Global Traveler

SCENIC DRIVES

Sure, multiple large cities may lie within a three-hour drive of Chicago — Milwaukee, Madison, Grand Rapids and Indianapolis, among others — but some of the country’s best-kept gems all reside within the state’s borders. Lake Forest, Illinois, sits less than 45 minutes from Chicago and offers a refined approach to a traditional small-town ambiance. Quaint shops line historic Market Square, and during the warmer months locals and visitors alike flock to the sunny shores of Lake Michigan to lounge in the sand on Lake Forest Beach. Afternoon Tea at The Deer Path Inn rivals the finest tea services in London, and reservations are strongly encouraged for dining in. Carry-out Afternoon Tea is available Wednesday through Saturday through pre-order.

Baseball fans may already be familiar with the lore of Rockford, Illinois — or movie fans, who know the town from A League of Their Own — but the rest of the world is quickly catching on to this small town’s charm. Travelers can tour Beyer Stadium, where the Rockford Peaches played, before satisfying their sweet tooth with goodies from the town’s other female-led winning team at Cacaocuvée Chocolate (one of Oprah’s “favorite things”). It’s not a trip to Rockford without stopping by Laurent House, which Frank Lloyd Wright himself called his “little gem.”

STATESIDE | CHICAGO

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2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://globaltraveler.pressreader.com/article/282355453871351

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