8 days in Great Lakes USA Itinerary

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

Chicago is known for museums, parks, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, learn more about the world around you at Field Museum, take in panoramic vistas at 360 Chicago Observation Deck, and take in the waterfront at Navy Pier.

To find more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Chicago online trip itinerary builder.

Saint Louis to Chicago is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. Traveling from Saint Louis in July, you will find days in Chicago are little chillier (83°F), and nights are about the same (67°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Wisconsin Dells.

Named after a nearby scenic gorge famous for its steep sandstone formations, Wisconsin Dells features more than 20 water parks, making it one of the most popular vacation areas in this region.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Wed): race across the water with a speed boat tour and then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Wisconsin Dells tour planner.

Drive from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight and train. Traveling from Chicago in July, expect slightly colder with lows of 59°F in Wisconsin Dells. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) to allow time to travel to New Era.

New Era is a village in Shelby Township, Oceana County in the U.S. state of Michigan. On the 15th (Thu), experience rural life at Country Dairy, explore by horseback at Rainbow Ranch is now Stony Lake Stables, and then experience rural life at Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo.

For maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the New Era day trip website.

Traveling by car from Wisconsin Dells to New Era takes 6.5 hours. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 1 hour. In July, daily temperatures in New Era can reach 79°F, while at night they dip to 58°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) so you can travel to Sandusky.

Sandusky positively bustles in the summertime due to its famed amusement park.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Fri): contemplate the long history of Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden, then cool off at Cedar Point, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Osborn Recreation Area.

To find where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Sandusky day trip planning tool.

You can drive from New Era to Sandusky in 5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of car and flight. Traveling from New Era in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Sandusky, with lows of 66°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can drive to Rockbridge.

Rockbridge is an unincorporated community in eastern Good Hope Township, Hocking County, Ohio, United States. On the 17th (Sat), identify plant and animal life at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, make a trip to Rockhouse, and then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Rockbridge trip planner.

Traveling by car from Sandusky to Rockbridge takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. In July, daytime highs in Rockbridge are 82°F, while nighttime lows are 62°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) so you can travel back home.