Madison, Wisconsin:

Though being the capital and the second largest city in the state, it renders the small town feel. This is a sensational place proffering lively things comprising of college bars, live-music venues and economical food places that are spread around the city. Also, this shelters the highly esteemed University of Wisconsin-Madison. It’s fun during the summers as this place turns more chirpier and energetic than it is, with more lively activities. It proffers for outdoor music concerts, music festivals, Saturday farmer markets and one can indulge himself in boating without getting bored as there are four lakes encircling the city.

Festivals:

‘The Great Taste of the Midwest craft beer’ festival is the most awaited and popular festival that is held every year in August. Quite renowned attraction entices massive crowds; therefore the tickets get sold on the first day of sale itself. And the eye-balls grabbing juggling is created by the colossal display of fireworks on air by ‘Rhythm and Booms Fourth fireworks’ that takes place in July. Apart from the festival period, visit this place during the winters when the lakes freeze. This spot will certainly turn your winters even more chilling and icy. It is the time when you can jump overwhelmingly out there on winter sports like ice-skating, skiing, ice-fishing and try your skills grabbing fun in cross-country skiing.

Getting there:

It is located at a close distance from Chicago and Milwaukee of around 2 hours by roadways and 4 hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Traverse City, Michigan:

Traverse City is also renowned as “Cherry Capital of the World.” Not only this, placing cherry on the top of cake is, that this is a comprehensive destination offering lots of things at a particular time. It provides a whole package in which there is something for everyone who have differing likings. This popular destination of Michigan is uniquely wide-ranging offering everything right from Lake Michigan’s water to burbling sandy beach stretching upto 180 miles, to lush green forests, to acres of golf courses, skiing opportunities, so isn’t the spot unique? These delighting activities are enough to keep people busy round the year.

Lake Michigan’s shore gives way to colossal sand dunes that are formed because of heavy wind flows. Enjoy them around the hiking and biking trails. Grab the fun of wine tasting during summers as this location nourishes vineyards in the wavy mountains and about 30 wineries. Wander around the vineyards for tasting wine and observing the beautiful nature, also move towards the town square which houses a tasting room. Sit there and sample from one winery to another.

Festivals:

As this land is famous allover the globe for abundant cherry growth, it organizes a cherry festival every year during summer. Be a part of the annual fest and ultimately get to experience the global act. This exceptional wonder also hosts a film festival initiated by Michael Moore. The game doesn’t end over here, there are other charming festivals encompassing of art shows, music festivals and farmers market.

Getting there:

Located at a time distance of 4 hours from Detroit and five hours from Chicago by car, Traverse City is the land of fun and lots of cherries. Also you can take a direct flight in the local airport.

Door County, Wisconsin:

Fun-loving tourists will fall in love with this exotic location after they spot the varying roller coaster activities. This town possesses the potential of filling electrifying energy after they indulge in diverse sporty treats like swimming, biking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, horse riding and fishing. Other than the natural retreats, one can engage in daring sports like zip line adventure through the trees, mini-golf, parasailing, scuba diving etc. After exploring fun and frolic in the adventures, one can soothe in recreational activities like spa and also sample wine around the five wineries.

Because of popularity, Door Country is frequently visited and during the summers, it’s huddled with massive tourists. To enjoy the location and its fun totally, give this place a hit during the spring, when you can see the blossoming of the natural environment. Or come here, during the fall when you can observe the natural vivacity. Winter is a good option when the land is snow-clad, people can cheer there moods while indulging in activities like skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Getting there:

Placed in the Northeast of Wisconsin, it makes a simple drive of about 2 long hours from Milwaukee and 4 hours from Chicago. Aboard a ferry ride from Michigan and explore the lake waters, it will hardly make a journey of 4 hours.

Long Grove, Illinois:

This tiny legendary village might seem nominal in lending any fun, but you will be astonished to know that this small town is actually a wonder. The town’s main street gives a posh sophisticated feel like that of walking in Main Street of U.S.A. The brick pavements, cobblestone tracks and the classic architecture reminds of the plain classic days. The streets take leads your way to lush verdure Central Square. This spot is a paradise for foodies, they can indulge in a sugary treat of fresh sweets and donuts. Donut lovers can head in ‘Apple Haus’ for fresh donuts. There is the ‘Long Grove Confectionary’ that delights anyone alike be it a kid or elderly with its toothsome deals. During your visit, relish the seasonal festivals like Oktoberfest, Irish days and Wine, Dine and Art Fest.

Getting there:

Habitats of Chicago can take a short break from the regular hustle and bustle of life and backpack their things and leave for this small town. It takes hardly half an hour, if one drives or catches train.

