Our travel tips: Check ahead for dates of candle-lit snowshoe trails across the city. If you don't want to drive that far take Amtrak's "City of New Orleans" train. Traffic in Denver is heavy at rush hours as you might expect, but the Friday peak is a little earlier than other days so factor this in if you're trying to beat the crowds. 12 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (800 miles). The city's popular Longwood Gardens is transformed with amazing lights and live music, so it makes a great place to spend some time after the sun goes down (which happens early in winter!). If you're visiting later in the season, check out Winter Restaurant Week. After Hopkinsville, join I-24 and follow it through Nashville to Chattanooga where you'll switch onto I-75 which runs all the way to Florida. Our highlights: Florida is the warmest part of the continental US through the winter - perfect for escaping the sub-zero temperatures of the Midwest! 2 injured in Dan Ryan crash at Roosevelt: OB Lanes closed. The detour will add around two and a half hours so bake that into your planning and consider stops along the way. You can also delve into the natural wilderness of Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests where you'll find more hiking opportunities, mountain biking routes, and the North Carolina Arboretum. 1 hour 20 minutes from Chicago (80 miles). Not far away, Wind Cave is one of the world's longest. When it's time to warm up, head back into town to Old Sugar Distillery, a small local spirits producer, for a warming taster. Just realize it's hot and humid as hell after June. Photograph: Shutterstock. 1. Originally a very rural part of Michigan with a few small towns and their corresponding harbors on the lake, the area has grown into a popular tourist destination. Time in the air: 3 hours. You will pass through the cities of Milwaukee, Green Bay, Traverse City and Grand Rapids which are all worth going to in their own right. The classic design may look more like an East Coast city with Louisville having the second highest number of cast iron faades after New York, primarily in its West Main District. Why you should visit: Orlando is known as a winter sun favorite so pack your sun cream and enjoy some time outdoors. Why you should visit: As you'd expect in a town that sees significant snowfall from December to February, you can enjoy a range of winter sports. Through the rest of the season, winter sports fans will love to ski at Wilmot Mountain, a popular ski resort with over 20 ski runs suitable for a wide range of abilities. With heavy snowfall possible, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and other smaller roads are likely to be closed at times in the winter, so check ahead if you're hoping to travel a particular route. Winters are bitterly cold and very snowy - that drive from Chicago might not be the best idea in the middle of February! NASCAR Chicago Street Race No escaping this event downtown this weekend. People in the Dutch Village wear traditional clothing, play Dutch music and you can join in one of the mass dances if you'd like. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (155 miles). There are festivals throughout the year from the world's largest Bratfest (you can eat a lot of sausages here!) 5 hours 40 minutes from Chicago (350 miles). Sundays have a free Jazz Brunch outdoor concert series along the scenic Riverwalk. Head to The Children's Museum . There are a number of museums to explore - some of the main ones located along the Museum Row. As you'd expect, with much of the Midwest sitting under snow through the winter, the weekend trips you can take from Chicago all have a winter sports element to them. Make sure you check out a few live music venues. The town on its western end is called Lake Geneva, the lake just to the north is called Lake Como with the town of Como sitting along it. Fridays at the Hollywood Beach Theatre feature free live jazz, blues and pop music at oceanfront cafes. For amazing views of the snow-covered landscape, head up the Skylon Tower. Snow in the city often isn't much fun, so head out to one of the mountains or lakes for a one-day road trip that lets you enjoy the winter weather at its best. It eventually turns inland to take you right to Grand Rapids. If you're travelling at this time of the year you can also stop off at New Hope, PA, as you make your way from Chicago to New York City. You will be forgiven for thinking you were teleported to central Europe the moment you get to New Glarus. Bonus: As well as being known for its winter sports, Grand Rapids is famous for its many craft breweries - in fact, it's been given the title of Beer City USA! Then, for a unique and romantic end to your trip, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the city. 4 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (300 miles). Leave time. You can get a tour of the mansion and explore the vast grounds which include 620 feet of shoreline. The dunes stretch along a 15-mile stretch of Lake Michigan and the National Park borders the State Park of the same name. Whether you want to enjoy the winter weather or escape from it, a winter road trip from Chicago can mean hitting the slopes at a ski resort, viewing iconic landmarks, taking a festive shopping trip or relaxing in the winter sun in the Southern states. Save. Beginning at 8 p.m., southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will close between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road. Louisville is best known as the host of the Kentucky Derby - the famous horse race takes place on the first Saturday in May and has run since 1875. Most people come to Saugatuck to spend time by the water, enjoying the sunshine and refreshing lake water by day then watching the sun go down with a local craft beer. You can also snowshoe, tube or skate if you want a break from the slopes. Our travel tips: You don't have to have your own equipment to enjoy skating, snowshoeing or skiing it's available to rent at many of the attractions. If your time is limited, take your sled and enjoy a free downhill ride at one of the several hilly public parks in the city. Everything from cow's milk to goat and sheep milk is used and there are imitations of European cheeses and unique local flavors available. Grab a winter rental at The Inn on Madeline Island for prime Jacuzzi tub soaking, fireplace defrosting, and lake-view peeping. You can even ride across the river on the Chain Ferry, one of the last remaining in America. Literally. Stop at the Crane Orchards to sample one of