How long is the drive from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells

3 hours, 4 minutes

Average driving speed: 63.5 mph
Kilometers per hour: 102.1 km/h
This is based on typical traffic conditions for this route.

Plan your road trip at  

Map of driving directions from Chicago, IL to Wisconsin Dells, WI

View a map with driving directions using your preferred map provider: Google Maps, Bing Maps, or MapQuest. You can use DriveDistance.com to find out how far is it to drive from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells with full directions.

More trip calculations

Driving time from Chicago, IL to Wisconsin Dells, WI

How long is the drive from Chicago, IL to Wisconsin Dells, WI? The total driving time is 3 hours, 4 minutes.

Your trip begins in Chicago, Illinois. It ends in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Chicago, IL to Wisconsin Dells, WI.

You can also calculate the cost to drive from Chicago, IL to Wisconsin Dells, WI based on current local gas prices and an estimate of your car's best gas mileage.

If you're meeting a friend, you might be interested in finding the city that is halfway between Chicago, IL and Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Planning to fly a plane instead? You might be more interested in calculating the flight time from Chicago, IL to Wisconsin Dells, WI.

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Driving time calculator

Travelmath helps you find the driving time based on actual directions for your road trip. You can find out how long it will take to drive between any two cities, airports, states, countries, or zip codes. This can also help you plan the best route to travel to your destination. Compare the results with the flight time calculator to see how much longer it might take to drive the distance instead of flying. You can also print out pages with a travel map.

3 hours, 4 minutes

Average driving speed: 63.5 mph
Kilometers per hour: 102.1 km/h
This is based on typical traffic conditions for this route.

Plan your road trip at  

Map of driving directions from Wisconsin Dells, WI to Chicago, IL

View a map with driving directions using your preferred map provider: Google Maps, Bing Maps, or MapQuest. You can use DriveDistance.com to find out how far is it to drive from Wisconsin Dells to Chicago with full directions.

More trip calculations

Driving time from Wisconsin Dells, WI to Chicago, IL

How long is the drive from Wisconsin Dells, WI to Chicago, IL? The total driving time is 3 hours, 4 minutes.

Your trip begins in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It ends in Chicago, Illinois.

If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Wisconsin Dells, WI to Chicago, IL.

You can also calculate the cost to drive from Wisconsin Dells, WI to Chicago, IL based on current local gas prices and an estimate of your car's best gas mileage.

If you're meeting a friend, you might be interested in finding the city that is halfway between Wisconsin Dells, WI and Chicago, IL.

Planning to fly a plane instead? You might be more interested in calculating the flight time from Wisconsin Dells, WI to Chicago, IL.

related links

related links

Driving time calculator

Travelmath helps you find the driving time based on actual directions for your road trip. You can find out how long it will take to drive between any two cities, airports, states, countries, or zip codes. This can also help you plan the best route to travel to your destination. Compare the results with the flight time calculator to see how much longer it might take to drive the distance instead of flying. You can also print out pages with a travel map.

Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedJul 14, 2022

How long is the drive from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells?

The direct drive from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells is 197 mi (317 km), and should have a drive time of 3 hrs 6 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Madison, Baraboo, Lake Geneva, and Rockford and top places to visit like Old Joliet Prison and Unity Temple, or the ever-popular Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest.

34 stops

Cities / Attractions

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Top cities between Chicago and Wisconsin Dells

The top cities between Chicago and Wisconsin Dells are Madison, Baraboo, Lake Geneva, and Rockford. Madison is the most popular city on the route — it's 2 hours from Chicago and less than an hour from Wisconsin Dells.

1

Rockford

Rockford is a city in northern Illinois. Downtown, the Burpee Museum of Natural History features a dinosaur exhibit. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum offers rotating exhibits in a Victorian home. Rockford Art Museum exhibits regional American works. The sprawling Anderson Japanese Gardens is across the Rock River. Northeast, Rock Cut State Park shelters muskrats, raccoons and waterfowl.

19% as popular as Madison

13 minutes off the main route, 39% of way to Wisconsin Dells

2

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is a resort city on Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin. The lakeside Shore Path is dotted with Gilded Age mansions, many built by wealthy Chicagoans. Nearby, the 19th-century Black Point Estate and Gardens was the summer home of Chicago beer magnate Conrad Seipp. The Queen Anne–style house has Victorian furnishings. Local beaches include Big Foot Beach State Park, which has trails and picnic areas.

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Lake Geneva is a small resort town in southern Wisconsin where you can relax in one of the local spas, take part in a zip-line adventure, or enjoy a romantic stroll along the lakeshore. Enjoy a tasting from the local winery and take in your beautiful surroundings.

27% as popular as Madison

14 minutes off the main route, 41% of way to Wisconsin Dells

3

Madison

Madison, the capital city of Wisconsin, lies west of Milwaukee. It’s known for the domed Wisconsin State Capitol, which sits on an isthmus between lakes Mendota and Monona. The Wisconsin Historical Museum documents the state’s immigrant and farming history. The city's paved Capital City State Trail runs past Monona Terrace, a lakefront convention center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Most popular city on this route

11 minutes off the main route, 71% of way to Wisconsin Dells

4

Baraboo

Baraboo is a city in and the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The largest city in the county, Baraboo is the principal city of the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area. Its 2010 population was 12,048. It is situated on the Baraboo River.