7 Soothing Midwest Hideouts – Part – I

New Buffalo, Michigan:

This destination lies up-close to Chicago, barely an hour from Chicago and if you embark your trip from Detroit, then it will take around four hours passing through the roadside trails simultaneously cherishing actual fun of car ride. As your road trip ends, it leads way for the spectacular West Coast of Michigan that is speckled with tinsel towns like New Buffalo, Saugatuck, and St. Joseph. Each of these three possess common positive characteristic, don’t bite your fingernails, let me create a bit of suspense. Just kidding… they share the common trait of offering an eye-soothing Lakeview of Lake Michigan. What a finesse it creates with the magnificent view of twilight? It’s simply amazing rendering an Ah… experience of life…! What are you thinking? Get up and dip in the pleasant waters of Lake Michigan, enjoy the fun of swimming and boating on the lake. Not only this, camp at the lake sides, it would certainly leave its awe-inspiring impression in a lifetime experience.

New Buffalo, charming native town settling midst amazing milieu affords for enchanting retreats like boating, this is conspicuous as, when you enter the place your sight finds view of many boats trafficking the harbor. Also, for foodies, this place would seem to be an endless treat offering with diverse indigenous cuisines with an added fun of wine. The Inns have an affable and classy atmosphere rendering healthy dining opportunities, good news for all the foodie out there. As it is a small town that is on access, it attracts bee line of tourists from around the city. Move ahead at this relaxation point…

Saugatuck shelters some of the most cozily lying beaches around. Also, it has an added retreat for the art lovers by bestowing lots of art galleries. This is a virtual escape from the hectic schedules of day to day life, believe me St. Joseph will render a relaxed and recreational feeling. Apart from gaining fun in nature, get out for wine tasting fun in the Southwest Michigan Wine Trail. You can fulfill your thirst of wine, that too for free as there are lots of wine shop lying in tow which offers for wine tasting.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin:

‘A rocking town’, by this I am pointing that this town owes a rich historical background as it used to serve the high-class sophisticated people as a hip-shaking spot. In its glory days, it used to be a prestigious partying spot for elites dwelling in the town. It also has nurtured a playboy club here. Now-a-days, it acts as a launching point for boat tours of the lake passing by multi-million dollar lakefront homes that are owned by some of the most influential families.

Even after this town’s sophisticated feel, they choose to live a simple life, which is noticeable. People who stay at moderate means, also can freely visit this destination and enjoy the things that it proffers. For this purpose, they have maintained a public harbor that is located down the shores and they ensure the common man that they too can enjoy access to the lake. Also, the lake overlooks a two-foot pavement so that it is easy for the public to roam around the lake’s edge, if some one wants to chill out.

Getting there & Accommodation:

Located at an access of 50 miles from the town of Milwaukee and 90 miles from Chicago, Lake Geneva is an idyllic destination for a cool chill-out. This Lake is gushed with small towns and pleasant resorts. Also, available are full-fledged services that take the responsibility of picking you from the Harvard Metra Train station. This station welcomes trains from Chicago on hourly basis. So this is good news for the residents who don’t have a car, but still can get easy access. And the amenities that the resort offers are impressive, want to know them, they are a full-service spa, games for the kids, live music and barbecue on weekends, water-sports on the lake, and a nearby beach.

Galena, Illinois:

Galena- the most legendary classic town retains some of the antique structures. 85% of the buildings standing in the town are historic collections that have been accounted in the National Register of Historic Locations, so now you got to know what a hefty collection it has preserved, isn’t it awe-inspiring. When you take a relaxing walk around the trails, you will be walking midst rich historical locations.

Take a walk down the main street of the town, and you will get glimpse of the monumental church that is been standing since 1832 and also the Desoto House Hotel in Illinois which occupies the esteem of being the oldest amongst all. And for the wine-lovers, the Galena Cellars Tasting Room is heaven as it offers for wine tasting which is freshly extracted from the nearby vinery.

You don’t need to ponder over your touring period to here as this place is fun at every season, be it the autumn or the warm summer or chilling winters. And during winters, it’s much more chilling because you are provided with plenty of adventurous activities like skiing and hiking in the Chestnut Mountain resort. And if you want a light activity then go for other options like golf, fishing and spa. Or others my try there hand over riding the horses at the Eagle Ridge Resort. If you want to save the heavy expenses of accommodation, then don’t fuss unnecessarily over it. In this town, there are nearly hundred of families which offer for breakfast and bed, at low costs.

Getting there:

Take a drive spanning three hours from Chicago to Galena that crosses the Mississippi Rivers and after crossing this you will pass through Iowa. This long drive affords some of the best scenic views inside Illinois transforming your long drive a memorable one.