Itinerary: The Perfect Chicago Road Trip
Some might think of the perfect Chicago road trip as a cruise down the Miracle Mile or a hike up the Sears Tower. There’s undoubtedly a lot to see in the Windy City, but our perfect Chicago road trip mixes a little bit of city with a whole lot of nature. From Starved Rock State Park, to Carlyle Lake, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, gather the family together and go see the best of what northern Illinois has to offer in the great outdoors.
Follow along for a Chicago road trip your family will never forget.
Day One
Arrive at Chicago Midway International Airport and pick up your family-sized adventure mobile. Today you’re headed south to Starved Rock State Park, a stunning wilderness area along the Illinois River known for its sandstone canyons. You’ll camp in the park, allowing plenty of time to explore.
Total miles and drive time: 86 miles, 1 hour and 30 minute drive
What to Do
Starved Rock State Park is an unexpected landscape. Surrounded by flat plains, this park is a result of thousands of years of glacier melt, creating steep rock walls and deep canyons of sandstone.
For families with kids 5 years and older, stop by the park’s visitor center and join the junior ranger program, which offers activities that will keep your kids engaged as you explore the park.
If it’s been raining, make sure you see as many of the waterfalls in the park as possible. There are falls in 14 of the 18 canyons in the park and 12.3 miles of trails leading to 16 different waterfalls. Some hikes are short and perfect for young kids. Other hikes are longer (around 4.5 miles round-trip) and great for adults or older kids ready to stretch their legs after a long time in the car.
After you’ve sufficiently explored the park, stop into the Starving Rock Lodge, a beautiful and historic building famous for its large, two-sided fireplace. If it’s cold outside, sit around the fire for a while. If it’s warm, grab a cool treat in one of the three lodge dining areas.
Finally, head back to camp, pitch your tent and enjoy a night under the stars.
Where to Eat
Stop for lunch on your way to Starving Rock State Park. The town of Bolingbrook, Illinois is home to Honey-Jam Café, a casual place serving comfort food like omelets, waffles and sandwiches.
Once at the park, there are three options for dining at the Starving Rock Lodge. Whether you want an upscale dining experience in the main dining room (reservations recommended) or a laid-back atmosphere at the Back Door Lounge, there’s food that will please the entire family.
Where to Camp
You’ll camp in the park tonight, at one of 133 electric campsites, some of which have a 50-amp hookup for big travel trailers. The bathhouse has showers and flush toilets. Book your campsite here.
Day Two
Pack up camp at Starving Rock State Park and point your car south toward Carlyle Lake, your destination for the day. On your way to the lake you’ll make a pit stop in Bloomington, Illinois for lunch and a little exploring before arriving at Carlyle Lake for an evening of beach time and swimming.
Total miles and drive time: 218 miles, 3 hour and 30 minute drive
What to Do
When you pack up camp at Starving Rock State Park, stop by Tangled Roots Brewing Company in nearby downtown Ottawa, Illinois for a taster or a small bite to eat.
About an hour south of the park is Bloomington, Illinois, a city packed with history. Take a detour at the McLean County Museum of History and learn about Abraham Lincoln’s time as an attorney in the area.
Bloomington offers fun attractions for kids, too. Check out the Miller Park Zoo, featuring animals like snow leopards and giant Galapagos tortoises. The Children’s Discovery Museum is also cool place to visit, with an art studio, innovation station, early childhood programs and day camps.
When you’re ready to depart Bloomington, drive on to Carlyle Lake, your final destination for the evening. Carlyle is the largest lake in Illinois and there’s no shortage of things to do there. If you like to sail, Carlyle Lake is known as one of the best places around to do it. But any kind of boater will enjoy the lake, as will fishermen, bird watchers and sun seekers looking to play in the sand and swim.
Where to Eat
While in Bloomington, visit Epiphany Farms Restaurant, a rustic eatery with farm-to-table cooking. Or try Baxters American Grille, serving everything from pizza to salads and burgers.
Near Carlyle Lake, The Wheelhouse Grill is a popular restaurant with chicken, steak and seafood. Pizza is also on the menu, meaning there’s something for everyone there. If you're hoping for fresh fish, check out The FishHouse, where seafood is the specialty, but live music also draws the crowds.
Where to Camp
There are a number of campgrounds around Carlyle Lake. Click here for a list of sites.