37% as popular as Madison

14 minutes off the main route, 90% of way to Wisconsin Dells

The top stops along the way from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells (with short detours) are Six Flags Great America, Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, and Chicago Botanic Garden. Other popular stops include Tristan Crist Magic Theatre, New Glarus Brewing Company, and Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest.

1

Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest

Amusement park

Sights & Landmarks

Pumpkin-season farm market with attractions such as pig races & a zoo.

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This experience was amazing ! Best pumpkin patch I have ever been to, this was my first time here and it was the greatest. My daughter is almost 3 years old and she had a blast ! There were so many rides she could get on, so many places to eat, awesome areas for picking pumpkins, pig races, petting zoo, pony rides and so much more! This is great for the whole family. This will definitely be a fall tradition from now on. The only thing I would do is go when it first opens or on a week day because it was way too busy but it's because this place is so amazing.

This is a great place to take children, especially during October pumpkin season. They have many little things to keep them amused and busy - from walking through huge pumpkin patches (where you can purchase pumpkins and gourds), to children carnival rides, and scary houses (not too scary for all children, but still enough to have fun). The highlight is a very nice large petting area, where children can get close to feed the small farm animals! The food stands can be a little expensive, but it's par for the course by amusement park standards - $2.75 for bottled water! They have an excellent selection of foods to choose from (ordered an excellent Maxwell Street polish from The Rustic Knead, well worth the cost), also a bar for adults to order drinks!

Fun place. Lots to do, variety of snacks, decent portions, huge pumpkin patch, animals of all shapes and sizes. The pumpkin chucker gives me something to aspire to building. Pig race was great, loved the energy. The roller coaster was short but fun. The lines are insane, though, so be warned, especially if you have impatient kids. Dress warm since the weather has begun to turn.

4.6(4287)

5.0(371)

13341 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491, USA

2

Old Joliet Prison

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Built in 1858 & in operation until 2002, this prison was featured in the film The Blues Brothers.

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We were driving home from Denver to Long Island NY and and I was looking for fun places to visit along I-80. I saw the Prison and knew we had to go. It's not a whole day trip. The people at the entrance were amazing knowledgeable and we went on a self guided tour. The Death Row and Eating Buildings were open to go in. The yard was strangely beautiful. It is a museum and there is a cost to get in and walk around. There is some broken glass so we were careful with my service dog. If you are into prisons, the Blues Brothers, local history or just want an interesting 'escape' this is a great place to go!

An amazing and wonderful experience. The fact that you can walk through and experience such an iconic place is mind boggling. The list of movies and people that have been in this place blows my mind. The cost is relatively low and the fact that they are actively trying to preserve a historic site is more than enough to attract visitors but the untouched areas and vintage feel will satisfy urban explorers. Guided and unguided tours are available. I definitely plan on returning as soon as I can.

My wife and I were lucky enough to accompany a tour group through old Joliet Prison guided by former guards and all around great guys Mike & Ron. The history was amazing, the stories were entertaining and informative, and the tour is truly a local Illinois gem- especially if you are a fan of the classic film "The Blues Brothers." Thank you both, we will absolutely be recommending that family and friends come down and take the tour themselves.

4.5(1048)

4.0(89)

1125 Collins St, Joliet, IL 60432, USA

3

Unity Temple

Place of worship

Sights & Landmarks

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this Unitarian Universalist church was built between 1905 & 1908.

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Description: Before the Robie House, Fallingwater, and the Guggenheim Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright’s career was just beginning to take off in Oak Park and more precisely with a specific project: Unity Temple. The church is poised as an important work for the Modernist movement in the early 20th Century, but it was also the foundation from which the Prairie School would originate into Wright’s architectural language.

Stunning design and implementation. Absolutely not to be missed! The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. It’s located in a great neighborhood FULL of other FLW designed homes. Enjoy the tour, but be sure to walk around the neighborhood to explore even further.

Excellent first public building of Frank Lloyd Wright . Though we were pessimistic when the FLW home and studio tour was filled for hours this turned our to be a worthy alternative. Tour is about 45 minutes and docents are knowledgeable both about the history of the building and recent restorations . Great introduction to Wright for those just getting acquainted and historical and religious context is provided

This is a review of the Frank Lloyd Wright tour. The building is really beautiful and well worth the visit. Our tour guide was really informative and spent about 40 minutes with us. He also let us know that since he volunteers the fee from our tour goes into maintaining the handful of Wright buildings that are part of the Trust.

4.8(191)

4.5(168)

875 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301, USA

4

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

Home & studio of the famed Prairie-style architect, with guided tours focused on his early career.

