It’s always a bit sad to see summer come to a close each year, but there’s still one more weekend to live it up and celebrate the season! Labor Day weekend in Chicago often brings pleasant weather and lots of fun activities going on in the city. But if you’re looking to squeeze in one last summer road trip, you’re in luck because there are many great weekend destinations within driving distance. Here are our top picks for Labor Day getaways near Chicago.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is a wonderful place to visit if you enjoy a vibrant downtown area, art, sports, and good beer. The annual Milwaukee Rally of Harley-Davidson riders takes place over Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee, making this a great destination for live music, food, and rides. Other fun events going on this weekend in town include Laborfest in downtown Milwaukee.
Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana
If you think Indiana is all cornfields and cows, then you probably haven’t been to the Indiana Dunes. There’s a small part of the state that borders Lake Michigan and features sandy beaches, impressive sand dunes, and ocean waves for your last beach weekend of the season. The dunes are also a prime spot for birdwatching, and the beach stretches for about 15 miles long. It’s fun to rent a sandboard to ride down the dunes or simply hike through them, although be aware that hiking up and down these dunes is more challenging than you might think!
Madison, Wisconsin
Another great Wisconsin town to visit over Labor Day is Madison, especially if you love arts and culture, great food, and tasty beer. This destination is a foodie’s and a craft beer lover’s paradise, and you’ll have no shortage of entertainment with all the local attractions here. Some top things to do in town are the Chazen Museum of Art, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and cruising on Lake Mendota. Taste of Madison, a local food festival, takes place over Labor Day as well.
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
Another surprising natural wonder that you can visit on an easy day trip from Chicago this Labor Day is Starved Rock State Park. It’s only about 100 miles southwest of the city but it feels like a world away. There are over a dozen waterfalls and canyons here, as well as lots of hiking trails and guided interpretative programs. There is a lodge and cabins here if you want to stay overnight and make a full weekend trip out of a journey to Starved Rock.
Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin
A state park worth visiting near Chicago over Labor Day is Devil’s Lake. This is a favorite local spot for rock climbing, hiking, and camping near the town of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Over three million people visit this park each year. Over Labor Day weekend, there are some fun events planned at the park, including exploration exhibits.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is about 175 miles northeast of Chicago and is a lovely place to visit with your family. The Grand River flows through town to create an urban oasis, and there are lots of things to keep you entertained here. Top sights include the Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May House and the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Over Labor Day, you can check out the West Michigan Labor Fest, which is free to attend and has live music and fun activities for kids.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva is a resort town that’s popular in the summer, so why not celebrate Labor Day here to see off the season and welcome the fall? It’s fun to take a cruise on the lake when you’re here or lounge on the beach when the weather is nice. There are so many restaurants and hotels here that you will have lots of options to choose from on your little getaway.
Galena, Illinois
One of the most charming towns in the Midwest, Galena is a quaint Illinois town with lots to do that is also fun to visit over Labor Day weekend. This small town draws in big crowds of tourists each year who love to shop, take cruises on the river, sample local wines, and stay in a cozy bed-and-breakfast inn. The town is about 150 miles from the city and offers historical sites for history buffs, vineyard delights for wine connoisseurs and hiking and biking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
We also love spending Labor Day weekend in Ann Arbor, especially once football season kicks off. This Michigan college town is also a place to get active in the outdoors, with hiking and biking before the weather turns chilly. Locals and visitors always look forward to the Dancing in the Streets Festival at this time of year. This is a free festival on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend on Main and Washington Streets in Downtown Ann Arbor that has multiple stages and allows visitors the opportunity to try various styles of dance.
Door County, Wisconsin
Located on a peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, it’s also nice to take a drive up to Door County, Wisconsin to celebrate Labor Day. This destination features over 300 miles of shoreline, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, five state parks, 11 lighthouses, and 19 different communities to explore. The Sister Bay Marina Fest is a fun event to attend in this region on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day.