Day Three
Heading back north today, your destination is Kankakee River State Park, a beautiful park located on both banks of the Kankakee River. This park is the perfect place to launch your canoe or cast your fishing line. But before you arrive at the park, make a stop at the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge for a little hiking and bird watching. Buckle up, you're in for another great day in Illinois.
Total miles and drive time: 309 miles, 5 hour, 30 minute drive
What to Do
It’s a long day of driving today, but the miles are worth it. After a quick breakfast at camp, pack up and drive north toward Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, where sloughs, wetlands and woodlands rule. The refuge is home to migratory birds and is a great place to view wildlife. Take a walk on the refuge’s extensive trail system and see how many different birds you and your family can identify.
Upon leaving Chautauqua, continue heading north toward Kankakee River State Park, your final destination for the day. The 4,000-acre park is an outdoor lover’s dream. There you’ll find biking, hiking and equestrian trails, an archery range, and boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. If you’re traveling in the winter, there are also cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails to enjoy. Don’t miss the 3-mile hiking trail along Rock Creek where you’ll see limestone canyons and a waterfall.
When you’re ready to turn in for the day, pitch your tent at the park.
Where to Eat
Stop in Springfield, Illinois for lunch on your way to Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge. Located in downtown Springfield, Café Moxo is a family-friendly spot that serves up healthy vegetarian and vegan food at a reasonable price. For American-style grub try Charlie Parker’s Diner. The restaurant has been featured on the TV show “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives” and the food, and atmosphere, don’t disappoint.
For dinner near Kankakee River State Park, Aurelio’s Pizzeria serves a variety of pizza and pasta dishes. Rosati’s Pizza is another popular spot in town, famous for their deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza.
Where to Camp
Chippewa Campground, located within Kankakee River State Park, offers electric sites as well as bathrooms and shower houses. Reserve your campsite here.
Day Four
You may feel sad that your trip is nearing its end, but do not fear—we’ve saved the best for last! Today you’ll pack up camp at Kankakee River State Park and head to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore right over the border in Indiana. The drive is quick, so rise early and maximize your time at the lakeshore.
Total miles and drive time: 74 miles, 1 hour, 30 minute drive
What to Do
Managed by the National Park Service, Indiana Dunes boasts 15 miles of lakeshore along the southern coast of Lake Michigan. The scenery here is absolutely beautiful and you may find it hard to believe that you’re sitting on the shores of a lake in Indiana and not a beach somewhere in northern Spain.
There’s no shortage of things to do at Indiana Dunes. Hiking, horseback riding and fishing are all great options, but you've earned a day of shameless relaxation. Our vote is to head to the beach and park your family there for the whole day. Bring a beach blanket and umbrella and enjoy your remaining day of vacation swimming in the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan while soaking up the sun.
Where to Eat
On the drive from Kankakee River State Park to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, stop for lunch in Hammond, Illinois. The Byway Brewing Company in Hammond has locally crafted brews on tap and a menu filled with salads and small plates for sharing. Just a few miles away from Hammond in Munster, Indiana, Edwardo’s Natural Pizza boasts some of the best Chicago-style pizza around.
While there are many restaurants near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore for dinner, the best thing to do is pack a picnic dinner and bring it to the shore to watch the sunset.
Where to Camp
The Dunewood Campground located within Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has 66 sites with restrooms and showers, though there are no electric or water hookups. Learn more here.
Day Five
Sadly, it’s time for your family road trip to come to an end. Luckily, the airport is only an hour’s drive away, so you have time for an early morning walk on the beach before heading to the city.
Total miles and drive time: 34 miles, 1 hour drive
What to Do
If you’re feeling ambitious, rise early, watch the sunrise and enjoy a walk on the beach. When the weather warms, take a dip in the lake and soak in the last minutes of vacation.
If your flight leaves later in the day, take a few hours and explore Chicago. There are too many things to see and do to list them all here. Cloud Gate, or “The Bean,” in Millennium Park is a huge outdoor, mirrored sculpture shaped like a bean that is synonymous with Chicago and must be seen. If time allows, check out the Chicago Architectural Boat Tour to see the sights from the open water.
Where to Eat
If you’re looking for the best breakfast in Chicago, this website offers picks by neighborhood. Or if you’re in a rush, there are dozens of restaurants at Chicago Midway International Airport.
Undoubtedly your five days road tripping around Chicago flew by. Hopefully you’re now equipped with memories and photos to remind you of the natural beauty and city skyscrapers of northern Illinois.
Now there's just one question left: Where will you take your next road trip?
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Find America’s best campsites.