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If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping inside one of Frank Lloyd Wright‘s iconic homes, this isn’t the next best thing — it’s the real thing!. Built in 1889, the architect spent twenty years living at his Oak Park home with his family — and now it’s open to visitors. The perfect spot for architecture or design buffs (or anyone who just likes poking around historic places), your guided tour will bring you through a handful of rooms that have been restored to their original appearance, as well as plenty more tidbits about Wright himself.

Wright designed and built his first home in 1889, on the strength of a $5,000 loan from his then employer and mentor, seminal Chicago…

Totally worth a visit and guided tour for anyone interested in the story of Chicago and world Architecture. The self guided tour through the neighborhood is also interesting and educational. Gift shop has tons of related merchandise and books.

A worthwhile indoor tour to appreciate one of the most influential architects and understand his inspiration. We did the audio walking tour directly after doing the indoor home and studio tour and one flowed well into the other.

If your a fan of his work or want to know more, this is a great place to start. This was the beginning of the FLW home tour they put on this year. I'm so glad i visited. You're able to see his style progression in his early work here and the other houses in the neighborhood. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and the tour flowed well through the house. I'll definitely come back.

4.8(1856)

4.5(1195)

951 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, USA

5

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Convention center

Conference & Convention Centers

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This venue has easy access from parking to the venue. You are indoors and walk above ground tunnels. Starbuck are available for purchase.plenty of places to sit. Food is accessible at convention prices. The fountains and flowers are nice touches. Restrooms are clean.

The space is plenty big. Pick up for Uber and ride shares is easy enough. They seriously need another Starbucks or coffee vendor in the building. When a show is going on the average (low end) wait time is about an hour. They also need to bring in more food vendors. They have the typical concession snacks and liquor (which is nice) but for the hair show the POKE bowl people were the only healthy option catering to those with dietary restrictions and needs and the bowl was $17. With water $22 or $21 depending on the day (the same exact order 2 different days and the price changed by a dollar 🤦‍♀️ The event center should have charging stations and more places to sit.

Excellent place for Conventions and car shows. Easy to get to and plenty of parking. One flaw is food prices, but that's just Chicago. Enjoy!

4.4(3994)

4.0(325)

5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA

6

Chicago Botanic Garden

Botanical garden

Sights & Landmarks

385 acres of landscaped gardens displaying millions of plants & flowers in a variety of settings.

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Among the 26 different gardens here are the three-island Malott Japanese Garden, the 5-acre Evening Island, and the Grunsfeld Children's…

It's a very beautiful place to visit in all seasons. And a must when you visit Chicago it is situated on a 45 min drive from downtown. It is well connected with public transport. Pictures shared are for the month of April when flowers are in full bloom..

Weather stole some of the joy this tranquil place can spare.Esthetic fruit& veg garden, lost opportunity to reach the trolley ride as is tucked away in a tangle of gardens!! Saw three weddings and sweet sixteenths parades- lovely!! Plenty of seating available throughout.People picnicking on blankets 🍷 included.Dahlia Society selling over 40 varieties of potted seedlings.A bonsai garden featuring 600-1000 old tree!Pay $8 parking online along tickets or become a member.Food grossly overpriced.

Went and saw the orchid exhibit: The Orchid Show Untamed. It was lovely, informative, and set up so thoughtfully. There were several rooms of different temperatures and designs featuring different orchids and plants. There was plenty of seating if you got tired. There were guides to teach you and answer questions. As well as so many Instagram worthy photo spots if you’re into that. Worth every penny. I cannot wait to go back and see the entire outdoor garden in full bloom.

4.8(2082)

5.0(1073)

1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA

7

Cosley Zoo

5-acre facility featuring native domestic animals & wildlife plus ponds, a barn & natural habitats.

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This was such a nice little zoo walk. The zoo is small and cozy. Just the right size for a young family to take an outing to for a quiet time with some animals. The exhibits are nice and there is a barn full of animals to enjoy. The light at Christmas are a lot of fun to see too.

Compact zoo focusing on Illinois and non-exotic animals. The foxes are very cute, and the llamas were lovely to see. Won't take long to tour, so don't plan on making a whole day of it. Perfect spot to let the kids explore and burn off some energy.

Cosley Zoo is a great place to spend an hour or so enjoying the outdoors and the company of friendly animals! There is an opportunity to feed the ducks at the duck pond and there are sheep and donkeys, cows and goats in the farmyard. Admission is free for children and $9 for adults and they have senior rates as well. At this point in 2021 they still have timed tickets, so order yours online ahead of time. The donkey and the cow came up to the fence and wanted to be petted by the visitors! There are some big black pigs and some chickens that are entertaining to watch and listen to the noises that they make. There are a lot of birds as well as rabbits, a bobcat, coyotes, turkey vultures and deer. Many of the animals that come to the Cosley Zoo are ones that were injured or did not have parents and needed to be rehabilitated and we're not fit to go back in the wild. Visiting the Cosley Zoo is a great way to find out about local animals and how they play a role in our world and in the environment. You can enjoy ice cream, hot dogs, mac and cheese, PBJ, and pizza at the concession stand. They offer reasonable cost annual membership ~ only $39 for one adult and $59 for two adults.

