Waterfalls, storybook towns, incredible food, and more await just a short drive from Chicago.

Fortunately, there’s a whole world out there beyond the city limits.

The Windy City’s location, in this case, is your ally.

Patrons enjoy one of Madison’s best locations. State Street and the capitol square offer excellent shopping, and views of the city’s most beautiful and important landmark

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You’re within driving distance of some truly great, out-of-the-ordinary places that make for wonderful road trips.

Here are six of them.

Madison is about two and a half hours from Chicago.

A long exposure of a waterfall at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois

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Yes, its highest natural point is Charles Mound, a diminutive 1,235-foot hill.

But that doesn’t mean that hidden gems don’t exist here.

Starved Rock State Park is about an hour and a half from Chicago.

A sunny August day on Lake Michigan as seen from Saugatuck, Michigan

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Allegan County, Michigan

Lake Michigan is huge.

Their legacy endures to this day.

Fennville is about two hours from Chicago.

Indianapolis skyline with several skyscrapers illuminated at dusk in Indiana State, USA

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If you count yourself among them, a road trip from Chicago to Indianapolis is certainly warranted.

It’s about time their city gets noticed.

Indianapolis is about three hours from Chicago.

Vineyard on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City Michigan an area know for it’s local wine.

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Better yet, take scenic M-22 to tick off both boxes.

Traverse City is about five hours from Chicago.

Looks like everyone’s concerned with building a legacy here.

Old building on a street of Galena, Illinois

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Galena is about three hours from Chicago.