Points of Interest between Charleston, West Virginia to Gurnee, Illinois

picture of Charleston, West Virginia

Best Places to Visit on a Trip Between Charleston, West Virginia and Gurnee, Illinois

Embarking on a road trip can bring a lot of excitement for adventure-seekers. The journey from Charleston, West Virginia to Gurnee, Illinois has an array of options for tourists to experience along the way. Below is a list of the top five places to visit on this trip.

Route and Halfway Point

The total distance from Charleston, West Virginia, to Gurnee, Illinois is around 585 miles, taking approximately ten hours to drive. Notably, our halfway point will be Knightstown, IN, a beautiful city to explore before continuing your journey.

Best Places to Visit

  1. West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia.

Charleston is the capital of West Virginia, so it's only natural to start your journey here. The West Virginia State Capitol building is an architectural marvel designed in 1924. You can find the capitol museum inside the building, showcasing replicas of artwork, antique furnishings, statues, and stained glass all native to West Virginia. Take your time wandering the building until you hit the dome observatory, which provides a breathtaking view of the city that is worth the extra climb!

  1. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis is famous for the Indy 500 car race. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, you can learn about its history, see iconic race cars, and even tour the track to get a feel for first-hand experience. The museum showcases racing champions' collection, ranging from Mario Andretti to Lewis Hamilton. Interactive exhibits and films round out the museum experience and make it entertaining for racing enthusiasts of all ages.

  1. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is one of America’s largest children’s museums with more than 471,000 square feet of exhibit space. The museum has more than 120,000 artifacts and is packed with fun. Some of the museum shows include; ScienceWorks, Dinosphere, and National Geographic’s Treasures of the Earth providing an endless possibility of entertainment and educational experience that both parents and their kids will have a great time exploring together.

  1. Knightstown, Indiana

Knightstown is a small private town that is full of character with homes and building that date back to the early 1900s. While here, take a tour of Carthage Covered Bridge, a unique architecture built in 1973 and has featured in several movies. You can also dine at the Hoosier Gym, where parts of “Hoosiers” were filmed for experiencing the spirit of a small-town community in a historic gym made famous by the movie.

  1. Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois

If you made it this far, the last stop of our journey takes us Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, filled with exciting attractions and pulse-racing adventures. This fantastic amusement park has over 14 exciting attractions that will give you the a lifetime memories. From adrenaline rides like Nitro and Goliath to something milder like the Looney Tunes kids rides, you’ll find entertainment for the whole family here.

Conclusion

Road-tripping from Charleston, West Virginia, to Gurnee, Illinois, will undoubtedly be a memorable experience. Along the way, you’ll find a diverse choice of activities for everyone. From the bustling cities of Charlotte, Indianapolis, Knightstown to the adventurous Six Flags Great America park, these five stops should make your road trip enjoyable and worth sharing with your friends.