4.4(464)

4.5(209)

1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA

8

The Marriott Theatre

Performing arts theater

Concerts & Shows

Theaters

Theater producing popular musicals & children's shows in the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort.

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Sound of Music was incredibly good. Fantastic cast recreates the movie with accuracy and talent. They threw in a couple of items i don't recall from the move, which added to the entertainment value. We know the story, so this was a nice touch. Singing is every bit as good as the movie.

Saw West Side Story at the theater, it was a great show! Amazing talent in dance and vocals. Every seat is good. Currently require masks and Vaccine record or negative test. What a nice night!

Saw the Play today at 1pm, Riff stole the show early with his dancing, singing, mannerisms, + Bernardo. All early scenes were great. Later Marie and Tony shined. Cast was awesome, Orchestra was suburb! Great time! Drew is a star in the making!

4.7(1109)

4.5(242)

10 Marriott Dr, Lincolnshire, IL 60069, USA

9

Raging Waves Waterpark

Water park

Water & Amusement Parks

Weather-permitting fun with slides & a wave pool, plus a lazy river, stage & snacks.

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Great, clean water park. It seems like they really take care of the grounds and making sure locker rooms and bathrooms are clean. Plenty of life guards in every pool. If you plan on coming bring your items in a clear plastic bag since any other bags are not allowed (aside from your purse). They do sell clear plastic bags at the parking gate for $10 in case you need one. Lockers are $12 and $15. If you get there around 4, you really don’t need one, just find an empty chair and you will be fine. I rented the $15 and ended up not using it since I could not find the location and I did not want to wast time looking for it. Lots of food options. Outside drinks and food is not allowed.

Fun place to chill with the family for the summer. Love the lazy river. Tons of slides for all ages to enjoy. The wave pool is great (but it's the only "pool"). food prices in pics

I love this water park! It's always so clean and well maintained! There are a lot of slides for all ages! A wave pool, and a few separate areas for your toddlers and bigger kids! No food or drinks allowed. You can exit the park and return if you wish to take food and eat in the parking lot. There are some picnic tables thruout the parking lot. Very convenient. But there is also a variety of concessions to choose from to eat.. when you go you must have all your items in a clear bag to enter. Very clean bathrooms, a lot of life guards and nice staff. Parking is free, or pay to be a little closer to the entrance. Lockers are available for about 10/15 dollars. My family has spent the entire day here everytime we come! I definitely recommend this beautiful Waterpark!

4.3(2808)

3.5(256)

4000 N Bridge St, Yorkville, IL 60560, USA

10

Six Flags Great America

Theme park

Water & Amusement Parks

Sprawling amusement park with more than 100 rides & attractions, including myriad roller coasters.

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Those hoping to get a little shopping in before their trip is through should visit the Gurnee Mills shopping center, and while in Gurnee, Illinois, thrill-seekers may want to catch a ride on one of the many roller coasters at Six Flags Great America.

Six Flags Great America is a FANTASTIC theme park! Not only does it have a bunch of coasters and spinning rides, but it has a LOT of rides for kids under 48in. At least 16 that I can think of, and about 12 of those kids under 42in can also ride. Their app has gotten really good; you can mobile order from a lot of different restaurants, see show times, and access the flash pass. The park is clean, the entertainment is top notch (I don't think I've met entertainers who are nicer than the ones here at SFGA, and they're super talented...and I go to Disneyworld a LOT, lol) food is good, and all the employees that I've ever encountered are kind and willing to help you. This review is ONLY for the main park. The waterpark is not open for the season yet...but we love it there too, especially since they added mobile ordering over in that section. You can only enter the waterpark from outside, there is no longer an entrance from inside the park. There is a six flags great america Facebook page for people who are fans of the park, and you can get a daily alert for up to date information about the park and meet new coaster enthusiasts, which will enhance your experience at the park.

Great park. My only complaint is they aren't very good at pairing single riders which really bogs down the lines (even more so on coasters that are only running one train). While they have an impressive coaster lineup, numerous of their coasters are clones or have been cloned at other parks so there's only a handful of "unique" coasters. Don't get me wrong all the coasters are fun but The Whizzer is about the only one so unique that you can't get that experience at another park.

Six Flags Great America is open y’all. Today was a pretty good day. There was literally no line in the park. We have waited long enough.

4.4(23667)

4.0(2502)

1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031, USA

11

Arcada Theatre

Live music venue

Concerts & Shows

Performance, cabaret & live music venue with event space & a full bar serving housemade sangria.

