Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
(Driving Time: 2 hours, Distance: 115 miles)
- I'll hike the canyons and check out the waterfalls while surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs and lush forest.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
(Driving Time: 5 hours, Distance: 325 miles)
- After catching a ferry to this car-free island, I'll explore the charming 19th-century downtown on a horse-drawn carriage or bike.
Brown County State Park, Indiana
(Driving Time: 5.5 hours, Distance: 355 miles)
- This gorgeous state park offers incredible hiking through forested ravines and scenic vistas overlooking the rolling hills of southern Indiana.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
(Driving Time: 2 hours, Distance: 105 miles)
- I'll cruise along the shoreline of this beautiful lake, dine al fresco, and maybe catch an outdoor concert in the summer.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
(Driving Time: 3 hours, Distance: 175 miles)
- Known as the "Waterpark Capital of the World," this touristy spot will let me splash around at massive indoor/outdoor waterparks.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota
(Driving Time: 7 hours, Distance: 460 miles)
- For a remote wilderness experience, I'll paddle and portage through pristine lakes and forests in this incredible million-acre wilderness area.