Summer is the perfect time to visit this lakeside town, located just under two and a half hours from Chicago. It is famous for the pristine Oval Beach which is cited by the Tribune as the Midwest's best beach, where you can rent kayaks, cruise on sailboats, and kick back along 10 miles of prime Lake Michigan real estate.

At this Hampton-style resort, sand dunes and paddle boat rides compete for your attention, but Saugatuck's arts scene is what really sets it apart from the area's numerous beach towns. The towns of Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville, collectively referred to as "the art coast of Michigan," are home to numerous art galleries and distinctive stores ideal for a leisurely meander through the downtown area lined with galleries.

Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, the open-minded community is also extremely accommodating to all lifestyles, with more than 140 LGBTQ-owned and gay-friendly businesses making it one of the most queer-friendly small resort towns in America. Rest your head in one of the charming inns or bed-and-breakfasts in the area after a day spent admiring Lake Michigan's most pristine beaches.

• Distance from Chicago: 139 miles northeast, 2.5-hour drive
• Stay: The Dunes Resort, The Hotel Saugatuck, Wickwood Inn

Located in Grand Junction, MI, Getaway Barber Creek is only 15 minutes from the bustling town of South Haven along the shores of Lake Michigan. It is a 79-acre dog-friendly glamp-ground outfitted with a handful of secluded cabins complete with parking spots, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and fire pits for all your marshmallow-melting needs.

Each matte black hideaway is furnished with a plush, extremely comfortable bed, gorgeous floor to ceiling windows, a small table, a kitchenette with running water, and a full bathroom with a real-deal shower.

There are many outdoor and indoor activities available outside of your oasis, such as hiking the Kal-Haven Trail, a former railroad, or the sand-covered Van Buren Park Dunes Trail, as well as visiting the South Haven South Pierhead Light and stuffing yourself silly at top-notch breweries and farm-to-table restaurants. Whatever you decide, enjoy the simplicity of your new lifestyle by locking your phone in the lockbox provided, cozying up with a good bottle of whiskey, and reveling in the simplicity of it all.

• Distance from Chicago: 133 miles, 2.5-hour drive
• Stay: You can stay inside Getaway Barber Creek

Wisconsin Dells, one of the best weekend getaways from Chicago, is an unabashed and unashamedly fun-filled amusement centre for the Badger State. The city's water parks are among the most audacious and thrilling in the USA. It's also known for its natural scenery, which hits a zenith along the bends of the Wisconsin River, where gorges and forests collide.

This vibrant downtown area is surrounded by a lush, rugged countryside that first attracted visitors in the late 1800s, as well as independently owned shops, restaurants, motels, and ice cream parlors close to the riverfront. The city still relies on a booming tourism sector to survive today. Wisconsin Dells is every bit as endearing as it is entertaining, offering something to pique the interest of every member of the family, from thrill-seekers to nature lovers.

Private boat tours will take you along the upper and lower dells where you can enjoy the scenery from a comfortable seat. The Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area includes five miles of trails along the curving river. The best views of the enormous and unusual rock formations that are specific to the area can also be had from the boat float. If that's still not enough, Devil's Lake State Park in nearby Baraboo offers comparable views that are worth seeing.

Apart from literally an endless amount of theme parks and water parks, the town itself has many charming features that are perfect for a summer getaway, like quaint b&bs (Oak Hill and Cedar Lodge), tasty restaurants/ breweries, and plenty of options to get close to furry friends (Timbavati Wildlife Park & Wisconsin Deer Park).

• Distance from Chicago: 213 miles northwest, 4 hour drive
• Stay: Mt. Olympus Resorts, White Rose Inn & Motel, Hilton Garden Inn Wisconsin Dells

The dome of the capitol building can be seen peeking out above the city skyline if you travel 2.5 hours northwest of Chicago. In addition, the city's location on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona offers stunning views and fantastic photo opportunities. Overall, Madison is a place for the whole family to enjoy a change of scenery.

