This post is the third (even though it says part two) in my series on exploring the Midwest. It’s for people like me that live in a big city like Chicago, don’t have much vacation time this summer, but want to get out in order to explore. Here are some ideas for weekend getaways you can take here in the Midwest that are three to five hours drive from Chicago.
Frankenmuth is probably one of the quaintest towns I have visited here in the Midwest. The city is known for its Bavarian style architecture, and looks like a town from a German story book. The town is along the Cass River in Eastern Michigan, and a five hour drive from Chicago.
I started my visit with a trip to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, which I learned is the world’s biggest Christmas store. It is huge, and I probably spent on hour there looking at all the ornaments and Christmas villages. I had to find the Halloween stuff, which they thankfully had (you can never have too many Halloween decorations). You can also order personalized Christmas ornaments. The owners are religious so you will most likely get a tract with your purchase, and the store advertises as a Christian centered store. The outside of the store is fun as well. There is a replica of the chapel where Silent Night was performed in 1818 in Austria, and other fun photo opportunities. If you love Christmas then this is the store for you.
In town, I started off my visit at the River Place Shops, which is an outdoor mall created in a Bavarian style. As you leave the shopping area, you walk across the bridge, and there is a great view of the old covered bridge. Even though the bridge was built in 1979, it was constructed using traditional timber framing techniques. On the river you can see the steamboats you can take a tour on, as one of the recommended things to do in Frankenmuth is take a wine and chocolate tasting on a river boat.
I did get a chance to visit Frankenmuth Brewery where I got to do a tasting and try the food. My friends and I decided to share nachos and mac and cheese, which went perfectly with the beer. I was able to try Rummelstiltskin, the Dunkel, and the Hef Blonde Ale. My favorite was the Belgium Boom Sour Ale. I recommend you do a sampler so you can try a variety of beer. The brewery also rotates through seasonal varieties as well.
Frankenmuth also has shops and a local museum you can visit. I spent a day there, but wished I stayed overnight (I especially wanted to see Bronner’s Christmas Store lit up at night). There are restaurants that specialize in German food as well. Imlay City is not too far so you can visit a lavender farm if you have not done so (it’s beautiful). If you are missing the big city, Detroit is about an hour away. However, if you want to visit a town out of fairy tale then Frankenmuth is the perfect place for you.
New Glarus, WI is a two and a half hour drive from Chicago, and is also a great place if you want to get out of the city for a day or two. It is small and quaint like Frankenmuth. New Glarus is known as Little Switzerland, since as you might have guessed, the town was founded by Swiss immigrants from Glarus, Switzerland in 1845. The town is proud of its heritage and celebrates many Swiss holidays and festivals throughout the year. I wrote about the brewery in my previous post, and recommend you stop there if you are a beer fan. The outdoor area is beautiful, and the beer is tasty.
Downtown New Glarus is meant to look like a small Swiss village with its Alpine architecture. I ate the best Reuben sandwich I ever had at Glarner Stube, which is known for its Swiss cuisine. The brewery gave me a token for a sample size beer from New Glarus Brewery to use in a restaurant in town, so it was accepted at Glarner Stube. A friend also recommended Toffler’s Pub (I’ll have to check it out it on my next visit). I walked around town checking out the stores like Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate Haus (where you can sample the fudge), Hawk’s Mill Winehaus, and other shops around the downtown area. Fat Cat Coffee Works is great for an iced coffee or tea stop. I couldn’t resist picking up a scone to take home, and recommend that you pick up one of the delicious baked goods.
The last visit of the day was to the Swiss Historical Village to get an idea how the town used to look since it replicates an 1850 Swiss settlement. The village consists of reproductions of some the buildings like the church, or buildings that were set to be turn down but were preserved from the nineteenth century. There are still bees in the old Bee House. The village consists of fourteen buildings that are filled with historical artifacts in order to give you an idea of immigrants lived and worked. If you’re a history nerd like I am, you’ll enjoy a visit there.
There is also a New Glarus Woods State Park if you want to go for a walk or hike, as well as other attractions in town based on your interests. New Glarus is a nice getaway that includes a scenic drive through the Wisconsin country side whether you are coming and going.
Galena is a great place to take a weekend getaway here in Illinois. The town has many well preserved buildings from the 19th century so it is like taking a trip back in time. Civil War general and the eighteenth president of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant’s home is there, so I suggest a stop there (and taking a tour). The home was donated to Grant as a reward for his service in the Civil War, and constructed from 1859-60. You’ll get interesting facts about Grant and his family from the tour guide. It was made a memorial to Grant in 1904. If you want to visit more historic sites, there are other recommended places like the Elihu Washburne House, Dowling House, and the Old Market where you can get a better idea of life in the nineteenth century in Galena.
If you want to do some wine tasting then I recommend a trip to Galena Cellars Winery and Vineyard, which has been in the Lawler family for three generations. You can taste wine in the tasting room, and/or take a tour of the vineyard. There are also wine pairings with chocolate, or cheese as well. It is such a beautiful place, so if you are looking for wedding venue this would be a great spot (and I’m not into weddings). There is also Galena Brewing Company and a distillery if you prefer other alcoholic beverages, or want to continue trying different libations when in the area.
There are many fun places to eat in town, and I recommend you go have ice cream at American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor, which makes you feel like you are at an old time ice cream shop. The ice cream is good, and the ambiance is great. There’s also a popcorn and fudge shop nearby as well if you need more snacks. Galena is also known for its antique shops as well so you can take a look while walking around the downtown area.
If you like ghost tours you can take one in Galena. Your guide will be dressed in nineteenth century garb, and take you on a tour of the area explaining the history, and many of the places that are allegedly haunted. There are different companies that you can choose (the one I went with is not in business any longer). Ghost tours are also a fun way of learning about local history and tales. It’s also an evening activity you can do before going out for drinks.
Galena is a great getaway, and a trip there will take you back in time. It’s also a beautiful area since it is hilly and green, which was was a great change of pace from being from the flat land of Chicago. I can see why it’s become recommended place you should visit in Illinois.
These are some of the places I have enjoyed visiting to get away from the big city life. Let me know if you have any suggestions. If you like my Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.
