5 best day trips from Chicago

Chicago's day trips include Wisconsin's lakes, Indiana Dunes, and a quick Amtrak to Milwaukee.

How: 1h 30m Amtrak Hiawatha Travel time: 1h 30m When to go: Year-round; festivals June-Aug

Lakefront art museum (Calatrava building), Harley Museum, beer culture

How: 1h South Shore Line train Travel time: 1h When to go: May-Oct best for beach; year-round for hiking

Lake Michigan dunes + beach within sight of Chicago skyline

How: 1h 30m drive Travel time: 1h 30m When to go: Apr-Oct; frozen waterfalls magical in Jan-Feb

Sandstone canyons + waterfalls — Illinois's best hiking

How: 3h drive Travel time: 3h When to go: Apr-Oct

1840s mining town frozen in time — Ulysses S. Grant's house

How: 1h 30m drive Travel time: 1h 30m When to go: May-Sep

Resort town with mansions on the lake — boat tour to see them

Best day trips from Chicago