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We went to the Arcada theater on May 7th 2022 to see the show with Sumo Cyco, Blacktop Mojo and Buckcherry. The theater is located in downtown St. Charles and it's a pretty small venue. I believe it has about 900 seats. I had purchased two handicapped seats and two regular seats since I am in a wheelchair. The staff could not have been anymore friendly. They were awesome! They brought me to my seat which was actually a very good seat but it was completely opposite side of the theater as my two sons. So one of the ushers asked security if it was okay that my husband and I went to join my sons on the other side of the theater so we can experience our favorite group Blacktop Mojo together. They were so kind to allow it and got me right on the edge of the stage. So not only did I get to see my sons but I also got to see the show right up front! Everybody, the whole night was very accommodating to me and bent over backwards to make sure that I was comfortable. The show was great. We'd actually saw the exact show the week before at a different venue, The Des Plaines theater, which I believed is owned by the same corporation. However, the sound and atmosphere at the Arcada was actually better. We had a great night and I would not hesitate to get to see another show there

Applause abounds for a fun variety of entertainment. Lobby area gets congested prior to show time. They could use a better system in that regard. Seems to be a continuous plan to update and upkeep this roaring 20's theater. Kudos for trying to be timely and accommodating. Main center floor seating uses standard chairs, while the remaining seats utilize theater flip down seats. Acoustics/sound quality needs improvement. The instruments are loud and drown out the singer(s). Instrumental sound should compliment, not compete with the song performer. Visit their restaurant upstairs after a mid day show or choose from many area restaurants within walking distance.

I attended a concert and the sound was excellent. I highly reccomend this venue. Parking is a bit tight. On the third floor above the theatre is a very authentic Speakeasy. The owners have done a great job of setting this up.

4.6(2029)

4.5(231)

105 E Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174, USA

12

Gurnee Mills

Well-known brands, along with some factory outlets & restaurants, in a bright 1-story indoor mall.

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Those hoping to get a little shopping in before their trip is through should visit the Gurnee Mills shopping center, and while in Gurnee, Illinois, thrill-seekers may want to catch a ride on one of the many roller coasters at Six Flags Great America.

It's very large mall... May be one of the largest in the nation. Always crowded, and difficult to think any brand it is not there. Rest-rooms are at each entrance. Very well maintained mall, clean and plenty of sitting area. My best place is the play area in the mall which is located near to Starbucks and Oshkosh. My son likes going to this mall. The food court is very good as well. If you are in the area it is must see mall. Go, visit and amaze. I keep going there with my son and we both like it whether we are shopping or not.

Favorite outlet mall. Two Food courts and Rainforest caffe to get food when hungry. While shopping kids can play arcade games and nice ice ring. Big theater to watch movies. Everything in one place. I always visit there and get a lot stuff to buy in good price.

Interesting place. A lot of different store. Everyone can find what they looking for.

4.3(12900)

4.0(358)

6170 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, USA

13

Jelly Belly Center

Food & Drink

Distribution service

Retail stores featuring the famous jelly beans in a range of creative flavors & other sweet treats.

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Although factory tour was not available we had so much fun in the retail store. There is a lot to discover - all kinds of flavors and other jelly bean items! Staff is super friendly and helpful. Definitely worth a visit for young and older people

Is an interesting free tour. It literally takes 30 min and it is very basic. You don't actually get to see them making the beans but you see videos of the history and work. It is a fun activity for kids and families. They have most Harry Potter candy!!

Came to Kenosha on a whim and discovered it was home to my favorite candy and a FREE tour to boot! With free jelly bellies at the end?! An amazing find. Went home with way too much candy. Great deals on "flops" buy two, get three free.

4.5(2586)

4.0(551)

10100 Jelly Belly Ln, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, USA

14

America's Action Territory

Amusement park

Water & Amusement Parks

Family entertainment center with go-karts, laser tag, mini-golf, bumper cars & an arcade.

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Lots of fun for the whole family I have a 5 year old and 15 year old both had a blast mini golfing and on gocarts. Tasty food there too

It is a nice place to visit with the family 👪 the vip package includes unlimited outdoor[golf and race 🚗)and indoor games ( bumper 🚗 laser tag and virtual game)

This is a great place to have some fun . They have alot of different things to do here. The people are very friendly. The food was good. And the price for it were not bad at all. A good place to take your family. It would be a good place to take a date. We had a really good time.

4.3(1333)

4.0(69)

12345 75th St, Kenosha, WI 53142, USA

15

Moraine Hills State Park

State park

Nature & Parks

Park

2,200+ acres of glacier-formed park with woods, wetlands & lakes for year-round sports & recreation.

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First time visit for this new Illinois resident, and I had a great time with a family member who lives in the area. Well kept trails, varied views of vegetation, several trash cans for garbage and dog waste disposal, fairly well laid out trail system, and a good amount of wildlife to have fun watching. It’s a beautiful spot. The facilities seem well maintained, and there are newly planted maple trees to draw a nice accent to the myriad of other fall colors here. Overall, I’m impressed with Moraine Hills State Park, and will be bringing my dog back again!

well maintained and scenic gem in the fox lake area. comprehensive network of trails and only a small discrepancy between the paved and gravel routes.

