WE GET IT. YOU’RE BUSY. You don’t have time to jet away to Europe for a couple of weeks this summer. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on the idea of a vacation entirely. Whether you’ve got an afternoon, a night and a day, or a weekend, we’ve got a trip idea for you!
8 Hours in Elkhart Lake
In need of a little R&R, as in “racing and relaxation”? You can find it in Elkhart Lake, a historic resort town about 60 miles north of Milwaukee that’s famed for its spas and its historic racetrack.
Start your day strong, with a Coffee Cruise.
The Osthoff Resort (osthoff.com) offers one from 9-10 each morning. A $16 ticket gets you a seat – and some coffee, naturally – aboard one of the resort’s pontoon boats. A friendly guide will tell you a bit about the area’s unique geology and history, too.
While away the rest of the morning at Fireman’s Park and Beach.
Enjoy the warm water of this inland lake, perfect for swimming or just splashing around. Admission costs $3, and there’s a well-stocked stand on-site. (elkhartlake.com/p/firemans-park-and-beach)
Then race over to Road America.
Even if you can’t tell the difference between a hubcap and a carburetor, you might appreciate the history of Road America (roadamerica.com). It’s been open since the 1950s and continues to host major car races – like the IMSA SportsCar Championship taking place from Aug. 5-8.
TRIP TIP: If you decide you’d like to turn your afternoon trip into an overnight one, you can also book a room at the Osthoff. And while you’re there, visit the attached Aspira Spa. Its signature massages ($235-$245 for 90 minutes) are splurge-worthy.
30 Hours in Western Chicagoland
Chicago’s western suburbs have long attracted architecture buffs interested in seeing perfectly preserved Prairie School homes. And the area around Oak Brook also has a lot going for it both in terms of natural beauty and things to do.
Spend your first day in a Land Before Time.
Since shortly after its opening in 1934, the Brookfield Zoo (czs.org) has been considered one of the best zoos in the United States. And this summer, it’s the site of “Dinos Everywhere,” a family-friendly exhibit of over 40 animatronic dinosaurs. The biggest is a re-creation of the Argentinosaurus, the largest animal to have ever lived – it might have measured more than 100 feet in length and weighed up to 110 tons.
Then get ready for a luxe hotel experience.
The clubby and romantically lit interior of the Drake Oak Brook Hotel (thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com) was recently renovated, but it still evokes the bygone glamour of another era. Like its more famous Chicago sibling, the Drake offers a stellar high tea service (Saturdays from 2-5 p.m.). And musicians play on its patio Fridays and Saturdays from 7-10 p.m.
Wake up early the next morning to visit the Morton Arboretum.
The 1,700-acre arboretum (mortonarb.org) is the site of one of the buzziest art exhibits in the Midwest right now. “Human+Nature” features five gargantuan sculptures, ranging from 15-26 feet in height, created by the South African artist Daniel Popper. The sculptures are coated in fibers that make them look like natural growths, and visitors can walk through or around them.
TRIP TIP: The Morton Arboretum is open from 7 a.m. to sunset every day this summer. If you want to snap some Insta-worthy selfies while you’re there, then you should plan to visit within two hours of sunrise or sunset, when the light is soft and flattering. There’s a reason pro photographers call this time of day “golden hour.”
48 Hours in La Crosse
Defined on its western side by the mighty Mississippi River and on its eastern side by a series of hills and bluffs that offer magnificent views, La Crosse is one of Wisconsin’s prettiest cities and a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to spend a few days.
Stretch your legs after you’ve arrived.
By venturing to one of the many trailheads scattered across the La Crosse area. The Grandad Bluff Valley Trail offers hikers of all ability levels easy access to one of the most beautiful bluffs in the area, and it’s just over a mile long. Nearby, the pet-friendly Bicentennial Trail is a little longer (just over 3 miles) and more strenuous, but it also leads to stunning views.
Spend the next day at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse.
A working fire truck. A miniature crane that kids can use to move blocks and build bridges. A three-story climbing structure that’s part gym, part art installation. There’s a lot going on at this sprawling museum (funmuseum.org
). And you could easily devote most of a day to it.
Visit the Riverside International Friendship Gardens before you leave.
The stewards of these gardens (riversidegardens.org) reached out to contacts in La Crosse’s sister cities – in China, France, Cameroon and many other countries – to bring the world’s most beautiful trees and flowers to the banks of the Mississippi.
TRIP TIP: Take advantage of the free audio tour available through the Riverside website. You can listen to it while strolling through the gardens and learn more about their unique features.
