11 days in Chicago and Beyond Itinerary

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Chicago Riverwalk and Chicago River. The Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Science and Industry will appeal to museum buffs. Explore Chicago's surroundings by going to Red Oak Nature Center (in Batavia), Riverwalk Lot (in Naperville) and Blackwell Forest Preseve (in Wheaton). There's lots more to do: stroll through Lakefront Trail, admire the striking features of Chicago Cultural Center, don't miss a visit to Millennium Park, and admire the local landmark of Buckingham Fountain.

To see more things to do, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read our Chicago sightseeing planning tool.

Manchester, UK to Chicago is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a -6 hour difference. In May, Chicago is somewhat warmer than Manchester - with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Utica.

North Utica, often known as Utica, is a village in Utica Township, LaSalle County, Illinois. On the 26th (Fri), see the interesting displays at Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, walk around Allen Park, then immerse yourself in nature at Matthiessen State Park, and finally admire the majestic nature at Buffalo Rock State Park.

For reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Utica trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Utica takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. In May in Utica, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Fri) so you can go by car to Nauvoo.

Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States, on the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, Iowa. Start off your visit on the 27th (Sat): take in the spiritual surroundings of Nauvoo Temple, then steep yourself in history at Historic Nauvoo, and then steep yourself in history at Joseph Smith Historic Site.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Nauvoo using our trip planner.

Getting from Utica to Nauvoo by car takes about 3.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in May, and nighttime lows around 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Rockford.

Rockford is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, the 171st most populous city in the United States, the largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area, and the city of the 148th most populous metropolitan area in the United States. Kick off your visit on the 28th (Sun): have fun and explore at Discovery Center Museum, look for all kinds of wild species at Severson Dells Nature Center, and then identify plant and animal life at Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve.

To find reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Rockford planning website.

Getting from Nauvoo to Rockford by car takes about 4 hours. May in Rockford sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 11°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Waukegan.

Waukegan is a city and the county seat of Lake County, Illinois, United States. Start off your visit on the 29th (Mon): see the interesting displays at Volo Museum, then look for all kinds of wild species at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, and then see what you can catch with WindyCitySalmon. On the next day, identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Discovery Center, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Shalom Memorial Park, then identify plant and animal life at Prairie Wolf Slough, and finally delve into the lush surroundings at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.

To see other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Waukegan route planner.

Traveling by car from Rockford to Waukegan takes 2 hours. When traveling from Rockford in May, plan for a bit cooler days in Waukegan, with highs around 22°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Wed) early enough to travel back home.