Unpaved trail with great variety of wildlife. Some good hills, an awesome place to run. The main loop is 3.75 miles

4.7(1586)

4.5(92)

1510 S River Rd, McHenry, IL 60051, USA

16

Stade’s Farm & Market

Produce market

Sights & Landmarks

Bakery

Event venue

Farmers' market

Festival

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Overall it was a great experience/activity with my family and friends. The farm was well organized. The staff was friendly. Parking was very convenient. You choose your basket at the entrance. $6 for the smallest basket 🧺 1-quart. You should take at least the smallest basket per person. The biggest one, the red basket (4-quart), was $18, and it was worth it. Easy to go to strawberries to pick up after entrance. Raspberry was also ready. Everything was tasty. We loved there. Also, you can use train 🚂 for $5 and try their delicious donuts 🍩 ($8.5 half dozen) with apple cider and strawberry. Their website is very informative; you can find more updated information. We can’t wait to go again for the vegetables, including tomato🍅 and pepper🌶.

Place is great for families. The price for a wrist band going in and out of the fun area was $18 but worth it for all you can do. I was skeptical at first but it was. The parking was easy to navigate, activities were in one big area, and the biffys were well taken care of and not nasty like some places. To pick your own pumpkin it was on $8 for any size other than giant and small table size ones were only $1. If you wanted to buy straw bales they were $7 all fair price I think. My favorite thing was watching the pumpkin launcher and the hay ride out to the pumpkin patch. You can bring your own food in but do have pizza and corn dogs etc if you don't have time for packing lunches. We will definitely be back again.

It was small strawberries, but very, super sweet! I arrived to farm on Tuesday around 10 am. It was already so many people there. Overall I got good experience)))

4.6(1869)

4.5(138)

3709 Miller Rd, McHenry, IL 60051, USA

17

Whiskey Acres Distilling Co.

Distillery

Food & Drink

Bar

Farm

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The people were nice, the drinks were great. The tour was fun and Jon was both hilarious and informative. It's certainly worth a visit! The rye was my favorite, and there wasn't anything I've tried that I disliked. That said, I haven't tried their vodka.

Went in for a Sunday for a Flight and some cocktails. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Drinks a little pricey for the size, but taste fantastic so it is worth it! Well worth stopping by if youre within the Chicagoland area.

What an absolute gem in DeKalb County!!!! Unbelievable bourbon, mixed drinks, and atmosphere. Incredibly helpful staff!

4.9(200)

5.0(165)

11504 Keslinger Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA

18

Ellwood House Museum

Museum

Historical place museum

History Museums

Built in 1879, this Victorian-style home on a 10-acre estate offers a visitor center & guided tours.

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We enjoyed it. The tour guide was informative and the mansion is gorgeous. Lots of great history. They have done a terrific job of restoring it.

Lauren did amazing as a tour guide!! We could only do half the tour because of the heat, but it was still worth it!! The history and house us amazing!! We will be back for the full tour! Hopefully Lauren is still doing tours!!! I think I spelled her name wrong. Lol

Nice place to walk the grounds but all the buildings are currently closed and would love to see inside also. Cool history with the original owner making his money in barbed wire.

4.8(166)

4.5(68)

420 Linden Pl, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA

19

Tristan Crist Magic Theatre

Small theater hosting family-friendly magic & illusion shows, with a gift shop & lobby.

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Excellent show. Tristan brought several people on to the stage and performed the illusions with their assistance and was available for pictures after with anyone. There are no bad seats but only about 120 seats available. Price was reasonable. My family and I enjoyed it a lot and I am sure you will as well.

Theater was clean and every seat had a great view! Tristan's illusions were fantastic and his great interaction was so fun!

I saw the Tristan Crist show this past weekend. This is the second time I have seen the show as I was in the area a year ago. The show is as good the second time as the first time. He has put in a number of new illusions so the show was fresh and as enjoyable. So if you have seen the show one time I definitely would recommend seeing it a second time. Tristan is crisp and engaging with his presentations, everyone is treated with respect. His performance skills are very well done. His assistant Shannon is stunning and is an amazing foil for Tristan. The theater is modern and comfortable. The staff is highly professional. I highly recommend.

4.8(571)

5.0(688)

100 N Edwards Blvd, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA

20

Lake Geneva Shore Path

Hiking area

Nature & Parks

Hiking Trails

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You could call this walk around the lake an architecture tour. The houses surrounding the lake are huge with some interesting designs. So if you want to ogle some nice houses while being close to nature and stretching your legs this is a nice route to take

If you're looking for a great hike. The North Shore portion of the path offers breathtaking views of the lake and incredible homes.

Hiked the full 21/22 miles of shore path in one go on a beautiful day in May- so many amazing properties and gardens and mansions that were jaw-dropping. Honestly, something unique at every turn! Trails go through private properties and each portion of the trail is kept up by the owners- so even the trail itself is unique from section to section! Loved it. Total activity time (actual walking) was 8 hours 35 min, we took a break for lunch and a few hours later for coffee and stretched every hour. Started at 9:45 am and finished about 7:45 pm

4.8(439)

4.5(662)

Unnamed Road, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA

21

Geneva Lake

Lake

Nature & Parks

Bodies of Water

A walking path encircles this large, tranquil lake, a popular place for swimming & water sports.

