Romeoville is pretty centrally located, meaning you can get to many other Midwestern towns within a few hours’ drive. And there are plenty of fun activities you can plan your trip around, no matter if you’re bringing the kids or leaving them with their grandparents for the day. The next time you want to take a day trip from Romeoville, choose one of these six must-visit Midwestern destinations.

Chicago

Image via Unsplash by little_klein using Unsplash License

Chicago is the closest major city to Romeoville, making it a short and sweet drive to and from home. That makes this city perfect for a day trip focused more on activities than traveling.

This city has so much to offer families, from the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo to the restaurants and attractions at Navy Pier to the aquatic wildlife at the Shedd Aquarium to dozens of fantastic museums focused on history, science, art, and more. You can also treat the kids to experiences they can’t get in Romeoville, like stunning views of the city from the top of a skyscraper and professional live theater as good as it is on Broadway. Save some money by getting a CityPASS that grants you access to multiple attractions in the city for one price.

Gurnee

About 50 miles north of Chicago is Gurnee, Illinois, home of Six Flags Great America, an amazing amusement park that is known for its roller coasters, thrill rides, and water park, with options for kids of all ages. This park is open seasonally, from April to January, and tickets start at $25 for day passes and $60 for season passes.

But there are plenty of other awesome things to do and see in Gurnee. Stop by the Chocolate Sanctuary for delectable foods, not just desserts, made with chocolate. Shop til you drop at the state’s third-largest mall, Gurnee Mills. And go for a hike or bike ride, swim, kayak, or fish around Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in nearby Zion. If Six Flags isn’t open, head to the Great Wolf Lodge for the water park that’s open year-round, an arcade, family entertainment, delicious dining options, and storybook-themed suites if you’d like to stay the night.

Rockford

Rockford offers some similar experiences that you can get in Chicago but with more of a small-town feel. You can visit a number of fantastic museums at the Riverfront Museum Park, like the Burpee Museum of Natural History, the Discovery Center Museum, and the Rockford Art Museum. This town is also known as the City of Gardens because it’s home to the Anderson Japanese Gardens (which is open seasonally May through October), the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, the Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, and other public gardens that feature beautifully designed landscape art and must-attend cultural events.

Just a few miles away from Rockford in nearby Loves Park is Rock Cut State Park, a fantastic spot for hiking and other outdoor adventuring, and Volcano Falls Adventure Park, a seasonal arcade that features mini-golf, laser tag courses, go-karts, an arcade, and other family-friendly activities.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Head about two hours north of Romeoville to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for another big-city adventure. It’s known as the “City of Festivals” because of just how many cultural, entertainment, food, and other themed festivals take place throughout the year. Make sure to plan around the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest, if you’re a music fan, the Milwaukee Film Festival if you love movies, and German Fest if you love German beer and food.

In addition to must-attend festivals, Milwaukee also has some really interesting museums, including the Harley-Davidson Museum that showcases motorcycle history and culture, and the company’s rise in the industry. You can tour the Pabst Mansion to learn about the beer connoisseur family and even taste some of their famous brew. And while a visit to Kehr’s Candies isn’t really a museum experience, you do get to see a bit of Milwaukee candy history in the making. A parents-only day trip or long weekend to Milwaukee means you can hop around local breweries.

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Drive about 20 minutes north of Milwaukee to Cedarburg, Wisconsin, for a relaxing day trip full of small-town charm. You can plan your trip around the town’s Oktoberfest, a must-attend event for German food and culture lovers, and the Wine & Harvest Festival, a family-friendly autumn celebration with kids’ entertainment, live music, a local artisan market, and parents-only wine and beer tastings. Treat the whole family to a trip to Amy’s Gourmet Apples for specialty dipped apples or gift baskets for friends and loved ones back home in Romeoville.

Be sure to visit the Cedarburg Art Museum to see work from state artists, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts to view a diverse collection of quilt and fabric art exhibits, and the Cedarburg History Museum to check out old American memorabilia and local artifacts. Need some R&R? Head to Bella Lei Salon, Spa, & Boutique for a massage, facial, mani/pedi, or full spa treatment.

South Bend, Indiana

Explore another nearby state with a visit to South Bend, Indiana, which is about two hours east of Romeoville. Home of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend is rich with culture and fun activities for the whole family. Plan around the Fighting Irish football or basketball seasons to catch a home game, or pay a visit to the Snite Museum of Art on Notre Dame’s campus. Or, enjoy the great outdoors at Rum Village Park, where you can play disc golf, go on a mountain biking adventure, hike the trails, or zip line through the trees, or at East Race Waterway, where you can go whitewater rafting on the St. Joseph River.

Looking for something fun and educational? South Bend has a number of museums, including the Studebaker Museum that focuses on vehicle design, manufacturing, and culture, the South Bend Museum of Art and its fantastic collection of diverse works, and the History Museum, which has exhibits on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League as well as the history and culture of the St. Joseph Valley Region.

So there you have it, six of the best day trips you should take from Romeoville. Did we miss your family’s favorite day trip destination? If so, contact Crème de la Crème of Romeoville to let us know. We’ll be glad to add it to our growing list!