their legendary pies as you make your way around! But did you know that every single participant has to wear one? Chicago is a fantastic hub for history, architecture, gastronomy and sports. It was an early adopter of snowmaking technology in the 1950s. Rockford is the largest city in Illinois outside Chicagoland (the Chicago metropolitan area). Home to the huge Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee is better known for having a huge selection of seriously good micro-breweries and small beer manufacturers. One of the great things about Toledo is that although it's one of the largest cities in Ohio, visiting is relatively straightforward. Drive, reach and enjoy the beautiful states around. If you're here in winter, check out the National Gingerbread House Competition visitors can view entries into this big-money event. Visit the theme parks in their holiday finest whether your first choice is Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld or Legoland Florida, each one will be suitably festive with parades and events to match. How to get there: Follow I-90/I-94 north out of Chicago, then continue north on I-94 when the interstate divides. However, it's also famous for its harsh winters, so there might be times you want to head out of the city during the coldest months of the year. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town. Rent one of these demonic winter beasts from The Toy Shop or blaze a guided tour trail with Decker Sno-Venture Tours.Bonus points: Eagle Water Resort is prime real estate for renting a quiet cabin on the peaceful chain of lakes and scanning the skies for bald eagles. Back in town you'll get beautiful winter views over icy Lake Michigan. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chicago (147 miles). Here you can see works by some of the great European artists as well as a wide collection of American art. One interesting place to visit is Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House. Beer and baseball are the two things the city is particularly known for. Follow the Great River Road as it twists and turns and you will be rewarded with great views the entire way. Then, shortly after crossing the Wisconsin River, turn onto I-39 and follow it north to Granite Peak Ski Area. Many visitors head to Denver en route to the Rockies, which are right on your doorstep if you're staying in the city. Pigeon Ford is one of the best family winter road trip ideas there is! The Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Biergarten are the home of Budweiser but there are loads of small local breweries where you will get a more authentic experience. Here, I've gathered 31 of the best road trips from the Chicago area for adventurous travelers. Re: Road trip from Wisconsin to somewhere warm in April. Our travel tips: Some of the outdoor activities that Niagara Falls is famous for, notably the Maid of the Mist boat cruise, do not operate in winter, but as we've identified, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy views out across the falls. You also don't have to book attractions weeks in advance, and you can find reasonably priced accommodation in the downtown area. Drive time: 30 minutes from downtown. 1 hour 35 minutes from Chicago (83 miles). The route then follows the river north - you can cross in and out of Iowa and then Minnesota from Illinois and Wisconsin as the river continues to be the state border along the length of this drive. The lake freezes over right through the winter, so you can head out with a guide for a unique ice-fishing experience. You can also tour a museum ship to get a feel for the history of the lakes. Wrap up warm and walk out towards Muskegon South Breakwater Lighthouse a really stunning sight or take a walk on the lake's frozen beaches. Harbor Country is one of the most popular getaway destinations for Chicagoans. If you're in the city for Christmas itself, head out along River Road on Christmas Eve, where you'll see bonfires lit on the night of the 24th so that Papa Noel can find his way from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Getting to St Louis is easy - the I-55 will take you all the way to the Gateway City. Our highlights: Granite Mountain is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States, and it's been at the forefront of innovation in the skiing industry. Wisconsin Dells is known for two things - its scenic Wisconsin River gorge and the high number of waterparks which has given the town its nickname as the Waterpark Capital of the World. After taking I-90 E towards the edge of the city, turn onto I-65 and follow the interstate south, driving past Indianapolis and right the way across Indiana until you reach Louisville, Kentucky. You can also find out more about the site at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, or visit the Sculptor's Studio to find out more about how the monument was created. Afterwards, take some time to admire the cathedral's architecture - and see if you can spot the Darth Vader gargoyle. Best for: Architecture enthusiasts. Bonus: If you're here before the holidays, get into the festive spirit at the Distillery District Christmas Market, which runs from mid-November until New Year. Just after crossing the Ohio River at Evansville, turn onto I-69, continuing south on I-169 where the interstates divide. Whether you're looking for a festive shopping experience to ease you into the holiday mood, or a snowbird heading south for the winter, there are plenty of fabulous longer road trips that start out from Chicago. The town of Holland sits along the length of Lake Macatawa that flows into Lake Michigan. Parking can be difficult, especially in the summer months when hundreds of visitors head to town. If you're visiting at other times during the winter, there's still plenty to do in Elkhart Lake. Our highlights: The World of Winter Festival usually starts in the first week of January, and as well as ice sculptures you can see interactive installations from artists all over the world, with walking tours taking you through some of the outdoor art highlights. You should ride to the top of it to get unbelievable views of the city below - tickets are $14 for adults and $11 for children with discounts outside weekends. You should definitely visit New York in winter so you can say you've experienced them all first-hand. Way cooler. Why it made our list: As one of only four places in the US where you can ice luge, the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex unfurls a beginner (but still terrifying) 850ft outdoor ice-luge course.