13 days in Chicago & Columbus Itinerary

Kids will appreciate attractions like The Art Institute of Chicago and Yerkes Observatory. Get a sense of the local culture at Richard H. Driehaus Museum and Field Museum. Take a break from Chicago with a short trip to Discovery Center Museum in Rockford, about 1h 40 min away. There's still lots to do: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Shedd Aquarium, admire the striking features of Chicago Cultural Center, and engage your brain at Museum of Science and Industry.

To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Chicago trip planner.

If you are flying in from Brazil, the closest major aiports are Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Gary Chicago International Airport. In March, plan for daily highs up to 8°C, and evening lows to -1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sat) so you can catch the flight to Columbus.

Step out of the city life by going to Ohio Caverns and Old Man's Cave. Bring the kids along to Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and North Market Farmer's Market. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Columbus: Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (in Chillicothe), Dayton (Carillon Historical Park & Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke Plaza) and Logan (Cantwell Cliffs & Ash Cave). The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at Columbus Museum of Art, examine the collection at The Museum of Catholic Art and History, wander the streets of Short North Arts District, and deepen your understanding at Ohio State University.

For traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read our Columbus online trip itinerary builder.

You can fly from Chicago to Columbus in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. In March, daytime highs in Columbus are 11°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C.