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Wonderful place to relax and visit with family. Beautiful views of the lake all around

First time on this Lake. Very nice. Fishing was slow. Boat ramp was very nice.$12 to launch. Surprisingly busy for a Tuesday with kids still in school. We were there at 10 a.m. and only five about 30 stalls were still available.

Great fishing. Beautiful lake. Fun town.

4.6(69)

4.5(435)

22

Rochelle Railroad Park

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I love coming down here. If you are a train buff then you will find your people here! I come down because I love to photograph the graffiti and the kiddos just love watching the trains go by. It's a wonderful way to pass a beautiful day.

Cool place, nice stop on way to Chicago. The place was clean and well kept. Solid information there, also good views and a train came through which the kids loved. There is a lot to see but nothing really to do, so it will be a quick stop.

Very nice park if you're into trains. Would be good for littles. Has a little area where you can sit and build a fire

4.6(526)

4.5(87)

124 N 9th St, Rochelle, IL 61068, USA

23

Yerkes Observatory

Circa-1897 astronomical observatory featuring telescopes, laboratories & tours over a 77-acre site.

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Yerkes Observatory currently being renovated October 2021. Architectural treasure near the shore of Lake Geneva in Williams Bay, WI. Well worth the trip. Historic landmark rich in history.

It is still closed for restoration, so we only walked around the grounds. A beautiful landmark, can't wait to tour the inside of of these days. And yes, I fully expect to be amazed by the interior!

A magnificent place. The Telescope that discovered the Big Bang. Recently flew out to Chicago to visit this observatory outside of Chicago. The building is magnificent the architectural detail is spectacular. There is a story in almost every column in the building. Here is the telescope that Edwin Hubble used, Carl Sagan used and Albert Einstein used. Who knows what future scientist might get their spark for science here. Dan Koehler & Richard Dreiser could not have extended any greater hospitality then they did. I was supposed to observe through the scope that night but the rain had other ideas. Still they made it a wonderful visit. Thank you both! Please University of Chicago make sure that this special place stays intact when it closes on October 1, 2018. This place can fire up the imaginations of young people and enrich many future generations. But most of all this is a wonderful place to visit hurry up and do so before it closes. I hope the Yerkes Observatory finds its ways into the hands of a non profit that will share its telescope with the community and future generations - I hope it will never be turned into condos or dismantled. I hope before the Observatory closes that someone could put a CMOS camera and take some images with the scope. This should be a National Landmark. Wonderful special and beautiful place.

4.7(344)

4.5(321)

373 W Geneva St, Williams Bay, WI 53191, USA

24

Rock Cut State Park

3,092 acres for year-round outdoor sports plus 2 lakes, hiking & horse trails, camping & a cafe.

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Great place to enjoy nature! A gem located in N. IL. Pierce Lake offers fishing, boating, kayaking and sailing. Very nice boat ramp. The lake does get a lot of fishing pressure so the catching can be tough. The park offers nice clean well maintained camping spots but it can get very busy in the summer.

I would love to camp here sometime, has well maintained trails. Lots of birds on the water, it's beautiful no matter which side of the park you're on. All pets must be leashed and the park closes at 10pm if you don't want to be locked in.

Love this State park! Our parks in Wisconsin are not free like they are in Illinois, you must have a park sticker. Tons of walking trails, fishing, camping and of course the wildlife! Take your camera with you if you go out and enjoy nature!

4.6(3182)

4.5(131)

7318 Harlem Rd, Loves Park, IL 61111, USA

25

Staller Estate Winery

Winery

Food & Drink

Event venue

Wineries & Vineyards

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The Cellar Tasting experience was so fun! They take you down to their cellar room and walk you through the process. After they explain all of the wines on the menu you pick a wine flight with four choices. When your wine flight comes they also give you four chocolate truffles to pair with the wines and a cheese board. The board has three cheeses, three meats, olives, bread and butter, crackers and nuts. Once you get down to the last couple of wines they give you a full glass. Great two hours of enjoying wine and the company you came with.

Farm feel, small quaint, friendly, warm,personable....need I say more. Ice wine amazing! Lady in red excellent and I know little about wine. Always worth stopping. Feels like real wisconsin with all the barns. Beautiful property and excellent views.

Excellent setting for tasting excellent wine and cheese, with friendly, yet efficient, service. If its your first visit do the Ultimate Flight. It is well worth it! I can't wait to bring my friends here in August!!!

4.6(176)

4.5(68)

W8896 County Rd A, Delavan, WI 53115, USA

26

Historic Auto Attractions

History museum

Museums

Specialty Museums

Famous cars, TV memorabilia & artifacts from American presidents displayed in an eclectic museum.

