Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Cary, Illinois and Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois is known as the Windy City, rich in history and culture, and is the largest city in the Midwest. Meanwhile, Cary, Illinois, located northwest of Chicago, is a small, quaint town in McHenry County, surrounded by beautiful parks and nature preserves. Embarking on a road trip from Cary to Chicago, and back, will bring an exciting mix of both urban and rural experiences. The halfway point Schaumburg, IL, offers plenty of diverse attractions to break up the trip. Here are the five best things to add to your itinerary:

Millennium Park

Millennium Park, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is one of the city's most popular attractions. Amongst its highlights is the iconic "Bean", officially known as Cloud Gate, a beautifully reflective stainless steel sculpture shaped like a giant bean. Visitors can take selfies, group photos, or simply marvel at the unique artwork. The park also comes alive during summer months with free concerts, movies, and festivals.

Fun fact: Cloud Gate weighs in at 110 metric tons, which is equivalent to about 15 elephants.

Navy Pier

Stretching out into Lake Michigan and adjacent to the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago is Navy Pier. It is a must-see destination for first-time visitors to the city. It offers a combination of restaurants, shops, museums, entertainment venues, and even an amusement park. There is something for everyone, including live music, theater performances, and fireworks shows.

Fun fact: Navy Pier was originally known as Municipal Pier and was built in 1916 for shipping and recreational purposes.

Downtown Cary Grove Farmers' Market

The Downtown Cary Grove Farmers' Market, located in the heart of Cary's downtown area, is a weekly event that showcases locally grown produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, and more. In addition to supporting local vendors, visitors can also enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and interactive activities for children. The market runs every Sunday from June through September.

Fun fact: The Downtown Cary Grove Farmers' Market has been operating since 2009 and has featured over 20 different vendors.

The Morton Arboretum

Located in nearby Lisle, IL, The Morton Arboretum is a 1700-acre living tree museum, and it is an ideal destination for nature lovers. Visitors can hike, bike, or explore the arboretum by tram. Some of the highlights include the Children's garden, the maze garden, and the seasonal blooms. The arboretum also regularly hosts educational events, such as guided hikes and workshops.

Fun fact: The Morton Arboretum features over 222,000 cataloged plants from around the world.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo, established in 1868, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, offering visitors a chance to observe a variety of wildlife and even interact with some of the smaller animals. The zoo is free and operates all year round. Some of the highlights include the Regenstein Center for African Apes, the Kovler Sea Lion Pool, and the Pritzker Family Children's Zoo.

Fun fact: Lincoln Park Zoo features over 200 species of animals, and many of them are endangered or threatened.

In conclusion, embarking on the Cary-to-Chicago road trip offers an exciting mix of city and country attractions. From the iconic striking Chicago skyline to the beautiful and serene natural setting of Cary, visitors can experience the contrast of the two worlds without having to go too far from each other. In total, the road trip route is approximately 84 miles from Cary to Chicago. However, with the attractions and activities in between, it is an adventure worth taking.