places worth visiting by road near Chicago

Dear all,

Thanks to everyone who has replied to our earlier posts about Detroit. However the travel times involved don%26#39;t seem to justify such a long journey to see just one or two things over the limited time of a couple of days. There are some things in Milwaukee we%26#39;re interested in (Les Paul exhibit and the Titanic exhibition) and it%26#39;s only 1 1/2 hours on the train. To make the most of a spare day (or maybe 2)is there anywhere within a couple of hours%26#39; drive of Chicago that may be worth a visit? We enjoy the countryside, architecture and history so any suggestions along those lines would be gratefully received! Many thanks for your help.

places worth visiting by road near Chicago

Galena, IL....Scenery, history, shopping eating - what%26#39;s not to like?

places worth visiting by road near Chicago

Galena is about 3 + hours if you are coming from downtown Chicago and it is cute, historic, etc. Dubuque, about 15 miles further west, also has some attractions - Hamm House, Ryan House, Mississippi River Museum, Arboretum, a casino, Star Brewery, Bluff Street, Eagle Point Park, etc.

But you need a car for both.

In one of the suburbs of Chicago, Oak Park, is the Frank Lloyd Wright Home area. It is supposed to be great. I haven%26#39;t done it yet, but it is on my list. See www.GoWright.org.

Did you see the info on the architectural tours in Chicago? It should be listed on the Explore Chicago web site.

I do love Milwaukee though.

On your way to/from Milwaukee - http://www.lakegenevawi.com/

Galena is OK, but honestly it really did not do that much for us. Another suggestion would be drive up to a place like South Haven on the cost of Michigan...when are you coming? Spring and Summer, Lake is beautiful, great walks on beach, neat towns reminiscent of New England, state parks with great dunes to climb. Another suggestion if you do not know Amish is to visit the Amish community in nearby Indiana.

ZB

The drive to Springfield is pretty boring but the Abraham Lincoln sites there might be interesting - the Museum is fabulous, you have Lincoln%26#39;s Tomb and Lincoln%26#39;s home, and maybe, just maybe, they will be able to reopen the Dana Thomas House, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was closed last year due to budget cuts. Can%26#39;t remember when you are coming, but the Titanic Exhibit in Milwaukee only goes until late May, I believe. The area around New Buffalo and north into Michigan has some pretty countryside along the shore of Lake Michigan, wineries and antique shops as well.

I would skip Galena in favor of Milwaukee, Springfield, and the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park. Also, either rent a car or take the North Train from the Ogilvie Transportation Center for a nice look at the suburbs along Chicago%26#39;s North Shore. Alight at Lake Forest where you can walk around, or stop at Waukegan for Mexican food, or Highland Park. If you are renting a car, drive up Sheridan Road instead of taking the train.

beauty tips