 miles SW of the city, and just a gem. It is tied into the historic I & M canal, and there are a number of neat things to see/visit, including the amazing Hindu Temple. It was also a location for scenes from the movie, Save the Last Dance.

Just a thought!

[sunnyandcloudydays]

SW Michigan is best enjoyed in the summertime.
Most things I have experienced there have always been by the water.

Standing near Lake Michigan in Mid December can be brutally cold.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by brewcrew1000

The Amana Colonies are kind of cool, it's outside Cedar Rapids Iowa, Mt Vernon, and Iowa City are also some other cool cities around that area.

The heart of Hawkeye country. The Amanas are nice......terrific, home style food and wonderful crafts. Iowa City is a gem of a college town and the UIowa campus is a special place if you like university campuses. Both town and gown are drawn together and intertwine in a place of charm where sightlines open up on both sides of the Iowa River that runs through both of them.

[edsg25]

Many people wisely mentioned Madison here, Madison being the what's-not-to-like type of place that it is. Scenic Madison, crowded on that isthmus with the capitol and UW, gives a feel of a city many times its size.

But unlike years in the past, a winter visit to Madison should I think (almost by necessity) include a visit to the Dells.

the once summer haven is now not only year round, but with the endless water parks, winter is one of the busiest times of the year.

Wonderful resorts abound and plenty of water in those water park, some on massive scale. You'll definitely bring the outdoors inside in a positive way, as well as having the real winter activities outside available to to you.

[Vasily]

I don't know if it fits the "quaint" criterion, but you might also look into Lake Geneva, WI; the southern part of Kettle Moraine State Forest South isn't far away for the woods part.

The other areas I'd suggest looking at though they might be a bit far for a weekend getaway are Door County WI, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes area on the west side of the southern peninsula of MI. Leland, just north of the Dunes area, perfectly fits your description.

http://www.lelandmi.com/

[Diws]

Originally Posted by Vasily

I don't know if it fits the "quaint" criterion, but you might also look into Lake Geneva, WI; the southern part of Kettle Moraine State Forest South isn't far away for the woods part.

The other areas I'd suggest looking at though they might be a bit far for a weekend getaway are Door County WI, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes area on the west side of the southern peninsula of MI. Leland, just north of the Dunes area, perfectly fits your description.

Leland Michigan Chamber of Commerce :: Fishtown, Lake Michigan & Sleeping Bear Dunes

Leland is nice, as is the whole Leland peninsula (and also the Old Mission peninsula) , but pretty far for a weekend trip. I'd say Baroda or St. Joseph for quaint towns close by.. and maybe the area just north of New Buffalo near Bridgman on the Red Arrow highway would fit. Door County is borderline in distance; not quite as far as the Traverse City area.. I particularly recommend Ellison Bay in the winter.

[meteorologistChi]

Rockford.