Top 5 Chicago Area Road Trips

, , ,
Illinois State Park Vacation Travel Agent - Sunset-Travel.com

Many Americans are making the decision to stay a little closer to home this summer, so what better way to get in a summer vacation than to take an exciting road trip!

A list of road trip ideas from Chicago for those that prefer not to get on a plane.

Sunset Travel & Cruise is here to piece together your entire itinerary from luxury RV rental to hotel bookings to unique tours and activities!

Vacation to Holland Michigan Coast - Sunset-Travel.com

1. Explore the Coast of Michigan

Chicago sits in a perfect location along Lake Michigan’s shores, but following the shoreline up into Northern Michigan makes for an unforgettable road trip! Taking a trip by way of the west side of “the Mitten” takes lucky travelers right through the Dutch-inspired town of Holland with a beautiful downtown. Grand Haven is next with picturesque beaches and lighthouses. Continuing on through Muskegon and Frankfort you will find yourself in quintessential northern Michigan territory. Traverse City makes for a perfect end point where you can enjoy visiting vineyards, and tasting the wines of Michigan. Or if you’re more of a beer connoisseur, there are countless breweries serving up the best micro-brews the state has to offer!

2. Illinois State Parks

If it’s state parks you are looking for, look no further than Illinois itself. There are plenty of beautiful state parks to visit, but for a shorter weekend trip, Starved Rock State Park is not one to miss. Spend the weekend out in nature with amazing hiking and biking trails. With more than a dozen waterfalls throughout the park, there is no shortage of beauty to experience and appreciate. It’s a perfect spot to get away from the city.

3. Visit Wisconsin

Venturing through Wisconsin is another must for Lake Michigan lovers. Door County is known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” with endless coastline and activities for the entire family. From kayaking in the early hours of the morning to taste-testing the local ice cream in the quaint small towns along the drive, it is the place to be for ultimate relaxation. There are many Wisconsin state parks along the drive so nature enthusiasts will also fall in love.

Travel Agent for Route 66 Trip out of Chicago - Sunset-Travel.com

4. Route 66 Road Trip

For those looking for an extended road trip to really venture out, Route 66 is your itinerary! Everyone knows about the iconic Route 66. Traveling along “The Mother Road” elicits sentimental feelings of times gone by so it’s no wonder people look to this road trip when they want to get away from it all. Starting in Chicago, the entire route cuts through eight states with countless roadside attractions along the way. To do the whole route from Chicago to Santa Monica it is recommended that you take at least two weeks. For those that don’t have that time or don’t want to fly home from California, you can drive part of it and still get a feel for what Route 66 was in its heyday – diners, neon signs, wigwam motels, and all!

5. The Great River Road

Finally, the Great River Road runs the length of the mighty Mississippi and offers travelers a route to follow through the great American outdoors. Road trippers from Chicago can catch up with the River Road to venture along the upper Mississippi or head south all the way toward Louisiana. As the road twists with the flow of the Mississippi you will be able to discover its rich history and admire the natural beauty. Adventurous drivers can take the entire route and venture through ten states all with their own culture surrounding America’s greatest river.

Contact Sunset Travel & Cruise in Chicago and we can arrange your entire vacation for you! From hotels to attractions, adventures to glamping, we have insider deals on the best spots across the USA.

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *