As I was thinking of ways to entertain my children during the unusually long upcoming Chol Hamoed Pesach (2022), I started to dread the idea of taking the kids to another trampoline park or museum every day. So I decided to think outside of my normal, go-to activities, and instead expanded into some unique day trips (or even overnight trips).
If you’re looking for the regular Chicago activities, check out this post. Or if you’re just looking for a good park, check out this post. But if you’re sick and tired of the boring and usual, keep reading for some fun, spring time trips for families within 3 hours of Chicago.
4 Unique Day Trips within 3 Hours of Chicago:
Holland, MI (3 hours from Chicago)
Holland, MI is gorgeous all year long, but it’s especially blooming in spring time. Only 3 hours from Chicago can make it doable in either a day, or there are plenty of places to stay overnight. While there is nothing kosher there, you can just bring your own food.
One specific place worth mentioning are the Veldheer Tulip Gardens. They bloom from Mid/Late April – May, and are absolutely beautiful. It’s worth the 3 hour drive just for that.
There are plenty of beaches and dunes around Holland to visit while you’re there for the tulips, so there’s something for everyone.
Milwaukee (1.5 hours)
There is so much to do in Milwaukee, and it’s quite close to Chicago. There’s also a kosher community in Milwaukee, so you won’t be stuck without kosher food.
This year, you can grab a Milwaukee Brewer’s baseball game. Or you can go to the Milwaukee Zoo, which is nationally acclaimed and supposed to be wonderful.
Downtown is nice to walk around, and you can also visit the National Bobblehead Museum and Hall of Fame. That’s a unique trip that will be fun for all ages!
Lemont, IL (1 hour)
There are lots of beautiful places to walk around, but most notably, the Forge at Lemont Quarries is a really fun zipline adventure park that is fun for kids who are a bit older. There are other activities at the quarries for younger kids as well. I’ve heard that people absolutely love it, and since there are a number of other things you can do there, I’d say it would make a great day trip for everyone.
Spring Green, IL (3 hours)
The House on the Rock might be the weirdest place I’ve ever visited in my life. I can’t really describe the oddness of this place, but it is so interesting. With numerous rooms, outdoor spaces and places to explore, you won’t be bored at The House on the Rock. It’s definitely worth taking a trip to this strange museum/house.
Let us know where your adventures take you!
Leave a Reply