Best summer day trips and weekend getaways from Chicago

Summer is vacation season in Chicagoland, a time to hit the road and seek adventure. Luckily, you don't have to go far to find excitement. Let our real estate agents be your guides to day trips and weekend getaways from Chicago this summer!

Summer getaways near Chicagoland

From waterfalls and water parks to landmarks and even national parks, there's so much to see and do in Chicagoland. If you're in search of adventure, here's where you'll find it in Chicagoland's unique neighborhoods and beyond. 

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve - Darien, IL

Address: Northgate Road, Darien, IL 60561

Spanning 2,492 acres and part of the extensive Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is a stunning outdoor attraction just 30 minutes from Chicago. The preserve is known for its ecologically diverse landscape of prairies, savannas, and oak-maple woodlands—home to more than 740 native plant species—and over 11 miles of marked hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Located in the community of Darien, the preserve also provides incredible views of the Rocky Glen Waterfall.

The Forge Adventure Park & Ziplines - Lemont, IL

Address: 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, Lemont, IL 60439

Located in Lemont, just 40 minutes from Downtown Chicago, The Forge Adventure Park & Ziplines is a prime destination for adrenaline-fueled action in Chicagoland. The park spans 300 acres and has been voted one of USA Today's 10 Best Aerial Adventure Parks in the country. Attractions here include:

• The tallest aerial ropes courses in North America.
• Multiple ziplines.
• 70-foot climbing towers and bouldering areas.
• Kayaking in the scenic quarry lakes.
• Laser tag, axe throwing, and archery.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio - Oak Park, IL

Address: 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

The legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed many notable buildings in Chicagoland, and he maintained his home and studio in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park from 1889 to 1909. Today, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio offers guided tours that provide deep insight into his life and the development of his innovative Prairie-style architecture. 

Kankakee River State Park - Bourbonnais, IL

Address: 5314 IL-102, Bourbonnais, IL 60914

Kankakee River State Park spans 4,000 stunning acres in Bourbonnais, just an hour south of Chicago. This wild, rugged landscape is a destination for a wide range of outdoor adventures, including canoeing and bass fishing on the Kankakee River. The park also offers campgrounds for tents and RVs, as well as many miles of shady hiking trails. 

Indiana Dunes National Park - Porter, IN

Address: 1215 N. State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304

There are many places to experience the Lake Michigan shoreline in Chicagoland, but none more unforgettable than Indiana Dunes National Park. Under an hour from Chicago, the park includes 15 miles of towering, shifting dunes along Indiana's lakeshore. The park offers incredible swimming beaches, hiking trails, birding opportunities, and scenic views.

Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail -Southwest Michigan

Address: Lake Michigan Shore American Viticulture Area, Southwest Michigan

Just 90 minutes from Chicago, the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail encompasses more than a dozen vineyards and over 10,000 acres of grapes in Southwest Michigan. The microclimate in this underrated wine region enables it to produce 90% of Michigan's wine, and winery tours throughout Union Pier, New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, and the surrounding areas offer unmatched wine-tasting experiences near Chicago.

Contact us today to learn more about summertime adventures in Chicago and the surrounding areas. If you're on the hunt for your Chicagoland dream home, our real estate agents are here to help you find it.