Futhermore, Madison is special because it has all the city perks, like quality restaurants and historic venues, while also being surrounded by a plethora of nature-filled activities from hiking, and biking, to fishing and boating. Hike until your heart's content amongst the green trails, and then order a martini from any of the vibing local bars (Robin Room, The Malt House, Working Draft Beer Company, Cask & Ale).

There are plenty of drivable country and lakeside activities, but the University of Wisconsin Arboretum is nestled closely within the city proper and has a variety of diverse paved and dirt trails covering its eclectic landscape. It is not necessary to be an expert in architecture to appreciate Taliesin, the well-known estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. On the way back, you can stop at Blue Mounds State Park to take in some breathtaking views from the highest point in this part of Wisconsin.

• Distance from Chicago: 147 miles northwest, 2.5 hour drive
• Stay: Radisson Hotel Madison, Hampton Inn & Suites Madison-West, Mansion Hill Inn

Located in the middle of the beautiful Kettle Moraine, the Village of Elkhart Lake is nestled on the shores of one of Wisconsin’s deepest and cleanest lakes. Incorporated in 1894, Elkhart Lake is rich with legends stretching from its American Indian forebearers and infamous gamblers to its longstanding status as one of the world’s top road racing destinations. The Village is known for the charm of its Victorian architecture and welcoming spirit.

This charming little hideaway about 30 minutes west of Sheboygan is often overlooked by those seeking the classic lake town experience, but shouldn’t be. The relaxed, unpretentious 292-acre lake has some of Wisconsin's clearest waters, excellent fishing, and a renowned racetrack close by. Due to its proximity to the stunning 30,000-acre Kettle Moraine State Forest, the area also provides a wealth of nature to get lost in. The AAA Four Diamond Osthoff Resort is a well-liked option on the lake.

You can also explore the region's rolling hills on a bike along the 17-mile Old Plank Road Trail, or hike portions of Wisconsin's 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Don't forget to spend some time relaxing on Elkhart Lake itself in a kayak, paddleboard, or on your keister while admiring the view from the Osthoff's private beach or the open-air Fireman's Park. Brew tastings, water sports, hiking, biking, and a sunny drive through Kettle Moraine are all summertime favorites.

• Distance from Chicago: 150 miles north, 2.5-hour drive
• Stay: The Osthoff Resort, Victorian Village Resort, Siebkens Resort

Surrounded by a glacier-carved landscape of deep freshwater lakes and rolling hills, the Traverse City area has 376 kilometers of continuous Lake Michigan shoreline that attracts swimmers, sailors, boaters, beachcombers and kayakers. Discover Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a 100-kilometer curve of beaches, coves, islands and hills that was voted “Most Beautiful Place in America” by viewers of the “Good Morning America” TV show.

Three lighthouses – Mission Point, Frankfort and Grand Traverse – paint a serene picture of the past and draw visitors to the tip of scenic peninsulas. In Leland, anglers will enjoy exploring Fishtown, a historic fishing village, before casting their own lines into some of the country’s finest trout streams.

Best known as a fruit-growing region – and the USA’s leading producer of tart cherries – Traverse City is a major wine and craft beer destination. The Traverse Wine Coast, which encompasses the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, is dotted with more than 40 vineyards and wineries.

• Distance from Chicago: 323 miles northeast, 5-hour drive
• Stay: Wellington Inn, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Hotel Indigo Traverse City - an IHG Hotel

Louisville, one of the best weekend getaways from Chicago, might be known for Kentucky fried chicken, and the Kentucky Derby, but there are actually so many more reasons to put this town on your bucket list. Walk through the bourbon district and sip your way around the many distilleries, from family-run favorite Peerless to well-known giant Evan Williams, or opt for the lighter stuff and get your fill of the bottomless breweries around town, like Chimera Brewing Company, Falls City Beer, Akasha Brewing Company, and more.

