Since my family and I moved back to Chicago about seven years ago most of our vacation travel has been international or longer distance within the USA. I've always neglected getting to know destinations that are an easy weekend trip from Chicago every time I've lived here.
So I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit for a weekend from Chicago on Amtrak. Tell me why it would be fun to visit, what you like about the place, and it's best features. There is an 8-year-old involved so kid-friendly is good but does not have to be kid-specific (like it's cool if there's a good amusement park but that can't be the only thing to do).
Interested in any kind of trip, either urban, or quaint small town, or outdoorsy fun. Would prefer to be able to do the trip without a car rental on the destination end, but that's not a deal-breaker (especially for outdoor adventures).
For urban areas I'm thinking things like good museums, good restaurants, craft beer, any other interesting fun thing unique to that place. For outdoor fun just some nice hiking trails and pretty scenery.
Best case is that we could get there by Friday night and be home in Chicago by Sunday night (Memphis is a cool idea but because of the overnight ride it has to be a non-weekender).
Love to hear your suggestions.
So I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit for a weekend from Chicago on Amtrak. Tell me why it would be fun to visit, what you like about the place, and it's best features. There is an 8-year-old involved so kid-friendly is good but does not have to be kid-specific (like it's cool if there's a good amusement park but that can't be the only thing to do).
Interested in any kind of trip, either urban, or quaint small town, or outdoorsy fun. Would prefer to be able to do the trip without a car rental on the destination end, but that's not a deal-breaker (especially for outdoor adventures).
For urban areas I'm thinking things like good museums, good restaurants, craft beer, any other interesting fun thing unique to that place. For outdoor fun just some nice hiking trails and pretty scenery.
Best case is that we could get there by Friday night and be home in Chicago by Sunday night (Memphis is a cool idea but because of the overnight ride it has to be a non-weekender).
Love to hear your suggestions.