9 Amazing Illinois Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
Some of the Midwest’s best day trips begin just outside Chicago. Every destination on this list is a road trip away from O'Hare International Airport, with a couple within the city. Lincoln Park Zoo brings one of Chicago’s best-known attractions into the mix. The Morton Arboretum adds 385 acres of gardens, trees, and walking trails. And Illinois Beach State Park offers sandy beaches and dunes along Lake Michigan. Illinois has no shortage of things to discover.
Starved Rock State Park (1 hr 30 min drive)
Starved Rock State Park, located in Utica along the Illinois River, is one of Illinois' most popular state parks and one of its most stunning natural attractions. The park boasts 18 canyons carved by glacial meltwater, exquisite sandstone bluffs, and seasonal waterfalls that flow most regularly in spring and after heavy rain. Over 13 miles of trails flow through the park, offering routes for both casual visitors and hikers alike. Visitors can explore canyon floors, hike to river views, and stroll through dense hardwood forests. The views of the Illinois River from the top of Starved Rock alone make the short climb worthwhile. Wildlife flourishes throughout the area, with bald eagle sightings typical near the river in the winter. If you wish to stay longer, the park also provides guided tours, horseback riding, and a full-service lodge with dining. Starved Rock is an easy pick for a nature-themed day trip from Chicago, offering impressive scenery.
Lincoln Park Zoo (30 min drive)
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of Chicago's most beloved landmarks. The zoo, located along the lakefront in Lincoln Park on Chicago's North Side, is home to over 200 species of animals on a well-kept 35-acre site. The Regenstein African Journey and Kovler Lion House, as well as the Primate House and Pepper Family Wildlife Center, provide exhibits from various natural environments. The zoo also offers seasonal activities, including a carousel, a children's climbing structure, and a farm display that introduces young visitors to domestic animals and agricultural life. Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in the city, since it is easily accessible by public transportation. The nearby Lincoln Park, which includes lakefront trails, a conservatory, a nature boardwalk, and plenty of green space for picnicking. The Lincoln Park Zoo receives millions of visitors each year and is dedicated to wildlife protection locally and globally.
John G. Shedd Aquarium (35 min drive)
The John G. Shedd Aquarium, which is on the Museum Campus on the shore of Chicago, is one of the most famous aquariums in the world. The aquarium has grown significantly since it opened in 1930. It now has thousands of species, including beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, and sharks. The main display hall has one of the biggest coral reef tanks in the world, which is the aquarium's main attraction. The exhibits constantly change, so every time a visitor comes back, they have a new experience. Every day, the aquarium staff puts on dolphin shows, feeds the divers, and gives educational talks about the aquarium. Families with young kids can have a lot of fun at the aquarium, too, with touch pools where kids can hold invertebrates under staff supervision.
Morton Arboretum (20 min drive)
The Morton Arboretum, just west of Chicago in Lisle, is one of North America's largest botanical gardens, as well as one of the most peaceful getaways in the greater Chicago area. The arboretum, which extends 1,700 acres, is home to around 222,000 plants from around the world. The trails stretch through forests, meadows, and lakesides, making it an ideal destination for hikers and nature lovers. As the seasons change, the grounds change too. In the spring, magnolias and crabapples bloom, and in the summer, the meadows are full of flowers. The maple and oak trees turn bright in the fall, and the snow covers them in the winter. The Morton Arboretum also has a children's garden where kids can learn about gardening. The arboretum also includes a research library, a cafe, and a plant shop. The garden's goal is centred on forestry, conservation, and education, making it both informative and visually appealing. Admission is fairly cheap, and you can spend a whole day hiking around this great botanical garden, a landmark worth visiting and conveniently located near Chicago.
Illinois Beach State Park (50 min drive)
Illinois Beach State Park is the only beach ridge shoreline left in the state. It runs along Lake Michigan's shore in Zion, which is just north of Chicago. It is also one of the state's most unique landscapes. The park is almost 4,000 acres in size, with a landscape ranging from sandy beaches and dunes to marshes, prairies, and black oak savannas. Swimming beaches are open during the summer, and the lake views are magnificent, especially on clear-sky days. Hiking routes traverse varied ecosystems and offer good opportunities for birdwatching, as the park lies along a major migration route that attracts hundreds of bird species year-round. Fishing, kayaking, and picnicking are popular activities, and the park also offers campgrounds for overnight stays. The Dead River, a unique natural attraction in the park, occasionally merges with Lake Michigan, creating a dynamic freshwater habitat worth exploring. For Chicagoans looking for a lakefront trip outside of the city, the Illinois Beach State Park is hard to match.
