Chicago is one of the all-time-great cities to live in... but once in a while even the city's biggest boosters require a getaway.
Fortunately, Chicago is well-positioned for quick weekend escapes to a variety of places that offer both a change of pace and scenery.
Wind your way around Lake Michigan to the neighboring state that gave the waterway its name. Michigan makes good use of its shoreline. Here you can find several classic resort towns where couples go to relax, take in the scenery, and indulge in a variety of activities.
On Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Petoskey is located about 350 miles from Chicago. Scenic US 31 follows Michigan’s Gold Coast, delivering you to six-square-mile Petoskey. A four-seasons destination, Petoskey has lakefront beaches, a picturesque golf course, nearby ski slopes, a vibrant downtown, and sunsets made for lovers.
Another Great Lakes gem, car-free Mackinac (pronounced mack-in-naw) Island (you'll leave yours at the ferry terminal in Mackinac City on the Lower Peninsula) has charmed couples for more than a century. While there are several places to stay on this island, the Grand Hotel has always been the place to see and be seen.
Further north than Petoskey, Mackinac Island has a shorter season and the hotel is only open May through October.
