Where to vacation for locals

As summer approaches, Chicagoans are looking to get out of the city and hit up popular vacation spots from the lake to the dunes. Here’s a look at some of the top vacation spots for city dwellers.

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Six Flags: Great America, Illinois

Photo by: Hendricks Photos, Creative Commons

Distance from Chicago: 42 miles

Location: 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031

Located on I-94 at Route 132 (Grand Ave.)

Contact information: Guest Services Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CST and during park operating hours. Contact the park at (847) 249-INFO (4636).

Website: http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/

Why Chicagoans go: With dozens of attractions for riders of all ages, Six Flags is a magnet from the city for anyone looking to take a day off with family and friends. With Opening Day celebrations on May 7, events and special entertainment are a regular occurrence. Great America also boasts the “best waterpark in the nation,” making it an even better way to get out of the heat on those long summer days.

Harbor Country, Michigan

Distance from Chicago: 75 miles

Location: Eight towns along the Lake Michigan coast in Michigan: Three Oaks, Sawyer, Harbert, Lakeside, Union Pier, New Buffalo, Grand Beach and Michiana

Contact information: Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce Phone: 269-469-5409 Email: request@harborcountry.org

Website: http://www.harborcountry.org/

Lakeside Cabins Resort

Photo courtesy of Ted O’Neil, Lakeside Cabins Resort

Location: 7650 Warren Woods Road, Three Oaks, MI 49128

Contact information: Phone: 269-469-3894 Email: info@lakesidecabinsresort.com

Website: http://www.lakesidecabinsresort.com/

Why Chicagoans go: The resort is spread across 110 acres of wooded ravines, hiking trails, grassy areas and lakes, with Lake Michigan located just two miles away. Visitors can choose to purchase or rent cabins for their stay, and have access to two outdoor, heated pools, two lakes for fishing and kayaking, as well as basketball and beach volleyball courts and a playground. The resort also offers daily and weekend activities and themed events.

Author Caitlin O’Neil is related to resort owners and managers Tim O’Neil and Ted O’Neil.

Garden Grove Bed & Breakfast and Carriage House

Location: 9549 Union Pier Road, Union Pier MI 49129

Contact information: Phone: 269-469-6346 Email: gardengrove@comcast.net

Website: http://www.gardengrove.net/

Why Chicagoans go: For couples looking to escape from the city for a weekend to the beaches and dunes of southern Lake Michigan, Garden Grove offers trees, gardens and relaxation on the decks and enclosed sun porch. All rooms have private baths and a double jacuzzi, hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, fireplace and a wet bar. Garden Grove is also located less than a mile from the shops, restaurants and galleries in the Harbor Country area.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Photo by: Digital Sextant, Creative Commons

Distance from Chicago: 80 miles

Location: Lake Geneva Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 201 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 53147

Contact information: Phone: 262-248-4416 Email: info@lakegenevawi.com

Website: http://www.lakegenevawi.com/

Why Chicagoans go: Lake Geneva showcases beautiful local lodges, cottages, campgrounds and hotels to stay at along the lake, with over 40 restaurants and unlimited entertainment during your stay. For those wishing to get out of the city and into nature, Geneva offers outdoor adventure parks for ziplining, hiking/biking trails, festivals, orchards, parks, petting zoos, farms and even boat cruises. Geneva also offers a vast number of local shops for those looking for antiques, art and gifts.

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Photo by: Chadly, Creative Commons

Distance from Chicago: 195 miles

Location: Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau Administrative Office 115 La Crosse Street, PO Box 390, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-0390

Contact information: Phone: (608) 254-8088 Email: info@wisdells.com

Website: www.wisdells.com

Why Chicagoans go: Named the “Waterpark Capital of the World” on its website, the amusement parks and rides are the biggest attraction for Chicagoans looking to get away. For animal lovers, the Dells offers petting zoos of exotic and heartland animals, as well as horses available for riding. You can also observe the world’s rarest crane, the Whooping Crane, at the Dells. Festivals, golf, live entertainment, museums, tours, shopping and even spas complete the experience. To get away from it all and get a little bit of everything, travel out of the city and to the Dells.

Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area, Michigan

Photo by: Daniel Marchese, Creative Commons

Distance from Chicago: 221 miles

Location: Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area Chamber of Commerce, 2388 N. Comfort Drive, Hart, MI 49420

Contact information: Phone: 231-873-2247

Website: http://www.thinkdunes.com/

Why Chicagoans go: Nominated by Travel & Leisure as one of America’s Best Little Beachtowns (http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/americas-best-little-beach-towns/8), the sand dunes are what make your stay in Hart. When you’re sick of the sand in your shoes, the dunes also offer golf courses, bike trails, farmers’ markets, fishing, parks and even boat and canoe rentals. Shopping, wineries and salons are also open to pamper you.