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Great museum !! Call ahead and set up a free tour with Tony he knows everything about the items in this great museum. Admission is cheep $15 per adult and $10 per child or $40 for a family of four. They have been working on an expansion that will double the size of the museum in 2022. They have many great cars and a large variety of other items and artifacts. Some of the items and documents are one of a kind that are priceless. If you are within a few hours of the museum it is definitely worth the drive. If you live in the general Rockford area you should be here a few times a year. There are so many things to see you can come back over and over and still enjoy it. They are always adding new items and rotating things to keep it fresh. Please support our local treasure so it can grow and be here for generations to come.

This place is so cool! It's much more than a bunch of old cars. There is so much history here. They have movie props, clothing of historical figures, furniture from the White House, and historical artifacts. You can even get a free tour along with you entrance fee. These are just a sample of the photos I took.

Much more than just a automotive collection. So many unique one of a kind historical items to see. Tour guide Tony is amazing and has a wonderful knowledge of the artifacts and background history. Definitely worth a visit.

4.8(302)

4.5(130)

13825 Metric Rd, Roscoe, IL 61073, USA

27

Rotary Botanical Gardens

Botanical garden

Sights & Landmarks

20 acres of landscaped paths & gardens, with tours of English-, Japanese- & French-themed areas.

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This is a true gem to visit. Only an hour out of Milwaukee and *so* worth the drive. An immersion into nature and a contemplative haven. Beautifully designed and meticulously maintained garden vignettes, meandering paths, ponds, bridges, waterfalls and plenty of seating along the way—thanks to colorful Adirondack chairs thoughtfully place at the waters edge and benches throughout the gardens inscribed with inspirational quotes. I am looking forward to going back. Soon.

This place is absolutely magical! It is so astounding during the regular season to walk through, but Christmas time is magical. You might have to wait in line to get in and buy tickets ahead of time online, and may have to drive a little bit to get there. It is worth it, they do a fantastic job with the lights.

We went for the light show! It was absolutely beautiful! So thankful we got to go back in December. I truly look forward to seeing the gardens this summer as well!

4.8(1465)

5.0(292)

1455 Palmer Dr, Janesville, WI 53545, USA

28

Decatur Dairy

Dairy store

Shopping

Gift & Specialty Shops

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Country Charm. Picnic tables to relax. Ample parking along side and back. Cheese curds galore--herb (dill) flavor our fave! Hot Habañero Cheese Spread a flavorful joy! Wide selection cheeses, ice cream, and cheese cakes. Hand-made, colorful wooden cutting boards in several shapes & sizes: Round, Rectangular, State of Wisconsin.

Amazing cheese and curds as well as the absolute best grilled cheese I’ve ever had. Definitely must go! The blueberry cream soda was also delicious.

Love their 3 Mouseketeer grilled cheese. All of them are good! Cheese curds n ice cream too! So good! Great selection of cheeses too.

4.8(696)

5.0(45)

W1668 County Hwy F, Brodhead, WI 53520, USA

29

New Glarus Brewing Company

Craft brewery featuring a tasting room, gifts, self-guided tours & reservation-only hard hat tours.

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This is one of the best breweries we have ever visited. The buildings are so beautiful with the Swiss theme. The outside tasting area is so relaxing, & beautiful! You good stay there all day and enjoy the great tasting beer while relaxing & enjoying nature. Clean & beautiful. Looking forward when they can be fully open on the weekends for more people to enjoy. The gift shop has something for everyone. Love the home of the Spotted cow! Thank you to all the staff who make it a great place to visit.

One of my favorite breweries of all time. I’ve been drinking their beer for 2 decades. We finally made a trip to visit the brewery and were not disappointed. The tour and tastings were great. I wish I could have bought more souvenirs to bring home. We had a great visit and will come back any time we return to the area.

So glad we FINALLY made it down to New Glarus to see the brewery and have some fresh and tasty brews! So cool to be able to walk the grounds at our own pace. We did not do the guided tour but I'm sure it would be amazing! Had some snow falling when we were there which made for awesome pictures of the exterior of the building as well! Highly highly recommend! Note: brewery only open during the weekday

4.6(708)

4.5(606)

2400 WI-69, New Glarus, WI 53574, USA

30

Swiss Historical Village Museum

Local history museum

Sights & Landmarks

Non-profit organization

Historic Sites

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What a great historical site to visit! This museum provides a self-paced walking tour to see life of Swiss settlers. My Dad and I enjoyed a few hours of exploring the different houses, showcasing different historical pieces. Of course my favorite was the old cheese house. Take your out of town guests to this charming museum.

Absolutely LOVED this place. We cannot wait to go back with the kids. It was definitely worth it, there are many buildings to look at and so much to see. They have a cute gift shop at the end as well!! The woman at the front desk was so kind and helpful!

The Swiss Historical Village is a unique opportunity to learn about the settlers in New Glarus, WI through a self-guided walking tour. New Glarus or the Swiss Colony was established in 1885 by the people emigrating from Canton Glarus, Switzerland 🇨🇭. This village has both original and replica buildings. The tools, buggies, fire trucks and cheese kettle are original to the area. In fact the cheese factory will be making cheese again in October as part of Octoberfest.

4.6(107)

4.5(93)

612 7th Ave, New Glarus, WI 53574, USA

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