22 days in Chicago and Beyond Itinerary

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

Kids will enjoy The Art Institute of Chicago and Shedd Aquarium. When in Chicago, make a side trip to see DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville, approximately Naperville away. Next up on the itinerary: engage your brain at Museum of Science and Industry, get a new perspective on nature at Field Museum, get to know the resident critters at Lincoln Park Zoo, and enjoy breathtaking views from Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Chicago trip maker.

Kansas City to Chicago is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of tram and train. Expect colder temperatures when traveling from Kansas City in March; daily highs in Chicago reach 45°F and lows reach 30°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Crystal Lake.

Crystal Lake is a city in McHenry County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Explore Crystal Lake's surroundings by going to Pioneer Sholes Historic Site (in Saint Charles), Ellwood House Museum (in DeKalb) and Libertyville (Independence Grove Forest Preserve, Oh Olive, &more). There's lots more to do: glide through natural beauty at Veteran Acres Park, make a trip to Kracklauer Park, identify plant and animal life at Volo Bog State Natural Area, and examine the collection at Volo Museum.

To find where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Crystal Lake trip maker site.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Crystal Lake takes 1.5 hours. In March, daily temperatures in Crystal Lake can reach 44°F, while at night they dip to 26°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Ottawa.

Ottawa is a city located at the confluence of the navigable Illinois River and Fox River in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. On the 17th (Fri), relax and rejuvenate at SaltTreeYoga, then look for gifts at Starved Rock Hot Glass, then see the interesting displays at Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, and finally admire the majestic nature at Buffalo Rock State Park. On the next day, walk around Allen Park, then get engrossed in the history at Hegeler Carus Mansion, then get engrossed in the history at LaSalle County Historical Society & Museum, and finally immerse yourself in nature at Matthiessen State Park.

For maps, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Ottawa tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Crystal Lake to Ottawa in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 45°F in March, and nighttime lows around 28°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can go by car 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. Attractions like Discovery Center Museum and Severson Dells Nature Center make great kid-friendly stops. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Rockford: The Eagle's Nest Art Colony Collection (in Oregon), Dixon (The Next Picture Show, Old Settlers Memorial Cabin, &more) and White Pines Forest State Park (in Mount Morris). There's still lots to do: get a new perspective on nature at Burpee Museum of Natural History, admire the natural beauty at Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, find something for the whole family at Volcano Falls Adventure Park, and look for all kinds of wild species at Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve.

For photos, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Rockford tour itinerary planning tool.

You can drive from Ottawa to Rockford in 1.5 hours. In March, daytime highs in Rockford are 44°F, while nighttime lows are 26°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) to allow enough time to fly back home.