Chicago Botanic Garden (20 min drive)
The Chicago Botanic Garden, located in Glencoe on the North Shore, is one of the country's most elegantly designed public gardens and one of the most accessible day trips from downtown Chicago. There are 26 different display gardens in the 385-acre park, which are spread out over a series of islands and linked by bridges, canals like the Skokie Lagoons, and trails like the North Branch Trail. Highlights include the English Walled Garden, the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden, and the Kleinman Family Cove, which provides interactive outdoor activities for children. With seasonal programming, the garden comes to life year-round. In the spring, tulips and cherry blossoms are replaced by summer perennials, fall foliage, and winter light installations that change the scenery at night. The garden is also a major hub for plant science research and conservation, with ongoing projects focusing on endangered plant species. Admission to the garden is free. Whether you're an environmentalist or just looking for a peaceful spot to spend a few hours, the Chicago Botanic Garden has something for you every season.
Brookfield Zoo (20 min drive)
The Brookfield Zoo, which is in the western suburb of Brookfield, is one of the biggest zoos in the US. Families from the Chicago area have been going there for day trips for a long time. The zoo covers 216 acres and is home to about 450 different kinds of animals. The exhibits mimic the animals' natural habitats from around the world, such as the South American rainforest simulation, where capybaras and sloths live. If you want to see polar bears, grizzly bears, and bison, you should also check out the Great Bear Wilderness simulation. The dolphin shows, butterfly garden, and seasonal carousel at the zoo are fun for the whole family all day long. Many of the exhibits at Brookfield Zoo talk about endangered species and how to protect their habitats. The zoo has been a leader in conservation advocacy for a long time. You can reach the zoo from downtown Chicago without a car by taking Metra's BNSF Railway. Brookfield Zoo remains a fun, easily accessible landmark for people of all ages.
Baháʼí House of Worship (30 min drive)
The Bahá'í House of Worship, located on Lake Michigan in Wilmette, Illinois, is a sacred temple. Known as the Mother Temple of the West, this beautiful white monument combines neoclassical and Islamic architecture, as well as a nine-sided design to symbolize unity across faiths. Visitors are welcome to walk around the well-kept gardens that surround the temple, where fountains and seasonal blossoms offer a peaceful environment. The temple is easily accessible, taking a 30-minute drive from downtown Chicago. Inside, the space is open to people of all faiths and does not host sermons, providing a peaceful environment for personal reflection regardless of background. The Bahai Temple offers a visually striking and culturally enriching experience, making it an ideal stop on a day trip outside of Chicago. The space is accessible to individuals of all faiths and does not hold sermons, making it a tranquil place for personal reflection. The Bahai Temple is a great place to see on a day trip from Chicago. The distant views of Lake Michigan from the temple, combined with the temple's unique design, serve as an unforgettable cultural experience.
Matthiessen State Park (1 hour 30 min drive)
Visitors who are prepared to venture a little further into central Illinois will be rewarded with Matthiessen State Park, a peaceful natural site, located near Utica. The park is divided into two sections: the Dells, which features a deep canyon with a small waterfall and a flowing stream at its base, and the Lake Area, which offers fishing, picnics, and expansive views. The park is connected by five miles of trails, some of which require crossing steps and hilly terrain, making it best suited for hikers. The canyon provides an alluring atmosphere that contrasts with the typical flatlands in Illinois. Because Matthiessen is only a few minutes from Starved Rock, many people combine the two parks into a single day trip.
The skyline of Illinois doesn't truly show everything that the state has to offer. From the lakefront beaches of Zion to the canyon floors of Matthiessen State Park and the free zoo visits in Lincoln Park, Illinois offers a wide range of activities within a relatively small state. With each of these destinations being within two or three hours' drive of Chicago, all it takes for a fun and exciting day trip is an early start and a full tank of gas. Illinois rewards curiosity, and its day trip will leave any visitor with a fun experience and a story to tell. Whether you're planning a solo vacation, a family getaway, or a trip with friends, you won't be disappointed with any of the aforementioned spots!
