best hiking day trips from chicago

The 26 best places for hiking near Chicago. ... Just a short drive or train ride from downtown Chicago, it's an easy day trip from the city. Travel time: 1 hr drive, 90 min on South Shore Line.

These incredible spots for hiking near Chicago boast sand dunes, gorgeous waterfalls, stunning rock formations, unique wildlife, and more. 4. Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve. Located about an hour outside of Chicago, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is a gem of a park for hikers, bikers, and outdoor lovers.

12. Galena. Location: Illinois. Distance from Chicago: 163.8 miles. Driving Time: 2 hours, 44 minutes. The small town of Galena, Illinois is home to hundreds of historic structures that are the main attraction of this tiny town, making it one of our top picks for a day trip from Chicago.

The 606 (also known as the Bloomingdale Trail) Location: Chicago - the trail runs east to west on the northwest side of the city Travel distance from Chicago: A 20 minute commute from central Chicago. Distance: 2.7 miles (one-way) Difficulty level: Easy Time needed: 1 -2 hours Elevation gain: 13 feet Route type: Point to point (can exit on either end) or out & back

25. Evanston, IL. Driving time from Chicago: 40 minutes. If you're short on time but craving a day away from the city, hop on the Purple Line and head to Evanston. The sweet college town is ...

LaBagh Woods. Lincolnwood, Illinois. Distance from Chicago: 11 miles; 20-minute drive. Hike distance: 5.7 miles. Like Chicago's very own Hundred Acre Wood, this richly wooded 5.7-mile loop is ...

Related: The Great Chicago Thru-Hike It may not be as long (or as mountainous) as the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, but the 200-mile Outerbelt Route, established in 2018, is the city's ...

2. Glencoe, Illinois. 42.1342106,-87.7985822, map. Distance: 24.3 mi / 31 min. Things You Can't Miss: Chicago Botanic Garden, Skokie Lagoons, Home Alone House. What to Eat: Frank & Betsie's Restaurant , Bake Homemade Pizza. The village of Glencoe on Chicago's north shore is a quick and easy day trip from Chicago.

Hike Distance: 5.7 miles. 2. Devil's Lake State Park. Photo: Devil's Lake State Park. Devil's Lake State Park offers majestic views from 500-foot bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Along the Ice Age Natural Scenic Trail, visitors have nearly 30 miles of hiking trails to take advantage of.

Farther north, in Wisconsin, is Devil's Lake State Park, about a three-hour drive from Chicago, which has 30 miles of hiking trails and 500-foot quartzite bluffs that overlook a 360-acre lake.

18. Take a picture with a (smaller) Leaning Tower of…. Niles. Driving time from Chicago: About 25 minutes. Sitting at a half the size its original at 94 feet tall and leaning 7.4 feet, the ...

1. Rockford. Distance: 95 miles. Travel Time: 1 hr 40 mins. Rockford is a great day trip from Chicago for those with kids on board. Head straight for Discovery Center Museum, and let your kids dive into more than 300 interactive exhibits.

New Glarus, WI. Get a taste of Swiss heritage in this small Wisconsin town with great cheese and great local beer. 🗺️ Distance from Chicago: 2.75 to 3 hours | Google Maps | New Glarus Website. For visitors of all ages, New Glarus is one of the more unique day trips.

Indiana Dunes National Park. Wendy Altschuler. View Map. Address. Porter, IN 46304, USA. Phone +1 219-395-1882. Web Visit website. Our country's 61st National Park, Indiana Dunes National Park, has much to offer in a tight package. Swim and hike in the summer or snowshoe and cross-country ski in the winter.

7. Starved Rock State Park, Illinois. Mykhaylo/Wirestock Creators / Adobe Stock. Starved Rock State Park, an enticing haven of natural splendor, is tucked away along the Illinois River in North Central Illinois. Its proximity to Chicago makes it an ideal day trip for those seeking a respite from the city.

Rockford, IL 61107. (815) 229-9390. An hour and forty minutes away from Chicago sits the gorgeous Anderson Japanese Gardens, a garden that business John Anderson commissioned expert craftsman Hoichi Kurisu to design. The gardens sit in the bustle of Rockford but are a world away at the same time.

ARTICLE CONTENTS: Day Trips From Chicago Weekend Getaways (2-4 Days) Longer Road Trips From Chicago (7-10 Days) Day Trip Ideas From Chicago 1. South Bend, Indiana. Distance: 95 miles Drive Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Where to Stay: Ivy Court Inn & Suites More Info: Visit South Bend & Mishawaka, IN

The resort also offers 22 miles of hiking and biking trails, three restaurants on site and lodge-style rooms outfitted with jacuzzi bathtubs. ... The 18 best day trips from Chicago. Travel; Hit ...

Starved Rock State Park. Voted at the number 1 attraction in all of Illinois, Starved Rock State Park is a must-visit, a highlight of all the day trips from Chicago. The hiking trails are some of the best in all of the United States of America and although some are challenging overall this is a really accessible park.

About 150 miles west of Chicago, in the northwest corner of Illinois, the charming Mississippi River town of Galena regularly makes national lists of best small towns. Its elegant dining, historic ...

Take a day trip When you need a change of scenery, Chicago is just a drive away from these exciting destinations. 80. Go hiking. A family hiking trip at Starved Rock is fun for all ages! You'll want to leave the strollers at home, but boardwalks and clearly marked pathways make it easy to explore with kids. 81.

Photograph: Shutterstock. 1. St Louis, MO. Driving time from Chicago: Four and a half hours. While beer, blues and BBQ are likely on the top of your St Louis bucket list (and rightfuly so), there ...

The Best Sandals for Travel, Hiking & Walking All Day ... One user noted, "I wear them on hikes, walks, day trips, anything." $79.95. REI. Available colors: 3; Available sizes: 6 to 10;