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My Irish boss wants near-Chicago americana vacation tips!
February 20, 2008 6:24 AM   Subscribe

My Irish boss wants advice on a week vacation in Chicago, and an outdoorsy week outside the city. I need midwest log-cabin americana recommendations quick!

Being the token Chicagoan in the Dublin office, I'm the expert- except I haven't lived in the midwest for years, so I'm stumped! First thoughts were millennium park, the loop, theatre, etc.
More importantly though, he wants an americana log-cabin style getaway week following that, with kayaking, forests, etc, and doesn't mind getting a car and driving. My first thoughts were door county... but I've never been there-- help!
posted by conch soup to travel & transportation around Chicago, IL (14 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
How about Starved Rock?
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 6:33 AM on February 20, 2008


The Wisconsin Dells should provide plenty of that sort of stuff...
posted by pjern at 6:48 AM on February 20, 2008


For anything inside or around the city, check out previous posts in the AskMe archives. You'll find tons of ideas.

For the country-mouse side of things, look into Harbor Country -- close to the city, surprisingly bucolic. You might also find ideas here and here.
posted by Work to Live at 7:27 AM on February 20, 2008


I'd recommend Starved Rock too.
posted by MsMolly at 7:30 AM on February 20, 2008


Might consider Galena. Few hours drive west of Chicago, just off the Mississippi River, historical connections to Grant & Lincoln. Fairly quaint & rural.
posted by Reverend John at 7:36 AM on February 20, 2008


I second, Galena. Thats also where Ulysses S. Grant resided.

Tons of choices there!
posted by hal_c_on at 7:39 AM on February 20, 2008


It's close to a 5-hour drive, and I don't know if he's up to that, but the land of the winter cabins in in the nothern part of Michigan, AFAIK.
check here, and more generally, here.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 8:28 AM on February 20, 2008


When will he be visiting? Answers regarding the outdoorsy stuff are probably going to be different if the answer is "next week" or "in the summer".
posted by Johnny Assay at 8:54 AM on February 20, 2008


Wow, who are all you folk who know about Starved Rock? That's my hometown area, and I always recommend it. If your boss wants a great, gourmet but homey bed-and-breakfast, I suggest Brightwood Inn. If he or she wants more Midwestern atmosphere, I'd suggest Starved Rock Lodge (food and/or room). There are also Buffalo Rock and Mattheisen (sp?) Parks in the area. If you want more information on the Starved Rock area/Illinois and Michigan Heritage Corridor area, please me-mail me!
posted by lleachie at 9:01 AM on February 20, 2008


If he’s willing to drive, St. Germaine, Wisconsin is truly in the woods.

Another closer option is to go up to Madison, see the sights there for a day or so, continue west along the Trollway, and end up in Governor Dodge State Park. From there, he could choose to head down to Galena, Illinois and back on Route 20 to hook up with I-90 and thus, to O’Hare without going back to downtown Chicago.

If he does go north into Door County, have him take either the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route, or go the Kettle Moraine route. More detail here. I’ve been to the Ice Age Visitor Center (scroll down for details on location). It’s a very scenic route and goes past lots of lakes with cabins.

Other interesting places of note are House on the Rock and Taliesin.

Door County is better viewed in the summer. I used to live in Algoma for a while, and while it’s a gorgeous little town with astounding views of Lake Michigan, there is not much to do in the off season. They do have some nice furnished rentals there and fishing trips on the lake, however. But for the log cabin stuff, the North Woods or Kettle Moraine country would be my first pick. It’s a long drive to the North Woods but it’s awesome. I’v ebeen to Goodman Park and the link has a contact for cabin rental. There are tons of deer, bear, eagles, wild turkeys, and it’s pretty danged remote. There’s a supper club down the road eastways about 8 miles and a restaurant in town, as well as a couple of local corner stores about 5 or 6 miles west.

Hope he has an awesome trip.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 10:41 AM on February 20, 2008


Great answers!
Re: timing, it's probably a July/ August Trip.
posted by conch soup at 11:00 AM on February 20, 2008


Oops, link got borked. Here's the info on Goodman Park.

July or August would be great to go visit Washington Island at the end of Door County. I think there's a house along the way with a goat standing on a thatched roof. He'll have to take a ferry so be sure to check the schedules.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 1:33 PM on February 20, 2008


The Wisconsin Dells has some beautiful scenery to it, but it is couched in scholcky touristy crap. Be warned.

I like Starved Rock because of its Midwest diversity. You're in the Illinois river valley, cliffs, trees, and prairie. Not sure if it's a whole week's worth though.
posted by gjc at 3:26 PM on February 20, 2008


Hey guys, those are all great answers. I'm glad I can give some educated advice now. I don't think he'd go for the Wisconsin Dells, being a classy guy and all, so I'll pass on the other rec's.
Thanks!
posted by conch soup at 2:57 AM on March 4, 2008


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