Where do Chicagoans like to vacation? (Geneva, Washington: sales, taxes, airport)

[ForYourLungsOnly]

So what are common vacation destinations for Chicagoans? I haven't been here long enough to feel the need to vacation yet, but the time will come I'm sure. Do many Chicagoans take the drive to the East Coast beaches of North Carolina/Virginia/South Carolina? Does having a world class airport with many direct flights at your doorstep mean more long distance trips to the West Coast, Florida, etc? The drive times to the Outer Banks and other Southeast beaches is a good 3-4 hours longer than from when I drove to them in Pittsburgh. At the same time, in Chicago it seems I can get a direct flight to just about anywhere, and simply hop on the Blue Line to do so. In Pittsburgh, direct flights are very hard to come by, so an airline destination took much more planning.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by ForYourLungsOnly

So what are common vacation destinations for Chicagoans? I haven't been here long enough to feel the need to vacation yet, but the time will come I'm sure. Do many Chicagoans take the drive to the East Coast beaches of North Carolina/Virginia/South Carolina? Does having a world class airport with many direct flights at your doorstep mean more long distance trips to the West Coast, Florida, etc? The drive times to the Outer Banks and other Southeast beaches is a good 3-4 hours longer than from when I drove to them in Pittsburgh. At the same time, in Chicago it seems I can get a direct flight to just about anywhere, and simply hop on the Blue Line to do so. In Pittsburgh, direct flights are very hard to come by, so an airline destination took much more planning.

...you won't find too many people that drive to the "Outer Banks". That is just too far.

Intra-regional beaches on Lake Michigan like in the SW Michigan or Door County WI are much more common destinations. Even heading up to Traverse City or Petoskey MI is quite a long drive for anybody not spending a weel or more away. The various inland lake of WI, IN, and MI are all far more reachable and generally warmer too...

Sure, during the colder month there folks that will load up the family truckster and run all night to get to Florida but unless you have a big family the potential for cheap tickets makes even that sorta foolish these days.

Singles and couples w/o kids can take advantage of not just O'Hare but also the "help us fill up our planes" fares offered through Southwest at Midway Airport AND EVEN some of the deals that pop up at Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport -- if you want a quick flight to Vegas, Arizona or other vacation spots the easy link to Amtrak and lack of airport taxes can make it worth looking into ...

The other big destinations that you see lots of people going to tend to be places that offer skiing -- United Airlines & Delta especially runs a whole bunch of non-stop flights to Colorado, Salt Lake City or Reno /Tahoe and even more connector flights to places like Jackson Hole. If you have the cash you can also jet over to Europe or even South America for such trips...

[ChicagoMeO]

go to Michigan!! I went to Ludington last year, thats on Lake Michigan about the middle of the state going north and south. anyway, when you get to some of those towns around the lake there, they give you a feel like you are in an east coast town. I think that some towns in Michigan farther north give you that east coast feeling. Others say the same. you can get on a boat and feel like your in a bay.

[Vlajos]

Europe, Wisconsin and Michigan. At least for my family.

[holl1ngsworth]

Lake Geneva, WI and New Buffalo, MI have always been popular among Chicagoans. In Illinois, Geneva and Galena are nice for day trips.

Beyond that, I imagine the vacation habits/destinations of people here are about the same as they are everywhere else.

[prairiestate]

I just got back from Kansas City. Loved it!

[marothisu]

Depends on the person. I like the vacation on the coasts, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. I know many others in the same boat. Other people like to just go to Wisconsin and Michigan and the like.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Depends on the person. I like the vacation on the coasts, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. I know many others in the same boat. Other people like to just go to Wisconsin and Michigan and the like.

Yeah, I was too quick to answer this one. South America is nice in addition to what marothisu posted.

[Swandaddy]

Quick direct flights directly out of O'Hare/MDW to just about anywhere. I usually go to California -- oh and a LOT of people actually take their vacations in February b/c summer is the time to be here; and people are coming here.

Colorado's a real quick 2 hr flight and Colorado's a lot of fun too.

I'll visit LA **ANYTIME** I get a chance :-)

[paytonc]

Driving-distance vacations usually mean Michigan or Wisconsin -- beaches, fishing, the Dells, etc. Otherwise, getting away usually means a flight. Midwesterners also tend to go to Arizona, southern California,* southwest Florida, or the Caribbean. Chicago's also apparently the #1 ski market in America, although maybe that's just counting sales of all those North Face jackets.

International travel is more common, but not as common as from, say, SF, NYC, or Miami.

Easterners usually stick to the Atlantic coast, and Southerners prefer the Gulf coast (or the Appalachians, or Ozarks). In all my time in Chicago, I never knew anyone go to the OBX unless they were (also) from NC/VA.

* Perhaps due to the old railroads, Chicagoans go to southern California whereas, say, Minnesotans go to Oregon/Washington.