Door County (from Chicago)

Door County rivals Cape Cod with 300 miles of shoreline but at half the cost — a 4-hour escape from Chicago that feels authentically Midwestern. Eleven lighthouses, five state parks, and cherry orchards yielding 5 million pounds annually define this peninsula. The fish boil tradition, dating to the 1800s, feeds 150 hungry visitors each night at the Old Post Office for $25 per person. Ephraim’s 19th-century storefronts and Fish Creek’s harbor offer postcard-perfect views without Cape Cod’s crowds. In summer, 70°F Lake Michigan water invites kayaking; in winter, snowfall exceeds 40 inches, giving you the trails to yourself. The average stay costs 30% less than a comparable Lake Michigan resort, with cherry pie from Door County Creamery sealing the deal.