Besides drinking, you can catch a thrilling Shakespearean show from the outdoor summer series Kentucky Shakespeare Festival that runs through August 7, meander through Louisville’s vibrant historic Frankfort Avenue, a 2.5-mile stretch of boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars, get cultured and visit one of their outstanding museums like Roots 101 African American Museum, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, or seek some serenity at nearby parks The Parkland of Floyd Fork and Cherokee Park.

• Distance from Chicago: 300 miles, 5 hour drive
• Stay: The Pepin Mansion Historic Bed & Breakfast, The Grady Hotel, Louisville Bourbon Inn

The Shawnee National Forest, located in southern Illinois between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, is teeming with natural beauty and perfect for all kinds of outdoor recreation. It is a brilliant expanse of approximately 280,000 acres that covers a large portion of the southern tip of Illinois. In other words, it’s the perfect spot to take a much-deserved break from the endless crush of bad news for a few days. The region has mild weather all year round, making a visit enjoyable in any season.

The Shawnee National Forest is famed for its awesome Garden of the Gods, and is home to the Rim Rock Recreational Trail. Hikers are greeted by magnificent jutting walls of rock covered with emerald-green moss, and paths that meander through canyons under the forest canopy.

The stunning Shawnee National Forest landscape features rolling hills, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs. If you’re into climbing than a must-see is Jackson Falls, located near the town of Ozark in the Hidden Springs Ranger District in Shawnee National Forest. The climb takes place on 60 feet of sandstone cliffs and boulders that include numerous freestanding towers.

• Distance from Chicago: 351 miles southwest, 5.5-hour drive
• Stay: Rim Rock's Dogwood Cabins, Shawnee Trails Lodging and Suites, Rocky Comfort Cabins

Due to the longer drive, Chicagoans frequently skip the upper peninsula of Michigan, which is a truly magnificent region of the Midwest. But don’t let the distance discourage you. The 42-mile-long Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers breathtaking views of the southern tip of Lake Superior, including gushing waterfalls, clear lakes, endless rocky forest, and rocky ridges with a variety of colors and heights up to 200 feet.

The Miners Castle and Chapel Rock, two impressive craggy cliffs that stand out from the rest due to their unusual sizes and shapes, are sights you won't want to miss. This natural paradise will definitely keep you occupied for a long summer weekend, whether you prefer to hike through the forest, kayak along the shore, cruise on a boat, or bike some backroads trails.

Fun fact, this region is well known among historians as the location of numerous old ships that date as far back as 1860.

Organize a tour on a vessel with a glass floor so you can float above and observe these enormous artifacts. If you don't think camping sounds appealing, Munising Township is full of eateries, bars, and modest lodgings. Also, Hiawatha National Forest is 15 miles away so you get two for the price of one.

• Distance from Chicago: 380 miles northeast, 6 hour drive
• Stay: Pictured Rocks Cabins, Keweenaw Castle, Comfort Inn & Suites Munising-Lakefront

Door County, also referred to as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," is a picturesque collection of more than a dozen charming small towns situated on a stunning 75-mile peninsula encircled by the glistening waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. There is a lot to like (and do) here, including 53 public beaches, five state parks, and 300 miles of shoreline. Discover some of the region's natural attractions, such as the 7,000 acres of pristine open space preserved by the Door County Land Trust or the serene Ridges Sanctuary with its scattered lighthouses, while only the sound of the trees swaying in the summer breeze is audible.

You should limit your contact with other people by ordering takeout from one of the many fantastic nearby restaurants, like Wild Tomato, and be sure to explore other undiscovered natural wonders like Baileys Harbor Ridges County Park or the breathtaking Hotz Memorial Town Park. A variety of summertime activities are abundant in the area, including farmer's markets, country stores, and trolley tours that stop at farm stands along the road. Door County is definitely one of the best weekend getaways from Chicago.

• Distance from Chicago: 276 miles north, 4.5-hour drive
• Stay: AppleCreek Resort - Hotel & Suites, The Dörr Hotel, Bay Breeze Resort