Where do Chicagoans vacation? (Phoenix: transplants, spring break, college)

[williepotatoes]

When I vacate the region, I usually head to the remote northwoods or some smallville, agrarianish setting. I really don't desire to spend too much time in another city of any kind, big or small. Traditionally, Chicagoans poured into states like Michigan and Wisconsin come summertime, and they still do to a great degree. In my social sphere, Florida and Vegas are big favorites.

I would suspect that many of the new Chicagoans (transplants) retreat to their places of origin to see family/friends. Is it another fast-paced enviroment most people choose, or somewhere more sedate than Chicago?

[Bluefox]

A very similar topic has been discussed in length here on the Chicago forum on a recent thread.

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...on-winter.html

[sholomar]

they like to go to Wisconsin Dells. They are always on Wisconsin's interstates going 85-90MPH up I-94 and going 20 above the limit everywhere else they are driving. Better than putting along at or under the speed limit. Summer is the best time, you don't have to stay at the overpriced resorts that way like the Kalahari. You can stay at a cheap place and then just visit the Kalahari.

[williepotatoes]

Well, that thread certainly answers my question, at least as far as winter goes. The tropical/sun belt digs lap the field.

Judging from the high level of exhuberance and cheer in those reponses, I think there are lots of people who view winter as their "real" vacation season. Doesn't anybody ski anymore?

[marothisu]

I go to the Caribbean and Europe. **** my life if Wisconsin or Indiana turns into a "vacation" (without kids of course).

[ram2]

Originally Posted by stockwiz

they like to go to Wisconsin Dells. They are always on Wisconsin's interstates going 85-90MPH up I-94 and going 20 above the limit everywhere else they are driving. Better than putting along at or under the speed limit. Summer is the best time, you don't have to stay at the overpriced resorts that way like the Kalahari. You can stay at a cheap place and then just visit the Kalahari.

All the Chicago drivers who come to the west side of Michigan are afraid to drive faster than 65, many going slower than that. I don't get it.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by ram2

All the Chicago drivers who come to the west side of Michigan are afraid to drive faster than 65, many going slower than that. I don't get it.

Easy, they are afraid they will be targeting by state troopers for speeding because of their license plates.

Although I don't think its usually don't think its triggered so much by dislike of tourists from Chicago/Illinois, despite the acronym: FIP/FIB. It simply has more to do with the fact that in terms of bringing in revenue, the state departments know that out of town people will pay without putting up a fight, because they're not going to drive three hours just to contest a ticket in court.

[snoylekim]

The DINKs I work with seem to prefer more exotic, warmer locations ( Thailand Beaches., Costa Rica) or black diamond skiing and boarding out West . A lot of 'the elders' have places in Western Michigan or Interior Wisconsin ..so they'll drive 100-150 miles for a 'staycation' in the country w/ snowmobiling, X Country Skiing .. Las Vegas and Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tempe are also popular Winter and Spring ( except for 'college spring break' periods) . Florida places in the running, but we also have a big business presence/offices there, so some of that is satisfied with tactically scheduling meetings

[chet everett]

O'Hare and Midway are terriffic "gateways" for either mountain / winter resorts OR sun & sand locales -- last time I checked with pal who works for a major Chicago based online travel site the Chicago region represents one of the type five "origination" spots for ALL US based vacation travelers -- our affluence and mobility are top tier...

[pvande55]

Depends on so much. If they ski, Michigan and Wisconsin. More affluent skiers go to Colorado. Or to tropical places. The summer, just about all over. But Michigan and Wisconsin still head the list.