Chicago Weekend and Daytrip Ideas

You probably know that we have an extensive travel collection, but do you know that we have many books on Chicago and Illinois daytrips and weekends?  You don't have to go to Paris to have a great time - you can try one of these worthy titles to give you an idea for local travel fun!

If you're a biker, you should take a look at Best Rail Trails Illinois.  Offering a selection of more than 40 bike trails (many of which are former railroad tracks converted to bike paths), Best Rail Trails has good options for day trips near and far.  Hikers should grab a copy of Easy Hikes Close to Home to get ideas for some pleasant Illinois hikes, most of which are short and easy
Best Rail Trails Illinois
Easy Hikes Close to Home



Chicago Free & Dirt Cheap is your thrifty travel guide, for those days that you feel like taking the brood somewhere but not having to take out a second mortgage to do so.  It offers suggestions for cheap eats, walking tours, ways to save money on museums and cultural events and simple free ways to kill time. Frommer's Chicago With Kids is another place to get some great ideas of things to do with the family.
Frommer's Chicago Free & Dirt Cheap
Frommer's Chicago With Kids

After all this activity you may need a night out, so why not visit a pub with some history behind it?  The book Historic Bars of Chicago is a great guide to nightlife and bars in Chicago, especially if you are interested in something unique.  It lists many neighborhood bars and offers a listing of pub crawls and defunct taverns as well.
Historic Bars of Chicago