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Hiking around Chicago
A one-hour drive from the bustling demands of urban living is all you need for a retreat to woods, prairies and bogs.
Local wineries
Rows of corn may be a common sight when driving through the Midwest, but this part of the country also boasts some top-notch vineyards and wineries.
Chicago's top hotels
We can't all stay at the Ritz, but if you've got a little extra dough, you'll likely find a fine hotel to meet your needs.
Texas in Chicago
You don't have to go all the way to Texas to get a little Lone Star feel. Head to any of these places for a unique Texas experience (cowboy boots and lasso not included).
Camping around Chicago
You don't have to head all the way to Wisconsin to pitch a tent, thanks to these seven campgrounds, all located within 90 minutes of the city.
Caribbean cuisine
From giant platters of Dominican food sided with sweet plantains to jibaritos to an astounding two pounds of jerk chicken wings, the eating is good, the easy breezy atmosphere even better.
Midwest breweries
Sure, you can pick up a six-pack, but why not head to the source? Taste your way throughout the entire Midwest, from Munster to Madison.
Comida caliente
With a city filled with tantalizing Mexican restaurants, take the search even farther south of the border for the best that Central and South America had to offer.
Ride a hot air balloon
You don't have to scale the Sears Tower to get a bird's-eye view of things. Take a trip in a hot air balloon and you'll find yourself on cloud nine. Literally.
Go glamping
Glamping, or "glamorous camping," is a high-end way of roughing it. Read on to learn about how to get closer to nature without getting dirt under your fingernails.
Pet-friendly hotels
Many hotels welcome well-behaved pets as long as guests are willing to pay additional cleaning fees. Here's a list of hotels nationwide that have gone to the dogs.
Illinois' great lakes
Minnesota may be the land of ten thousand lakes, but you don't need to head north to enjoy lakeside fun, thanks to these great Illinois lakes.
Escape to a nearby B&B
These Chicago-area B&Bs provide the comforts of a very pampered and elegant home, from outdoor hot tubs to served-in-bed omelets.
Take a carriage ride
After a day spent suffering crowded trains, you might start to long for the good old horse and buggy days. Luckily, you can still catch a carriage downtown.
The Midwest's Cape Cod
You don't need to travel east to have a Cape Cod-like summer. These Michigan and Wisconsin lakeside towns give you all the sandy shore you'll need.
Rent a vacation home
Stay in a decent hotel for a week, and you may end up with a $1,500 bill. A vacation rental can save you a bundle, and these sites make finding one easy.
Drive safer
Whether you drive to work everyday or just drive to the market on the weekends, these fantastic websites will help you be a better, safer driver.
Wacky hotels
From Wisconsin's theme-room Don Q Inn to a giant beagle fit for lodging in Idaho, these wacky hotels are sure to make your stay a memorable one.
Pick your own fruit
An apple a day might keep asthma away...why not keep yourself even healthier by spending a day in the sunshine picking fruit?
Vacation via Amtrak
With gas prices on the rise, it's nice to know you don't have to drive to get away from it all. We've compiled a list of great summer vacation spots easily accessible via Amtrak.
Dealing with flight delays
There's nothing worse than packing up the kids, getting work squared away and rushing to the airport...only to find a two hour delay. These sites can help.
Kid-friendly hotels
These hotels keep the kids happy with pools, milk and cookies and close proximity to hot spots like Navy Pier and American Girl Place.
Chicago does Palm Springs
Dial-down the expense but mimic the desert resort experience with our guide to having a Palm Springs holiday, Chicago-style.
10 rockin' rock climbing destinations
If your version of "on the rocks" involves bouldering, not barstools, these 10 rock climbing destinations are for you.
